... SBNR allows me the freedom of questioning, honesty, awe, wonder, and divine pursuit whereas I can just be me, and I don't have to force fit anything into my ways. I can just be me.
But most of all SBNR allows me not to falsely condemn people. Redemption is for everybody that needs it. Redemption comes from getting what we deserve. And human judgment is not in position to judge anything more than actions, and future possibilities.
Love love love this, yes, where everyone can honestly be themselves. I think many religious communities claim to have togetherness and community, but members can feel isolated and alone because their true self is disconnected and silenced. I've had more meaningful connections with my children and others now that I have left organized religion - when no one is afraid any more that I will judge them for thinking one way or another. My youngest shocked me by telling my mom she wanted to get a tattoo for example - something I would have never asked for or talked about with my mom (even though I did get one haha). I flinched that my daughter felt comfortable openly talking about this, but then congratulated myself that it meant she was growing up in a new era, where everyone was allowed to be them self. I still catch myself with old habits, of trying to conform to various things and then realize I don't need to do any of that anymore. It is freedom.
For those who think of themselves as “spiritual”....what does that actually mean in real terms?
For me, it means I get goosebumps, warm fuzzies, feel divine presence in things like nature, music, and other people. This thing called conscience, self-awareness, spirit - call it what you will, but I do recognize some kind of inspiring force surrounding us all. No one is chosen, no hierarchy, everyone with something to teach and everyone with something to learn.
for a good many of those, it’s very much a pick and choose arrangement because they don’t support their denomination’s dogmas wholeheartedly. They will practice their religion but only the parts that they find acceptable....or they will uphold their religion’s actions even if it goes contrary to what the Bible teaches.
I had a talk with a past church leader where they confessed their disagreement in a racist policy of their church. They went along with it, just stayed quiet - and I just about yelled at them. I told them they needed to follow their conscience above all else, to never just follow the crowd like that, and act in something they knew was wrong. Devotion to a higher power is not devotion to a church.
When we (JW’s) engage in our door to door work, seeking to find individuals who are “spiritual” but not necessarily “religious”, we have those who tell us...”I have my own religion”.....and some really mean it. Their religion is their very own...a concoction of various beliefs gleaned from a variety of religious sources. A bit like “shopping” in “the great celestial supermarket” and they have filled their basket with what appeals to them.
But, is that OK with God? Or only OK with the individual ‘shoppers’, who are now happy to have their own ‘denomination’ or ‘label’?
If there is a higher power, They created a diverse world. What currently exists is evidence of what is "ok" with any higher powers. If someone turned a research paper in, and only cited from one source, what grade would be given? Those who are honest take information from all available sources, combine it, and then make it their own. If there is a God - they would have to be 100% loving and just or they would not be worth worshiping. To rationalize a loving God, one has to rationalize all the different faiths. To me, religious groups can be a good support for initial explorations of spirituality, but when older, when problems arise, a more personal intimate journey starts. Like Santa - kids learn the joy of giving and getting when young, then a new understanding of Santa arises when older. Santa - a real person who once lived and died, whose spirit lives on within the hearts of those who take joy in giving anonymously.
If that is the case and the SBNR adherents have not chosen a definite position regarding how their spirituality will be exercised, or what god they actually believe in, where do you believe that leaves you? Is it something that even enters your consciousness?
I believe SBNR's value honesty, authenticity, deep research, love and appreciation for all. Enjoyment of life's puzzles, being ok with not knowing everything, enjoying what exists without worry of heaven or hell. There are many possible scenarios - if there is a loving God, then no worries as God is loving. if God is not loving, then I'm not interested in being with such a creature for eternity and do not view them as god. if there is nothing, then life is all the more precious, more reason to cherish each moment we have. I guess in the face of uncertainty, you make peace with all outcomes, and enjoy the mystery. It leaves me free - free to explore, free to think deeply, free to change opinions when new information is presented, and gives me the greatest amount of hope for all humanity, to find what unites all of us.
I am familiar with the work of Charles Russel by the way, and have dear family members - not JW, but study from the volumes. I know others who have left the JW faith, a difficult thing to do as they had to rebuild their entire community and support structure. Do you listen to those you talk to? do you really listen to who everyone really is?
