this is another touchy subject. i feel like everyone has their point of views and beliefs as to what religion means to them. personally i don't know where I stand. I mean i believe in god and Jesus and I do believe in what's right and what's wrong. but as far as these certain type of "guidelines" that you have to live and how the churches represent themselves is something that i really don't like.
i was born into a catholic family, just as my parents and grandparents were. but as i was growing up my family's religious views have changed. i am the only one out of my siblings to be baptized by the catholic church. from then on we really didn't practice our Catholicism.Then when i was in elementary school my uncle, my mom's brother, was in a really bad car wreck along with some of my cousins and things changed from there. my uncle started going to a christian church and he liked it. he began to bring us around and for a while me and my family were a part of this christian church. then we started getting these bad vibes as to why we lived the way we lived and were sort of questioned as to our commitment with the church. it just made me, including my family, really uncomfortable so we left. we still attend services here and there but just to hear my uncle speak and that's about it.
i feel like when I'm ready to commit my life to this "religion" than i will. i don't want to do it because i feel like i have too. like i said before i believe in god and jesus. i turn to them just like any other person when i am in need and it gives me a sense of comfort and thats all i need in life at times. i dont need a church telling me what i should and shouldn't do. i rather do it on my own knowing that i can fulfill the same needs just as everyone else.
so i leave you with this verse,
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
=)
Desiree,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I told you this or not but that's my youngest daughter's name. Love the name. You are right, sometimes it is difficult to decide what church to follow when they have so many different "guidelines and rules" they think you should follow. The beliefs that you have I think is the true definition of spirituality, not religion, so kudos to you for standing up for your beliefs. I think a lot of young people have a hard time with the idea of religion. If more of them just defined spiriruality for themselves, perhaps there would be a lot less crime, drug use, and drop-outs. You must have something to believe in or what is your true purpose in life. You inspire me with your wisdom. Well said...
See you soon..
Desiree,
ReplyDeleteI agree that religion can be a touchy topic, thanks for sharing such personal thoughts and experiences. Religion can be such a difficult subject, we all have differing views and people have expectations of others because of these views. I think it is great that you are allowing yourself to believe in something but on your own terms-rather than society's.
Thanks for sharing,
-Rebecca