I hope I'm posting this in the right place. This is a Credo statement my 15 yr. old daughter read in front of the Church yesterday. Most Unitarian children go through a coming of age program and must write a Credo at the end. My daughter just finished the COA program, and here's her statement.


I don’t believe there’s a Heaven or a Hell. I believe life. I believe in living. I don’t believe that there is a supernatural all-powerful being that controls, intervenes in and alters our lives. I don’t believe Jesus Christ was born to a virgin, preformed miracles, and was brought back to life. I do think he was just a man, and I admire the way he lived, the power of his love, and his system of values, for the most part. I believe that people created God, instead of the other way around. I think people made religion to have hope for the after life so they have a reason to live a good life. I believe Jesus was a radical Liberal and one of the most important moral and ethical teachers in history. I believe people should follow the bible but not take it too literally, like the stories that didn’t actually happen, and it was just some people who wanted to make a book so that people live their lives in a civil and friendly way.
I did not grow up in a church, and hardly ever went when I was younger. My mom didn’t want me to grow up in a church because she didn’t want me to be indoctrinated into a little sheeple. She wanted me to find out my own personal spiritual theories, when I got old enough to make those types of choices. When I was in fifth grade I lived in Ohio. Sometimes I went to Grace Baptist Church with my aunt Lisa and my cousins. I loved the interaction with kids my age and had a lot fun playing games with them. Then me and my mom moved back to Oklahoma, and didn’t go to church for a while. I bugged my mom to go to church for a long time, until we finally came to this Church, and have been here ever since. My persistence paid off.

My beliefs change on a regular basis. When I feel confused, or question my purpose for being, or have important questions that I can’t answer, I like to use my magic 8 ball. Here’s how it works…

1.Is there a little bit of truth in every religion? Answer-- Outlook good
2. Will I be able to single-handedly end world hunger and poverty? Answer—Reply hazy…ask again later when the meds wear off.
3. Will I stay true to myself and to my commitment of learning and keeping an open mind? Answer—Yes.
4. Will Sarah Palin be elected President in 2012? Answer—Better not tell you now, you may wet your pants.

I know this does not work, but it is fun. I guess sometimes it’s okay just to not know. I’m comfortable with that. In a way, that’s what makes this life exciting…..the not knowing.

I believe in the concept of evolution. I believe that more complex organisms evolved from less complex organisms. I believe in Karma, but not that what happens happen to us because some supreme being controls what happens to us, but that it’s like a chain reaction from your actions and how society deals with it…It made sense to me… My theory for life after death is that after an organism dies, nature reuses our bodies to produce more life. I don’t think that, at the moment, that there is a heaven or hell. Or at least not the wings and halo/fire and eternal damnation that a lot of people were brought up to believe. I don’t think that a loving God would send his children to “Hell”, but that he would just accept every one into heaven because in heaven you automatically become perfect, right? I cannot explain why people suffer, but I can try to help them when they do.

I believe in vegetarianism. I am vegetarian because I love animals as much as I love myself. I have no desire to kill them or cause them harm. I believe in nonviolence. Slaughter isn't. E.G. white said "Whatever affects the body has a corresponding effect on the mind and soul.” Our hands, teeth, feet, intestinal tract...even our body chemistry is that of an herbivore.

I’m sure my beliefs will change as I get older. That’s why I’m so happy I am able to attend a Unitarian Church, who accepts me as I am, and I’m free to challenge and question different theories.

Your daughter is an excellent writer for her age, and I suggest that if she shows any interest along those lines you give her every encouragement.

I don't agree with all of her ideas, of course, but the way she expresses them should make you a very proud mom.

Nancy,

Your daughter sounds like a fine, intelligent, and mature young woman! What a lovely statement of belief.

I love the concept of a "coming of age" program and the development of a personal credo, which requires much more thought and self-understanding than the blind acceptance of someone else's list of beliefs.

I haven't attended any church in quite a long while, but if I ever feel the urge, I'd check out what the local Unitarian Universalists have to offer.

I totally understand that most people will not agree and that the majority of the world believes in some form of a "God." We're just fine with that.

She has absolutely no interest in writing. She's an artist! And thank you...she's a good daughter. Much better than I was at her age! LOL

Belief or non belief in God is not the part I disagree with. It's the vegetarianism.

I would like to ask this :

Would this not have been better in the Pagan Circle ?

We are told all over these days the none believers "atheist"
are sick of GOD being pushed into there faces.

Well , those of us who believe in GOD, feel like they are
telling us to go hide.....................
I am so sorry you all feel this way ! I am also so very sorry for you when you find out the truth. And wonder why did they not stand up and keep on telling us.
When it is to late, to change your mind.


Yes I know the come back who want to believe in a mean GOD ??
Well , let me tell you this.....
Things were way different in those days.
Man wanted his way only !
GOD told them over and over ,What His rules were!
But they knew more then GOD ! So they kept turning away...........
GOD warned them again and they turned again away. HE also told them what would happen if they did this!!! They were also to smart and knew it all.
So yes, GOD did punish them. But they knew , what would happen. But they thought they also were smarter then GOD !

Just as , people do not believe in Noah and the Ark!
When people keep knocking my GOD , I can not just sit and not say any thing.
I believe HE made me and all of you and all of the world and any thing there is.
So why should I not stand up for HIM ?
Specially , when I know how GREAT my eternity will be....

2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Do you have any idea who that is ?

Grams,

This is the Interfaith Forum. People may speak about whatever they like here. This is not an area reserved for Christian discussions.

If I refused to allow Unitarians to post here, I would have to refuse you as well. We request that you show as much tolerance and understanding and acceptance to non-Christians as has been shown to you. This is the very purpose of this Interfaith Forum.

For discussions on Christianity please enjoy the Jesus Talk forum. If you'd like to compliment Nancy's young daughter on the delivery of her Credo (Credo is Latin for "I Believe") feel free to do so, otherwise I'm sure you can find some people over in Jesus Talk to share your opinions with. Your criticism was not appropriate.

Thank you.

Nancy,

That was awesome! I'm always amazed when I read something this well written by a 15 year old. You must be proud!

It sounds as though the UU church does a good job at getting kids to think for themselves. It is such a shame that all the social benefits most churches offer, have to come with an indoctrination few people believe anymore. I think that many people miss the fellowship of church, but not the condemnation.

Oooooh! LOL


My daughter has been a vegetarian for 6 months. I just became one 3 months ago, and I slipped twice. I do alright, but I'm still to weak to smell BBQ brisket. I think that if I smell BBQ brisket, I might eat the whole cow. LOL

My daughter is doing it for the animals.....I'm doing it for health and the animals. I read a book telling about all the antibiotics and hormones they are putting into the meat, then I watched part of "Death on a Factory Farm" (for a whole 3 minutes) and that was all she wrote!


BTW, we are saving 150 animals per year.

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So....it sounds like you don't want me to push my beliefs on you....and I won't. But you sure don't mind pushing yours. [i]