Questioning Religion

Dear B.,

I would like to recommend going into a Church of Scientology mission or organization. You can gain tools to help understand your fellow man and how to survive better in life. You are not preached at, are not talked down to as a sinner, and are simply HELPED where you ask to be helped. It is non-denominational in that I have friends who are Scientologist as well as Christian or Jewish or Muslim. It is a religion of SOLUTIONS, where you are in charge of your own life and situation, and are given tools to better your survival.

The Way to Happiness is a small pamphlet of basic moral codes that allow happier living. You can get one at a local mission, it contains basic precepts that help people do better!

I think the best avenue would be to start reading the bible some on your own?. Start with the book of John in the new Testament. This might spark some personal interest.. then pick which way to go from there. Personally, I believe in science and in the bible. They are intertwined. Human beings tend to complicate the matter by choosing only one or the other. The fact is, both exist. Try a non denominational church, such as the church of christ possibly? they go by what the bible states cleanly and without adding or taking away. They also believe in science. together it makes sense. good luck!

Hi B.,

I'm not sure where you live, but if you live near Palm Harbor, you might want to check out The Unity Church on Tampa Road.

I just joined and I love it. I found it in January or February and though it is a Christian Church, it is very modern. I went to 12 years of Catholic school, then converted to Greek Orthodox 10 years ago. But I love this church, because there is no guilt!

They believe everyone is a beloved child of God and they just look for the positives!

There are other Unity Churches in the area, but I know this one has lots of friendly people, and at every service they welcome any newcomers.

B.,

I have a little girl too! She's almost 4 already! Crazy how the time goes by! I just want you to know that God is out there if you look, and here with us! Look at your little girl! She's proof!
I know this might be a drive, but the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Tarpon Springs is really nice. The 9 o'clock mass is for families and children, and it's a really open and accepting church. I love it there. Maybe you could try coming and see if God speaks to you (I know that sounds weird, but I think you know what I mean!) God Bless and don't give up! God is with you!

Julie

Well, I understand where you are coming from and I'm sure this is a hot topic around here. Not all Catholic churches are the same. Some are very youthful and positive. I recently moved here so I'm still looking for one. However, if you do wish to explore different churches I would suggest Unity Church. Look them up on Yahoo Maps for the nearest in your area. It involves a lot of self-reflection to improve ourselves and surroundings. They are very positive, use meditation and some references to the Bible because they are Christian after all. However, they explore the Christ within us and finding peace rather than feeling hopeless and encouraging depression. Also, Bahai is another religion to explore. I'm not fully informed about it but the people I have met are very casual, nature oriented, open minded and caring.
Don't let a few old-fashioned priests, extreme right wing fanatics lessen our faith in God. I think it is at times like these when faith is needed the most. I too overanalyze as well but there is only so much analyzing my little brain can do when it comes to unexplicable happenings. I wish you luck and may you redeem your faith. If you wish to become spiritual but not necessarily religious, the book "Iluminata" by Marianne Williamson is great!
Hope it helps!

Hi B.,

I can completely relate to where you are coming from, as I was also raised Catholic but share many of the feelings you do. I'm not sure where West Chase is, but there is a cool place called The Spirtual Center Church in Largo. They are non-demoniational and celebrate all religions (which I now personally believe there is no one right religion). I believe they also have a children's group. There website is:
www.spiritualcenterchurch.org. Another website that you may be interested in www.hayhouse.com and www.hayhouseradio.com

Hope it helps..good luck :-)

J.

I love Grace Family Church & Van Dyke Church. Both are contemporay & a lot of fun. The progrram for kids is amazing! I really like both of them. Here are the websites if you want to check them out.
gracefamilychurch.org
vandyke.org

I hear the Unitarians are pretty decent about not pushing any particular belief system, reading extensively from the bible etc. I hear people from lots of religions attend Unitarian services, Catholics, Presbyterians, Jews, even my atheist grandfather occasionally goes to a Unitarian church with my agnostic grandmother. I don't belong to a church, Unitarian or otherwise, so I can't recommend one to you but I'd start with them.

I found myself in the same situation. The website below really helped my family decide what was best for us based on our own beliefs. I hope you find it useful.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

Hi B.,
I go to a non-denomination church in Trinity, FL. It meets at the YMCA, so it is very non threatening. It doesn't feel as if you are in church. It only meets for an hour. People come in shorts and t-shirts, and there kids program is INCREDIBLE. That's what they pride themselves on. Actually, on Sept 21 we are celebrating our 2 year birthday of the church and there will be bouncies, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy etc etc for the kids and everyone. That might be a good day to come and check us out. It's called Baypointe church. And their motto is doing life together. We all go through hard times and question life sometimes, and Baypointe really gives you the support during those times. Let me know if you're interested and I'd love to meet you. Hope to see you soon.

Good morning B.. I am a catholic and eventhought I have my doughts about every religion, I do belive in God, because no science can bring the miracle of life. The body is the perfect computer and no one but God did this. I have gone to a few different religions, but came back to the Catholic Church because I felt better and I love the songs. I do not like the one that people scream or spend to much time at church. At this time I volunteer to be an assistant teacher for the children First Communion and Confirmation classes becouse as mu children are groung I do not want to confuse them with any other religions. Al list the have a model and maybe later when the are older they can deside for themselves. They did their First Communion and my doughter is an assistant teacher too. She loves to teache, and I have to admit, she knows more about the Bible than me. Also another thing that had help me alot is watshing Joal Osteen on tv. you can check your cable TV to find out at what time his program starts. Is usualy Sunday at 8 or 9 am. or you can go to his web site. He has a lot of articles you can read. Another one that I like to listen to is Charles Stanley. He also gives an hour in the morning usually before Joel Osteen. Charles Stanley discuse the Bible like I have never heard any one before. He goes in to details that you never imagine can be in the bible. Joel Osteen's way is more positive and more like a psicologist but is great. It give you a different way of seeing religion. Every thing that can happen in your like accourding to him is possitive. You will like him. Just think that what ever you do now is going to affect your child letter on. Thats why I stay with the faith my parents introduce me to. All religions have good and bad things we just have do read the Bible and belive. Like Joal Osteen said:
God is a good God!. I think we just choose our destiny because we dont want to wait for Gods plan. You still young and I know God will let you know what path to take if you ask Him. Just talk to Him. He is ready to listen to you.
God bless you and have a wonderful day.
I.

Morning B.,

I was reading your post and I can oh so relate, I wasn't really raised with much of a religion but all I knew was Chatholic and I knew that just didn't feel right for me, I live here in Oldsmar right near the Walmart, I go to Bayside Community Church right on Oldsmar (about 10min 4 you).... I started in Apri and have gone every Sunday since, It is just what you are looking for, I encourage you to go..... I feel so very blessed... On a side note my husband was raised Roman Chatholic (alter boy 5 yrs)He started going on Mothers day and hasn't missed a day since we have been together 8 years and never thought that day would happen, Its an amazing Church and believe it would give you all you are searching for! Contact me directly if you would like to chat more, I have phone number and address etc.
~Blessings
C.

Good Morning B.,

I too was raised Catholic. I left there as empty as I went in!

We go to New Birth Fellowship at 10575 68th Avenue North, Unit C. It is off of 68th and Seminole Blvd, right behind the Bank of America. It's non-denominational, so that means we actually read the Bible.

Pastor Keith is really a great pastor. He teaches the Bible, he doesn't just preach. He makes it relateable for today. The praise and worship is wonderful. We are a small congregation, but they are really nice people that are there to praise God rather than look around to see who's wearing what....By the way, come as you are. People wear whatever they want.

Hope to see you soon...if not good luck on your search. If you live closer to 19 North of Park Blvd. Calvary Chapel is another good one.

Let me know what part of town you live in and I will see if there is another one I can recommend.

L.

I know how you feel. I had my doubts and strayed away for a long time. I hated going to church to listen to someone just stand up there and read the Bible, I'd fall asleep. My church found me one day after I had lost my way. I thought okay I'll try it out. We used to have a relatively long service, but that's because we would all get excited about the subject of the day. They recently cut back on how long it lasts so that we are out fairly early. We have a children's ministry that my 2 year old is in and they do allow younger. We are non-denominational and get pretty fired up, last weeks sermon was on joy and the whole church was laughing like mad by the time one of our pastors was done. If you would like more information please feel free top ask. I would love to invite you to our church.

Hi B.,

I can really relate! I went on a spiritual quest years ago and after much searching, I feel so blessed to have found the Baha'i Faith. We believe in progressive religion, meaning that God founded all the major religions.

By profession, I'm a journalist and I wrote for the Religion Page for a newspaper and met so many people, so spiritual and sincere and not actually contradictory even though they represented different faiths. It didn't make sense to me that some people are going to Hell because they don't believe or don't even know about a particular religion. When you read the writings from all of the major religions, they are beautiful and holy, you know? So anyway, I'm so happy I found the Baha'i Faith (www.bahai.org). We have churches in north Tampa (Dale Mabry and Fletcher area), Clearwater and St. Pete.

In addition, our religion focuses on world peace/racial unity, equality between men and women, independent investigation of faith (no brainwashing :-), one God.

If you want to stick to Christianity only, Unity Church in South Tampa is nice, too. They are pretty open-minded and also believe there are many paths to God.

Good luck! I'd love to hear what you find out. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to come to a service or anything.

all the best,
L.

I have 2 kids (3 years & almost 2) and our family and a couple friends go to Grace Family Church. It's on Van Dyke Rd, It's non-denominational, and it has great classrooms for kids. Also, it's not standing up reading from the bible, I don't like that either. They use life situations that you can relate to. The kids classes are divided based on age, and for young children they give you a pager in case they need you during the service. It's a great situation so you don't have to worry about the kids. I highly recommend it! Good Luck!

B.,

May God bless you in your search and help you find a community of believers that will encourage, strengthen and uplift you and your family.

In Christ,

S.

ps. I go to Living Hope Community Church in Seminole. We meet at Keswick Christian school at 10am on Sundays.

B., I can truly understand how you are feeling. I've personally been where you are now, and like you I was looking for a church that would inspire my faith. It was while on this road to truth a friend introduced me to the non~denominational religion of Scientology. From the minute I walked into the Church, I felt welcomed, respected, not talked down to or made wrong and definitely never called a sinner or heathen. It was like I finally had arrived home. Immediately I enrolled in a course about life and communication; spiritual data that I could practically apply in my life and that gave me tools to better my survival and help others, and it truly restored my faith in myself and mankind. I've now been a Scientologist for 5 years and still feel the same way as when I first walked into the Church....like I'm finally home! : )))

I highly suggest checking out the SCIENTOLOGY VIDEO CHANNEL: http://www.scientology.org/. I feel like you'll truly enjoy all these amazing videos.

And, I'd also go to: http://www.dianetics.org/ and watch that video as well.

Then, I recommend visiting the Church of Scientology of Tampa.

Here's their contact data:
3102 North Habana Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
###-###-####
www.scientology-tampa.org

Please feel free to reach me at: (323) 906~2784 or via e~mail at ____@____.com. I'd love to answer any questions you may have about Scientology. : )))

LOL,
L. (MAMA to 49 week old Dylan Orion).

________________________________________________________

This is one of my favorite writings by L. Ron Hubbard. ENJOY!!! : )))

WHAT IS TRUE FOR YOU is what you have observed yourself and when you lose that you have lost everything.

What is personal integrity?
Personal integrity is knowing what you know–
What you know is what you know–
And to have the courage to know and say what you have observed.
And that is integrity.
And there is no other integrity.

Of course we can talk about honor, truth, all these things,
These esoteric terms.
But I think they’d all be covered very well
If what we really observed was what we observed,
That we took care to observe what we were observing,
That we always observed to observe.

And not necessarily maintaining a skeptical attitude,
A critical attitude, or an open mind.
But certainly maintaining sufficient personal integrity
And sufficient personal belief and confidence in self
And courage that we can observe what we observe
And say what we have observed.

Nothing in Dianetics and Scientology is true for you
Unless you have observed it
And it is true according to your observation.
That is all.

~L. Ron Hubbard

Hey there!
My place of worship offers free home Bible studies to those who are interested. Its great because you get to learn and appericate the Bible on a one to one level. The discussions are about an hour long and are flexbile (whatever works for you) and is done in the comfort of your own home. Studies can also be provided for your children also. We cater to the needs of the specific person. If this sounds like something you are anyone you know is interested in feel free to contact me anytime. :)
-O.

It sounds like you are looking for a Bible based church (I could be wrong), so be sure of that before following some of the suggestions below...that's all I'm going to say here. If you want more details, you can pm me.

As for suggestions, have you checked out Church at the Bay in Westchase? They meet at Davidsen Middle School on Montague. We attended there for awhile after we got tired of the traditional church we were attending before(we recently moved to Brandon so started attending another great church here). Church at the Bay is very casual, contemporary and has children's church during the service. Services run about 1 hour and 15 min.(max) with refreshments served before services. Their website is http://www.churchatthebay.com/ if you want more info on service times & what they are about. The pastor is very down to earth too. Some people don't like the setting of a church in a school but that's how many churches start out. This church hasn't been around too long but has grown quickly. Anyway, it's a good one to check out. Wishing you the best!

Please review my website, in particluar the Reiki Page. We have a healing circle this Sunday at 5pm. We practice energy techniques and I teach how to connect to spirit on a daily basis. Spirituality comes within your own practice, not necessarily a church. Your Source energy is everywhere all of the time. Learn to call on it in every day situations. www.wheelsoflight.org

I can definately understand what you mean. Being told what a sinner you are gets old fast. I go to a non-denominational church in Largo called Crossroads Christian Church. The people in the church are wonderful. I have known them for 12 years and feel like they are my family. I don't know where West Chase is but you are going in the right direction with non-denominational. I recommend this church, but having one close is important as well. The second service is contemporary and even our elders wear jeans and a t-shirt. It is not about dressing a certain way, it is about worshipping God. There is also a nursery program for children and they have a beeper program to reach you in case your child needs you. The service in an hour long (rarely if ever goes over) and the church is a good size, not too small, but definately not too big. I am there every Sunday so please if you choose to visit, find me I would love to meet you.

I'm not sure exactly where you are, but we go to PCC (Pinellas Community Church) www.pinellaschurch.org and LOVE it there. It is just as you requested...laid back, very contemporary, there are NO hymnals or pues (sp?) and everyone is come as you are. The childrens programs are absolutely phenominal. We have a 12 yr old, 3 yr old and 6 mo old and each loves their own church.... They off seperate buildings for each and the kids programs are fun, exciting and keep them wanting to come back to see friends and participate more. You can always be just an 'attender' at any church, but many offer easy, casual ways to get connected, make friends and feel more belonging to a group of people that feel the same way. You can find others in your same situation. Check out the site and maybe we will see you there!!!