Well I finally got around to meeting with the pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and I have to say I found myself a little disappointed. As I have previously mentioned I attended SDA briefly during my childhood and was looking forward to talking with them. I like their overall view of things, which is basically that you need to take care of yourself , that Jesus wants you to be healthy and they promote healthy living and eating. Their diets, while not as strict as kosher, are very similiar. We talked for quite a while, I discussed my "quest" for God, we prayed and he explained quite a bit about the religion, some of it I was already aware of.
To be honest, things were going well until I asked the pastor about their views on homosexuality. He informed me that he treats homosexuals as he would singles, that they should abstain (forever?), that he believe it is a lifestyle and gay people should pray for themselves to be healed. I guess I was a little taken aback, I still can't believe that people think this way.
I, personally don't believe that anyone "chooses" to be gay, no more so than I choose to be straight. It's not a choice, its not a lifestyle. Science everyday seems to be backing those beliefs. Its this kind of "shame" and "repression" that have lead so many gay people to turn to drugs and alcohol and live a life filled with pain. I can't be a part of a church that would shun anyone because of the way they are. Something they certainly didn't choose.
Beyond that this is another church that is very "Jesus laden". Don't get me wrong, I love Jesus, I just don't like the way so many churches are interpretting Him and what He was about. I'm not so sure that they get it, what He was really all about. The God I believe in wouldn't create someone a certain way and then proclaim their natural sexual proclivity a sin.
The more Christian churches I attend the more I am leaning towards Judaism. I immediately went and had lox and bagels.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Week Immersed in Judaism and Prayin' It Old School
Well, I am back, finally, this time for good! Lets hope anyway! So to update, my quest for God most recently took me to New York City. Thanks to an invitation by a Modern Orthodox dentist in New Jersey I spent almost a week totally immersed in Judaism. This was quite the learning experience for me. I ate kosher, got to explore Borough Park in Brooklyn and ate at kosher deli's. I have to say Borough Park freaked me out a little bit, to see how the Hasidic Jews live, dress and just to see their day to day life was very surreal. I felt like I was on another planet! Quite interesting to say the least.
I have to say I have been impressed with most of the Jewish people I have met recently. While I was in New York, I had dinner with a wonderful Modern Orthodox family. They were so kind to invite me, the food was amazing and I was able to see how a Jewish family spends the sabbath. NO! They don't sit around in the dark as I had imagined. We ate, talked, drank amazing wine and have wonderful conversations. Again, so impressed with Jewish family life. That being said I am still on the fence about converting.
Which takes me to today. I, at the coaxing of one of my readers, made an appt with a Christian Science practitioner. I am battling some depression and was told that a CS practitioner could help, so what the hell, I am going to give it a try. Stay tuned.
As I was leaving the Christian Science Reading Room I heard the bells from the Basilica of St Lawrence here. They sound so beautiful, as I passed by the church I felt compelled to go inside. The church is breathtaking, absolutely gorgeous. I haven't been to a Catholic Church in a very long time and it all felt to incredibly familiar to me. It seemed as though I arrived just before mass, so I decided to stay. Of course I know the prayers, and all the other practices that go along with a catholic mass. It was nice. I felt really good to be there. I even took communion, which technically I am not supposed to as I have never been baptized Catholic. Anyway, I'm sure God will forgive me.
I am still under a lot of stress. I haven't felt God anywhere around me lately, but today, I kind of did. I am still struggling with my faith, but I am feeling oddly calm today, almost hopefully.
I will resume my blog at once! I have an appt with the Seventh Day Adventist pastor here on Monday so I will continue with them as promised. So glad to be back!!! Once again on my journey to find God!
I have to say I have been impressed with most of the Jewish people I have met recently. While I was in New York, I had dinner with a wonderful Modern Orthodox family. They were so kind to invite me, the food was amazing and I was able to see how a Jewish family spends the sabbath. NO! They don't sit around in the dark as I had imagined. We ate, talked, drank amazing wine and have wonderful conversations. Again, so impressed with Jewish family life. That being said I am still on the fence about converting.
Which takes me to today. I, at the coaxing of one of my readers, made an appt with a Christian Science practitioner. I am battling some depression and was told that a CS practitioner could help, so what the hell, I am going to give it a try. Stay tuned.
As I was leaving the Christian Science Reading Room I heard the bells from the Basilica of St Lawrence here. They sound so beautiful, as I passed by the church I felt compelled to go inside. The church is breathtaking, absolutely gorgeous. I haven't been to a Catholic Church in a very long time and it all felt to incredibly familiar to me. It seemed as though I arrived just before mass, so I decided to stay. Of course I know the prayers, and all the other practices that go along with a catholic mass. It was nice. I felt really good to be there. I even took communion, which technically I am not supposed to as I have never been baptized Catholic. Anyway, I'm sure God will forgive me.
I am still under a lot of stress. I haven't felt God anywhere around me lately, but today, I kind of did. I am still struggling with my faith, but I am feeling oddly calm today, almost hopefully.
I will resume my blog at once! I have an appt with the Seventh Day Adventist pastor here on Monday so I will continue with them as promised. So glad to be back!!! Once again on my journey to find God!
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