Starting the Trip to Go Full Circle.
Have you ever embarked on a journey, a working journey? One where you know you'll be back where you started from but everything will seem different because of what you learned while you were on that journey?
That's how I feel right now. I feel like there are jugglers inside of me and all their balls are in the air. I should be in bed. But I am so torn up inside over my decision about the worship team and trying out a different church. These are two really huge decisions for me. I just keep telling myself that they aren't permanent.
I also feel like I'm questioning a lot of things in my spiritual life. One of the questions I have I will be posting on my daily life blog because I have a more diverse readership over there.
I've also been reading a lot of different blogs of people who don't believe in God at all. In fact, they think that those of us who do are stupid and foolish. Yet, I read their writings and do not see any peace ... I only see hatred, anger, bitterness and sadness. They are blazing their trail of athiesm with the fire of their angry wit. I would not want to live my life that way.
I have to trust God that he will take care of me on my "questioning journey" and bring me back to the home of his arms after my mental travels.
posted by Jammie J. @ 1:52 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Bless your heart!!!
Father, Please reveal your direction to Jeanette and give her peace as she makes these difficult decisions.
Jeanette, you know that I'm going to be a chiropractor. In my profession, there are aspects that I don't agree with. I question those aspects in the hopes that I will improve the perception of other chiropractors so as to provide the best healthcare to their patients as possible. Your questioning journey is no different. By asking such questions, you only stand to solidify your faith once the questions have been answered. Then, you can sleep peacefully at night knowing that whatever decision you make, is the right one.
Hi… I don’t think that trawling blogs is a great way to get an appreciation of a person much less a section of society. Blogs in general tend to be rather inflammatory but for the Atheist in an overwhelmingly Christian society which can be quite oppressive for a non believer they are a relatively safe place to vent frustration at the bigotry they encounter on a day to day basis. Personally I have no problem with my Atheism or what anyone thinks of me because of it, your loss not mine, but I come from a different society where religion does not have such a stranglehold.
I don’t think it is true that Atheists think Christians are stupid, and indeed many Christians are quite intelligent people, foolish is more accurate as I find it quite bewildering that otherwise rational people are unable to see through the religious façade. I have great pity for those of you who continue to have faith in a theory that has so many holes in it is like you are clinging to a comforter frightened to accept reality. You to me are like a 15 year old who still believes in Santa and the tooth fairy, yeah its cute that he still has that innocence of childhood but at the same time pity for him that one day devastating reality is going to set in and someone really should have done something for him before now.
I have no idea about the questions you have about your faith, I could suggest that your mind is rebelling against the implausibility of your religion but that would be rather too condescending of me wouldn’t it?
I don’t have hatred, anger, bitterness and sadness in my life because of my Atheism, nor do I have guilt, intolerance or bigotry that I see in the majority of Christians I encounter, even before I reveal my beliefs. I hate to break the news to you but I am not filled with inner turmoil, I do not have an emptiness in my soul that can only be filled by god, nor indeed any emptiness what so ever.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Paula, thank you so much for your kind, understanding spirit and gentle prayers.
Jethro, your objective perspective and thoughtful encouragement is appreciated.
RedFred, I wasn't referring to your blog (as I mentioned in your comments). My thoughts weren't intended to be offensive or judgmental, more of an observation of what I've seen in my blog travels. And, actually, I find that reading people's blogs DO give great insight as to individual personalities and preferences. Perhaps you're correct in stating it's not a great way to get an inkling of a group as a whole.
I'm glad that you have peace in your beliefs. I'm not a partaker in debating personal beliefs or religions for the simple fact that I shy away from conflict of any kind, including debates or discussions with people who feel strongly differently.
Instead, let me just say that I'm not questioning my faith but, rather, the intricacies of my various details within my beliefs.
Jeanette, please no offence taken on my part at least and none meant to you either, I simply think that it is worth noting that American Atheists are under a lot of pressure from the christian zeal and that a blog is often a useful tool to vent off frustration in a non harmful manner. This being so the impression you receive from the blog, at least as far as Atheists are concerned is often blurred.
Unlike you I do not shy away from conflict, mainly because I enjoy debating too much, but you should know me well enough that I am not disrespectful, I find people who think differently enthralling, that’s why I post on Lisa’s Right wing blog when my politics are clearly left wing and what attracted me to comment on this site rather than you “mainstream” one. Otherwise its just one big ass kissing fest, no offence Paula…
Finally you say you are not questioning your faith, but you should, you should question your faith daily otherwise it is no faith at all. What are you afraid of?
If you are left, why do you call yourself RedFred? Shouldn't you be BlueFred?
I don't question the foundation of my faith, because I don't need to. Of all the things in the world I'm afraid of, my faith is the biggest thing I can rest in peace on.
BUT, asking questions and trying to learn more about WHAT I believe is very important to me as I move forward in my life.
Redfred is just easy to type (with one finger). In the UK Red is the colour of the Labour party, blue is Concervative, yellow is lib-dems so Red would reflect my politics, but that is coincidental.
I don't know you well enough or the how you came about your faith, but I would still maintain that it is good to constantly question your core values, else you stagnate and cease to grow.
Jeanette, What on that web site did you find so offencive, I'll admit that I only had time to scan read it, but I found it only to be a strongly held opinion, not realy anger or bitterness much less hatred.
Furthermore even if it had been as you said full of these sentiments need I point you to the nearest firebrand preacher who is prepared to damn us all to eternity, who fervently wishes that we burn in the pits of hell simply for disagreeing with him, Did not Bush sr. say "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God." . In my home town there is a man who drives a van with messages "from god" on the side, he displays still more messages on his home, the other day his sign read god hates faggots, previously it has read are all gays catholic, or are all catholics gay? , and as for sadness your very own post entitled "Warning: Fragile Heart" pretty much covers the bases. I think it nieve to suggest that these qualities are the sole preserve of the Atheist blogger, in my personal experiance I have found that I am far more likely to encounter those emotions from christians, and I am frequently astounded that I am considered the bad guy when morally I am head and sholders above 90% of the christians I meet.
I didn't say that I found his blog to be offensive. I wouldn't keep reading it if I found it to be offensive. But then I read a lot of diverse blogs, that's just my nature. I'm a curious sort.
I would imagine my reading of his blog is rather like you reading my blog. It fascinates. If he allowed comments, I would *never* say anything. That's not my way, I'm not a zealot, activist or firebrand preacher. As you said, it is his place to vent or whatever.
There are a lot of minorities in this world who struggle with different things. We all have our heartaches. My statement in my post (as I've said before) was not intended as a judgment.
Maybe you and dynebolic can make friends? Then you and he can sit around and pat each other on the back about ... well, whatever you want to. And quit picking on me.
I never intended to "pick" on anyone, just give an insight from a different viewpoint. If it upsets you I will stop, just say the word.
Post a Comment
<< Home