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Re: Athiest, but believe in something

Posted by beardedlady on May 29, 2002, at 7:27:10

In reply to Agnostic but spiritual » wendy b., posted by sid on May 28, 2002, at 23:59:31

I was raised Jewish. When I was 11, I was thrown out of (asked to leave) Sunday school for asking why god would allow the Holocaust--over and over again. I just couldn't believe it. We went to synagogue a few more times in my life, mostly on the high holidays, but that was it. My family wasn't religious.

Now that I have a daughter, I don't feel any differently. I don't want to be a hypocrite. If it caused problems for me as a child, if it wasn't a positive, unifying experience then, I will not force my daughter to go through it.

But we have a wrench in the works. My husband teaches private Catholic school, and we live in the city, where schools suck. My kid gets free tuition--from Christian pre-school through Catholic elementary and middle. My mom is in knots. The thought of it is making her sick (already the Jesus songs are coming home, and I have a hard time with them--especially since they're these awful words put to happy children's songs; ex. [to "B-I-N-G-O"] There was a man from galilee and Jesus was his name-o, J-E-S-U-S...). So she thinks (and she is right) that I should balance that Catholic stuff with Sunday school.

As for me, I believe in something, but I'm not sure what it is. I read a bunch of books on Buddhism over the fall but decided it's not for me. I squash too many bugs, na' mean? My karmic debt will be huge, and I'll probably return as a mosquito.

I like the idea of the Unitarian church, but the leaders around here have been a little wussy, if you know what I mean. So far, reform Judaism, which teaches some lovely things and values family and diversity and education, is still my choice. I love the traditions and rituals. I love the food. (And the Jewish religion is really more ethnicity and food than anything else!) And I love the modern, folksy nature of some of our cantors.

As for spirituality, I'm sure I have some. Oh, yes. There it is. Sometimes it's hard to find; I misplace things, you know.

Please let me recommend a wonderful book on the topic. I'm sure I'm not saying the name of a stranger, as she is a well-loved author (I believe I've heard her name on the board a few times). Anne Lamott's "Traveling Mercies" is the finest, most spiritual book I've read. If you have not read it, let me tell you: It's not like reading. It's like opening a present. Sometimes, though, the gift is a little sad. But overall, it's enriching.

beardy : )>


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