Monday, July 16, 2007

i'm starting my own religion

i've been toying with the idea of starting my own religion.

let me rephrase that.

i've been toying with the idea of starting my own religion.

hmmm... i guess i really mean that.

before you get all mad, i should say that religion is just a man-made concept, so you shouldn't get all mad. i'm after truth, and i don't care what package it comes in.

i went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting the other day. i'm not an alcoholic (that's what they all say), but i wanted to go to a meeting because i think they have a great religion. they support each other, they believe the same things, they meet regularly... it's a lot like my current religion.

except...

  • there doesn't appear to be a "pastor"-like person on staff (who draws a salary that must be provided by the congregation)
  • the teaching is done by reading aloud from standard materials, not by a central "pastor"-like person on staff who draws a salary that must be provided by the congregation
  • there is no music, and no music-pastor (who draws a salary that must be provided by the congregation)
  • in every meeting there is an emphasis on sharing your story
  • you can attend a meeting on any day of the week, not just on sunday morning or tuesday night
  • they don't meet in a building that has a mortgage and landscaping and other overhead costs (that must be provided by the congregation)




i don't think that the existing church is evil (all the time). i think there are benefits for having a pastor, music, and a building. however my conscience bothers me when i see how much money is going toward mortgage and staff salaries and landscaping. my conscience bothers me when alcoholics have a better support group than my current religion has.

so i'm toying with the idea of starting my own religion. i don't know what to call it yet. ("sinners anonymous" is too corny, but thanks.) i haven't figured out what it will look like, but it will look a lot more like AA than church.

you'll be hearing from me.