tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1734645058271734681.post3284568359579336174..comments2024-03-26T08:42:50.357-07:00Comments on One Baha'i's approach...: Aboriginal Teaching - A ThoughtMeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046847133963919765noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1734645058271734681.post-4747929134709495782010-04-04T19:45:49.204-07:002010-04-04T19:45:49.204-07:00Thank you for this story.
I'm reminded of whe...Thank you for this story.<br /><br />I'm reminded of when I was in Leavenworth, KS, living and working there, trying to find a church. I went to a bunch of them, not knowing what their traditions were. While attending services, I always had a hard time deciding to participate in their traditions in order to try to understand them, or not. <br /><br />The 'or not' part was me being self-conscious, not feeling moved by God (even during a worship service) to act in the same way that these people were acting. Do I, as a newcomer, attempt to emulate the people around me in the hopes that by doing so I will feel the spirit?<br /><br />I did this in this and other churches, trying various traditions "on" as if I was trying acting in a theatrical production reading off cue cards.<br /><br />In the end, I found comfort and spirituality in many of these places but more through the connections with the people there than the specific rituals. Some of the strongest joys came at an Assembly of God Church (several years later) in that their music was fantastic. Unfortunately, their theology was WAY wrong for me, and a lot of their belief system rested on fundamentalist 'don't question' ideas that ... don't fit with my personal views. Alas. But, Great Music, and Joy in celebrating creation.<br /><br />Again, thanks for sharing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17050670392487339957noreply@blogger.com