HomeNot enough hours in the day!
Member Since: October 17, 2007 Last Signed In: October 30, 2008 Blog Views: 458 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
Proud Happy Tears
Help! A weekend away! Another Disappointment Calgon Take Me Away! PLEASE Best Haircut Yet! Questions about spirituality Rough Holiday Season Countdown to Christmas November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 
RSS 2.0    |
|
|
Questions about spirituality
My husband and I went to church this Sunday for the first time being married. We wanted our 3 year old to go to the Sunday school there to get an idea of what preschool would be like, and we wanted to see if we liked the church. My 3 year old had a blast, a friend of mine was in the classroom with him, and she said he loved it. We liked the church overall, the songs, the preacher was funny, and it had a warm feeling to it. However it left my husband and I a little conflicted about our beliefs. We both agree there is a God, and that a higher power does exist. But some of the things that the preacher talked about didn't make sense to us. Can we believe in God and Jesus, but not agree with some of the things in the Bible? Can you call yourself a Christian and still believe in Evolution? He talked about prayer, and he referenced to a part in the Bible that said since God couldn't find one person in some land to pray, he destroyed the land. In the book of Jobe he said that Satan could do anything he wanted to this man, but the only thing he couldn't do was to take his life. It was to prove to Satan that no matter what you did to him his belief in God would remain. Now our first thoughts were, wow that is a pretty harsh thing for God to do. He is destroying a land, letting Satan torture a man, and from what the preacher said he had boils from head to toe. Should I believe in a God that would do this? He also said that if you don't pray then God basically wants nothing to do with you. He also said that God should be your number one priority in life, and that he is responsible for all good and bad that happens. Now I could be misinterpreting all of this, but my husband and I took it the same way. When he told us about all the things that God does for us in our lives I thought to myself, no my husband and children do that for me. I related everything back to them. They are my number one priority. I want to believe in Jesus and be religious. I want to attend a church that says its okay to disagree with some of the things in the Bible. Some of the things in there just don't make sense to me.I don't want a church to tell me what to believe, I want them to support me in what I already believe, and to not try to change me. There have been too many things that have happened in my life to make me think, someone is really watching over me. I don't know how I survived some things unless there is a God and he protected me. But there are so many questions, and it seems that its either 100% believe or don't believe at all. I quit going to church a long time ago for this very reason. Every church I go to tells me that I have to believe 100%. I am not sure I can. Does that make me an atheist? I am so confused, and I don't know where I stand. So many of my friends are Christians and they believe with all their hearts, I wish I could, because then I wouldn't have this conflicted feeling inside me. Wow I really sound desperate, I'm not. I'm fine. My whole life I have had these questions, and this weekend just brought them all back into my mind. All I can say is that I pray for my family and friends to stay safe and healthy every day because that is what means the most in my life. I hate to say it but without God in my life I still have my family, but without my family I would have nothing. 11 comments from 6 users
1
posted by
creatress
on Jan 14, 2008 at 08:56 AM
posted by
blahblahblah
on Jan 14, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Ditto the UU church. While I haven't been there YET, they seem far more in line with what I'm looking for in a church. Inclusion, instead of exclusion.
posted by
ToscaSac
on Jan 14, 2008 at 07:10 PM
I wonder what church you went to and what your religious background is. I am not quite sure about all the things you mentioned that were said ie. .."if you don't pray God wants nothing to do with you" yikes from what I understand prayer is talking with God. Well how can you talk to someone you don't know? And if He only wants to talk to those who are already talking to Him how could anyone new ever start? Sounds like a problem and not very Biblical. I recommend reading the Bible for yourself more before making any further decisions and maybe talking to the friend who was with your son at that church. Is she a member does she have a different view than this for what it is all about?
posted by
anonymous
on Jan 14, 2008 at 10:13 PM
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. It's that simple. Wars have been fought. People have died over the details. The rest is about rules on how to live this life until we have eternal life. A Triune God is hard to literally understand. Prayer is essentially communicating with God. Some can't agree HOW this is done. Science hasn't proven there is or isn't a God. Science is a blessing from God. Evolution is not necessarily exclusive of God. We continue to develop / evolve. My life is filled with miracles and blessings including my son and family. Faith is challenged through trials and death (my first child, my mom, grandparents etc.). Yet I still believe. Churches are filled with humans, so misunderstandings and hypocricy will exist. Humans aren't perfect. Believe is a leap of faith. Find a place you are comfortable. It's O.K. to want to know more about God and your relationship to the world. It's what Bible study and missions have in common. Best wishes, Pamela  posted by
creatress
on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I like what everyone said and agree. But know that the Bible isn't the only spiritual text in town (nor the oldest). Reading is indeed a good way to start, but I think she was looking for a little more of a "community" than just a book. Â Â posted by
anonymous
on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:51 PM
That depends upon belief in and use of the book. Books, sacred writings and oral tradition are important in all communities in many cultures. Stories, books, etc. are written to share ideas, inspire traditions, educate, etc. I was addressing her overall topic of "Questions about spirituality" and some concerns that she raised, not just the "book" issue. Pamela    posted by
anonymous
on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:56 PM
By "find a place you are comfortable", I mean a church or other community that addresses and helps nurture spiritual needs. Pamela posted by
ToscaSac
on Jan 16, 2008 at 12:47 AM
I liked what you wrote Pamela it made perfect sense to me. It is hard to try and answer such inquiries so publically and with strangers but perhaps equally hard to have to ask them in such an arena so I am greatful to see responses I can identify with but didn't have the wisdom to type myself.
posted by
jnkmommy
on Jan 16, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Wow. I thank you all for your comments. I talked to my friend at the church, and she reassured me that I didn't have to take the stories in the Bible so literally, and to just try to get an overall message from them. I also talked to the preacher and we talked about the history of the Bible. I still am not sure I agree with it 100%, but that doesn't mean I can't be religious. He still would like me to put God above of everything else in my life, and I told him I am not sure I can. I went to the Unitarian Universalist website and read some of the past lessons, and it did sound very interesting. I might go this weekend to the one in Sacramento and check it out. I will let you know how it goes. Thank you all for your support and comments. I feel I am working toward figuring out my spiritual feelings, and that is something I have been wanting to do for many years now. Thank You! :)
posted by
creatress
on Jan 17, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Good luck! And you're not alone. I think there are many people who have gone through the same things, asked the same questions and also won't put themselves and their family after something else.
posted by
anonymous
on Jan 21, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Try listening on line to the Sheperdschapel.com. Pasture Murray reads the bible line for line, word for word and explains in detail each verse in the bible. If you have questions this is a wonderful resource that I found when I had confusion with the bible. All your answers are in the bible. You will not find answers on your first visit to church. You need to study the bible and faithfully read it daily. Purchase a concordance to help you with words you dont understand or a bible companion. (Sorry if my spelling is bad) . The more you read the more you will find answers and sometimes it takes reading the same chapter more than once. It will eventually answer questions you have. Get into a bible study class. But, first you need to make sure your church follows the bible word for word and not get off the topic. Your church should know that Jesus is God. Good Luck in your spiritual quest. I will be praying for you. God Loves all his children and has a plan already set for your life. He will guide you. Through thick and thin he is always there. He will never give you anything that you can not handle. Always pray and you will find the answerd to your questions. The Bible has ALL YOUR ANSWERS.
1
|
I agree wtih you 100% and feel the same way. My son and I go to the Unitarian Universalist church in Davis. The UU church has 7 beliefs (is all-inclusive and open to everyone. There is no Bible, no crosses, and if Jesus is refered to, it's in context and is also discussed with other wise teachers through history like Buddah, etc..).
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
Our UU church has a woman minister and a beautiful fountain at the front by the alter where people can place a stone in when sharing something important in their lives. They do a lot for the community (and a % of the "offerings" always go to local charities). They have a GREAT children's program and two services. They are also structured just like any other church (singing, meditation (prayer time), reading from works of literature or people sharing experiences (rather than from the Bible), stone in the fountain (rather than communion)... I know it sounds a little hippie, but it really is lovely.
I really connect with the people there and how open and loving they are. EVERYONE is welcome and not judged. Gay, straight, married, single, old, young, Athiest, Buddhist, it doesn't matter. Everyong is respectful of each others beliefs (unlike other churches) and you are encouraged to find your own spiritual path while learning about and respecting other people. There is no "right" there (which I also love), only respect, love and sharing.
Sorry if I'm ranting. It just sounded like the kind of place that may be a good match for you and your family. I'm sure there's one closer to you than Davis. Hope this was helpful! :)