Posted by HannahW on September 15, 2003, at 12:46:00
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 15, 2003, at 5:17:42
My family wasn't religious, but I always had a strong sense of God's presence as a kid. I formally became a Christian when I was a sophomore in high school and was a burning fireball of spiritual passion. I stayed that way for a couple of years, but then I fell in love with my husband and began pursuing him more than I pursued God. Our sexual involvement really got in the way of my spiritual life. (We tried really hard to stay virgins until we were married, but also defined what constituted actual sex VERY loosely.) Over the years, my relationship with God gradually diminished, but I always held strong to my faith in his goodness, and I always desired to get close to him again. (It was hard, though, because I just can't seem to get myself out of bed and to church on Sunday mornings!)
Several months ago, I was taking two religion classes (one Eastern and one Western) at the same time because I needed religion credits for my degree. I also happened to be reading The Source by James Michener at the time, purely by coincidence. The Source is a historical novel about an archaeological dig in Israel and traces the history of religion back to the beginning of civilization. Paganism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all born during the course of the book. I also happened to be reading The DaVinci code simultaneously. When I started reading it, I didn't know that it was also about religion.
So there I was, immersed in discussions of religion in school, and also absorbing two authors' interpretations of religion. I started the classes and books absolutely sure about what I believed, and ended them having no idea what I believe. Thanks to the power-hungriness of man, the lack of a written Bible for hundreds and hundreds of years after the events, and religious reform after reform, I can't believe that any religion has it "right." So then, what to believe?
Hannah
> Sorry you have gotten bounced around on the bd re: this issue. It seems like any of these places (well, esp the religion bd) would be a good spot to talk about it. I have to think religion comes up over and over again in therapy so hopefully this will be an appropriate place to discuss it.
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> I thought you wrote that the book was called "The Source"? I haven't read it. How did it influence you (and Dinah) into becoming agnostic? Were you very religious before that? I find that coping with my mental illness has tested my faith...I wish it wasn't that way, that it would only strengthen my faith. There are times I try to pray when I'm depressed, but feel like I'm not strong enough then to see God. Does that make sense? This is all by way of saying that I too, miss believing in Something all-powerful, Something that will protect me and help me make my life better.
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> So, pls tell me more about your religious bkgd & what you're feeling about it now...
poster:HannahW
thread:259804
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030905/msgs/260256.html