by desib77 7 Replies latest jw friends
I've noticed that many of you are Athiest or Agnostic. Is there anyone that is still searching? Do any of you feel a void when it comes to faith and spirituality? Sometimes it really disturbs me that I don't really have any beliefs right now.....I couldn't tell you what I believe on anything from heaven and hell to God.
Just wondering if anyone else feels the same.
Desi
I think I found. So Even though I listen to many!!! I know I can always learn something by listening.But after they kicked me out- I felt I was in Hell for a year & a half. Then I did what I was supposed to be doing in the Watchtower. reading my bible -without any aids....... Went to a convention where there were MANY( 300-+) Ex JWs -Mormans_ New Apostlic_Etc, Etc,Came to the conclusion Religion is corrupt. I made friends with many who didnt talk about God at all, but they were loving ,kind, caring, It confused me! then after asking WHY!!?? They told me they only had a relationship with God. No middle man( Only Jesus) So I went to the middle man & Invited him to come into my life. HE DID Oct 20th 1989.... !! I try to be all I saw in others, kindness, LOVE, not judgemental, But because I am being molded - I err many times, but just as I forgave MY kids all their screw ups I know MY Father forgives me- cos He has MORE Love than I
Yep, still searching.
Looking at some oriental beliefs, researching the meaning of dreams, looking into how mythology has played a part in today's religions.
Looking at alternatives to Christianity for now.
But not digging to heavily into any one thing.
I'm just happy that I'm free of a pre-packaged mindset and belief system, and now have the freedom to look at how the rest of the world lives.
A loving god that I would be proud to worship would be happy that I am trying to be open and non-judgemental of the rest of his creation.
desib77,
Don't feel badly if you are somewhat disoriented after leaving a high-control group. The freedom to think, feel, investigate and yes to not have all the answers, is not unusual. I did what most do, immediately launched into a "search for truth" thinking that the perfect religion was out there. After three years of going to every denomination of Christianity I could find, I gave up on that animal and started looking around the barnyard. What I found is that there are many attractive alternatives to Xiantity out there, the trouble is they are not so inclined to be as inclusive as I had hoped. Buddhism tends not to be the asertive dicipline that the other religions are, but it seems to focus only on the betterment of the individual, only very slightly on the collective whole of humanity. All the rest seemed to be so self centered claiming to be the "only path to salvation" for want of a better term. I gave up, concluded that religion was a waste of my time and moved on with life. It took over a decade of being basically agnostic and not caring a hoot before I was able to set aside my notions (both acquired and preconcieved) about religion and was able to accept a new paradigm.
I wish you well in your search and urge you to keep an open mind and heart. Whether or not you ever settle on one religion or not, tolerance will get you through the trip.
carmel
I don't know how I feel about religion. I know I am burnt out and not comfortable to trust any organized religion. Maybe in time that will change. But for now I am not worried about it. I am living my life. Not as one who doesn't believe God exists, but yet not one who needs to prove he does either.
I need time off..
I'm a Theist, and have (I believe) a fair amount figured out, but lots to still figure out, so sure, I'm searching.........
Love_Truth- likes it this way, thinks it'd be quite boring to know it "all".
The more I search, the more Secular Humanism is appealing.
http://www.secularhumanism.org/intro/index.htm
I live near an UU church that I have wanted to go to for months to check out...they have a pretty decent website, but I just cannot get myself out the door on Sunday mornings...how lazy is that?? =)
I would not say I am aetheist at all, but still working on a few things. from what I hear about UU, you can be a total aetheist and still be perfectly comfortable attending their churches..at least some of them. Each congregation is different. Besides not being a morning person, my husband really does not have any need to be associated with a church. He told me he would go with me once in a while if I can find one that can work with his confirmed belief in no god....
I need more of a community than spiritual thing at this point I think.
I'm quite spiritual though I follow no formal religious structure. I find the basic ideals of Theosophy very good.
The gods that religion teaches us about are misrepresented. No wonder mankind is in a state of spiritual confusion. I do not call myself a christian, yet I do follow the foremost teaching of Jesus and other enlightened men who have lived among us: show love and compassion.
Look inside your heart and make a pleading for direction and guidance. Follow your instincts, learn to love yourself, and your life will be enriched beyond measure. Your troubles won't magically disappear, but the way in which you perceive them most definitely will.
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