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Faithbook Kwana

"When the power of love, overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace" - Jimi Hendrix

How Do You Imagine God?
God in America and USA WEEKEND Magazine are partnering to explore Americans' images of God.

How do you imagine God? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator I believe there is one, holy and living God and beside God there is no other. I believe that God is love, and out of God's unconditional love, and grace will reconcile all souls, Christian or not, back to God. God is pure spirit, and God is still speaking- God speaks through other religions, arts and humanities and science. As a Christian I believe that while God is our Father, God is beyond naming and can be known as liberator, the great I am, Mother, sustainer, process, and mystery. 4 people liked this

My Beliefs

I believe ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Jesus was a prophet of God who was faithful to God's will and purposes, he knew God intimately, he bore witness to God, and taught people in God's ways. That the holy spirit is the presence of God within and is the power of God's love and power working throughout all creation. Jesus did not create a new religion but instead he sought to return Judaism to its prophetic witness in the tradition of Micah, Elijah, Amos and the rest. I believe that while the Bible is inspired of God, it is a human book, in the language of humans, to describe humanity's evolving understandings of God and how they wrestled with the great questions. It is not a manifesto of science nor is it infallible. God set the creation into being, and was guided by evolutionary process. When the Lord had set creation into being, God declared it good. All humanity is created in the image of God and is born of God's love and light While we are created in God's image we have the capacity to do evil. God calls us to be co-creators in transforming the human race into the human family, and bringing the kingdom of God- the reign of justice, equality, freedom, love, compassion and inclusion to Earth. While Christianity, is my path to God, I honor the myriad of other paths to God. Sex and sexuality is a wondrous creation of God and we should celebrate and embrace it rather than shaming ourselves. Sex before or after marriage is fine provided that the partners don't harm themselves and they love each other. The Church of Jesus Christ is the church of ALL SOULS. No matter who you are, or where you find yourself on the journey of faith you're welcomed here. Homosexuality is perfect natural, and they are born that way, and it is part of the vast diversity of God's creation. They are to be loved and accepted as they are. Reason and faith go together and they are not in conflict. Our hearts, minds, souls are united in worship. God created us as thinking beings, and we are to use our God given reason to discern truth. All are invited and welcome at the Communion table I believe that there is no hell outside of ourselves. I believe that God whose nature is love, and is our loving Father, will bring all souls, Christians or not, to salvation. I believe in purgatory as a place of purification. That in purgatory people will be cleansed of sin and aimlessness before they are reconciled to God. I believe that Jesus was resurrected spiritually and not bodily. I believe that Jesus was crucified by the Romans in alliance with the religious elites that were in bed with the Empire. Jesus was crucified for preaching God's all-encompassing love, and for challenging the power of the Roman establishment. The cross was a way for the Romans to silence dissidents. It was a sign that if you were going to defend the powerless and oppressed, as Jesus did, you're going to have to pay with your life. 1 person liked this

My most powerful moment of belief was ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator embracing Universalism and being welcomed into the United Church of Christ (UCC)

My greatest moment of doubt was ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator after leaving the LCMS and the Conservative Baptist traditions and beginning my spiritual search.

My spiritual life means... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator being at one with God, the creation and other human beings. Taking time to do acts of charity and justice, to studying sacred scripture, and to allow time for prayer, contemplation and discernment. 1 person liked this

The biggest misconception about my faith/belief system is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator that as Universalists we are diminishing the seriousness of sin 1 person liked this

My spiritual role model is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator John Shelby Spong, Gene Robinson, Ed Bacon, Susan Russell, Wilma Jackobsen, Zelda Kennedy, Rabbi Martin Buber, Pope John Paul II, Thomas Merton, Nelson Mandela, Desmund Tutu, Jeremiah Wright, Matthew Fox, Eric Stetson, Dali Lama, Harold Kushner, Martin Luther King Jr., Rebecca Ann Parker, Hans Kung, Mel White, Rita Nakashima Brock, Kalen Fristad, Sister Helen Prejan, Marcus Borg, and John Dominic Crossan

The tenet/practice/teaching I appreciate most about my faith is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator universal salvation, and the unity of God 1 person liked this

My Faith History

As a child I believed ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator the standard evangelical doctrines.

My spiritual journey has been ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator challenging yet very rewarding

I was raised as ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator a Conservative Baptist, and a Missouri Synod Lutheran (LCMS)

Are your beliefs or practices different from your parents? If so, how and why? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator absolutely. I am much more liberal than my parent's interpretation of the faith. My mom now accepts me even though she called me a heretic, and my dad supports me. 1 person liked this

How I Practice My Faith

Where and when do you practice your faith? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator My faith is practiced daily. I do attend church every Sunday, and I also go to Shabbat services at the local Reform synagogue. My faith is seen in my actions and how I treat others. 1 person liked this

Does your family practice more than one religion or faith? If so, how do you blend the traditions? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator All my family are Christians. My parents are Baptists (mother is more typical evangelical, father is more liberal), my grandfather on my dad's side of the family was Pre-Vatican II Catholic and now churchless, my grandfather on mother's side of family (deceased) was part of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) in Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral, the only other Christian Universalists in the family beside me are my grandmother on my Father's side of the family and my fiance. My brother is an agnostic. 1 person liked this

How easy or difficult is it to live your faith? Why? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Being a a Christian is by no means easy. To be a disciple of Jesus means having to give up comfort, security along with our indifference, complacency, and easy answers. Jesus calls us to be co-creators with God in transforming the human race into the human family of realizing the Kingdom of God within our midst-the reign of justice, inclusion, healing, transformation, and grace. We are called to empower and care for the least of these amongst us, to challenge unjust or oppressive structures and policies and to be stewards of God's creation. As a Universalist, I believe that since we are all headed for salvation, we must learn to get along with each other. Edit/Delete Message 1 person liked this

In my house, the thing that most represents my faith is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator an off-centered cross and a rock that says "seek" 1 person liked this

The song/book/film that most represents my faith is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator If God is Love, and If Grace is True, Forrest Gump, All the World Needs Now is Love, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Religion & the Public Square

What should be the role of religion in politics? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Separation of church in state, in my view is absolute. Houses of worship should not intervene in the affairs of government nor should the government interfere in the affairs of the church. I believe that as people of faith we should bear witness to our faith in the public square but we should not be imposing our theology on anyone else. Clerics of all religious traditions can preach and comment on the issues of the day but their pulpits cannot be used to endorse or oppose candidates. I believe in the freedom of religion for all of God's children, no matter their faith tradition or lack thereof.

Should courses about religion be taught in public schools? Why or why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator I think that comparative religion and Bible courses should be taught in schools for as long as its objective, and is not used for proselytizing or a devotional purpose.

Should the Bible, Torah, Quran or other religious texts be taught as works of literature in public schools? Why or why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Courses on all religious texts as literature are fine so long as its objective, and is not used for proselytizing or devotional purposes.

Is interfaith dialogue important? Why or why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Interfaith dialogue is very important to me. We need to understand and appreciate the faith traditions of others- how we are similar, how we are different, and how our common affirmations can be used to do the work of justice in the world.

Do you feel comfortable discussing your faith with others? Why/why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Yes I bear witness to my faith and I feel comfortable. When bearing witness to my faith, I tell people what I believe, and why I believe it. I do not impose my faith on others. 1 person liked this

Do you feel that you have a duty, because of your faith, to put your beliefs into action? What are some of those actions? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Yes, I am called to put my faith into action and the causes that I support are- environmental stewardship, women's rights, gay and lesbian rights, interfaith and ecumenical outreach/partnership, church-state separation, peace and reconciliation 1 person liked this

Are religious beliefs compromised by engaging in politics? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator When the religious, prophetic voice becomes linked to the government it ends up advancing the religion of empire- to divide and conquer and forsaking the call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

Has 9/11 had any impact on your thoughts about religion? Are you more/less interested in learning about other religions? Do you feel more/less comfortable expressing your religious beliefs? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator 9-11 has strengthened my commitment to interfaith and ecumenical outreach especially to God's Muslim children. I feel extremely comfortable expressing my beliefs.

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Published October 11, 2010

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