Thursday Theology

I've been thinking about religion more often lately. I don't really know why. Generally the thoughts are not very positive nor very encouraging. If there is a dualism of God and Devil or good and evil, then I would have to conclude that religion is of the devil.

I ran across this meme in my Facebook feed this week:

Back when I was doing kids' church camp every summer, many of the church kids brought friends that were not from church going families so we often had lots of kids without any kind of religious background. I think I am of a generation that began a kind of religious rebellion with many of my peers leaving behind the religion of our parents and grandparents.
Once again, I was the slow learner, waiting until my 50s to get the flick and begin the process of deconstructing the religious part of my faith.

I know there are churches that are non-denominational and are in sync with many of my thoughts. I just don't really know if I'm ready to become an active part in organized religion again. I really don't think that I ever will. Something about that makes me a little sad.
As for the meme -- well neither of my kids go to church anymore, and something about that makes me kind of proud. I'm glad they are independent thinkers and see through the bullshit that people put out.

I am not completely anti-church. I know good people in church ministry and have great respect for the work they do -- especially with kids, youth groups, and young families. Somewhere along the way, there must have been somebody that helped me to grow and question and think deeply about my personal relationship with God that moved me to my present place. I don't know when that happened or who that might have been, but here I am.

I also don't think that's the kind of person that churches really want in their midst, which is why we were indirectly invited to leave the church where we had served for a couple of decades. Imagine a church that has a teaching pastor -- the how to move beyond religion and church life pastor!
If you know of a church looking to fill such a position, I have the resume and credentials!

For now, I no longer feel the responsibility to meddle in the spiritual lives of others. I am happy to pursue and grow in my own spirituality. I am happy to share thoughts about religion and spiritual growth. I just don't feel like I'll be the guy asking if you know Jesus or if you want to be saved or any of that religious stuff.

John