Where do I belong?

[GoodAfternoonTea]

Just wonder where I belong? I went to my local Anglican church and it was all OK until I fell out with a parishioner who spent months trying to invite me for coffee and when I gave in, she cancelled for a better offer. Well, I thought, that is very Christian as she was so pious and sickly sweet. So I left and felt quite relieved not to be under this 'you have sinned' lark. I do like to drift around in nature and have the opportunity of joining a pagan group and, whilst I am not specifically into pagan gods, I am monotheistic. The problem is that they are all quite elderly, some have 'problems' and the others talk behind each others backs ripping their fellow pilgrims to shreds. I thought it may be interesting to just go a change of scene. Or do I just do my own thing?

Where do you belong? Only you can answer that, but I'd say wherever you are at peace. Your post seems to be quite critical of other human beings. None of us are perfect so I'm sure you will find something or somebody you don't like wherever you 'land'. What is it you are looking for ... is it to worship a monotheistic 'god' (being as you said you are 'monotheistic' and 'not into pagan gods'), or is it to find a like-minded friendship group, or something else?

Wherever you encounter groups, no matter the reason, you'll encounter bad behaviour. People attend church for lots of different reasons, not necessarily because they practice the ethos.

Do you have a particular strong faith? Why do you want to be part of a faith group specifically?

The relationship is between you and God, you don’t need to fit in anywhere

I don’t know OP. I also can’t figure it out. I currently have a weekly meeting with a lovely Catholic deacon who teaches me all sorts of things about religion and we chat about them all, honestly. I am drawn to the Catholic Church - the history and the ritual of it all - but I also don’t think that a lot of it has anything to do with God, and if anything, is probably quite far from God. I love Mary and the saints.

I love a CofE church in my hometown - lovely services which make you feel very close to God. But I don’t live there anymore and don’t visit much.

I feel quite drawn to the Quakers - I investigated them a bit after they were recommended on this board after a poster asked what what the most gentle religion. They do seem very nice, I could get behind them.

I’m also drawn to Christian Spiritualism as I’ve always been interested in the spiritual world and I’ve also just started to look into this.

I love nature too, and I love the rituals of some pagan groups but, like you, I believe in one God and feel strongly about Jesus.

I am wondering if there’s any 1 organized religion I could really get behind 100% of if we’re just meant to sort of wander and find our own way to God.

I believe in one God and feel strongly about Jesus.

@rosesaredeadvioletsaretoo
Then stay well away from "Christian" spiritualism my friend

And this is why I’m finding my own personal path. Because some things really make sense to me and work with my personal beliefs, and I don’t like being told what to do or that something that resonates with me is ‘wrong’ simply because it’s not a part of mainstream Christianity and organized religion.

Actually, I find it very difficult to accept some of mainstream Christianity’s well accepted ‘rules’, like that homosexuality is wrong or women are somehow beneath men - these rules have nothing to do with the God that I know - and so I am perfectly happy to find my own path.

I think we should all respect each others paths to God, rather than telling each other what to do, what to believe, or where to explore.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14.

You either follow Jesus or you follow your own desires. You can't have it both ways.
Christianity & spiritualism mix like oil and water. I say this out of concern for you @rosesaredeadvioletsaretoo.

@rosesaredeadvioletsaretoo

I heartily agree with your comments that everybody should respect each other's beliefs and life choices. I currently belong to a church, although I'm questioning that choice, and I'm heartily tired of being told that this is the only way to God. And don't get me started on the gossip about other's lifestyles because they don't fit the perceived model dictated by the church.