I don’t think I’ve ever taken on a religion post. I meant to work on one this week, Jen’s Spin challenge kept nipping at the corners of my thoughts on a way too busy work week.
Like Jan, I’m not sure where this might be going, but I’ll just get started and see what happens. I almost feel like I should have done this on a Random Tuesday as my thoughts on religion run the gamut.
I guess I could start by saying I always thought there was more to life than this world we live in. So, in my own way I’ve always had faith and believed.
I did not grow up going to church. My mom wanted us to go, or said she did. She and my dad used to fight about our lack of church going. My dad was agnostic and told my mom she could take us kids to church, but he wasn’t coming. She took us to Sunday school for a time, but not for too much time.
I used to go to church with other families on occasion. Like when you spend the night at a friend’s house on Saturday and they take you along with them to church the next day. I acted all whatevers. But on the inside, I was hoping for a spiritual epiphany that never happened. Mostly, I was only aware of hypocrisy and judgmentalism (apparently made up word I'm keeping).
I found my solace, my center, mostly in nature. I’d go for hikes alone. I liked cliffs and views.
Sometimes I would notice a moment of grace in something random. It was like everything became both clear and surreal at the same time.
There are many things that bother me about organized religions. Uppermost is the narrow mindedness of those who are loudest. The horrible things that are done in the name of religion both past and present. I often wonder if others besides myself notice the similarities in the self-righteous zealots of opposing religions…
I also wonder why these same people do not notice the similarities of what is good about their faiths.
I have been teased (accused) of having a smorgasbord belief system in that I am curious and open to all faiths. I have read several major religious books and there’s a lot of common ground as far as I am concerned.
Love one another. Be kind. Help one another. Be of service.
“The alien living with you must be treated as one of your neighbor born. Love him as yourself.” Leviticus 19:34
For more spins on religion, go on over and visit Jen at Sprite's Keeper.
30 comments:
Love. There is mine...
well said, pseudo! I - on the other hand - was born and bred in Catholicism and my epiphanies still some in small moments of grace.
I also dine from the spiritual smorgasbord...
I think when done right, all organized religions are just different paths to the same place...
What my sis just said... My FB profile says 'all paths lead to where you are going' under the religion section...
Pseudo, I think we are spiritual sisters. I hope we meet some day.
For a subject you started out saying you weren't sure where it would lead you, you stated clearly and concisely what you believe, what you are comfortable with, and what you would like to see happen. I too have studied many religions and see the wonderful ties that bind them, not what tears them apart. I personally do attend church. Not for seven years. I feel that half the people who attend church regularly are doing it for business contacts and not for the spiritual benefits they profess to share with the other congregants. Not that it is my business why anyone else does something, just that it is my observation and what I have been told by just those people.
Nice post for a sensitive subject. I prefer to focus on our similarities and similar beliefs as opposed to fighting over our differences.
Nice post. As a Christian, the one thing those of us who follow Jesus need more of is humility. He talked about it a lot, but we sure don't seem to get it. Blessings.
Your thoughts and "beliefs" sound a lot like mine. :)
I don't get into religion at all. I still declare myself a catholic, but I don't profess much faith in that religion or any. It seems to me we all look for complete answers to our questions. We find them in many places, in many languages, in many settings. Organized religion might be a good place to start our search, but it should not end there.
I don't think of myself as religious at all, although I am a member of the Quaker Meeting and a practicing Buddhist (but in a slackerly way). What I believe in is love and compassion - taking care of each other and the earth. I don;t feel like I need a creed or even a god for that - just a guiding set of ethical priniciples which make sense to me.
I believe that as long as I don't cause another person to stumble in walking through their life I'm pretty much good. All the other organized religion stuff just seems disingenuous to me.
Well said, Pseudo.
I think moments of grace can only be found "at random." Perfectly said, Pseudo. Thank you.
Beautifully said, Pseudo. It's the small amounts of grace that add up more than the large displays. You're linked1
This was a terrific post Pseudo-- I feel like I know you a little better. Thank you.
Happy weekend, jj
"I often wonder if others besides myself notice the similarities in the self-righteous zealots of opposing religions…" I so agree with that.
My beliefs are on the same lines as yours.
I am shouting "Amen" from my corner of the world...can you hear me? :) A wonderful post dear lady. Your words have blessed me once again. Thank you. Hope you and yours are having a good weekend and that it's been a time of refreshment for you. XX
That's pretty much how I feel too. I can't over how "hypocritical" so many church goers are. Love everyone yet turn your nose up at them if they don't fit in your mold.
I've never understood how so many "religious" people think that you MUST believe in order to "Love one another. Be kind. Help one another. Be of service."
Well written, my friend. Well written.
I'm a Zen Lutheran...I think.
Right on, Pseudo :)
"different paths to the same place" is excellent! Love, compassion, being kind, doing your best and withholding judgement (because we only walk in our own shoes)are excellent qualities...whether you ascribe to a certain religion or not. Peace and Blessings my friend.
i'm eating at the same spiritual buffet. i've waited for an ephiphany all my life. i can't embrace organized religions either. i've tried it, i really have, but it felt so...fake.
Well said for someone who didn't know where it was going. I completely agree. When it comes down to the knitty, gritty, most religions are the same. Pick the one who's music you like the most and dance to it.
Beautifully said!
A wonderful post Pseudo, and I'm with you on organized religion. I'm a believer, but a private one; what I have to say about it is between me and my God, full stop.
When our kids were younger, we took a summer and visited many different denominations with them. We hoped by doing so we could show them that the similarities far outweigh the differences and the "big" things are almost always the same.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on religion. It's a sticky subject and I appreciate your open-mindedness.
As a side note I am in the process of exporting my blog to another web address. I'll be taking The Crazy Single Life offline soon. If you would like to continue following me pop by my new blog http://othersideofbeautiful.blogspot.com
Let people call it what they will. You've found a spiritual path that brings meaning and beauty into your life, which is what's truly important.
Left you something at my place.
Jane
YES! I have issues with the self-righteous hypocrites who espouse tolerance, yet have so little tolerance for other religions.
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