RD: Change your theology but not where you worship

The second article of the RD creed mentions three ways that RDs should “worship” God: “2. Worship of God – That the way God wants us to worship Him is by recognizing the gift of human life and dedicating our lives to three pursuits:

A. Raising loving families – In the importance of family and parenthood both for our positive evolution and for the positive development of our children towards a oneness with God.

B. Helping others in the pursuit of creating heaven on earth – In the fair treatment of and assistance to others in our long-term effort of trying to create heaven on earth which is a self-evident priority of our perfect God.

C. Searching for the truth and the elimination of contradictions about the meaning of life and our relationship with God – That it is wrong to not pursue the elimination of theological contradictions: to say one thing yet actually believe another or to act in a contradictory manner.”

There is actually a fourth, more traditional way as well regarding religious services. However, RD is not a religion and does not have religious services, and we have no idea if and when it that might change. So, while RDs have a theology that is dramatically different from Christian religions and even from other deist groups, RD uniquely suggests that you continue to attend your traditional religious ceremonies and community activities.

Why is this? As mentioned in point C above, it is very important for RDs to search for and find a truer or less contradictory theology to become closer to God. However,, if this comes at the cost of sacrificing religious services and community, especially for those who find comfort in their religious traditions, then we are essentially taking one step forward toward God and then one step back.

So, challenge yourself to review and eliminate the contradictions in the theology that you have professed in the religion that you grew up with. However, don’t let that stop you from continuing to participate as you did before. But we have one tip to keep your RD compass working. In your Christian services, when you hear “Jesus” think “God” instead. And, since Christians believe in the holy trinity and therefore that Jesus is also as God, RDs can feel comforted that in essence, we are both worshiping God during these religious services.