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3catwoman3

(30,098 posts)

30. We have several Buddhists in our little congregation, a lot of...

Sat Jun 20, 2026, 02:21 PM

7 hrs ago

...folks who call themselves recovering/recovered Catholics, some Wiccans, and a number of atheists. A much beloved minister, who served for 25 years before Parkinson's forced him into retirement, was an atheist, which I found fascinating.

I have no problem with most of the teachings attributed to Jesus. I have a huge problem with how those teaching have been co-opted, corrupted, and contaminated by the likes of Joel Osteen, Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggart, etc, etc, etc.

I was never comfortable with the exclusivity of "No one gets to the Father except though me," and the expectation to go out and witness and try to get people to convert.

I'm not comfortable with any belief system that is exclusive, and that's most of them.

What I like about the UU philosophy is what I think of as its "patchwork quilt" outlook - a little bit of this, a little bit of that.

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I teach religious studies. Vance's book on his conversion is one of the worst things I've read. [View all] Jilly_in_VA Yesterday OP

I was at a Barnes and Noble this week and they have a table display with his books kimbutgar Yesterday #1

Just like the Melanoma book. Crowman2009 Yesterday #20

I will always be agnostic. IMO, there are many ways to end up with belief but 31j20b3 Yesterday #2

I consider myself a content questioning agnostic... 3catwoman3 Yesterday #14

Very wise comment Catwoman... wcmagumba 8 hrs ago #28

We have several Buddhists in our little congregation, a lot of... 3catwoman3 7 hrs ago #30

I find the Wiccan and other Earth centered traditions (Native American and others) very compelling... wcmagumba 7 hrs ago #31

I remember quite clearly, even as young as about 8... 3catwoman3 6 hrs ago #32

Thanks for the link, I might do that...my nearest UU Congregation is 30 miles one way and I don't trust my car... wcmagumba 6 hrs ago #34

Welcome to our DU family. niyad 22 hrs ago #22

I find Vance's conversion as hollow as the one taken no_hypocrisy Yesterday #3

That is an absolute winner! Trumpdumper Yesterday #13

I'm a believer and always have been Jilly_in_VA Yesterday #4

I got the identical impression of him. DFW Yesterday #18

I thought Hillbilly Elegy was awful. Alice B. Yesterday #5

I felt the same Raven123 Yesterday #15

100% that. And the old Welfare Queen tropes. I couldn't believe what I was reading. Alice B. Yesterday #21

The book club in this smallish Texas town had fierce competition to see who would get the book next. (No one was willing efhmc 10 hrs ago #23

I was in grad school when I read it; got it through my university's library. Alice B. 6 hrs ago #33

It doesn't matter what's in the book LogDog75 Yesterday #6

I wonder if going from Evangelical to atheist to Catholic karynnj Yesterday #10

Good point - this gambit could easily backfire and alienate both groups (one hopes!). TheRickles Yesterday #17

The conservative playbook.... SergeStorms Yesterday #19

Given that the NYT best-sellers list is pretty easily GenThePerservering 4 hrs ago #36

This made me laugh😀😂 malaise Yesterday #7

Vance is not either a "hillbilly" promise first book, nor is he a "Christian" by this book ashredux Yesterday #8

Vance's conversion from evangelical to atheist is probably the only genuine religious stance he has taken that we know ToxMarz Yesterday #9

Why Roman Catholic? There's credible sources say he was recruited by Opus Dei. nt Hekate 5 hrs ago #35

Vance is fake. yardwork Yesterday #11

I'd like to throw JD Vance across the room and into the trash. Mr. Evil Yesterday #12

Either he is still an atheist edhopper Yesterday #16

Probably changed his beliefs as many times as he's changed his name. miyazaki 9 hrs ago #24

Best description ovf him yet! Jilly_in_VA 8 hrs ago #25

This prick is as religious as my toilet seat. PCIntern 8 hrs ago #26

I was reading that Americans are more likely to change religions than political parties Walleye 8 hrs ago #27

I would say also that Americans seem to confuse GenThePerservering 4 hrs ago #37

;-{) ASPIRATIONS Goonch 8 hrs ago #29