Find Religion

Using your care of nature as sacred ritual is important. Caring for nature puts one in the role of responsibility, which simply means; the ability to respond. To respond to nature’s specific needs is essentially service. And to serve is to find your greatest joy. Find your joy in feeding the birds seeds & millet or nectar for the hummingbirds. You can make butterfly gardens and feeders too. I have a birdbath that at night also serves the nocturnal frogs, lizards and the occasional snake. I feed the wild birds seed and grain that I give to my chickens-cracked corn and wheat. We have a couple of doves who came the 1st year we began feeding the birds and they would always join in right next to the chickens to get their daily grains. The next year they came as a trio, bringing a new little fledgling to feast. We are blessed to live in the forest. This means also we have a forest full of animals & insects. Caring for their needs and fostering an environment for them to thrive in is a great joy and privilege. Caring for nature puts many important things into a perspective that fosters a greater awareness of the world around. There is magic in nature. From the tiny seed that grows into a towering tree to the beauty and form of a spider’s intricate web. Nature has so much to teach us, if we will only stop to notice.

One of the first sacred practices of the Native American Indians that I utilized was making a medicine wheel. A medicine wheel can be as small as some stones in sand on a desk top or larger stones in a garden, lawn or secluded area of the yard. Bring a compass and put marker stones at North, South, East & West. Some traditions acknowledge above & below without a stone marker. Each direction has it’s own character. Four is a sacred number representing complexities we find in nature & being. The Four Aspects of Human Personality-the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual; The Seasons-fall, winter, spring and summer; The Four Stages of Life-childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and elders; The Races-red, white, black and yellow; The Four Elements-earth, air, fire & water.

I will be posting more about making your own medicine wheel and the symbolism therein. It can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. It’s a great way to acknowledge and build community with Spirit. Please join me!

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field.

I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language- even the phrase “each other” -do not make any sense.

This Rumi poem/prayer of truth is the way we are to approach sacred circle. Empty out so the space can be filled with Her grace. Divine femininity is characteristic by the chalice, the bowl; such as the womb. It is hidden, open & receiving of the abundance that is our birthright. She gathers her knowledge and wisdom not thru words but thru sacred imagery and symbol. This is why creativity is so essential to nurture the spirit. Our creative endeavors are Divinity Herself being made real for all to see. This is why beauty is so important not only to the senses but the sensibilities. We were created for ecstasy and pleasure. Art is the God/dess Herself manifest. I can’t imagine much more exciting than that right now. Go create! Let’s see what She wants to say thru You! This is a challenge. Read the Rumi Poem & begin. Be Inspired!

Email me pictures of your creations so I can show them in a future post. Thanks!

You’ve read the first religious round table–are you interested in participating in the second? I’m looking for lots of new people to join our team of commentators–all religions welcome! I’m especially interested in views from people who are Muslim, Atheist, Catholic, and practicing Scientology, since those are some of the major viewpoints missing from our round table, but any and all are invited! June’s topic: Forgiveness. Do you have something to say? Email me today to participate at allison.boy-at-yahoo-dot-com!

Part three to the religious round table for May below.

See part one here.

See part two here.

Vote in the religion in schools poll here.

A brief review of this month’s participants:

This month’s participants:

Allison, FindReligion Moderator, Lutheran
Dave Parrack, Freelance Writer, Agnostic
Gillian, Jewish
Dr. Jeffery D. Long, professor of religion and Asian studies, Hindu
Summer M, Priestess, Pagan
JM, Freelance Writer, Neo-Pagan
Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Pastor, Editor, Historian, Disciple of Christ
Stephanie Hyatt, High School English Teacher, Cumberland Prebyterian

This Month’s Topic: God in Our Schools, continued…

Allison: I’ve read states of people saying, “Religion should not have a place in public schools because not all religions are represented.” Do you guys and gals agree?

Summer M: I agree with it. Students are in school to get an education, religious studies can take place at other times.

Gillian: Children need to learn about religion because they’re going to
encounter people of different religions in their adult life. They need to understand that for some people it’s highly important and for others it matters not a scrap. They need to understand and appreciate humanity in all its joyous variety. They can’t do that if the subject is entirely ignored or if ‘religion’ is assumed to be one creed or code or cult.

Summer M: That depends on the age. In high school a religious studies class that teaches all religions, and not just the big 3, and does so without bias would be a great class to take. Younger children, however, should get their information from their family.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: It’s not a matter of representation; it’s a matter of purpose. Ultimately public education has a secular purpose. Now, religion could and possibly should be taught – but in an objective way – since religion plays such an important role in American life. I’m concerned that despite our religiosity, it appears that Americans are extremely ignorant when it comes to religious matters. I’ve yet to start Stephen Prothero’s new book, “Religious Literacy,” but from everything I’ve been reading, this is a troubling situation.

Allison: But talking about a religion in a purely worship format, non-informational, does it have a place?

Stephanie Hyatt: I think the observance of religion should be left to the student. Then the religions they feel to be relevant will be represented.

(more…)

Part two to the religious round table for May below.

See part one here.

Vote in the religion in schools poll here.

A brief review of this month’s participants:

This month’s participants:

Allison, FindReligion Moderator, Lutheran
Dave Parrack, Freelance Writer, Agnostic
Gillian, Jewish
Dr. Jeffery D. Long, professor of religion and Asian studies, Hindu
Summer M, Priestess, Pagan
JM, Freelance Writer, Neo-Pagan
Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Pastor, Editor, Historian, Disciple of Christ
Stephanie Hyatt, High School English Teacher, Cumberland Prebyterian

This Month’s Topic: God in Our Schools, continued…

Allison: Do you guys and gals think that prayer should be allowed in public schools?

Gillian: Whether it should be allowed is hard to say (so many arguments on both sides), but it should always be optional. If children who opt out suffer (eg by being ostracised) because of that decision then I would suggest that the prayer is not fulfilling its aim and should be reconsidered.

JM: Forcing them to would be wrong if they don’t want to, but I see no problem if they are peacefully expressing themselves.

Summer M: I am all for a set time each day for children be able to pray/think/meditate/etc… quietly on their own. But setting up a set prayer for all students or expecting all students to do the same thing infringes on each child’s person freedom.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: Every student, in his or her own way, or even gathering as a student led group, has the right to pray, but school sponsored prayer is not just unconstitutional it is coercive and counterproductive.

Stephanie Hyatt: Prayer DOES exist in public schools. Should school-led prayer be observed? No. But should students feel free to engage in prayer or meaningful religious exercise? Of course! And they do! I hear lots of praying when I start handing out a test!

(more…)

Once a month, FindReligion will be hosting the religious round table, a place where people can talk about and discuss various subjects of controversy. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of religious belief.

This month’s participants:

Allison, FindReligion Moderator: I’ve been a Lutheran since I was a child, but have explored a number of other religions and also agree with other viewpoints on the Divine.

Dave Parrack, Freelance Writer: Being an agnostic just sort of happened for me. I was brought up vaguely Church of England Christian, but never really practising or a church goer. Visit my website.

Gillian: When I was 12 my parents said I could choose whatever religion I liked, so I researched several, but decided I liked being Jewish. I’ve had upbringing as Australian Orthodox, but I attend synagogues and have family and friends right across the spectrum. Visit my website.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long, professor of religion and Asian studies, Hindu:I grew up Roman Catholic and converted to Hinduism. Informally, I’ve been practicing for more than twenty years. Formally, for twelve years.

Summer M, Priestess: I was raised Southern Baptist, broke away at 13 and considered myself atheist until I found Paganism. I’ve been practicing now for 10 years. Visit my website.

JM, Freelance Writer: I’ve fit into the belief system most of my life but have never defined myself as Neo-Pagen until recently. My family moved from church to church when I was growing up (Christian denominations) before settling on non-denominational. Visit my website.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Pastor, Editor, Historian: I’ve not always been a member of the Disciples of Christ, but I’ve been in the Christian church from birth. Growing up Episcopalian, in time my journey took me into the Foursquare Church and from there to the Disciples, though I’ve had a few other stops along the way. I’ve been a Disciple for 22 years now. Visit my website.

Stephanie Hyatt, High School English Teacher: I’ve been practicing 10 years as a Cumberland Presbyterian, but mainstream Christian my whole life. I grew up Baptist, but I consider that a similar religion — i.e., Baptist doctrine is a bit more conservative, but they are more alike than different. Visit my website.

This Month’s Topic: God in Our Schools

Allison: Hi, everyone. Thanks for participating. We’re talking about religion in schools today, so let’s start out with a bit of information about the religion in the schools you attended. Did anyone go to a religions high school or college?

Summer M: No, mine was a public school. Though the majority were Christian so there were a lot of Christian activities on campus. I would have preferred that religion was kept more off-campus. I went to an all women’s college. I loved that it was very open to all religions and not just to the major ones. It was a great experience.

(more…)

This week’s round table will talk about religion in public school and cover things like the words “under God” in the US Pledge of Allegiance and the teaching of religions in a secular sense. Before we get to the answers of the participants, it’s your turn to vote:

religion, religion in schools, God, polls

I light of the Starbucks debate, I’d like to reiterate my position on religion–it’s not whether you believe in this or that, it’s whether you’re on a spiritual journey to find out what the Divine really means for you. The journey includes learning about other religious and engaging in friendly and healthy debate to consider your ideas. Once a month, FindReligion will be hosting the religious round table, a place where people can talk about and discuss various subjects of controversy. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of religious belief.

This month’s participants:

Allison, FindReligion Moderator: I’ve been a Lutheran since I was a child, but have explored a number of other religions and also agree with other viewpoints on the Divine.

Dave Parrack, Freelance Writer: Being an agnostic just sort of happened for me. I was brought up vaguely Church of England Christian, but never really practising or a church goer. Visit my website.

Gillian: When I was 12 my parents said I could choose whatever religion I liked, so I researched several, but decided I liked being Jewish. I’ve had upbringing as Australian Orthodox, but I attend synagogues and have family and friends right across the spectrum. Visit my website.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long, professor of religion and Asian studies, Hindu:I grew up Roman Catholic and converted to Hinduism. Informally, I’ve been practicing for more than twenty years. Formally, for twelve years.

Summer M, PriestessI was raised Southern Baptist, broke away at 13 and considered myself atheist until I found Paganism. I’ve been practicing now for 10 years. Visit my website.

JM, Freelance Writer I’ve fit into the belief system most of my life but have never defined myself as Neo-Pagen until recently. My family moved from church to church when I was growing up (Christian denominations) before settling on non-denominational. Visit my website.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Pastor, Editor, Historian: I’ve not always been a member of the Disciples of Christ, but I’ve been in the Christian church from birth. Growing up Episcopalian, in time my journey took me into the Foursquare Church and from there to the Disciples, though I’ve had a few other stops along the way. I’ve been a Disciple for 22 years now. Visit my website.

Stephanie Hyatt, High School English Teacher: I’ve been practicing 10 years as a Cumberland Presbyterian, but mainstream Christian my whole life. I grew up Baptist, but I consider that a similar religion — i.e., Baptist doctrine is a bit more conservative, but they are more alike than different. Visit my website.

This Month’s Topic: God in Our Schools

Check back tomorrow for the round table discussion. Don’t see your religion represented? Jump on board for next month’s discussion. All are welcome!