Admiring Those With Faith

Published on April 18, 2004 By JillUser In Religion

My recent article about being told I was going to hell got a comment that ticked me off so much that I figured I would write a blog about it. I was told by Dan that I was being disrespectful of Christians. I refuted that ascertion. Not only do I not make fun of them, I admire them. I admire anyone who feels in their heart that they know the truth about their purpose.

I am disappointed in those who can't accept that some people haven't been guided in the same way. Sherye at least admitted that she wasn't sure what I needed. I would love to be able to whole heartedly say "I believe Jesus Christ is the son of God." I wish I could but I don't. Maybe I just haven't experienced something that Christians have. Dan claims to know God and Jesus, I don't.

I am not an atheist. I believe in God. I believe we were created by a higher being. I talk to God. I have no proof that there is a God but I have a feeling that there is more to life than what we currently know. I have not had a similar feeling that has compelled me to believe that God sent his son here to die for the greater good of mankind. That concept just doesn't click to me. I don't know if it is a problem with my mind or heart. I just haven't been able to accept it.

The reason I say I admire, even envy those with faith is, there have been many difficult times that would have been easier to deal with if I could just accept that it was all part of a plan and that God would take care of things. I just have trouble believing that everything is so deliberate. Maybe it is my scientific mind getting in the way of acceptance.

Please do not leave quotes from the bible as a comment to this article. I will probably delete it if you do. I have read the bible and didn't find answers there. If you have life experiences or thoughts of your own, please share. Also, if you intend to tell me that I am going to hell because I haven't accepted Jesus as my saviour, save it. Know that I am happy for you that you have it all worked out for yourself. My spiritual work continues.

Comments

crimson

on Apr 18, 2004

Jilluser,
I do identify with you in this regard. I am spiritual, but do not believe wholy in the Creator, God, or by any other name that you might have for Him. Specifics, for me, are unimportant. I do know what I am here for, and why its better to be good than evil.

I do feel that God, Jesus, The Creator, Nanabush, etc., are all just names and stories that really suggest ways to behave, to act. I feel the love and support from these words, but really don't think that I will ever be able to point to a verse as if it is the end all and be all to life itself.

I agree, however, that those who are religious, and strong in their faith are to be admired... they've found a love to support them. To guide them.
I am just appalled about people who dare to ascertain that their God is better than anyone else's. That the way that they live life, is the only way. And that some people who demand respect have a funny way of showing it back.

Molly0597

on Apr 18, 2004

Good for both of you. I am a Christian (Catholic to be specific), but I am also very accepting of other religions. I am a pluralist, meaning that I believe people of all different relgions (or lack of religions) can go to Heaven. I also believe that many other religions worship the same God as I do. I think that people who assert that being Christian is the only way to get to Heaven are hypocritical. Jesus died to save all of us and he loves all of us. He wants us to love each other as well.

carebear07

on Apr 18, 2004

As Molly said. "Good for both of you." I am as well Catholic and accepting of other religions. Yes I do believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and that he died on the cross because he loved us all so much. I also believe that you can still be accepted into heaven even if you don't believe in God or Jesus or whatever you all want to call them. As long as you are a good person, and when I say this I mean that you haven't killed anybody or a thing such as that, then you can go to heaven when you die. Jesus is a forgiving person. Even if you don't believe in him he will still forgive you for what ever sin you may commit, because he loves you so much that he would do anything. If he had to die all over again for us he would be willing to. And just to let you know I'm not against your beliefs in any way. Untill next time.....

~carebear~

Sherye Hanson

on Apr 18, 2004

Your post reminded me of how I felt when I first started attending A.A. I do believe in God and find faith in Christ easy at this point. But then I felt that when they spoke about a higher power, I felt that the group itself functioned as a higher power. I think that when a group of people is supporting each other that God is in their midst. It is very hard to believe is you are trained to be a rationalist. Even I with all my religious training find it hard to pray for something I can't do on my own.

dharmagrl

on Apr 18, 2004

Ultimately, Jill, you have to go with what you are comfortable with. Christianity for me just didn't fit. it was like that poster in Mulder's office on 'The X-Files'..the one that says "I want to believe". I really did want to believe, but it just wasn't happening. I prayed and threw myself into it for years...still not happening. If you are comfortable where you're at...then that's all that matters. You are perfect as you are..too many people fall into the trap of thinking "if I were a Christian I'd be a better person" or "If I could force myself to pray and believe I'd be a better person". If you're a good person as it is, why do you feel the need to do that? Because of some promise of a glorious afterlife that no-one know for sure exists? I personally think it more pertinent and important to concentrate on doing things because they're altruistic and humane, not because it all counts towards your reward after you die.

JillUser

on Apr 18, 2004

Thanks to all for the kind comments. Dharma, I am comfortable with myself but I don't feel I will give up on looking for answers. I am not searching in order to gain a glorious afterlife. I am trying to understand my own people and why they believe what they do. Maybe I am missing something, maybe not. I am not afraid to question everything though. I learn more about myself through others all the time.

The only thing I feel in my heart is that I couldn't be destined to eternal torture by an father of mine. I just can't believe that God would say, "You doubted what I said about Jesus so you deserve to burn in eternal damnation." That just doesn't jive with me. There are wise people around the world that don't believe in the same ways. I plan to keep learning and encourage my kids to do the same.

dharmagrl

on Apr 18, 2004

Dharma, I am comfortable with myself but I don't feel I will give up on looking for answers.

No, you shouldn't stop. I hope I never stop looking.

I plan to keep learning and encourage my kids to do the same.

Excellent idea!

I just can't believe that God would say, "You doubted what I said about Jesus so you deserve to burn in eternal damnation."

Neither can I.

Abe cubbage

on Apr 18, 2004

Albert Einstein Quotes

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." "Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." "My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind." "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.""A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeeded be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." "Now he has departed from this strange world a little ahead of me. That means nothing. People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion." "He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action. It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."

I think he was on to something...

Abe cubbage

on Apr 18, 2004

Grrrr, I wish there was an edit button. All those quotes were seperated.

Draginol

on Apr 18, 2004

There is an eedit button I believe. The little icon next to the watch icon.

Abe cubbage

on Apr 18, 2004

Hmmm...Either the edit button is hiding right in front of me or it isn't being displayed on my computer.

JillUser

on Apr 19, 2004

You can only edit before someone else comments. Once someone else comments, the edit button disappears.

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