Hello from the pod Cultivator

As cultivator of this pod, I like the label Post-Christian for myself.  I grew up in a Christian family, and as an adult spent over 20 years in Presbyterian churches.  I am now a Unitarian Universalist.  Over the years, I have called myself a Christian, a Christian Heretic, a Gnostic Christian, a Zen Christian, and now Post-Christian. 

Things that interest me inlcude Christian origins, Gnosticism, Panentheism, Process Theology, Buddhism, Hinduism, Metaphysics, Neo-Paganism, and liberal religion in general. 

Jim

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Greetings…

I was checking out “What’s New” on Zaadz, and found this new pod, and it seemed good to click “Join.”

I would certainy call myself “Post-Christian.”

Been a United Methodist for many years, but moved over to the Episcopalian camp a couple of years ago. I’m deeply steeped in the Bible and all sorts of Christian lore, but over the years, I’ve been Influenced heavily by the Neoplatonic thought, the Esoteric Qabala, some of the Christian mystics, Taoist philosophy, and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, to touch on some of the main ones.

But I am mindful of the prophetic aspect of the Jewish and Christian scriptures… prophetic in the sense of seeking justice and speaking truth to power.

Looking forward some interesting discussions here.

Peace and blessings…
Rick

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Hi, I was not brought up as a Christian - or into any faith, but in seeking to find “something”, some meaning to life, I was Baptised in my early 20's. I studied hard and tried to follow the Church but always felt there was something missing, something that wasn't being addressed by the accepted teachings. After a painful marriage, which I endured because I believed that divorce was “wrong”, I'm not sure how, but I came across a book by a modern Buddhist writer and began my journey to find the light within myself. Then began reading about Gnosticism and feel sure it was closer to the teachings of Jesus and appears more inclusive. When asked to state my religion I refer to myself as a Christian/Buddhist/Gnostic (not always in that order!). I don't for one moment belive that i have found the difinitive answer to the meaning of existence but am happy to be developing my understanding slowly. The book that I feel sums up a post Christian era is 'Tomorrow's God' by Neale Donald Walsch. If you haven't read it I can recommend it.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Jim, thanks for starting the pod.  I was raised in a Lutheran household.  My folks are very religious–we went to every church service and sunday school, well into my teens.  Now I'm drawn to experiential paths like yoga (the whole yoga, the philosophical system) and Buddhism.  But I find it difficult to be a joiner in any formal religious body.  I've been participating in the Monroe Insitute, not a religion but a sort of Western do-it-yourself experiential path, and I really enjoy it.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Great idea for this pod, i believe alot of us can relate to this.  I come from a traditional latin background so my family is predominantly catholic.  There were no questions asked when attending school to get my communion, confirmation and baptismal because i would otherwise be damned if i didn't.  I knew that i was different in alot of ways.  How i viewed life, my beliefs and everyday practices. I don't believe that i should state a specific religion other than i believe in God and how i percieve him/her comes from a combination of many things.  My family was disappointed because my choices would prevent me from having a ''true' marriage if it was outside of the church, however, they are slowly accepting the idea.  Only time will tell

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Hello all,

I just found this pod via the seemingly inert UU pod. I'm not actually UU, I attend an episcopal congregation. However, I tell everyone there that I am buddhist. I was raised Southern Baptist, then became atheist for about 25 years (can you blame me?) Rejoined a church because I am really committed to being in community. I've been spending most of my on-line time at Global Mindshift this month, but I will try to stay in touch.

By the way, I am currently digesting Wilbur's Integral Spirituality. Maybe when I finish I'll thread about it a bit.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Welcome Armando!

Speaking of the UU pod…  I just became a new co-moderator of that pod this weekend.  I re-organized the threads into Discussion Boards this morning and will be doing my best to help that pod grow and be more active.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

I suppose I could claim to be a former Catholic, but since I decided at around 9 years old that it just wasn't a good fit, I think I've just been searching. I've been studying Buddhism for the past couple of years. For the moment, I would describe myself as a Buddhist/Atheist.

I was pleased to come across this pod. One byproduct of my Buddhist studies has been a renewed interest in religion and philosophy, particularly theist vs. non-theist believe systems. I look forward to lively discussions.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

I grew up in the Southern Baptist tradition, and went to ministerial school, studying to become a minister in the 1960's. When studying world religions, psychology of religion, philosophy of religion, I felt my mind expanding in ways I never imagined. Through this process I attended just about every tradition known to man, found in the U.S. I, too, visited the Unitarian Church in my city, as well as a Russian Orthodox Church. In the 1990's I became involved in Unity, which best expresses my belief system. Why, because Unity interprets the Chrisitian Bible metaphysically. Lessons can be garnered from the Bible metaphysically and used greatly in this world in a practical application. People in the South are uneducated about metaphysical interpretation of the Bible. Meditation is a bad word i.e. for Buddhists, etc. Tis' not so, of course. My mission has been to translate and include through my weekly columns in local newspapers and magazines. You can read these on my Zaadz blogs. My website is www.21stcenturyministries.com I can appreciate the Christ, Krishna, Buddha in you as you recognize the same in me.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

I was raised Bapstist until I was around ten. Then I was raised what you may call Messianic Jew, i.e., I believe in Jesus as the Christ but I go to church on Saturday and keep the Jewish Holy Days. Then after a period of doing nothing in my latter teen years I started going to the episcopal church with my husband. However, everything I have been taught has stayed with me so therefore I feel like I don't quite belong in any group or church. But that's OK, I'm a seeker and always will be because I believe the Truth never changes and therefore, if the Truth is what I seek, I will always be on the right path.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Hi Jim and others,

Just a short introduction from me. ( I can go on and on…)

I was bought up Catholic, then at 18 became “born again” and joined a university Chrisitan movement. Then went on to lead a “Pentecostal” student Christian organisation, went to 2 Bible colleages, and was on my way to becoming a pastor. In that process I went from being a member of a Baptist church then got heavily involved with the Assemblies of God movement.

But then I began to see that much of what was being taught to me was making me rather arragant, so I ended up leaving full time ministry, and went back to the Baptist tradition. But I felt all out of touch with the Baptists, so I left the church and joined a Home church for a while. But the Home Church movement kind of died off where I was.

After this there was a long period of “unlearning” lots of things, esp Pentecostal fundamental stuff, - realising that a lot of things were not “Christian” at all.

The pendulum really swung for me,  and for a while I became an athesist, seeing that life did not seem to have any meaning or purpose.

My spiritual path then started again from learning about Numerology, then later on reading about Gnostism. Later on I attended some New Age seminars on Angels, Pagonism ( I even did Paganism 101 with a real witch) and other things, but eventually became interested in Tibetan Buddshism. meditation, yoga and mantras. Now I'm opening up to Hinduism of all things.

From being a very fundamentalist narrow minded Bible basher, I now see that all religions show certain aspects/revelations of God or the Divine - and there is great wisdom to be found in all of them. So I'm kind of like a Spiritual Shopper, a grab a bit here, I take a bit there, knowing that there are truths to be found in all.

So whether I fit into the definition of “Post-Christian”  I'm not that sure.  I'm more like a seeker, still making mistakes, but still trying to keep an open and non-judgemental mind. I kind of feel I have so much to learn, and that I have only just started .

I hope I can be of some contribution to you all.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Hi all,

I smiled at Stop and Ponder’s description of himself as a Spiritual Shopper. I used to called myself a Paganbuddhisthinduquaker (say that fast!), but lately, I just call myself Catholic. I’m probably an atypical Catholic, since I practice a zen-style meditation every day, read books on yoga, and like to change up the names for God (no one name can contain Him/Her/It, right?). I’m fine with being atypical, and I’m a member of a great parish church that is fine with it, too.

I think religion is one tool of many that can be used to broaden and deepen one’s spirituality. I also practice gratitude and blessing people (especially those who cut me off in traffic!), and just about any other practice that will make a more loving me.

Anyway, I have liked reading about everyone’s journeys here. I’m looking forward to reading more.

Take care,
Kari

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Hello to all!

I was raise methodist, went to a Spanish Reformed Episcopal church for 3 years, then continued to be methodist, then got disilusioned with the people around me there, and decided to explore. Currently I am very spiritual, mostly of pagan influence with som christianity splashing up now and again. Every once in a while i shop (tee-hee), and am still looking for the right fit for me…

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Welcome to the group.  I haven't been very active on Zaadz/Gaia lately, but hope to remedy that soon.

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

G'day Jim and all.

My name is Andrew and I am post-Christian.

I was raised in a Church of England (Episcopalian) environment prior to a few years of hedonist delights then when I just about in the gutter, I was picked up and became involved in the Charismatic Pentecostal Christian movement, at about 23yo.

After seeing and experiencing some pretty amazing things, something started to niggle me on the edge of my consciousness.  I'd been in and around various Pentecostal denominations and, because I wasn't a good pew warmer, I liked getting involved doing stuff, I started to see some of the other less known unpleasant aspects.  Power struggles, kingdom builders, sheep stealers, and started looking more closely at the scriptural basis of many of the doctrines that had been adopted. Many were based ib questionable assumptions, which threw the others out of bonk.

It also became apparent that conditions for entering the Kingdom of Heaven excluded about 95% of the world population and I couldn't fathom why God created all those people just to throw them into a Christless eternity of agony and suffering in the pit of fire.

I came to realise the bible was so simple, you needed the mainline Christian religions doctrines and teachings to help misunderstand it.

That's why I became a heretic, a Post-Christian, a term I hadn't heard before but fits comfortably, like a glove in fact. And I'm looking forward to chewing the fat with this group.

An eccentric Aussie

Re: Hello from the pod Cultivator

Hey all!

Andrew, I found a particular parallel in your experience and mine.  I was raised in a Jehovah's Witness household although we were only partially practicing by the time I came along.  I have never really found any particular fault with their version of events and translation of the Bible which, although it has been widely misinterpreted, draws the greatest parallels with Messaianic Jewish teachings.  They believe in Christ as a savior but not in the Trinitarian doctrine and closely follow the Old Testament in their Bible studies. 

The hardest thing for me to grasp, however, was the level of apathy and superiority with which they approached the other religions.  They seemed to view every person they met as someone that they simply hadn't managed to convert yet instead of viewing them as a person with valid, though different, beliefs.  I didn't like their pushy response to the people they disagreed with and I especially had problems with their belief that, as you said of your previous religion, the vast majority of the human population is doomed, though not to Hell as much as existence outside the blessing of God.

I knew the people that they disagreed with and knew that many of them were as good or better people than I would ever have the strength to be and I found it shameful that they could simultaneously believe in a just and loving God and a god who would turn away from these honest people. 

So over the past few years I have been slowly developing my own brand of post-Christian universalism.  One that feels right to me.  It is a constant struggle because my parents do not approve and I reman fearful of making the wrong choice but I cannot believe, in my heart, that theirs is the right one.  So I'm searching.  Drawing inspiration from Christianity, Judaism, and Taoism and embracing all faiths as a valid and meaningful attempt at understanding something which I feel is ultimately impossible for one person to grasp.

Most religious doctrine, in general, is to certain and dogmatic for me to adhere to and so I will probably never commit myself to a church.  I am, however, committed to the greatest understanding that I can personally achieve in a lifetime and, for now, that's enough.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and having good discussions. :)