What's my Faith again??

[zls]

Hello to you all.

I've come online tonight with what I would imagine being a question best left for me to work out myself...what is my faith/religion?

Before I go in to more detail, please don't think this is me trying to skip chapters of self development in my life. I absolutely believe that life is a learning process that we go through. What I seek here is opinions from members of all faiths and belief systems so that I may explore them all further but have more of a "pointed" path to start with.

Equally, I do not wish to spark a debate nor seek to be converted or persuaded to one route or another - as above I believe this is something I must reach.

In all honesty, I hold the belief that there is truth in all of the word's religions and that a lot of the problems arising and disagreement comes from human misinterpretation.


Let me begin by explaining my beliefs to see if they sound like they align to any particular creeds or teachings;

After predominantly identifying myself as a Christian for most of my early life (I'm 26), I started calling myself a spiritual Christian about 3 or 4 years ago. This came about as I started to explore my own faith more deeply and started reading up on other belief systems such as Buddhism and Judaism.

I believe in a sentient God who created the universe and everything in it via the event we have come to know as The Big Bang.

I also believe that when we die, our true souls are released and we change state into our true forms - beings of "energy." I put the word energy into quotations as I believe that it is not a particular source of energy we understand as humans within the current remit of science. As the last sentence will show, I fully support and believe in the use and advancement of science as well. I just think that we get better at it with spiritual inspiration/encouragement/development.

I am unclear on my view of Jesus in my particular beliefs. At this point I believe that he was a Prophet of the lord and preached the principles of God through love and guidance but I am unsure of how far I worship Him as an actual God or representation of God. (Hope that makes sense!) I do believe his words and teachings are inspiration to us all though.

Equally, I believe in reincarnation. I believe our released souls go to Heaven to be reunited with all of the other souls we have connected through in our life and indeed previous lives. Curiously, I actually believe that coming back to Earth in a mortal state is a path of recreation and learning for spirits who dwell in the next world in eternity. I also believe this is optional for spirits who may also choose to remain in Heaven.

I hope this is enough to get started. Please feel free to ask me any questions you feel will help.

Just to re-iterate, I'm looking for suggested faiths/religions/readings to look into just to assist me in my own spiritual development.

Many thanks.

[sparklekaz]

Dear Zls,

I agree with a lot of what you have said. My path seems to have followed a similar route to yours, with regard to starting off as a traditional christian, and then through the readings of other belief sources, such as Buddhism, I now regard myself as a spiritual person rather then a religious one.

I have never regarded Jesus as God, it still surprises me when people refer to God and Jesus as being the same person. I cannot recall at any time being taught this when I was growing up, either in Church or Sunday School. He did claim to be the son of God, but he also said we were all children of God. I believe he was very special. That he was God's son on earth, and did have a stronger connection to him,then others who have come after him, or more so then we have now.

Being God's son, did not protect him from the same human frailties that we all share. He said himself, he struggled, had doubts and fears. In fact, he was terrified of what he knew awaited him. In spite of those fears, he carried on and fulfilled his destiny. Which was to spread the true teachings of God and ultimately to sacrifice himself for us, so that we could be saved.

I do struggle with a lot of the things said in the bible, because of the many contradictions. For instance, if Jesus died upon the cross, so that we would all be saved. He took on the sins of the world. Why then is it said, that man is born with original sin? But thats another debate.

I have never doubted, that Jesus was a incredibly spiritual man who had a very powerful message. It saddens me today, to see so much conflict in the world, in the name of religion, because it is the antithesis of what he tried to teach, and which many of the other holy men and prophets such as Buddha, Mohamed and Krishna taught also. At their heart, all religions speak of Truth, love and compassion for our fellow human beings. Not, only if they agree with us!

I personally take from each spiritual path, whatever feels right and rings true to my heart. I believe, we have a responsibility for our own growth and development. To either grow closer to God or to drift further away. It is always our choice.

I wish you well on your spiritual path zls, I feel sure you will find out all you need to know, to help you along your way. You will meet many others who are going you way, so remember to wave and say hello and to add a word or two of encouragement, as I am sure you have had given to you . This is what I try to do.

Your faith, is something very special, that can only be felt within the heart. There is no need to wear a label, and no one can give faith to another person. For me it is a inner connection to the divine and unique to each of us.

Love and light
Kaz

[dreamlight]

Hello, zls

I believe we carry our faith deep in our hearts.

I don't think it's easy to choose one faith or religion over another, and like Sparkle, I believe there is elements of truth in all faiths and religions that unite us with the world around us.

I believe that the voices of history, whether it be Jesus, Ghandi, the Dalai Lama (or any other voice that speaks out against darkness) are in fact Lightworkers that choose to walk amongst us to teach us love and light. And that we are not alone.

Faith is something that we need to reconnect with ourselves; Love has always been there, and sometimes we just forget where we came from, and need help finding our way back.

I have found that this journey has been an inspired one filled with beauty and love and along the way you will find and make new friends.

Peace & Light

[whitewolf]

Hi ZLs I personaly avoid being labeled with a paticular "Faith" To me "faith is not something you learn its something you feel and grow with until it becomes a part of your every fibre. I keep the feelings that feel right and let go the ones that dont sit right with me. Claiming to be Pagan, wiccan Christian etc is just a label. I dont wear a label I am just me I live my life following what feels right for me. In you comments you mention several things you beleive in so enjoy that and dont worry about being anything but yourself I hope your path brings you much joy and happiness. Wakan Takan Nici Un

[bluestarman1]

Hey ZLs.

Many here have been where you are now. You might want to look into syncretism. There is no reason to "define" your beliefs, just know that there are many like you out there. Never be afraid to find the truth, and everyone must find their own truth.

[zls]

Many thanks for your kind words and advice so far.

[brummyben]

I recently read a book which involved a psychiatrist over a period of months questioning the dalai lama on many different subjects. One of the subjects the dalai lama went on to talk about was the deifferent beliefs in the world and the different religions. He went onto say that a lot of the religions cover the same ground and that often the goals are the same even though the paths may be slightly different.
Anyway, the interesting part for me was that he went onto explain that he enjoyed meeting with leaders of other religions. He said that if he cut himself off as being a buddhist and only a buddhist then he would miss out in meeting a lot of other beings on this world and therefore miss out on many opportunities to learn and be thankful. He then went onto say that a lot of religious people may have a goal of seeing the world with 100% christian, or muslim, buddhist or whatever but this is unrealistic. Buddhism suits him because that is how he has been bought up since he was six years old but he is still open to other beliefs.

Now, that hasnt really answered your question but I found it quite interesting and uplifting. I do sometimes wonder if I would find it easier to settle down with one faith but each one does never fully do it for me and I find myself looking further. Funnily enough the further I look outwards, the more I am able to look inwards.

[zls]

Thanks Brummyben, agreed that is very uplifting and conforting.

[rubyjune]

Dear ZLS, I have been an athiest most of my life. I lost my "faith" as a young child and am only now beginning to explore an inner need for some kind of spirituality. I have been studying different faiths and have come to the conclusion that I don't really fit in any of them, but during this quest I loved gathering the bits and pieces that ring true with me. I've come to find that the only faith I embrace is love. Loving kindness. I practice Buddhism because it brings me peace, but lately I'm experiencing a great thrist for....I can only explain it as a belief in God. I had a hard time saying the word God and danced around it with words like, the universe, the great spirit, the force, etc. Finally I grew accustomed and more familiar with the word God.

In answer to your question, I feel there's nothing wrong with a hodge-podge, cobbled together ship to sail in until we find our truth. Growing, loving, living.

Thank you everyone for your replies to the question ZLS asked. I've loved reading all of your thoughts about this and you are helping to feed a starving soul.

[zls]

Hi, apologies I have been away from Internet access for some time. Thanks again for all of your support, views and advice on this.

As an update for anyone who may be interested, I have found great development over the past few months since writing this post.

I am still very much a person of faith in God but have embraced (and in fact, readily indulged) in a number of other teachings, particularly Spiritism, Buddhism and Spirituality. I have also increased my research into Christianity. I feel far more calm in myself and have began to meditate on these questions I have rather than just having them rolling around in my mind constantly. I still have a long journey ahead but I will definitely be using this site as a source of insight and inspiration.

Much love.

ZLS