The blog article prior to this discussed the two prayers that Religious Deists pray as our first manner in which RDs worship God. Below are two other action-based ways that describe in essence how RDs honor and \u201cworship\u201d God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Second, Religious Deism teaches that attending religious services and being part of a religious community is an important part of RD theology. So, if Religious Deism does not offer religious services or have a tangible religious community at this point in its development, how and where do Religious Deists go to find appropriate these things? The answer is wherever they feel the most comfortable and that mostly means in Judeo-Christian services and religious communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how does\na non-Christian and non-Jewish Religious Deist find strength and philosophical\nconsistency in a Christian or Jewish service and religious community despite\nthe theological differences? First, we\nneed to remember that reflection on our lives and actions is probably the most\nimportant aspect of religious service and this can be done in almost any\nreligious environment \u2013 we are not talking about prayer per se but more so\nmental yoga. Likewise, the sermons that\nare preached at religious services usually deal with social or liturgy issues\nrelated to how we live our lives and Judeo-Christian morality issues can be\nadapted to Religious Deism philosophy in most cases very easily. And, as mentioned in the previous blog\narticle, with regards to Christianity, RDs say a modified version of the Our\nFather, the most important prayer during Christian services, somewhat\nironically called \u201cThe Lord\u2019s Prayer\u201d. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However,\nthere is another important issue that we have to consider, related to how RDs\napproach this challenge in terms of the respect they must have for these other\nreligions, in general and by not trying to challenge or change the beliefs of\nthese religions. Essentially, this is\nsomething that should not be terribly difficult for most RDs since we are not\nevangelistic in nature and place action high above any dogma. In essence, RDs need to make this happen by\nexercising the Judeo-Christian virtues of patience and humility and the\ncardinal virtues of temperance and courage. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those of\nus who have been raised in the religion that we are affiliating ourselves with\nin this case, some things like singing and service rituals will come very natural\nand actually be comforting. And, for\ninstance, RDs can take Christian liturgy and transform it in my mind into de\nfacto deist liturgy by thinking \u201cGod\u201d when the priest or the congregation uses\nthe words Lord, Jesus, Christ, Savior or similar terms. And, since in a very real since Christians\nbelieve that Jesus is God, taking this point of view is almost compatible with\nthe Christian view of God. And, in\nJewish services, without the figure of Jesus, this transformation should be\neven easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also\nimportant to remember that the RD creed states that while we do not consider\nthe Bible to be the word of God, it nonetheless has many basic moral teachings\nthat are compatible with Religious Deism. \nIn fact, I would even say that people baptized in the chosen religion\ncan and if they feel comfortable maybe should continue to receive communion during\nservices, allowing themselves to see this as receiving God. And, in the case of Christianity, since the\nbody and blood symbolisms are related to Jesus who is considered God, making\nthis mental adjustment can be done in a way that neither violates Religious\nDeism theology nor mocks or challenges the Christian religion we are worshiping\nat. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The blog article prior to this discussed the two prayers that Religious Deists pray as our first manner in which RDs worship God. Below are two other action-based ways that describe in essence how RDs honor and \u201cworship\u201d God. Second, Religious Deism teaches that attending religious services and being part of a religious community is … <\/p>\n