I’m new here to the forum, not to the philosophy. That said, I’m unsure if this is the correct category. Just curious if anyone else has had a similar experience with religion. I identify as pagan, and I do not endorse or condemn any religious structure in particular. Like many, I have friends from many different cultures who hold various core beliefs. So I hope I do not convey a sense of judgement towards those with an affinity for the bible.
I find it to be somewhat helpful myself. And in my journey of seeking, at times I have thought “why not church?” It seems like a good community to connect with people who see life through a spiritual lens, doesn’t it? However, my attempts at going to church never seem to go well. Here is a recount of my most recent experience:
I was invited to try a new “Bible study" with a friend, a couple of years ago.And we went to the address, which was a hangar in a field, not far from a big church. The first thing that I didn’t care too much for, was that it was men only. No women allowed. This goes against the idea of unity. Right? That, in essence, is the ideal I try to live by. Unity. The next thing I noticed, was that there were no bibles in the building. But only worksheets in front of each chair, for following along with the guy speaking, (whose name I’m withholding here) and filling in the blanks.
This guy said nothing of love, forgiveness, or any of the typical Christian things. He ranted in a nearly nonsensical manner, and spoke condemnation over people for their romantic orientation and the like. About a half hour of this, and my friend wrote the Greek word “agape” on a paper plate, and held it in the air for a long time. When the guy eventually asked if anyone had a question, my friend said “God is love, that’s what this word means. Why not talk about that?” And the guy dismissed it entirely. So my friend grew agitated and said “I want to hear you say it, you still have not confessed with your mouth that God is love”
Then the leader of this supposed Bible study became visibly bothered, and spoke over him saying that “Orion is bigger than the Earth, it is bigger than all of us”…And I knew that we needed to leave. None of these men looked happy, or spiritually free, they looked at us like we didn’t belong. We went out the back door, and I explained my concerns on the way home.
Then they started a group chat with me and my friend, which had a spooky vibe. My friend found a lot of humor in poking fun at them for a few days, but I told them exactly what my spiritual position was, in regards to the law of one, and blocked all their numbers.
More recently, out of sheer curiosity, we drove back down there. And the building was completely gone, not even a foundation. And I haven’t been involved in any organized religion since that night. No more bible studies for me.
Hail The Creator