I don't think you have described a church when you say you 'wanted a casual space where people could gather to think and talk about the big, deep topics, things like forgiveness, community, or suffering.' Not without some form of spooky non-existent-entity worship stuff, and the dictum to not question but obey. That's a church. What you describe is something more useful.
I find it hard... no...impossible... to have any idea what a spiritual life, or the spirit, might be. One definition I found on-line is: 'The spirit is the immaterial part of humans that has the capacity to relate to God. Outside of Christ, a person is spiritually dead.' I'm sure that makes sense to Christians, but it makes no sense to me. And how would people of other religions feel about that as a definition?
Of course it could be argued that it's because I have no religion that I have no sense of spirituality, but there, honeybuns, we are in the realm of tautology.
Haha, I take your point about churches, generally. I would define spirituality more broadly: both an experience of awe and connectedness to something greater than the self, and also the intellectual side of things, big questions like "what do we owe each other"? I feel like this would include people who don't believe in God, though your mileage may vary and certainly many people will disagree.
So relatable. We are debating going to church this weekend (we are technically members of a local Episcopalian church, but haven’t been in a year) but I don’t know if we will. I miss Eucharist and the group singing most.
We did a Christmas sing along at a local pub last year and it was a mix of carols and beer songs and I cried the whole time 😆
Oh I so relate! When I wasn't going to church, group singing is what I'd dream about. There's something that hits really deep with these rituals. I know Bessel van der Kolk has written about how group singing helps people with PTSD regulate because of synchronized breathing (or something like that?)
I like the practice of keeping spaces holy - this is probably why I shy away from Megachurches and prefer old Episcopal buildings frequented by octagenians.
Have you looked into the Unitarian church? They have no doctrine, and there are no prescribed beliefs. The point is the questions and the search for meaning; people are free to come to their own conclusions. They explore the big questions that you mention. I'm sure individual congregations vary, but the Unitarian church in my area also gets involved in community and social justice issues.
I've never heard that saying before! It's bringing to mind something I read recently in Richard Rohr's "Falling Upward," that we need to learn & internalize rules in the first half of life so that in the second half we can transcend them. I like the way you explain it--you've given me a lot to think about.
"I’ve accepted that happiness is a byproduct of building a good life, not its main purpose." I really love this line.
I don't think you have described a church when you say you 'wanted a casual space where people could gather to think and talk about the big, deep topics, things like forgiveness, community, or suffering.' Not without some form of spooky non-existent-entity worship stuff, and the dictum to not question but obey. That's a church. What you describe is something more useful.
I find it hard... no...impossible... to have any idea what a spiritual life, or the spirit, might be. One definition I found on-line is: 'The spirit is the immaterial part of humans that has the capacity to relate to God. Outside of Christ, a person is spiritually dead.' I'm sure that makes sense to Christians, but it makes no sense to me. And how would people of other religions feel about that as a definition?
Of course it could be argued that it's because I have no religion that I have no sense of spirituality, but there, honeybuns, we are in the realm of tautology.
Keep up the excellent work.
I agree. I’ve been in book clubs that meet this criteria. It just takes intention and people with a similar desire for community. 💗
Haha, I take your point about churches, generally. I would define spirituality more broadly: both an experience of awe and connectedness to something greater than the self, and also the intellectual side of things, big questions like "what do we owe each other"? I feel like this would include people who don't believe in God, though your mileage may vary and certainly many people will disagree.
So relatable. We are debating going to church this weekend (we are technically members of a local Episcopalian church, but haven’t been in a year) but I don’t know if we will. I miss Eucharist and the group singing most.
We did a Christmas sing along at a local pub last year and it was a mix of carols and beer songs and I cried the whole time 😆
Oh I so relate! When I wasn't going to church, group singing is what I'd dream about. There's something that hits really deep with these rituals. I know Bessel van der Kolk has written about how group singing helps people with PTSD regulate because of synchronized breathing (or something like that?)
Whatever you end up doing, I hope it blesses you.
Thanks, same to you 🙏🏽
Congratulations on inventing Church! lol.
I like the practice of keeping spaces holy - this is probably why I shy away from Megachurches and prefer old Episcopal buildings frequented by octagenians.
yeah, there's something about those old buildings full of old music, right?
Have you looked into the Unitarian church? They have no doctrine, and there are no prescribed beliefs. The point is the questions and the search for meaning; people are free to come to their own conclusions. They explore the big questions that you mention. I'm sure individual congregations vary, but the Unitarian church in my area also gets involved in community and social justice issues.
I've thought about it but never actually gone. Do you attend a UU church?
I have attended several times, but the closest one to me is 40 miles away, and so far I haven't been motivated to make that commitment!
totally fair!
I've never heard that saying before! It's bringing to mind something I read recently in Richard Rohr's "Falling Upward," that we need to learn & internalize rules in the first half of life so that in the second half we can transcend them. I like the way you explain it--you've given me a lot to think about.