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As I grew older, I was firm in my belief that religion was for the weak - for those who wanted to blame someone else for their failings. Recently, I've discovered that it takes far more strength to let go of the fallacy of control and to consider that there might just be a power greater than myself in this world - not to shoulder blame for my failings, but to be there in spite of them.
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31 comments:
Yep. I agree, Dana. Many years ago I read a book entitled If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him. In it the author, a psychiatrist (the spelling of whose name I’m not taking the time to fins), said “Christianity is for women, children, and slaves.” I got pissed when I read that. It wasn’t until I was in seminary that I began to understand that the Christian God stands with the poor, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows, and the downtrodden.
As Luke writes of Jesus:
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4)
as difficult as it may be to believe...there just may be a power greater than we are...
happy (belated) new year dana
While I may not share your faith, I do believe that religion has a very large role to play in society, and in the very core of our beings. I'm glad that your chosen religion is fulfilling your spiritual needs. May whomever you bless as Creator smile upon you. ^_^
Dana, I believe we are all part of a greater plan. It can be confusing when you go to church and listen to what is being preached. However, there is a truth in the Bible that is hard to not grasp when you hear the words from the "good book". Good luck on your journey to understand the mystery of faith.
Praise Jeebus!! Another Sister Soldier for Christ.
Seriously though, whatever spiritual journey you are on, good luck with it. Cheers Dana!!
I agree with you. It takes far more strength to believe than to not. I don't know any "weak" folks who are true believers.
I agree completely.....almost all of my friends are agnostic at best, and they just don't know how someone who is intelligent and rational can believe in a "myth". Not a weakness at all....being a believer is actually NOT for the weak at heart....
Nick, thank you for the additional insight. This remains a process in my life - faith does not come easy for me - but I will say that considering faith has been far more difficult for me that denying it.
Kat, Cam and I have been on this journey for the past 4 months or so and we've certainly seen a lot along the way.
Boo, I think in my case this has been more of an exercise in how to change my perception of religion than anything else.
Doomed, I still have great conflicts between faith and science, but exploring them has been fascinating.
Matt-Man, hey now ...*wink*
SS, as is true in most things, there are many gray areas - many interpretations.
How true.
I never felt that religion was for the weak. In fact, I have always been jealous of the faith other can have in the worst of times.
I believe in karma, fate, destiny...never thought of those relying on religion as weak...maybe misguided...but not weak. My life is full of strange coincidences (think Lincoln-Kennedy), so I don't think this is God speaking to me or God letting me know he has a quirkier sense of humor than mine. ;)
I think that religion and/or church can be a very good, steadying influence in a person's life. Despite what some people who have emailed me think, I have no problem at all with people who have strong religious beliefs. I only have a problem with them when those "religious" beliefs lead them to blow up health clinics or fly planes into buildings.
And the whole "my God is better than your God" and "I'm going to heaven because I belong to THIS church and you're not because you belong to THAT church" thing. That really pisses me off.
But, back to your point. No, I don't think religion and/or church are for the weak at all.
The strenght is given and the will is grown. You are correct. it tkate so much strength not to slap the idiot that is being rude as well as strength to take the lumps and bumps in lifes daily routine.
Meekness is one of the strongest strengths.
Admiting what you believe shows strenght.
Congrats and welcome to the fight.
Sounds like we have walked a similar path.
Breeve, I share a home with an atheist - one who believes strongly that he is in control of everything. This turn in my life has been eye-opening to say the least.
Rich, 6 months ago you'd have had a hard time convincing me of it!
Karen, I think - at some level - I have always had faith. My always looking for the silver lining seems to be proof of that at some level.
NV, interesting that you used the phrase "relying on religion." I would say - in my case - this is more embracing and accepting than relying.
Jay, I believe there is a fine line between believer and zealot (maybe not the right word). The Golden Rule should always apply no matter which "God" one believes in.
MadMan, I had a situation recently where - rather than continue the fight - I decided to let it go and send warm wishes instead. It was quite empowering.
life without religion is pointless .. and what's more painful than a pointless life ??
TOW, it is a much more interesting path for me this time!
Errant, well, I would have to disagree with you there - my life before this exploration of religion was in no way pointless, just different.
As a born, bred, and devout Heathen *LOL* developing "faith" was so incredibly difficult that I gave up. I was confirmed in the Episcopal church in college, and at that time, it was a social thing. Rob and I were married in the Episcopal church, my children were baptized there, but we switched to the Methodist church when they were young because it had a better children's program. It depressed me to no end, and I always came away feeling so inferior. All it did was exacerbate my feelings of being "defective." Sundays were always the worse day of the week for me. I finally couldn't take it anymore. I do believe in a some sort of higher power, I'm just not sure what it is, and organized religion just isn't for me.
Happy Sunday, Sweetie! I think believing in something is always better than believing in nothing. It takes strength to have faith.
I fond of saying "I have never doubted there is a God, I just don't know what He's up to"... and neither does anyone else...
Very thought provoking and powerful words Dana.....
(doh, sorry Dana, lol)
Dana, I used to feel the very same way. I wanted nothing to do with christianity, religion, etc. I saw it as something strictly for the feeble minded.
I no longer believe that way. In fact, I now look to my faith to help me to overcome my shortcomings, not to be the blame for them.
Maybe my mind will change as I get older, but I continue to believe that religion is for people who need a reason..
To be honest, I think it takes more willpower to stay religious than it's ever been to claim agnostic tendencies.
There are too many things that folks can say "Happen for a reason".
Yet for some reason, religion is something everyone can seem to understand, even if they don't believe in it!
Something reassuring about a higher power, or a greater being taking an interest in our daily lives and actions is more comforting in a way, and keeps us more grounded.
I hope you find peace in your journey Dana, I really do!
I have found that religion (as with anything else) is what one makes it. I used to frown down on religion so I really got nothing out of it.
Now my attitude has done a complete 180 and I feel like a better person for it. I get a lot out of my religion now...
I've always known that there were powers greater than myself --- I have yet to see any organized religion do them justice;-)
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