I probably won't find a religion

Well, I can relate somewhat. I mean, my beliefs are complicated but they're sort of Pagan... I won't join specific groups though because I am scared of joining anything I still have a lot to figure out I'm not sure if I'm an animist, if I'm polytheistic or what. So I'm staying at my safe space for the foreseeable future. Though I do somewhat envy people who have more certainty.

It's lonely to walk one's own path but at the same time, there's freedom to do what you want, what you need for yourself and go towards any place. Experiment in your own privacy with no one to tell you that's not ok. Not being chained to something has some advantages.

Just don't stress about it, go on and do your thing. Maybe that will take you somewhere you can be content, whatever the result of all of this is, like posters above said, find it in yourself or eventually in a group. Just some thoughts.

Breathe said:

After much time searching, I don't think I'll find a religion. At least, not in the foreseeable future.

I gave up trying to find ages ago. Now, though, I don't think I'll get one even if I let it come on its own. The more I think about it, the more I realise I'm awkward, defiant and a special snowflake. I don't appear fit into a faith, and I doubt that I could fit into one, anyway.

I know what I believe and it's been standard for a long time. I have mixed feelings about the fact I know, deep down, that it will be difficult for me to follow one.

On one hand, I have only myself. I have no priests, no community and I can do my own thing. I can do whichever practises I like, believe what I like, do what I like (within reason).

On the other, the same is also a downfall. I would love to have a faith of my own. I would love to have the spiritual community both online and off.

I also have no religious scripture, holidays, clothing, language, places to worship nor congregate. I can look at them all, adopt them, even love them, but they are not mine; I'm an outsider to them. We have no attachment to each other. They do not make it to be part of me: they'd just be garments to wear, alter, and discard as I see fit.

My beliefs have no history. No future. Just me. Short of something life-changing, I will be walking across wild terrain. I won't bother making a path because nobody will follow it.

I'd compare myself like an ascetic travelling through the forests, but that'd be wrong. An ascetic gives it up to go it alone by choice. I'm closer to a benign wildman. Sometimes I steal food and clothes to get by or come to trade and then I go back to my forest alone. I could, most likely, survive in one of the villages (faiths), but I'd no longer be 'me'. I'd have to change who I am, what I do, what I think.

And yet, the journey feels like it will be a bit lonely.


Suggestions?

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I kinda can feel. I am confessionless. Is it like a promise, you trying to fulfill?

I found a practice rather than a belief system in Buddhism. I'm not required to believe in anything supernatural and it encouraged that I test the practice out myself to find out if it works for me rather than being told that I must accept it on faith (Like most religions do). I felt like I needed some structure or direction in life that I wasn't able to find within myself and couldn't find within religion because they required me to believe that which I couldn't force myself believe, and ultimately I didn't feel that many of the religions out the really benefited either the practitioner or the world.

I've found that there are quite a few good teachers in the west who are excellent at teaching the practice within the context of western culture without undermining the Buddha's fundamental teachings. Buddhism is actually remarkably compatible with western culture.

I don't think religious-less seeking is all that bad of a thing anyway. Having a religion that identifies is wonderful, yet there's a lot to be said in captianing your own course in life and riding it out to the very end.

Similar here.
My circumstances are unique (interfaith marriage), but what I do is go to an LDS congregation in another language. This way, I enjoy the sense of community and volunteering without me and my kids being subject to cognitive distortion mind-control, so often in religions (especially Mormon).

Lately, I've taken my kids to various religious services to educate them that there are many ways to connect spiritually and so they develop genuine religious tollerance and an open mind, hopefully.
So far, I'd like to be a "buffet seeker" - take a bit of the inspiring aspects of each...
Baptist: Forgiving self & others
Catholic: honoring Mother Mary/feminist aspects of spirituality
Judaism: Sing uplifting songs daily, or often
Islam: pray often every day (deep breathe rather than wash)
Hinduism: respecting various spiritual energies (how emotion & goals are organized energetically)
Buddhist: seeking functional illusions/meditation
Taoism: go wih the natural flow of things more

I hesitate to offer input, but because I’ve been in your shoes before, I’m hoping you’ll be open to my thoughts. My thoughts are basically this: Religion can be truly rewarding, and it can also represent a host of human values that we all hold dear, but it does not represent the entirety and the complexity of the human soul. You are wonderfully unique; an independent soul. Never change. If what you want is spiritual community, then go and find spiritual community. But know that if what you’re looking for is something that will totally and perfectly represent you, it does not exist. The vastness of who you are cannot be contained within a single religion.

The vastness of who G!d or Spirit is can also not be contained by such.

If what you want is connection with Spirit, the only way to do that is directly. But if you want community, absolutely seek community, and just know that, as with everything, there will be things about it that resonate, and things that do not. And maybe that’s okay. There may even be things that offend you. But to be a part of a community, you must accept the good with the bad; the holy with the unholy. There is always both.

I went in and out of countless spiritual communities before I landed on one that I committed to. I had always felt like an outsider; like everyone was totally in agreement about the tenets of whatever religion it was I was visiting, and I was the only one who had problems with it. I never fit in.

Whatever it was, I felt like this religion couldn’t be for me because I’m not white enough (neo-Paganism), this couldn’t be for me because I’m not graceful enough (Christianity), this couldn’t work because I believe in G!d (Buddhism). That last one was kind of a big deal. When I first started studying Judaism, I fell in love. But when I started exploring communities and learning more of the realities of daily Jewish life, up came issues once again that I pretty seriously took exception to. Instead of doing what I normally would do, which is run away and search for something new, I forced myself to sit with them: each of the things I didn’t get or didn’t like. Instead of deciding that Judaism, too, was not for me, I allowed myself the time to learn how to embrace it as a whole, despite its shortcomings. (I say that in sincerity; every religion on earth has its shortcomings, and Judaism is no exception.)

Much later, after my formal conversion, I now reap the benefits of sticking it through. I feel that I belong here; I feel like something in my soul has been complete. But I could’ve only gotten to this place after I’d accepted and embraced even the parts I didn’t resonate with. Because to truly love something, to truly understand it and belong to it, you have to acknowledge the mucky stuff. You have to own it.

If what you’re afraid of is conformity, that’s easy. Just don’t conform. But there’s a place for non-conformists in religion, too. You can maintain your individuality while showing up for others in a meaningful way.

Wishing you the best of luck.

Carl,

I feel like I am in the same spot as you which is humorous in a way as I have always come to you for advice. My wife and I left the LDS church and it has been a turbulent if not at times amusing spiritual journey together though at times I think we are looking for different things. On your recommendation we had tried the Episcopal Church and it was alright until the grumpy old people were not amused at my daughter's chirping during communion which was pretty embarrassing for us between the glares and the headshaking. Though to be fair a lot of people came up afterwards and were nice about having us there though it was pretty much ruined for my wife who left in tears. Like you though I don't know if I will ever find the spiritual home I crave. I am very unique in my own theological outlook but also crave the corporate worship that was instilled with being boring into the Mormon faith. Maybe we expect too much the both of us Carl or maybe we will eventually find the right fit. Maybe right fit isn't even the right word for it maybe just comething that feels comfortable and brings that inner-peace I need to maintain my sanity during the incessant grind that is called life.

Fred

I am a Muslim, Thanks Allah, I feel always satisfied, as this religion Islam which
the true religion and path of life for all the prophets since Adam to Muhammed
I suggest for you Islam religion, sure you will be an other new man.
Here's some information about this religion:

Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Salema": peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law.

Everything and every phenomenon in the world other than man is administered totally by God-made laws, ie. they are obedient to God and submissive to his laws, they are in the State of Islam. Man possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law, ie, become a Muslim.

Submission to the good will of God, together with obedience to His beneficial Law, ie, becoming a Muslim, is the best safeguard for man's peace and harmony.

Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's prophets and messengers, including Abrahim, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

Islam's message has been restored and enforced in the last stage of the religious evolution by God's last prophet and messenger, Muhammad.

The word Allah in the Arabic language means God, or more accurately, The One and Only Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, Lord of all lords, King of all kings, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. The word Allah to mean God is also used by Arabic speaking Jews and Christians.

My best wishes from me Maj

Breathe said:

After much time searching, I don't think I'll find a religion. At least, not in the foreseeable future.

I gave up trying to find ages ago. Now, though, I don't think I'll get one even if I let it come on its own. The more I think about it, the more I realise I'm awkward, defiant and a special snowflake. I don't appear fit into a faith, and I doubt that I could fit into one, anyway.

I know what I believe and it's been standard for a long time. I have mixed feelings about the fact I know, deep down, that it will be difficult for me to follow one.

On one hand, I have only myself. I have no priests, no community and I can do my own thing. I can do whichever practises I like, believe what I like, do what I like (within reason).

On the other, the same is also a downfall. I would love to have a faith of my own. I would love to have the spiritual community both online and off.

I also have no religious scripture, holidays, clothing, language, places to worship nor congregate. I can look at them all, adopt them, even love them, but they are not mine; I'm an outsider to them. We have no attachment to each other. They do not make it to be part of me: they'd just be garments to wear, alter, and discard as I see fit.

My beliefs have no history. No future. Just me. Short of something life-changing, I will be walking across wild terrain. I won't bother making a path because nobody will follow it.

I'd compare myself like an ascetic travelling through the forests, but that'd be wrong. An ascetic gives it up to go it alone by choice. I'm closer to a benign wildman. Sometimes I steal food and clothes to get by or come to trade and then I go back to my forest alone. I could, most likely, survive in one of the villages (faiths), but I'd no longer be 'me'. I'd have to change who I am, what I do, what I think.

And yet, the journey feels like it will be a bit lonely.


Suggestions?

Click to expand...

All you need is yourself, love, the thing that created the seen and unseen, will guide you. Good luck on your journey!

I would love to hear about everyone's beliefs

No one needs religion to find God.

Breathe said:

After much time searching, I don't think I'll find a religion. At least, not in the foreseeable future.

I gave up trying to find ages ago. Now, though, I don't think I'll get one even if I let it come on its own. The more I think about it, the more I realise I'm awkward, defiant and a special snowflake. I don't appear fit into a faith, and I doubt that I could fit into one, anyway.

I know what I believe and it's been standard for a long time. I have mixed feelings about the fact I know, deep down, that it will be difficult for me to follow one.

On one hand, I have only myself. I have no priests, no community and I can do my own thing. I can do whichever practises I like, believe what I like, do what I like (within reason).

On the other, the same is also a downfall. I would love to have a faith of my own. I would love to have the spiritual community both online and off.

I also have no religious scripture, holidays, clothing, language, places to worship nor congregate. I can look at them all, adopt them, even love them, but they are not mine; I'm an outsider to them. We have no attachment to each other. They do not make it to be part of me: they'd just be garments to wear, alter, and discard as I see fit.

My beliefs have no history. No future. Just me. Short of something life-changing, I will be walking across wild terrain. I won't bother making a path because nobody will follow it.

I'd compare myself like an ascetic travelling through the forests, but that'd be wrong. An ascetic gives it up to go it alone by choice. I'm closer to a benign wildman. Sometimes I steal food and clothes to get by or come to trade and then I go back to my forest alone. I could, most likely, survive in one of the villages (faiths), but I'd no longer be 'me'. I'd have to change who I am, what I do, what I think.

And yet, the journey feels like it will be a bit lonely.


Suggestions?

Click to expand...

a social recluse!
I'm not alone after all!

I have given in to earning a paycheck

Deidre said:

No one needs religion to find God.

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em. Without religion, how do you practice your faith? (Maybe I should do a thread, how people define religion) Jesus taught to pray certain prayers. He taught humility and He taught to think of others. When we do that, in our respective faiths, that is religion. So, how do we not need it? (Just asking)

Carlita said:

em. Without religion, how do you practice your faith? (Maybe I should do a thread, how people define religion) Jesus taught to pray certain prayers. He taught humility and He taught to think of others. When we do that, in our respective faiths, that is religion. So, how do we not need it? (Just asking)

Click to expand...

you refer to the Lord's Prayer...?

I couldn't help but notice as I made a comparison of gospels.....
Jesus would go some distance to pray.....alone.

not until the last opportunity....in the garden of Gethsemane did they ask......
Teach us to pray.

they were with the Man three years.....and they waited til after His Last Supper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and with the Romans and the Pharisees on the way, all He could offer was one example.

Thief said:

you refer to the Lord's Prayer...?

I couldn't help but notice as I made a comparison of gospels.....
Jesus would go some distance to pray.....alone.

not until the last opportunity....in the garden of Gethsemane did they ask......
Teach us to pray.

they were with the Man three years.....and they waited til after His Last Supper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and with the Romans and the Pharisees on the way, all He could offer was one example.

Click to expand...

I guess Jesus wanted His followers to guess His teachings by How he related to people while alive. What sticks in my head is, "but the disciples who wrote the bible werent even around to meet Him". If thats the case, maybe people like to hear they are going off what Jesus taught.

I dont know.

Carlita said:

I guess Jesus wanted His followers to guess His teachings by How he related to people while alive. What sticks in my head is, "but the disciples who wrote the bible werent even around to meet Him". If thats the case, maybe people like to hear they are going off what Jesus taught.

I dont know.

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there is a problem with knowing 'who' wrote 'what'....

but I think the parables, along with those confrontational public moments....
spell the jest of attitude.

Carlita said:

em. Without religion, how do you practice your faith? (Maybe I should do a thread, how people define religion) Jesus taught to pray certain prayers. He taught humility and He taught to think of others. When we do that, in our respective faiths, that is religion. So, how do we not need it? (Just asking)

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You don't need religion though, to believe in God. To worship Him. To love Him. You can follow a particular religion to better worship, better love, and better foster your relationship with God, but to love Him, doesn't require you follow a particular religion. Just my thoughts anyways.

Deidre said:

You don't need religion though, to believe in God. To worship Him. To love Him. You can follow a particular religion to better worship, better love, and better foster your relationship with God, but to love Him, doesn't require you follow a particular religion. Just my thoughts anyways.

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I was thinking because you love Him, what to follow Him, and so forth, the religion you follow is interconnected with our feelings for God. So, one can't say "I don't have religion and I believe in God". In my personal opinion, that sounds like a huge contradition. Maybe you mean organized religion?

Carlita said:

I was thinking because you love Him, what to follow Him, and so forth, the religion you follow is interconnected with our feelings for God. So, one can't say "I don't have religion and I believe in God". In my personal opinion, that sounds like a huge contradition. Maybe you mean organized religion?

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Yes, organized is not required to believe. Mea culpa

I'm kind of on the same boat. I mean, I did join my local Unitarian chapter, but on the other hand, I'm probably the only person in the entire world that believes what I believe - even the BASIC things. If, to be Christian, you have to believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins. If, to be what I believe in, you have to believe in pan-apotheosis, which means you have to believe all will ascend into a God-like position. It is so essential to what I believe that I believe there is no other reason to live, unless you like getting distracted, which is what most of us do most of the time. I would love to have coffee with someone who believes in that basic theological position, I really do. I don't think it will ever happen! *sigh*