Reply #36: Fascinating, WiseButAngrySara!

[Emit]

First, is the Bill Moyers/Joseph Campbell series you referred to The Power of Myths (and its companion book -- of which I have -- that came out at the same time)?

I've always had an intense interest in religion (and, more recently, politics) but not necessarily from a wannabe convert's position. I've never read the Bible in its entirety, for example, nor do I think I could suffer through it at this point in my busy life, although I own various copies, including the one I first received as a young child from my grandmother, who took me to church regularly -- Southern Baptist. (After church, though, I was more intent with sitting on the steps of the black neighbors' church, which was just around the corner from my grandma's home, as their jubilant music and gospel singing really drew me in. I'd literally get chills at the back of my neck with some of their music and songs.) I consider myself more of an outsider looking in, I suppose, and not necessarily wanting to join in...yet, perhaps.

I see your points clearly, and I can see how we are very similar in this regard. I have a dual major in Psychology and Art, and almost took a minor in Philosophy.

Also, this comment you made here: "If I were a political leader, or a youth teacher, or had children of my own, who knows what I would do! Probably 'join' a religion in a 'Machiavellian' way."

It's been a topic of discussion between my SO and I for years. We have three kids, a teenager and two younger ones. We expose them to various churches, mostly by allowing them to visit with friends and family, sometimes with us or sometimes by themselves with these friends or family; or, on occasion, taking them to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship during the holidays, for example. It's been a source of frustration for me because I do want them to have some basic understanding from a religion, but my SO is fervently atheist and is much bothered by anything having to do with organized religion. I am much more open-minded to it all, and seek spiritual concepts, for both myself and my kids, which are at the heart of life, IMHO.