I was recently asked by a friend what my religious point of view was since I came so close to "meeting my maker" so to speak when I was hospitalized in June. I'm not really comfortable discussing religion with most folks as they are often proud and staunch believers in whatever religion they may be, and really don't care to hear other viewpoints.
I started my religious quest when I was still a kid, attending church services with my friends' families in my neighborhood. Living in NJ, there was a mixed bag of religions as you would have with any state that is a true melting pot. I attended many services which included Baptist church with the girls down the street, Catholic Mass with my best friend Kai, Pentecostal Church with my friend Janet from school, Buddhist services with Edna and her mom, who was Japanese. That's just a few.
As kids we walked the neighborhood, or rode our bikes--anything to stay away from home during the daylight hours. (You only stayed home if you were sick or a big dork and enjoyed your parents' company.)
We had a Temple near my home, and I used to drop by every now and then just to ask the Rabbi meaning-of-life questions and do the same with other churches within walking distance. I know, I was a weird kid. The Rabbi was kind and very tolerant of inquisitiveness and he was a wealth of valuable information. The nuns at Corpus Christi wouldn't let me near any of the priests, but would sit with me and answer my questions. One pastor told me I was asking too many questions, and that I needed to stop asking and just have faith. Another pastor told me that God was pleased with people like me who searched for the truth.
I frequented the local library, and read tons of books on religion...even pagan religions and wicca, which totally blew my mind when I first viewed "skyclad" (naked) witches celebrating a Sabbat. Then I got caught up in offshoot subjects such as the paranormal, in which Hans Holtzer books of photographed ectoplasm left me having nightmares! But I digress.....
I made it a point to study all forms of Christianity, Judaism, Eastern Religions (Buddism, Taoism, Hinduism)...learning the basics, learning prayers in the native language, and absorbing the customs. I envisioned myself as enlightened, or I was the Singing Nun, or Bernadette Soubirous (yeah, TV was a big influence on me as well) LOL I spent more than ten years as an adult studying the bible formally, and taking weekly classes, and I was very active my my local church. As a kid, I had been baptized on more than 6 occasions--as I never really felt "clean".
Don't worry, there is a point to all this...I promise!
In my blog while I was sick, I stated that I had no religion to comfort me and I was scared. No, I didn't profess any faith in religion just because I was facing death...though many folks do. I couldn't pretend to believe in something I could not. My personal connection with my religion started to fail me back in the early 1990's. I won't get into that as it's a long story.
The point is.... after all my searching, reading, studying and experiences I have come to the conclusion. Every religion has value/merit... (except Satanism--which I just don't get at all), they all have the same basic requirements of good works/faith. I don't like it when people profess that their religion is the "correct" religion and all others are false. Not true! (and how arrogant!!) It's a crappy thing to piss on someone else's religion, period.
In my opinion, all religions are different paths that lead to the same place/goals. They offer guidance, comfort, and a feeling that someone larger than ourselves has control over events that we are powerless in. Religion is a very personal thing, and if a person finds comfort/wisdom and faith in whatever religion they might be, I think it's great. It's just that I don't think it's right for anyone to try to shove their religious point of view on anyone--it is disrespectful if you push the issue after someone declines interest. That being said, I'd like to offer one more nugget for you deep thinkers out there:
If I'm wrong, and there is a God out there...then it is He who created me, and it is He who knows me inside and out. I'm not going to fool Him by professing faith I don't have-- (that would make me a liar). If He exists, He already knows my point of view so it's no surprise to Him whatsoever. And if He exists, He will love me and accept me and I will be pleasantly surprised. I'm not intersted in debating this subject, nor am I going to defend my point of view against any hard-core zealots.
Until my dying day arrives, I will continue to do my best not to offend anyone because of their beliefs, to do good deeds, be kind and understanding, give love freely to those who cross my path and generally try to be a good person. I admire people who have a great deal of faith in whatever religion they may be....but please don't piss on me cause I may not agree with you.
HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!
*HUGS AND SMOOCHIES*
~Granni
I started my religious quest when I was still a kid, attending church services with my friends' families in my neighborhood. Living in NJ, there was a mixed bag of religions as you would have with any state that is a true melting pot. I attended many services which included Baptist church with the girls down the street, Catholic Mass with my best friend Kai, Pentecostal Church with my friend Janet from school, Buddhist services with Edna and her mom, who was Japanese. That's just a few.
As kids we walked the neighborhood, or rode our bikes--anything to stay away from home during the daylight hours. (You only stayed home if you were sick or a big dork and enjoyed your parents' company.)
We had a Temple near my home, and I used to drop by every now and then just to ask the Rabbi meaning-of-life questions and do the same with other churches within walking distance. I know, I was a weird kid. The Rabbi was kind and very tolerant of inquisitiveness and he was a wealth of valuable information. The nuns at Corpus Christi wouldn't let me near any of the priests, but would sit with me and answer my questions. One pastor told me I was asking too many questions, and that I needed to stop asking and just have faith. Another pastor told me that God was pleased with people like me who searched for the truth.
I frequented the local library, and read tons of books on religion...even pagan religions and wicca, which totally blew my mind when I first viewed "skyclad" (naked) witches celebrating a Sabbat. Then I got caught up in offshoot subjects such as the paranormal, in which Hans Holtzer books of photographed ectoplasm left me having nightmares! But I digress.....
I made it a point to study all forms of Christianity, Judaism, Eastern Religions (Buddism, Taoism, Hinduism)...learning the basics, learning prayers in the native language, and absorbing the customs. I envisioned myself as enlightened, or I was the Singing Nun, or Bernadette Soubirous (yeah, TV was a big influence on me as well) LOL I spent more than ten years as an adult studying the bible formally, and taking weekly classes, and I was very active my my local church. As a kid, I had been baptized on more than 6 occasions--as I never really felt "clean".
Don't worry, there is a point to all this...I promise!
In my blog while I was sick, I stated that I had no religion to comfort me and I was scared. No, I didn't profess any faith in religion just because I was facing death...though many folks do. I couldn't pretend to believe in something I could not. My personal connection with my religion started to fail me back in the early 1990's. I won't get into that as it's a long story.
The point is.... after all my searching, reading, studying and experiences I have come to the conclusion. Every religion has value/merit... (except Satanism--which I just don't get at all), they all have the same basic requirements of good works/faith. I don't like it when people profess that their religion is the "correct" religion and all others are false. Not true! (and how arrogant!!) It's a crappy thing to piss on someone else's religion, period.
In my opinion, all religions are different paths that lead to the same place/goals. They offer guidance, comfort, and a feeling that someone larger than ourselves has control over events that we are powerless in. Religion is a very personal thing, and if a person finds comfort/wisdom and faith in whatever religion they might be, I think it's great. It's just that I don't think it's right for anyone to try to shove their religious point of view on anyone--it is disrespectful if you push the issue after someone declines interest. That being said, I'd like to offer one more nugget for you deep thinkers out there:
If I'm wrong, and there is a God out there...then it is He who created me, and it is He who knows me inside and out. I'm not going to fool Him by professing faith I don't have-- (that would make me a liar). If He exists, He already knows my point of view so it's no surprise to Him whatsoever. And if He exists, He will love me and accept me and I will be pleasantly surprised. I'm not intersted in debating this subject, nor am I going to defend my point of view against any hard-core zealots.
Until my dying day arrives, I will continue to do my best not to offend anyone because of their beliefs, to do good deeds, be kind and understanding, give love freely to those who cross my path and generally try to be a good person. I admire people who have a great deal of faith in whatever religion they may be....but please don't piss on me cause I may not agree with you.
HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!
*HUGS AND SMOOCHIES*
~Granni
