Religious belief

[Buster's Uncle]

I suppose I could be described as about as close to an omni-theist as you can get. 

Omni-theist means belief in all religions?

I think more that he's extremely eclectic.

[Unorthodox]

Omni-theist means belief in all religions?

Belief would imply practice.  I find most religions have merit and most failings tend to be by individuals working against the actual teachings.

[E_T]

They all are working towards the same goal, at their heart.  But when you get into the mist of it, is when they start to get away from that, on may levels...

One major fallacy, I find, is the claim that they (whomever they are, and ya'll could likely name a few that you personally know about) have The Answer.  The Answer to what, I say.  Often times, they don't even know what the real question is that they should be asking (the real quest in knowledge, IMVHO, in anything is the ability to ASK the right questions, oftentimes, at the right time--and sometimes, at the wrong time, too). 

In many ways, spiritual growth is a journey that should never think that it has the comfortable solution.  Some questions can and should be uncomfortable to ask.  We might not like the interim answers that we do find, but they should still lead us towards the next question to ask and hopefully, it's the right one...

[Buster's Uncle]

Yo, I've stood in for any practicing Protestant in this thread, to date, and I don't come from a hostile place when I observe that the only "Christian" denomination I can name who get Jesus' teaching on peace and turning the other cheek right is the Quakers.

The Great Teacher made no bones -unlike His confusing statements about His own nature- about taking it and not giving wrath or a blow back, ever, no exceptions mentioned.  You may not even serve as a contentious objector in the military and follow his second-most teaching (first being love the Lord your God with all your heart) and call yourself a real Christian.  (-You may, however, indeed are commanded by Him to, pay taxes to Caesar, though he uses them waging war.)

[Lorizael]

I'm a born again Lorizaelist, and Lorizaelism is correct.

[Buster's Uncle]

See, you didn't take it to the logical impolitic implication that everything else is wrong, so that statement = 100% okay.

[Unorthodox]

Alright. 

Situation-
Here's me: https://www.google.com/maps/place/5895+Cedar+Ln,+Ogden,+UT+84403/@41.1554645,-111.9308326,114m/data=!
3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x875306672277e071:0x1a1391e3991b4ce5!8m2!3d41.155512!4d-111.930876

Neighbor directly to my north has been uh, chosen I guess is the word, to be in the ward's bishopric. 

For those unfamiliar with LDS culture, that means he's kind of one of the three pastors for the local church.  This usually lasts a few years, then someone else is chosen. 

Anyhow, we're on good terms with this neighbor.  Their kids are near Talia's age and if Talia isn't over there, they are likely over here.  Religion typically just don't come up. 

He did however, let me know that next Sunday the ward is having an activity in which they all gather and walk the neighborhood.  The intent is to get everyone oriented more or less where everyone lives and meet new neighbors, etc.  Anyhow, they've chosen 3 'base houses' people will congregate at during this expedition and his backyard will be one of these locations. 

I'm looking for a good friendly but definitely non-'kosher' way to great these folks as an unofficial stop. 

Coffee and beer would be going too far, for instance. 

My traditional neighborhood convivial gift of doughnuts and cocoa might either steal someone else's thunder or be taken as acceptance.  I mean it's a good compromise on Halloween to ensure LDS comfort with some otherwise questionable practices, but not a fit here. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Skull cookies.

[Unorthodox]

I have a skull and cross cutter, but I don't anticipate putting that much work into this.  And purchasing same is PRICEY. 

[Unorthodox]

Pumpkin chocolate chip is an option. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Well I don't see why not - says the right things without going out of your way to mess with them.

[Green1]

Yo, I've stood in for any practicing Protestant in this thread, to date, and I don't come from a hostile place when I observe that the only "Christian" denomination I can name who get Jesus' teaching on peace and turning the other cheek right is the Quakers.

The Great Teacher made no bones -unlike His confusing statements about His own nature- about taking it and not giving wrath or a blow back, ever, no exceptions mentioned.  You may not even serve as a contentious objector in the military and follow his second-most teaching (first being love the Lord your God with all your heart) and call yourself a real Christian.  (-You may, however, indeed are commanded by Him to, pay taxes to Caesar, though he uses them waging war.)

Ever been around Quakers?

Their system seems pretty awesome. I was considering them, but their numbers are so small in Baton Rouge I am not sure it would benefit me much when I can do the same at home.

When they have meetings, there is no minister getting up blathering on. Hell, you are not even required to believe in the existence of a god, but most do. They sit around and meditate and get to know one another. If you want to say something in the group, it must have been brought out or inspired, so have your say! You don't have to dress fancy or anything due to their "simple" dress code. And, who would not benefit from being more minimalist? Bibles? Of course, they keep a Bible or two laying around if the need hits you to read that dry drivel. But they keep loads of other books around as well.

Add to that, they are not "churches", they are "Friends"! What's not to like at least from the initial description? Though I can see with that set up why zealots in the past hated them. It's a direct challenge to the way a lot of other religions run. I have no issue with that, and it seems like a feature. Not a bug.

They are the closest thing to Unitarianism without (what I think) is the BS of UU.

I hear they hang out in a place in an artsy, trendy area of Baton Rouge called the Red Slipper. I have been thinking about reaching out to them if they are Non-Theist Friends.

But.. motivation.

[Unorthodox]

Well I don't see why not - says the right things without going out of your way to mess with them.

So pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and apple cider are really striking that right balance. 

Assuming I can find cider this time of year.  My recipe is too much work.

Friendly, under the veil of weird Halloween guy, and cider is technically against the religion but stupid enough no one follows that portion so I’m secretly making them all sinners/hypocrites. 

[Unorthodox]

Glad I never got around to following through on this.  It’s three families sitting over there.

[Unorthodox]

So, I sat and watched, by the end of the night, maybe 100 folks have been over.  A couple families stopped by stonehenge after. 

But everyone just up and left at 8 when it was over.  I'm looking over there, some 40 chairs and a couple pop up gazebos, tables of food, a bunch of kids to get washed and to bed for school, and 2 adults looking completely overwhelmed.   

So, I took the kids and went over to help them clean up, much to their surprise.