....the Church would consist of this: Music , Meditation, Prayer.
No sermon. No dogma. No one tries to force their personal beliefs down anyone's throat We all meet quietly in one room, and focus on creating an atmosphere of Live and Let Live. Would it - could it - actually work ? Is it possible?
(Btw - I'm stone cold sober, and I hav'nt smoked that stuff in years, k ?:) So Whattya think ?
2007-09-20 16:08:17 · 27 answers · asked by The Church Lady 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great answers so far everybody, thanks.
By "prayer" I mean, since it is a church where all faiths are welcome to connect, prayer would be considered 'meditation' to some, actual praying to Jesus, Mohammed, Isis, whomever, if you are used to praying to a Higher Power.
The idea is total unity, without petty judgement.
2007-09-20 16:20:35 · update #1
P.S. - NO minsters - no priests - no rabbis, etc., etc. - just people quietly getting together to effect positive change. True and Pure "Love" - for lack of a better word - without strings.
2007-09-20 16:23:01 · update #2
For you, and for those who have responded in a positive manner to your question, I would recommend from personal experience the Unitarian Universalist Association and its member congregations / fellowships / meetings. The link below gives a lot of information about UU, and helps find a gathering near you.
Blessed be.
***
2007-09-26 07:54:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know for a fact that this won't work: it is a Christian's duty to 'witness' to non-believers, so anyone going into that church as a non-Christian would be getting an earful. Not that I'm trying to bash Chrisitans, just that you guys are supposed to do that, and a lot of non-Christians want no part of it.
when I went to high school there was Impact, which promoted itself as a Christian Fellowship Group. When I approached the Principal regarding a group for Pagans, I was informaed that there were no groups permitted for specific religions, and that Impact was supposed to be for all faiths. I went a couple of times, but was flatly told by the Faculty that I was not allowed to speak about my religion, not allowed to wear my religious jewellery, and that I had to listen to them yammer for an hour about how I worshipped Satan and that my soul needed to be saved.
The point of my story is that Impact was started in good faith, in the hopes of there being an open forum to discuss various religions, but somewhere along the way things went horribly wrong. There are some religions that just can't coexist in the same Church. A noble idea, though, and one that I wish was feasible.
2007-09-20 16:27:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sounds terrific...but wouldn't it need a main theme...something to talk about? There is a book called Urantia United - Tapping Into The Mind Of God For Answers On Religious Equality....could it be considered the Interfaith Church Holy BooK?
2007-09-20 16:59:40 · answer #3 · answered by inquirer 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is hard enough to keep Christians from burning, boiling, and disemboweling each other. As James Madison, father of the US Constitution said, "The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries." If you are looking for a more free and rational religion, look into Quakerism and Deism. Most of our most important founding fathers were Deists, not Christians, who believed in the "God of Nature." They were fed up with the condemnations, strife, and crazy doctrine associated with Christianity, like you seem to be. Thomas Jefferson even rewrote the Bible, removing all reference to the divinity of Jesus and miracles etc. Google the Jeffersonian Bible.
2007-09-24 15:58:58 · answer #4 · answered by emailrex 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would perhaps work in this life, but in the world to come it would be sad to have followed such a path. For in truth there is only one way, and that is JESUS. Interfaith is a misnomer for Interfaith really means that you believe in everything is right, thus nothing is wrong. If there is nothing that is wrong then there is no need for religion, just eat, drink, and be merry for it will all be fine. However there is right and wrong, and if you chose the wrong path you lose eternity.
2007-09-28 11:15:05 · answer #5 · answered by cowboy_christian_fellowship 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some people, such as you and I, need to stay in communication on developing a crystal clear interfaith dialogue. From this we could eventually arrange interfaith get-togethers. I had an idea to have a small meeting room where get-togethers like this could take place along with other educational programs to help all spiritual aspirants.
2007-09-24 08:05:37 · answer #6 · answered by devotionalservice 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Bible says 'faith comes from the hearing of the Word of God.' Jesus wants his children to gather and have fellowship, and build one another up in the faith. Experience has taught me that unless we are fed the Word of God (hearing his word preached) we become weak in the faith. The Holy Spirit of God is our teacher and guide - He only points to Jesus. Fellowship is good. Music is wonderful. But to Meditate, one needs to know the Word and teachings of Jesus. Meditation becomes shallow when we don't keep ourselves in His Holy Word. Many have tried what you propose, but it only lasts a short time. People need the Lord and they need to be taught the teachings of Jesus.
2007-09-27 11:25:59 · answer #7 · answered by Mercedes 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's a hard proposition. It assumes that truth is on the same footing as falsehood.
But yes, people of different faiths can and should pray together, sing songs in praise of God, preach together about matters like justice, peace, brotherly/sisterly love, and so on. All people are brothers and sisters - we are all creatures of the Almighty, and must learn to love one another.
Worshipping together might be quite a different thing.
2007-09-20 16:17:31 · answer #8 · answered by Rommel 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
i can get that at work...
music - either horrible muzak or someone has a *top 40* station playing (eeeyuuuk)
meditation - wondering if the guy in the next cubicle can see me on answers instead of working...(nosy parker...)
prayer - when the project timeline has dwindled down to days and we've missed every milestone bar none.....
and i do all of this interfaith activity with people from india, africa, japan, china, korea, america, mexico.....
2007-09-20 16:16:18 · answer #9 · answered by chieko 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I've seen it happen more than once. It works very well, and promotes good will with people that would otherwise be on opposite sides of many fences. I think that as long as we are worshiping the one God with many faces and names we are doing just fine. As well as when we get along with others, regardless of their specific faiths.
Blessed Be
2007-09-28 03:16:59 · answer #10 · answered by Linda B 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋