It sounds a little crazy, I know: Bring Your Own God to the party.
But, in fact, we do already.
Even if you go to a church where very specific theology is taught, very specific creeds invoked … I can guarantee you that not every member/attender embraces every word of what comes from on high.
We come into church service with slightly different versions of God informing our faith.
As Rob Bell says, “We shape our God, then our God shapes us.” (Love Wins, p 97)
Exactly right, Mr. Bell.
In my church, the Unitarian Universalist church, that truth is not just acknowledged, it is encouraged and celebrated. The Baptist sits between the Buddhist and the atheist. Each is pleased to let the other believe what they do (or don’t) believe.
When I look back on the evolution of my faith, I can see that I have moved toward a God that continues to become less and less punitive until, finally, “he” (the language of accommodation) isn’t a punisher at all, but full only of compassion and grace, light and love.
Faith is a weird thing. It surely can divide us. The divisions can be lethal, tragically. Or our desire for “higher truth” and “enlightened selves” can lead us to a place of magnificent unity and community. It would be my prayer that this is The Way we choose…
Namaste.
Jim Wormington: Author, Journalist, Earthling 