Where to begin...

[Sundree]

Hi I am Sundree and I am new here. This is my first post after much thought I decided to see what kind of information I could get from the members on this forum, as there seems to be such a wide range of cultures and religions commenting here.

A little brief history of myself before I jump on in. I am almost 30. I was born into a home where my mother was a "Christian", not baptized, not church going, but felt the need to grab whatver her parents vaguely taught her about God, and didnt really care about it personally, but enrolled us kids in a Christian school to relieve her conscious. My father was and still is an atheist. He does not believe nor care about anything spiritual at all. He just lives and cares not to think about anything other than being a swinger.

Now me: I was convinced about 5 months ago that I was a devout baptized true Christian woman. I went to a Christian church after not going in 10 years, and I started a Bible study group, and I did all of this because of the man in my life. At the time I was dating a re-born Christian who inspired me to do the same. About 2 weeks after I did, he broke up with me because, and I quote, "God has told me you are not the woman for me." And that was that. Dumped... ok no biggie, I can get passed that. But now I have this weird feeling about going to church, so I dont for a while. Then I fall in love with the man of my dreams. A Lakota Indian. He is a spiritual leader in his community. He and I are inseparable. Now, let me take a look at the history I currently have when it comes to religion and spirituality...hmmmm

Ok well now I have been to several ceremonies, sweatlodges, etc. and Sundance is coming up and I am going to support my "mihasani" (other skin) by being there by his side. I am learning every day about this new way, the culture, the traditions, rituals and ceremonies. I am enjoying every moment of it, until I start to really sit down and think about my own spirituality. I am concerned about my history with the Christian faith, a religion where it is truly said it is through Jesus only that you will find eternal life. Wait...now what? I am going to hell because I am practicing a new Pagan religion? Do I really believe that?

I am interested to hear some posts back on this. My true questions are these:

How do we ever truly know what the "correct" religion is that gets us to eternal life, heaven, afterlife, positive energy, (whatever you want to call it)...meeting our Creator, God Allah, whatever. (Don't fry me on the semantics here guys.) I want to know, how does anyone ever truly know what is RIGHT and what is WRONG, when it comes to your relationship with spirituality? With the hundreds of religions out there, how can only one be right?

I can conclude that there are a few things for certain that I do believe, I am trying to create a direct relationship with God, one that doesn't need any middle-men. I live my life in love, positive energy, good people, and I choose to have faith in my feeling that no matter what I do or say, I am always looked at as God's little girl and I always have a place with Him. That should be all that matters.

So with all that, Hi, I'm Sundree

 

[Breathe]

Hi and welcome.
Congratulations on finding a soulmate!

Hell? Don't worry about it, there is no such thing as a lake of burning sulfur where you will be tormented day and night for following your heart and worshipping God in a way you feel brings you closer to Him. In fact, I find such a concept to be quite insulting to God!

In fact, the Bible uses metaphors for "destruction", and finally the word meaning "the grave" for what we call "hell".

 

[Wandered Off]

Welcome to RF, Sundree! Threats look to me like a pretty good indication that the path is not substantive enough to stand on its own merit - which causes me to infer that its origins are not divine.

 

[Dunemeister]

Faithfulness to Christ need not mean that you must eschew all things associated with paganism. However, if Christ is indeed Lord, he requires and deserves your obedience. So what does Jesus want? Well, there's no other source of information on that besides the church (the New Testament, a key element, is a product of the church).

So your question comes down to whether this relationship stands in an easy relationship with the spiritual realities described in the New Testament. Another question is whether the NT directly addresses your question. 1 Corinthians 7 and 2 Corinthians 6 come to mind.

 

[CarlinKnew]

If some god created the universe, it's doubtful that this being is concerned with the beliefs of one particular primate species inhabiting one insignificant dot of space in this unbounded cosmos.

 

[sandandfoam]

Hi Sundree,

I think what a person feels 'fits' them is what is right for them.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Welcome to RF, Sundree! Threats look to me like a pretty good indication that the path is not substantive enough to stand on its own merit - which causes me to infer that its origins are not divine.

Interestingly enough though, we deem it right to threaten our children. Why is it you identify threating as something not worthy of a divinity. It may be premature of you to conlude such a thing.
Just a thought.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

How do we ever truly know what the "correct" religion is that gets us to eternal life, heaven, afterlife, positive energy, (whatever you want to call it)...meeting our Creator, God Allah, whatever. (Don't fry me on the semantics here guys.) I want to know, how does anyone ever truly know what is RIGHT and what is WRONG, when it comes to your relationship with spirituality? With the hundreds of religions out there, how can only one be right?

The correct religion is and has always been the one that fits best into your view of reality. Religion has been nothing if not either a world view, a way to function socially, or both. In terms of the existential issues, religion allows us a guide when we get too lost on the sea we find ourselves thrown into.

Because each of us sails our own ship, we can't sail it according to another's directions. Even the most pious Christian follows her own Christ and prays to her own God.

 

[blackout]

I think it's better to just experience people/men (lol), and life,
and observe..... and enjoy yourself.
Be your best you, in whatever place you choose to be, in any given season or moment.

Hardwired Beliefs .. tend towards... lack of Openness, fear, and trunkated experience of life.............

I don't recommend it.

I also once was devoutly christian.

 

[Erebus]

Hey Sundree.

I think that what you're doing is fantastic! Not only are you learning about a new religion which from what you've said, seems to work for you, you're also learning about it with somebody you love. I honestly can't see a negative side to this.
As for Hell, you really need to ask yourself this: is a messiah who would condemn you for following your heart really worthy of your worship? I know that given the choice between joining all the so-called sinners in Gehenna or bowing before a messiah capable of such cruelty, I'd march right on into the pit. Besides, if it's closeness to God you're looking for then in my eyes you're better off with a religion that venerates the Earth. After all, it's nature that provides us with food, heat and water, not Jesus.

Personally I don't think that any religion is the "right" one and I don't think any of them will provide anybody with eternal life. In my opinion the religion you choose (if you choose one at all) should be one that makes your life on Earth more enjoyable and allow you to look back on your life without regret.

 

[Wandered Off]

Interestingly enough though, we deem it right to threaten our children.

When we punish our children out of all proportion to the offense - which the eternal torturing hellfire would be - we can and should have them removed from our custody.

Why is it you identify threating as something not worthy of a divinity.

If a path is worthy on its own merit, there is no need to create some threatening, painful consequence for not choosing it. Hanging such a disporportionate consequence on a choice taints the decision process in a way that distorts free will. It's kind of like if I told you, "Here, take this delicious cookie.... But if you don't take it, I'm going to pull your skin off bits at a time with needle-nose pliers." Yeah, you have free will, but there's an element of cruel coercion that shouldn't be necessary - especially if you are supposed to love the person you're offering the "choice." That sounds much more like human cruelty than divine love. This is why I view it as beneath deity.

 

[Sundree]

If a path is worthy on its own merit, there is no need to create some threatening, painful consequence for not choosing it. Hanging such a disporportionate consequence on a choice taints the decision process in a way that distorts free will. It's kind of like if I told you, "Here, take this delicious cookie.... But if you don't take it, I'm going to pull your skin off bits at a time with needle-nose pliers." Yeah, you have free will, but there's an element of cruel coercion that shouldn't be necessary - especially if you are supposed to love the person you're offering the "choice." That sounds much more like human cruelty than divine love. This is why I view it as beneath deity.

Wow I totally agree with this.

 

[hey_amigo]

you seem like a really nice woman keep your faith in a loving god, its the way to go.
i embrace what i "feel" is derived from love from various religions.