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This is a discussion on Religion within the You're Not Alone! forums,----- Are you religious, and if so, do you believe this has helped you in your life? Have you found support ...
Are you religious, and if so, do you believe this has helped you in your life? Have you found support in your religion or spirituality to get through the tough times in life?
I've never been very religious, and I'm going through a rough patch now, it feels like only someone who knows me from the inside out would understand how I feel. If there is a superior being, I would think that talking with that being would be a very cleansing experience.
I am not religious, I do not believe in the stories of the bible ect..
I am a spiritual person...I do believe in the power and energy of the universe. But, I dont think there is some supreme being that controls our lives (ex: god wants it this way ect..) I think we each hold the power to have the lives we want, its just a matter of making the choices to go for it...instead of waiting for life to happen to us.
Hmmm I've felt both ways in my life. Right now I am making a conscious effort to go to church and really listen to what the Pastor has to say, and then I apply what I've learned to my life. I find that it is helping out now at this stage in my life where I feel a little lost and in need of some guidance....10 yrs. ago I though I knew it all and didn't need the idea of God in my life...I think it's something you have to try out for yourself.
I am dogma-free. I am spiritual, and believe that each person has to find his or her own way. Have you ever noticed that our solar system is structurally very similar to an atom?
I would consider myself very religious, but I don't attend church every Sunday or anything. I love reading theological texts - stuff written by the Church Fathers, monks, etc., and I try to adhere to my faith's (Eastern Orthodox Christianity) principles.
I was baptized Orthodox, but I went through a period of doubt. It wasn't until I suffered from major depression during college that I found my faith again. I do not doubt for a second that the support I found in God helped me recover.
If you're interested in Christianity generally (if that is the faith you're interested in - otherwise, ignore the following, lol), and want to get a good feel for the what-why-how-where, I HIGHLY recommend C.S. Lewis' classic "Mere Christianity" as a starting read - in fact, if you only read one thing, read this. He wrote it from a series of radio addresses to his fellow Brits during WWII. Lewis was a strict atheist who became a Christian in his thirties.
Anyway, the book is a great read. It's "non-denominational," easy to understand, and logical. It avoids many of the failings of recent texts, that tend to be more evangelical than educational or are poorly written. Lewis was a scholar, and an excellent writer and teacher. My devoutly agnostic (is that an oxymoron?) cousin enjoyed it immensely...Lewis is just a darn good read.
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
I was baptized in the catholic church, did my communion, confirmation, blah, blah, blah... But I have to say that I lean toward what Nic said. Im more spiritual then religious and I truly believe in the power and energy of the universe. I do think that being this way has helped me through some times in my life.
I am a Christian myself. I attended seminary and was a childrens minister for about 5 years. Christiany and my faith helped turn my life around 100%.
I was into alot of bad things and hated everyone and was very very violent. I truly feel I am a completely different and forgiving and accepting being because of it. My life is truely better because of my faith.
__________________
Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth. ~Benjamin Disraeli
Yes I am religious and believe in God. I was raised Baptist and still follow that religion. I am a PK (preachers kid) and am thankful for the foundation that my parents gave me. I believe God created the heaven and the earth. His son Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and only by accepting Christ into our hearts will we get to heaven.
But to answer your question Jewel....absolutely my faith has gotten me through the tough times. Somtimes I don't know why God does certain things but I know he has a plan and a purpose for each one of us and I have to trust in him.
__________________ "The dictionary is the only place success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must all pay for success." Vince Lombardi
Interesting thread! I do believe in God and consider myself a spiritual person. As a kid I was a little over-churched, and I went to a Christian college, so I tend to be a little jaded, but still a believer.
I agree with the suggestion to read "Mere Christianity" -- if indeed, you are interested in the Christian faith. I found it refreshing. And I do think my faith has helped me through tough times.... I do believe in a greater good and a greater purpose...and when the situation stinks it helps me to remember that.
Interesting feed....
I was a preacher's kid. I don't believe all I was raised to believe, however, that's okay too.
I am a Buddhist. I consider myself spiritual, not at all religious.
I respect others rights to choose what to believe.
I love the quote, "My religion is to live and die without regret." This Buddhist proverb makes me MINDFUL of my thoughts, my deeds, my actions, and my knowing that things come back ten-fold.
ah, and to quote Gandhi....who was Hindu, "In heaven, there is no religion....thank, god!"
I am with Nic and Teri.
Spiritual, not religious. No belief in a "supreme being".
Definite belief in karma.
"To each his own" mentality. I don't try to talk anyone out of their beliefs.
I am not religious, I do not believe in the stories of the bible ect..
I am a spiritual person...I do believe in the power and energy of the universe. But, I dont think there is some supreme being that controls our lives (ex: god wants it this way ect..) I think we each hold the power to have the lives we want, its just a matter of making the choices to go for it...instead of waiting for life to happen to us.
Another excellent post by Nic!!
Same here. Not religious one bit. My parents are religious and raised us as such, and I used to be as well, but have changed my mindset on it over the past 4 years. I believe in some spirituality...I mean, how else would you explain witch doctors? Lol. But really, I don't believe in a particular "god" or anything.
And I'm much more at peace when I don't worry about it.
__________________
"It's funny...the harder I train and better I eat.....the better my genetics seem to get." - G. Diesel
Same here. Not religious one bit. My parents are religious and raised us as such, and I used to be as well, but have changed my mindset on it over the past 4 years. I believe in some spirituality...I mean, how else would you explain witch doctors? Lol. But really, I don't believe in a particular "god" or anything.
And I'm much more at peace when I don't worry about it.
I had a old lady from a local church come to my door and invite me to a some Jesus party LOL! She would not take no for an answer! I told her that I do not believe in creationism and she tried telling me that the earthquake in Haiti was gods way of trying to reach me!?!?!? WTF??? How can someone really believe that?!?!?
I'm with you...Life is more peaceful not living life according to 'rules' in a book
I would consider myself very religious, but I don't attend church every Sunday or anything. I love reading theological texts - stuff written by the Church Fathers, monks, etc., and I try to adhere to my faith's (Eastern Orthodox Christianity) principles.
I was baptized Orthodox, but I went through a period of doubt. It wasn't until I suffered from major depression during college that I found my faith again. I do not doubt for a second that the support I found in God helped me recover.
If you're interested in Christianity generally (if that is the faith you're interested in - otherwise, ignore the following, lol), and want to get a good feel for the what-why-how-where, I HIGHLY recommend C.S. Lewis' classic "Mere Christianity" as a starting read - in fact, if you only read one thing, read this. He wrote it from a series of radio addresses to his fellow Brits during WWII. Lewis was a strict atheist who became a Christian in his thirties.
Anyway, the book is a great read. It's "non-denominational," easy to understand, and logical. It avoids many of the failings of recent texts, that tend to be more evangelical than educational or are poorly written. Lewis was a scholar, and an excellent writer and teacher. My devoutly agnostic (is that an oxymoron?) cousin enjoyed it immensely...Lewis is just a darn good read.
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
Oh, yeh! Mere Christianity is definitely a worthwhile read! So is a more recent book Waking the Dead by John Elderidge, and also his Captivating Glad you mentioned that book! I've been thinking about reading it again, and that sealed the deal!
I'm in a major low spot right now, but knowing that ultimately I have a purpose and a sense of worth beyond this world keeps me going. And knowing that I'm loved no matter what I've done or how many mistakes I'm made. It's a struggle to actually sit down and read or pray at this time. But throughout the day (mainly while I'm driving) I pray/talk to the Lord. Do I feel worthy? No. But then again, forgiveness and redemption through Christ is NOT based on our actions but His. Thank God!
I'm not committed to a church right now, and have not been for a while. Even though I grew up in church and even went to Bible College majoring in Religious Ed. Been burnt after being involved in the inner workings of quite a few churches, and also seeing how my parents who are missionaries have been treated by the churches. Problem is, churches are full of people! haha And where people are grouped together, jealousy, power struggles, and quarrelling always seem to pop up.
Not a part of any "denomination". And firmly believe that church is NOT a building.
"The GOODNESS of God, leads people to repentance..." and I think if people remember that there would not be instances like Nic had. Huge turn off, and irritation. Would be to me, too!
Guys, not all Christians are like that! Sorry you had that awful experience!
Haiti? 9/11? We will never understand why God lets things like that happen. But instances like those, are times when His love can be shown as people band together to help those in need.
Last edited by eyesontheprize; 03-25-2010 at 03:57 AM.
Reason: forgot something
The Following User Says Thank You to eyesontheprize For This Useful Post:
What a great post! In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a practicing Roman Catholic. I was raised in a superficially religious family (e.g. we celebrated Christmas and Easter in a commercial sense), and my view evolved out of a long process of research and a longing for something deeper than myself.
I'd say that my faith is a vital part of who I am. It motivates everything I do (or don't do!), gives me a sense of purpose in life, and helps me to appreciate the beauty of life in both the positive and negative things that happen to me.
If you're at all interested in sharing any thoughts or want to hear about my experiences, feel free to PM me. I always have time for this topic.
Cheers,
Alpha.
Last edited by alphawoman; 03-26-2010 at 12:43 PM.
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