teotym

BillM, I agree with most of you thoughts presented on this forum and above post is not exception

teotym, Many people are removing the obstacles and enjoying the present moment. Salutations to the Divinity within you.

Thank you. I don't feel unique or better then others. I feel normally, just as every child of God can feel. It is simple, natural way to God, available for everyone, not for "saints" or "chosen". Earlier I had glimmers of this way, but all of them were judged by Bible or catholic teaching. Now I threw this ballast and eventually my spiritual life became stable

I feel so free and opened to God when I stopped rationalize, defence and worship Bible! Bible was my stumbling block to God. During my "orthodox" christianity days [about 16-18 years] I had two idols, changing from time to time: Bible as word of God [protestant delusion] and Catholic Church as the one, true church founded personally by Jesus Christ [catholic delusion]. I wasted years defending alternately Bible and Catholic Church. Now I don't care, because I'm opened to God experienced directly, in meditation, silence, calm, not in doctrines and religious wars. It is real, spiritual freedom, independent from religions, clergy and institutions with simple ethics based on compassion and loving God, very intimate and beyond human understanding at the same time.

BillM

I also don't attend church. You're lucky that you live in USA. Here, in Poland, Roman Catholic Church dominates. Then we have Jehova's witnesses. Most liberal [but i don't think that progressive too] is Polish Reformed Church. But "liberal" in Poland means, that they officially allow condoms

I also miss some people from closed brethren [darbysts]. But their doctrines don't allow to talk with me - only to persuade me to return.

teotym, Welcome, and you expressed yourself well and your evolution is interesting. Christianity is up for grabs and we see the two camps expressing themselves in the United States. We have one camp supporting hate, giving more to the rich and to do this taking from the sick, weak, young minorities and women. It seems they are afraid that there is not enough for everyone, which expresses their faith, not necessary the faith of Jesus who taught abundance. I am sure you have learned a lot in your many adventures and may you share your wisdom with us.

I think you overestimate me but I have some observations.

Eg. I experienced how rigid doctrines separate from others, from live. The more rigid doctrine you believe, the more judgmental you become. It is dead end. I'm done with such denominations like darbysts. They give you no space to spiritual growth, no place for individual relationships with God, no place for your own way to Absolute. The same is in Catholic Church. In my opinions post-modern society shoul focus on communities sharing their faith and experiences - not dictate you what you should experience.

I see the bible as a collection of various writings, from a diverse range of individuals, written over a time period of hundreds and hundreds and years, and all having their say on how they see god, community, relationships, politics, etc. I don't see it as divinely inspired or driven - well no more than many other writings on religion, poetry, creative fiction and others, but of some value nonetheless. From the bible I enjoy reading and imagining what other people's lives may have been in their times and how they have dealt with similar emotions and issues throughout time. In some instances it provides inspiration and guidance, yet in others I am incredulous at the writer's ignorance and/or way of thinking.

I agree with you. This forum is very helpful, because I found people dealing with the same problems as mine. I wrote very simplistic post, because have problems to express opinions in English and it could bee too long and boring. But this forum confirms my thoughts, that christianity mostly uses terminology and tools which are completely inadequate at human knowledge, experience etc. It generates dissonance between everyday life and "sacred" sphere. We use modern treatment, modern devices and are forced to believe in speaking serpent, meat waffer, angels walking behind us step by step, speaking in tongues, Mary mediator and so on, and so on.

Hi everyone,

i'd like to introduce myself. In the beginning I want to apologise for my terrible English. It's not my native language and I don't use it daily.

I was raised in formally catholic family but indifferent religiously. I was interested in philosophy but I couldn't decide who is right. Catholic church was totally boring and strtange institution to me.

One day I I had strange impulse to read New Testament. I finished it in 2 weeks and experienced "new born", but without languages and other "miracles". I believed in all Scripture and started to looking for place to worship God. I joined darbysts [closed brethren, dispensationalists] and spent there about 7 years. They are very strict to their doctrine and with time I feeled very limited by them. I was interested in christian mystics, buddhist meditation and for them they were heretic practices.

One day I quit and went to catholic church. But CC also has stupid set of doctrines with their Mary, saints, meat wafer etc. year after year I struggled between catholicism and protestantism and in the and in the end I almost approached the agnosticism. Bible has no more literal sense to me, was full of cruelty and fairy tales, no better then other "holy books". Then i discovered, that I'm not alone in my doubts and there are some movements like progressive christians, liberal christians, christian universalist, emerging movement etc. Now I can see, that one can believe in God and Jesus without pocket of foolish doctrines, without believing in fairy tales, treating Bible like story of relationships people with God, sometimes inspiring, sometimes silly.

Now I'm explore post-christianity doctrine and do not impose myself strict set of dotrines. I'm still seeking.