I shed all Theist religions, 30 years ago. Not wanting to belong is an enormous understatement. Religions prey on human weakness.
This post was edited by Don Barzini at December 13, 2017 3:48 PM MST
Thank you Sunshine, Lady Hermit, Lulu's Mom, and Don Barzini :). I did word my question kind of funky. Sorry about that ;) I wasn't sure how to put it. Your input answered some of the questions I have. I asked because I wonder about people who were raised by parents who follow one religion and somewhere through their personal travels discovered other ideas might be more appealing. I've found it interesting that children who are raised and made to go to church aren't so much anymore. Structured religion of any sort seems to be fading away. I am a very spiritual person and have found the study of all religions to be interesting and complex. I'm delighted to hear you all have found your way. Thanks again for answering! Love, Merlin
This post was edited by Merlin at December 13, 2017 5:13 PM MST
Keep in mind, Merlin, religion has no monopoly on spirituality. Nor should it. Only you can (should) determine what and how you believe.
This post was edited by Don Barzini at December 14, 2017 12:17 PM MST
Very true Don. Thank you. The concept of differentiating between the two took me a little while. I was raised with going to church and Sunday school. In the same breath, when our mom thought we were old enough to grasp the whole concept, she did give us a choice. We stopped going to church but never stopped growing spiritually. When I go home, I still go to church out of respect to her and her beliefs. Also to mine, in a sense. It is wonderful you shared the difference.
Humans were spiritual both independently and collectively LONG before any of the religions we currently know were born. While the methods and tenets differ, often widely, spirituality in some form has been known to every culture.
Religions for the most part grew on the commonality of regional traditions, co-opting and absorbing other practices and rituals over time. Spirituality is a source of religion, though faith purveyors would have you think the inverse is true. Religions are codified versions of spirituality. Easy to surmise when we know which came first.
This post was edited by Don Barzini at December 15, 2017 12:43 AM MST
Hi Merlin, I too am very spiritual minded and for me a religion does not have to define my relationship with God. And for those who think it does, more power to them.
Religions are quite a study. I'm glad to say I don't belong to one either but I have many, many friends that do choose to be in them. They are wonderful people and all very diverse. It is quite interesting this time of year ;) :) Thanks Charlies Angel for taking a moment and answering! Love, Merlin
It's a matter of personal choice. Churches are communities of like minded people....people who share similar theology. There are many reasons to be part of such a community and I was very active for many years in my Church. I am not now for lots of reasons, none of which are hostile. My denomination has taken a turn that I cannot take with it. I'm an inactive member for now. I hear people in these discussions talking about religion and I have to wonder what kind of organizations they were associated with. My denomination is mainline Protestant, not evangelical. I'm waiting and seeing how far things go but in the interim, on those Sundays when I want to attend a formal service I go to one...somewhere. I'm in a new town, well, three years now, and I often go to Mass or to a Protestant worship service. It is enriching for me. That is not the same thing you get from a Church home. We have to always remember that religion is a man made thing which is not the case for God and the Faith many of us have.
Merlin 