Jim's Cafe, Sunday, March 22, 202

[Gonz]

Thanks for tagging me Lane.

Like others mentioned, I grew up Catholic. Went to Catholic schools, was an altar server and sang in the choir.

I started having doubts about the literal truth of, well, all of it, but still found value in the sense of community so kept my mouth shut and stayed involved in the church. But then the child abuse scandals started to become common knowledge.

I wasn’t abused by a clergy member, but it was too close to what I had experienced and I had a lot of empathy for those who were. On top of which, I was confirmed by one of the major figures in the cover-up (Cardinal Mahoney). It really hit me that I was devoting a large portion of my life to an organization that enabled and protected people just like the absolute worst people I knew, and I just couldn’t do it anymore so I left the church.

I’d call myself an agnostic now, though I think that atheists are probably right. Despite that, my upbringing has influenced my worldview; I can’t help but think of the world in terms of capital “g” Good vs. capital “e” Evil (recent events have supported that view).

 

[1964dodge]

I grew up Cathlic, but never a strong presence in the household. My mother was an atheist although she sent my sister's to catholic school. When my children were little I dabbled in Wicca.

I haven't been to church or practiced any religion in decades. I do try to treat people respectfully, not lie, and basically just be a good person. Thinking possibly of going to a non denominational church. Feel like I need some motivation or spirituality in life. I used to volunteer for PTA, girl a d boy scouts. I thought thru a church I could do that again.

i grew up catholic as well. don't laugh but i was an alter boy. even considered being a priest, they even came to the house often with info on different seminarys, thank god i changed my mind lol. i strongly believe in god and pray often but don't believe in religion. religion is ok for some people but it's not for me. by the way thank you for opening the cafe and inviting me

your friend

mike,,,,,,,

 

[1964dodge]

Like you, @Lane I grew up Catholic. Always seemed empty and remote and I resented the Church's viewpoint on women and that they should be obedient to a man although I never understood why. (I'm female for those who don't know). Most kids my age wanted to be confirmed so they could stop going to church. So I dropped out also even though I would pray giving thanks to God for being able to offer gifts and food to others.

Fast forward forty years to the time of separation and divorce I contacted the Catholic church to help rebuild the marriage. The local church didn't have time but an evangelical church made time. I started attending but the divorce came and I dropped out due to suicide attempts. After the divorce I started to go to that church as well as their DivorceCare program and I started to go to church and have a personal relationship with God. But God told me I was moving on and although I was angry at having to change eventually I accepted and waited. i figured God was going to tell me to move across the country or go ona a mission but it turned out all He wanted me to do was switch local churches. It was good since the evangelical church didn't want to answer questions of doubt and where I am does.

This is too long and goes on But now I have to go to church (the new one). I have been here for at least 16 years. I could go on if you want; I haven't started on the philosophy. If you want to hear more please indicate and I will continue.

the bible says a wife must obey her husband, that was true 2000 years ago. don't forget men wrote the bible. fast forward 2000 years and i think a wife should do everything she can to support her husband, on the other hand a husband should do everything he can to support and protect his wife. no woman should be slave to man or vice versa, a marriage should be two souls into 1. at least that is my opinioin

mike.....

 

[Fbr27]

I was wondering if anyone here goes to church? If so, how does it enhance your life

My religious history is complicated.

My mother grew up catholic. Both my maternal grandfather and my maternal grandmother were catholic, but I don't really know how "serious" they were about religion. My mother never mentioned them going to church a lot, but I think they were religious. But my mother was really catholic when she was younger. She taught in Sunday School and even thought of becoming a nun.

But then she married my father, had 2 kids (me and my older brother), and until they divorced, I don't remember my mother going to church or even talking about it. (She did force me and my brother to do catechesis though)

Then she found my stepfather (pentecostal evangelic) and then everything in her past religious life was wrong and she became the most evangelical firebrand woman all of a sudden.

I went to the catholic church occasionally until I was 10. Then my mother wanted me to become evangelical when I was around 13. Around that age I was already questioning everything around my background and my family (and then I couldn't take evangelical religion seriously) and I "lost" my faith when I was around 15 years old.

So I don't really go to church today, unless I want to go with my parents. Which is a little bit too much sometimes. I wouldn't say it helped me a lot, but some people in the church are really nice to me, and I like choral music.

Also, what is your definition of spirituality and do you incorporate it in your life?

Right now I would classify myself as some sort of very skeptic religious person. Or a religion-positive agnostic.

I really believe in religion/faith/belief as something inherent in the human experience. It is the experience of the "mysterium trememdum"; the idea of something bigger than us that haunt us; make us feel small.

It is also something that a german theologian (Schleiermacher) explains as the "one and all": the totality of human experience that we feel right when we enter into the earth and that escape us — we can think about the " one and everything": the universe and beyond. But that "thinking" will always be limited by the full experience of the real totality of the "one and all".

So, I'm still searching. I believe that the question "if god exists or not" is one of the most important things: what we wouldn't change in our minds if god really exists?

But I read a lot of books, and do a lot of things. But maybe I'm just too cold, or too sad, or too inexperienced to really understand those feelings.

 

[1964dodge]

i don't practice religion but think it's ok for some people

i'll try to break down the spiritually question as it pertains to me

1. i strongly believe in god. what or who god is i don't know for sure but i love him and all he stands for as well as all he has done.

2. in my personal belief prayer is important. not cookie cut prayers like in church but for me it's much more intimate.

3. i think it's more important to live your life in a good way than any prayer. make god proud not sad.

4. forgive your fellow man.

5. we all must acknowledge that we have sinned. i have commited many sins some really bad but i repent and try to ask forgiveness and move on and do better.

6. my opinioin only : i believe god is god no matter the religion and even athiests should be able to get into heaven. what is most important is if you are rightous plain and simple . example, if you help people less fortunate it should help you get into heaven if you believe or not, if you shit on everyone you should go to hell even if you are super religious.

7. we don't know what happens when we croak. i just hope we don't get reincarnated as humans. i DON'T want to go through this again lol.

p.s. we should stop killing each other because one religion is better than others

mike

 

[KM76710]

I was wondering if anyone here goes to church? If so, how does it enhance your life.

I have never been a member of any organized church or religion.

Also, what is your definition of spirituality and do you incorporate it in your life?

My definition and how I live my life is more of just respect and acceptance that we are all different, different beliefs and to live and let live. I think I have read the scriptures of most all large established religions. Being from the United States I would put it as The Golden Rule, but the same idea, teachings and principles can be found all over the world of "Do unto others...". I admire people that live that and treat their neighbors decently.

 

[LumberJack]

...
I tend to dislike every religion now for a mixture of reasons - even Buddhism... I get quite upset about the gender oppression and the way men tend to use it as a means to be dominant and control over women

Well, Buddhism is very patriarchal. Very. It was only recently in the history of Buddhism that women could even be ordained. There is a strain of devotion to the divine feminine in the very esoteric levels. Tara, for example. Kwan-Yin (female manifestation of the major bodhisattva of compassion) is another. People are people and products of the time and place in which they are raised.

 

[FFurry]

Thanks @Lane ! I come from a Catholic background, but I'm a bit lapsed, ever since Covid shut down even the churches. I certainly believe that this is not all there is and that there will be answers to my questions, except I can't seem to find them 🤔🤨😐

"Spirituality" is a bit of a vague umbrella word to me, somewhere between atheism and religiosity.

 

[Road to Nowhere]

I grew up Catholic and Christian I believe in the one true God and the holy trinity.

 

[Winslow]

@Lane
Thanks for the tag. I actually practice three religions--Buddhism, Hinduism and Shintoism.
Buddhism because I use Buddhist meditation to master my emotions. Hinduism because I believe in Reincarnation. And also Shintoism. According to Shintoism, there are TWO Creators--one Male, and the other being Female. This makes more sense to me than a Single Creator who is usually Male. After all we humans have both male and female in order to reproduce. So the same should logically apply to whoever created us. And why shortchange the Female by denying them equal status. And then there is also the matter of having balance. What do you think?

 

[Lane]

@Lane
Thanks for the tag. I actually practice three religions--Buddhism, Hinduism and Shintoism.
Buddhism because I use Buddhist meditation to master my emotions. Hinduism because I believe in Reincarnation. And also Shintoism. According to Shintoism, there are TWO Creators--one Male, and the other being Female. This makes more sense to me than a Single Creator who is usually Male. After all we humans have both male and female in order to reproduce. So the same should logically apply to whoever created us. And why shortchange the Female by denying them equal status. And then there is also the matter of having balance. What do you think?

I think it's makes a lot of sense. I always wondered about the fairness in praying to only God. When I had my children I discovered Goddesses because I felt that women should be worshipped, as they had life flowing through them. I really like the idea of worship towards both, male and female. Thanks for your reply @Winslow