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Giaya
10-13-2005, 08:37 PM
Hi,

Im new to this website but I really wanted to find some people who are maybe in the same boat as me on religion and/or spirituality. I was raised by two loving parents, who were very opened minded in the sense of religion, love, life choices, etc. Growing up I was raised Christian Scientist, which is a religion that basically depends on the power of prayer and does not have a link with the medical society. Gropwing up I experienced not being "the right kind of christian" as what people would put it. I loved my religion and embraced it as who I was and a strong part of my foundation. I gre up around a diversity of people, bi-racial relationships, homosexual partnerships, an extreme variety of religious and spiritual beliefs and the political views were all over the place, up until the age of about twelve I had no idea that what was my norm was different than what other people considered normal and my whole world was shaken. Also at this time I began public school after years of being homeschooled and I could understand why people were so hateful towards one another and liked to speak negitively almost all the time about everything. I got sucked up in this world and found comfort in my true identity deep inside but I was terrified to voice my opinion, feeling like I had to stance in this world of hate and confusion. Years went by and I found myself in the baptist church with a new found friends. I mean no harm to anyone who is baptist, but in this particular church it was all about who was going to hell. And one day when the pator was preaching about homosexual lust and how they were going to hell my dad made us walk out of that church and we did not go back. I had a hard time understanding how my parents always said except and forgive but then walk out of that church and not go back. As an adult I understand but at the time I didnt. As I grew older I found myself in and out of different religions, more of a spiritual view. After I got married and moved to northern Fl. I came to the catholic church and felt a calling. Ive been catholic now for about seven months and again started to question the human opinions that lay on the base of the religion and I feel a deep pain in me body telling me that I love God, the being that lives and creates everything but at the same time I start getting so concerned about following the right way, but what is that and how does anybody go about doing this. I am a firm believer that everybody is loved by God, the all power of everything, whatever that may be for some but when someone says only a few or only certain types of people will go to heaven I start to pull away from who or what is saying this. I just dont understand where I am exactyly on the wordly scale of God but spiritualy I feel loved and with that love I love everybody and all I want to do is accept and appreciate all the different beauty that the High being has created but I always get caught up in all the human-stuff that seems to ruin Gods grace. If this calls to you please write back and tell me your experiences and what you go through with this. I want to feel connected with those who can hear where Im coming from and from those who may feel strongly about their convictions and would like to share and we could find understanding for others and each other.

Giaya :confused:

rawpriestess
10-13-2005, 08:54 PM
Well, all I can tell you is what I understand, based upon years of spiritual study.

I have a Ph.D. in the Philosophy of Religion, so I've studied alot. LOL

The thing to understand is that whether you call the all knowingness "God" or "Goddess" or "Lord" or "Yeshewa" or "Buddha" doesnt' really matter, what matters is that you live your life with love towards all beings

This means, to ALL, beings other people, animals, yourself, etc.

I too was raised with the belief that all people have a right to love and marry whom they choose, yet the leaders of our church condemd all the people who weren't like them, anyone of color who married someone of a different color, was not fit in the eyes of the Lord.

Any gay or lesbian people were an "abomination" etc.

I knew so many truly beautiful people who were living a life of sin, by church standards, it just didn't make sense to me.
The teachings are what is important, not the preacher, or the religion, but the teachings of love thy neighbor, and do not kill, and all of that.

Every religion has dogma, and rules, but the one I like to live by, is

"Do as ye will, with harm to none." This is the last line of a very sacred text, and pretty much sums up all of the ten commandments too.

In fact, if everyone were to actually live by their religion, life on this planet would be beautiful.

But, alas, I don't see that happening in our lifetime. I do see that so many people wish to be right, they don't care about "the individual" person anymore.

So, don't worry about the name of the religion of your choice, and don't worry about what they call your deity, just live a life of love everyday, and do everything you can to harm none, on a daily basis, and you'll be just fine.

blessings,
Rawpriestess

Rawkinlocs
10-13-2005, 08:57 PM
Giaya,

This has the potential to become a somewhat...controversial thread. I mean, it's fine to express your beliefs, but when we get into "I left the Christian church because..." then we open the door for some heated, religious debate and that is not something we want to do here.

There's a Christian thread...there's a Meta-Physics thread...but that's about the extent of it. We are all from all walks and paths, but I just don't want this to turn into a "bashing" thread of any particular religion or spiritual path.

So, I don't think there's a problem with others sharing their experience regarding where they are ON their path now...but I just need to make it clear to all participants of this discussion that Alissa has requested in the past that this forum not be used for hot religious/spiritual discussions...that there are boards designed for that purpose.

Thanks and hope you understand!

sweetgoddess
10-13-2005, 09:37 PM
Giaya, what a heartfelt post. You said something absolutely incredible.

I feel loved and with that love I love everybody and all I want to do is accept and appreciate all the different beauty that the High being has created
Do you know how beautiful that is? Your intuition is guiding you it seems to me. There is nothing wrong at all with outgrowing spiritual or religious paths. I think it is wonderful that you are listening to your inner guidance. I do understand some of what you are saying, from my own experiences of being a spiritual seeker.

I too believe it is all about love. And love is an energy. The purpose of an outer path is to show you what is possible and help you live in Spirit, or from the perspective of Soul....etc. To help you focus and grow. Hopefully in love. The outer structure of a lot of religions is human based. It seems you have a very solid inner knowing/loving of the Creator. Let that guide you entirely. You can explore different beliefs and paths until you find one that resonates with your beliefs, if you long for that outer community. And if you dont feel any of them serve you, then just follow your heart/inner guidance.

There are a ton of different religious and spiritual paths and each serves someone based on where they are at in their spiritual unfoldment. We are all in different places with our ideas/perspectives, and thats as it should be.

I dont feel like I said anything to help you, but from where I sit, I say trust that beautiful vision of yours!

Many Blessings~
Carmel