I think I’m a very “faith-full”* person, as in ” I have faith that this will work out for the best” and “I have faith that whyever this happened…there’s a bigger reason behind it.” But when it gets to the down-and-dirty rules and regulations that the major religions have put into place, I’d rather not participate.
I was raised Catholic, but after years of waffling, walked away for good after the Voting for John Kerry is a mortal sin kerfluffle. Yes, there was a pushback against that movement, but it all left a foul taste in my mouth. Even if that didn’t happen, I treated Catholicism as if it were a buffet of beliefs, where I could pick and choose which tenets I enjoyed and wanted to follow (Mass is pretty! Look at me getting ashes!) and leaving behind the ones I didn’t want (Gimme my birth control pills!). I don’t think that’s right.
I mentioned in the past listening to Joel Osteen podcasts, and lately I’ll try to catch him on TV as well. I like his message, but I think he’s more of a self-help preacher than a Christian preacher. He’s also been deemed a prosperity preacher, which is apparently a Bad Thing. Maybe that’s why I listen.
From time to time, we’ll switch channels to TBN (Trinity Broadcating Network - yes, Christian TV). A lot of it is very humorous (and it’s certainly not meant to be) but I’ll confess to wanting to hear something that resonates deep within and turns me into the “faithful” that I see in the audiences on those programs. I envy them. Isn’t that horrible? To envy somebody because as they listen to a preacher they are rapt and joyful and tearful at the same time?
There’s another black mark against me in the judgment book. If there is one. (See? I have no idea what to believe anymore!)
Over the past month or two, in my experiences with TBN, I’ve heard one verse a few times and while it hasn’t turned me into a cheering member of a flock, it makes me smile. Especially when I’m wrestling with decisions.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. KJV 1 John 4:4
At least my Tuesday CCD classes growing up taught me how to navigate a Bible. Even though we barely used one in church. And if you search online, you can find versions of that verse that substitute “spirit” for “he” if that sounds more palatable.
It’s a nice little verse, and while I’m not kicking people in the nuts yelling that I’m a Child of the Most High God and therefore BETTER than them…it’s comforting to know that a little “faith-full-ness” within me has the possibility of giving me a tiny leg up in the world.
Question to you: From where do you find your faith? Are you a member of the same religion you were raised to belong to? Be nice and please don’t disparage anyone’s beliefs.
*It’s very SARK of me, but I prefer faith-full to faithful. The connotations are completely different.
Posted at: 7:30 am in General, Kim v. 3.0
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Tags:
March 11th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Ok, so growing up went to my Presbyterian church cause that’s what we did, was confirmed and all that. Did not go to church for about 10 years(college, little kids, etc). When I moved back to Jersey started bringing my kids, finding comfort that the same pastor was there but still not fully “invested” in my faith. I’d say it’s only been the last 6 years or so that I really started paying attention to my faith, actually participating. I have found comfort in the community of people that believe as I do. Now have I read the Bible cover to cover? No. But have found the more I put into my faith, that I am rewarded threefold. My husband, who had been a lifelong Catholic, joined my church at age 47. We have an amazing new minister that has brought a new spirit to our Congretation(new members joining all the time).
So this may be more than you are asking for, will be happy to talk more if you want. My church is in Cherry Hill on Rt 70 if you ever want to stop by. I’m trekking up from Deptford every week for the last 10 years.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Oh good another person out there who watches Joel Osteen from time to time. I like his words. They comfort me.
I was raised as Armenian Orthodox(like Greek or Russian Orthodox) but not fervently. I married a Catholic but he isn’t practicing either. Although CD will be baptized Armenian Orthodox, she’ll know about her Catholic side. My MIL will make sure of that. She’s a bigwig in her parish.
We’ll raise her to believe in God and Jesus. However people shouldn’t be afraid of God and to do right by others.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I think you know my story, and my faith journey is an old story and one that’s wretchedly boring to anyone who isn’t, y’know, ME. But I have two things to say:
1) “I’ll confess to wanting to hear something that resonates deep within and turns me into the “faithful†that I see in the audiences on those programs. I envy them. Isn’t that horrible?” NO, not in the least. As a matter of fact, I felt EXACTLY LIKE THAT for decades before I found my way into my current faith, and from this vantage point it seems an awful lot like that could have been a call, directed at me, and taking a form that would register with my thickheadedness.
2) From where I find my faith? Not always entirely sure. I think at first it was a leap of faith, so to speak, a door finally appearing before me (metaphorically speaking) through which I could finally answer the call I described above. That was the origin. It stays strong because everytime I’ve truly, honestly followed my faith (and deep down I know when I really am, and when I’m just trying to convince everyone including myself that I am), I’ve been rewarded well beyond my expectations (sometimes in seriously unanticipated ways).
Hope that helps. (Oh, and C.S. Lewis’ apologetics, especially “The Screwtape Letters” and “Mere Christianity” did a lot to put meat on the theoretical bones of my changing beliefs. I’d be lying if I said otherwise…)
March 11th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
OK, here we go. I’ve always been Protestant, Anglican for the first 30 years, Lutheran for the last 20, they seem very similar, and I am comfortable with their ideas and words. I am also in a “men’s group” where we read and discuss various books, including the 2 C.S. Lewis books mentioned above. Currently we’re reading “The Ragamuffin Gospel”, no, you’re right, it’s not in the King James Version.
I find a large disconnect with the life and teachings of Jesus, and what today we call “religion”. Jesus was a cool dude who told us to love each other and live a life that not only enriched ourselves, but the people around us. I’ve heard that for the 200-300 years after his death, this was still the message that his followers continued on. Then around 300 AD that Constantine guy got about 300 or so priests together ( like the ones that berated Jesus when he was alive !?) and told them to stop arguing about their different factions and multiple “gospels” and put together one book.
It’s never been the same since.
There are many good things abouit religion, and many good people participating, but for me it seems like a “God club” where we get together for an hour a week, and get to feel that “we are on the right road” sing familiar hyms and hum them on our way to the diner for brunch.
Not too bad, as long as you don’t forget to love your neighbor while you are doing it.
It’s a pity that politicians blend it in with their warped dogma too ! A nasty mess !
March 12th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I obviously have the smartest, most well-versed readers on the internet. I love this! Thank you!
More?
March 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I’ll add my daughter’s spiritual journey. She has become involved in the Senior High Fellowship (presbyterian) which I am glad there are other kids her age she can discuss religion as it relates to her. She has also discoverd Rob Bell(Nooma.com) who has the fastest growing church based out of Michigan. Go on youtube and check out the nooma videos, 5 minutes that really can speak to you. My daughter has read his books and seen him at the Electric Factory. I think everyone should explore and question and find what resonates within as the above posters have commented.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I fall into the “raised Catholic” category as well. But after getting older and wiser I realized that faith in any particular religion is a 100% proposition and that’s something I had trouble with, as well as the church’s stance on many other issues.
As a Catholic I couldn’t believe in everlasting life if I ate meat on a Friday during Lent, nor could I accept the Holy Eucharist if broke a commandment–unless I confessed my sins to a man in a dark little box. Turns out I was going to Hell either way so I stopped attending Mass and started instilling my own beliefs and morals.
While I don’t adhere to any particular religion these days, I live my life trying to do what’s right according to plain ol’ common sense and some of the philosophies of Humanism. It seems to work for me and I don’t get “punished” on Sunday by the man standing at the pulpit.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
After separating myself from all things religion (raised as catholic), and looking back on it, I find that most religions are not too far from witchcraft.
But then again, looks like ladygypsy.com is set to expire in 3 months, so…who knows
//i feel like posting some more in the cp forums… yes, i think i shall