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Scott C. Dunn's avatar

Very nice article. Love the subtle and dry humor peppered therein. History helps. Context is in abundance.

I have used vision boards before. Got everything in them. Thought of doing another one until I heard a story about a man who got everything he prayed for and still was not happy.

Wait. What about us agnostics?

Charles Bastille's avatar

Thanks, Scott. :-)

I was probably closer to being agnostic than atheist before I fell in with the religious crowd, lol.

My god doesn’t care if you’re agnostic, or even atheist.

He/she just wants you to be happy.

This idea of a jealous god who demands your submission is silly. It doesn’t fit the kind of being I believe in.

Obviously, my idea of Christianity clashes significantly with much of existing canon, and probably the average church goer.

But canon was written by power-mad men 2000 years ago during a time of savage barbarism. So there’s that.

Paula Rossi's avatar

Really impressive piece! Thanks

Sharon C Storm's avatar

As I was reading the earlier portions of this essay, I thought of Sojourners, an organization that I have supported for over a decade. I’m also a member of the Moravian Church, the world’s oldest Protestant denomination. It was founded in 1457 by the followers of Jan Hus, a Catholic priest in Prague. He believed that the Mass should be in the vernacular, that Communion should be available to every Christian in both bread and cup. He also preached against the practice of the church selling “indulgences”, a method in which one ‘buys’ forgiveness in advance of committing the sin. Moravians also ordain women and LGBTQ persons.

The motto of the church is one of the main reasons I’m a Moravian.

In essentials, unity,

In non essentials, liberty,

And in all things, love.

Essentials are basic Christian principles, the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the Creator, and the Advocate, otherwise known as the Holy Spirit.

To contact Sojourners, go to sojo.net

Charles Bastille's avatar

That's fantastic. I believe you've mentioned the Moravian Church before. They also are at the heart of a major character in the novel I'm trying to peddle. One of the leaders of the new government that emerges in the alternative history novel about the late 18th century emanicpation of slaves joins the Moravian church. His denomination becomes an important part of the new nation.

Thanks for the motto. I wasn't aware of that. I may need to see if I can sneak that into an edit. I don't go much into the Moravian church in the novel, though, overall. It's sort of a bit of side information about the character.

Yep, Sojourners is great. I've been a subscriber to them for years.

Thanks for the comment and read, and have a ridiculously fantastic Christmas.