How do you cope with a lack of religious diversity in your community?

[UsiresAedon]

Recently, I have moved to a much more rural American community, where the only concept of "church" is either Catholic or Methodist. In years past, I used to live in a large metropolitan area with a wide range of different worship centers, everything from ornate Jewish synagogues to otherworldly Islamic mosques. I have nothing against a traditional Christian church, mind you, but as a Unitarian I believe there are many other things we can learn from other religions as well. I particularly miss my old Unitarian congregation in particular. Would you suppose there would be any good online resources for a "conference call" style meetup, to share ideas and invoke a sense of "community?" What other ideas would you folks recommend?

 

[Aupmanyav]

You mean how I cope with the religious diversity within my own family? I am a strong atheist who denies even the possibility of existence of God\Gods\Goddesses, and my family who are polytheists believing in at least 50 Gods and Goddesses. My views are known to them, but I participate in their rituals and keep my views to myself; since whom they consider as Gods and Goddesses, I consider them as characters of my culture and value their stories. Their stories are like beacons which guide the actions of my co-religionists. I do not disrespect them.

 

[UsiresAedon]

You mean how I cope with the religious diversity within my own family? I am a strong atheist who denies even the possibility of existence of God\Gods\Goddesses, and my family who are polytheists believing in at least 50 Gods and Goddesses. My views are known to them, but I participate in their rituals and keep my views to myself; since whom they consider as Gods and Goddesses, I consider them as characters of my culture and value their stories. Their stories are like beacons which guide the actions of my co-religionists. I do not disrespect them.

Thank you very much for sharing. I can definitely understand where you are coming from as far as family and traditions are concerned. I also used to be an atheist living in a closed-minded religious family. It is very difficult, at least it was for me. For what it's worth, I am not interested in religious diversity for the purpose to discuss ideas of god, goddesses, deities, or higher powers; I wish only to participate in the exchange of ideas and spiritual growth. As a former atheist, I am of the belief that even atheists can enjoy the company of religious folk, and find common ground on morality and social issues.

You deserve a great deal of respect and admiration for honoring your family's traditions, while having your own views and standing by them. That must be a very difficult balance to maintain.

 

[Aupmanyav]

That must be a very difficult balance to maintain.

Not so much in a Hindu society, since we already have tremendous diversity in our religion.

 

[UsiresAedon]

Not so much in a Hindu society, since we already have tremendous diversity in our religion.

Very true. Hinduism is definitely a lot more "flexible" than, say, an Abrahamic religion. Still, regardless of the society we live in, human beings have very strong opinions of things, so make sure to give yourself credit where credit is due.

 

[stvdv]

Not so much in a Hindu society, since we already have tremendous diversity in our religion.

This tremendous diversity in religion takes out judging others, because you would be busy judging others 24/7

 

[Aupmanyav]

In Hinduism, one is entitled to hold fast to one's views, but fighting about it is considered foolish.
Our scriptures say, "Eko sad, viprāh bahudhā vadanti" (Truth is one, but wise people describe it variously).
"viprāh bahudhā vadanti" is sort of a banner in Hinduism.

 

[stvdv]

This tremendous diversity in religion takes out judging others, because you would be busy judging others 24/7

That's why I think Hinduism is a wonderful Religion. When judgments stop, Peace starts.

 

[stvdv]

In Hinduism, one is entitled to hold fast to ones views, but fighting about it is considered foolish.

I must have been Hindu in a previous life; this fighting over Religion is so strange to me.

 

[stvdv]

fighting about it is considered foolish.

Is it considered "foolish" or "ignorant"?

 

[Aupmanyav]

Same. The ignorant are likely to do foolish things.

 

[stvdv]

Same. The ignorant are likely to do foolish things.

I see some differentiation here:
Arrogant ignorant people are likely to foolishly fight about Religion
Humble ignorant people are not likely to foolishly fight about Religion

 

[Aupmanyav]

IMHO, you are absolutely correct. It is the arrogant ignorant people who fight about religion.

 

[Vinayaka]

Recently, I have moved to a much more rural American community, where the only concept of "church" is either Catholic or Methodist. In years past, I used to live in a large metropolitan area with a wide range of different worship centers, everything from ornate Jewish synagogues to otherworldly Islamic mosques. I have nothing against a traditional Christian church, mind you, but as a Unitarian I believe there are many other things we can learn from other religions as well. I particularly miss my old Unitarian congregation in particular. Would you suppose there would be any good online resources for a "conference call" style meetup, to share ideas and invoke a sense of "community?" What other ideas would you folks recommend?

Travel as much as you can. In my rural home town, 'what religion?' definitely meant 'Which branch of Christianity?" That said, there may well be others like yourself, of different faiths, but also feeling rather alone. So I wouldn't hesitate to strike up conversations with individuals to find out.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Recently, I have moved to a much more rural American community, where the only concept of "church" is either Catholic or Methodist. In years past, I used to live in a large metropolitan area with a wide range of different worship centers, everything from ornate Jewish synagogues to otherworldly Islamic mosques. I have nothing against a traditional Christian church, mind you, but as a Unitarian I believe there are many other things we can learn from other religions as well. I particularly miss my old Unitarian congregation in particular. Would you suppose there would be any good online resources for a "conference call" style meetup, to share ideas and invoke a sense of "community?" What other ideas would you folks recommend?

Have you googled to see what's available near you (or within whatever you consider a reasonable drive)?

My area is mostly like how you describe, but it does have a UU congregation in a hamlet nearby.

Sometimes the minority religions are there, just really diffusely scattered around.

 

[Samantha Rinne]

Recently, I have moved to a much more rural American community, where the only concept of "church" is either Catholic or Methodist. In years past, I used to live in a large metropolitan area with a wide range of different worship centers, everything from ornate Jewish synagogues to otherworldly Islamic mosques. I have nothing against a traditional Christian church, mind you, but as a Unitarian I believe there are many other things we can learn from other religions as well. I particularly miss my old Unitarian congregation in particular. Would you suppose there would be any good online resources for a "conference call" style meetup, to share ideas and invoke a sense of "community?" What other ideas would you folks recommend?

Uhhhhh, if you really have an issue with your community, how about you move? Somewhere in LA or Seattle or Saudi Arabia, there are mosques. Or for Unitarian, work hard, and head to Vermont.

Rather than try to undermine a community (that's what community IS, a group of ppl who share the same values) how about you get over yourself, and head somewhere there are other ugly ducklings.

Find a Congregation

 

[Aupmanyav]

What other ideas would you folks recommend?

Religious Forums. Get friends - that will be a community. Why do you want a community with the same religion?
In India, it is extended family, friends, neighbors, co-workers. We hardly ever feel alone - religion or belief does not matter.

 

[columbus]

I particularly miss my old Unitarian congregation in particular. Would you suppose there would be any good online resources for a "conference call" style meetup, to share ideas and invoke a sense of "community?"

There used to be something called "Church of the Larger Fellowship" for UU in your position.
That was back in the dark ages(pre-internet), when it was pretty much all done by snail mail. I feel sure the UU has something vastly more sophisticated now. Google UUA.org, I'm sure you'll find help.
Tom

 

[amore]

Would you suppose there would be any good