Jul 30, 2011 -- 11:25AM, Femmeknitzi wrote:

One might call me a theist leaning deist. I tend to believe more in a disconnected creator, one that doesn't influence the world, especially not on a personal basis. I'm not completely against the idea of a personal god, but I'm highly skeptical about it. I see creation as a gift that God has given us and it is equipped with everything we need to achieve for ourselves.

I have no religious background, so I have studied many religions throughout my life. I have a minor in philosophy of religion. As an adult, I am finding that there is a place in my life for spiritual community--one that is separate from my other communities--to help me grow in my spiritual beliefs. I'm not so great about attending church, but I do crave a regular service that will get me thinking about my spiritual path and keep me on it.

I fit very well with Unitarian Universalist beliefs and their community is well suited for me. Unfortunately, the closest UU church to me is filled with people in my social circle and I don't feel comfortable making my spirituality quite that public. There is another UU church about 30-45 minutes away but my husband already drives that far for his church so that would be a lot of gas.

Yesterday, I was approached by someone who invited me to attend a Unity New Thought church--which is much closer than the UU church. Much of what he told me, I agreed with--up to a point. The Law of Attraction, I'm not sure I can grok. I'm all about the power of positive thinking but positive thinking doesn't make things happen. It simply opens your mind to the opportunities to make things happen for yourself.

Is there still something to get from this community if I can't accept that principle? Should I try attending a service, or does it sound like my beliefs are too far removed?

Your thoughts are very similar to mine. I don't enjoy Unitarian churches because I want more emphasis on spirituality than politics (I am quite active politically, but that's not why I go to church). I do enjoy Unity churches because I appreciate the emphasis on oneness.

I don't agree with a broad interpretation of the Law of Attraction. I think there is such a thing as a self-fulfilling prophecy in many cases, but I don't think we attract everything that happens to us. The Jews didn't attract the Holocaust and babies with leukemia didn't attract their disease. To think otherwise is insanity.

Last week at a Unity Church the minister said that he believes God only intervenes in human affairs via humans. If humans want the world to change, they must work to make it happen. They can pray for strength or inspiration and are encouraged to do so, but prayer is viewed as an activity to make humans better, not to solicit God's direct intervention. That makes sense to me.

I know you posted this quite awhile ago but i wanted to respond, anyway...