How did you choose?

Geist · 03-25-2005, 07:27 PM

How did you choose what religion you are a member of?

I have no religion currently because I have never found one that suits my beliefs so what about everyone else?

Postmaster · 03-25-2005, 08:21 PM

I was born into mine

Christened before I could even make the conscious choice. However thousands of years of social and religious evolution says that's how it goes and I respect it and follow it.

truthseeker · 03-25-2005, 08:45 PM

I haven't found one that suits my beliefs either. Sounds like you aren't just a follower.

I have found a group to worship with, though. We are in likeness of spirit and that is what matters to me right now. I have been with quite a few groups and now religion is universal to me. Usually,once I become aware of the politics of the church, or the 'zealots' want to come to welcome me in thier very own 'choking' way, my stay is often short lived. I'm not really a recluse but my communion with God is really important to me. I'm sure you have something very special to contribute to a group and hopefully you will look for a group that can make that shine in you.

Geist · 03-25-2005, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postmaster

I was born into mine

Christened before I could even make the conscious choice. However thousands of years of social and religious evolution says that's how it goes and I respect it and follow it.

Doesn't that annoy you? The fact that they never gave you a choice in the matter just bunged you into it without any concideration whatsoever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truthseeker

I'm sure you have something very special to contribute to a group and hopefully you will look for a group that can make that shine in you.

But I don't have any special qualites. I'm just me and my opinions.

Postmaster · 03-26-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Doesn't that annoy you? The fact that they never gave you a choice in the matter just bunged you into it without any concideration whatsoever.

By the time I discover which religion is right for me I'd probably not make up my mind before I die. It's also a social thing too I suppose. Obviously I have a choice now, I can even reject my religion, we know of people in our community that have became Jehovah's Witness, obviously shocked our family but never rejected them, we also have homosexuals in our family and we don't reject them, we only disagree. Christianity as a social and spiritual religion is very great if practised properly. One mans word of peace, love and order is all you need. Same can be said for a lot of religions. We need miracles Christianity has thousands of documented, one's even recognised by the Vatican would be http://www.fatima.org/, We need wise words we have the bible, we need a place of worship, there's one everywhere. It's not possible for so many people to be irrational and unwise in choosing religion. Thousands of years ago people like Socrates tried to explain life without a creator figure and they haven't been as popular as religious leaders. Happiness is a foundation of all religions I believe, optimism and hope. You just give a bit of your own to religion and it will return 3 times as much. After all, all we need is happiness and material things won't bring us true happiness for us.

Bandit · 03-26-2005, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geist

How did you choose what religion you are a member of?

I have no religion currently because I have never found one that suits my beliefs so what about everyone else?

well Geist, you can always start your own religion. That seems to be very trendy these days.

I do not belong to any organized religion but I do have a wonderful home church, bible believing and teaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Oh but I have been around the block with quite of few religions over the years, because I wanted to understand what they are trying to say.
However, I wont leave the bible or my Savior Jesus for anything that teaches something different.

truthseeker · 03-26-2005, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geist

But I don't have any special qualites. I'm just me and my opinions.

That's all any of us are, Geist. I'm sure there is a special quality to your opinions, which make up who you are. I would just like to encourage you to be blessed spiritually - You don't have to kill yourself or other people to be productive on this planet. In the homosexuality section, you sounded really anthropologic - not that I really want to place labels on you. Kind of like Universal Unitarianism (I think that's what it's called). Nonetheless, you are in a developmental stage. Take your time - there is plenty when seeking the right path for yourself. Then you will find that you have been on the right path all along...

Paladin · 03-26-2005, 02:10 AM

Well said Truthseeker. Being in a state of flux is actually a very holy and blessed place to be Geist, because you come to whatever truth or power there might be for you in this universe with empty hands and an open heart. Only good can come of this, because as the Christians say, "If I ask the Father for a loaf would he give me a stone?" As long as you seek sincerely, and listen mindfully I believe there will be guidance for you to follow. In ACIM it is said "If you knew who walked beside you on your journey through life, fear would be impossible"

I won't bore you with my own journey, but it has been varied and rewarding. I have no doubt that you will find the same.

Peace and light

Faithfulservant · 03-26-2005, 09:19 AM

It was easy for me.. Jesus knocked and I answered.

I, Brian · 03-26-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geist

I have no religion currently because I have never found one that suits my beliefs so what about everyone else?

Indeed, if no hat fits, wear no hat...

brucegdc · 03-26-2005, 11:43 AM

Or if you can't decide which hat one looks best, wear them in rotation or all at once. :-)

Happy Purim (a bit late), Easter, Ostara, and any other spring holiday to all!

... Bruce

ISFP · 03-26-2005, 12:30 PM

Geist-

it can take a long, long time to find a religious tradition you feel at home with. also, you may find a tradition and grow apart from it spiritually over a period of time. just keep your options open, and keep looking, if you really want to find an organized spiritual home. it's also ok to believe and do one's own thing independent of a faith tradition. that's what i did for years ("spiritual but not religious"). keep researching and looking and praying (if you feel ok with prayer). best of luck, Geist!

Ontologue · 03-27-2005, 04:35 PM

Though I don't necessarily think of spirituality as membership in religion (kind of a scary thought really and definitely limiting) I believe I understand what you're asking. As a kid, I guess for me there was no choice at all, but rather a cultural imperative. My mom used to drag me to church. End of story. It wasn't until college that I began to ponder in earnest what was meant by that conspicuous term Christian. That's when I actually chose Christ for myself as my spiritual guide. No doubt my own path was rife with cultural influences. Bottom line for me the name of the game is to elevate the inner man/woman beyond the level of the physical, the emotional, or intellectual. Reading, praying, meditating, even wandering can offer enormous insight into that spirit being that resides within us all. I've found that when I am at peace, i.e., intimately connected with the will of God for my life, I can truly discern the voice of the Divine. I can see. I believe God hears everyone regardless of belief. So I guess my final two cents would be to pray for those answers which, after all, only you can know.

take care,
O.

Geist · 03-27-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ontologue

So I guess my final two cents would be to pray for those answers which, after all, only you can know

In all honesty I've tried being a Christian. Didn't fit me, I prayed for answers, I went to priests and the Bible nothing came from it so I didn't bother again.

miclason · 03-28-2005, 10:34 PM

I'm still looking...probably because we weren't really brought up in any religion...Dad was a seeker...I don't know if he ever found what he was looking for, though...Mom was what we call a "serial Catholic" (as opposed to a serious Catholic!)...went to church only for christenings, first communions and weddings...(she would have gone to funeral masses, but she was so afraid of death, she didn't even want to draw up a will...) Both of them recently passed away...I think I'm a Christian...(my daughter is, and she has this unshakable faith, which I really wonder about, seeing that she is only 4 and that I'm really "undecided" about religion...) ...but, maybe I lean towards Christianity mostly because it is what I'm most familiar with...