ABOUT MY FAITH

All I can say is, I love the way you think.

Do not stop to amaze me. When I was a child, my mother made me go to church as a teenager I was turned away because a political and not spiritual. And from that moment I began to question many of the things I was taught in church. Did not agree with not having to question God. I questioned, did not share many of the dictates of the church but, amazingly, my faith grew. Last year my mother was very serious and were 2 times 2 miracles save. Do not let anyone question my commitment to my faith teachings. Faith is not to go to church on Sundays. I feel really reflected in your experience. I had read some things about your “conversion” but instinctively I did not believe they were true. With love from Uruguay

Wow. Your writing is so clear, eloquent, and moving. You summed up exactly what I could never quite articulate. There have been times when people have attacked me for not being religious. I’ve tried to explain that I’m spiritual. That I feel that it is not necessary to go to church or belong to an organized religion. That it’s something you strive to live not a place that you go to every Sunday (as though it’s just another chore to carry out). Other times, I’ve heard people proudly declare “I’m going to heaven” like it’s some kind of exclusive club. That to me defeats the whole purpose of spirituality (which is inclusive not alienating) and only makes people feel further apart from God.

I’ve been a fortunate recipient of God’s grace and I’ve known others to have experienced it too. It was nothing sappy or dramatic. It was an insight or experience that I know I didn’t make happen all on my own. Sadly, I feel that some people use religion to justify their own fears, biases, and intolerance. It is used to bolster low self esteem and judge other people as lesser. My belief is that God wants us to be kind and compassionate. Otherwise what is the point?

Thank you again for another terrific piece of writing. I can’t wait for your next book. You are an inspiration to everyone who wants to continue to grow and learn.

The pathways to belief are always fascinating. I was raised rather dogmatically as an atheist and I never would have imagined that could change. Then more than 20 years ago, I began conducting writing workshops in a women’s prison and without understanding why, I found myself searching for something that would balance out the negativity of that environment (though the work with the women was glorious).

I thought perhaps I’d look into massage or something on that order as I have always felt rather empowered through my hands. I wanted to keep an open mind about where my search would lead so that it would be a good fit for my needs and strengths. The one thing I did know for sure was that it wouldn’t involve laying on of hands, because that was all nonsense. So of course, that’s where I ended up. I could have shocked my mother more only if I had wanted to become a rabbi.

I ended up studying with a very charismatic woman who was knowledgeable in many different belief and healing systems (Native American, Egyptian, Tibetan, Spiritualist, etc.). She was also a biblical scholar, was ordained (after all these years, I’ve forgotten the denomination:) and moderately conservative politically, all of which I found challenging, but obviously, much of what I needed to learn was how to deal with challenges to my belief systems and to remain open.

If someone asks me point blank what religion I am, I usually reply, still, that I’m an atheist, probably out of habit. But I certainly have opened my life to experiencing the immaterial. I think of Jesus as a great healer and leave it at that. My beliefs are most certainly a rather eclectic mix, but it suits me and I don’t feel obliged to answer to anyone for them. All this from someone who used to have difficulty even saying the word spiritual.

Jane, I so feel the same way. It really fills me up when someone else is coming from a similar place. It gets lonely in the world with so many people missing the beauty within and without.
The male and female part of the religiousity is also a big issue for me. There are no gender issues with the Oneness only love and light.
Thank you for taking the time to share your inner life.
May peace be always with you dear one.

Thank you for sharing and letting us know where your journey has taken you. It’s great that you now have a solid foundation of faith that enables you to do all that you do. I pray that you will continue to be a beacon of light and love to many others. Love and blessings…..

Here’s what I’ve learned! “Religion” robs us of our joy. . . Faith leads to a relationship of joy!”

First, I have no problem with imaging God as my PAPA, but I had an awesome earthly dad & know in my soul that God is both – male & female. But personally, He’s my “PAPA”. . . so that said, let me continue!

Faith is the game of coming to know Him. He pops into our lives in strange & mysterious ways – “drawing” us to seek further – however that may be for each of us individually.

Then PAPA enters into an awesome delightful ‘game’ with us – called spiritual ‘hide n’ seek’. He appears & we move toward Him to see/learn more. Then He ‘romps’ off to hide from us in such a way that we are intrigued and want to follow. Just when we think we’ve lost the “scent”. . .He reappears & draws us closer again.

But the real delight is that at some point He appears for longer periods of time so that we can get more intimately involved with Him. His “hiding” from us is simply the way to draw us further into an understanding & wisdom of His ways and of Him.

I think that’s why many refer to it as a “dance”. It’s the delight of children playing “hide n’ seek” with the the “boss” of the universe!

As my relationship with PAPA continues, I become more respectful of myself as a woman – not less. The “real” PAPA loves women/the feminine. If it were not so – He would never have brought us into being at all. For it was not good that man should be alone!

Just my humble opinion and understanding!

Keep growing Jane. . . don’t let religion – or any breed – choke off the ‘eternal game’ for at some point He will step from hiding and open His arms wide to receive and then the “dance” begins!

Much love in your day!

Linda

Just a religous note. I am not a believer, nor do I feel the need of it. I was born into Judaism, and of course followed the lovely tenents of that until I no longer felt it met the needs of todays times. Many of the traditons are beautiful, and I taught them to my children,( none of whom practice any organized faith either. )
I feel that religion is the cause of so many wars, and ,that it seems to create divisions among peoples.
I believe in love, helping those less able to help them selves, supporting causes that I think are just, and doing what ever I can to be useful to promote peace.
If the time came, and a counting of Jews was taken, I would stand with them all.

Really love this article—catching up as I just found your blog. This very much mirrors my own journey even though I was baptized as a Christian as a child and took classes each week to be good catholic child and then willingly attended Mass once out on my own I still came upon the same questions as you did and found in my own heart the same truths as you have. Especially about Mary, women and sexuality. Have you read the Magdalen Manuscript? It is out of print but can be found online. It very much resonated with me and I feel it will with you too. And I don’t believe that Christianity today still 2,000 years later is at all what Jesus intended. I think this would make a great documentary or another book for you to write about and share because of your strong sense of self and unique perspective of coming to Christianity later in life. Peace be with you and thanks for sharing something so deeply personal. I have shared it with many and posted on my website.

I like Emily Dickinson’s take on belief. It’s meant to be mystical.

“A Grant of the Divine –
That Certain as it Comes –
Withdraws — and leaves the dazzled Soul
In her unfurnished Rooms” Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers. During meditation once, i heard a powerful voice that said, “Be Still”. My faith is like a butterfly, i think if i dissect it, it will fly away.