I am soooo fustrated!

[Unveiled Artist]

This is a rant. I'm just so frustrated. I honestly don't know why I joined the Catholic Church. I'm pulled to their devotion and ways of worship. I love their fellowship; and I just don't believe in their tenants. It's the same with Nichiren Buddhism. I don't like too much diversity in a belief (like UU, for example), because I like having everyone to believe in somewhat the same "core" of our faiths even though we have different practices et cetera. When you're in a family, each family have different personalities, beliefs, goals, and so forth. Yet, they are all connected to each other by blood and/or upbringing.

I like that, when it comes to family, but I don't have that. My uncle says "I guess that just runs in the family." I guess it does. I just sometimes want to jump off somewhere, but then I stop because I'm thinking of my grandmother too much, grieving, and thinking I know how my mother would feel if I did something like that... over a hundred times worse than I do with my grandmother. I wish I had a person I can speak about my faith and support of some type.

Everyone I know are Christians and not the supportive-to-any-belief type, either. Even my friend, though she isn't mean, doesn't talk to me about my faith just Catholicism. I've known her for over 13 years, helped her with her faith, supported her when we'd go to Mass together, and the works. She can't answer my questions, of course, but her faith makes her so uncomfortable to even talk about my faith that it makes me literally want to upchuck. I shouldn't have gotten my Ashes, but I wanted to be closer to my grandmother who believes she is in heaven. So, I respect her faith.

 

[Awoon]

Find the intrinsic religion of the heart within yourself.

 

[BSM1]

Everyone has to find their own truth.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I find truth in community and fellowship rather than individual pursuance. That's why Christianity works well, if I believed in it, because Christ is a Body of believers who follow His Father's will. So each believer works together. They help each other type of thing. Community groups, and all, it's not a one person experience its a global experience. We find the truth within ourselves, and in Catholicism, we are not alone in that journey. I wish I had strong beliefs in Christianity, but only in concept. A priest said you can't have a relationship with a concept. So, basically, my life goes back to my family. Even them, there's a mixture of feelings. It's as if everyone wants to be "individuals" yet don't realize that as a humanity, we have to in some way stick together.

 

[lovemuffin]

I have some idea what it's like to feel disconnected in the way you're describing. I've never been much of a joiner of groups. I don't know what will work for you, but for me I just try to accept that people and groups are what they are, people are people and I have to try to love and accept all their goofy quirks, as well as my own, and I'm sort of OK participating in a traditionwithout entirely being a "true believer" in the sense of following the exact party line on everything, so to speak. In any case, you have my sympathies

 

[Thief]

This is a rant. I'm just so frustrated. I honestly don't know why I joined the Catholic Church. I'm pulled to their devotion and ways of worship. I love their fellowship; and I just don't believe in their tenants. It's the same with Nichiren Buddhism. I don't like too much diversity in a belief (like UU, for example), because I like having everyone to believe in somewhat the same "core" of our faiths even though we have different practices et cetera. When you're in a family, each family have different personalities, beliefs, goals, and so forth. Yet, they are all connected to each other by blood and/or upbringing.

I like that, when it comes to family, but I don't have that. My uncle says "I guess that just runs in the family." I guess it does. I just sometimes want to jump off somewhere, but then I stop because I'm thinking of my grandmother too much, grieving, and thinking I know how my mother would feel if I did something like that... over a hundred times worse than I do with my grandmother. I wish I had a person I can speak about my faith and support of some type.

Everyone I know are Christians and not the supportive-to-any-belief type, either. Even my friend, though she isn't mean, doesn't talk to me about my faith just Catholicism. I've known her for over 13 years, helped her with her faith, supported her when we'd go to Mass together, and the works. She can't answer my questions, of course, but her faith makes her so uncomfortable to even talk about my faith that it makes me literally want to upchuck. I shouldn't have gotten my Ashes, but I wanted to be closer to my grandmother who believes she is in heaven. So, I respect her faith.

Hello....
I have given up religion.
Almost became a priest for all the catholic training I went through.

Does that seem an extreme?.....I don't think so.

The seminary found two other candidates for the positions offered.
Two other people holier than me!

No hard feelings.

I kept reading scripture and realized years later...it would not have worked out.
Sooooooo much of dogma requires a head nod and no affirmation!

I prefer something a bit more.....thoughtful.

 

[BSM1]

I find truth in community and fellowship rather than individual pursuance. That's why Christianity works well, if I believed in it, because Christ is a Body of believers who follow His Father's will. So each believer works together. They help each other type of thing. Community groups, and all, it's not a one person experience its a global experience. We find the truth within ourselves, and in Catholicism, we are not alone in that journey. I wish I had strong beliefs in Christianity, but only in concept. A priest said you can't have a relationship with a concept. So, basically, my life goes back to my family. Even them, there's a mixture of feelings. It's as if everyone wants to be "individuals" yet don't realize that as a humanity, we have to in some way stick together.

Actually all of us are alone on our journey. No one else can go with, nor we with them. They can only wave as we go by be that a moment or a life time.

 

[Thief]

Actually all of us are alone on our journey. No one else can go with, nor we with them. They can only wave as we go by be that a moment or a life time.

May I point out.....we might need some guidance as we find our way through this mess....
and in the next life....the chaos might be extreme.

 

[LuisDantas]

I find truth in community and fellowship rather than individual pursuance. (...) A priest said you can't have a relationship with a concept. So, basically, my life goes back to my family. Even them, there's a mixture of feelings. It's as if everyone wants to be "individuals" yet don't realize that as a humanity, we have to in some way stick together.

I think you nailed it. It can be frustrating, very frustrating indeed.

 

[psychoslice]

Find the intrinsic religion of the heart within yourself.

Yes I agree, its the only true religion, organized religion isn't of the heart its of the dogma of that religion, second-hand knowledge.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Actually all of us are alone on our journey. No one else can go with, nor we with them. They can only wave as we go by be that a moment or a life time.

I respectfully disagree. Without my family, I would be dead. They are my blood. They are a part of me. edit: I forgot that many people were involved in saving my life. Many strangers I've ran into that made me think differently about my faith--made me ponder more. I have a balance experience with others, some raw while others not. I wouldn't displace them though, just because I am the only one who will be in the casket once I die.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I tell people Catholicism is not for everyone. I love Catholicism. I do understand why people leave, though.. truly, I do.

Seminary, wow. Semi-congrads?! As long as you found your path, it's all good.

Hello....
I have given up religion.
Almost became a priest for all the catholic training I went through.

Does that seem an extreme?.....I don't think so.

The seminary found two other candidates for the positions offered.
Two other people holier than me!

No hard feelings.

I kept reading scripture and realized years later...it would not have worked out.
Sooooooo much of dogma requires a head nod and no affirmation!

I prefer something a bit more.....thoughtful.

 

[Sees]

Hello....
I have given up religion.
Almost became a priest for all the catholic training I went through.

Does that seem an extreme?.....I don't think so.

The seminary found two other candidates for the positions offered.
Two other people holier than me!

No hard feelings.

I kept reading scripture and realized years later...it would not have worked out.
Sooooooo much of dogma requires a head nod and no affirmation!

I prefer something a bit more.....thoughtful.

We wouldn't have had our Rogue Theologian! I'm glad you made the right choice

 

[Sees]

Carlita,

I understand what you are thinking and feeling to some degree. It's harder to disassociate with culturally dominant traditions, especially when most or all of our family is involved in them. There is a lot of complexity to it, but obviously the majority of people are not extremely interested in religious matters and go with the flow...and those who are very interested have the same instincts, needs, etc. - but they have more of a struggle with accepting simply because it's the easy road vs. actually working out "is this truly the/my right road?"

For me personally, I can't accept religious traditions forced on family as being family traditions...no matter how distant in the past. I also had a relatively easy time with removing the layers of influence/attachments that most seem to have a more difficult time with.

You have to pick between finding a way to truly believe, throwing in the towel, or lacing up and getting back out there - so to speak. There's really no other options.

 

[InChrist]

I find truth in community and fellowship rather than individual pursuance. That's why Christianity works well, if I believed in it, because Christ is a Body of believers who follow His Father's will. So each believer works together. They help each other type of thing. Community groups, and all, it's not a one person experience its a global experience. We find the truth within ourselves, and in Catholicism, we are not alone in that journey. I wish I had strong beliefs in Christianity, but only in concept. A priest said you can't have a relationship with a concept. So, basically, my life goes back to my family. Even them, there's a mixture of feelings. It's as if everyone wants to be "individuals" yet don't realize that as a humanity, we have to in some way stick together.

I believe that Jesus as the Savior is a personal Savior and the only One capable of meeting each person individually. Community and unity is the outflowing result between those who are one in Christ. I don't think it works too well attempting to create community without first coming to Jesus personally and individually.

 

[psychoslice]

I tell people Catholicism is not for everyone. I love Catholicism. I do understand why people leave, though.. truly, I do.

Seminary, wow. Semi-congrads?! As long as you found your path, it's all good.

That's a good mature way of seeing it, yes as long as our religious beliefs serves us well and doesn't hurt anyone else, then that's fine with me.

 

[Looncall]

I believe that Jesus as the Savior is a personal Savior and the only One capable of meeting each person individually. Community and unity is the outflowing result between those who are one in Christ. I don't think it works too well attempting to create community without first coming to Jesus personally and individually.

Personally, I think it is better to ditch the superstition. Community can be found without having to subscribe to absurdities. There are lots of service and interest groups available.

 

[SomeRandom]

I feel like you are being far too restricted by your fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ (if you don't mind me saying.) Not saying it's their fault, of course.

Yes, community can find truth, but in order to be part of a community in the first place you also have to be an individual. For a community is made entirely out of individuals. Not all of them are exactly the same, in fact, more often than not, they are all completely different. Perhaps they may share a common goal, but I think you'll find that even then they will have slightly different reactions/interpretations about said goal. That's just human nature, I think.

You can walk alongside someone on their path, you can even be put back on your path by others, you can be guided or guide someone along their/your path. But when all is said and done, YOU have to actually walk it. Not me, not your fellow Christians/Catholics, not your family, you.

Sorry I can't be of any help. All I can really say is perhaps study whichever Holy Book you ascribe to. Or pray or talk to multiple Church leaders (even branch out to leaders of other Churches if need be.)

 

[BSM1]

May point out.....we might need some guidance as we find our way through this mess....
and in the next life....the chaos might be extreme.

Absolutely, but it's up to us to seek and/or accept this guidance.

I respectfully disagree. Without my family, I would be dead. They are my blood. They are a part of me. edit: I forgot that many people were involved in saving my life. Many strangers I've ran into that made me think differently about my faith--made me ponder more. I have a balance experience with others, some raw while others not. I wouldn't displace them though, just because I am the only one who will be in the casket once I die.

Again I understand what you're saying but it's still up to each of us to individually process what ever information or experience that comes into our lives. Some process that information positively and grow; some negatively and suffer. At the end of the day it's still just a one man show. We are responsible for our own feelings and actions. (This is not a good thing nor a bad thing, it's just a thing.)

 

[SkepticX]

I'd argue these are the kinds of problems we invite when we lose sight of what the better angels of religious communities really are--the community side of the equation. The part of a religious community that makes it religious rather than something else is generally neutral and nominal (tends to go South when it's less nominal).

So if you're involved with a community for agreement/ideological affirmation, I'd argue you're doing it wrong (and there's likely a reason you need to seek that affirmation rather than just accepting it from your experiences). It's about the people and the relationships, and some common cultural/ideological practices. If you need more agreement than that I'd frankly consider that a flaw, but it's also a very common and a very human flaw, so I personally don't hold that against anyone ... as long as it doesn't cross the line into judgmentalism and other forms of nastiness anyway.