Syncretism-How much is too much?

[Sand Dancer]

Thanks.

Lots of people on here with labels and no communities.
Not saying it's wrong or impossible....

But yeah... I think it's more realistic even know if you only have contact with community once in a while.

Action > Appropriation

Cheers.

I'd be happy enough to stay at our current church, if I could be involved with these other groups and some activities with more liberal churches. I think hubby is getting used to the idea that I need more and that I want to branch out. One of my problems is that the people in my church seem like they are Pollyannas. Not that I'm not, but if I have a problem, I focus on the fix instead of just saying, "Oh, I'll pray for you," or "Read the Bible and you'll get your answer." It seems so contrived.

 

[SageTree]

I understand that brand.

 

[nazz]

I'd be happy enough to stay at our current church, if I could be involved with these other groups and some activities with more liberal churches. I think hubby is getting used to the idea that I need more and that I want to branch out. One of my problems is that the people in my church seem like they are Pollyannas. Not that I'm not, but if I have a problem, I focus on the fix instead of just saying, "Oh, I'll pray for you," or "Read the Bible and you'll get your answer." It seems so contrived.

Have you tried attending a UU church? (Sorry if you already answered that). Because there you could have the community and also the freedom to believe what you want.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Have you tried attending a UU church? (Sorry if you already answered that). Because there you could have the community and also the freedom to believe what you want.

I would like that a lot, and want to attend the Unitarian church downtown. I went to one nearer to my house, and it was really "generic." I want to feel like I'm worshiping when I go. But yes, I love having that freedom. Thanks!

 

[Caladan]

I like several aspects of different religions, but I really want to fit in with a religious community. I like Buddhism as a philosophy, but I am also looking into Pure Land Buddhism, since it sounds like you can believe in a God/savior. I like the good vs evil and emphasis on good works of Zoroastrianism, I like the equality and universality of Baha'i, I like the pantheistic type of emphasis and universality of Sikhism, I like the nature loving aspect of Daoism, and the idea that all religions are valid in Unitarian Universalism. Can I somehow roll these things into one type of religious belief? It's driving me crazy trying to clump them all together.:areyoucra

I see things differently. It's the organized forms of religion that put me off. Where everyone are expected to act and think according to certain norms.
I think that when I look at world religions, I see some interesting protagonists in their history, or narratives about interesting protagonists. But the common masses that practice the religion usually tend to be disappointing and would run away from embracing the kind of convictions their celebrated protagonists of old did. Instead communities hold on to sets of rules and norms that perpetuate a certain power structure based on politics, gender, and other types of hierarchies.

I take what resonates with me from world religion. But I don't hold allegiance under any circumstances. For example I love the Norse literature, and studying Norse history and archaeology, but I find the phenomenon that there are modern reconstructionist groups around old Norse religion to take away all the spirit of freedom, independence and passion from the great stories about the Norse pantheon and protagonists. Likewise, I love the Hebrew scriptures, and various aspects of the Jewish People, but I would never find my place in a religious structure, either in the form of family or society. In my perspective when you turn a culture into a religion you begin an agonizing process of deteriorating all that is good and right in that culture. Heroes turn to icons, with the common masses knowing next to nothing about the complexities of the stories behind them, and contemporary religious leaders exploit the sentimentality of people in relation to their culture and faith in order to wage disproportional and corrupt political power.

To me 'religion' is best practiced independently, based on our own personal convictions, aesthetics, and passions. Sometimes solitarily, and sometimes collectively if you have the right people with you for a brotherly experience.

 

[Sand Dancer]

To me 'religion' is best practiced independently, based on our own personal convictions, aesthetics, and passions. Sometimes solitarily, and sometimes collectively if you have the right people with you for a brotherly experience.

I actually agree with you, but I need friends badly, so I want to attend services. Actually, I would take any kind of friends, as long as they're nice. Basically, I just need to get out more. I have been in my little Christian box for so long and it really hasn't benefited me much. Blast!

 

[SageTree]

Are there any Friends Meetings nearby?

Liberal Friends are on about the same wave length with UUs but you'll get a little something different.

For a long time I just kept going to the Anglican Church in Canada, because I knew why I was there, and it was also easy to get to.

Overtime some of the differences faded, and made room for the likenesses shared....
And in the togetherness that came from that, I found out I wasn't that different after all.

It's the idea of uniformity that seems to be the wall, in my opinion.
Once people see each other as people and not dogma-bearers things blossom.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Are there any Friends Meetings nearby?

Liberal Friends are on about the same wave length with UUs but you'll get a little something different.

For a long time I just kept going to the Anglican Church in Canada, because I knew why I was there, and it was also easy to get to.

Overtime some of the differences faded, and made room for the likenesses shared....
And in the togetherness that came from that, I found out I wasn't that different after all.

It's the idea of uniformity that seems to be the wall, in my opinion.
Once people see each other as people and not dogma-bearers things blossom.

There are, and I would like to go, but I don't know how to get into the mindset to be in an unprogrammed service. I'd be thinking about my stomach growling, or what I had to do later, etc. Guess I should try it before I "bash" it. I think that going to more liberal denomination like that or UU would help, since they are more people oriented anyway.

 

[LuisDantas]

Are there any Friends Meetings nearby?

Are you talking about Quakers/Society of Friends here? Or is it something else?

 

[SageTree]

Are you talking about Quakers/Society of Friends here? Or is it something else?

Religious Society of Friends,yes....

Sorry if "Friends Meeting" wasn't known enough.

That is basically akin to saying "a church" or "a mosque" if you ever see it again.

 

[biased]

Syncretism becomes too much when it is completely indistinguishable from New Age fluff. I think Universal Unitarianism suffers from this feel goodery happy liberal BS maybe I'm just a cynical person though :sorry1:

I like Orthodoxy for their structure, it is a defining future and something respectable. *brofist to eastern/oriental orthodoxy and roman catholics*

 

[Sand Dancer]

Syncretism becomes too much when it is completely indistinguishable from New Age fluff. I think Universal Unitarianism suffers from this feel goodery happy liberal BS maybe I'm just a cynical person though :sorry1:

I have to say that the UU church that I went to was so generic that I couldn't tell there was any worship involved. I am going to try the Unitarian church downtown to see if it's different. What I really want is a group that would study different religions. That's hard to find.

 

[nazz]

I have to say that the UU church that I went to was so generic that I couldn't tell there was any worship involved.

I have the same problem. Liberal churches are short on exuberant worship; conservative churches have that but it comes with a lot of dogmatic baggage.

I am going to try the Unitarian church downtown to see if it's different. What I really want is a group that would study different religions. That's hard to find.

You might also check out the Unity Church

Unity | A Positive Path for Spiritual Living

 

[Jiggerj]

I like several aspects of different religions, but I really want to fit in with a religious community. I like Buddhism as a philosophy, but I am also looking into Pure Land Buddhism, since it sounds like you can believe in a God/savior. I like the good vs evil and emphasis on good works of Zoroastrianism, I like the equality and universality of Baha'i, I like the pantheistic type of emphasis and universality of Sikhism, I like the nature loving aspect of Daoism, and the idea that all religions are valid in Unitarian Universalism. Can I somehow roll these things into one type of religious belief? It's driving me crazy trying to clump them all together.:areyoucra

I want to tell you something that may sound negative, but it really REALLY isn't. A friend of yours has an apartment that has dog poop in every room. Dishes have been in the sink for so long that mold is growing on them. The trash is overflowing, and fleas are flying everywhere. The dust in the apartment is so thick you can write your name in it. The toilet is disgusting. And the place stinks to holy hell!

This friend gets a great idea. How about you and him/her getting an apartment together?

Hopefully, your answer would be, "No way! You don't know how to keep your own house in order and you want to live with me?"

Now, the point is that no matter which god you believe in, we are HERE! On earth. Why would a god take you into his mansion when you (or anyone else) can't keep your own house in order? Of course, when I say 'house' I mean this planet we were put on.

If you want to join some organization, wouldn't it be better for you if that organization took care of this life without worrying about the next one?

You can join the Red Cross and donate money and your lifesaving blood.
You can become a fanatic about collecting clothes for the Salvation Army.
You can donate food and your time to local charities that feed the poor and the homeless.
You can help the elderly that are housebound and take them food shopping and to doctor's appointments. Some elderly have houses that are literally falling apart. You can offer to do a little painting around the place, mow the lawn, cook them some nice meals, or just play cards with them. They will appreciate it more than you can possibly imagine.

Doing such things will fill your spirit more than any religious organization possibly can. And, you will show your god that you know how to take care of your own house.

Peace.

 

[Sand Dancer]

I have the same problem. Liberal churches are short on exuberant worship; conservative churches have that but it comes with a lot of dogmatic baggage.

You might also check out the Unity Church

Unity | A Positive Path for Spiritual Living

Yes, I know where one is. Thanks!

 

[Sand Dancer]

Now, the point is that no matter which god you believe in, we are HERE! On earth. Why would a god take you into his mansion when you (or anyone else) can't keep your own house in order? Of course, when I say 'house' I mean this planet we were put on.

If you want to join some organization, wouldn't it be better for you if that organization took care of this life without worrying about the next one?

Yes, you are right. No one really knows what happens after death, but we know we are here, so we need to do meaningful things to make things better. Thank you.