A recent discussion about definitions got me thinking about this -
People describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious", which I understand as a phrase rejecting doctrine and dogma but not Christian faith.
The progressive Christian movement likewise seeks to get beyond doctrine and the baggage that Christian terminology carries with it to return to the Message that underlies.
I'm looking for some advice from practicing Christians.
I'm a Christian, and come from a very strict Christian home. I've been dating someone outside my faith secretly for 2 months, because my family and church are openly against interfaith relationships.
My personal belief on this is that my boyfriend's morals and beliefs are similar to mine, but he has not attended a church since he was young and is not saved. But our beliefs are similar enough that the practical issues of inter-faith relationships are not really an issue.
Rev. Gretta Vosper wrote a book which included this in the title - why how we live is more important than what we believe. I've thought the same for many years, but last Saturday experienced what I think is the living embodiment of this. I was privileged to conduct a memorial service for the sister of a good friend. While the family was born Buddhist, they were not active in a congregation. Since I have also begun to practice Buddhism, the service combined Christian and Buddhist elements.
I'm just wondering who else at the Cafe is in an interfaith relationship, or belongs to an interfaith family. I definitely know that there's some out there. I was just hoping we might be able to get a conversation going about some of the unique struggles you face in such a situation - and some of the perks it brings too.
I've been receiving messages from Jewish groups who seem to believe that resolutions set to be discussed at GC would limit and reduce interfaith discussion and express unfair opinion, at least have bad optics, and at worst be anti-semitic! I can't imagine that this is so and the suggestions may be a hoax, but the community seems to be taking it rather seriously. What's up?
Brontosaurs are thin at one end, thick in the midd--err, wait. That one's already been done :3
No, this is the theory.
Ok. So some of us, across the ages, have been having these really wicked mystical experiences. We stay up too late, or we die and have an NDE, or we take some really good drugs, or practice some intentional brain change techniques (like Meditation and Yoga), and then BAM!
Depending on how far the church wants to emerge, we might find another valuable guide in Ken Wilber to add to the traditional list (Borg, Spong, etc.). Below is a brief intro to his work.
What does it mean to witness? Paul lays out his mission to preach the Kingdom of God. In the passage from Mark, we read of the beginning of Jesus mission to preach the kingdom of God. Paul speaks of an obligation to preach the Kingdom. Jesus creates a community to witness to the Kingdom.
