Forgive me Jord, for I have sinned...

[twicketface]

Marie and I attended church for the first time in almost a year on Sunday. There is a Universal Unitarian church a few blocks from our house and, after reading up on their belief structure on-line, decided to attend. And for the first time in a long time, I felt comfortable in a place of worship. To me, it's less of a church and more of a spiritual community - they are very liberal with their beliefs and everyone is welcome (Buddhists, Humanists, Pagans, and so on). We attended an orientation session to get more information and the woman explained it as the group of people who don't belong elsewhere. They put importance on social justice and the good that come out of people working together.

When Marie and I moved into our house, I was expecting neighbors to come over with warm apple pies and welcome us to the neighborhood. The only person who did come over to introduce herself was the cop's wife (they live to our left) and that's only because (per the former owner's) she needs to be in everyone's business. I haven't had a sense of community since my friends and I went our separate ways after high school. We still keep in touch but it's not the same. Why are we so separate from other people?

I'm not putting all my hopes in this church, but it sounds promising. I was raised Catholic and, over time, have changed my beliefs. We can debate until we're blue in the face that God does or doesn't exist. I'd prefer to acknowledge God by putting God in the background. Because to me, praying to God is the easiest (and least productive) thing you can do. I'd rather put the onus on myself to make things better than to expect a prayer to make a difference. I pray, but to myself. I pray that I am more compassionate and understanding instead of to some old guy on a cloud to make things better. Also, it seems like everyone (the minister included) is one the same level - all questioning, all doubting, all struggling to make sense of it all. I guess that's where I feel I fit in the best.

So anyway, yeah. We're going to join and see what we can get involved with in the community.

Also, Marie and I have watched 10 of the 13 episodes of the first season of Six Feet Under. The show is great and I'm happy that season two is coming out in June. But limiting the awesomeness that is Illeana Douglas in *one* episode should be a crime. Anyway, I'm anxious to rent the last DVD and see how the first season wraps up.

Quote of the day:
Something is terribly wrong when the only person who has been fired over terrorism is me. - Bill Maher

Comments

[hexkitten.livejournal.com]

I'd rather put the onus on myself to make things better than to expect a prayer to make a difference.

I kind of think that this is the point. It is so much easier to cling to the idea of trusting in God, and abandoning the thought of the Lord helping those that help themselves. Personally, I get scared by the people that wear dumb smiles and chant, "The Lord will provide!"

My cousin is like that. There's a bunch of people at my sister's church that are the same way. Sis is in a financial position where she can be helpful, and has been. She stopped after noticing members of her congregation never doing anything to pick themselves up. "Oh, look, we needed money, and God sent some. See? God always provides." Freaky, man. Freaky.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

"God helps those who help themselves" - or so I always thought. I've never allowed myself to 'publicize' these thoughts for fear of a lightening bolt to the head, but so far, so good ;)

[cornelius-mcfee.livejournal.com]

good post and solid thinkin'.

I'm not exaggerating this position at all, and I stand by it in every respect: anybody who claims to know the will of God is a self-deifying nutjob.

former catholics unite!


C

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

Wait, Pat Robertson is a nut job?

This changes everything!!!

[foldedpagesfade.livejournal.com]

i don't think of prayer as supplication, as asking for things or relying on anyone for guidance. i also don't think of it as an open-parenthesis "dear god", close-parenthesis "amen."

there are a lot of things i don't care for about paul's approach to christianity -- take up your sword and armor, smite the darkness, etc. -- but one thing he supposedly said sticks with me: adialeiptos proseuchesthe, or pray all the time. and that kind of prayer's the good kind, i think, because it's really just about always being on, always being inspired by appreciation.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

That's really beautiful - I'd not heard that before.

One of the books by Thich Nhat Hanh talked about how he always thinks about death. Not out of fear, but throughout the day he'll remember that one day, he'll not be alive. A cause to re-examine his actions on a regular basis and keep perspective.

I've tried it and it's more difficult than I thought - we live lives of distraction.

[bethie8888.livejournal.com]

First off, GREAT Bill Maher quote.

I think its neat that you guys went to church. I find myself agreeing with a lot of Unitarian beliefs.

And I'm drooling over the 2nd season of 6 Feet Under because this is the first news I've heard of the release.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

I hope what I found is true - and that Family Video gets it the day it comes out!