tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3321604364389095781.post7964300548335099085..comments2023-10-07T03:53:30.709-04:00Comments on old men planting churches: Decoding the "I'm Spiritual, Not Religious" Response.Kit McDermotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17818705153986043363noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3321604364389095781.post-65361963075808846032011-03-08T23:56:14.224-05:002011-03-08T23:56:14.224-05:00also, sincerely appreciate that you approach minis...also, sincerely appreciate that you approach ministry with the mindset of building relationships and dialogue. It's a big encouragement (and a display of wisdom) for youngsters like me. It's very evident, and it'll bear a lot more spiritual fruit over the long haul.Jessehttp://www.anarrativecalledlife.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3321604364389095781.post-72978064727512689882011-03-08T23:52:49.535-05:002011-03-08T23:52:49.535-05:00Kit,
Good post. I often hit on the notion of &qu...Kit, <br /><br />Good post. I often hit on the notion of "belonging" in these types of situations... probably because of my tendency to lean towards "relational theology". What does community look like in their eyes? What does it mean to belong and to have "fellowship", or to share and partake in their spirituality in an in-depth way with others? I like to ask who, or what is keeping them accountable to these spiritual convictions? Obviously I dont' approach it as if it's a game of 20 questions, but I tend to weave some of these questions into it... I find it fascinating. <br /><br />Often times the "I'm spiritual but not religious" is so incredibly subjective, that it either boils down to a simple "do unto others" view of life, or an independent faith system devoid of being rooted to any community. It can also act as a lame cop out to simply live life however the heck you want to... which you already hit on. <br /><br />Getting back to the concept of "belonging", even my pagan friends that I know usually don't jive with this saying. The practicing pagans I know often seem to appreciate traditions, rituals, and community (all religious-like things) more than evangelicals do. The "I'm spiritual, but not religious" folks seems to either fall under a self-denied spiritual apathy guised with a slick one-liner, or they're just white light new-agers who are looking for a trendy, against the grain view of faith, that was sadly yesterday's pop-culture cliche.Jessehttp://www.anarrativecalledlife.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3321604364389095781.post-37016730052125440462011-03-07T14:54:40.626-05:002011-03-07T14:54:40.626-05:00I think this is on the mark. But, wanted to point...I think this is on the mark. But, wanted to point out what worked for me when confronted with the Christian reality to piggy back on Kit's observations.<br /><br />As an outsider, I found the most attractive aspects of Christianity are articulated in acts. <br /><br />Words were fine. However, the valley is a place where deconstructionist logic runs rampant and with good reason. <br /><br />I say this because Christianity has a history associated with it that is characterized by repeated acts of terrorism in very fundamental sense. <br /><br />I do not mean to offend people here, but acts of genocide, theft, slavery, and other oppressive realities enacted/justified in Christ's name have done a great deal to move people further away from embracing Christ in any form. <br /><br />The effects are still present in many people's lives. I know them personally, was one of them and can say that resistance against the ideals and acts born of them in the name of God was and is at the core of many people's identities. <br /><br />I am not saying that killing and enslavement are legitimately sanctioned by Jesus. Only that the warped minds and acts of some have left a residue linked to Christianity quite unlike the truths in Christ's message. <br /><br />Consequently, that is a huge hurdle for Christ followers caught in a place where these histories become fodder for PhD's (the Five College system). <br /><br />Christian truths were best expressed to me in a dialog of acts exhibited by people taking the challenge to follow Christ. <br /><br />That's what has been the draw for me at Imagine. It changed things for me. I don't mean to offend anyone here. <br /><br />I just think that the fragmented spirituality is often formed out of a need to move away from a dominant and centralized history and the culture that comes with it. Unfortunately, Christ and Christians have been linked to ideals about dominant and oppressive culture. <br /><br />The East Coast is ground zero. There were atrocities committed here that have had lasting affects. Christianity has a firm association with these events. It is not what I believe Christ wanted. <br /><br />But, words still reproduce this reality for people. They have that baggage. Moreover, people get caught in their own cultural frameworks, educations, and experiences, and assume that these things are extensions of God's Will. Or the only way to God.<br /><br />All of this is way to confusing and never panned out for me. I was impacted by people following Christ. I decided I wanted what they had. To me these acts spoke louder than history, culture, or ideology. It gave a new meaning to Jesus.<br /><br />Thanks for listening.<br />-Jon HillJon Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09149331893429762209noreply@blogger.com