Sunshine Cathedral Blog

Question: We say we are progressive, positive, and practical. I just want to make sure that I understand what those words mean. I think I do, and I agree with them, but I want to be certain. Can you give me clear definitions?

Answer: I’ve never done this before, but I think since your question is so precise, I’ll refer to another source to answer you. According to the Random House Dictionary, “progressive” means, “favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are…; making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.” Since we at Sunshine Cathedral are not stuck in the prejudices or dogmatic assumptions of the past but are free to explore spirituality in a number of ways, and since we are more concerned with the spiritual experience than with traditional explanations of other people’s experiences, and since we are clearly open to those who have been rejected by other religious communities, e.g. same-gender loving folk, we are by definition a progressive church.

The dictionary definition of “positive” is, “emphasizing what is laudable, hopeful, or to the good; constructive: a positive attitude toward the future…” That is certainly what we wish and try to be here at Sunshine Cathedral.

And finally, “practical” is defined as, “consisting of, involving, or resulting from practice or action.” As we try to live our progressive, positive spirituality, we are putting it into practice, which means it is practical for our daily lives.

Thank you for your question.