Keeping The Faith

It's somewhat rare to practice 100% of what any religion preaches these days, so followers often pick their battles. Barack and Michelle Obama chose to leave Trinity United Church of Christ after the controversial and conflicting statements their pastor made. But quitting a church should not necessarily be equated with quitting religion or spirituality.

Norris Burkes, who penned an article for The News-Press, has been on both sides of the church, literally, as a pastor and congregant. He once considered leaving a church himself when Texas laws gave citizens the right to carry concealed weapons in church.

However, his most memorable experience with this to-leave-or-not-to-leave question was when a couple’s newborn twins died after they expressed certainty that God would save them. He sat down with them and did not berate the saddened couple for being angry at God. While they threatened to never return to a church, his understanding tactics made them feel reassured. He felt confident that their faith and spirituality would become strong again.

Have you ever considered leaving your spiritual place or house of worship because of conflicting views? How did you continue to strengthen your spirituality when that happened? [The News-Press]