Hi, I'm new here and I realize that this not the kind of Christian forum that I have expected (pretty critical towards the Bible and basic principles of Christianity).

So I was curious whether there are some here that tend to be more conservative leaning (evangelical or charismatic) in the United Church. as you know, they are the ones that are growing pretty fast.

I also want to know what you think about evangelicals and if you think that they fulfill their stereotypes.

Well, after many turns, I find myself off in a new direction.

Being Roman Catholic, then denouncing the church, finding an 'Earth Based Religion', then wondering where the rituals came from, then learning about early Christianity, Essenes, Gnostics, and now I've headed back in this direction.

I heard a term used by one of my members of the Spiral Cafe Gnostic forum. He called himself a 'metaphorical Christian'. In many ways that describes me. I believe in the bible as myths and stories, told to be contemplated, deciphered, reflected upon and internalized.

This evening, driving home from work, I came up behind a Christmas-red car at a stop light. The licence plate read "IWNT2BLV". Wow! I thought - now there's the Christmas Eve sermon...title and all. I wanted to get the driver to pull over, and ask "What do you want to believe? Why? What do you believe?" But the light changed to green, and we were off in the home-going traffic.

The questions remain. Was this person looking for some kind of faith? Not Christian, just faith. What did she want to believe? Why? Did she have any beliefs?

LAst winter the group that was working through Revelation kept asking me a question,  "What does the United Church believe about...?

WE have some people who whave expressed an interest in confirmation classes.

And so I have come to a conclusion that combines both things.

Starting in January I am going to offer a study group that will double as confirmation/re-affirmation of faith class for those who are interested. The group is called What does the United Church believe about...
and possible topic areas include:

Excerpt from

Is Blind Faith in God and the Bible a Modern Invention?

By Devilstower , Daily Kos. Posted November 10, 2009.
 

A new book points out that the ancient Christians -- and even early Americans -- did not share the blind faith of today's fundamentalists.

I know that posters are following the threads on Health and Aging, but I would like to post this in religion and Faith Forum.

We are all doing what we think best for our families but there is still fear, and turmoil over the flu and the flu shot.

I wonder what your thoughts are on a more positive attitude on the flu threat. Can a positive outlook help? Can faith help?

Do you have an opinion?

What can everyone tell me about Celtic Spirituality?

Does anyone here have background knowledge about it, or practice its prinicples?