|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:35 am
Okay, So I have been talking with friends and family, and my psychiatrist about this and I have really been at a loss, and I am really interested about it.
to the point I guess. I have never been introduced to any form of faith by my family, and for the longest time as a kid, I just thought that it was normal for me to not have any knowledge about it. I mean, my entire life I have been surrounded by friends and extended family who are really religious as well as going to a school for elementary that had so many different backgrounds and faiths, that again, led me to believe the varying faiths, including not having any faith at all. Anyway, the point of this thread is just to gather some unbiased opinions.
This year has been a complete emotional roller coaster(You guys likely remember these from posts I have had previously). My Mother and Grandmother passed away, my friend of 14 years was raped and impregnated, I was forced to cut contact with one of my closest friends after it became apparent she was not being a good friend, but on the flip side I met my girlfriend, who I absolutely adore.... this year has been a mess for me, and on more than one occasion I looked to the sky and just wondered why? and the more I thought, and the more I talked with people, the more I just...realised that if I had something to believe in...something to take away the... almost cynical emptiness I feel when things hurt me... I have nothing to think about, nor do I have anything to look for except the words of my often mixed up friends.
Anyway, do any of you think it is odd for me to be thinking about this after 18 years of having nothing, do you have any suggestions at what to look into? any stories about faith that helped you in a rough time or the sort, because honestly.... nothing has ever made me think and rethink so consistently or meticulously before and it has really become important to me. Thank you for reading yet another one of my posts everyone.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:23 pm
Personally, I am torn between believing in nothing and believing in something.
The "something" side of me likes to believe in reincarnation. The whole point of life on this side would be to learn and grow until we have learned everything and basically become perfect, compassionate, and godlike. Then we get to retire to a sort of heaven once there is nothing more for us to learn or experience.
The "nothing" side of me thinks there's a good chance we die and become nothing more than worm food. That sounds a little scary and depressing, but it doesn't have to be. After all, even if there is nothing after this life that doesn't mean that we can't go out of our way to have fun, to learn all we can, and to enrich the lives of others. Because if this is really all we have, then it's pretty short, and we need to enjoy it.
So whether there is something or nothing after this, I try to be nice. I try to relax. I try to have fun. I try to learn.
I have no idea whether bad things are random or whether they're given to us specifically as learning opportunities. But either way we do learn from them. We grow from them. They shape us into who we are. Without my past, both the good parts and the bad, I would not be who I am now. I don't think I am perfect, but I'm happy enough with who I am that I see no point in complaining about any tough times I have had in the past. 3nodding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:08 am
LorienLlewellyn Personally, I am torn between believing in nothing and believing in something. The "something" side of me likes to believe in reincarnation. The whole point of life on this side would be to learn and grow until we have learned everything and basically become perfect, compassionate, and godlike. Then we get to retire to a sort of heaven once there is nothing more for us to learn or experience. The "nothing" side of me thinks there's a good chance we die and become nothing more than worm food. That sounds a little scary and depressing, but it doesn't have to be. After all, even if there is nothing after this life that doesn't mean that we can't go out of our way to have fun, to learn all we can, and to enrich the lives of others. Because if this is really all we have, then it's pretty short, and we need to enjoy it. So whether there is something or nothing after this, I try to be nice. I try to relax. I try to have fun. I try to learn. I have no idea whether bad things are random or whether they're given to us specifically as learning opportunities. But either way we do learn from them. We grow from them. They shape us into who we are. Without my past, both the good parts and the bad, I would not be who I am now. I don't think I am perfect, but I'm happy enough with who I am that I see no point in complaining about any tough times I have had in the past. 3nodding You have no idea how much I say that Lorien, but Thanks for the post, it was a really good read =D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 5:36 pm
Life has its up and downs. No matter who you are, your going to get hit with tough choices, tough scenarios, etc. There are many thing you can do to relieve stress that don't involve getting into religion, I'd try that stuff out first. Stuff like that, just doesn't need to have a answer to.
It's like when your doing a test and you get to a problem you just don't care and can afford to ignore, then just skip it, you know?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:23 pm
Thanks Valgex, but honestly, the thing about this is, I am more intrigued in the idea of religion than I am in the idea of having something to look to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:38 pm
Sauvie Thanks Valgex, but honestly, the thing about this is, I am more intrigued in the idea of religion than I am in the idea of having something to look to. Well, if you wish to get more into the religious area, I recommend reading up and checking out Philosophy books/classes first then.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:41 pm
If you like books, I suggest reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's a fictional story about an Indian boy that believes in many religions at once, and gets stranded in a liferaft with a tiger.
Religiously, my life is the opposite. My grandparents are extremely religious and took me to church all the time. I grew up in the religion (a branch of Christianity) and even got baptised. Now, though, I don't believe in anything I used to believe in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:48 am
!namorata If you like books, I suggest reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's a fictional story about an Indian boy that believes in many religions at once, and gets stranded in a liferaft with a tiger. Religiously, my life is the opposite. My grandparents are extremely religious and took me to church all the time. I grew up in the religion (a branch of Christianity) and even got baptised. Now, though, I don't believe in anything I used to believe in. huh... I will definitely check out the book, but thanks for your honesty in the shape of the end of the post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:49 am
I was raised Anglican (Christian) through all of my childhood and teen years. When I was in my mid-teens, for a couple of years I became really interested in New Age beliefs and Wicca. I can't say I practiced either closely, but I "borrowed" some of those beliefs, and combined them with the parts of Christianity I still believed. Nowadays if anyone asks me if I'm religious, I'll most likely tell them I'm Christian. Easier, more or less true, and saves a lot of explanation. However technically, my beliefs are more in line with those of a Unitarian Univeralist. General Beliefs Unitarian Universalists (UUs) believe in complete and responsible freedom of speech, thought, belief, faith, and disposition. They believe that each person is free to search for his or her own personal truth on issues, such as the existence, nature, and meaning of life, deities, creation, and afterlife. UUs can come from any religious background, and hold beliefs from a variety of cultures or religions. Concepts about deity are diverse among UUs. Some believe that there is no god (atheism); others believe in many gods (polytheism). Some believe that God is a metaphor for a transcendent reality. Some believe in a female god (goddess), a passive god (Deism), an Abrahamic god, or a god manifested in nature or the universe (pantheism). Many UUs reject the idea of deities and instead speak of the "spirit of life" that binds all life on earth. UUs support each person's search for truth and meaning in concepts of spirituality.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:43 pm
There is NO doubt that God is there. I was raised in a Baptist home but it never became 'real' to me until the past couple of years. God is...awesome. I will keep you in prayer. heart
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:47 pm
If you join in any religion, join one that you will not contradict yourself. You stay true to what that religion believes in. Too many people act against what their religion says not to, but says it's ok if they do it, but not others.
I say, join the Jedi religion. LOL. Yes, it's a real religion. People say it's fake, but pretty much every religion is, because they were made up by man so..Goes back to having faith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:19 pm
I became religious just this year.
It's never too late. heart
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
