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----Spiritual Agnostic

My beliefs would identify themselves with a kind of carefully patched-together spirituality. I don't say "I am a..." because I'm trying to display that I may hold particular beliefs, but they do not hold me (they are not all of me) smile

My journey has been a bit of a strange one. A born (and natural) skeptic, I was trained to be religious since I was young by my strict, controlling father. I was raised Catholic, and remained devoted to it until I was in grade 9. Only then did I feel I truly had the freedom to think about my religion, do extensive reading, and ask thousands of questions (my nature as a skeptic razz ). Then, I found a great chasm between my religion and my supposed beliefs and how I actually acted in the world - my own personal honour code. It would be years before I could tell my father, who exploded, limited my connections with "subversive" extended family, threatened to monitor my reading and time with friends, and continued to force me to go to church every Sunday and participate in social gatherings. He still does all of those things to this day; he will as long as I live in his house, and he will probably attempt to "re-convert" far beyond that point. But my continued non-violent resistance (although I must conform to his rules, I do not speak in mass, nor receive communion, and I will never lie about my true beliefs) has mellowed the disagreement so it no longer hinders our good relations.

From his continuous attempts to fight me with theology, I have a great reason to hate Catholicism. But I do not.

My disagreements of the beliefs of Catholicism was quickly followed by a disagreement with the beliefs of every religion I could research. Mainly, my frustration stemmed from my hyper-awareness of hypocrisy, within the religion itself or how it contradicted with other religions.

I think that I would be an agnostic (my understanding of the word meaning someone who rejects religion/spirituality for themselves) if it had not been for my father's creation of a constant religious presence in my life, and for my own seemingly "supernatural" experiences.

Firstly comes my ability to see auras. I attempted to deny this fact when I was younger, and the auras were only pale, milky outlines. But now I have seen yellowy kaleidoscopes expanding meters around the person where nothing should be there. Secondly, I have experienced a voice speaking to me through meditation that I simply could not explain. It said things that always surprised or confused me (until had reflected further on the meaning), so it just was not logical that it was a voice from my own mind. Also, this voice...the words it said were so beautiful, it almost always makes me weep or seem to burst with joy. I cannot describe how much I love it. I really just...can't.

Oh my gosh, I have written a long post! I suppose I should try to define my beliefs then.

I guess I could say I believe in the golden rule, in equality, and in freedom. I accept everyone's beliefs and religions because they are all a part of the web of the human experience. I love everyone, because it makes me happy - no rules/punishments required. I love God because God (for me, the voice) and I are One, and We are one with the world. In this way, God also loves Me. I believe in eternal Life for all, but not as their own individual forms, which are momentary but necessary illusion. If everyone is One, than if one living thing - including God - lives, we all do. I don't believe in the literal sin, failure, "wrong"-ness, suffering or need for humans, or anything that lives. This means I do not believe in hell, which means by connection that I do not believe in heaven either. I believe in a flowing life force, as I have seen it in auras, and in elements (especially stones). I believe in the limitless capacity of Life to heal and create. I value heavily the right of each individual person to lead their own lives. I do not wish to worship one particular person (or divinity) as I see equal value in every single person, no matter who. I find purpose in equal discussion about spirituality, and in community service.

If you know something that would suit me, perhaps you can recommend me to a website? That would be much appreciated. smile

I believe in the One in the All!!!

... i find it funny that they have Islam and Muslim both as options on the poll. xd

FYI, thread-maker: a Muslim is a person who follows the religion Islam.

i actually DID read the thread's first post, and commented earlier. the mention of the mistake in the poll was NOT my first post on here. please to be paying more attention dear, instead of talking out of your a**. stare

Spiritual-Agnosticism

Pantheist