[fantasea17]

Has anyone ever thought that maybe, just maybe, there belief system might be wrong?
Have you ever given thought that maybe there is a belief out there that is the truth?

On what basis do you judge your religion to be true? Pure faith? Or do you use emotional rationalization like, i feel good so it must be true? Or do you use logic to asses the truth claims of what is being presented to you?

I believe everything must be questioned, take nothing for granted, and there is no belief without proof and justifiable, logical reasons for such a belief.

If I have learned anything from my older brother, it is the ability to persistently, continuosly, annoyingly ask over and over and over:
Why??

What are your thoughts?

[Rapunzel]

How could you really believe that something is true until you have given serious consideration to what else is out there? Until you ask your questions, do your research, try it out and get some answers, all you have is blind faith.

If you believe something, have you lived what you believe and put it to the test? Go to the source, and ask if it is true (prayer). Do you get an answer? There's more than one kind of answer, too. It could be nothing, it could be that it's wrong, it could be that it's right, or maybe that you are on the right track but there is more to discover.

When you come across something new, ask about it, learn about it, and keep your heart and your mind open. Put it through the same process as with your own beliefs. We all have more to learn, and the source might not be what you expect. You can develop your ability to discern what is right from what is wrong.

[Anika.]

Well I was raised with one religion, but as I got older and started questioning these beliefs, it did not make sense to me. It was not what I believed it is what I was taught to believe.

I tried on many different religions, sort of felt like I was having a religious breakdown. But nothing I tried filled the hole for me. So I just decided to seek out for myself my own beliefs. I am not religious, but I am spiritual.

Yes I use logic to guide me, but I also use emotion. I try to find my own truths. Doesn't matter what anyone else feels is true, this is my reality. I have my own blend of science and spirituality, it's what works for me.

[Contrast]

I took psychedelics when I was younger and formed my own faith.

[LiveThroughThis]

I'm same with Anika. I was raised to in a certain kind of religious upbringing, but realized in my teens no one could answer my questions.

I was essentially a non-believer for a long time. Then I got into an off-the-grid kind of spiritual belief system. It worked well for me at the time--or so I thought--but I also happened to be hypomanic, so who can say.

Since this says no religious talk, I think it's ok for me to mention my decade in a support group; it was spiritual on its own. I stuck to it hard and fast and immersed myself in it (OCD, anyone?).

Then 4 years ago, I crashed completely into a depression I hadn't experienced in yrs...I literally cried every day for over three months. I had no idea why. I went to my support group/beliefs for answers, help. I got little to none. Up to that point all I believed fit the mold of my life. But suddenly my life was exploding from that mold, and I had nothing to piece it back together with...nothing I'd held true to in my heart and spirit for years.

Slowly, I stopped believing in the spiritual belief system, and quickly stopped the support group (after so many years, there was nothing new or of assistance for me). People would tell me, "I hate you're suffering so, I'm praying for you everyday, etc." I stopped praying months before; I had practically chanted, in vain.

My world continued to crash, farther than i thought possible, and ppl would tell me, "There's a reason behind all of this. You will get through this." Really? Interesting, since I can't say I believe that, I thought.

Fast forward to now. I don't have any belief system. Having foundations of my life literally cracking before my eyes/heart left me with nothing to believe in. I've always questioned things, and I used to find answers, when I had steadfast beliefs. But I don't any longer. I question the hell out of everything, and usually I come up with no answers. I have found some peace in that--- it just is what it is and maybe there's no grand plan for me and maybe beliefs are just a comfort to make me feel better about my life. All this said, I am not against finding or discovering a new belief system..I try to stay openminded if I can. I think if I had no belief in anything at all life would become 5 times harder. Currently I pick up things here and there to put in my toolbox. They hang out together and it works.

I know many many ppl who believe what they do without question. I think it's because they don't have the courage to look at the doubt. These ppl would not know how to keep going if they didn't have faith in something beyond them. Somehow, I can. Maybe because I've simply got too much other **** to focus on.

My two cents.

[peaches100]

Hi Fantasea,

Based on your posts, I'm curious as to what nonmainstream religion you are a part of?

You can PM me the answer if you wish.

[Dreamy01]

Oh yes, I question my faith a lot.

But I think remaining open is very important. Sticking rigidly to any faith - or none - can result in a narrow focus. So in my view questioning one's faith is healthy. I'm prepared to be completely wrong. There may not be an 'absolute truth' although I hope that there is.

[Thunder Bow]

Moat Religions have to do with people and preserving social order, and nothing to do with the universe and its powers.

[fantasea17]

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

Moat Religions have to do with people and preserving social order, and nothing to do with the universe and its powers.

Oh, that's not true with my faith.
We are taught to look at the magnificence of the universe, the order that it was created in, the brauty of nature, the stars, planets, sun and moon, wind water, mountains, etc.
All of these kind of things, we are taught to reflect on and think about everyday as much as humanly possible.

So for that reason, I think I have a good appreciation for the beauty of nature, because my religion calls for it.

[optimize990h]

That depends on the deliver of the beliefs. If the set of beliefs are exclusive, then I would prefer an inclusive set of beliefs that celebrate the community of all people so bridges not walls are built. That sense of community binds us together with acceptance and love. To meet the challenges we will face, that is an ideal to strive for.