Quote

I think what Calvinism may offer us is that God's in charge of his world.

I actually do propose open-mindedness, but open-mindedness to the Word of God.

I was raised as a Calvinist, which is doctrine-driven. And though there are many things wrong with Calvinism, you are at least encouraged to argue about things.

My mother's openness has remained inspiring to me. I strive to be a skeptic, in the best sense of that word: I question everything, and yet I'm open to everything. And I don't have immovable beliefs. My values shift and grow with my experiences - and as my context changes, so does what I believe.

The more I try to unravel the mysteries of the world in which we live, the more I come to the conception of a single overruling power - God.

I believe in having a more open mind and including others who don't share your faith and having dialogue with them. And just having a pure heart and being a good person can bring you closer to God. Because once you believe in one particular religion fully and not others, that requires you to start disliking people who don't share your views.

In other words, Judaism is not Calvinism.

I've seen the majestic beauty of nature and the overwhelming perfection of it. To me, there's nothing closer to God than that.

What brings you closer to God is being in service to others. I think any religion or spiritual way of life will indicate that service to others will lead to a connection with a higher power.

Because of my Calvinistic upbringing, I was trained to think that what you do has to have a purpose.