Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Maybe the path is an endless journey of varying paths.
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Changed religion so many times, reluctant to label myself..
- Thread starter Maija
- Start date
Maybe the path is an endless journey of varying paths.
Maija
Active Member
This gonna be a long ride!
...
Hopefully, I'd love find something and stick to it...inshallah...
Sha'irullah
رسول الآلهة
I don't mean to sound like a hateful fool on the forum but you have no idea how much I hate the Hanabali maddhab. I keep associating it with a very dreadful person I met and for some reason it left me with a bias, but that is a long story fit for a rant.
Well although I believe god demands study I believe submission cannot come unless through study so essentially we believe in the same thing, but I just add a little extra to the starting line
. Even I perform salat out of habit although I leave out certain parts during recitation of Tashh'hud. I don't mean to say this in a degoratory manner but when a person leaves Islam it cripples you. You can't imagine how many times I have woken up at 5AM thinking "it is Fajr". I always hear a tiny voice in the back of my head cursing me out everytime I do something Un-Islamic. One does not simply leave Islam. Islam, Judaism and Sanatana Dharma are very distinct because they are so intertwined with culture and lifestyle that they affect a person's departure. I feel bad for apostate Muslims although not for leaving Islam but for trying to stop being Muslim. It took me 14 months to quit everything Islamic until I realized last week I had not eaten pork since last year
. Takes effort to not be a Muslim when you are accustomed to it. It is especially harder if you have friends teasing you about it and playing an Azan to wake you up.Gaura Priya
IRL
I have no idea. A complex mixture of belief, circumstances, and karma certainly has put myself back in square one.
I am studying religion again. :/ I have struggled between Vaishnavism and Christianity, but at the moment, I am studying three: Vaishnavism, Christianity, and Unitarian Universalism. I am not sure where this journey is taking me, but it is taking me somewhere, lol.
However, I am taking this as a form of stride. I think it is common that a good lot of us are trying on an fitting different religions. There is beauty in each and all of them, and information of all of them come in a blink of an eye (or Google just does it for you!). Perhaps it's a post-modern paradigm, and that many of us can see the universality of these religions.
But religion is also a culture, a way of life. Islam, Christianity (at least, the Anglo-Catholic kind that I am studying), and Unitarian Universalism, Vaishnavism, etc. they all shape world views, rituals, daily living, prayers, eating habits, fellowship / association, etc. It's certainly not a surprise that with the wealth of information and the rich diversity of human thought, it is hard for many of us who feel displaced in the religions of our birth to find a new one that is 'just right.'
Maybe there is no 'just right,' but a collective and living culture that informs the majority of our spiritual world views, with some heretical thinking to boot.
I am studying religion again. :/ I have struggled between Vaishnavism and Christianity, but at the moment, I am studying three: Vaishnavism, Christianity, and Unitarian Universalism. I am not sure where this journey is taking me, but it is taking me somewhere, lol.
However, I am taking this as a form of stride. I think it is common that a good lot of us are trying on an fitting different religions. There is beauty in each and all of them, and information of all of them come in a blink of an eye (or Google just does it for you!). Perhaps it's a post-modern paradigm, and that many of us can see the universality of these religions.
But religion is also a culture, a way of life. Islam, Christianity (at least, the Anglo-Catholic kind that I am studying), and Unitarian Universalism, Vaishnavism, etc. they all shape world views, rituals, daily living, prayers, eating habits, fellowship / association, etc. It's certainly not a surprise that with the wealth of information and the rich diversity of human thought, it is hard for many of us who feel displaced in the religions of our birth to find a new one that is 'just right.'
Maybe there is no 'just right,' but a collective and living culture that informs the majority of our spiritual world views, with some heretical thinking to boot.
FashionOfMyLove
Non-Conformist
I have changed my beliefs quite a lot but am now settled.
I group up believing in the Christian God as a young child (despite having secular parents) because in UK primary schools they push it on you and teach you it as almost a fact. I grew up and began to question it and constantly drifted in and out of atheism, agnosticism and theism until I became a firm atheist. Then I found Buddhism as I found the practices and beliefs helpful and suited my non-theism. I have settled in it (and for good by the looks of things) and that's why a now.
I group up believing in the Christian God as a young child (despite having secular parents) because in UK primary schools they push it on you and teach you it as almost a fact. I grew up and began to question it and constantly drifted in and out of atheism, agnosticism and theism until I became a firm atheist. Then I found Buddhism as I found the practices and beliefs helpful and suited my non-theism. I have settled in it (and for good by the looks of things) and that's why a now.
Okay, here is mine:
I was raised Southern Baptist, became an Atheist, then an Agnostic, then a Tibetan Buddhist, then Theravada, looked into Zen, considered some Pagan paths, now I'm settled back on Agnostic.
I'm perfectly fine with being an Agnostic for the time being, but I'm considering looking into Reform/Reconstructionist Judaism and Hinduism.
I was raised Southern Baptist, became an Atheist, then an Agnostic, then a Tibetan Buddhist, then Theravada, looked into Zen, considered some Pagan paths, now I'm settled back on Agnostic.
I'm perfectly fine with being an Agnostic for the time being, but I'm considering looking into Reform/Reconstructionist Judaism and Hinduism.
in_lakech
I Am Another You :)
It is interesting that we are on similar paths.
I was a Pentecostal Christian for about 8 years, became an Atheist, then Religious Scientist, Humanist/Secular Buddhist, then Pantheist, and now Religious Naturalist/Agnostic.
I just discovered Reconstructionist Judaism a few days and I've been reading up on Hinduism. I may visit a synagogue this weekend, but I am a bit nervous on how accepting the congregation would be to an African-American non-Jew. There is a Reconstructionist and Reform temple near me. I really resonate with the Reconstructionist view of God/Good.
Have you visited any synagogues, AgnosticSeeker?
I have visited Synagogues. So far I've been to a Reform and Conservative temple. As far as I know, they are generally very welcoming people and should not reject you because of race or religious beliefs. I went with my boyfriend to one and no one batted and eye or said anything. So you should have no worries; especially if you go to a Reform or Reconstructionist temple.
My view of God is very naturalistic/Deistic and I think I can blend it well with Reform/Reconstructionist Judaism.
in_lakech
I Am Another You :)
I have visited Synagogues. So far I've been to a Reform and Conservative temple. As far as I know, they are generally very welcoming people and should not reject you because of race or religious beliefs. I went with my boyfriend to one and no one batted and eye or said anything. So you should have no worries; especially if you go to a Reform or Reconstructionist temple.
My view of God is very naturalistic/Deistic and I think I can blend it well with Reform/Reconstructionist Judaism.
Wonderful. Thanks for the information. Do you think you would ever considering converting?
I have considered it, yes. For the longest time I was reluctant because it is "Abrahamic", but I think I can be rational while joining the covenant of the Jewish people. I just need to keep searching and make absolutely sure before I actually do anything.
in_lakech
I Am Another You :)
Maija
Active Member
I have no idea. A complex mixture of belief, circumstances, and karma certainly has put myself back in square one.
I am studying religion again. :/ I have struggled between Vaishnavism and Christianity, but at the moment, I am studying three: Vaishnavism, Christianity, and Unitarian Universalism. I am not sure where this journey is taking me, but it is taking me somewhere, lol.
However, I am taking this as a form of stride. I think it is common that a good lot of us are trying on an fitting different religions. There is beauty in each and all of them, and information of all of them come in a blink of an eye (or Google just does it for you!). Perhaps it's a post-modern paradigm, and that many of us can see the universality of these religions.
But religion is also a culture, a way of life. Islam, Christianity (at least, the Anglo-Catholic kind that I am studying), and Unitarian Universalism, Vaishnavism, etc. they all shape world views, rituals, daily living, prayers, eating habits, fellowship / association, etc. It's certainly not a surprise that with the wealth of information and the rich diversity of human thought, it is hard for many of us who feel displaced in the religions of our birth to find a new one that is 'just right.'
Maybe there is no 'just right,' but a collective and living culture that informs the majority of our spiritual world views, with some heretical thinking to boot.
i guess i was done with syncretic religion or such an eclectic mesh of beliefs, it was tired of hopping around, i wanted a home and alas- how much better i feel.
i have a routine and it was much deeper than it was before
This is not directed specifically at you, but for anyone who is in flux about religions:
How does one handle the feeling of abandonment of the deity or deities, and/or the practices of a path that is being left behind? If there is indeed such a feeling or occurrence. Maybe abandonment is not the right word, perhaps "scaling back" is a better term; even "mothballed". For example, for those who were Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, or another religion that has icons, did you lovingly pack them away? Or did you leave them out on an altar, or in a shrine, and now treat them as decorations? How do you (the plural "y'all") view the deities of the religion being re-examined?
John Martin
Active Member
Religions are different belief systems. RELIGION embraces the whole journey: from the individual consciousness to the collective consciousness,from the collective to the universal and from the universal to the Divine. Religions as belief systems belong to the second level. may be the Divine life is inviting you to move into the third and the fourth?
Maija
Active Member
I actually had no deities, I had pictures and books that I have re-gifted and will donate.
The feeling of abandonment...
I did not experience this. If we can know God under many different names but He is all the same then who has been abandoned?
The only feeling of abandonment could come from the kirtan/dharmachakra group that I used to go to, it's very difficult when one changes path for those left behind. In your week you may have your:
1- weekly religious event that you attend
2- your hang out with those you feel spiritually bonded with
..
to further engage in visiting with my old group would be a lot to pack into a week.
I also need family time and down time.
I know many might want to ease their way out of a faith or philosophy and keep pieces of old beliefs or practices with them. I don't know if I was far into SD enough to experience this..for some reason or other- maybe because I was Muslim for a few years, this transition has been easy.
From the time I said the Shahada and started praying 5x a day, life in a way started afresh.
:bow:
John Martin
Active Member
spiritual life is a journey from God outside to God inside or from truth outside to truth inside. In general we create images of God and authority and worship them. There comes a stage in our life where we feel we are abandoned by God and even the feeling that God might not exist. This is the sign that God is inviting us to grow from the external images of God and authority and discover inner truth, where we encounter the God of freedom and silence, who is beyond all names and form. This is a transition from the God of images, words and authority to the God of silence, freedom and without images. Hence for me the condition of abandonment by Gods is a sign of invitation to grow:not to remain a child but to become an adult. Jesus Christ said, the Father has given all authority to the son and the son does what he sees the Father doing. It is not just worshiping God but doing the will of God with understanding and freedom.Interestingly in the New Testament God spoke only twice, at the moment of Jesus baptism and at his transfiguration but he said the same thing:you are my beloved son and he is my beloved son. Then God became silent. Jesus became an adult.he does not need God telling him all the time and to beat the back of him.
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Maija
Active Member
I never really felt abandoned but God so much I felt that my choices and habits had put Him less a priority.
This whole year I felt like I was waiting for the answer, I prayed about which direction to take..
anticipating a dream or sign..It was much more simple than that, instead God just changed my thoughts.
It was odd, one day I woke up and realized that I could no longer relate to ideas I had been following and practices I attempted.
Literally, one day in the most subtle way I woke up and felt like a Muslim. Previous, I was close to God in many names and shapes and ways of God and as simple as it was supposed to be, it was still complex for me.
And one day I woke up and thought, this is not my path
... So here I am.
Alas... :bow: the journey has been a good one, I'm glad to be back home.
InformedIgnorance
Do you 'know' or believe?
I have taken to labeling my approach to theological positions, rather than my own specific position on certain theological concepts. When I am asked what my position is I usually refer to my approach instead unless asked about a specific theological concept (such as being asked if I believe in an eternal plane of torment in the afterlife or that Jesus was God or Karma etc) since most people cannot understand precisely what my theological position IS I just say that I am 'acutely aware of my own ignorance' if they press for a response after that then I will explain it to them - but most people who ask seldom care beyond affixing a label so I do my best to annoy them.
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What you have thought about in your heart,listen, and it shall be revealed to you.