Tell Me About Your Faith

[stvdv]

New Judaism is very much a 24/7 deal.

My Spiritual Path is exactly that...24/7 job

Edit: I could sum it up nicely thus: There is rest in Judaism, but there is not rest from Judaism.

I like that

Some examples:
What to eat, what to say before eating, what to say after eating, how to pray, when to pray, what to wear, and so forth.

And God loves to remind me if I don't do it

 

[Fool]

What are some ways you express that love in you faith.

You have a beautiful faith.

in every instance i remind myself, you're meeting christ, you're meeting buddha, you're meeting brahman, you're meeting self.

self deserves love. behold i come like a fool

my biggest problem is in finding time.

 

[JustGeorge]

My faith encourages me to work on being patient and forgiving. My experience with loss teaches me as well. In the face of loss, certain conflict doesn't seem so worth it.

I interact with a variety of people. I can be quiet or talkative. I don't believe people should be treated differently because of skin color, economic status, religion, sex or sexual orientation. To do so is just wrong.

There are some companies I don't support currently.

I like to dress in a modest fashion. I think however that modesty/purity culture often has taken things too far.

It sounds like your beliefs lead you to express a lot of positive in life.

in every instance i remind myself, you're meeting christ, you're meeting buddha, you're meeting brahman, you're meeting self.

self deserves love. behold i come like a fool

my biggest problem is in finding time.

Time for what?

 

[nPeace]

Tell me about your faith.

I don't mean teach me what your religion says, I want to know how your faith looks to you, personally, each day.

It looks like the best thing for all mankind, to me, as it would totally transform the world to a complete spiritual and physical paradise, if everyone embraced, and lived by what it stands for

We're all unique, and even two people of the same religion may wear it a little differently. Don't quote out of scriptures here(unless you want to use it to explain why you do what you do). I'm not wanting to hear why your God/s do what they/he/she do/does. Just you.

"Wear it differently"?
If you mean, they will worship differently, this is not how it is among Jehovah's people.
They are united in their worship, wherever they reside, and their teachings are one, so that they are one nation - one people under God / or one flock under one shepherd.

Do you pray? (Why/when/how?) Does your faith influence your diet? Your clothing? Where you work or how you spend your money? Does it encourage you to work on certain aspects of your personality? Does it influence who you interact(or don't interact) with? (These are all sample questions; tell me whatever you wish!)

Primarily, the lives of Jehovah's people center on love - love of God, and neighbor.
So everything we do surrounds that.
Thus we pray everyday - not by rote, or from a book, or recited prayers, but from the heart. That's talking to God, and we listen to God by reading the Bible, which we endeavor to do each day.

We look after our health, and the health of our families, because we view life as a gift from God, which we want to take care of.

We also look after our spiritual health, which is more important, and so we don't only read the Bible, but we try to apply the things we learn, which are for our good. They make us better people - better fathers; mothers; family members; employers; employees, neighbors... a better society of people.

The guidance we get from the Bible also protects.
For example, Proverbs 13:20 says. . . The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly, and 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.
So heeding this advice has protected us from becoming involed with the "wrong crowd", and their activities.

Staying politically neutral has protected us from disrupting our international unity. It has protected us from getting caught up in divisive groups, and wars.
If imprisoned for our neutrality, we are still protected. We get to witness to prison guards, and other officials, which is our primary work - sharing the life-saving work of the good news of God's kingdom with all people.
In this we we are like rescue workers, showing love to our neighbors.
It's a work we enjoy, though it involves a life of sacrifice - of our time, energy, and material resources.

Jehovah's people are joyful.
Despite trials and difficulties our lives are satisfied and fulfilled, because we have Jehovah as our God, who is teaching us to benefit ourselves. Isaiah 48:17-18

 

[Fool]

It sounds like your beliefs lead you to express a lot of positive in life.



Time for what?

time to give everyone what they need. my attention, respect and not just flippant regard

 

[JustGeorge]

It looks like the best thing for all mankind, to me, as it would totally transform the world to a complete spiritual and physical paradise, if everyone embraced, and lived by what it stands for


"Wear it differently"?
If you mean, they will worship differently, this is not how it is among Jehovah's people.
They are united in their worship, wherever they reside, and their teachings are one, so that they are one nation - one people under God / or one flock under one shepherd.


Primarily, the lives of Jehovah's people center on love - love of God, and neighbor.
So everything we do surrounds that.
Thus we pray everyday - not by rote, or from a book, or recited prayers, but from the heart. That's talking to God, and we listen to God by reading the Bible, which we endeavor to do each day.

We look after our health, and the health of our families, because we view life as a gift from God, which we want to take care of.

We also look after our spiritual health, which is more important, and so we don't only read the Bible, but we try to apply the things we learn, which are for our good. They make us better people - better fathers; mothers; family members; employers; employees, neighbors... a better society of people.

The guidance we get from the Bible also protects.
For example, Proverbs 13:20 says. . . The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly, and 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.
So heeding this advice has protected us from becoming involed with the "wrong crowd", and their activities.

Staying politically neutral has protected us from disrupting our international unity. It has protected us from getting caught up in divisive groups, and wars.
If imprisoned for our neutrality, we are still protected. We get to witness to prison guards, and other officials, which is our primary work - sharing the life-saving work of the good news of God's kingdom with all people.
In this we we are like rescue workers, showing love to our neighbors.
It's a work we enjoy, though it involves a life of sacrifice - of our time, energy, and material resources.

Jehovah's people are joyful.
Despite trials and difficulties our lives are satisfied and fulfilled, because we have Jehovah as our God, who is teaching us to benefit ourselves. Isaiah 48:17-18

By 'wear' it, I meant how does one express their religion, or what inspires a person? I would think even JWs would vary a bit; each may have a favorite passage, or something that evokes a feeling of love or connection with God(for one, it may be a certain sight, for others, a certain sound). How they live can also be affected by where they live, or who they live with.

That's why I asked for what 'you' do, specifically, rather than a 'we'.

Do you have any specific times you pray? Any passages you repeat under stress? Anything that brings out a special feeling of divine awe for you?

 

[JustGeorge]

time to give everyone what they need. my attention, respect and not just flippant regard

That's admirable. It can be hard.

 

[Fool]

That's admirable. It can be hard.

it is harder when someone really depends, needs you.

parenting a brood isn't an easy task and trying to maintain all your other relationships.

 

[JustGeorge]

it is harder when someone really depends, needs you.

parenting a brood isn't an easy task and trying to maintain all your other relationships.

Have you got a lot of children?

 

[Fool]

Have you got a lot of children?

no but i have things that depend on me. i was speaking to you and yours.

best wishes in your journey of love. this is what we all came for. to sit down at the table with abraham. come gather for the great supper of love.

 

[icehorse]

I'm more or less a secular humanist. IMO, this requires faith I have faith that humans can solve their own problems without help from unseen supernatural beings. The reason I call this faith is that I can't prove it, I just think it's so.

The way this shows up in my life is that I'm a very solution-oriented person. When I hear about a problem, once we get past the emotional support aspect, it's automatic for me to want to start exploring possible solutions.

 

[PureX]

I have no concept of "God" except as the inexplicable mystery source, sustenance, and purpose of all that is. So faith and prayer for me are more of an attitude than a deliberate practice. Though they can be practiced. It's an attitude of hope and gratitude toward what is to come, and what has already come. Whatever "God" is, the results are amazing, and spectacular, and I find that awe inspiring. Life is much better when I am feeling awe-inspired. And I am much happier, and more present for others then, too.

 

[JustGeorge]

no but i have things that depend on me. i was speaking to you and yours.

best wishes in your journey of love. this is what we all came for. to sit down at the table with abraham. come gather for the great supper of love.

Thank you.

Sometimes when I feel time is short, I try to remember that all is sacred... especially the seemingly plain aspects of raising a family.

I have no concept of "God" except as the inexplicable mystery source, sustenance, and purpose of all that is. So faith and prayer for me are more of an attitude than a deliberate practice. Though they can be practiced. It's an attitude of hope and gratitude toward what is to come, and what has already come. Whatever "God" is, the results are amazing, and spectacular, and I find that awe inspiring. Life is much better when I am feeling awe-inspired. And I am much happier, and more present for others then, too.

I'm noticing this, too, and am trying to remember to stay in an 'attitude of gratitude', which does seem to open you up to so much...

 

[JustGeorge]

I'm more or less a secular humanist. IMO, this requires faith I have faith that humans can solve their own problems without help from unseen supernatural beings. The reason I call this faith is that I can't prove it, I just think it's so.

The way this shows up in my life is that I'm a very solution-oriented person. When I hear about a problem, once we get past the emotional support aspect, it's automatic for me to want to start exploring possible solutions.

I would agree, that definitely requires faith.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Tell me about your faith.

My faith was in tatters after what I experienced as a Christian, but old wounds are healing, so it has been getting better over time.

I don't mean teach me what your religion says, I want to know how your faith looks to you, personally, each day.

We're all unique, and even two people of the same religion may wear it a little differently. Don't quote out of scriptures here(unless you want to use it to explain why you do what you do). I'm not wanting to hear why your God/s do what they/he/she do/does. Just you.

To be honest, I keep my Wicca beliefs at arm's length because I'm wary of becoming emotionally attached to another deity or deities. Maybe I'm being a bit too cautious, but I don't want to be ensnared and controlled by another religion, as I feel I was with Christianity.

Do you pray? (Why/when/how?) Does your faith influence your diet? Your clothing? Where you work or how you spend your money? Does it encourage you to work on certain aspects of your personality? Does it influence who you interact(or don't interact) with? (These are all sample questions; tell me whatever you wish!)

No, I don't pray to any deities because I don't believe prayer works. I'm still learning about Wicca and polytheism, so neither one has influenced my life in any spiritual or positive way. I've also been studying divination and witchcraft, but I'm not rushing into anything.

 

[JustGeorge]

My faith was in tatters after what I experienced as a Christian, but old wounds are healing, so it has been getting better over time.



To be honest, I keep my Wicca beliefs at arm's length because I'm wary of becoming emotionally attached to another deity or deities. Maybe I'm being a bit too cautious, but I don't want to be ensnared and controlled by another religion, as I feel I was with Christianity.



No, I don't pray to any deities because I don't believe prayer works. I'm still learning about Wicca and polytheism, so neither one has influenced my life in any spiritual or positive way. I've also been studying divination and witchcraft, but I'm not rushing into anything.

I'm sorry you had these experiences.

What lead you to study Wicca? What things do you find appealing? Which things do you find repelling?

Why the need for a religion at all?(I ask this with respect, I'm not being critical or attempting to pick at your beliefs; just curious.)

 

[Wildswanderer]

How do you foster your relationship with Jesus and God?

Prayers for me are more of an ongoing conversation. I do use the Lord's prayer at times. My mom used to have us say it everyday and it's just ingrained.
I go to church and sing praise songs.
I help people sometimes because of my faith but I don't feel right giving details about those things... they are to be private according to the Word.

 

[JustGeorge]

Prayers for me are more of an ongoing conversation. I do use the Lord's prayer at times. My mom used to have us say it everyday and it's just ingrained.
I go to church and sing praise songs.
I help people sometimes because of my faith but I don't feel right giving details about those things... they are to be private according to the Word.

I do the ongoing conversation style of prayer, too.

I really respect that you keep your good deeds private.

 

[nPeace]

By 'wear' it, I meant how does one express their religion, or what inspires a person? I would think even JWs would vary a bit; each may have a favorite passage, or something that evokes a feeling of love or connection with God(for one, it may be a certain sight, for others, a certain sound). How they live can also be affected by where they live, or who they live with.

I would say the difference is in the levels of spiritual growth, as well as circumstances.
Some are new in the faith, and everyone progresses at a different pace, so spiritual maturity will vary in degrees.
Also, some are getting old. In fact, there are a variety of ages, and so, circumstances differ. etc
However, we all strive to be one, in the way we worship, and this is so because we are all taught as one body, by one head.

Yes, we differ in tastes, so my favorite songs will be different to another brother's, and we may have a favorite scripture that differs, or a method of teaching. etc.

Since Jehovah's people are united in teaching, among them, there cannot be multiple ways to connect to God.
If that were the case, they could be of any religion... even any sect of Muslim, or Hindu... and be divided on everything else that comes with that way of connection.

Location does not change that with Jehovah's Witnesses.

That's why I asked for what 'you' do, specifically, rather than a 'we'.

The reason I say we, is because we are one.
One can make bad for all, so it's not about one.
We operate on the basis that we don't belong to ourselves, but are members of one body, belonging to one another.
(Romans 12:5) . . .so we, although many, are one body in union with Christ, but individually we are members belonging to one another.

I understand that right now, this may be difficult for you to grasp, but you may, some time.

Do you have any specific times you pray?

Everyday. No particular time, but several times in a day.

Any passages you repeat under stress?

There are passages that come to mind, seemingly at the right time... as the need may be.
I don't repeat them. I just thank Jehovah for providing them in the first place, and then bringing them to mind when I need them.
They couldn't be called to mind though, if I had not read and meditated on them.

For example, scriptures like
(Psalm 37:1-2) 1 Do not be upset because of evil men Or envious of wrongdoers. 2 They will quickly wither like grass And shrivel like green new grass.

(Psalm 37:7) . . .Keep silent before Jehovah And wait expectantly for him. Do not be upset by the man Who succeeds in carrying out his schemes.

These come to mind when people are doing wrong to me... or others. I remind them of these scriptures.

I remembered these when tempted to say something... especially when I am annoyed.
(Psalm 4:4) . . .Be agitated, but do not sin. Have your say in your heart, upon your bed, and keep silent. . . .

(Psalm 39:1) . . .I said: “I will guard my step To avoid sinning with my tongue. I will guard my mouth with a muzzle As long as anyone wicked is in my presence.”

Anything that brings out a special feeling of divine awe for you?

Creation. There are many works of the creator that brings awe, and leaves me in awe of the grand creator.

To give one example, yesterday I passed some horses, and I found myself laughing at Atheism, and praising God, when I thought about what I learned about the horses gait, and how their feet are designed.

 

[Eddi]

My faith (Projectionism) does not require any adherent to perform any rituals, observe any holidays, engage in any festivities or to abide by any dietary restriction or to dress according to any custom

It doesn't require any adherent to subscribe to any creed either

So in that respect it is pretty low-maintenance faith

A person who lives their life as a Projectionist would spend his or her time, effort, and resources in improving the world according to The Utopia Program and being nice to other people especially those in need - so as to earn enough Moral Credit (i.e. Karma) to exit The Projection (this computer reality) although this may take multiple lives.

Basically - the aim of the game is to amass Moral Credit and thus exit The Projection and go to a place that is much, much better. A Projectionist would live according to these aims.

That's pretty much it, really