As I Live and LearnBack   to   My   Universe

Okay readers, here's the deal. One of the e-matching sites I'm a member of had this question as an option to be asked, and the guy I'm communicating with asked it. The problem is my reply is limited to about 150 words, and below is what I've written so far, and I didn't even get everything! I could really use some help narrowing this down....

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Wow, okay, that's a lot to cover in so small a space, I'll see what I can do! I am basically Christian, but do not align myself with any denomination currently. I was raised Congregationalist, and so far have found them to be the most open. But I realized last year that I feel it's time the churches come together. There was about a year and a half when I wasn't Christian, for various reasons I don't have room to state here. God brought me back.

Since I was a teenager I've been questioning my teachings and searching for what *I* believe. Sometimes the search is intensive, sometimes it's on the back burner. I've learned a lot over the years, and still know that I don't know what it all is that I believe or what religion I really fit into. I've learned about many Christian denominations from those denominations themselves: Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Latter Day Saints, Christian Scientists, UCC, and of course Congregationalists. I've learned some about Judaism too, but very little about the differences between Christianity, Judaism and the Islamic religion beyond the big one. I've learned about a few so called pagan systems: Wicca/Witchcraft, Elementalism, "Magician", and the Medicine Wheel. I still want to learn (more) about Buddhism and Taoism and other Eastern religions. But my belief is that God is God is God. The names by which people call God may be different, but it's all the same God. Whatever a person needs God to be, that is the part of God that is apparent to them.

God isn't male or female to me. In fact when I picture God I see a sphere-like brilliance, with radiating... somethings, that extend far beyond God.

I've turned to God a few times in my search and at other times in my life for direct guidance, and whether or not I've liked the answer I've found God was right. Eventually I've even found out why God's answer was what it was, which has helped me learn that sometimes I shouldn't need the Why, just the answer. But that doesn't keep me from wanting the Why sometimes!

The core rule of my spirituality that I live by is: So long as you're not hurting anyone, including yourself, if it makes you happy who am I to judge?

I'm not God. I don't know everything, I'm not always right, and it's not my place to act where only God should.

I believe Life is precious, not just human life, animals and plants as well. I believe humans are not inherently/initially evil, that a baby is innocence and good. I believe in Nature, and that the Earth is alive. I believe in some of the supernatural: Angels, Spirits, magic/powers beyond our perception and even control. I believe in evolution and creationism, they do reconcile in my mind. I believe everything happens for a reason.

And I believe in free will, science, psychology, and a bunch of things that are usually viewed as contradictory. Some even still are to me, which is why my search continues. I'm a scientist at heart; curious, liking to explore, and definitely wanting both answers and explanations that lead to the answers. Yet I envy the Faith of those who have more than me, and I want to achieve the same myself. It will likely be a never-ending journey for me, constant battles between science and religion as I try for some sort of reconciliation. So long as I don't loose more ground than I make, I can accept that.

Sometimes we loose sight of what we are thankful for...


Things, even people, become taken for granted,




But in this time of reflection on the good in our lives,


We wanted to let you know,


That you are one of the things we are Thankful for...

Everyday.