I am having difficulty w/my faith. Help me! (Jesus, priest)

[martha]

Question was to be,"Who or what would your God represent?" Suddenly I went off in a different direction...........

Who would your God be and what would your God represent? To some degree, God seems to represent a certain ideology, and way of life. Quite frankly I don't see what the big deal about religion and different beliefs is. The basics of most, if not all religions are the same.
Most religions uphold the dignity of life, in these times. Most aspire to help each other.
Many believe that there is something greater than we beings that holds some power over the actions of the world. I must say here that these statements are given from a person who doesn't have a background in debating ideas, or even for that matter posting thoughts. This is only my understanding, at the moment. This is why I come here. I know some will challenge my language, but there will be those who will enlighten me and help me to grow.
I am truly having difficulty with my Catholic beliefs. The tears won't stop now. Gosh, I have been fighting this battle for so long. Please, beloved give me some words of encouragement.
I was brought up a Catholic girl, went to Sunday School, and was taught many things that I have long since forgotten. My problem is this: Christians teach that," Jesus is the " Way, Truth and the Light." ...also "No one can come to the Father but through me."
Frankly, beloved, I cannot get in line with this one point. Why in the world would God create a multitude of races and religions, only to say, " Well, which one do you believe?" "C'mon choose one." " They all sound great, but there is only one right one." What is this?...Lets make a deal?????!!!
I cannot fathom a God...loving Creator..making a system like that. To what end?

Perhaps I am addressing this to the Athiests, Agnostic's and any other' s who don't believe in a God, perhaps I am calling out to all the enlightened ones who are privy to some inside info...
I am sorry, beloved for this small outburst of confused emotion, but it is truly bothering me this evening. Any response will be greatly appreciated.

Still Joyful,
Martha

[Pah]

Martha,

Perhaps it is not the questions that are important but the answers you do hold. You have a center that defines you, that gives you purpose and joy. I suggest you don't look for the answers others may have to have, but cherish that which makes you you. God is a personal journey and the path you take it not what others trod. Not all scripture needs apply to have God in your heart - cherish what you have learned of your relation to your God.

Bob

[Lintu]

Martha,
The official teaching of the Catholic Church does not say that Catholicism is the only way. In fact, there was a priest or perhaps it was a bishop that was excommunicated for preaching this. I do understand what you're going through, though!! It was that question that brought me to challenge what I was brought up believing.

[Lightkeeper]

I agree that we are on a journey. Have you ever tried to take the message inwardly? I think Jesus was trying to teach us how to find the Christ within us. Relax and let yourself be. Don't concentrate on the words, just let yourself blossom. Jesus said he would come like a thief in the night. My interpretation of that is if you live your life to the best of your ability and really be in it, what you need will be given to you. It will be given to you when you least expect it. My favorite Zen story is when the student asks the master, "is praying while peeling the potatoes spriritual." The master replies, "no, being spiritual is just peeling the potatoes." You are a temple, play your harp and be at peace.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by martha

Who would your God be and what would your God represent?

My 'god' of choice (I put the word 'god' in single quotes because he isn't really a god, he's a giant) is Loki. He represents what I hope to one day be able to do. He stirs up change, usually for the better. He pops egos when they get too big. He represents change, the good and the bad.

To some degree, God seems to represent a certain ideology, and way of life. Quite frankly I don't see what the big deal about religion and different beliefs is. The basics of most, if not all religions are the same.

I agree with you up until the last sentence. On some level they all have something in common, but I don't believe they all have the same basics.

Most religions uphold the dignity of life, in these times. Most aspire to help each other.
Many believe that there is something greater than we beings that holds some power over the actions of the world. I must say here that these statements are given from a person who doesn't have a background in debating ideas, or even for that matter posting thoughts. This is only my understanding, at the moment. This is why I come here. I know some will challenge my language, but there will be those who will enlighten me and help me to grow.
I am truly having difficulty with my Catholic beliefs. The tears won't stop now. Gosh, I have been fighting this battle for so long. Please, beloved give me some words of encouragement.
I was brought up a Catholic girl, went to Sunday School, and was taught many things that I have long since forgotten. My problem is this: Christians teach that," Jesus is the " Way, Truth and the Light." ...also "No one can come to the Father but through me."
Frankly, beloved, I cannot get in line with this one point. Why in the world would God create a multitude of races and religions, only to say, " Well, which one do you believe?" "C'mon choose one." " They all sound great, but there is only one right one." What is this?...Lets make a deal?????!!!
I cannot fathom a God...loving Creator..making a system like that. To what end?

I know exactly where you're coming from. I was raised Southern Baptist, and struggled for a long time with what I was taught and the actions of my friends who, though they weren't Christians, were good people. It bothered me that what I was taught could be in such conflict with what I saw.

I ended up keeping my core beliefs, but changing religions. My experiences of growing up as a Baptist will always be with me and influence me, even though I'm no longer Christian.

Maybe you can find a way to be true to yourself and be Christian. I couldn't, but I'm pretty sure at least half of that was because I'm a lesbian and homosexuals are very looked down upon where I'm from. Strength and wisdom to you, Martha. And good luck.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by martha

I am truly having difficulty with my Catholic beliefs. The tears won't stop now. Gosh, I have been fighting this battle for so long. Please, beloved give me some words of encouragement.
I was brought up a Catholic girl, went to Sunday School, and was taught many things that I have long since forgotten. My problem is this: Christians teach that," Jesus is the " Way, Truth and the Light." ...also "No one can come to the Father but through me."
Frankly, beloved, I cannot get in line with this one point. Why in the world would God create a multitude of races and religions, only to say, " Well, which one do you believe?" "C'mon choose one." " They all sound great, but there is only one right one." What is this?...Lets make a deal?????!!!
I cannot fathom a God...loving Creator..making a system like that. To what end?

Hi Martha, namaste.

As Lintu has already said, official Catholic doctrine no longer says one has to be Christian in order to be "saved." Ever since Vatican II (1965), the Catholic church has taught that there is more than one "right" path to God. Granted, those of us who do not believe that Jesus is God are still saved via Jesus' sacrifice (according to Catholic inclusivist doctrine), but no one is going to hell unless they really, really deserve it (for being "bad," not for believing the "wrong" thing.) So you can hold onto your Catholic tradition and still know that God is loving. The guys in charge of the Vatican just got it wrong for a few hundred years.

I just sent the words of the following hymn to a friend of mine. I loved it immediately the first time I heard it, because it states so well what my heart knows to be true. Perhaps you will like it too.


There's a Wideness in Your Mercy

There's a wideness in your mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in your justice
which is more than liberty.
But we make your love too narrow
by false limits of our own,
and we magnify your strictness
with a zeal you will not own.

May our caring curb the error
which unthinking faith can breed
lest we justify some terror
with an antiquated creed.
For the love of God is broader
than the measures of our minds
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.

You are giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest;
well-spring of the joy of the living,
ocean depth of happy rest.
There's a wideness in your mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in your justice
which is more than liberty.

take care,
-lilith

[Mister Emu]

Hello Martha,

Why in the world would God create a multitude of races and religions

Yes, why indeed would God create a plethora of religions and quasi-religious philosophies only to have a game show like ending,

God: Which door is it going to be Bob, door 1? Door 2? Or Door 3? Behind one is eternal happiness with me, behind the others, a horrifing eternity of immeasurable pain in a lake of fire.

Bob: I'll take Door.. 3

God: Well, let's see whats behind Dooooorrr nuuummmbberrr THREE! OOOO, too bad Bob, you chose the eternity of immeasurable pain in a lake of fire. So sorry. Let's bring up the next contestent on CHOOSE! YOUR! ETERNITY!

The answer is that God did not create the mass of idealologies that exist today, if one takes the Bible to be true(as I do) then God has only created two religions, The First Covenent, Judaism, then with Jesus's sacrifice and the New Covenent, Christianity. No other religion is of God.

With that said yes Jesus, is "the truth, the way, and the life" and yes, none get to the Father but through Him, but He is a merciful God. I believe, yet it is my greatest fear, that Christianity is the only way to God, but it is my greatest hope that God bestows the grace of salvation upon everyone.

[martha]

It is a good thing that this isn't live internet. It would be very distressing to me to have you see me all puffy eyed and swollen nosed from crying big tears. The water works wouldn't stop because of the instant replies and love in all of your posts.

I believe totally in God and His wonderful, beautiful, awesome Love. It is just what I remember being taught and what I still hear in the churches general population. How do I say to my priest and brothers and sisters in my faith that I believe for me Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Light, but I will not disdain all of humanity who do not know Him or who do not call Him by the same name,...who am I to judge. None of us has the definitive answer. None will truly know 'til we get there. Sometimes it is a great burden to accept all beliefs,although it should not be, if you understand what I am trying to say. I do accept all even though it goes against the faith that was taught to me. Perhaps this is the darkness of my soul at the moment. I am sure that enlightenment will come to me. I sure hope so , 'cause I'm about to run out of tissues.

I love you all soooooo much, thank you, thank you, thank you my beloved. You are all wonderful and I am grateful for all the advice. Please feel free to continue, if you will.

Hanging on to my Joy,
Martha

[Scuba Pete]

Picture this...

we are all swimming to Hawaii.

Some make it a couple hundred yards, and get in trouble.

Some make it a half mile.

Some make it a mile.

Some might even make it a hundred miles towards Hawaii.

But we all need a life boat to get all the way there!

Many religions claim to be that lifeboat.

Some are rowing in the wrong direction.

Some are completely awash already.

Choose your boat wisely. But once you have made the decision, don't second guess. Hold fast even when assailed by the winds of change. Keep it pointed in the direction you first inended.

But hold onto the peace, for perfect love casts out fear.

[Lightkeeper]

It's in the darkness that we find the light.