How was church?

[an anarchist]

How was church?

Today, I went to church for the first time in 6 years. I went to a nondenominational church called The Center For Spiritual Living. I think I will definitely be going every Sunday. It went really well!

The message was about being a peaceful seed in this world. And we ended the service in song together all holding hands in the circle. The song lyrics escape me, but the message of the song was about being a seed of peace, and in that moment I knew I had found the right church for me.

I missed the group meditation by a couple minutes, but I’m going to make sure I arrive early enough for the meditation next week.

They seem monotheistic(?). They conflate “God” with “Universe”. I am going to have to ask the reverend about how they define God, but regardless, I really liked the joint. Everyone there was so kind and loving. I was flash banged by the positive vibes when I first arrived but I settled into it.

I told a few members there that my religion is love is love is love and they vibes with it.

And it all ended with a delicious potluck!

All in all, church went great for me today! So, how about you?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Glad you had a great time.

 

[The Hammer]

I attend a pagan group that uses the CSL near me. We do not do Sunday events, but high day rituals.

I don't know much about CSL though.

 

[an anarchist]

I attend a pagan group that uses the CSL near me. We do not do Sunday events, but high day rituals.

I don't know much about CSL though.

We had a leader of the local Jewish community bless an apples and honey ritual at the start of our service. The reverend went on to talk about how the local CSL is friends with the local Jewish and Muslim community and we all share the building. It was a nice experience and I thought really cool and unifying.

 

[JustGeorge]

I attend a pagan group that uses the CSL near me. We do not do Sunday events, but high day rituals.

I don't know much about CSL though.

What's a CSL?

How was church?

Today, I went to church for the first time in 6 years. I went to a nondenominational church called The Center For Spiritual Living. I think I will definitely be going every Sunday. It went really well!

The message was about being a peaceful seed in this world. And we ended the service in song together all holding hands in the circle. The song lyrics escape me, but the message of the song was about being a seed of peace, and in that moment I knew I had found the right church for me.

I missed the group meditation by a couple minutes, but I’m going to make sure I arrive early enough for the meditation next week.

They seem monotheistic(?). They conflate “God” with “Universe”. I am going to have to ask the reverend about how they define God, but regardless, I really liked the joint. Everyone there was so kind and loving. I was flash banged by the positive vibes when I first arrived but I settled into it.

I told a few members there that my religion is love is love is love and they vibes with it.

And it all ended with a delicious potluck!

All in all, church went great for me today! So, how about you?

I don't go to church, or other religious institutions(not because I don't want to, but because I'm currently unable). My choice, if it was possible, would be to go back to the temple I used to attend once a month.

My 'church' is everywhere for the time being.

So far, so good.

I'm really glad you enjoyed the trip to your new church, and I wish you many more happy trips! May you find the community you need, and may this always be a positive for you.

 

[The Hammer]

What's a CSL?

"The Center For Spiritual Living", apologies I shorthanded what the OP wrote as CSL. It's how my community refers to the building.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

We had a leader of the local Jewish community bless an apples and honey ritual at the start of our service.

( oy vey )

 

[an anarchist]

( oy vey )

No need to get negative about it! At least, a google of that term says it is an expression of grief.

The Jewish lady was there in good spirit and wanted to say thanks to the CSL for allowing the building to be used for their own community and ceremony. No negativity at all required! It was in the spirit of unity.

 

[JustGeorge]

"The Center For Spiritual Living", apologies I shorthanded what the OP wrote as CSL. It's how my community refers to the building.

Ah, sorry. I'm slow sometimes.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

No need to get negative about it! At least, a google of that term says it is an expression of grief.

Two quick points:

1. Google is not Jewish
2. You see what you choose to see

 

[an anarchist]

Two quick points:

1. Google is not Jewish

Ok let’s not turn this to a debate thread please, but feel free to elaborate on your “oy vey”.

2.You see what you choose to see

Well, I like the lens I have on. Positive vibes, yo.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Ok let’s not turn this to a debate thread please, but feel free to elaborate on your “oy vey”.

No need, but do feel free to describe the 'blessing.'

 

[an anarchist]

No need, but do feel free to describe the 'blessing.'

It was a blessing for a good new year! The lady blessed the honey covered apples in Hebrew and then translated what she said to English. Then we ate the apple slice. Then we all reaffirmed aloud that we are going to have a blessed year to come.

 

[Kathryn]

How was church?

Today, I went to church for the first time in 6 years. I went to a nondenominational church called The Center For Spiritual Living. I think I will definitely be going every Sunday. It went really well!

The message was about being a peaceful seed in this world. And we ended the service in song together all holding hands in the circle. The song lyrics escape me, but the message of the song was about being a seed of peace, and in that moment I knew I had found the right church for me.

I missed the group meditation by a couple minutes, but I’m going to make sure I arrive early enough for the meditation next week.

They seem monotheistic(?). They conflate “God” with “Universe”. I am going to have to ask the reverend about how they define God, but regardless, I really liked the joint. Everyone there was so kind and loving. I was flash banged by the positive vibes when I first arrived but I settled into it.

I told a few members there that my religion is love is love is love and they vibes with it.

And it all ended with a delicious potluck!

All in all, church went great for me today! So, how about you?

Church was fantastic as usual for me. Thank you for asking.

 

[an anarchist]

I find myself disagreeing with some things that the church states. They make some definitive statements about God. They use the first cause argument as “proof” of God while completely ignoring infinite regression. The Problem of Evil wouldn’t do their theology any favors either I think.

I’m a skeptic. The church will never get me to definitively agree with their metaphysics. I already disagree with some of their metaphysics. But that does not mean that I cannot learn from them. I very much still can learn and grow from being a member and considering what is said by the reverends. I am willing to consider what is said with an open mind, but I refuse to commit to believe what the church believes because the reverend says they are right.

The main reverend is doing a question and answer session for the sermon next week, so I’m going to ask plainly if this church is the right place for me. They won’t get me to believe what they believe, so should I skedaddle? If it was a Christian church, the church would require a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior from me. If I couldn’t do that, they would not let me be an active participant. I hope this church isn’t like that. I want to be an active participant. The founder of the denomination studied all the religions so the sermons are sort of cherry picked nice nuggets of wisdom from all over. They do multi religious stuff too, like an indigenous group people are going to provide a spiritual cleansing “sound bath” with gongs and other instruments this week, and I want to attend.

 

[JustGeorge]

I find myself disagreeing with some things that the church states. They make some definitive statements about God. They use the first cause argument as “proof” of God while completely ignoring infinite regression. The Problem of Evil wouldn’t do their theology any favors either I think.

I’m a skeptic. The church will never get me to definitively agree with their metaphysics. I already disagree with some of their metaphysics. But that does not mean that I cannot learn from them. I very much still can learn and grow from being a member and considering what is said by the reverends. I am willing to consider what is said with an open mind, but I refuse to commit to believe what the church believes because the reverend says they are right.

The main reverend is doing a question and answer session for the sermon next week, so I’m going to ask plainly if this church is the right place for me. They won’t get me to believe what they believe, so should I skedaddle? If it was a Christian church, the church would require a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior from me. If I couldn’t do that, they would not let me be an active participant. I hope this church isn’t like that. I want to be an active participant. The founder of the denomination studied all the religions so the sermons are sort of cherry picked nice nuggets of wisdom from all over. They do multi religious stuff too, like an indigenous group people are going to provide a spiritual cleansing “sound bath” with gongs and other instruments this week, and I want to attend.

Has there been any pressure to conform to certain beliefs?

 

[an anarchist]

Has there been any pressure to conform to certain beliefs?

No there hasn’t. My irk is that they state their beliefs as fact. “We know God is real because first cause.” I don’t think that is necessary and I don’t know if I should perceive that as underhanded pressure.

 

[JustGeorge]

No there hasn’t. My irk is that they state their beliefs as fact. “We know God is real because first cause.” I don’t think that is necessary and I don’t know if I should perceive that as underhanded pressure.

Do you think you can cope with attending and not being on board with everything they believe?

 

[an anarchist]

Do you think you can cope with attending and not being on board with everything they believe?

Totally! I am unsure of my own beliefs myself.

I’m worried they wouldn’t cope with me. My religion is Love is love is love and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. If they can’t vibe with that then I’ll bounce, but I’m cautiously optimistic they won’t demand me to have a cult like mindset and blindly accept whatever the reverends say.

 

[JustGeorge]

Totally! I am unsure of my own beliefs myself.

I’m worried they wouldn’t cope with me. My religion is Love is love is love and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. If they can’t vibe with that then I’ll bounce, but I’m cautiously optimistic they won’t demand me to have a cult like mindset and blindly accept whatever the reverends say.

I'd say to stick with your cautious optimism.

Looking at their site, I imagine they get a lot of varied sorts, and are likely open to diversity.