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[DIDI]

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Are you trying to implement a connection between spirituality and religion? There is a distinction between this and a good read with relation to this I found was from this: Amy Hollywood - Spiritual but Not Religious | Harvard Divinity Bulletin

So the non denominal is related to Christianity?

Stopped reading at this. "The spiritual person has an immediate and spontaneous experience of the divine or of some higher power." Divinity and higher power are just not part of the spirituality I feel.

[DIDI]

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Why don't you "google it"

I like ine your signature didi - "the ""club spirit"" is in the soul."" It never dies"

Seeing you mentioned non denominational I assumed you would be the best person to ask about.

Now that sig is my idea of spirituality Just for the record I don't believe a soul is either divine or religious. Lots to learn yet

[mnbvcxz]

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[Illuminate]

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Stopped reading at this. "The spiritual person has an immediate and spontaneous experience of the divine or of some higher power." Divinity and higher power are just not part of the spirituality I feel.

Providing some form of ammunition. Theology...

Yes.

After months if not years of silence and you give me this...

[DIDI]

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^^^We are not much good to you are we ??

[Illuminate]

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You southerners!

So dark and ambient.

[DIDI]

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^^ hahaha!!

[floridaorange]

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Finding a good church was like searching for the perfect mix to take on a road trip. There are so many churches out there that I would never join. But we got lucky and found a good one. The pastor and his three brothers actually grew up in England for a while, so at least his perspective is broader than many.

[KiwiTollway]

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Non-denominational means it's not corporately tied to any denomination like Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopalian, Catholic, etc. Non-denominational Christian teaches Christianity. It's an independent church financially and in practice. Even non-denominational churches usually have a group of "elders" or those assigned to keep the church's finances and practices on target with their goals and accountable (like making sure a pastor isn't making off with all the tithes). Also, none of the pastors are ever aware of how much any particular individual tithes.

I go to (or watch online) a church more to get an educated person's (the pastor's) perspective on divinity in order to affect my own perspective on my own life & the relationships within it.

Non-denominational churches use their finances to support their own particular missions, helping particular groups of people who need help in this world and aren't able to get any in another way. When you find a church you like to attend because you value the pastor's perspective, style, etc. it's also a good fit if their missions are in line with your own values.

For instance, one of our church's mission is to feed orphans in Haiti where they created a girl's school there to feed and educate orphaned girls due to losing their parents to hiv/aids. Another might visit and act as a pen-pal to women in prison so they don't feel all alone or hopeless.

I go to hear an educated person's perspective of the Bible, sometimes I agree with what's said, other times I don't, but I remain open to the ideas. In fact, recently I was really, really offended by a guest speaker at our church and that sermon rattled in my mind for the rest of the week, it was very dark and negative -- no thank you! My family all felt the same. Sometimes our church really misses the mark with us -it's ok. I won't go into detail how they've flubbed up a holiday, and greatly offended me, haha, it happens, so what?

Spirituality is about your own personal experience with anything divine (source, creator, God, etc.) and some people get filled strictly by nature, which is also an experience of the divine. Other people believe music is the only link they need to a high power, that's cool too. For me, music is one aspect, I value other aspects as well.

I attended a few services of one non-denominational church whose sermons revolved around young people (16-25) and getting them to think independently from their parent's values. I felt like they discounted (almost demonizing) all older people and valued only the young and it was pretty blatant. "Speaking in tongues" and the young people all dancing around, it felt more like a cult to me -no thank you! But, it was interesting and I value the experience. Some pastors use the alter as a means to brainwash young minds, that's pretty awful I think.

I feel like I have to guard against putting much junk (i.e., news stories, crap TV, hideous music, etc.) in my mind unless I want alot of junk in my life. Going to church mostly helps put good stuff into my mind, therefore, a greater chance of getting good stuff out of life. It's not for everyone, but I enjoy open minds. Variety is the spice of life! No one likes to be "preached" to, certainly I don't.

Some of my most spiritual filling experiences have occurred all alone on a mountain top. Other times I have them when my entire church is singing a particular song and the music is really, really good... I like to be "moved" in that way. Occasionally, and I wish it happened more often, I'll hear a pastor say something that really resonates with me and I'll feel changed by learning something new... I like that too.

There's a quote somewhere I read that goes something like....Religion is about other people's divine experiences and spirituality is about having your own divine experience.

[floridaorange]

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Hugh Jackman illustrates it better than I could... I agree with much of what he says. I attend a church though for many of the above reasons that Kiwi stated. Nice post btw Kiwi.

[KiwiTollway]

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I'm not a huge Hugh Jackman fan, but I enjoyed these videos and his open-mindedness. Listening to these made me like him much more.

I believe God/divine/source is love... not necessarily "everything everywhere." In all that discussion, he didn't really mention love. It's the single most important thing to give & receive. I agree God is in "the magic" of everything loving, the quiet space, where there is peace and peace within. I think where you find hate, bitterness, resentment, disdain, violence, you snip yourself off from your Source for a bit. But I do believe in non-duality and that when we die, we actually fully awaken to life. It's all clear in the non-physical... this physical life is all illusion for our learning & expansion. Emotions are guides & symbols too.

Thanks for posting these. Is your church a non-denominational Christian church? I assumed it was.

I think those who are missionaries going out to help others are altruistic, exceptional & divinely inspired, but I also don't subscribe to the belief we're called to suffer in this life for great rewards in heaven because that implies you have to earn your way in.

And I don't think it serves anyone to try to cram beliefs down anyone's throat "spreading the gospel." I have questions on a lot of that, just like he said. Maybe "spread the gospel" means more of a "talk to each other about this love" type of thing? I think it's important to feed, nurture, and help those hurting or going without.... well, those are all acts of love.

[Illuminate]

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So God is love?

You got Romans 12:9 telling me: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. However, you further pass into things like Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves. Numbers 31:17-18, or even He [Josiah] executed the priests of the pagan shrines on their own altars, and he burned human bones on the altars to desecrate them…. He did this in obedience to all the laws written in the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the LORD’s Temple. Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since. 2 Kings 23:20-25

And here's my non Hollywood based opinion on 'God'

Pardon some obscure misconceptions.

[Illuminate]

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Another thing, if this non-denominational is independent of major Christian perceptions, couldn't it be regarded as Pantheism if it was totally independent? But... I don't think it has/will?

My whole argument on Religion is best decried with this:

Again, apologies on the lack of Hollywood actors in this video.

[floridaorange]

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spirituality > religion

that is all

[KiwiTollway]

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I was giving my own comments on Hugh Jackman's videos, not quoting scripture.

I do, however, enjoy your ego trips, have 3 degrees myself (2 of which are in science), and own a successful business.

The most studied/educated scientists recognize a presence of a higher power outside of all laws of science/nature. Statistics hold no meaning for me & never have. I am interested in miracles and things outside of the laws of nature, things that cannot be scientifically explained and are out of our realm. If you can go there, I'll gladly join you. Thanks for sharing your views.