Interfaith Relationships Support Group
This community is dedicated to the challenges presented when two people of different religious backgrounds form a relationship. Mingling different religions has both positive and potentially challenging aspects, including the religious preferences of children, religious holidays and traditions, schools and religious education and potentially different moral or ethical...
LOL I know the subject sounds funny but I didn't know how else to put it. I've been bipolar for a while and have been on death's doorstep when I was at my lowest. I used to curse life but now I have partially gotten my act together I'm willing to have a relationship with God. I've tried medication and therapy for my issues but the only thing I haven't really tried was church. My mother has been trying to convince me to be religious again and right now I'm willing to give it a shot. So how the heck do I start? Do I read the bible first or just attend church or do both? I just don't know how to be religious, I don't even understand those hand signal things they do in church! (Besides the obvious cross). By the way, I know this is a group which primarily focuses on relationships but I didn't know where else to ask and if I were to have posted this in my bipolar group they would have done nothing but turned it into a huge argument about wether God exists or not, so I aplogize in advance if this is off topic from the regular discussions you guys usually have.
-
theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
This is a very hard question to answer as so many here will have a differing opinion concerning this. I will offer mine.
Being religious to me is simply one following the teachings of a church and not necessarily a relationship with Jesus Christ.
When someone says that I am religious then they are usually implying that they follow their particular church to the tee.
My recommendation to you would be to start with the gospel of John as it deals with us today more directly. Matthew, Mark and Luke are more centered on a earthly kingdom message and can cause some confusion with people. My favorite chapters in John are 1,3,4-6,10. I think this book will give you a good start.
Do you have a good study Bible? I would recommend one that is easy to read and that has some footnotes to assist your understanding.
By the comments you made about "hand signals" then my guess is that you are probably attending a Catholic church. Most likely you have a Catholic version of the Bible and just like the King James Version, some of the writing might be difficult to understand it all clearly since it is very old language. I like to recommend that you purchase an NIV study Bible to help you along.
Try to spend at least 15 minutes a day praying to God. I also like to pray before I read my Bible for understanding and that what I read I can apply to my life somehow.
If you have any questions about anything or even a verse then feel free to ask me.
Hope that helps!
IMO... a person's spiritual beliefs are so very important and therefore cannot & should not be coerced by another in any manner. A person shouldn't be 'convinced' into taking up a spiritual path. Your spirituality is much too important a part of your life to be coerced into it.
First... spend some time contemplating how you feel towards 'god'... meaning how do you see Deity? How do you envision your relationship with 'god'? And how will your beliefs influence/enhance your life?
Second... don't limit yourself to researching the one denomination you were raised in. There are many Christian denominations in which you could be comfortable. Find those who believe as you do!
Once you find where your heart/spirit lies, begin studying and embrace 'god' with all your heart. So much can be gained by opening yourself to 'god'... in whatever form you see Him/Her/It. Just make sure what you choose truly reflects how you see Deity.. otherwise it'll only make you more unhappy.
Good luck and I hope you find the peace you seek!
Andie
The point I'm making is that if a person professes God, it is respectful to at least use the capitalization of God as referring to YWH, and not insert your own beliefs as in "god/gods" because that other person doesn't believe as you do.
"By the comments you made about "hand signals" then my guess is that you are probably attending a Catholic church. Most likely you have a Catholic version of the Bible and just like the King James Version, some of the writing might be difficult to understand it all clearly since it is very old language. I like to recommend that you purchase an NIV study Bible to help you along."
Do you go to a Catholic Church? I am Catholic and I don't know what these "hand signals" are exactly because we don't do them. The Protestant churches I've gone to have hand gestures like opening the hands in the priestly "orantes" position (which is only for the priest and not for the laity), and they also do this swishing thing with both hands like reaching out to the priest and holding hands during the Our Father etc. I have noticed my own church starting to adopt these gestures which to me aren't Catholic but a more flamboyant Protestant way of worship.
Also, if you have a Catholic Bible and are Catholic, I recommend that you do NOT get an NIV but stick with your current Bible because an NIV does not include the Apocrypha which is intrinsic to the Catholic Bible. This means you will be missing books like Judith, Esther, Maccabbes and more. If you're Catholic, I recommend a catechism as well.
As for strengthening faith, PRAY. Read the Bible but I think focusing on passages about love and on Jesus's actual words may be helpful at first. The Gospels are really good. You may even want to read the story of the nativity in Luke as we're nearing Christmas:)
If you're Protestant I would say get the NIV as it's one of the easier ones to understand.
Definitely find yourself a church and see what they're about -- remember they are all different and if you find one disappointing then you can always check out another. Just stick with your chosen denomination, of course.
It would help you greatly here if you stopped assuming things about what I write. Ask me what I mean before start reading me the riot act, ok?
As for what I said to Calus...
First, I was speaking to the point where he said HIS MOTHER was trying to convince him to be a religious man.
It's my firm belief that no one has the right to choose for another their spiritual path! Not even your mother. And it's quite possible to be a "religious man" even if you follow a different faith.
Second, I did NOT tell him to look into other faiths...I told him to check out other CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS!!! Please work on your reading comprehension.
I was in no way disrespectful to Calus or his beliefs. If you think I was then that's your problem. I'm sorry if mention of any of faith besides yours bothers you, but you're gonna have that here on an INTERFAITH board!