Where is your faith at?

Been trying to think of a topic to revive this forum and maybe something more personal rather than getting all theological. It's been a while since we talked about our faith journeys (and it is almost always a journey) so where are you at on yours? Lets talk and reflect. And please, question without attacking and be respectful of others ideas and beliefs. There are no right answers here, just a chance to share our journeys.

For my part, I'm kind of in a place where I'm possibly interested in returning to UU'ism but not enough to really make the effort. And I have really been neglecting my former interest in religious and philosophical literature. Basically, I'm in a pause, just living my life and not thinking too much about the big questions. In terms of what I believe, I remain what I refer to as an "agnostic pantheist". That is, I see Nature or maybe more broadly Cosmos as the source of my being without really seeing it as "Deity" and I generally remain content to live in the questions where metaphysical matters like God, afterlives, and such are concerned. Philosophically, I kick it old school, with a mix of ideas from ancient philosophers like Socrates and philosophical schools like Epicureanism and Stoicism leavened with a bit of modern existentialism. I see grace in the world but not given by fiat of a deity just in the unearned and often even unexpected blessings we receive from life.

And that's kind of it. My journey hasn't necessarily reached a destination, but I'm definitely on a straight, smooth patch of road or maybe even at a service centre taking a break.

Still can't see reality being related to anything written down in any religion. Can't believe a word of it. Couldn't if I wanted to. Not a stitch of it seems plausible to me.

Some nice architecture, though.

Religion, for me, still seems like something worth opposing. Just not with the enthusiasm I once had, and maybe more focused on those who would try to use their faith as a hammer, or to influence public policy and laws.

But in Canada, we see that faith-based culture war politics on its heels again, where it belongs. Should it try again, maybe I'll be more vocal.

But that's the only time I think about faith now, where it intersects with politics. And here. Otherwise, I'm reaching my apathetic years. I just can't bring myself to care like I used to.

chansen said:

Otherwise, I'm reaching my apathetic years. I just can't bring myself to care like I used to.

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Apathy might actually be part of my problem. I have other interests and spiritual matters don't command the mindshare in me they did at one time. I just don't concern myself with them much anymore.

I recall my concerns about faith piqued after 9/11, like a lot of people, with the Christian nationalist response. It was a crazy time. Before that I was an atheist, but I didn't care. I'm heading in that direction again, though if Christian nationalists start gaining in the polls again, all bets are off.

chansen said:

though if Christian nationalists start gaining in the polls again, all bets are off.

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Move to the US. They need you.

Mendalla said:

Apathy might actually be part of my problem. I have other interests and spiritual matters don't command the mindshare in me they did at one time. I just don't concern myself with them much anymore.

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Same with the mindshare situation. Matters are faith are large in my mind when I am hosting a Bible study thread. At other times, not so much.

I attend church weekly but I am not terribly involved beyond Sunday morning. I like to go (except for snow days) because I feel connected to the people in the congregation and I enjoy the music.

Sermons can be thought-provoking but they are not what motivates me to attend our services week by week.

Study groups are good when we have them in RL but they are not a regular thing.

I do a form of walking meditation but I don't pray a lot. Sometimes I make daily prayer my spiritual discipline for Lent.

I'm a typical Christian, I think. I attend church; I get involved in things at church; I try to live a good and caring life; and I reflect/pray/communicate with a deity. I don't believe the Bible word for word, but I find many wisdoms in it that uplift and help me in the trials and joys of life. I like the stories. I like the idea of Jesus. I read critically and hoping for inspiration. I am comfortable within my Christian community. Yesterday I was listening to Crash Test Dummie's "Superman Song" and I realize that I have always wanted a humble, genuine hero to do good things in the world.

As for what I think is plausible in the bible. Not much unless I read it as mythology.

My recent study of Acts here on WC2 left me feeling like it was mostly supernatural nonsense.

For some reason I am much happier with myths about Jesus than Paul.

Is all this profundity leading us to a subtle place blow the visible horizon and somewhat chancy ... like quantum dimensions!

That's deep getting close to the core ...

Where the hell is unsafe? It's creepy that no one has been telling me I'm going to hell recently.

For reasons that sort of escape me, I appear to have been born godstruck.

BetteTheRed said:

For reasons that sort of escape me, I appear to have been born godstruck.

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I am much the same although I think it's primarily a Jesus thing.

Taking Jesus seriously means wrestling with one's concept of God. At least for me it does. I know Jesus can make sense for some people solely as a moral teacher/ social reformer/ Jewish mystic.

In the light of Jesus ... some just retreat! Why? ... that's shadowy ...

Many cannot see it because of weird blinding effect ...

BetteTheRed said:

For reasons that sort of escape me, I appear to have been born godstruck.

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I don't know that I was born godstruck but my upbringing was heavily tied to the church, between my parents being active in our family church and Grandad being a minister with a senior role in the UCCan. I know my interest in theology and philosophy almost certainly comes from Grandad given he held graduate degrees in those fields (Masters in philosophy, Th.D. in theology).

Imagine if God and Love is nothing ... would leave one hollowed out ... forming a place of residence ...

Home of trouble, bother and Ani in ancient, classic tongues ... many are unconcerned about ancient forms thus disaster when Fortran is dismissed as foundational fabric ... underwear is deteriorated ... war & out!

Nothing makes sense if you can maintain such deficiencies! Vacuum is difficult considering all that rushes in ... kohl?

chansen said:

Where the hell is unsafe? It's creepy that no one has been telling me I'm going to hell recently.

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Actually, @unsafe has been pretty quiet since Snoopy's thread on Acts died down. Hope all is well.

Yeah, same. I just realized we were talking about faith and it was feeling way too atheistic in here. Looked around and found she hadn't been heard from in a month. That's not like her. Period.

Perhaps she's gone down under as some say about the southern continents ... some are very mysterious also!

chansen said:

Where the hell is unsafe? It's creepy that no one has been telling me I'm going to hell recently.

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Excellent. Don't do that to us again. Planks and specs don't embed themselves.