I was born into a non-practicing Baptist family. We did celebrate Easter and Christmas but not much else. That was my religious upbringing. I had to go on my spiritual journey alone.
When I was a teenager, I was an atheist. I couldn’t believe in any God with all the suffering in this world. But, Jesus kept knocking on my door. I then started down my path towards Christianity. My uncle was Rev. Ruben Quiros and he was Pentecostal. I tried this denomination and it was not for me.
I then started going to a nondenominational mega church. I felt like I belonged there for a moment but it was leading me in a way that was not good. It is a church that has become right wing, not for me.
I married a Tanzanian man of Islam. I converted to Islam. I was a Muslim woman. I wore my hijab. I prayed five times a day. I fasted for Ramadan. I read the Quran. I believed that I had found where I belonged. I felt beautiful and closer to God. My marriage ended but I was still a practicing Muslim. Then, 2016 came along and I was in a situation where I feared for my life. I decided to leave Islam for the safety of my family and myself.
I became interested in UUCG from a Facebook ad. That first Sunday service, I knew that I belonged. I have found friends. I have found those with similar beliefs and I love it. We have a wonderful congregation.
I don’t know if this is my last path to walk. But for now I’m home. I have to say that I sometimes miss Islam. I miss my hijab. My cross still sits on my mantle.
~Rita Romero
Maybe we all belong with the people who don’t belong.
So glad you feel at home here.
Thank you! I’m glad that we all feel like this is our spiritual home.
Glad you are on the path searching for truth with us. In times of deep sorrow, I still reach for my Rosary from my Catholic upbringing. I no longer pray the prayers of Catholicism, i do find it helps me connect to the God of my understanding.
Rita, so glad you made your way to the UUCG community. Your path has been a very interesting one, and like that you still hold onto the parts of other faiths that bring you comfort.
Was it Rumi that said” We are all just walking each other Home” ?
I think it is beautiful, the perception that we are in this world together walking paths of various beliefs yet still focused on seeking truth together. I don’t have the experience with the Quran or other leading scriptures that broaden our path and I have a narrow scope of the interplay between beliefs. That said, I really do appreciate knowing diverse followers in our community. So, Thank you Rita… Just can’t picture you in a hijab!