Posted by Dinah on August 8, 2005, at 16:20:42
In reply to Long rant on my religious outlook, posted by Mal on August 8, 2005, at 2:01:13
I started looking to go back and re-establish a relationship with God when my son was a baby. I think it's sort of a natural time. I did a lot of prayerful study, and spoke with various spiritual leaders, and settled on a rather progressive denomination that values individual thought while being very clear on what duties we have to our fellow man.
It's possible to re-establish a relationship with God, even through organized religion, in a way that is congruent with your adult beliefs and values.
I didn't have a horrible experience in either church I was raised in. I learned valuable things from both, although I never really identified with one of them, and still identify closely with the other although I'm no longer a member. A lot of what I teach my son comes from the best of that religion, along with my favorite readings along the way. I'm also fairly nondirective with him. When we discuss death, for example, I present many of the various ideas that different world religions have as to what happens afterward. And admit I have no idea which if any are right.
But I do want him to have a joyous and loving relationship with God. I need to reinstitute more family prayers. We've tended to slide into the ritual ones, because my son finds comfort in ritual.
poster:Dinah
thread:539012
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20050510/msgs/539229.html