I have spent the morning surfing for more information for my Spirituality Page. I am fascinated by all the different doctrines and manners of worship out there and I was amazed to find yet another school that I had previously been unaware of.
It falls under something called "Independent Catholisism". The particular site which I found so fascinating, The Church of Antioch, has much information concerning this movement. And, as is always the way, I am unable to make a link from this page to that at this time. Once I can get the link to work, I will post it on my "Spirituality Page". I apologize for any inconvenience!
The following are excerpts quoted from that site's "Forward" section:
Do you want the freedom to read and investigate the best of modern thinkers and writers, at the same time keep your roots in the beauty and form of the traditional Church?...
...it could be that you are spiritually a member of the Church of Antioch and do not realize it. This is the church which sets no limits to your thinking and, to the contrary, encourages you to use your intelligence to find the deepest spiritual truths that you can. You are urged to read all you can on Bible interpretation, comparative religion, the best works in psychology, psychiatry, etc. At the same time, you share with your fellow seekers experiences of worshipping in the rich traditional beauty of Eucharistic Fellowship.
--------------------Herman Adrian Spruit, Ph.D., Archibishop - Patriarch, The Church of Antioch.
Now, I don't know about others, but that really says a lot to me! I continue to search for a path where I can love my Creator and celebrate the sacraments (born Catholic) but also be able to learn and grow. I can not accept everything written and preached as "gospel". I just can't! And there is that small voice of reason inside me that keeps telling me that my God doesn't want me to have to.
Exactly what would have been the point of creating us with this intelligence and free will only to demand a blind acceptance of reality? If we are truly created in the Creator's image, then my Creator must have feelings and curiosities and needs and wants and desires. Why would I be given these qualities only to have them stifled and frustrated? It seems to defy common sense.
It is interesting that as I grow older, my "style of worship" changes, but my thinking remains remarkably consistent to that I held as a child; there is this almost intuitive belief and love in and for my Creator - an intimacy that I have never been able to fully express in any "religion" I have found to date. Consequently, I keep searching for a way to worship. I guess I differ from many "searchers" out there in that I do not search for my God, just for the way to honor Him/Her!
I have written for information from The Church of Antioch and also found out that there is actually a branch of it here in my town (too weird!) so I will be exploring this actively and hopefully sharing my discoveries here.
In the meantime - whatever path you may be on, and I truly believe we are all on some path, I wish the journey be light and filled with wonder.
Journi
Copyright @ 1997 by Journi
