How religious is FPU?

[Ramona]

I'm thinking that FPU would be a good idea for me, but all the ones in my area are either offered through the military or through a church.

I'm pretty agnostic religiously, although I was raised Christian and have a lot of respect for Christianity I don't actually believe/practice it.

Am I going to feel out of place in FPU? Is there going to be a lot of stuff that isn't relavent to me? Am I going to be expected to make statements of faith or pray (or can I just keep quiet and bow my head as a sign of respect and let others pray?).

If it makes a difference, the closest church to me that has hours that would work is Lutheran.

[JimFPU]

Well as FPU is a Faith-based curriculum you're going to hear the Bible quoted. You're going to hear Jesus talked about as if He is alive right now. You're going to hear Christian beliefs and ideas. You can choose to ignore them if you wish. The financial principles still work.






...but what is the point with out Jesus? What does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul?

[Dorothy]

I'm a christian, so some of what happened may have been so normal that I missed it.

However, best I recollect:

It was held at a church - in one of the classrooms

I think I was the only attendee that wasn't a regular attender at the church, but they made me feel welcome, but not overwhelmed

There may have been a short prayer at the beginning, but no one was asked to pray at any time during the entire course - the leader prayed

[BzyBee DH]

I'm thinking that FPU would be a good idea for me, but all the ones in my area are either offered through the military or through a church.

I'm pretty agnostic religiously, although I was raised Christian and have a lot of respect for Christianity I don't actually believe/practice it.

Am I going to feel out of place in FPU? Is there going to be a lot of stuff that isn't relavent to me? Am I going to be expected to make statements of faith or pray (or can I just keep quiet and bow my head as a sign of respect and let others pray?).

If it makes a difference, the closest church to me that has hours that would work is Lutheran.

I think most of the material is relevant to most people.

Rather than the deciding factor for relevance be the religion - it might more relate to marital status, age (empty nesters, retired, etc), and children age. I think the vast majority can and does apply to everyone.

Some of the basis for his positions are Judaeo-Christian based - like the oft-quoted verse - "Borrower is servant to the lender" Proverbs 22:7. I have not seen the new FPU curriculum but suspect that there remains this basis.

I would expect that there is an opening and closing prayer at a church based FPU. I would expect that the prayers are generally done by the leader or a designated appointee.

[platypus]

I think that if you make it clear to the leader (depending on the individual) that they would do their best to make you feel comfortable in the class.

It is MUCH less "religious" than the Crown Financial Ministry (they quote bible verse and holy scripture, look at 'God's plan for their life', etc) so I don't know of any other programs that are less religious than Dave's class.

I think as long as you have religious tolerance, your leader doesn't PUSH you to pray/share "Jesus's work" in your life, it will be fine.

:)

[rolo4evr]

There is scripture quoted AND there are anecdotal stories, and quotes that are not religious.

Unless one is strongly opposed to hearing any thing Christian based I don't think the "amount" of scripture, etc. would be "offensive".

IMHO, I think DR does a great job balancing the biblical principles of wise management of money (stewardship) with secular inspirational or funny stories, etc.

FPU is not an evangelistic tool to convert anybody.

I think the class has a LOT to offer to EVERYBODY.

[Ramona]

Thanks everyone!

You have convinced me to give it a shot. To be clear I'm not at all offended to hear biblical stories or other people's testimonies. As I said I grew up with a lot of that stuff, and many of the people I love and respect are Christian. What concerned me was whether I would be made to feel uncomfortable if my budget didn't include a tithe or if I sat or stood quietly during prayers. You make it sound like I'll be alright.

[yellobelle]

Thanks everyone!

You have convinced me to give it a shot. To be clear I'm not at all offended to hear biblical stories or other people's testimonies. As I said I grew up with a lot of that stuff, and many of the people I love and respect are Christian. What concerned me was whether I would be made to feel uncomfortable if my budget didn't include a tithe or if I sat or stood quietly during prayers. You make it sound like I'll be alright.

I think you will probably feel very comfortable. I have no idea who in our class were or were not Christians, I know that many of them attended church, but very few actually attended the church that was offering the class. There might have been a short prayer to open and close and 1 class addressed tithing.

[chaka42]

I go to a seeker-friendly church. After an exhaustive search for just the right financial curriculum, the Dave Ramsey material (FPU) fit the best because it's also seeker friendly. DR recognizes that not everyone he reaches are Christians so his materials have some sensitivity to that. Although, he's very clear about what his beliefs are, he doesn't impose it on folks.

[GibsonTown]

Ramona, not all Christians are nuts. :stupid:

I can only speak for our FPU, but we go to great lengths to make sure that community members feel very comfortable. We are Christians, and Dave teaches from a Christian world view (and may quote a scripture or two and consider the wisdom there) - but we do not pray during FPU, or really talk much about our church or God, etc. We realize that non church going folks might feel uncomfortable with this.

Having said that, usually about half the group is from a church background (or attends ours), and about half are from the site (community.)

I encourage you to call or email a coordinator and just ask how they run the group. Ask if a non-Christian would feel uncomfortable and you want to know ahead of time what they do. Not one of us would take offense at that!

FPU is considered an outreach (to the community around the church) and I believe the vast majority of churches feel the way we do - but I am guessing, based on the coordinators I've met. : )


I'm thinking that FPU would be a good idea for me, but all the ones in my area are either offered through the military or through a church.

I'm pretty agnostic religiously, although I was raised Christian and have a lot of respect for Christianity I don't actually believe/practice it.

Am I going to feel out of place in FPU? Is there going to be a lot of stuff that isn't relavent to me? Am I going to be expected to make statements of faith or pray (or can I just keep quiet and bow my head as a sign of respect and let others pray?).

If it makes a difference, the closest church to me that has hours that would work is Lutheran.

[GibsonTown]

Oh, not at ALL. You would be most welcome to sit in and participate as you feel appropriate. :sillygreeting:

Let us know how it goes!

Thanks everyone!

You have convinced me to give it a shot. To be clear I'm not at all offended to hear biblical stories or other people's testimonies. As I said I grew up with a lot of that stuff, and many of the people I love and respect are Christian. What concerned me was whether I would be made to feel uncomfortable if my budget didn't include a tithe or if I sat or stood quietly during prayers. You make it sound like I'll be alright.

[Bluejeans]

I'm Jewish & doing FPU online. I don't find DR too religious. In fact he pokes fun a little. "It's Jesus' birthday, and he wants you to buy plastic stuff for the kids."

I don't find biblical quotes any more offensive than quoting other historic figures like Confusous.

[tedearly]

Howdy,
I think how much prayer would depend on the facilitator. We are practising Catholics and our FPU was at an Evangelical Church. We felt very welcomed and at the end of each meeting an informal prayer was offered by the facilitator. I worried about this too and everything worked out fine.

I really enjoyed our FPU and have very fond memories of this Church. FPU was one of the best things DH & I have ever done.
Karen

[fpmomma]

Our FPU class last fall was taught in our church facilities; about half the class were regular attenders, the other half were folks from the community who just wanted the info. It was a good class--had input from several different perspectives.