1. What is the single most important function you want your religious organization to serve? To have a statement of belief that agrees with your vision of the nature of God? To provide ceremonies in which you feel comfortable participating? To offer inspiring weekly sermons? To provide fellowship with like-minded people? To provide a structure for civic action and community welfare? Or to answer some other primary need?
2. Are you looking for an organization that supports your personal relationship with God, or a church that offers a single level or hierarchal structure of clergy to act as intermediaries?
3. Are you looking for an organization that aligns with your beliefs about the nature of God, reward and Heaven, damnation and Hell, sin, forgiveness or not, vengeance and compassion, civic responsibility, and a myriad of other questions? Or do you want a church that is acceptive of varying beliefs among its members? Or are you unsure of your beliefs and values and are looking for a church that will tell you what you should believe?
Have you ever attended a service of a different denomination? If so, were you able to identify what you liked and didn't like, or were you caught up by how "different" the experience felt?
This week, consider attending a religious gathering of another faith. If nothing else, you may gain a greater appreciation of others in your community.
Article comments
1 - Becky
I have been a member of the same religion that I was born in. I have looked around at other religions, just to verify that the religion that I am currently in is where I should be. So far I have yet to find another religion. I do have to say that M.A. Curtis' latest book "Dominance & Delusion" has really showed me a unique way of looking at religion and in critiquing them.
2 - Pregant woman
A person must have reached a level of maturity, success and independence to be sure that they can choose a religion for the right reasons. When a person feels a desire to be spiritual and believes that religion is the best path for achieving this then the following informal methodology might be of benefit for making a sensible decision.