To Church or not to Church that is the God Question

By Any Other Name

by Rhonda Elliott Reiki Master/Teacher

The following is the beginning of A New Creed (1968 United Church of Canada)

“We are not alone, we live in God’s world .We believe in God: who has created and is creating,”

Why do I feel like sometimes I have to apologize to going to church? Isn’t it silly? But I do sometimes I feel like if I said hey I’m a Christian in my spiritual groups I would be stoned. But hey I AM ,a Christian and I go to church regularly. This however it does not mean that I’m out to convert anyone or burn at the stake any other organized “ religion” or “non” “religious” person. But I’m tired of getting the “perceived” stink eye every by time I mention God, sorry I mean,, Source, Creator-Spirit, Central Sun; Father Sky/Mother Earth , Oneness, Higher Power ,Christ conscious, The Force, Luke ☺ . Ect etc. See what I mean? I inter change those all the time but often I simply refer he/she/it as God.. no dogma attached.

My church (United Church of Canada) is another place I have a community, a tribe, friends. We all believe in a similar higher power, no judgement and forgiveness. My local church is where, I brought my kids every Sunday. They learned many things at church that were not just the stories of the bible (a great source of stories, inspiration and lore.)

My children gained a community of people apart from their peers at school. They interacted and made friends with older people and learned traditions. This was in a time when many of my friends had turned away from church. They wouldn’t go to church or “make” their children go to church ,they would tell me, when I would say I’ve been taking them since they were born I don’t make them It’s just something we do every week..(More eye rolling) My kids liked going to church they would miss it and would ask aren’t we going to church that Sunday.

I have always likened it to giving your kids a variety of food, without exposing them to spirituality through a church or other formal process how will they ever learn about it?

I’ve heard lots of parents say that their children can decide when they are older if they want to go to church or temple or meeting. Maybe. It’s easier for children if you expose them to all these things at a young age so they feel comfortable in different settings, confident enough to ask questions, learn how meditate, how to pray and feel the power of all singing praise together.

We have no qualms enrolling our kids in swimming, skating or soccer because it is good for their physical health. Well I’m here to say the church, temple or meeting place that resonates with you will also be good for your child’s mental health another safety net in their toolkit.

This is just my opinion. I’m not a religious fanatic of any stripe. I see the world in shades of gray not black and white. I understand how the formal church / religion through the ages has been used as an instrument for the domination of women and the poor and the uneducated. However that’s not reflecting the core or true beliefs of any of the world’s formal religions. The golden rule which seems to appear in all major religions in difference nuances from Confucianism: “Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence.” Mencius VII.A.4

To Islam:“Do unto all men as you would they should unto you, and reject for others what you would reject for yourself.” Mishkat-el-Masabih

To Christianity: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31

But I think Judaism phrases it best: “What is hurtful to yourself do not to your fellowman. That is the whole of The Torah and the remainder is but commentary” Talmud, Shabbat 31a

Spirituality is personal, formal religion gives us a frame work, a community a place to ask questions and seek answers. They are not mutually exclusive you can have both and still be open and respectful to all people. “In life, in death, in life beyond death God is with us. We are not alone Thanks be to God.” (A New Creed final verse).