I was "saved" by a ventriliquist dummy, back in the day
So I stated officially for the first time today that I am not a Christian. I'm applying for an evening job at a Methodist Church, and they specifically ask if you are Christian, and if so, how you became one. And I cannot say that I am, even though it will probably affect whether or not I am considered for the job.
So, I stated, "No, I am a universalist Quaker" and in the how I became one section mentioned that I was raised in a Christian household but have grown up to appreciate and value diversity and personal spirituality no matter its form or title.
I've been struggling with this for a few months, after learning in the discussion group I'm a part of exactly what being Christian entails belief-wise. It's funny--because I've been citing Quakerism as a Christian denomination for the past several years in attempts to defend Christianity, and am irritated/bothered that this group that includes many Quakers can do and believe so many things I think are wrong. The struggle has been whether by rejecting Christianity I am just copping out, disgusted by my own religion, or if I'm rightly stating it's not mine.
On a related note...at yearly meeting we focused on the roots and fruits of our Quakerism, and all gathering I was considering all the positive things that shaped my beliefs and it wasn't until the last night that I was jolted by another's message during worship sharing into considering the "sour fruits" of others that have specifically driven me AWAY from other communities of belief and into Quakerism. Truly, more than any welcome or amount of love I received from Quakers, what has most steered my personal spiritual journey have been those sour fruits of other Christians. It's so easy to focus on the positive over the painful, bitter and more influential negative.
So, I stated, "No, I am a universalist Quaker" and in the how I became one section mentioned that I was raised in a Christian household but have grown up to appreciate and value diversity and personal spirituality no matter its form or title.
I've been struggling with this for a few months, after learning in the discussion group I'm a part of exactly what being Christian entails belief-wise. It's funny--because I've been citing Quakerism as a Christian denomination for the past several years in attempts to defend Christianity, and am irritated/bothered that this group that includes many Quakers can do and believe so many things I think are wrong. The struggle has been whether by rejecting Christianity I am just copping out, disgusted by my own religion, or if I'm rightly stating it's not mine.
On a related note...at yearly meeting we focused on the roots and fruits of our Quakerism, and all gathering I was considering all the positive things that shaped my beliefs and it wasn't until the last night that I was jolted by another's message during worship sharing into considering the "sour fruits" of others that have specifically driven me AWAY from other communities of belief and into Quakerism. Truly, more than any welcome or amount of love I received from Quakers, what has most steered my personal spiritual journey have been those sour fruits of other Christians. It's so easy to focus on the positive over the painful, bitter and more influential negative.