[wickedwings]

for most of my life, i've been eclectic in my spirituality. i like exploring the diversity of religion and using bits of this and that. i know this may be odd for you. i am real close to the native american spirituality. and i'm into the bible, as well.

somehow, i'm getting tangled with christians who believe that christianity is the only way. i try to avoid them. i have christian friends who are open to a bit of flexible spirituality. but, i'm really uncomfortable mixing my own spirituality with christianity lately. even though i believe in the one god - great spirit, i just hate when something clashes. i don't know why i feel anxiety over this. i guess, the bible is so strong. it's good that it is strong. i just don't want to leave the spirituality that gave me comfort when nothing else could. and that's the native american spirituality with insights from other religions.

of course, i am a bit of an oddball. i don't follow the wiccans. i do root for the underdog, since they were persecuted in the inquisition period where they were burned alive for their beliefs. and i do like reading poetry of the moon and nightly things. i'm naturally a nocturnal. i have a fascination for the unexplainable, like cryptozoology, paranormal, and such. i have seen what looked like a u.f.o. when i was young. of those fascinations, i believe and disbelieve, just like a scientist would. i don't follow cults, devil worship, or animal sacrifice (or any religion that says animals go to hell). oh, yeah, i'm not into scientology, either.

i believe in magic because without magic, there's no hope, dreams, or imagination. and the sole source of magic is god/great spirit.

i've been chewed out by a group of christians lately, so i've been burned. so, now, i'm confused because are we supposed to have tolerance?

if any one of you are offended by anything in this post, please accept my sincerest apology. i have no interest in attacking any religions. i am a person of peace.

[(JD)]

I'm sorry you felt chewed out by Christians. I hope it was really just an animated conversation, but still sorry you came away from it hurting more.

I won't go into the "tolerance" issue because it really is a whole 'nuther topic. Please realize that what the world today declares as tolerance isn't what many older Christians know as tolerance, ok?

I'm not sure what exactly you are looking for in the way of Spiritual advice.

I have Native American roots, along with Scot and strong Christian roots and experience. I blend them quite nicely I think, as many of my ancestors also did. This is one sense where I believe that when one considers only ONE Great Spirit and only ONE triune God can mean the same thing.

I wonder if your turmoil is coming from the wooing of the Holy Spirit, Who wishes to Guide you, and you are resisting?

You also may be experiencing different things from/for different reasons. Your distaste for anything/one who "clashes" might be part of an anxiety disorder, and not founded in your faith.

Try to allow yourself to be guided. Continue to study and ask the Great Spirit for Guidance. He promises to give it.

[SeptemberMorn]

It could be that you've been on a spiritual diet of "milk" and now are ready to graduate to more "solid" food.

[Perna]

I believe we each believe what gives us comfort and helps us with our time on Earth. We cannot know, other than in our Heart and Spirit, what is True. Some people's expression of their beliefs can be like a secular gang or group's; loud and strident, and even abusive to others. The expression of one's beliefs is more about one's personality I think, than the beliefs necessarily. It is unfortunate because the expression can be done so poorly as to make it difficult for would-be listeners to hear and consider the beliefs themselves.

I think tolerance is necessary in one in order to hear and gain a measure of understanding of other people not like ourselves and to assure others that they will be heard. I believe your "friends" intolerance of what you believe and expression of it is about them rather than their beliefs. Intolerance is a hard thing to stand in the face of and get around so one can better understand.

[ocdchick]

I've found that my spiritual life has gone through different phases as I've "matured". When I accepted Jesus at age 10, I thought you had to pass out tracts to be a good Christian.

In my middle school years, I found Him expressing Himself through people-family, church, etc.

In high school and college, I became a bit more legalistic-attended Christian schools.

After college graduation, I went to a larger university for my Master's. I began attending InterVarsity meetings and met a very good girlfriend who I still keep in contact with-she helps me in living out my faith daily. I e-mail her regularly.

Recently, I've been studying CHristian mysticism and am seeing God as my Lover/Beloved -Song of Solomon. I've come back to a WONDERFUL Episcopal Church and feel very much a part of this body.

Hope things go well. I've had people criticize me in the past for my faith as well.

ocdchick

sorry you have been feeling uncomfortable. I dont have any advice for you but sometimes writing out some things about what you value about your spirituality and what offends or worries you about the other. Best of luck.

[wickedwings]

thanks for your advice. i guess, i'm getting confused with all the stuff that's coming about in my life. i'm about to have surgery in a month and been getting ready for it. try to do that at the same time as i'm trying move forward with my faith! ha! some adventure i'm going into. :P

you know lately im starting to focus on what I know rather than what I don't know. I belive the universe will bring to me whatever answers that I need if i truely need to know them to lead a successful life. Instead, there are several spirtual things that I KNOW for sure. Those things I am holding onto. Maybe that will give you comfort during this time. You have learned and know much. And that much is all you need in the moment.

[altonwoodsdrphil]

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esthersvirtue said:
you know lately im starting to focus on what I know rather than what I don't know."

I think thats very insightful, our nature is to want more and more and yet we often see ourselves as perhaps at a place where forward motion stops and we wonder why. this can be a painful time, which "coincidentally" compells us to retreat back to the very thing we have ignored...the thing that worked way back then. for Christians it's re-connecting with our heavenly father and letting him fill us with his love. spending time in prayer and in his word, fellowshipping with other believers, until we feel a renewed sense of his purpouse in our lives. I believe all of Gods children experience this, we wander away from home and suddenly look around and wonder why we feel anxious...hopefully some of this was meaningful to you!

[AAAAA]

I have a bit of a problem with organized religion. I am Lutheran, but I have trouble with some of their teachings as I have mentioned before.

Queen Elizabeth I once said, there is but one God and the rest is just triffles. I believe that.

It is my belief that if you believe in God and live your life the best that you can trying to improve your faults, God is satisfied.

I do believe in Jesus Christ, and my children have been baptised because I believe in baptism. I do not believe, even though it is the teaching of our church, that heaven is not available to those that are not baptised.

I think that our human mind is incapable of fully understanding a divine being. He created me exactly as I am, my status as a human makes me imperfect.

[1oxbowgirl]

(((wickedwings)))) Don't let a few rude Christians upset your path of faith. From what I have read in your other postings, it sounds to me like you are on solid ground. It does not hurt to be curious of things you don't understand or find spiritual interesting. You seem to be able to sort out what is true and what is false. It might be with all that is happening in your life right now that in your nervousness, there is inside you the spirit trying to calm your fears, as well as, make sure you do not stray to far from your path. Sometimes in stressful times we can be led in the wrong direction out of fear and self preservation. But I think your going to be just fine. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.