Looking for a way to god

[Marisa]

It's important to me and I've been trying to deny it for far too long to ignore it any longer

If it's that important to you, you should share it with your husband. If the bond between you is strong enough you'll come through.

 

[lovemuffin]

Prayer is important to me and I think services are great but the rituals like communion etc. are not important to me.

I would love to recommend a book on prayer, but I'm not sure what would be appropriate, not knowing how you view it or why it's important to you. It strikes me though that if you're interested in pursuing Christianity, prayer is an excellent place to focus.

 

[Baladas]

Welcome, and good luck to you.

 

[arthra]

Hi,

I'm unsure about religion and really look for some guidance.

I believe in "a God" but also in science and am looking for a way to combine the two. I currently answer that I'm not religious, if asked but I don't feel like that is true.

I can't believe in the bible but I really believe in the underlying principles and ethical guidelines. I do believe in Jesus being a great teacher and healer but I can't believe in literal resurrection.

Can someone here provide me with some help as where to start and what to do?

Also, I have the problem, that my husband is a strict non-believer thinking that religious believes are weird and ridiculous, so this is not easy.

Thank you!

lostdandelion

Well thanks for sharing "lost Dandelion"... I recall dandelions were important when I was courting my wife...some forty years ago!

Science and religion in my faith are not really in conflict... Baha'is accept the findings of science and see no reason to abandon spiritual values in the process..

"Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated. These are the two wings with which humanity must fly. One wing is not enough. Every religion which does not concern itself with Science is mere tradition, and that is not the essential. Therefore science, education and civilization are most important necessities for the full religious life."

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 28)

also:

"Religion must agree with science, so that science shall sustain religion and religion explain science. The two must be brought together, indissolubly, in reality. Down to the present day it has been customary for man to accept blindly what was called religion, even though it were not in accord with human reason."

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 26)

As to your dear husband... be patient and allow him to search and find himself ...

 

[lostdandelion]

Thanks for the quotes, I really like them. This forum has been a great help, so far.

So far it looks like I'm looking for an open-minded community of Protestants.

 

[Vishvavajra]

You might look up Unitarian Universalism. They tend to have a community in any good-sized city. They're categorized as a religious fellowship of Christian origin, since Christian identity as such is no longer important to them. They'll provide you with a community without telling you what to believe. You might also feel comfortable around Methodists, depending on the congregation. They're a big tent, so they range from very open-minded to very conservative. There are relatively liberal wings of many denominations, but you have to put out feelers and look for them.

In any case, nobody ought to have to choose between religion and scientific literacy. Any religion that positions itself in opposition to science needs to revise its position.

It's worth pointing out that not all Christians believe the Bible should be regarded as a literal authority. Lots of practicing Christians regard it as exactly what it looks like: an anthology of important texts that comprise the cultural and literary background for the tradition, but not a magical text or one that ought to be treated as more important than actual people.

 

[lostdandelion]

I had a long conversation with a Christian friend about the literacy of the bible and she was a big help. She'll also introduce me to a non-denominational Christian community. We'll see how that goes

 

[columbus]

Good Luck with your little adventure!
Let us know how it goes.

Tom

 

[Aupmanyav]

I do believe in Jesus being a great teacher and healer but I can't believe in literal resurrection.

Few would deny that. So take what you can accept and jettison the rest. You should take a stand, either God or science. Otherwise there will always be confusion.

 

[lostdandelion]

I believe God IS Science and created everything. For me the creation in the bible is an understandable summary of what science believes to be true. So I don't think I have to choose.

 

[Nada]

Hi,

I'm unsure about religion and really look for some guidance.

I believe in "a God" but also in science and am looking for a way to combine the two. I currently answer that I'm not religious, if asked but I don't feel like that is true.

I can't believe in the bible but I really believe in the underlying principles and ethical guidelines. I do believe in Jesus being a great teacher and healer but I can't believe in literal resurrection.

Can someone here provide me with some help as where to start and what to do?

Also, I have the problem, that my husband is a strict non-believer thinking that religious believes are weird and ridiculous, so this is not easy.

Thank you!

lostdandelion

Pray to God for an understanding.

 

[lostdandelion]

I did and he answered me by giving me the courage to talk to a new friend in my life about it. We talked for hours about what I think and I hear her views and have even changed my views on some things.

 

[Spockrates]

I did and he answered me by giving me the courage to talk to a new friend in my life about it. We talked for hours about what I think and I hear her views and have even changed my views on some things.

Hi. Glad to hear you are looking for a way to get to know God. Since you are considering Christianity, I'd recommend reading the Bible. My favorite books are the gospel of John--to be reminded what Jesus taught--and the Psalms--to be reminded God is there when things get tough. God bless.

 

[Katzpur]

I can't believe in the bible but I really believe in the underlying principles and ethical guidelines. I do believe in Jesus being a great teacher and healer but I can't believe in literal resurrection.

Based upon this statement alone, I would suggest that you look into Unitarian Universalism. If other posters have not already made this suggestion, I can pretty much guarantee that it's only a matter of time. Please note that I'm not making this recommendation with the idea in mind that this is the best religion out there (because I don't). I do believe that it would probably be the best fit for you, though.

 

[lostdandelion]

I guess I need to make the statement "I do not believe in the bible" more clear. I do not blindly and literally believe anything and everything in the bible. I DO believe in God as our creator, in Jesus as gods son and that god died for us.

For me the creation in the bible is an understandable summary of what science believes to be true.

When I wrote my original post I was as lost as my username says and excited to share and didn't take the time to explain properly. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Since you are considering Christianity, I'd recommend reading the Bible. My favorite books are the gospel of John--to be reminded what Jesus taught--and the Psalms--to be reminded God is there when things get tough. God bless.

I started reading the bible a year ago but made the mistake of trying to read it from the front to the back instead of in any order that makes sense. Just recently started reading it again with guidance as where to start.

Thank you all for your help.

I feel like every time I talk to someone about this my faith grows stronger. And I am not considering Christianity, I am a Christian. I really can't deny that. Thanks for all your guidance!

 

[Laika]

Also, I have the problem, that my husband is a strict non-believer thinking that religious believes are weird and ridiculous, so this is not easy

But he's against even the slightest versions of religion and is very open about that which is a thing we often argue about, even with me not telling him, that I'm religious

Our marriage is not solid and was a courthouse wedding started for the wrong reasons. We're trying to work it out but I learned that I have to take my own beliefs and needs into consideration, too. But that's a whole different story.

I think that you will need to reach a point with your husband where, even if he disagrees with your beliefs in rational grounds, he necessarily respects that you have emotional and psychological needs for such beliefs. A weakness for Atheists is that we ca often be rational to the point where it is destructive to our own inner well-being and have a compulsive need for certainty. Faith can therefore look very strange and alien, but is in some ways a natural and healthy part of coming to terms with the limited nature of our knowledge of the world. An atheist version of this is a humanist who believes in love without insisting on absolute certainty that it is 'true' love. the need for certainty often manifests as part of an unconscious need for control.
I have no experience in relationships so take this with a measure of caution, but at a guess, your husbands willingness to accept your beliefs as part of who you are may well prove to be a litmus test to the longevity of your relationship, the degree to which he respects your emotional needs and the level of intimacy and understanding he is capable of. Religious (and Political) differences can define who we are and shape our behavior, and in doing so determine the kind of people we are going to be around. They are therefore a considerable part of our identity and so changes in our beliefs can and do change the nature of our relationships (in both good and bad ways). Most of the time people are ok with it. Part of the nature of belief is learning not simply to find god but to find yourself, so it is important to respect your own beliefs and to expect him to respect your right to hold them, even if he disagrees with them. Best of luck.

 

[lostdandelion]

They are therefore a considerable part of our identity and so changes in our beliefs can and do change the nature of our relationships (in both good and bad ways). Most of the time people are ok with it. Part of the nature of belief is learning not simply to find god but to find yourself, so it is important to respect your own beliefs and to expect him to respect your right to hold them, even if he disagrees with them. Best of luck.

I totally agree! Ever since starting this journey about a year ago, I have changed and I know I have. I can't even imagine how much I will change in the future.
And yes, finding myself is a strong part of it. I think one goes with the other.

Thank you!

 

[lostdandelion]

Just a quick update: Everything is working out even better than I thought. The church the friend took me to is perfect, very modern and open-minded, my husband and I talked it out and he's supporting me in my decision to be a Christian (even though he doesn't believe he'll ever be one) and everything else is going great. I am more than thankful for this outcome!

 

[Blackmarch]

Hi,

I'm unsure about religion and really look for some guidance.

I believe in "a God" but also in science and am looking for a way to combine the two. I currently answer that I'm not religious, if asked but I don't feel like that is true.

I can't believe in the bible but I really believe in the underlying principles and ethical guidelines. I do believe in Jesus being a great teacher and healer but I can't believe in literal resurrection.

Can someone here provide me with some help as where to start and what to do?

Also, I have the problem, that my husband is a strict non-believer thinking that religious believes are weird and ridiculous, so this is not easy.

Thank you!

lostdandelion

Welcome!

take baby steps.
welcome. I'd recommend starting with prayer and humility, and the amount of belief you already have in Christ work with that to begin with- Study the bible I would also recommend the mormon's Book of Mormon (actually i'd recommend that one first). Whether or not they were literal events the principles taught there in are of great value. The main reason we are given scripture is so that we can be reminded of God, so that we can humble ourselves to a point where we can get some sort of revelation from him- and that then becomes our foundation for walking the path He would have us walk. Once you can get such a thing it makes believing scriptures quite a bit easier.

To help achieve that the scriptures are probably some of the best aids that are easily available, but it also takes prayer, humility, work, patience and awareness. Pray often; find a private place to say to god as what you would say and ask a father or a friend or someone who could help you about what you think of things, what you are trying to find and for help.
Second do your best to show God that you are willing to follow Him; if you read that it is taught to turn the other cheek for example, try putting in a bit more effort than what you normally do.. things like that. IME those who honestly promise to to do whatever he would have them do if they can find him generally tend to get stronger results.
Thirdly pay attention to your thoughts, your feelings, as well as to things that happen around you. If you get a sudden thought or impression to do something, go somewhere, read something, or talk to someone - do it.
4th make sure to take time to think anything you've learned or come across over. we have brains for a reason.

 

[Typist]

Hmm.... This is perhaps not useful for you, but it's just a forum post you are free to ignore so here goes...

What I read in your posts was a focus on your relationship with other people, church members, your husband, fellow forum members etc. What do they think, what will they say, do they agree or disagree and so on.

We all have social lives and so such concerns about others inevitably come up. But I'm not sure such concerns need to be part of one's spirituality. I'm not even sure that beliefs need to be a significant part of one's spirituality.

Do you have children? If yes, does your love for them require beliefs or the agreement and support of other people? Don't you still love your kids whatever your husband might say about anything, or what church you attend, or what flavor of Christian you might be? It seems one's relationship with God could be of that nature.

You said you were inclined towards open minded Protestantism. An important part of Protestantism, much of what distinguishes it from Catholicism, is the notion that you can create and manage your own personal relationship with God without the need of experts or intermediaries. Just you and God, doing whatever you do together, nobody else's business really.

Just another angle to toss on the table.