I know this is a fairly old thread, but I needed a place to put this quote:
"I seem to be a brief light that flashes but once in all the aeons of time — a rare, complicated, and all-too-delicate organism on the fringe of biological evolution, where the wave of life bursts into individual, sparkling, and multicolored drops that gleam for a moment only to vanish forever. Under such conditioning it seems impossible and even absurd to realize that myself does not reside in the drop alone, but in the whole surge of energy which ranges from the galaxies to the nuclear fields in my body. At this level of existence "I" am immeasurably old; my forms are infinite and their comings and goings are simply the pulses or vibrations of a single and eternal flow of energy."
— Alan Watts, "The Book On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are"Religion is simply an encasing for spirituality. Think of God as an iPhone, and think of religion as all the various kinds of cases for it. Each one might have its own unique feature, texture and color, and some cases might break easily while others might be nearly indestructible. They all serve the same purpose, though. They make you feel more comfortable by protecting your phone. Religion makes you feel more comfortable by ensuring that your faith has foundation. Not all spiritual people need that kind of reassurance or guidance. Belief is enough; no need to feel bound by dogma.
The Founding Fathers of America were Deists, contrary to popular belief. It was the Age of Enlightenment, and Freemasonry was flourishing as the modern mystery school. I only mention this because secret orders are often great places to commune with like-minded people who have made spirituality a driving force in their lives and prefer a kind of structure that focuses more on one's self-mastery and altruistic intent rather than the soul-shackling legalism of the church.
Of course, Freemasonry is only for the male-identified, and some lodges are very strict allowing in only cis men. Order of the Eastern Star is an option, but not one I'd really recommend. So, instead, there is an all-inclusive order called the Independent Order of Odd Fellows:
http://www.ioof.orgHere is a section of their mission statement:
"As an organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows aims to provide a framework that promotes personal and social development. Lodge degrees and activities aim to improve and elevate every person to a higher, nobler plane; to extend sympathy and aid to those in need, making their burdens lighter, relieving the darkness of despair; to war against vice in every form, and to be a great moral power and influence for the good of humanity. For members, the degrees in Odd Fellowship emphasizes a leaving of the old life and the start of a better one, of welcoming travelers, and of helping those in need. The command of the IOOF is to"visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan." Specifically, IOOF today are dedicated to the following purposes:
- To improve and elevate the character of mankind by promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity and universal justice.
- To help make the world a better place to live by aiding each other, the community, the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly, the environment and the community in every way possible.
- To promote good will and harmony amongst peoples and nations through the principle of universal fraternity, holding the belief that all men and women regardless of race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank and station are brothers and sisters."And one last thing: there are also a few less
occulted organisations/societies that focus on personal illumination and world charity such as
The Theosophical Society originally founded by Mme. H.P. Blavatsky, as well as the
Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC) that incorporates a very Christian ethic without being preachy.
I think shedding light on these options can be helpful to the transgender community who seek to belong in a spiritually focused organisation or temple, but are turned off by the usual. My personal path is Thelema, but I benefit from all perspectives and teachings. I may not think of God in the Abrahamic sense, or find God to be a personal one, but I couldn't imagine living life without that connection. If you don't tap into it you'll never understand why others do. It's like the intuitive knowing we have about our gender: it cannot be explained or demonstrated in scientific clarity, but the experience is perfectly self-evident.
