How Did You Find Your Faith?

[OceanSoul]

Nice question.



I came to my faith by "giving in." I only practice two belief systems Catholic and Buddhism. Everything else are practices rather than actual religions.

I wasn't raised religious. Mother took us to church because she wanted a perfect Christian family, two kids-boy and a girl, labor dog, and a white picket fence (no joke. She wanted this). I came to Christianity because of knowledge. I wanted to be a nun and remember I did because I just wanted to study the Bible. So that's what I did in most my teen years.

Had brain surgery, lost my interest due to depression. Then I met my Catholic friend and went to Mass with her for over 15 years. I made the jump, became Catholic. Never regretted it.

So that's where my faith started, really. Joining the Church. I learned about prayer, devotion, and sacredness secrecy. I learned about turning from old habits and developing new. I learned support and family acceptance.

However, I've been in college for over 12 years and I always came back for the thirst of knowledge. Catholicism is about the heart but for me, to get to that "spiritual feeling" I travel back to my mind.

I can't remember where I learned about Buddhism, but from it, I practiced Zen for a good couple of years. Then, a Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist took me to their temple and I stayed for a good half a year.

Then I started learning about the Sutras from Pali suttas to Mahayana (since the Zen thing stuck). It wasn't something I needed to believe. It was something that "made sense." It didn't become a conversion like taking the sacraments.

I gave in.

It was a realization to reality; and, now I am on the journey of how to live it rather than what to believe first. It became a foundation.

I felt it's right because I feel that the mind is the source of all emotions or what we define as our "heart." Catholicism is a heart faith and I felt I was floating on emotions. So, now I float on knowledge. I also found that Bodhisattvas role is to help others to enlightenment by using different means and analogies appropriate for people to reach that state. So I took public speaking, started going into a career that gives knowledge and helps people communicate with each other. I'm taking language because of it.

I don't know if I can say "it" means a lot to me. The closest I can get is "I love life." I value life and living. I came through a lot to be here; so, no matter what the religion is called, as long as I can give knowledge, help others, and practice a foundation regardless if it's giving offerings to The Buddha, practicing the Dharma, or visiting my grandmothers at Mass, everything is a part of life -- or a a part of god--

I can't see spirituality any other way.

So, I gave in.

Loving life and cherishing it is something that is important to do. It's easy to take our lives for granted and show little gratitude. Your spirituality sounds very important to you.

 

[OceanSoul]

Of course Catholic Bibles have more books because they make up stuff others do not believe.

Why are you being insulting to Catholics? You probably don't even know what is inside their Bibles nor the Catechism nor anything they believe in. Spouting off ignorant statements just makes you seem spiteful, maybe ask Catholics questions instead of making false assumptions and telling them what they believe.

 

[OceanSoul]

You may not believe the Bible but it says in Ephesians 2:8 that people are saved by grace through faith and that faith is a gift from God. Why He gives it to some people and not others is something you will have to ask Him. Maybe some people really are special?

Or maybe not, I don't think nonbelievers are less special. My Dad is an Atheist so what? That doesn't mean they are less than believers. I don't believe God is as cruel as you apparently do.

 

[OceanSoul]

I could probably come up with something interesting if I tried hard enough, but truth is I was raised in it.

That's alright If you're happy where you are then there's no reason to change it.

 

[OceanSoul]

Lots of stuff seems unfair. Economic strata at birth. Brains. Looks. Sudden disease. Lottery winners. Who said life was supposed to be fair?

There are children who die from preventable causes like starvation, but I don't have to like it. Of course, I can try and help alleviate some suffering in the world. I didn't say life was fair.

 

[Vinayaka]

There are children who die from preventable causes like starvation, but I don't have to like it. Of course, I can try and help alleviate some suffering in the world. I didn't say life was fair.

Yes I know you didn't, and I agree its a mystery for most people. But this is off your original topic, so I shall cease and desist. Interesting thread, such diversity.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

And who says God is fair? If He decides to give a gift of faith to some people and not others that is up to Him. All I am saying is that people want to say they believe in the Bible but what they believe is not in the Bible. They are of course free to believe whatever they want to but they cannot say that they are believing the Bible When a religion, like Catholicism, admits that they believe in a combination of the Bible and "tradition" and sometimes the "tradition" is different from the Bible then they are not believing everything in the Bible. It is their right to do this but do not argue with someone who points out something that is not in the Bible.

 

[OceanSoul]

Yes I know you didn't, and I agree its a mystery for most people. But this is off your original topic, so I shall cease and desist. Interesting thread, such diversity.

Heh, it's alright. Thanks for your input.

 

[OceanSoul]

And who says God is fair? If He decides to give a gift of faith to some people and not others that is up to Him. All I am saying is that people want to say they believe in the Bible but what they believe is not in the Bible. They are of course free to believe whatever they want to but they cannot say that they are believing the Bible When a religion, like Catholicism, admits that they believe in a combination of the Bible and "tradition" and sometimes the "tradition" is different from the Bible then they are not believing everything in the Bible. It is their right to do this but do not argue with someone who points out something that is not in the Bible.

How God gives faith isn't something that can be known nor understood, but I tend to err on the side of caution by not assuming that he chooses some people and leaves the others behind. That portrayal of God is pretty insulting like people who believe in a wrathful image of him. I don't nor do I believe in your portrayal of him.

I will argue with someone who is throwing around inaccurate statements about others. You can disagree with Catholics, but you shouldn't just go around misrepresenting them. This Catholic vs Protestant stuff is problematic and divides Christians.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

And who says God is fair? If He decides to give a gift of faith to some people and not others that is up to Him. All I am saying is that people want to say they believe in the Bible but what they believe is not in the Bible. They are of course free to believe whatever they want to but they cannot say that they are believing the Bible When a religion, like Catholicism, admits that they believe in a combination of the Bible and "tradition" and sometimes the "tradition" is different from the Bible then they are not believing everything in the Bible. It is their right to do this but do not argue with someone who points out something that is not in the Bible.

No one, not even strident sola Scriptura fundie Protestants, derive their doctrines purely from the Bible at face value. You're all going by some tradition of interpretation and exegesis.The Bible doesn't explain itself. It has to be interpreted and there's various ways of doing that. It's just that Protestants, especially Evangelicals, have rejected traditional authorities (such as the Magisterium and the Church Fathers) and decided to be their own authorities, making up their own interpretations of things regardless of precedent, leading to continuous fracturing and splitting. Now you're all over the place and there's 10s of thousands of sects of Christianity thanks to that. Catholics and the Orthodox don't have that problem. We're given some leeway in our personal views, but there's a definite boundary where if you step outside of that, you're no longer holding to the Faith.

So you really have no room to be all smug and arrogant. The Catholic Church is still the largest denomination, with over a billion members. The Orthodox number around 800 million and the rest are divided up between thousands of sects of Protestants and Restorationists. So apparently we're doing something right if we can keep it together as well as we have.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I said nothing about predestination. I said faith is a GIFT from God and He does not give that gift to everyone. Ephesians fully supports this. But again, Catholic teaching says that if something they want you to believe disagrees with the Bible then you throw aout the Bible and believe what they want yout to believe.

So you mean to tell me, say, 14,000 thousand people who want to be Christian, believe in god, and follow Christ won't -receive god's grace because god didn't choose them regardless of how much he loves them too?

 

[OceanSoul]

No one, not even strident sola Scriptura fundie Protestants, derive their doctrines purely from the Bible at face value. You're all going by some tradition of interpretation and exegesis.The Bible doesn't explain itself. It has to be interpreted and there's various ways of doing that. It's just that Protestants, especially Evangelicals, have rejected traditional authorities (such as the Magisterium and the Church Fathers) and decided to be their own authorities, making up their own interpretations of things regardless of precedent, leading to continuous fracturing and splitting. Now you're all over the place and there's 10s of thousands of sects of Christianity thanks to that. Catholics and the Orthodox don't have that problem. We're given some leeway in our personal views, but there's a definite boundary where if you step outside of that, you're no longer holding to the Faith.

So you really have no room to be all smug and arrogant. The Catholic Church is still the largest denomination, with over a billion members. The Orthodox number around 800 million and the rest are divided up between thousands of sects of Protestants and Restorationists. So apparently we're doing something right if we can keep it together as well as we have.

No kidding, I guess if they understood the roots of Christianity more these fundies would get the Bible is there as a guide, it's not perfect nor is it without error nor is everything within it literal and if they discovered that they would probably lose their faith. Sad.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

I am not interpreting anything or saying anyone is wrong. I am stating what the Bible clearly says. What you believe is up to you. Here is another example. Many people believe that Jesus is available to everyone. The Bible says in John 6:44 that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. And there is no indication that He draws everyone. You are free to believe what you want but that is what the Bible sys. It is not my intention to insult or belittle anyone. But do not say your beliefs come from the Bible when the Bible says something different. And the Catholic church admits it believes some things based on "tradition" and not the Bible. Pointing out what they themselves admit is not insulting them. By the way, Jesus said His church would be a "little flock" That does not sound like a group with billions of members.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I am not interpreting anything or saying anyone is wrong. I am stating what the Bible clearly says. What you believe is up to you. Here is another example. Many people believe that Jesus is available to everyone. The Bible says in John 6:44 that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. And there is no indication that He draws everyone. You are free to believe what you want but that is what the Bible sys. It is not my intention to insult or belittle anyone. But do not say your beliefs come from the Bible when the Bible says something different. And the Catholic church admits it believes some things based on "tradition" and not the Bible. Pointing out what they themselves admit is not insulting them. By the way, Jesus said His church would be a "little flock" That does not sound like a group with billions of members.

Tradition is the fleshing out and living out of what the Bible teaches. You can believe what you want, but I just don't appreciate your insults. I'm not interested in getting into some nit-picking verse by verse argument with you, as that's not what this thread is about and I'm not going to hijack it. Besides, I'm busy and have a very long night ahead of me, and it's time for dinner. Have a nice day.

 

[OceanSoul]

I am not interpreting anything or saying anyone is wrong. I am stating what the Bible clearly says. What you believe is up to you. Here is another example. Many people believe that Jesus is available to everyone. The Bible says in John 6:44 that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. And there is no indication that He draws everyone. You are free to believe what you want but that is what the Bible sys. It is not my intention to insult or belittle anyone. But do not say your beliefs come from the Bible when the Bible says something different. And the Catholic church admits it believes some things based on "tradition" and not the Bible. Pointing out what they themselves admit is not insulting them. By the way, Jesus said His church would be a "little flock" That does not sound like a group with billions of members.

Alas the Bible can be interpreted in different ways. And no I don't believe as you do. Moving on.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

So we will all continue to believe what we want. You should not be insulted when someone says your belief is not in the Bible and points out verses to show this. Tradition can also be a way to get people to believe something that has no other support.

 

[OceanSoul]

So we will all continue to believe what we want. You should not be insulted when someone says your belief is not in the Bible and points out verses to show this. Tradition can also be a way to get people to believe something that has no other support.

I'm not a Christian so obviously the Bible isn't a big factor in my life. I don't know much about how Tradition works either, but not everything Christians believe come solely from the Bible. I would recommend asking Catholics about Tradition instead.

I don't mean for this thread to turn into a Bible verse nit-picking party, I'm asking different people from different religions why they follow it. I should've used "religion" instead of the word "faith" in the thread title.

 

[buddhist]

Or lack thereof?

I'm just curious how others here have come to their faith or religion, why they feel it is right for them, or what it means to them. A lot of people search yet can't find what they seek spiritually.

I found my philosophy-religion after a few years of thought, reasoning, and intense reading into the ideas behind many different philosophies and religions, and after rejecting 30+ years of Christianity.

I concluded, and found great hope and satisfaction in the fact, that early Buddhism focuses on the importance of intention (not the letter of the law), things to be known personally (not blind belief in unverifiable dogmas), that it possesses no intermediaries or hierarchies (vs plenty of them in other religions), that it really doesn't depend on a "real" Buddha (vs religions which require a "real" figurehead which constitutes their foundations and must be followed blindly), and posits truths universally applicable throughout space & time (vs things bound to time/culture/lands/an exclusive people group/etc.), with an emphasis on less (vs more), that it also encourages independent thought (vs need for conformity), that it targeted dukkha, the root issue of the human condition (vs other religions which seek to treat the symptoms of dukkha), and that it provides a systematic, methodical path to treat that condition (vs dogmas, again).

 

[Sundance]

Or lack thereof?

I'm just curious how others here have come to their faith or religion, why they feel it is right for them, or what it means to them. A lot of people search yet can't find what they seek spiritually.

Very groovy question, OceanSoul! Uhh...I think @Vinayaka had said it best when he said, ‘God found me’!

Initially, I discovered the Bahá’í Faith accidentally, actually. It hit me from out of nowhere. Though, I ignored it, I brushed it off. At 17, I really began to explore it more fully. I noticed that I instantly found resonance with its central teachings. It was like love at first sight (if you believe in that, anyway). What especially drew me to the Bahá’í Faith was its inherent openness towards other religions, going back to the first days of the Faith and to Bahá'u'lláh (the Founder) Himself:


“Consort ye with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship....”

“There can be no doubt whatsoever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race and religion, derive their inspiration from one and the same Heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God....”

“...All religions...are reflections of God's Will and Purpose to humankind.”

“There is one God; mankind is one; the foundations of religion are one. Let us worship Him, and give praise for all His great Prophets and Messengers who have manifested His brightness and glory.”

"One cannot call one World Faith superior to another, as they all come from God."

“All must abandon prejudices and must even go to each other's churches and mosques, for, in all of these worshipping places, the Name of God is mentioned…All of the leaders must, likewise, go to each other's Churches and speak of the foundation and of the fundamental principles of the divine religions. In the utmost unity and harmony they must worship God, in the worshipping places of one another, and must abandon fanaticism.”


Three years later, and I don't regret my decision to declare my faith! Peace and Blessings on your search!

 

[DawudTalut]

Or lack thereof?

I'm just curious how others here have come to their faith or religion,

Peace be on you.
Through grand-parents.

why they feel it is right for them, or what it means to them.

It is working comprehensively and is according to old prophecies.

A lot of people search yet can't find what they seek spiritually.

Focused prayer brings divine guidance.