Posted by Dena on August 8, 2005, at 23:12:13
In reply to Re: Religious friends and my unease, posted by Deneb on August 8, 2005, at 22:52:19
> I just don't understand matters of faith and spirituality.
>
<I've found that the closer I get to God, the less I understand, and the more I experience. For me, it's a relationship with Him, with limited understanding.> I'm afraid I might end up offending people here if I speak my mind. I think it might be best for me to limit my interactions here on this board.
>
<I think that would be a shame! And speaking of shame, I'm ashamed of how I (& other religious folks) tend to NOT listen to those who have negative/critical/questioning things to say about faith... I think keeping an open conversation going is critical. Those who aren't "of faith" can add much to the conversation, and can help those of us "in faith" to see ourselves through others' eyes. It's so easy to get saturated in our faith communities... faith "ghettos" if you will, and we speak an inner language that excludes others, and makes us feel all pumped up and superior to those who aren't "of faith".I find that when someone is seeking faith, or exploring the options, shares what they think and how they feel, they cause me to see my own faith through fresh eyes... I'm forced to stretch beyond my own "faith language", and to explain things in "normal" language. When I'm able to convey something about my faith, in a way that someone else can grasp - it's very rewarding, whether or not they agree with my beliefs.
I want honesty and trust in my conversations with others, and I don't want to hide behind safe rhetoric, and pat answers. Sometimes, we just don't have the answers. It unnerves me when we feel the pressure to pretend that we do have all the answers... and it's disingenuine to those we're conversing with.
I want to be more authentic, than absolute.
> I accept differences in other people (unless there's some horrible projection thing going on :-P ), and I'll leave it at that.
>
> I've learned not to debate certain matters. :-)
>
<I agree that debate serves little purpose... a debate implies that one must win, and the other must lose. I don't see it that way anymore, though I did once.I see it as a search for truth, and not just "absolute truth", as I doubt any of us could grasp something so huge with our finite minds. But I see it as a search for how the available truth affects us where we are at that moment in time... on the journey from here to where we yearn to be. A place of healing, and significance, and purpose and finding our own place in it all...
I believe that God is connected to that "place" and purpose. I believe that there is a purpose to everything, and that it all works together for good, if we seek that greater good, outside of ourselves, but available to join ourselves to.
I believe I am most happy, most content, and most fulfilled, when I'm connected to that purpose that best fits me (& which I best fit!) ... and what a joy to be alongside others, whose paths cross and mingle with mine, as they, too find their own "right place"...
Ok, it's late... perhaps I'm just babbling... but, please Deneb - join the conversation. You have much to share, and we all have much to learn from each other...
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:538674
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20050510/msgs/539439.html