Need advice... Clashing feelings about faiths!

[illykitty]

Originally Posted by ratikala

dear illykitty...

Yeah, well I still feel Sikhism is the closest to what I believe. I like Hinduism a lot too, so it's not like I've chosen one over the other yet. Buddhism lacks divinity and perhaps as it is now, I feel too cold about it. I need the warmth and love that I feel from divinity. I guess the only reason I see Sikhism as closer is because of the great emphasis on equality and also the way they describe the one deity. Hinduism has Krishna though!

I haven't returned to the Gurdwara sadly. I chickened out! I'm thinking of returning but it's a little hard, seeing that my husband is theistic, but not religious... He said the weirdest thing, that he didn't like going to the Gurdwara because they were so nice. Perhaps he thought if they weren't welcoming it would be easier to never return, since he dislikes religion? I don't know if I understood him right!

But yes, I depend on him for matter of transport and accompaniment. I'm still a bit uncomfortable going out on my own and going into a HUGE Gurdwara full of Punjabis and no white person in sight is more than a little scary even for someone who isn't phobic.

I really wish to return though. It kind of saddens me that I can't get over this silly self to at least try and see if Sikhism is my home.

[Odion]

Originally Posted by illykitty

He said the weirdest thing, that he didn't like going to the Gurdwara because they were so nice.

LOL! I've heard a similar criticism to Mormons.

I really wish to return though. It kind of saddens me that I can't get over this silly self to at least try and see if Sikhism is my home.

Try and organize a date or something where you can go. If you can, try to go with a friend? If you have any friends who wouldn't freak out at the idea of going to one, that is.

[illykitty]

I'm having doubts about if I want to know who God really is or if I'm only wanting to hear what I want to hear.

[Me Myself]

First things first: what is it that you think you would really want to hear?

[Me Myself]

Before knwing path to choose, know self who is choosing

[illykitty]

Originally Posted by Me Myself

First things first: what is it that you think you would really want to hear?

What I want to hear is that god is simple, he has love for all, even non religious or atheists and he doesn't require anything from us. However, is that the truth? That's what I want, but what I want might not be right.

Originally Posted by disciple

You're already way ahead of most other people, perhaps you should figure out what religions you have differences that can't be reconciled with before choosing.

But what if those differences are right and I'm wrong?

[disciple]

Originally Posted by illykitty

Well I'll try to read more even about religions that I didn't really consider interesting (such a Judaism) I suppose it's unfair to read only the surface of it.

It would be good to know your choices, especially if considering Islam etc. like you mentioned.

[illykitty]

I decided that for now, I'll practise what feels right to me, an ever evolving belief that is never set. I'll bring together practises that I like by testing them. Flexible and adaptable.

Atm, I've given up on finding an already made religion. It's impossible for me to pick one in present time. I find good and bad point for all of them and can't just pick one. I'd have to alter whatever to fit my values and I cannot find any proof or reason why I should go with an already made unflexible religion over my own eclectic mix.

So to sum up, panentheism with ever changing and evolving practises that I'll put to the test to see if I keep them or reject them. Panentheism has been my only constant in the past years so I doubt that would change but the rest is flexible.

[BirdseyeSwordfish]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

If you like aspects of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Paganism, perhaps you should look into Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam.

I agree with this, but I think even some Sufis would disagree that Paganism can be incorporated into their religion. Islam is rather strict on the notion of Monotheism, and worshiping the One True God, rather than the created.

That said, Sufism is said to be on the "inner" path, while Sunni and Shia Islam are on the "outer" path. For clarification, you might want to look at some of the works by Ivan Agueli, who was one of Europe's foremost Sufis, and also, politically speaking, an anarchist.

[Le Neigeden d'antan]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

If you like aspects of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Paganism, perhaps you should look into Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam.

Such a person could also look into syncretic religions such as Unitarianism.