Just a curious question - call me nosey if you like... but I have noticed that quite a few Supporters seem to have strong spiritual and/or religious beliefs. Have you become spiritual or religious after you became a Supporter or did you have that belief system in place before?
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General Spirituality And Belief
- Post starter Toria
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I was raised Christian, but rather permissive. When I hit school, I drifted fairly far away. Being free of faith is supposed to be fun, but it just turned out to be sad. When I met my second wife (child of atheist and agnostic) she was searching for meaning in life through a spiritual sense. She disliked Christianity because Christian relatives had abused her. But when she found people who actually knew God, that all changed. I came back with her, and it has given me more strength than you would ever believe.
There is of course no proof of this and I don't expect anyone to believe me. Personally, I don't see myself as being very believable, but then that is neither my job nor my problem.
I hope everyone finds the happiness that I have and I wish them all the best!
Bear
There is of course no proof of this and I don't expect anyone to believe me. Personally, I don't see myself as being very believable, but then that is neither my job nor my problem.
I hope everyone finds the happiness that I have and I wish them all the best!
Bear
amethist
VIP Member
I did not really have any thing to do with anything spiritual or religious before PTSD invaded our lives.
I put all that down to the way I was forced to got to Sunday school and then church as a child, when my own parents did not go with me or my brothers.
I found this totally wrong, and did not like the way, when in church we were made to sit and be lectured at by some booming voice who did not really know us at all.
It was only when I started looking for alternative ways to help my husband, that I gradually found a different and more natural path. Some of which actually made sense, one that is connected to modern day Christianity. But only because the Roman Christians, pinched the bits they wanted to placate the people they were trying to convert, around the 2 nd Century in Roman Britain.
Amethist
I put all that down to the way I was forced to got to Sunday school and then church as a child, when my own parents did not go with me or my brothers.
I found this totally wrong, and did not like the way, when in church we were made to sit and be lectured at by some booming voice who did not really know us at all.
It was only when I started looking for alternative ways to help my husband, that I gradually found a different and more natural path. Some of which actually made sense, one that is connected to modern day Christianity. But only because the Roman Christians, pinched the bits they wanted to placate the people they were trying to convert, around the 2 nd Century in Roman Britain.
Amethist
ISupportHer
Diamond Member
My Dad was a pastor, so I always went to church as a child and growing up. Then rebelled as a teenager but then after having a family, recognized that I wanted my kids to have much of the upbringing that I had, so started going again.
(First, I totally get that so many here have had an upbringing that was polar opposite to mine. I wish those that suffer from abuse could have had even a percentage of what I experienced.)
Anyway, back on topic. That is the "habit" or the nurture I received. I admit I am not an ideal Christian in many ways. Not a bible beater for sure. But I guess part of it now is the whole concept that you, to some extent, make your own environment. Church, for me anyway, is a supportive, calming community. I know that many have turned their back on it and been actually hurt by it. Maybe it's denominational differences, I don't know. My denomination is inclusive, not exclusive. I just know that it helps me and that almost every week there is some small comment that I can apply to PTSD.
I know that is hard to imagine a correlation, but my example would be a post or thread from long ago whenaI mentioned that the sermon talked about being a christian community but being "accountable" to each other. Same for here I feel. We have to hold each other accountable. Like when someone is whining (like me sometimes). Being accountable and haveing someone call you on your behavior or something you said. It's not an attack, but an attempt to help.
Anyway, that is my experience.
ISH
(First, I totally get that so many here have had an upbringing that was polar opposite to mine. I wish those that suffer from abuse could have had even a percentage of what I experienced.)
Anyway, back on topic. That is the "habit" or the nurture I received. I admit I am not an ideal Christian in many ways. Not a bible beater for sure. But I guess part of it now is the whole concept that you, to some extent, make your own environment. Church, for me anyway, is a supportive, calming community. I know that many have turned their back on it and been actually hurt by it. Maybe it's denominational differences, I don't know. My denomination is inclusive, not exclusive. I just know that it helps me and that almost every week there is some small comment that I can apply to PTSD.
I know that is hard to imagine a correlation, but my example would be a post or thread from long ago whenaI mentioned that the sermon talked about being a christian community but being "accountable" to each other. Same for here I feel. We have to hold each other accountable. Like when someone is whining (like me sometimes). Being accountable and haveing someone call you on your behavior or something you said. It's not an attack, but an attempt to help.
Anyway, that is my experience.
ISH
My father was an atheist and my mother an agnostic. My mother took us to a catholic school. So I was really confused. However, even as a child I had a spiritual side. I used to wonder what is the purpose of life? Why are we here? I figured out some things even at a young age--the things I believed and didn't. At 12 I went to live with my dad and step mom. My step mom got me into reading the Bible. Thank goodness for that. I think it saved me from alot of harm. I didn't have to rebel because it wasn't forced on me.
This is a positive thing with my husband and me is we do try to follow Bible principles, although not perfectly. It does help us to try as a couple and I think it has helped me to cope in many ways. One amazing thing is that my husband when he came back from Vietnam ended up getting into reading the Bible, which saved him from a dangerous path. It has made him a very social person with PTSD, which is unusual for alot of people with PTSD which isolate themselves. So that has been a benefit. Also, of course trying to apply the fruitages of the spirit like self-control helps. However, as I said we are not perfect. I figure the good is that we are reminded of what we should do alot--and we try as best as we can, but we fall short.
This is a positive thing with my husband and me is we do try to follow Bible principles, although not perfectly. It does help us to try as a couple and I think it has helped me to cope in many ways. One amazing thing is that my husband when he came back from Vietnam ended up getting into reading the Bible, which saved him from a dangerous path. It has made him a very social person with PTSD, which is unusual for alot of people with PTSD which isolate themselves. So that has been a benefit. Also, of course trying to apply the fruitages of the spirit like self-control helps. However, as I said we are not perfect. I figure the good is that we are reminded of what we should do alot--and we try as best as we can, but we fall short.
I started my new life with God two years ago when I went to the doctor's office and he asked me why I was there and I did not know where to start. I was directed to a rehab and I refused it due to the surroundings having lots of drugs. I started going to church, worshipping God, got involved in Bible studies and attended every service possible.
The results were awesome, I cannot define it, yet I still have symptoms but not as I use to. God has done some healing and the rest has been on prescription pills. God is good and God is real. Having faith in God has a lot to do with healing from PTSD. Granted, not all symptoms will be erased just like that, or maybe it can happen to those the lucky ones.
The results were awesome, I cannot define it, yet I still have symptoms but not as I use to. God has done some healing and the rest has been on prescription pills. God is good and God is real. Having faith in God has a lot to do with healing from PTSD. Granted, not all symptoms will be erased just like that, or maybe it can happen to those the lucky ones.
I follow a similar path to Amethist (I think).
Most religions are just big clubs organised by man and many of such whilst pretending to preach good values actualy breed a lot of intolerance.
I refuse for example to believe that as I have taken steps to limit myself to two children of my own so as not to overburden the toll we all take on "mother" earth that some single entity will judge me unfit for anything other than an eternity in hell...
That does not mean I am godless,I do not meet with others in a man made building and bow down to plaster of paris or metal statues however you could say that the great outdoors is my church.
I've been developing my own beliefs since I was a teenager and the belief that this was the correct path for me was confirmed by some of the events that led to my husbands ptsd and reinforced to a great extent by the attitude of "god fearing" folk towards those events and the way indeed in which they treat him and others like him now.
I do not fear my god,I hear his advice in various forms as he draws me to his gifts of nature that allow me to add balance to my life.
To me every sand dune,every tree and every outcrop is testament to the energies that surround us every day and a couple of hours wandering around their presence does more for my soul than sitting in a stuffy building,cringing at awful singing and watching small children fidget and middle aged women nudging thier husbands awake during sermons...
Let the birds be my choiristers and the medow flowers my insense...
Most religions are just big clubs organised by man and many of such whilst pretending to preach good values actualy breed a lot of intolerance.
I refuse for example to believe that as I have taken steps to limit myself to two children of my own so as not to overburden the toll we all take on "mother" earth that some single entity will judge me unfit for anything other than an eternity in hell...
That does not mean I am godless,I do not meet with others in a man made building and bow down to plaster of paris or metal statues however you could say that the great outdoors is my church.
I've been developing my own beliefs since I was a teenager and the belief that this was the correct path for me was confirmed by some of the events that led to my husbands ptsd and reinforced to a great extent by the attitude of "god fearing" folk towards those events and the way indeed in which they treat him and others like him now.
I do not fear my god,I hear his advice in various forms as he draws me to his gifts of nature that allow me to add balance to my life.
To me every sand dune,every tree and every outcrop is testament to the energies that surround us every day and a couple of hours wandering around their presence does more for my soul than sitting in a stuffy building,cringing at awful singing and watching small children fidget and middle aged women nudging thier husbands awake during sermons...
Let the birds be my choiristers and the medow flowers my insense...
I was raised staunch Catholic by my grandparents, my mother is pagan, and my significant other's mother AND father are Lutheran ministers. So we were both raised strongly christian but neither of us adhere to strong christian beliefs. I believe in a higher power and that evil and good exists. I won't say that my relationship is the reason I'm spiritual or made me more spiritual. If anything its given me more faith in people. I have faith in him and myself.
Lionheart
Not Active
*(I am a supporter and a sufferer)...I was raised southern baptist, but was let down by our pastor when I tried to tell about the abuse I was going through. I was also forced to denounce God by a satanic abuse perpetrator and because of this and the abuse I suffered, I thought God was punishing me.
Since then, I have done a lot of soul-searching. I was involved in Wicca for a few years, as well as Catholicism. I have developed my own eclectic brand of spiritual belief that I like to call "Universalism" as it includes all positive, life-affirming beliefs in the creator.
However, my faith in God far surpasses my faith in people. I have come to trust in the Creator, but people have to work hard to earn my trust, it is not something I give away for free anymore. Still, it is my nature to be trusting, so I have to be careful of others who would like to take advantage of that. I want my spirituality to be a strength and not a liability. I guess that comes with a history of having been abused.
As a sufferer my faith is indispensable to my healing; as a supporter, I think that my loved ones who suffer PTSD must find the way that works for them on their own and so spirituality/religion is not a subject I push with them, but will talk about if I am asked.
Since then, I have done a lot of soul-searching. I was involved in Wicca for a few years, as well as Catholicism. I have developed my own eclectic brand of spiritual belief that I like to call "Universalism" as it includes all positive, life-affirming beliefs in the creator.
However, my faith in God far surpasses my faith in people. I have come to trust in the Creator, but people have to work hard to earn my trust, it is not something I give away for free anymore. Still, it is my nature to be trusting, so I have to be careful of others who would like to take advantage of that. I want my spirituality to be a strength and not a liability. I guess that comes with a history of having been abused.
As a sufferer my faith is indispensable to my healing; as a supporter, I think that my loved ones who suffer PTSD must find the way that works for them on their own and so spirituality/religion is not a subject I push with them, but will talk about if I am asked.
I was very active in a christian church as a youth. My parents never went to church except to support me and my siblings in our youth group endeavors. I think my mom is a believer and my dad is either athiestic or agnostic, but we have never really discussed this.
I am currently an athiest who sometimes flirts with agnosticism and my wife is agnostic who only believes there is a god when her suffering is unbearable (i.e., she is being punished).
This is an interesting topic since I do not foresee a change in my beliefs (but I guess who does?), but I think religion or some kind of spirituality could help my wife with the PTSD devil. I really do not know if she would consider this option... she was turned off when her last therapist (whom she really liked) mentioned spirituality and expressed concern that her last psychiatrist's nurse practitioner (whom she also liked) wore a necklace with a cross.
This would certainly present new challenges to our marriage, providing our marriage survives this perfect storm. The bottom line is that I would rather she live a longer, healthier, happier life (with or without me) believing what I think is false than live in misery believing what I think to be the truth.
I am currently an athiest who sometimes flirts with agnosticism and my wife is agnostic who only believes there is a god when her suffering is unbearable (i.e., she is being punished).
This is an interesting topic since I do not foresee a change in my beliefs (but I guess who does?), but I think religion or some kind of spirituality could help my wife with the PTSD devil. I really do not know if she would consider this option... she was turned off when her last therapist (whom she really liked) mentioned spirituality and expressed concern that her last psychiatrist's nurse practitioner (whom she also liked) wore a necklace with a cross.
This would certainly present new challenges to our marriage, providing our marriage survives this perfect storm. The bottom line is that I would rather she live a longer, healthier, happier life (with or without me) believing what I think is false than live in misery believing what I think to be the truth.
I was brought up Catholic, went to the schools and finished all the sacraments save the last rites (saving those *shakes head*), but after my first divorce I found that I had lost my Grace somewhere along the way. Not just my faith in the Church that man had built, but my actual Grace in God. I think that, for me, that was what Hell truly was. Not burning levels of fire, or frozen lakes, but not being able to 'feel' the presence of my God anymore. A lot I knew had to do with my time as a Medic on a border town of Texas and Mexico, which is never a pretty thing, and 9/11 where to many good friends were lost, and then the continuing cycle of abuse by the poor choice I made for a second husband, but somewhere in there I found somewhere else to find Grace again and it wasn't in the Christian God.
For me, it came in the form of nature's cycle, of the Wheel of the Year, and the remembrance and reverence mankind had before Christianity was born. The Lord and Lady, by which ever name you call them, restored some semblance of peace and balance, and since then, they have been who i have turned to when I feel that loneliness press in and the overwhelming sadness and anger try to take control.
Because weather it is God or a God and Goddess who sends a butterfly past you to make you smile, or a child to make you laugh when all seems lost, does it truly matter?
Just thoughts...
For me, it came in the form of nature's cycle, of the Wheel of the Year, and the remembrance and reverence mankind had before Christianity was born. The Lord and Lady, by which ever name you call them, restored some semblance of peace and balance, and since then, they have been who i have turned to when I feel that loneliness press in and the overwhelming sadness and anger try to take control.
Because weather it is God or a God and Goddess who sends a butterfly past you to make you smile, or a child to make you laugh when all seems lost, does it truly matter?
Just thoughts...
We all at least have free will to make our own choices in life. I do some volunteer work and what I love the most is to find someone who really has put thought and effort in their choices in life, even if they aren't my choices. It is sad to me when people are apathetic and don't care. They probably put more effort into buying a flat screen TV than what they choose to believe in life.
Since what we believe is so important I think it's great to at least have passion and conviction in that. Putting a bit of energy into the endeavor then you can have your own set of convictions. I think it's nice that everyone has a different perspective and yet is very respectful of each other.
Since what we believe is so important I think it's great to at least have passion and conviction in that. Putting a bit of energy into the endeavor then you can have your own set of convictions. I think it's nice that everyone has a different perspective and yet is very respectful of each other.
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