Good Morning All

NewToUs · Post by **NewToUs** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:33 am

I'm 30, married with a 14 month old baby girl.

I'd like some help off you if i may.

I don't really know where to start. I was bought up C of E, and somewhere along the way, decided that religion was a joke, lost a lot of faith in pretty much everything. However, I always considered myself as a good person. Anyway, I met my Husband, and he is wonderful. He often tried to talk to me about religion, and i used to laugh at him. But I have to say, recently he has got me thinking.

Neither of us believe in "God" as a man or being. But we do both believe that religion helps you to be a good person, and we would like to follow guidelines that have been around for many generations to bring up our daughter. There are things written in the Bible that we disagree with, and wonder if this makes us "not eligible" to consider joining the faith. Or if it's how we choose to live our lives as good people that counts, rather than how to follow a religion without questioning some of the areas we disagree with.

I realise it's a bit much to expect the forum members here to come along and 'fix all our problems', but even if you could share your own experiences or thoughts it would no doubt help us to begin to get our head around these ideas that are new to us.

Post by **otseng** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:37 am

Greetings and welcome to the forum!

I do think that even if you accept religion only as a philosophy that it can be of benefit. (Of course it'd be even more profitable if you accept it as more than that.) I think people need all the help they can get in order to try to raise a good family. There are too many opposing forces trying to destroy the family and the church can provide a stabilizing influence.

NewToUs · Post by **NewToUs** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:51 am

otseng wrote:Greetings and welcome to the forum!

I do think that even if you accept religion only as a philosophy that it can be of benefit. (Of course it'd be even more profitable if you accept it as more than that.) I think people need all the help they can get in order to try to raise a good family. There are too many opposing forces trying to destroy the family and the church can provide a stabilizing influence.

I agree whole heartedly with your comment.
I do worry that I may be seen as a fraud if I attend church, rather than for my good intentions. I say I and my, rather than we and our as I'll leave it to my Hubby to comment on his feelings, if he chooses

Zzyzx · Post by **Zzyzx** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:09 am

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Hi NewToUs,

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for the openness and honesty of your first thread.

May I make a suggestion regarding a place where your religious views will be respected and valued?

The Unitarian Universalist congregations are very different from ALL traditional religious organizations and may well be an ideal environment for you and your husband.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalism
http://www.religioustolerance.org/u-u.htm
http://www.uua.org/visitors/index.shtml

Again, welcome. We look forward to your participation in discussion and debate.

Zzyzx

Skeptic · Post by **Skeptic** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:28 am

Religion and Morality are often linked but are not inseparable. As mentioned previously the philosophic "how to live a good life" lessons given by many religions can be a good compass on their own merits without all the dogma. Personally I know the difference between right and wrong and do not feel the need for someone else to affect how I feel about my decisions. Often with religion you are applying someone else's standards to your life.

Welcome and good luck in your search.

Post by **otseng** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:57 am

NewToUs wrote: I do worry that I may be seen as a fraud if I attend church, rather than for my good intentions.

Of course it would depend on the congregation. But I would think that if you're honest upfront about it, I would hope that they would welcome you. If somebody came into our church and said that they aren't believers, but would still like to attend, we would still welcome them.