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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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!

U-dog

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by u-dog

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!

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!!!

[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.

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by 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 )

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!)

[Dumbledore]

Originally Posted by scrupulous_stoic

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]

Originally Posted by Dumbledore

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]

Originally Posted by scrupulous_stoic

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]

Originally Posted by scrupulous_stoic

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.

Tu Amigo, Pablo