Help me figure out what church to go to. Not sure even of my religion. - Page 2

[PoetryLover]

I'm Quaker and my views seem similar to yours. I attend a small, liberal, Christian meeting in New England and I love it. The funny thing is that after I converted to Quakerism, I took this quiz and it told me that my views are liberal Quaker. I recommend the quiz for those that don't really know which religions to explore and find it to be a valuable guide, a sort of jumping off point.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx

Edited by PoetryLover - 7/10/11 at 9:24pm

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by Koalamom 

 I wish there was a church in the woods or that went for hikes. That would be neat.

This reminds me of a beautiful day last summer when our Quaker Meeting decided to have worship sprawled out on the lawn, enjoying the sunshine. :-)

[Alenushka]

Consider visiting you local Zen Center. There is no beating over the head, that is for sure.  Just sit for a meditation period and see how it feels.

Originally Posted by Koalamom 

I am looking to attend a church for the community and also to be renewed weekly. I was a mormon, but left that and want to attend a different church. Her is what I believe and is there a church close to these beliefs?

I am a pagan mystic christian and into Jesus more than the rest of the bible but open to the great teachings there.
I am very much into earthy spirituality and feel great when just simply going for a walk outside.
I also believe that there are other paths that people are on like Buddhists, Jewish, etc (you get what I mean) that are just right for them and no judgment to them. I don't mind learning about them either. I thought the UU church would be good but I need to hear about Jesus more than I think the UU church would talk about. Not sure anyway as I have never actually attended it.
I am more into the orthodox view of salvation that the Protestant view. I think that no matter what God is always there. And I don't want a controlling church that beats into your head that you are not getting into heaven if you don't do XYZ. I believe that is personal.

So is there a match? I really don't know what other churches believe since I was only mormon my whole life living in a bubble. I am ready for something new. Thanks for your help!

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by PoetryLover 

I'm Quaker and my views seem similar to yours. I attend a small, liberal, Christian meeting in New England and I love it. The funny thing is that after I converted to Quakerism, I took this quiz and it told me that my views are liberal Quaker. I recommend the quiz for those that don't really know which religions to explore and find it to be a valuable guide, a sort of jumping off point.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx

Ha, Ha! Just took the quiz, and I am a liberal quaker too. It must be rigged or we are soul sisters!

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by Koalamom 



Ha, Ha! Just took the quiz, and I am a liberal quaker too. It must be rigged or we are soul sisters!

It's not rigged. I thought your beliefs sounded a little similar to mine. My sister was a pagan according to the quiz. And that describes her perfectly. Anyway, it's a great starting point, if nothing else. It also gives you some other "top" religions, based on your answers, that you might not have thought of, to explore as you begin your journey. Best luck to you! 

[Koalamom]

So Poetry, what are quakers all about? I actually have no idea. Do I have to wear a bonnet and sit segregated form my dh? Or can I attend in jeans? The closest meeting house is about 1/2 hour away so I will try it one of these days.

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by Koalamom 

So Poetry, what are quakers all about? I actually have no idea. Do I have to wear a bonnet and sit segregated form my dh? Or can I attend in jeans? The closest meeting house is about 1/2 hour away so I will try it one of these days.

It's funny because you mentioned needing more talk of Christianity than you thought you would receive in a Unitarian church. This was DH's problem with the Unitarians; he didn't hear enough about Christ.  DH and I tried out several churches and faiths before finding the Quakers. We began with the Unitarians and then worshipped with the Methodists. We attended a Baptist service once and were considering the Episcopaleans when I remembered the Quakers. My old landlords had been Quaker and seeing how they lived their lives really inspired me.   DH and I drive 45 minutes to our meeting.

I only know of one Quaker who wears a bonnet and she really only wears it to Meeting or gatherings with Quakers. Jeans, definitely! Quakers are about comfort, practicality and simplicity. We enjoy modern conveniences, but don't feel that we need to own the newest version of everything that comes out.

 

Quakers are about equality, including gender equality. In the old days, the men and women were separated for worship, but these days everyone worships together. Quakers were also very involved in the underground railroad. ... We believe that everyone has within them an inner light and most Quakers (but not all) refer to that light as God. Quakers are peaceful, or pacifists. We believe that we have direct access to God at all times and that we don't need a priest or other clergy as a "go-between." An example of this is at our Quaker wedding DH and I stood when we were ready and and exchanged our promises before God and our Friends. No one "declared" us married.

There are programmed and unprogrammed meetings. Our meeting is unprogrammed. Basically, we all sit in a room together in silent meditation or prayerful or "expectant" waiting. Occasionally, someone will stand and speak if they feel they have a message that will be beneficial for others present to hear. These messages are received in silence and reflected upon. It's uncanny how often a message someone shares seems to speak to whatever is on my heart at that moment. Programmed Meetings are similar to many protestant churches and they have pastors who give sermons.

I would highly recommend visiting your local Quaker meeting and seeing how it feels to you. Quakers are generally very welcoming to guests and are such a warm group of people to be in the company of.

ETA: The Quakers I know are very open to the idea that other people have different faiths that work for them, and as such, we're tolerant of others' views, even if we don't hold them for our own. In fact, we teach our youth about other religions and what they believe, as well as what we believe. Also, it's interesting to note that we have a buddhist gentleman who attends our meeting regularly and he is always very welcomed.

[Alenushka]

WOW. The silent meditation sounds so much like zazen in my Sotto Zen center.
 

Originally Posted by PoetryLover 

It's funny because you mentioned needing more talk of Christianity than you thought you would receive in a Unitarian church. This was DH's problem with the Unitarians; he didn't hear enough about Christ.  DH and I tried out several churches and faiths before finding the Quakers. We began with the Unitarians and then worshipped with the Methodists. We attended a Baptist service once and were considering the Episcopaleans when I remembered the Quakers. My old landlords had been Quaker and seeing how they lived their lives really inspired me.   DH and I drive 45 minutes to our meeting.

I only know of one Quaker who wears a bonnet and she really only wears it to Meeting or gatherings with Quakers. Jeans, definitely! Quakers are about comfort, practicality and simplicity. We enjoy modern conveniences, but don't feel that we need to own the newest version of everything that comes out.

 

Quakers are about equality, including gender equality. In the old days, the men and women were separated for worship, but these days everyone worships together. Quakers were also very involved in the underground railroad. ... We believe that everyone has within them an inner light and most Quakers (but not all) refer to that light as God. Quakers are peaceful, or pacifists. We believe that we have direct access to God at all times and that we don't need a priest or other clergy as a "go-between." An example of this is at our Quaker wedding DH and I stood when we were ready and and exchanged our promises before God and our Friends. No one "declared" us married.

There are programmed and unprogrammed meetings. Our meeting is unprogrammed. Basically, we all sit in a room together in silent meditation or prayerful or "expectant" waiting. Occasionally, someone will stand and speak if they feel they have a message that will be beneficial for others present to hear. These messages are received in silence and reflected upon. It's uncanny how often a message someone shares seems to speak to whatever is on my heart at that moment. Programmed Meetings are similar to many protestant churches and they have pastors who give sermons.

I would highly recommend visiting your local Quaker meeting and seeing how it feels to you. Quakers are generally very welcoming to guests and are such a warm group of people to be in the company of.

ETA: The Quakers I know are very open to the idea that other people have different faiths that work for them, and as such, we're tolerant of others' views, even if we don't hold them for our own. In fact, we teach our youth about other religions and what they believe, as well as what we believe. Also, it's interesting to note that we have a buddhist gentleman who attends our meeting regularly and he is always very welcomed.

[nicolelynn]

Well, evangelicals call it Good Friday, but the Episcopal liturgy focuses on the sacrifice of Christ during that service. We started with several candles and one by one they were snuffed out during the liturgy. by the end, it was also getting dark outside, so it was almost dark in the church. It ended with the pipe organs striking a loud, dissonant tune symbolizing the death. We all filed out without talking, meditating on Christ's death.

Quite different than my evangelical upbringing which always had feel good services haha.

[nicolelynn]

And I am jealous, I would love to attend a Quaker meeting. That would probably be the closest fit for me as well. The nearest is I think about 1.5 hrs away, too much...especially while in process to welcome 3 little children into our home/family. Hope you have a blessed time Koalamom!

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by nicolelynn 

And I am jealous, I would love to attend a Quaker meeting. That would probably be the closest fit for me as well. The nearest is I think about 1.5 hrs away, too much...especially while in process to welcome 3 little children into our home/family. Hope you have a blessed time Koalamom!

Congrats Nicole!!!!!

[Koalamom]

I am really wanting to try a Quaker meeting (and a Buddhist mtg too)!

[nicolelynn]

Thanks for the congrats, the kids moved in almost 2 weeks ago. It has been very difficult but more than worth it...at least I know I will survive now hehe =).

Though I love the people at our home fellowship I am acutely aware of not trapping my kids in white culture. I found a small episcopal church in the area that is multi-ethnic (including a black priest) and liberal....a rare combination around here. Hoping to visit soon with the kids.

How about you, have you got to any other services/meetings/fellowships?

[Koalamom]

Yipee Nicole!!! Great news!!! I would love to know more. Are you talking about it in another thread? (I don't get around much here so sorry if I am missing something.)

Still haven't checked out any new churches. I am on a spiritual quest and going with the flow of it. When sundays come around, I think about going to a new church and I just don't feel a pull for it. Most of my life church was made stressful so I am not going to go into it like that any more. With the nice weather all the time, I have been doing alot of my worship alone outside in the woods or my peaceful herb garden.

[nicolelynn]

That's awesome as well!

I barely have time for the computer any more so I haven't posted much more in other threads. Hmm, what part of our story would you like to know, there is so much haha. In a nutshell we felt led to foster-adopt rather than have biological children and started the process a year ago. Took months of classes, licensing, etc. Met the kids 6/16, had visits for several weeks and they moved in 8/1. 4 yr old girl and 3 and 2 yr old boys, full siblings, African American. We are fostering them for now, parental rights may be terminated the end of the year so there is a chance we will adopt them, though a grandmother is trying a third time to be approved. We are just here to help and love them weather they stay 2 weeks or forever. Been difficult with the 3 yr old acting out (hitting A LOT), but they are already attached to us and calling me Mommy, so there is lots of good stuff as well =).