An experimental liberal Christian conversation meetup : all are invited

I’ve just handed in my thesis to the University today! Feels fantastic! There’s been one idea I’ve been toying with, but never really got around to doing anything about it. Since my thesis is over, I’m in a crazy enough mood to actually do something about it!

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Actually it isn’t my idea. Many times over the last year, when people discuss stuff like the AWARE takeover, the whole Rony Tan fiasco, the sex abuses within the Catholic Church, the mega church business etc…….. someone would bring up jokingly at some point  “Someone should just start a new church”

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Well I don’t know about a new church, because institutions just make my hair stand. On the other hand, over the last year, many conversation groups have popped up http://mathialee.wordpress.com/recommended-conversation-groups/

I suppose the connectivity that FB, twitter, blogs etc have created has enabled strangers in this tiny island of ours with the same interests to simply get together and chat.

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So. The idea.

If you’re a Christian who’s wondering if you’re the only one who is not gay (or gay) but  thinks that gays should have rights, if you’re wondering if people can get to heaven if they don’t quite agree or understand everything the Bible says, if you believe that doubt is not the opposite of faith, if you think Christianity needs more focus on social justice, if you think Christians should look critically at different interpretations  etc etc………all kinds of variations

AND you’ll like to get to know other people who can offer even more variations of Christianity (actually you DON”T have to be a Christian to come to offer more variations of Christianity;  you just have to be someone who would like to discuss about variations and find nothing’s too controversial to be discussed)…..

OR maybe you’re just curious and want to listen rather than talk. That’s allowed too =)

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let’s just get together to discuss! Shall we?

I’m just gonna arbitrarily choose a random timeslot:

Title: (as submitted for venue booking. Please use this name):
Liberal Philosophy Discussion

Date: Saturday 10^th April (NOT this Easter Saturday but the next Sat)

Time: 10 30am – 12 30pm

Venue: Substation, one of the Classrooms upstairs (follow signs on that day)

I’ve called them up today (Wednesday 7th Apr) and they’ve confirmed the booking =)

No. of spaces available: (substation classroom holds 25)

Now I’m going to breakaway completely from the tradition of churches or even discussion groups here.

I’m not going to be personally inviting anyone, other than putting this idea up here.

I’m not going to ask anyone to RSVP at all – ANYONE can turn up.

I’ll just book the room, and if nobody turns up, I’ll just read my book. If one person turns up, we have a conversation. If 100 turns up, we’ll squeeze. If 1000 turns up…… well I think that would be a miracle and we’ll figure out something lah!

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Topic:

-          Introductions , getting to know one another, what we want, why, where we come from etc

-          Exploring if there’s any room in Sg for liberal Christianity, or how can we make room, and what we’ld like to do with this room

- The official description I’ve put down on the form:

“Philosophy discussion group: discussing the layman’s interpretation of all types of art forms through liberal philosophy, and discussing the implications it has on the private individual’s choices and beliefs. “

You might have noticed I am taking a very liberal definition of “art forms”, which includes messages we hear from the media, from the pulpit(performing arts) and other religious platforms, art (including religious art and texts which pervades through all artistic expression in all cultures. ). “Individual’s choices and beliefs” ..again I take a liberal definition where all societies and communities are made up of a collection of individual choice of action and belief.

-          Any other topic we collectively gravitate towards

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Etiquette

(I’m gonna borrow from the Singapore Humanists because I love it so much)

Speak pleasantly and politely,
- Have honesty and courage in expressing our beliefs and viewpoints,
- Listen attentively,
- Respect and acknowledge the contribution of every speaker and even if one disagrees,
- Wait for a speaker to finish what they are saying before we speak,
- Share personal experiences rather than make general statements about groups of people (stereotyping),
- Are careful in not misrepresenting or disparaging other’s beliefs and viewpoints, no matter how difficult we might find in accepting them,
- Correct misunderstandings or misrepresentations not only of our own beliefs but also of other beliefs whenever we come across them.

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Cost:

None. I’m footing the bill for the venue.

If you’ll like, bring food (I can’t cater cos I genuinely have no idea how many will turn up, if at all)

Bring your own name tag, writing material, paper, if you like to communicate by writing.

Bring your own musical instrument, book, laptop, toy etc if you would like to.

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What happens next? Will there be a next one?

I sincerely don’t know.

It’ll depend on what those who turn up think.

FAQs below in the comments, based on comments received