Are there any religions that provide community and counsel without demanding dogmatic acceptance?

Question

I like the ideas of community, kindness, introspective knowledge, inspiration, and tradition... but I'm not actually a religious person. In short, I appreciate the good things about religion without actually believing any of the specifics! For example, I admire how Judaism is about cultural pride just as much as it's about the religion itself, in certain branches (i.e., it seems possible to be a "secular Jew"); I very much want to honor my forebears and instill a sense of pride in any children I might have one day. Is there any community that would accept me, just the way I am? I'm leaning towards semi-lapsed Episcopalianism, but I don't want to make a mistake and go to a church and then be faced with the "pressure sell!"

Answer 1

You will be welcomed in a Reform synogogue, but will certainly NEVER be pressured to convert. You will learn more about the Bible from Jews than you ever imagined possible. The "Taste of Judaism" classes are starting soon. That will give you the basics, but after studying for some time, you will discover how little you really know and how much more there is to learn!

Conversion is not for everyone, but you'll love the study.

Hillel said as a quick explanation of Judaism, "Do not do unto others that which is hateful to you. Now go and study." The most important part being the last sentence.

Shalom my friend

Answer 2

You have picked a good one if your prime reason is for acceptance with no commitment. You may also look at Catholicism, absolutely no commitment for nominal Catholics, and just about anything goes. However if you wish to be a devout Catholic, there will be some rules.
If you are really interested in God, then the pickings are slim. There is Baptist -they have some problems, but less that most. And they area a theologically safe church. Then there is Presbyterians-a little more ceremony in the service than the Baptist, but theologically sound. Then there is Calvary Chapel-more contemporary, little commitment, verse by verse Bible teaching, very relaxed and theologically safe. Then there are the Independents and or Pentecostals- this would be a hit or miss. These are churches in the broadest range of service style and theology. Some are excellent, others are horrible. You just have to try them.
The most theologically safe church with the least commitment would be the Calvary Chapel. They will not bother you, you can come and go as you like-they don't even have membership. It is probably the best "take it or leave it" church out there.

Answer 3

You can't have it both ways. It's like saying to your parents, "I want to live in your house and eat your food but I don't want to abide by any of your rules." The purpose of religion IS to make you change. It is NOT supposed to change to suit your desires.

There's an old Christian joke that goes, "They are the 10 Commandments, not the 10 Suggestions," but the same could be said for any religious doctrine.

Answer 4

If you ever want to go to heaven you will have to give up this thinking that you are just fine the way you are. Everyone is a sinner. We have to deny ourselves daily, pick up our cross and follow Jesus. The only way to heaven is through Christ. And by the way, that means "selling out" to everything in this world that might hold you back from truly and whole-heartedly loving Christ.Jesus loves you and died for you.

Answer 5

Forget religion.

Christ is the path of salvation.
Christ is the truth of God's Word.
Christ is the life eternal.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Christ is the tree of life.

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Answer 6

Check out the Unitarians or the Quakers.

Answer 7

most of the protestant religions are good, too. you could also try a non-denominational church, because they don't believe in one specific religion. they believe in many and they won't judge you. i think that if you are lookign for a non-judgemental group of people, they are the best bet.

Answer 8

For me humanism (which is not a religion but a philosophy) provides me with excellent guidelines. Also there is absolutely no dogma !!!

There are no rituals nor any church to attend. Some people join a humanist association to meet likeminded people but this is not required. I am not a member of any group.

It might do the same for you too, it might not. Your choice.

Here is a link to a good article. There are other good articles on the site too.
http://www.americanhumanist.org/humanism/positive.php

Here is a list of basic humanist beliefs. A humanist is not required to believe or agree with all of them but they tend to sum up roughly what most humanists believe.

We are committed to the application of reason and science, to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. This must be combined with sensitivity and compassion

We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance to achieve an open and pluralist society

We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life

We are committed to the separation of Church and State

We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be able to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed healthcare and to die with dignity

We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics are amenable to critical, rational guidance

We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species

We attempt to transcend any divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity

We believe in individual happiness; in developing our creative talents to their fullest, and in the realisation of the best that we are capable of as human beings

We are deeply concerned with the moral education of children. We want to nourish reason and compassion

We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences

We are sceptical of untested claims to knowledge, but we are open to new ideas and seek new departures in our thinking

We affirm Humanism as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service of others. Humanism is a realistic alternative to theologies of pessimism and ideologies of violence

The Humanist Manifesto
Humanism is a positive philosophy based on reason. We look forward with hope and have no wish to turn back the clock. Humanists place their trust in basic human goodness, in human resourcefulness and in human courage. We place our trust in human intelligence, not in divine guidance.

Humanism realises that what we do as individuals can make a difference, so we try to achieve the humanist deals of individual responsibility within a free, open and caring society.

Humanism is based on the assumption that this life and this world is all we know and the most important factor in all our thought and actions is our common humanity.

Humanists believe...
That human beings have evolved from simpler forms of life through natural processes taking millions of years.

That morality comes from understanding human nature and experience.

That people find more happiness and fulfilment when they are behaving well toward others. Humanists would agree with the Golden Rule of human behaviour: "Do not do to others what you would not like for yourself." (From The Analects of Confucius, c. 500 BC)

That human beings alone are responsible for the future of this planet and all the life on it.

That our actions will have consequences that live on but we do not believe in life after death.

Humanism today
Most non-religious people feel no need for any systematic ideology or organisation, but during the past two centuries a humanist movement has developed which tries to express the ideas and defend the interests of non-religious people in the area of freethought.

Humanism is committed to free inquiry and the open mind within a pluralist and democratic society. The humanist believes it is possible to lead a moral life within a non-theist perspective.

Humanism has always been a home for those who believe that human problems must be solved by human beings relying on their intellectual, social and moral capabilities.

Humanism begins with each of us. It is the belief that people alone, through personal commitment, rational discussion and collective effort, can achieve a better world.

Humanist thought is not the monopoly of humanists. Many people today think along humanist lines, often without realising that national and worldwide humanist organisations of like-minded people exist.

Answer 9

I think you would be happy with us. All we ask is a deep love of God, a willingness to do his will, follow Jesus in works of loving kindness. And to be willing to teach others.
If you can commit to doing this, please contact us through our website link below.

Answer 10

Unitarians are very open and not pushy.