The Side Effects of Endorphins

That’s a very complicated question with a very simple answer.

Maybe

I find religion to be one of the most interesting subjects one can explore. I’ve spent many years being a member and contributor of a Unitarian Universalist church. Does that mean I practice religion ,no? Does it mean I explore religion. yes.

Story of Tim

Tim is one of the people I admire greatly. He was a minister of our United Methodist Church in Portland.. Tim and I had dinner together on occasions and we discussed religion from many different angles. We both challenged the concept of heaven and hell. We came to the conclusion that heaven was a made up concept of those in power. It is just a reward for people on somebody else’s ledger.

I questioned the existence of God and naturally Tim was a little more skeptical . We’re both sharing a beer at a local brew pub. He asked me if I ever listened to music or read a book that brought me to tears..

Naturally, I have.

Tim said to me that is God.

Lou

Louise is a dear friend who lived near me when I lived in Washington DC. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. He was very religious and conservative. We discussed many issues at length and had great heated discussions. I learned a lot during these discussions and he as well.

Years later, Lou retired from the military. He volunteered for a local Democratic candidate for Congress. I previously worked on the same campaign. He was an openly gay. Representative in a highly democratic district in Arlington, Virginia.

I suspected something was up as Lou lost much of his religious zeal. Eventually, he came out of the closet and married a man, and they now live happily in Connecticut.

And what does this have to do with religion? Probably everything. When you see a bumper sticker that reads God is my copilot. No we are all our own pilots of our own destiny. We all have faith in our moral compass and what is right and what is wrong.

So I stick to my answer, on whether I practice religion.

Maybe

With a caveat, as it’s not my business to judge others faith. I am comfortable with my spiritual practice and no longer care if people judge me on mine.