What do you believe?

[sophia jane]

OOOOOooooooH! a willing victim for evangelism!!!

HHEhehehehheheeeehehe MUyhahHAHahAHhAhhaha *ack* ...*cof*....whew!


(obliviously, she won't be going with THIS one!)

Lol!

I actually followed the Christian faith for several years and was quite involved in the church (can anyone imagine me teaching Sunday school cuz I did). But over the last few years, I have begun to question more and change my view on many of the things I once believed.
So no, probably not a willing victim.

SJ

 

[Guest]

 

[lewdandlicentious]

Yep, keep searching.

Go somewhere bad!

REAL bad!

Where people are either in a bad way, are treated bad, or simply suffering for whatever reason.

Then you'll come to the only conclusion, that there is no god.

How can there be???

We're in this on our own kids, that's how it is.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

(Though I do not consider myself an AH'er)

*snip*

So here are my questions?
What are your spritiual beliefs? Do you believe in a God? More than one God? Do you subscribe to a particular religion? (an interesting note here, my ex recently told me that his best guess is that god is an alien.)

*snip*

I am pagan, have been for close to 12 years. What does that mean to me? That I am a prdouct of free will, that there is such a thing as magick, that auric and spirtual healings are valid forms of health help. That herbs are nature's medicine. I also think that in the end I am the only one who can walk the path I choose and good and evil are both real (though I do not ascribe to the notions of heaven or hell).

I believe that the earth is my home, my mother, my nuturer and that we as a whole need to learn to treat her with respect.

Pagansim is valid and viable (to me). It helps me focus on what's really important: my spiritual well-being, my family, myself....

 

[TheEarl]

Thanks for sharing Luc (and others).
Just to clarify- the reason I asked what people believe is that I guess I'm hoping for some kind of aha moment, some kind of realization of what I believe for myself. At this point, I don't know whether I believe in god or not. I do not subscribe to any kind of organized religion.
I do believe in love, in justice, in kindness, in tolerance and acceptance. And I guess, that's often enough.

SJ

If it helps, I can tell you about my aha moment. I always believed in God in a very childish way, without really giving it any great thought. I was a true agnostic: didn't know if there was a god, but kinda hoped there was.

I went through a brief stage of following Ipswich Town football club because my dad had when he was younger. For those not aware of the terminology, following a club means watching their big games on television and being invested in whether they win or lose, but don't go to matches, buy strips or have them as a large part of your life. It's a step below supporting a club.

Anyway, Ipswich were in the division below the Premiership and they were in the play-offs to get promoted. They'd been in the playoffs for the last 4 years and had fallen at this same stage every time. They fell behind 3-1 after having been 1-0 up with 3 minutes to go and i remember thinking "Please god, don't let them screw this up again." Immediately afterwards, an unheralded Ipswich player called Jim Magilton scored a goal. Seconds later Magilton had scored again to take the game into extra time. Magilton added his third in extra time for Ipswich to win.

Most people I tell this story to interrupt at this point and say, "You think God made Ipswich win the play-off semi-final? That's your reason for believing in God - a deux ex machina in a football match?"

When they do, they've missed the point. I firmly believe that God intervened, not because I asked for it (there were probably several Bolton fans praying at the same time!), but because that action made me think. It never had anything to do with the football; it was trivial thing that said 'Think about it.' An attention getter. I thought and I knew. It wasn't a guess; I knew.

Ipswich are now back in the lower division and I don't follow them anymore, but my faith remains.


Cloudy: That is fascinating. I think I will have to add to my list of religions/worldviews that I have time for.

The Earl

 

[LeahLo519]

I don't affiliate myself with any certain religion. Where is the sense in believing wholeheartedly in something when you're gonna die someday and you might learn that you were wrong the entire time? Naw, fuck that. I do, however, believe in a power higher than myself...does that count?

 

[maggot420]

Thanks for sharing Luc (and others).
Just to clarify- the reason I asked what people believe is that I guess I'm hoping for some kind of aha moment, some kind of realization of what I believe for myself. At this point, I don't know whether I believe in god or not. I do not subscribe to any kind of organized religion.
I do believe in love, in justice, in kindness, in tolerance and acceptance. And I guess, that's often enough.

SJ

i recommend staying away from those aha moments. they just confuse things.
einstein wrote once that you should never say you know a thing because then you stop trying to understand it. religion is one of those things for me. I don't know so i guess i dont believe but im still open to the possibility. maybe there is a god maybe there isnt. i dont see the need to make up your mind and believe with all your heart in something like god right now. there is plenty of time. of course im something of a procrastinator so maybe you shouldnt listen to me. all i really know is that you would have to be some kind of fool to think we're all alone in this universe.
although...if you really have to have a religious experience, i would pick cloudy's kind of spirituality. it sounds really cool.

 

[cantdog]

I have had spiritual experiences, so I can't deny the spiritual. They seemed to me to imply nothing about any God, though they did help to change me; to move me along my spiritual path, as it were; to mature me. But I remain without gods.

 

[impressive]

I have had spiritual experiences, so I can't deny the spiritual. They seemed to me to imply nothing about any God, though they did help to change me; to move me along my spiritual path, as it were; to mature me. But I remain without gods.

Your AVs this week could inspire such spiritual experiences.

 

[rikaaim]

I am a Christian. I don't worship God only on Sundays because I don't go to church. I don't go to church for a few reasons. One, because my God tells me that he abides in me. Therefore, he is ever-present in my life and I can (and do) speak to Him whenever I please and worship Him whenever I please. I used to go to church for the guidance, but I stopped going because it seemed to me that the church had lost sight of "judge not, lest ye be judged," which is a very important part of Christ's message.

I can understand why some people say, "Oh, those horrible Christians! Look at them! Don't they suck?" Sadly, the majority of people that say things like that (which do, by the way, hurt -- nonetheless -- because I am a Christian, regardless) have come across the very same Christians who have lost sight of Christ's message. They (the Christians I speak of) will wear bracelets that say "WWJD" (standing for, "What Would Jesus Do") while turning their back on the friend that was arrested last night because of his drinking problem because he's not "right with the Lord." That's completely contrary to what Jesus would do.

I also think that there is too much intolerance . . . definitely not just in Christianity. Let me tell you, as a Christian, I come up against all KINDS of intolerance because all people hear is that I'm a Christian and they think it's alright to attack my beliefs, instantly. Intolerance is rampant, these days, and sad. My God tells me to love all people and I believe it's my job to obey that as closely as possible. This means accepting others, whatever they believe or say or do, and giving them the shirt off my back, even if I don't know them.

I don't knock other people for believing something different or for believing nothing at all, nor do I judge them. I don't know the mysteries of God, therefore, I can't say with any authority what will happen to everyone when they die. What I do know is my own personal truth and that is that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day and I believe that He is the Son of God. I believe in the Holy Trinity: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. That will never change, because it is something I absolutely know to be true and I believe it with a childlike heart.

I have an interfaith marriage. My husband is Agnostic. His beliefs are his own personal truth just as my beliefs are mine. We can talk about faith and never argue about it because we respect one another's beliefs and don't question or try to change them, just to understand them better. I hope that this thread will be an exercise in acceptance and understanding.

That is what I believe, and I will not argue the points because faith is subjective.

AppleBiter

Aside from being married to an inter faith husband, I basically have the same beliefs as AppleBiter.

Adding my own personal touch, take everything AppleBiter said and let me add:

Recently I have been very confused as to what exactly God expects of me. I believe firmly in my heart that God does exist and that He is with me everyday. I know God loves me as he loves all of His children. I believe His commandments and laws are for our protection. I believe we are no longer bound by these commandments as a definate because Jesus came down and saved us through His grace. I do believe that the commandments should still be used as a guideline because they are meant for a better style of living for everyone. Ultimately the love and seflessness of Jesus is the example we should follow as far as a healthy lifestyle goes.

With all that being said my confusion lies in my sexual natrue. I am a very open individual, or I wouldn't be here. I am also very much bi-curious, so much so that now if given the chance I know I would have sex with a man. This seems to go completely against what everything in the bible says. I believe that my body should be a cleansend temple because God is resident in me through the Holy Spirit.

With that being said, I believe that Jesus died on the cross bearing my sins. I believe that He rose from the grave on the third day. I believe that since I confessed with my mouth that I am a sinner and I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior I am indeed saved.

I know God walks with me everyday because so much shit has happned in my life, and more recently, that I could not have possibly made it without the help of God.

I do feel the conviction that God places in my heart to change my ways though. I believe that this is because it's just not a healthy lifestyle. Not because it is displeasing, which I know it is, but also because it can be rather dangerous.

However, the most important thing about Chrisianity is to be Christ like. That's what it means. We take on the demeanor of Christ. Christ was/is always loving. He could teach the errors of someones ways rather than yell at them. He was renowed for being a teacher in His time. If we follow the loving example of Christ, and give of ourselves, not only to pleasing the Lord and the Father, but also to others as Christ did, then I think that is what's most important on this Earth. Christ befriended the tax collector, the protitutes, the destitutes...this is the example we should follow. To help our fellow man as Christ did and then I think our Earthly rewards will be self-fulfilling.

As far as the afterlife goes...yeah I think about it. I'm curious. But to be honest...if I spent all of my time wondering what I'll be doing when I'm dead, I won't have any time at all to help those that need it now that I'm alive. That's my peace.

Thanks AppleBiter for taking the brunt of this explantion. It would have been twice as long otherwise.

 

[rikaaim]

Your AVs this week could inspire such spiritual experiences.

Amen Sister!

Preach it Imp!

 

[cantdog]

(I was rather surprised that so few joined in with Mystical Ass Week festivities. And it will be over shortly, too.)
I, too, am still a seeker, Sophie. Your quest, like your questioning, is worthy of respect.

 

[sophia jane]

(I was rather surprised that so few joined in with Mystical Ass Week festivities. And it will be over shortly, too.)
I, too, am still a seeker, Sophie. Your quest, like your questioning, is worthy of respect.

Thanks Cant.

SJ

 

[BigAndTall]

Ok.


Wading into this, putting it on the line.


I am seriously into God, religion, going to my church, you name it.

Why? Cause I need it in my life. Why do I need it? For the same reason you might need a significant other, or a father, or a mother.

Its not a bunch of rules so much as an interaction. I call him on the phone (pray), I go to hang out with him at his house (church), we go out to meals (think what you would do with a friend.)

Do I sin.


Yes, sadly I do. I don't mean the kind where you swear (though I do that too) I mean sin where i doubt him, where I don't trust him to take care of me, and handle the things I cannot do.

Yes, do someplace bad. Real bad, where there is no food, or clean water. Than you will see something real good.

You will see people that make it anyway. You will see people helping them. YOU can help them. Even in the worse of places, you will see good, love, and peace.

I will tell you this. I have never had a "religious experience", that didn't start off with a crisis. And it has always comforted me when it was over, just how lucky I am to have someone to watch over me .

 

[rikaaim]

Ok.


Wading into this, putting it on the line.


I am seriously into God, religion, going to my church, you name it.

Why? Cause I need it in my life. Why do I need it? For the same reason you might need a significant other, or a father, or a mother.

Its not a bunch of rules so much as an interaction. I call him on the phone (pray), I go to hang out with him at his house (church), we go out to meals (think what you would do with a friend.)

Do I sin.


Yes, sadly I do. I don't mean the kind where you swear (though I do that too) I mean sin where i doubt him, where I don't trust him to take care of me, and handle the things I cannot do.

Yes, do someplace bad. Real bad, where there is no food, or clean water. Than you will see something real good.

You will see people that make it anyway. You will see people helping them. YOU can help them. Even in the worse of places, you will see good, love, and peace.

I will tell you this. I have never had a "religious experience", that didn't start off with a crisis. And it has always comforted me when it was over, just how lucky I am to have someone to watch over me .

Exactly my friend. It all comes down to the basic question:

Is your glass of premium malt liquor half empty, or half full?

Mine? Why I finish that half a glass of good stuff and fill 'er back up to down it again.

 

[Hulder]

I am pagan. I have been for about 7 years. I grew up in a non-religious family, but spirituality has always been important to me. I had to find my own way though. I've studied many religions, i considered myself a christian for a time, but it just didn't stick. Paganism was like an eye opener to me. I called myself a seeker/student for many years, and in some ways i suppose i still am. I've narrowed the search down a bit though, lol. My friends call me a kitchenwitch. It's not a title i've given myself, though i am quite proud of it. Personally i see my path as a fusion of kitchenwitchery, hedgewitchery and heathenry.


Hugs!!!
http://witchcraft.net/html/emoticons/viking.gif http://witchcraft.net/html/emoticons/broom.gif http://witchcraft.net/html/emoticons/caulfire.gif

 

[cantdog]

Ok.


Wading into this, putting it on the line.


I am seriously into God, religion, going to my church, you name it.

Why? Cause I need it in my life. Why do I need it? For the same reason you might need a significant other, or a father, or a mother...

What on earth can you possibly fear, here? You say "ok wading into this" as though you needed a big screwing-up of courage to declare yourself.

Dude. You're not only with the majority, you're mainline. Courage not needed. Buck up.

 

[kendo1]

Hi SJ.

I feel in tune with Cloudy, totally.
I was brought up as a christian, and still follow the christian faith.
But, I don't believe in a god, any god.
I suppose I'm more into 'Each to their own' and I respect that.
Tolerance and respect of what others believe.
Tolerance and respect, from others, for what I believe- we are all adults here.

Much like Lit.- you may not like what others write here, but respect that they do write, and tolerate it.

 

[minsue]

I'm also an infidel/atheist in a very religious part of the country. To me, the only all-powerful thing is love...it unites us, while organized religion does nothing but divide us.

the whole concept that someone who doesn't believe in God can't have morality is amazing to me (and it's shoved in my face every day). A morality based on personal beliefs of right and wrong surely is deeper than one based on fear of burning in hell...

[/end ramble]

What Carson said. Exactly.

 

[Guest]

Bartender! I believe I'll have another god.

 

[SeaCat]

Woah horsey, what a question.
[Takes out beliefs, dusts them off and looks them over before putting them back on the shelf.]

Okay here goes. Many people including my wife tell me my beliefs are an odd mix. I believe in a higher power of some kind but not one who is sitting around somehwere drinking a cup of tea and watching with a jaundiced eye to see how you screw up.

I believe that everything is connected. Everything has a "soul" of some kind and is connected to everything else. You don't take more than you need, and you replace what you can. I believe that you should live your life following a set of rules, rules which you have to creat/learn as you go. I call this a code of Honor. You do not go out of your way to hurt other people for no reason other than personal enjoyment. (If you do hurt others then this weakens you. Sometimes you can't recover from this. Make sure it is truly worth it before you do something which will hurt another.)

Can you harness the power of another being? I don't know. Do you go somewhere after you die? I don't know but I'm sure I will find out someday. Do miracles happen? Most emphaticly(sp) yes. (I work on an Oncology floor and have seen too many miracles not to believe in them.)

I have been told my beliefes sound a lot like the older religeons. Norse, Druidic, Early Christian, Early Judaic. I don't know about all that. I just know my beliefs work for me. (Oh and trying to push ones religeon on another is a form of hurting another person.)

Cat

 

[AppleBiter]

Thanks AppleBiter for taking the brunt of this explantion. It would have been twice as long otherwise.

No problem.

 

[mismused]

[delete] delete

 

[cantdog]

mismused:

I am, I suppose, a mystic, since I've had mystical experiences. You say 'meditate.' May I ask, what sort of meditation do you practice? I have no right to ask, I know. You are at complete liberty to ignore my question. I only ask because, as an atheist, my mystical experiences left me hungry for more testimony about similar kinds of things. I think it might help me place them in a context if i can hear accounts from others.

cantdog, humbly

 

[elsol]

I'm a Catholic Pagan.

'Drink of my blood... Eat of my flesh...'

Angels!

Saints! -- Especially the sending body parts of saints out because they might 'heal' or whatever.

Mono-theistic by technicality!

Mass in Latin!

I don't care what anybody says... Catholics need to revel in their pagan nature.

Oh... I forgot my favorite thing... 'Stigmata'.

Sincerely,
ElSol