In the religion section of online dating surveys (so I've been told) there's a popular answer option of "spiritual but not religious." I need the opposite: "religious but not spiritual."
I'll say it right up front here: I'm not a Christian. I don't actually believe in a God. But I do go to church, every week, and I have on and off for most of my life. I've attended the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon as a member for fifteen years. As we say in the opening words, it's "a place of solace, comfort and community" offering "encouragement to pursue your spiritual journey." Sounds a little whoo-whoo, but if you know Unitarians, it's really not.
I won't go into UU beliefs and principles; it's all here if you're interested. Suffice to say that it's a religion that embraces diversity in all ways. We have a minister, we light candles and sing hymns. We hold Sunday school and bake sales and talent shows. It feels "churchy." We just don't all adhere to the same dogma.
I grew up as a Unitarian, which is fairly unusual in UU congregations. Most members are lapsed something-elses. So for me there's an additional layer of familiarity and connection on top of the fellowship and spiritual fulfillment I receive. And now I've morphed into my parents: I've joined the Church Board.
Up til recently, I was uncomfortable telling people I go to church and I'm involved in church activities. I sensed a change in the way my co-workers and acquaintances assessed me. I'd fight the urge to clarify: "I'm not religious - I'm not even Christian - I'm really a Buddhist. It's a liberal fellowship that..." blah blah.
But I've begun to enjoy watching people reconcile what they know of me and their image of a faithful churchgoer. I relish privately the irony that they are probably so much more "religious" than me, if that's defined in a traditional narrow sense of being a believing Christian. Often, they'll rush to make excuses for why they don't go anymore, as if I might be judging them.
It's a little perverse to be a faithful church-going atheist (which is possibly one of the reasons I am). But just like so many other families, the church has become an important part of our social and spiritual life. Though Unitarians strenuously don't prostheletize, if you're interested in going with me one of these days, just let me know. There are many ways to be religulous, as the movie says.
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