Does fear hold you back from attending other places of worship?

1. 72

   Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

   Does fear hold you back from attending other places of worship?
   
   I have been to so many places of worship, and studied with many various practioners.  I consider myself lucky. I am now in the correct faith based on who I really am. Though I appreciate the faith I started out with, I have learned so much more, that I had to move on. Anyone have the same experience?

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2. 60

   Compliance Doctorposted 11 years ago

   For me, I don't feel my feelings are of a Fear based feeling.  It is more of the inconvenience and hassle in attending various churches to find the right fit.  You see I grew up Protestant in the faith of a nazarene church.  Though, i have many good childhood memories of growing up in the church, I was always feeling like that there was another level for me to reach when it came to my spiritual side and the actual worshipping in church.  you see the nazarene's even though they believe in holiness, their church services are less than what they used to be.  there is very little clapping hands, shouting, and so on that i used to enjoy.  At times, my parents would let me go to my uncle and aunt's church.  The jesus name apostolic faith church.  There i felt more comfortable in my worship service for they knew how to praise god my style. 
   
   but, 20 years ago, my job and other things moved me to California.  since i have lived here in los angeles, i have never found that fit for me like i had in my aunt and uncles' church.  i've tried della reese lett's church, and though i loved the worship service, i felt at times people were there to worship her and not god.  you know della, she is the touched by an angel star and singer.  then, i have tried agape church in culver city.   its great, and a blast to attend now and then, but again, it's not me or i am not it.
   
   most of the Pentecostal churches i have found in los angeles are where most of the mexicans go to worship and the services are all in spanish.  i only speak english and it's frustrating to attend no doubt.  so, now i have better explained my feelings and i don't think they are of a fear based.  God Bless.

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   1. 72

      Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I like the clapping of hands and dancing around having a good time as we worship the Divine.  Then we eat together as a congregation.  I also like the philosopy of my Hare Krishna friends.  We have a temple in LA.Check it out, I wish you well.

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3. 74

   lone77starposted 11 years ago

   No, fear doesn't hold me back.
   
   I started out Southern Baptist in my minister grandfather's church. I've been to Scientology, Thai Buddhist, Tibetan Buddhist, Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, non-denominational churches and learned a great deal. I've studied Judaism, Kabbalah, and Taoism.
   
   I feel that all of this made me into a far better Christian who knows that he doesn't know it all, and that a literal reading of the Bible is lazy and arrogant.
   
   Keeping the cup empty and humble, allows us to learn.

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   1. 72

      Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very nice Lone77star, a person after my own heart. I always like to read your answers and comments

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   edhanposted 11 years ago

   I have attended many different worship places and understand their cultures and belief. In my personal opinion, all are basically the same in teaching.
   
   We are here to learn about the way of enlightenment in the higher level. It is through discussion where we will improve ourselves to the higher level spiritually.

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   1. 72

      Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Edan, for you insight. I also agree.

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5. 84

   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   I freely and comfortably go to many different places of worship. Each is enriching in its own way. And, even within each tradition, the worship varies so much. My birth tradition, Judaism, includes ordinary urban and suburban synagogues, dinners in family homes with storytelling, and praying at the Western Wall of the ancient temple in Jerusalem. My core practice of Buddhism includes sitting in plain small apartments in New York City, going to gaudy temples in reds and golds, pilgrimage to India, and sitting with my own meditation community on a phone conference call each week.

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   1. 72

      Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Traveling around is great! I have met so many wonderful people.  I am sure you have as well. I also made a pilgrimage to India, it was one of my best experiences.  Best wishes

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   sradieposted 11 years ago

   My wife and I have done our share of church shopping over the course of our 37 years together. We have moved many times and become unhappy with changes in churches we were attending at different times so we had our reasons for attending other places. Unless we were just completely in disagreement with the teachings of a church, we would always go a few times to get the whole experience of what a church was really like. We decided long ago, we cannot get the full experience of any church from one visit. So no, fear never held us back but the idea of drifting from church to church is not a pleasant or fulfilling experience.

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   1. 72

      Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very nice, there should be no fear in exploring different traditions it is all about learning and growing. Congrats on the 37 years together. You guys must have a lot of wisdom to share.

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   From my experience, it is not fear. What holds me back consists of irritation and disagreement. Personally, I believe we should focus on the person. In the church I grew up in, they seem to focus on the scripture. Say someone has an eating disorder. They are still in the average weight for their height and age. However, once the church realizes the individual has an eating disorder, they feel honor bound to speak to that individual and help them get back to the normal weight, when that person is already in the normal weight. It is extremely irritating to visit my parent's church on Easter and Christmas when their "friends" walk up and start commenting on my relationship that I should be dating someone else, on my eating disorder that is almost non-existent, etc. The church is no longer a place of worship from my view. It is a place of gossip and attack.

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   1. 72

      Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! I use to have those feelings as well.  I have learned to filter the noise better. Focus on the priority, a connection with the Divinity. Personally, I just want to move on from this planet, after my mission is done.  Best wishes.

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