Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Religion/Spirituality and Morality

I know certain things are taboo to discuss in open company, and religion is certainly one of those things. I'm going to do it anyway! I struggle with what I believe in. I have big issues with organized religion in general because it seems like every denomination thinks if you're not a member of their church, you're going to hell. I believe you can still lead a good, moral life without religion. I grew up in a loosely Christian environment. My dad never went to church with us. I really think my mom just took me to church for the structure more than anything else. Once I got older and didn't want to go all the time, she didn't push it. I've never been a regular church goer since then. I really think our relationship with whatever higher power (if any) we believe in is personal and shouldn't depend on us showing up at a building every week to worship. I'm rambling...I know!

If you feel like sharing, I'm very interested in what other people feel and believe.

7 comments:

Robin said...

Interesting question! I believe in God, but it's my vague idea of God, and not the God they talk about in temple. When I really think about what they're saying in Temple (the 2 or 3 times in my life I've gone), it freaks me out. Too much smiting and revenge and nastiness. Or too much groveling and ass kissing so you don't get smited (smote?). Plus, most really religious people I know treat everyone like shit, so how is that being religious?

But most of what I believe, is that I couldn't care less what anyone else believes. As long as they don't foist it upon me.

conley730 said...

Amen to that, Robin! More than anything I hate when people try to convert you.

Spy Scribbler said...

I've been on the receiving end of too much This is the Way for my comfort. My one friend would just die for me to "be saved," and I'm afraid it irritates the heck out of me. What's funny, is she's actually a big part of why I'm not a Christian today: she always feel holier when her life sucks.

Me? I need a more proactive religion.

conley730 said...

Spy, I can see how that would drive you away. My grandparents were a little like that, but since they were out of state I only got to see them a few times a year.

ANeibaur said...

Wow... this is a touchy subject. But I have to say that I agree whole heartedly with you.
I know we have had this conversation before but its always interesting to me to see what others think to. People are sooo passionate about religion, whether apart of it or not. I know that growing up in UT in a single parent home, and an extremely mormon family and neighbors it was really hard! My mother let us decide what we wanted, while I know she struggled for acceptance from everyone. We went to church for special things like baptisms and blessings, or weddings and funerals, and a couple of times I went with other family members to experience it. Many people called my mother Evil, and shunned me from their children because I was Unholy!
When I was a teenager I hated everything religion and refused to believe in it, or associate myself with it or people in it. Made things difficult at times, but as I got older I made friends that didn't judge me and we were able to have meaningful conversations without converting eachother to the "otherside".
My issue has never been the religion, I believe 100% that everyone is entitled to believe what they believe. But religion isn't for everyone, the only reason I stay away is because I don't believe in things that I can't see or prove. There are those "special" warm and fuzzy feelings that I get like everyone else, but its hard for me because my heart can't justify it as "god" or "angels". The human body is too complex, and science has over ridden most of my spirituality, but let me contradict myself when I say I believe in the miracle of the soul. Giving birth was something that made me think otherwise... that perhaps there is a god. So I will just say that personally I am confused. LOL. But im ok with it.

My beef with religion...

Judgmental, hypocritical, contracting, Jesus freaks.
Its one thing to believe, but its another to shove it down someones throaght and tell them that they are a bad person because they don't necessarily go along with the bible 100%.
Its people that I am against. Not religion.
Religion has become a game. An unfair battle for acceptance.

conley730 said...

Alyse, you're absolutely right about the people being the bad part. Some of the worst people I've ever met are some of the ones who claim to be the most religious.

ANeibaur said...

this is true. Religion can be an amazing aspect of life, but some people turn it into something terrible. It shouldn't be that way.
I was talking to my MIL yesterday and apparantly some of her closest friends have stopped talking to her because they found out recently that she and her husband stopped going to church. It sad really... Really really sad!