Religiously Stuck

[FrChuckW]

It may be a hormonal imbalance, it may be you need an adjustment in your medication.

I have been very heartened by all the responses I have read on here, no casting stones, no condemnations, just thoughtful and caring messages of support and concern.

It is funny that this topic does come up on a forum that is dedicated to keeping of poultry. As someone else said the diveristy amongst us keeps us sane and enlightened.

Most of the so-called "Great Religions" of the world have as one of their basic tenants the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It doesn't matter if it is Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Pagan, agnostic. It's all about leading a good and just life. Treating others with respect, courtesy, and compassion.

Even Christ when questioned responded with the simple statement that the two Greatest Commandments were to Love God above all others, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Sometimes it takes finding a quiet place, with no distractions, and just sitting there and opening your mind to let it wander where it will out into the universe to get an answer. Sometimes it's just being quiet and still and looking inward.

It may be that you have reached a stage in your spiritual journey that you no longer feel the need for a material reminder of your beliefs, but that you are secure in your own person and your beliefs.

We live in a time of rapid changes, the things we thought of as fantasy and fiction as a child have now become real. So it is no wonder that so many question the status quo and no longer accept things blindly.

I have a great deal of respect for the beliefs of others, as well as their right not to believe as I believe. I just know what works for me. Hopefully for you, it is not a medical/physical issue, but rather just a new phase of you developing your own spirituality.

 

[Kanchii]

I hope you find whatever suits you best, be it Christianity, Paganism, any other religion, or heck none at all!

My family is extremely Christian. Grandparents are missionaries, I have a huge exteneded family, all hard core into the bible. I'm the black sheep, I play along to make them happy but I can tell they don't really believe that I buy into it. I don't, at all. Even when I was little, I believed in Santa Claus and fairies and unicorns and dragons but the whole concept of God and Jesus made me so skeptical, which is strange and kind of funny to me.

I find myself traveling TOWARDS paganism while you start meandering away. I need to learn more about it, first, and all the different branches, before I try it out and see how I feel in the midst of it.

 

[shortcake1806]

I"ve been praying for you and asking God for wisdom to say the right thing. One phrase keeps repeating to me "Be still and know that I am God."


http://anunslife.org/2008/09/30/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god/

Hugs to you. You are never alone. Please feel free to pm me as well.

 

[Livinzoo]

I was raised non religious. I have always been drawn to pagans as friends. It is odd when not just one, two or five of your friends turn out to be pagan but pretty much every close friend since childhood. I have read a bit and practiced with friends and solitary. But religion is not a huge focus in my life. Some people need it as a driving force, I seem to retreat to it when I feel insecure.

At one point I asked my half-sister (she was hit by a car and killed when she was 5 1/2) who god was. Her answer made me laugh at the time, but over the years I realized it was pointing me toward paganism (this is before I knew anything about paganism). She said "Captain Planet". Now if you remember he calls on "earth, wind, fire, water and heart" the 5 points of the pentagram.

The main thing I feel you should do is allow religion to take a back seat. You are trying to force some understanding. You can't force it! Carry on and enjoy life. Read about religions if you want, visit churches if you want. At some point something somewhere will click. But a watched pot never boils, so take a break.

 

[newchickenfamily]

I'd just like to take a quick moment to say "wow" to all of the wonderfully supportive posts! It's not often that this type of thread goes on for so long without being shut down. This is so nice to see.

to PineBurrowPeeps!!!

 

[chook pen jen]

I am 55 years old I started out a Presbyterian, Sunday school, the works,but I have quested for truth all my life and as far as I can see religion gives you a comfort zone ,which is nice but it dosen't make people personaly responsible for the things they do.You can hide behind original sin and say we are all flawed, it also takes credit for our successes.When I realised I did not believe in God it was frightening and I felt very alone, but then I realised nothing had really changed only now I do the right thing because I am a good person ,not because I will be punished if I dont.
It took a long time for me to make this journey and I am not where I want to be yet ,but I like me a lot more than I did,and so do other people.So dont be afraid ,you are not alone,nearly everyone who has responded to this thread sought the truth,and while it is not always comfortable it is worth while.

wow am I getting preachie or what

 

[Up-the-Creek]

I hope you can find some comfort about this with all these good people here. I am totally amazed at all of the diversity!
I too along with many others it seams has had the same issue. I questioned the mainstream, and became informed of many things. I do not consider myself religious after all of my soul searching. I am now nothing but a good moral person trying to be the best I can be in the here and now. I believe it all boils down to morals.
Everyone has to find what works for them, some need more, some need less. Don't worry over it,live your life,it will come to you. Just remember,..whatever YOU choose is the right way, because it is about you.
Good luck!

 

[PotterWatch]

I didn't read anything but your first post, so you may have as many answers as you want/need already, but I thought I would tell my story anyway.

I was raised in a Christian household to the extent that my Mom is a Christian and has always liked going to church and wanted us to go as well. My Dad would go if my Mom wanted him to, but left to his own devices certainly would not choose to go to church. I went to Sunday school as a kid and later on tried out a youth group or two. I never found anything that moved me and never really cared for going to church. As I got older, I became distinctly uncomfortable in church and by the time I was on my own in college, I didn't really identify as being a Christian at all.

When I met my husband, I claimed no religion and neither did he (he was raised a Catholic and even attended 11yrs of Catholic school). We married and had our first son. Our service could have been called Christian I guess, but I don't remember any mention of Jesus, just G-d. My husband and I both believed in G-d, but not Jesus.

My Mom wanted us to have our oldest son baptised, but I was reluctant to do so. I knew that to have that done in her church, we would have to stand up there and "reaffirm" our belief in Jesus. I just couldn't see standing there and lying like that. I prevaricated about the baptism until after our second son was born 1.5yrs later. At that point, I told my Mom that we would not be having them baptised since we didn't believe in it.

I started thinking about how we were going to raise our boys to have spiritual beliefs as we did since we didn't really participate in anything spiritual. I started looking into what religions believed and how they would fit with our lives. When I looked into (reform) Judaism, I discovered that it really fit most of what I already believed. I did lots of research and attended a local synagogue... I loved the service. I felt a connection there I certainly had never felt in any of the numerous Christian churches I had been to. After several months, I started taking classes to convert to Judaism and managed to do so about 1.5yrs later. My sons were converted with me and fully identify as being Jewish. My oldest has some vauge memories of having a christmas tree, but my youngest doesn't remember a time we weren't Jewish. My husband did not convert but he is very supportive and participates in any holiday stuff we do at home and occasionally goes to synagogue with us.

That's my story. Sorry it was so long, but I hope it's helpful!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Ok, before I get too far, I'd better apologize because this is probably going to be long and winded

I have been Christian (various faiths) I have been pagan, and I have been "depressed". The depression had nothing to do with either, btw

But the depression did serve a purpose - it gave me time to go inside my own head and answer some tough questions about what I truly believed. It was what some would call a "dark night of the soul" to be poetic about it - it didn't feel very poetic at the time.

The conclusions I have come to are... (and always remember - your mileage may vary...)

There IS a God - call him/her/it what you will, there is a creative force that is beyond all of the religious dogma and pagentry - it is also within those things, but not exclusively as some would like to believe.

Each of us experiences that Creative Force differently no one can tell you what to believe or know - it is something to be lived and felt.

Everything I know is wrong - or, as some would put it "you propose nothing in the sight of God". As soon as I am sure I am "right" God smacks me and lets me know differently - sometimes it's an easy smack, sometimes it's a hard smack - depends on how quickly I notice the previous hints before the smack needs to be applied. I am, however, grateful for the smack - it shows that God hasn't been ignoring me.

One of my favorite experiences is Communion - I usually cry when I go up to recieve communion. Not a bawling, snotty sob, but a quiet, grateful tear or two. Why do I cry? Because of what Communion represents - and because of how that makes me feel.

Am I a Christian now? Most would say no. I usually say No.
But I know God, and I know that he's ok with me not being "Christian" (trademark implied).
In fact, I am one of those horrible Voodoo practicioners

and no, it's not what Hollywood projects it to be (but that is all I will speak of it in here - this is Your thread

)

If you stop reading at this point, I'm cool with that - I understand.

I have known fine people who were Christians - and I have known fine people who were not. In the previous sentence, the word Evil could be interchangebale with Fine and the sentence would still hold truth.

The point is, that it is not "religion" that makes us good or evil - it is the precence of God within us, and our acknowledgement of Him. Therefore, God doesn't care whether you are a Baptist or a Catholic or a pagan or whatever you wish to call it - as long as God lives in your life.

Even when I was a "pagan" I did not wear a pentacle - the symbol I chose was a tree, but that is beside the point - it was just a symbol - but it spoke to me of what God felt like. Living, growing, alive, present, wise, etc... I also wear a crucifix from time to time. Pentacles, crucifixes, crosses, OM pendants - they are all symbols that speak to one or another of us.

If your pentacle doesn't feel right anymore, then put it aside - you are simply saying that it doesn't fit you anymore - and that's a good thing. Without questioning of our faith and our beliefs, they become stagnant and useless. Maybe you'll put it back on someday, and maybe you won't. Either decision is ok, because God is more than the symbols we wear, he is more than the churches we attend, or the groves we stand in - much more than our small human experience can define or interpret.

Wherever you find "peace" and "home" - then it is the right place - whether I or anyone else agrees with that place. It's not for us to choose for you - that is between you and God. If that place is in a church, then I am glad for you. If that place is in a Grove, then I am also glad for you.

As long as you find it, and/or search for it until it feels Exactly Right. Each time you question your faith, you can get closer to "exactly right". Maybe you won't get to "exactly right" until you meet God face to face.

That's ok with God, too.

God didn't give us all the answers, because he wants us to use our minds and hearts to search for the answers. He didn't want Adam and Eve to take from the tree of Knowledge, because knowledge that is arrived at so easily leaves one feeling empty - the journey is where it's at - and God is a great travelling companion.

Peace -
Meri

 

[Kanchii]

Beautifully written, Meri.