I've long been a believer in GOD and that belief has only grown stronger as I get older. I believe there is a reward in the afterlife and therefore, I am much more concerned with where than when I go! What difference does a few years as a mortal make compared to eternity?
Hi Bill, my name is Cristian, and I’m from Santiago, Chile. I’m Catholic, and my faith has grown stronger over the years, due to my wife and kids. We have been together for over 28 years, and she has strong faith, and she has actively participated in a religious congregation as a layperson for over 40 years; she even got me involved. What´s more, my 5 children (3 in university and 2 in high school) have also gotten involved in our congregation, in the young adult sections. As their faith and commitment have grown, so has mine. Sharing my faith with my family, and seeing it blossom across our life has made me a very happy man.
I grew up in a mixed religious faith family - Dad was Jewish, mom had been raised Southern Baptist, they decided to raise their kids Methodist. We went to services sporadically but were taught at home to be faithful. I married & wanted to raise my boys to learn more about their faith so took them to church/Methodist regularly until they were teens & didn't care much for the atmosphere there. Years later I went thru a divorce & altho I didn't actually attend services I became much more faithful & studied more & that has gotten me thru a lot. In fact I strongly believe it was an act of faith that brought me where I am now - moved to this state not knowing another soul. That's kind-of a long story, but it happened because of a short window of time prior to my divorce & deciding where to move.
eta: I find things to be grateful for EVERY DAY. Before we married, my current husband and I went through a lot of questions to answer to get to know each other. Many were faith-based. We share a lot of the same beliefs and continue to do so.
First, let me say I have a profound respect for those with whose faith in any denomination is rooted in doing good in the world. I myself am a recovering catholic best described as agnostic and a humanist. My moralistic compass is pointed at my firm belief that I have a responsibility to other living things that are tangible in the here and now and not because of some reward when I die. I started feeling this way in about 6th grade; ironically it was my catholic school lay teacher who inspired me to appreciate science and reason. This was solidified I think when I realized the only reason why I believed in god is the same reason I believed in Santa Claus, my parents told me both existed at early age. I am married to a devout catholic and I admire her commitment and we support each others choice of faith or lack thereof.
Our family was never religious, I think because my Dad was forced to go to church every Sunday and he just had enough. We went to a little non-denominational church when we were really young. After that closed, we seldomly went, no way could my mom get 6 kids up and dressed and out the door on a Sunday. I go now and again, I find it peaceful to listen to the sermons and we have some beautiful churches in my area. I think there is a higher being but don't think any one denomination holds the right to that deity.
The AI thing may think it can predict your life span but doesn't account for your stepping in front of a bus or falling down the stairs and breaking your neck or any of the many, many other accidents that kill people before their time. I would rather have it be a surprise. And I wonder if that hard drive with the bitcoin wallet on it is even functional any more, having been exposed to air, water, being run over with heavy equipment. I am going to assume the guy has never been involved in searching landfills, it is a hard, smelly and unforgiving task.
What Steve said is exactly my path as well also at an early age especially after asking my then minister why god would be jealous which, to me, seemed all too human an emotion for any worthwhile god to be having, and a destructive one at that.
Just finished reading about the horrid pattern of suicides in the Marine Corp staff of D.I.s
To my way of thinking, emotionally intelligent people can’t function by abusing either themselves or others. Terribly sad stories.
My brother and I were foster kids and we went to Roman Catholic schools both elementary and high school. It was in high school where I first witnessed the physical abuse place on the students by the Brothers who taught at the school. When I was in grade 10, I was watching some students play basketball in the gymnasium. The Principal of the school came in and yelled at me to get out of the gym. As I was walking away, he came up behind me and grabbed my hair. I slapped his hand away and punched him twice. Told him “Don’t you ever touch me again”. I was suspended for a week. There is so much more to this story that I could go on. This high school now has a lawsuit against it for physical and sexual abuses to students.
My father became a southern baptist when I was in the 6th grade so let your imagination run wild with that. We couldn’t even use playing cards because they were evil. I dabbled with religious dogma at our church but changed my mind somewhere during the 10th grade.
While I am “spiritual” I have no use for organized religion or dogma. The spiritual nature of the universe is ineffable. Just because someone says it is true doesn’t make it so. I don’t need a made up an explanation and I don’t need religion to have morals. Moreover, no one can agree on which religion is right. I’ve read there are more than 4,500 different religions in the world. In fact, there are more than 45,000 christian denominations alone globally. Add that to all the other religions and…wow…
My wife of nearly 50 years and I have always been on the same page with religion. I don’t begrudge others being religious but will not accept their beliefs being thrust on me. I believe I probably have something akin to a “soul” and believe there is more than meets the eye and I leave it at that.
I love the way Ricky Gervais puts it when he say he believes in dog; so do I:
He believes that dogs are the greatest things on earth. He considers them "magical, brilliant, amazing and beautiful souls."
"It's the closest I get to spirituality, watching a dog,"
Ricky Gervais is someone who I quote often (and shares my mutual feelings for dogs!) To paraphrase one of his observations in line with your post: “there are 3000 denominations in this world, the only difference between me and them is I believe in one less one than they do”
Firstly, to clarify: 'Religon' is Man's attempt to reach God; true Christianity allows God/Christ to enter you. The first 20 years of my life was as a Roman Catholic which led to too many questions concerning "Maryology", the Pope being (almost?) divine, and the supposed existence of Purgatory. Changed to a non-denominational church, Calvary Chapel on the West coast and have most recently become a member of the local E.L.C.A. aka the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Hopefully I haven't offended any 'lapsed' Catholics...forgive me if I have.
When I was a child, I called myself an atheist. This persisted into my thirties. I opted out of religion.
However, I am now deeply aware of my connection to god/power of the universe/consciousness.
My journey towards faith began when I met my guru. He never tried to tell me what to do or what to think. He would tell stories. And these stories made me think—I began to change. I wanted to understand how the world worked and how we are all connected.
He, and now me as well, knows the power of forgiveness. This is partially why I enjoyed your Feb. 10, 2025 blog which ends,
“Oh, and don't forget that forgiveness is power. So is having the courage to ask for it, or to grant it, or to move on and live without it.”
I think that this message has the power to improve lives exponentially—especially in today’s world where anxiety and anguish are all too commonplace.
The other thing I have learned about a religion or belief system is that when the teacher is also the student and vice versa then the process is much more effective and mutually beneficial.
I grew up going to Christian Science Sunday School, but I never really espoused the doctrine. Then in graduate school I experienced a spiritual crisis and became a born again Christian, very active in the church. That lasted for almost 30 years when I started to see problems. The way the evangelicals latched on to Donald Trump turned me off completely, and I left the church. Today I have no faith; I guess you could say I am an agnostic.
My faith has had ebbs and flows through the years. Lately, however, I've come to a decision, based on a conversation I had with God, that has strengthened my connection to Him, and in turn, strengthened my faith. It was when I learned that a conversation with God worked both ways. Somewhere during a normal day, I started questioning my "being" - who am I?; what am I doing here?; what is my purpose here? And I offhandedly said, "Okay, God. Any time you wanna talk, I'll listen." BAM! God literally shouted back to me, "NO!" Then in a softer tone He said, "Any time you want to listen, I'll talk." I've learned to listen to Him. And, He speaks. Sometimes directly to me, and sometimes he uses someone else. But whenever I'm open to listen, He'll talk. Count me as one whose faith has truly been changed and strengthened.
I think I'm the boomerang of religion. My parents were both raised serious Catholic (is there a non-serious Catholic??) because their parents were "serious Catholic." As a little girl we all went to church as a family....grandparents, parents, small kiddos. As my brother and I got older, it was done with a threat "You will be good and go to church....if you embarrass me there will be ...fill in the blank." At some point my mom and dad decided we would start our own Sunday practice which included listening to jazz/classical music on the record player, read the paper/funnies and eat bagels....not sure how bagels became the Sunday meal but I love bagels on Sunday to this day. Fast forward through decades of non-church years to 2003 when I gave birth to my sweet son in Denver, Colorado where the public school system is a mix bag. We ended up enrolling my son in a Lutheran school and you received better tuition rates if you were a church member. The church/school had an amazing Pastor who I was fortunate to get to know. He had amazing Sunday sermons that I loved to attend that were thought provoking, always set a great note to start the week and were overall, inspiring. Then came Covid, the Pastor was moved out of the district and the church went back to the typical "You stink if you don't come to church every Sunday" sermons. To say the least, my son has graduated from college and my husband and I enjoy Sunday mornings listening to Jazz and yep....eating bagels.
I was raised Lutheran. Went through confirmation, the whole bit. As a 15 year old. I went with my bible study class to hear Billy Graham at the Cow Palace. At the cal to go forward, I was moved to respond. After I did so, I was ushered into a tent where they wanted me to fill out a pledge card to declare the amount I would contribute. This was surprising to me and disillusioning.
I began to notice other things that were out of synch with the teachings of Jesus. After marriage I quit going altogether.
During the Vietnam War I began going to Unitarian services as they were assisting those who wanted to avoid the draft.
Much later I discovered Science of Mind and Heart which accepts all faiths. I’ve been there for 25 years now.
I grew up as a practicing Catholic. My parents are still very active in the church. My faith was tested when we put our child in confirmation class. Parents instead of clergy led this, and the classes did not talk about god, love, and what you would think would be part of the curriculum. We had to remove her from her first teacher and "unteach" what he covered. Ridiculous things like animals having no soul when they die, women should stop working when they marry, and they shouldn't watch horror movies because the devil would take their soul. She still was confirmed (with another teacher), but all of our foundations in the church were challenged and we haven't gone back.
I've long been a believer in GOD and that belief has only grown stronger as I get older. I believe there is a reward in the afterlife and therefore, I am much more concerned with where than when I go! What difference does a few years as a mortal make compared to eternity?
Hi Bill, my name is Cristian, and I’m from Santiago, Chile. I’m Catholic, and my faith has grown stronger over the years, due to my wife and kids. We have been together for over 28 years, and she has strong faith, and she has actively participated in a religious congregation as a layperson for over 40 years; she even got me involved. What´s more, my 5 children (3 in university and 2 in high school) have also gotten involved in our congregation, in the young adult sections. As their faith and commitment have grown, so has mine. Sharing my faith with my family, and seeing it blossom across our life has made me a very happy man.
I grew up in a mixed religious faith family - Dad was Jewish, mom had been raised Southern Baptist, they decided to raise their kids Methodist. We went to services sporadically but were taught at home to be faithful. I married & wanted to raise my boys to learn more about their faith so took them to church/Methodist regularly until they were teens & didn't care much for the atmosphere there. Years later I went thru a divorce & altho I didn't actually attend services I became much more faithful & studied more & that has gotten me thru a lot. In fact I strongly believe it was an act of faith that brought me where I am now - moved to this state not knowing another soul. That's kind-of a long story, but it happened because of a short window of time prior to my divorce & deciding where to move.
eta: I find things to be grateful for EVERY DAY. Before we married, my current husband and I went through a lot of questions to answer to get to know each other. Many were faith-based. We share a lot of the same beliefs and continue to do so.
First, let me say I have a profound respect for those with whose faith in any denomination is rooted in doing good in the world. I myself am a recovering catholic best described as agnostic and a humanist. My moralistic compass is pointed at my firm belief that I have a responsibility to other living things that are tangible in the here and now and not because of some reward when I die. I started feeling this way in about 6th grade; ironically it was my catholic school lay teacher who inspired me to appreciate science and reason. This was solidified I think when I realized the only reason why I believed in god is the same reason I believed in Santa Claus, my parents told me both existed at early age. I am married to a devout catholic and I admire her commitment and we support each others choice of faith or lack thereof.
Our family was never religious, I think because my Dad was forced to go to church every Sunday and he just had enough. We went to a little non-denominational church when we were really young. After that closed, we seldomly went, no way could my mom get 6 kids up and dressed and out the door on a Sunday. I go now and again, I find it peaceful to listen to the sermons and we have some beautiful churches in my area. I think there is a higher being but don't think any one denomination holds the right to that deity.
The AI thing may think it can predict your life span but doesn't account for your stepping in front of a bus or falling down the stairs and breaking your neck or any of the many, many other accidents that kill people before their time. I would rather have it be a surprise. And I wonder if that hard drive with the bitcoin wallet on it is even functional any more, having been exposed to air, water, being run over with heavy equipment. I am going to assume the guy has never been involved in searching landfills, it is a hard, smelly and unforgiving task.
Melissa, I share your belief that one denomination doesn't have all the right interpretation of the truth
What Steve said is exactly my path as well also at an early age especially after asking my then minister why god would be jealous which, to me, seemed all too human an emotion for any worthwhile god to be having, and a destructive one at that.
Just finished reading about the horrid pattern of suicides in the Marine Corp staff of D.I.s
To my way of thinking, emotionally intelligent people can’t function by abusing either themselves or others. Terribly sad stories.
My brother and I were foster kids and we went to Roman Catholic schools both elementary and high school. It was in high school where I first witnessed the physical abuse place on the students by the Brothers who taught at the school. When I was in grade 10, I was watching some students play basketball in the gymnasium. The Principal of the school came in and yelled at me to get out of the gym. As I was walking away, he came up behind me and grabbed my hair. I slapped his hand away and punched him twice. Told him “Don’t you ever touch me again”. I was suspended for a week. There is so much more to this story that I could go on. This high school now has a lawsuit against it for physical and sexual abuses to students.
Lost Faith, yes.
My father became a southern baptist when I was in the 6th grade so let your imagination run wild with that. We couldn’t even use playing cards because they were evil. I dabbled with religious dogma at our church but changed my mind somewhere during the 10th grade.
While I am “spiritual” I have no use for organized religion or dogma. The spiritual nature of the universe is ineffable. Just because someone says it is true doesn’t make it so. I don’t need a made up an explanation and I don’t need religion to have morals. Moreover, no one can agree on which religion is right. I’ve read there are more than 4,500 different religions in the world. In fact, there are more than 45,000 christian denominations alone globally. Add that to all the other religions and…wow…
My wife of nearly 50 years and I have always been on the same page with religion. I don’t begrudge others being religious but will not accept their beliefs being thrust on me. I believe I probably have something akin to a “soul” and believe there is more than meets the eye and I leave it at that.
I love the way Ricky Gervais puts it when he say he believes in dog; so do I:
He believes that dogs are the greatest things on earth. He considers them "magical, brilliant, amazing and beautiful souls."
"It's the closest I get to spirituality, watching a dog,"
Ricky Gervais is someone who I quote often (and shares my mutual feelings for dogs!) To paraphrase one of his observations in line with your post: “there are 3000 denominations in this world, the only difference between me and them is I believe in one less one than they do”
Ricky is something…
Firstly, to clarify: 'Religon' is Man's attempt to reach God; true Christianity allows God/Christ to enter you. The first 20 years of my life was as a Roman Catholic which led to too many questions concerning "Maryology", the Pope being (almost?) divine, and the supposed existence of Purgatory. Changed to a non-denominational church, Calvary Chapel on the West coast and have most recently become a member of the local E.L.C.A. aka the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Hopefully I haven't offended any 'lapsed' Catholics...forgive me if I have.
Sorry for the irreverence, but this seemed like the right crowd for this one:
What do you get when cross an insomniac, a dyslexic and an agnostic?
- Someone who lies awake all night long wondering whether or not there really is a DOG!
Love it!!!!
When I was a child, I called myself an atheist. This persisted into my thirties. I opted out of religion.
However, I am now deeply aware of my connection to god/power of the universe/consciousness.
My journey towards faith began when I met my guru. He never tried to tell me what to do or what to think. He would tell stories. And these stories made me think—I began to change. I wanted to understand how the world worked and how we are all connected.
He, and now me as well, knows the power of forgiveness. This is partially why I enjoyed your Feb. 10, 2025 blog which ends,
“Oh, and don't forget that forgiveness is power. So is having the courage to ask for it, or to grant it, or to move on and live without it.”
I think that this message has the power to improve lives exponentially—especially in today’s world where anxiety and anguish are all too commonplace.
The other thing I have learned about a religion or belief system is that when the teacher is also the student and vice versa then the process is much more effective and mutually beneficial.
I grew up going to Christian Science Sunday School, but I never really espoused the doctrine. Then in graduate school I experienced a spiritual crisis and became a born again Christian, very active in the church. That lasted for almost 30 years when I started to see problems. The way the evangelicals latched on to Donald Trump turned me off completely, and I left the church. Today I have no faith; I guess you could say I am an agnostic.
No faith in God or no faith in organized religion?
My faith has had ebbs and flows through the years. Lately, however, I've come to a decision, based on a conversation I had with God, that has strengthened my connection to Him, and in turn, strengthened my faith. It was when I learned that a conversation with God worked both ways. Somewhere during a normal day, I started questioning my "being" - who am I?; what am I doing here?; what is my purpose here? And I offhandedly said, "Okay, God. Any time you wanna talk, I'll listen." BAM! God literally shouted back to me, "NO!" Then in a softer tone He said, "Any time you want to listen, I'll talk." I've learned to listen to Him. And, He speaks. Sometimes directly to me, and sometimes he uses someone else. But whenever I'm open to listen, He'll talk. Count me as one whose faith has truly been changed and strengthened.
absolutely agree
I think I'm the boomerang of religion. My parents were both raised serious Catholic (is there a non-serious Catholic??) because their parents were "serious Catholic." As a little girl we all went to church as a family....grandparents, parents, small kiddos. As my brother and I got older, it was done with a threat "You will be good and go to church....if you embarrass me there will be ...fill in the blank." At some point my mom and dad decided we would start our own Sunday practice which included listening to jazz/classical music on the record player, read the paper/funnies and eat bagels....not sure how bagels became the Sunday meal but I love bagels on Sunday to this day. Fast forward through decades of non-church years to 2003 when I gave birth to my sweet son in Denver, Colorado where the public school system is a mix bag. We ended up enrolling my son in a Lutheran school and you received better tuition rates if you were a church member. The church/school had an amazing Pastor who I was fortunate to get to know. He had amazing Sunday sermons that I loved to attend that were thought provoking, always set a great note to start the week and were overall, inspiring. Then came Covid, the Pastor was moved out of the district and the church went back to the typical "You stink if you don't come to church every Sunday" sermons. To say the least, my son has graduated from college and my husband and I enjoy Sunday mornings listening to Jazz and yep....eating bagels.
I was raised Lutheran. Went through confirmation, the whole bit. As a 15 year old. I went with my bible study class to hear Billy Graham at the Cow Palace. At the cal to go forward, I was moved to respond. After I did so, I was ushered into a tent where they wanted me to fill out a pledge card to declare the amount I would contribute. This was surprising to me and disillusioning.
I began to notice other things that were out of synch with the teachings of Jesus. After marriage I quit going altogether.
During the Vietnam War I began going to Unitarian services as they were assisting those who wanted to avoid the draft.
Much later I discovered Science of Mind and Heart which accepts all faiths. I’ve been there for 25 years now.
I grew up as a practicing Catholic. My parents are still very active in the church. My faith was tested when we put our child in confirmation class. Parents instead of clergy led this, and the classes did not talk about god, love, and what you would think would be part of the curriculum. We had to remove her from her first teacher and "unteach" what he covered. Ridiculous things like animals having no soul when they die, women should stop working when they marry, and they shouldn't watch horror movies because the devil would take their soul. She still was confirmed (with another teacher), but all of our foundations in the church were challenged and we haven't gone back.