It's a NEW Day!!

December 6, 2003 10:07 PM

OK, by now you probably know that when I'm silent for a while, something's up. Not usually something bad . . . but something.

This time it's kind of . . . well . . . what to call it? A crisis of faith, I guess. That sounds so dramatic, but it's the only phrase I can come up with right now.

I went to a Quaker Worship Meeting last week. And I had a . . . what? A peak experience of some kind. I felt a very deep sense of identity . . . I felt that the worship style of the Quakers (aka the Religious Society of Friends) was what I had always been looking for. Or, in fact, what I had been practicing for a good chunk of my life without realizing it.

This realization was BIG. From my own life experience, I can only compare it to the day I met my husband and fell instantly in love with him . . . or the day when I realized for sure and certain that I was gay.

So anyway, the inconvenient thing is, I'm an ordained minister (a "Reverend") in another Church. And I'm really into that Church. And I feel that I have a continuing spiritual path with that Church.

And, of course, the Quakers - at least the ones I feel connected to - don't believe in ordained ministers . . . or honorific titles like "Reverend."

So for the next few months, I guess I'm going to be figuring out how to arrange a kind of religious "open marriage" to accomodate my connections with these two similar-but-different Churches.

Anyway, one of the things that draws me to the Friends (Quakers) is their process of decision making. They seem to feel that truth comes through many voices, and they endeavor to listen to as many of those voices as possible when making Church decisions. Many Quakers also recommend that people listen to voices in their community when making major personal decisions, in order that more voices might make the truth easier to discern.

So I figure I'll give this a shot in my own way . . .

My friends in cyberspace, my online community . . . what do you think? What do you perceive? Do you have personal experience of Quakers? Of religious conversion? Does this all sound interesting, or just vaguely schizophrenic?

Speak to me in your many voices. Help me find my truth.

(E-mail me if you prefer.)

TRACKBACK (50)


	December 6, 2003 10:07 PM OK, by now you probably know that when I'm silent for a while, something's up. Not usually something bad . . . but something. This time it's kind of . . . well . . . what to call it? A crisis of faith, I guess. That sounds so dramatic, but it's the only phrase I can come up with right now. I went to a Quaker Worship Meeting last week. And I had a . . . what? A peak experience of some kind. I felt a very deep sense of identity . . . I felt that the worship style of the Quakers (aka the Religious Society of Friends) was what I had always been looking for. Or, in fact, what I had been practicing for a good chunk of my life without realizing it. This realization was BIG. From my own life experience, I can only compare it to the day I met my husband and fell instantly in love with him . . . or the day when I realized for sure and certain that I was gay. So anyway, the inconvenient thing is, I'm an ordained minister (a "Reverend") in another Church. And I'm really into that Church. And I feel that I have a continuing spiritual path with that Church. And, of course, the Quakers - at least the ones I feel connected to - don't believe in ordained ministers . . . or honorific titles like "Reverend." So for the next few months, I guess I'm going to be figuring out how to arrange a kind of religious "open marriage" to accomodate my connections with these two similar-but-different Churches. Anyway, one of the things that draws me to the Friends (Quakers) is their process of decision making. They seem to feel that truth comes through many voices, and they endeavor to listen to as many of those voices as possible when making Church decisions. Many Quakers also recommend that people listen to voices in their community when making major personal decisions, in order that more voices might make the truth easier to discern. So I figure I'll give this a shot in my own way . . . My friends in cyberspace, my online community . . . what do you think? What do you perceive? Do you have personal experience of Quakers? Of religious conversion? Does this all sound interesting, or just vaguely schizophrenic? Speak to me in your many voices. Help me find my truth. (E-mail me if you prefer.) TRACKBACK (50)		Your Words bran December 6, 2003 11:41 PM i'm not sure if i'm the flotsam or the jetsam in the ocean of life, but i sure do know i'm out to sea without a clue when it comes to matters such as this. i get the feeling, though, that if you are happy and feel good about converting or openly marrying beliefs from two different religions, then its a good thing and i see no reason why one can't ride the wave until it crashes into another. Taro December 9, 2003 06:45 PM I think that any religion which promotes and celebrates 'life' (as opposed to 'death' - voodoo and such) has validity for those who follow it. Sometimes which religion appeals to you is kind of like what grade you're in. Some need structure and pronouncements from on high while others need to learn about their own power. I've briefly touched in with the Quakers. They're cool. And I certainly agree that the more you listen to others the more you hear -- what? The voice of God? Your own still small voice? I think that everyone is psychic to some degree and that listening to all gives you different sides of the issue, leading to a more all-encompasing understanding. sillynun December 10, 2003 10:28 PM So, I was going to say something pithy and witty, and in keeping with my normal sort of light hearted fair. I say that whatever God is, it appears to us, as we need to find it. Peace comes in all kinds of ways, and in all kinds of places, but doesn't come around often. Go where the peace is. Do what you feel. Don't let titles, or ideas or stories about who you are, or are suppose to be influence you away from peace. to steal a concept from one of my favorite buddhist teachers... "The secret to life is two words: Not always so" Much Love