[Shadow Wraith]

I feel as though I am torn by believing strongly in a higher power and not believing in anything supernatural. I think about the functions that religion fulfills in people's lives. I feel a lot of cognitive dissonance. I realize that science and faith are two different things. I know they don't have to be mutually exclusive. I sometimes envy those people who seem to know with absolute certainty that God does or does not exist. It just seems sometimes that I've heard the argument for a person's particular religion being the "right" religion as being because that is how they have been "raised". Of course that begs the question, how does anybody who is objective about things know that one way is the only way (like through Jesus) when so many other people ended up believing differently than me just because they were born in a different part of the world. So, where is the justice and good in condemning people who are "the others" to eternal suffering? My best way of handling it has been to not judge others and to accept the possibility I may be proven wrong when I die. But can true faith exist alongside any doubt? I just accept Christianity in a spiritual way. I think regardless of the validity of Christianity or other faith, I want to be careful to not get caught up in formal religious institutions since in many cases they tend to be dens of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. There is no denying that although religion has had good effects on people and society, it also has had disturbing, fear and guilt invoking overtones. I know I can't be someone who just blindly sticks to my view on things despite an abundance of real evidence to the contrary, e.g. believing in the Bible, the Koran, etc. and having political views that are diametrically opposed to such a view. I try to just follow my conscience on what's right and accept a personal faith. The difference between one's spirituality/religion and science is that one is based on a "leap of faith", whereas the other is based on empirical evidence. In my opinion, one in their "right mind" cannot see the earth as round and yet believe it is flat. Yet the existence of God is based on faith since nobody can prove whether God exists or not. Therefore I cannot say that someone is wrong to believe in the supernatural as long as it doesn't contradict reality. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read about my 4 am, can't go to sleep, deep thinking.

[Skully]

I know how you feel. I am also torn. I tend to gravitate towards the native american beliefs and in paginisim. But I also believe in guardian angels which is christian. So I am also stuck in limbo.

The only advice I can give you is to experiment. Read about different religions and study them. In the process you might be able to find what you are looking for. When I studied native american religion, it was like "oh yeah that's what I feel like!" There are many different religions out there. Take the time to study what interests you and maybe you will find your spirtual peace

[DancingAlone]

Both of you may find these very very interesting. They are what has happened as science is now proving the existence of a "force" (Stephen Hawking, probably THE foremost physicist today, calls it the "Mind of God") it has always existed, but science is just now proving/accepting it.

P.S. i like this phrase i heard: "God is greater than all religions."

(this first has a commercial, please ignore)

Gregg Braden…bridging time, space, healing and belief (science proves a field of energy that permeates everything--Stephen Hawking calls it the “mind of God”)

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/divine-matrix-pt-1-gregg-braden/2a4e6336c3e00ccddb612a4e6336c3e00ccddb61-312002085148?q=gregg%20braden%20divine%20matrix

Gregg Braden Unleashing the Power of the God Code:

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/gregg-braden-pt-1-9-the-power-of-emotions-conversations-with/cec5796764383fe1d4c7cec5796764383fe1d4c7-282299794012?q=gregg%20braden%20divine%20matrix

[SunnyD]

I will be praying that you will be lead to what you are looking for. Pm me anytime.

[Shadow Wraith]

DancingAlone - thank you for your reply. I thought Stephen Hawking was an atheist. In his latest book, Hawking says, "Because there are laws such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself out of nothing. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the Universe going."

Originally Posted by DancingAlone

Both of you may find these very very interesting. They are what has happened as science is now proving the existence of a "force" (Stephen Hawking, probably THE foremost physicist today, calls it the "Mind of God") it has always existed, but science is just now proving/accepting it.

P.S. i like this phrase i heard: "God is greater than all religions."

(this first has a commercial, please ignore)

Gregg Braden…bridging time, space, healing and belief (science proves a field of energy that permeates everything--Stephen Hawking calls it the “mind of God”)

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/divine-matrix-pt-1-gregg-braden/2a4e6336c3e00ccddb612a4e6336c3e00ccddb61-312002085148?q=gregg%20braden%20divine%20matrix

Gregg Braden Unleashing the Power of the God Code:

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/gregg-braden-pt-1-9-the-power-of-emotions-conversations-with/cec5796764383fe1d4c7cec5796764383fe1d4c7-282299794012?q=gregg%20braden%20divine%20matrix

[Shadow Wraith]

Thank you SunnyD for your post. Prayers certainly can't hurt.

Originally Posted by SunnyD

I will be praying that you will be lead to what you are looking for. Pm me anytime.

[DancingAlone]

hi Shadow Wraith,
i've heard several different comments from Hawking, such as the following:

http://www.pbs.org/faithandreason/in...haw-frame.html

i really don't care what science thinks personally, not now, for i have proof of His (God's) work within my own life and in the lives of others who have experienced His divine intervention when there was no hope, love where there was none, and the power of peace, grace and healing when there was chaos and confusion and illness.

at one time however, i demanded a more scientific explanation and am very glad to see that science is moving in that direction, thus the sites i posted.

it's a fascinating topic, but when i am lost, afraid, and in pain, i pray that He will be there to catch me when i fall, to soothe my pains, and calm my fears. these are the things i believe in now, that i have felt within my very soul. He was there all along. the only difference is now i listen.

IMHO

[Woman_Healing]

It sounds as though like many, many people, you are Agnostic. That's just not really knowing if there's a God. I was agnostic myself until I had a spiritual awakening. The power of that awakening is undeniable - and believe me, I'm a modern woman who cared nothing of God (that hurts me to say now.)

My relationship with God had nothing to do with any religion at all. No one tells me who my God is, and so he is an all-encompassing and loving God. That does not mean, however, that He justifies my wrongs when I commit them. That's a God of convenience.

I had to do some work to connect with the God of my understanding and now He is helping me heal - slowly. He is also allowing me to see things I never could before, and accept them safely. That is an awakening.