Finding my religion
Over the past 2 yrs of being on DS I have come across so many different types of ppl. This has really made me think about myself, and where I stand. I for one have never considered myself to be a religious person. I beleive in God, but have never really thought about much else. I usually percieve myself as being the same as who I'm speeking to, almost like a camelflage so I don't get put down and belittled. I realize this is only me being ignorant. My one true reason is becuase of my lack of education with religion. Growing up their was no talk of God in my house, and the only bible around here is mine i recently got free from a stranger who handed it to me at my old univeristy. I think when he handed it to me gently in my hands, I finally realized how blind I have been. I need to find out what that book means to me, or if it means anything to me at all. For most of my life I have secretely questioned how someone could worship something with so much hatred and violance in it. But how can i really truely formulate an opinion if I have never read it? i'm only going off of what I've been told. How bias of me! I get so annoyed at ppl who make uneducated opinions, and I don't want to be one of those people. As I get older more, and more people are asking me; "what religion are you?" "what do you believ in?" These should not be offensive questions, but they have always been for me becuase of my embarresment from not having an answer. i've tried to read the Bible, but I can't understand any of it. I have gone to church but couldn't sit still. My mind wonders around and I have a tenency to question everything. It's going to take some time, but I hope someday i find my religion...
Replies
im spiritual but not religious. if the christian god is real, then I cant support a god who would punish me for a flaw of his own. god is like an abuser. he tempts you with good nature, then hurts you because of it. then makes you believe its your fault. he only takes, and never gives. then rubs it in your face that hes in control. he owns the vehicle, the house, the objects, he buys the food... god owns the world, he made all people, he made all, he controls all. people who support religion are victims.
i have a lot of other reasons. i dont want to ruin the experience for you though. i was born in a strict religion. it haunts me, that i cant forget about god and religious teachings. even though i dont believe in it, and i dont support it. i still think of it. i always decide against too. I welcome hell with honor, then heaven with disgrace.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for. And yes, reading the Bible and trying to sift through it can be quite hefty. I\'m not particularly religious (as in organize religion) but I am spiritual and do believe in God. I still have many things to work out in our relationship, but I always have believed in God. I\'ve grown up in the church, so I guess I\'ve got some personal experience to draw on.
If you ever feel like talking about what you are reading in the Bible, or just want to talk about anything, please feel free to PM me. I do hope you find the peace you are searching for and come one day to find the answers to your questions.
I have the same background as you. I have never had a desire to learn or to choice anything. I do however wish my background would of been different. I wish my upbringing would of involved some religion. I woud have like to of passed some beliefs onto my kids. The fact that you believe should be enough.
God can be love, she can be compassion and security. Who said god is some evil chauvinistic monster that condones violence just because someone said so, how the hell would they know anyway. As far as I can tell all hatred and violence has been commited by humans since the beginning of time. Let niether society or religion dictate what you feel in your heart. What if God lies within you, what if God was more than the words in a book, what if it\'s that feeling of bliss and peace within? Anyhoo jst something to think about, and remember doubt is the beginning not the end of wisdom^_^ so don\'t feel bad if you question alot
where did dinosaurs come from? ask yourself this while you read the bible... if you ever get around to it. :D
I was never religious growing up either, but recently I stumbled onto a book that made a lot of sense to me. It\'s called \"The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism\" by Tim Keller. It\'s a good book because the first half of it is a series of chapters, each of which deals with a specific objection like \"How can there be a good God when there is so much suffering in the world?\" or \"Hasn\'t science disproved religion?\" The second half of the book is about a positive case for God and Christianity. It paints a picture of a religion that has no place for self-righteousness or hatred, even if plenty of Christians never live up to those ideals. It\'s not a hard book to read and at the very least, I guarantee it will make you think.
thank you everyone=)
I really enjoyed reading your entry, it makes such good points. I think a relationship with God is a very individual thing. Jesus himself was very against organized religion. I was raised Catholic myself made 1st communion ccd classes all that, but other than memorizing some prayers I did not learn much and certainly did not develop much of a relationship with God. You can have a relationship with God at home in church at the beach, but you have to decide if you want it or not. I don\'t like the forcefulness of some people with religion....
I am a bit appalled at the young man who says that the Christian God takes and never gives, that He offers good nature and then hurts you because of it. He says that God has flaws and is an abuser.
Son, evidently you don\'t know the God I serve. I have been thru hell and back. Read my profile and my story. I have seen you and old die. I have seen had parents, brothers, sisters, a son die. I have been thru drugs, biker gangs, alcoholism, been shot, stabbed, beat up, had bones broken, finger cut off, almost bled to death, had my tongue almost severed twice, lived in a war zone of a marriage for 8-1/2 years, had my life threatened numerous times and attempts made on my life.
I am a minister today and have been for 33 years. I have been drug and alcohol free 37 years, this year. I have seen drug addicts become deacons, I have see prostitutes become church pianists, I have seen alcoholics become preachers, I have seen ex convicts start prison ministries. I have seen social rejects like myself, who were told for years, they would never amount to anything become great Christians. I sincerely hope your heart has a change son because I really don\'t believe you will welcome Hell with honor.
I am not your judge and you have the right to believe anything you want but just remember 2 things.
One, If you truly believe the way you say you do about the God of the Bible, then you are calling him a liar and the Bible a false book.
Secondly, I would rather live my life, believing like I do and, then find at the end of life I was wrong, than I would believe like you say you believe, and find at the end of life that the Bible and the Christian God is true.
Life is full of choices but, with these choices, come consequences.