First, a preface to a preface. I am an atheist. I am not agnostic, I am not confused, I am not searching. I do not believe that there is a greater power or a greater being or some grand scheme of existence. I believe that humans are animals just like the rest of them, and that we evolved to become what we are today.
But I am not writing this to discuss my beliefs, and I personally don’t care to discuss the beliefs of others. To each her/his own, and I sincerely mean that.
So it was about 10 years ago when I began to have the thoughts which were the seeds for my current beliefs. I grew up in a family very involved in the UCC (I believe Congregational Church was still the going term). My mother studied to become a pastor until we could no longer afford for her to be in school. I was confirmed at 16.
Some of my first doubts about religion were formed around my dislike of the rites, rituals and seemingly mindless tasks performed at my church, and even moreso about those of the Catholic Church (attended Catholic H.S.). So as time went on and I grew away from the beliefs I had been raised with, I became more cynical and distrustful of the “institution” I saw my church as.
Fast forward 10 years. The election was just a few months old, and I was still reeling from it all, and especially angry about the wedge issues (gay marriage in particular) and the bullshit that was brought upon Democrats from the other side. A news article flashed by without much notice in January. It was about the advertisements that the UCC had made welcoming EVERYONE into their church (the ads on dKos are about these commercials).
I wrote my old pastor an e-mail and thanked him from the bottom of my heart. I expressed how happy I was to have grown up in such an honest and open religion. I knew that he had given sermons that were too liberal for some, who eventually would leave for another church, generally Catholic. But I had never imagined that my pastor was part of the larger community of acceptance – TRUE acceptance – that is displayed in these ads.
My beliefs remain the same today, but I have come to appreciate my upbringing in the United Church of Christ for many reasons — particularly the amazing display that was presented in the message of their ads.
I have now rambled way beyond the point of bringing this together in a conclusive manner, but I hope that I have explained myself well enough for now.
My first over here – I’m around if I was unclear or you would like to discuss.
Heh. I grew up in the UCC as well, and was later ordained in the denomination. But my love for them stems from pretty much the same reasons you cite: their welcoming nature. You wouldn’t believe the number of people like yourself those “God Is Still Speaking” ads have reached.
And if their effect is that they reassure you (or the general population) that not all Christians are intolerant bigots, then they’ve done their job, whether or not you end up darkening the door of a church.
Also, we have cookies.
I too, was brought up in the Congregational Church, from baptism until around 10 years old (in Connecticut). Then my family moved, and we attended a Presbyterian church, which to me was similar.
I also would classify myself as a nonbeliever today, but am grateful for the teaching and type of services I’d describe as gentle and inclusive. When I’ve been asked what I remember about it by those unfamiliar with a small, mostly East Coast sect, I’d reply, “There was a lot of hymn-singing and involvement by the parishioners, and the sermons always included humor.”
The older and more traditional a faith, the more dogma, elaborate ritual and antiquated language it retains, and the more it tends to set the clergy apart from the faithful, the more distant from real life it seems.
You are lucky to feel such comfort with the church in which you “grew up.” I grew up liking my church (Methodist) and having utter disdain for the church sponsoring my schools (Catholic). Over the years I have drifted into athiesm, agnosticism and even sometimes, for prolonged moments, into believing (something) again. Now I am saddened by revelations about the national UMC, including the recent ouster of a PA minister for being gay (they knew she was gay, but didn’t like it when she admitted that openly). I’m not sure what to think about it all, but churches like the UCC give me hope that one could at least pursue a religion for the guidance it gives in daily life without being a total hypocrite.
The UMC, like the UCC (and most mainline denominations), struggles with internal divisions between liberals and conservatives. Philadelphia is quite a bit more liberal than the rest of PA, of course, but there are also serious disagreements between the northern and southern branches of Methodism.
That puts bishops in a tough spot: if they welcome gay ministers in anything resembling openness, they’re in dutch with the national church. But if they reject them (and don’t be fooled, most don’t want to do this), they’re in dutch with their own conference and more liberal members of the wider church.
I heard Beth Stroud speak recently, by the way. She was filled with grace and dignity.
I’m a believer, and a Christian, and I was raised in the Baptist church, although I no longer attend. I think that most people just don’t stop and think that God is loving, just, and created all of us equally. We are all the same to Him, no matter what or who we are. He loves us all the same. I admire the UCC for their message of tolerance and acceptance. God doesn’t care what you wear, or who you love, or who you voted for, in my opinion – He just wants us all to be happy.
Very well said – and as pastordan noted above, regardless of my beliefs, these ads, as well as a bit of reflection on the church I grew up in, at the very least show me that not all christians are hypocritical and bigoted.
I’m glad to hear that, Ex. You are very lucky, having been raised in such a tolerant religion. (I shudder to call it that, but can’t think of a better word at the moment.) That’s one thing the Baptists weren’t, really – tolerant. But, the good thing about being open minded is that you can draw your own conclusions, come up with your own beliefs, and have the relationship with God (or not) that you personally choose to have – not the one someone tells you that you should have.
This is a refreshing diary and I’m glad I found it. Thanks for sharing with us.