Soul Searching

[scrupulous_stoic]

I am taking my second world religions class in my life, the first being in high school. If you read my post in the thread "LGBT and Religion," you would know that I have profusely studied various faiths, from Asatru to Zoroastrianism. I always felt that I am too inexperienced to choose a faith, and as such have remained agnostic all my life. However, perhaps from my constant review of faiths for my class, it would seem that the winds of change have shifted my mindset. I am feeling gravitated towards a couple faiths and feeling a close bond with one in particular. However, I always consider the fact that, as my wisdom grows from experience, my mindset will change, and so would perhaps my religious views. Be that as it may, I do want the kinship religion offers, and I feel it would be a great way in order to grow. So, the question I pose is this: should I wait longer, or should I delve deeper and switch my mindset on the religions I am interested in from scholarly to inquisitive?

[Lord]

Hello,my name is Pastor Lord Addo,am from Ghana in the sub-saharen Africa.I alwas encourage people who are lost from the faith they have in this world.What is faith?Faith is the substance of things hope for ,the evidence of things not seen but we believe it exist.This is according to the gospel.Don't lose that faith and confidence you have in your self.Be strong and march forward.

[u-dog]

I am taking my second world religions class in my life, the first being in high school. If you read my post in the thread "LGBT and Religion," you would know that I have profusely studied various faiths, from Asatru to Zoroastrianism. I always felt that I am too inexperienced to choose a faith, and as such have remained agnostic all my life. However, perhaps from my constant review of faiths for my class, it would seem that the winds of change have shifted my mindset. I am feeling gravitated towards a couple faiths and feeling a close bond with one in particular. However, I always consider the fact that, as my wisdom grows from experience, my mindset will change, and so would perhaps my religious views. Be that as it may, I do want the kinship religion offers, and I feel it would be a great way in order to grow. So, the question I pose is this: should I wait longer, or should I delve deeper and switch my mindset on the religions I am interested in from scholarly to inquisitive?


Barrett,

Faith (any faith) is like swimming. you can study the chemical composition of water, you can study its bouyant qualities, you can study the history of water, you can study other people's experience with water over the centuries, you can listen to your friend's talk about swimming. But none of these things is swimming. in order to swim you need to get into the water and let go of the edge of the pool. The reality of God can never be ascertained or experienced from poolside. Only in the water will you experience the power of God to hold you up.

So whatever faiths have interested you... jump into one of them. if its not right... get out and jump into a different pool. Continue to study and observe other faiths and to talk with friends from other pools. But get in someplace. The water is great!

:love: U-dog

[kara speltz]

Barrett,

Faith (any faith) is like swimming. you can study the chemical composition of water, you can study its bouyant qualities, you can study the history of water, you can study other people's experience with water over the centuries, you can listen to your friend's talk about swimming. But none of these things is swimming. in order to swim you need to get into the water and let go of the edge of the pool. The reality of God can never be ascertained or experienced from poolside. Only in the water will you experience the power of God to hold you up.

So whatever faiths have interested you... jump into one of them. if its not right... get out and jump into a different pool. Continue to study and observe other faiths and to talk with friends from other pools. But get in someplace. The water is great!

:love: U-dog

I agree with Dave. Jump in, explore, let the Spirit lead you where it may. Trust that you have the capacity to know in your heart what fits and what doesn't. My faith journey started out Roman Catholic. I left the church and never, ever expected to return. I explored all sorts of spiritual directions including wicca, buddism, Yoruban, Huna, and various others.

Much to my surprise, I returned to the Catholic church, and all of the varying spiritual journeying has remained a part of my spiritual practice. They enrich my journey and I'm so glad I left and explored.

Kara

[Vanessa White]

I absolutely agree with both of them. I was raised Catholic, converted to Methodist, believed in Jesus all the way along, but have also dabbled a bit into Buddhism, Native American beliefs and traditions "Great Spirit" stuff, and still hold onto any other beliefs that seem to ring true deep in my soul. I feel I will never stop seeking and searching, so start from wherever you are, follow your soul Force, and take it from there. Whatever we learn benefits us in the long run, no matter what faith we ultimately choose, if we do choose. Enjoying exploring!!! :love:

[scrupulous_stoic]

Thank you all for your input! Perhaps I should better elaborate on my religious interests? If that would help in asserting more advice, let me know.

-Bennett
(not Barrett, u-dog ;))

[Vanessa White]

Feel free to elaborate. I would love to hear more! Tell me this: I kind of view faith as a willingness to let go, even in the face of circumstances that may work against us or don't make sense. Do you have a desire for faith? I think that no matter what you choose to explore, the one that most connects you to your inner faith may just be the one that is right path for you. :love:

[u-dog]

Thank you all for your input! Perhaps I should better elaborate on my religious interests? If that would help in asserting more advice, let me know.

-Bennett
(not Barrett, u-dog ;))


But... Barrett is such a NICE name!! You sure you don't want to change? ;)

Sorry Bennett... getting old sucks! (YOU SHUT UP ANDREW!! YOU ARE OLDER THAN I AM!)

[scrupulous_stoic]

Well, perhaps it would be best to start with a prologue of sorts. My upbringing was never religious during my early years, but soon changed when my mother met my step-father. He was Mormon, and though he did not follow all of the regulations, he still adhered to the one suggesting only dating other Mormons. Thus, after six months or so of dating, my mom was baptized. After that, it seemed that not only did my parents want my to find solace in their faith, but the local LDS community also had an eye on me as a potential convert, though I had no interest in Christianity, let alone the Mormon faith. So, I was required to read the Bible and Book of Mormon before doing activities I enjoyed. I didnt like it at first, but actually am I happy I did, because I learned much from my readings. Later, I was told I'd be going to church for now on. I stubbornly went, and after a while I tolerated it. I took the missionary discussions, and then stopped after I was informed I had a record kept, as well as my questioning of erronous historical stories in the Book of Mormon. Then the bishop, who was interested in converting me since my mother was baptized, informed me that apparently I had a baptism date, even though baptism in the Mormon church, as well as any of church, is voluntary and not forced upon you. After that, I loathed my church attendence, as I was labeled "anti-Mormon" by the other teenagers for my refusal of baptism. The only one who had no qualms with my lack of interest was my step-brother, who to this day is closer to me than anyone, save my mother. Then came the finis valde: in June of my Junior year of high school, the LDS church asked all the congregations in America to oppose same-sex marriage by supporting the Marriage Amendment. I was furious; I was already open about my sexuality, and was informed by various church leaders that the Mormon church did not try to influence politics. However, later examination and delving into news articles would point that the Mormon church has always influenced politics concerning social values, as they financially supported legislation in California attacking same-sex couples. My mother, who understood my frustration, agreed that I no longer needed to go to church, and thus began my studies. I have had an interest in Buddhism for years, and still cling to the philosophical teachings of it. The same goes for Hinduism, which I recently found quite alluring, and Taoism. I read the Qu'ran, but did not find any sort of connection to it, though I found it quite poetic. I also read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, and though I applaud his scientific reasoning, I found him to be as extreme as a fervent and uncompromising evangelical. However, I have found that the Pagan faiths are pulling me, most especially two: Hellenion and the heathen Asatru. Hellenion is the reconstructed religion of the Greeks, and Asatru the Norse.

As for faith, I think that perhaps some things have no explanation, but I also take in account that, as our eyes are bombarded by millions of impulses, only a few thousand are inputed, giving us quite an incomplete picture. I do not know if I could just let go.

[Vanessa White]

When you state it in that way, I am compelled to think about it a bit differently, because even though faith is a letting go of sorts, that can be potentially fear producing for sure. Is there a part of letting go that frightens you, or intimidates you? The fact that it may not be all that you had hoped, after you turn your faith over to it? The fact that you have had forced, bad experiences with supposed "faith" and religion in your personal past? Maybe if you name the ghost that is holding you back, for yourself anyway, it could help you to know that you are ready to move forward.

I think you are ready. I believe that I am always the most fearful when I know that I am on the verge of something big, a big part of my process of growth, change, and self-actualization.

Maybe this is true for you as well.

[scrupulous_stoic]

"Is there a part of letting go that frightens you, or intimidates you?"

No, I just feel it could be used as an easy way out for situations. I still believe there is an explanation for things, and that too many people use faith to explain them rather than other factors.

[Vanessa White]

I agree that some people do that when it comes to faith. For me, I fully embrace my own power to influence my own life, and control my destiny to an extent. Having faith, for me anyway, doesn't remove that responsibility from myself. SO I understand your need to be cautious. However, even if my faith of choice as far as a church, were to give me "license" to blame or give credit to my faith, and I know in my heart is was my own doing, I wouldn't swallow it. Even with faith comes the knowledge of one self to guide. At least, in my version of faith, I don't absolutely, blindly accept all that is said and espoused, no matter how much I appreciate the group or church or religion.

Know thyself, first, then proceed.

BTW, I am going for now, but I have enjoyed this dialogue today. Keeps my brain fresh......:love::love:

[u-dog]

I agree that some people do that when it comes to faith. For me, I fully embrace my own power to influence my own life, and control my destiny to an extent. Having faith, for me anyway, doesn't remove that responsibility from myself. SO I understand your need to be cautious. However, even if my faith of choice as far as a church, were to give me "license" to blame or give credit to my faith, and I know in my heart is was my own doing, I wouldn't swallow it. Even with faith comes the knowledge of one self to guide. At least, in my version of faith, I don't absolutely, blindly accept all that is said and espoused, no matter how much I appreciate the group or church or religion.

Know thyself, first, then proceed.

BTW, I am going for now, but I have enjoyed this dialogue today. Keeps my brain fresh......:love::love:


Faith leads some people to hide away and becomes a shield to guard against the difficult questions.

For other people it is the thing that DRAGS them out into the world to fight for justice and truth. I like to think that the latter is true for me... at least on my good days!

[Dumbledore]

I always felt that I am too inexperienced to choose a faith, and as such have remained agnostic all my life.

Human beings are finite. We are confined to our biology, upbringing, language, education, culture, experience and even our geography. Aren't we all too inexperienced to talk authoritatively about the Presences? The Stoics are probably right. We're like dogs leashed to a cart pummeling down the hill. The best we can do is keep up with the cart with a little wiggle room to the right and to the left.

When I was an Evangelical trained by the Francis Schaeffer Institute this very dilemma was presented to me as the reason we need to put our faith in God's revelation (Christ & Scripture). Unlike us, God is infinite in all dimensions of being and it would just make sense that God would take time to reveal himself to us. How else can a finite being ever know much about God without revelation?

When I was a Buddhist I learned to work with my immediate experience of suffering. I grew to understand the danger my own mind posed to me and the danger of the collective mind expressed in ideology. I learned the importance of being radically present, suspending judgment and holding the "monkey mind" at arm's length.

Maybe the Existentialists are right...we're just walking through the dark expanse of the universe with a candle to light the way.

I'm still lost. And maybe that is the most spiritual place to be.

[scrupulous_stoic]

Human beings are finite. We are confined to our biology, upbringing, language, education, culture, experience and even our geography. Aren't we all too inexperienced to talk authoritatively about the Presences? The Stoics are probably right. We're like dogs leashed to a cart pummeling down the hill. The best we can do is keep up with the cart with a little wiggle room to the right and to the left.

When I was an Evangelical trained by the Francis Schaeffer Institute this very dilemma was presented to me as the reason we need to put our faith in God's revelation (Christ & Scripture). Unlike us, God is infinite in all dimensions of being and it would just make sense that God would take time to reveal himself to us. How else can a finite being ever know much about God without revelation?

When I was a Buddhist I learned to work with my immediate experience of suffering. I grew to understand the danger my own mind posed to me and the danger of the collective mind expressed in ideology. I learned the importance of being radically present, suspending judgment and holding the "monkey mind" at arm's length.

Maybe the Existentialists are right...we're just walking through the dark expanse of the universe with a candle to light the way.

I'm still lost. And maybe that is the most spiritual place to be.

That really hit me as a work of eloquence and beauty. Thank you for your input. I think this post helped me realize something more about my "dilemma" than I presumed.

[Dumbledore]

That really hit me as a work of eloquence and beauty. Thank you for your input. I think this post helped me realize something more about my "dilemma" than I presumed.

What is the something more that you realized?

[scrupulous_stoic]

No matter how old I am, I will never have all the answers. I should learn from Socrates's example. My very signature is historically connected to him. I was naive to think otherwise. As you stated, perhaps being lost is the most spiritual place.

[Pablo Rafael]

No matter how old I am, I will never have all the answers.

Bennett,

I see you have realized this important truth at a younger age that I did. When I was your age, I had everything all figured out. I was just amazed that all the people around me were so confused. God must have just given me a superior understanding. (I was a real pain in the butt.) As I have gotten older, I realize that I know less and less about God. And in that realization I have come closer to him. To realize that I can't understand God and his ways, has been a revolution in my walk of faith.

My advice to you in your searching is to come to God in prayer. Ask God to show you what path he wants you to take. Ask him to lead you; be willing to follow his guiding.

When I stopped telling God how it should be and praying that he would do what I wanted him to do, he has led me in different directions than I had anticipated. I had never planned on going to the Catholic church, but it seemed to me that God's leading was pulling me there. I had never planned on accepting my homosexuality as a gift or planned on "coming out" as a gay person, but also God's leading in this seems unmistakable.

Oh and don't be surprised that old U-dog gets your name wrong. The poor guy is having a good day if he remembers how to put his boxer shorts on in the morning. Just humor him and let it go; that's how we all handle him. :D

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[u-dog]

Oh and don't be surprised that old U-dog gets your name wrong. The poor guy is having a good day if he remembers how to put his boxer shorts on in the morning. Just humor him and let it go; that's how we all handle him. :D

Tu Amigo, Pablo

Some days a guy can't get NO respect !! :mad: