Has anyone ever had faith/religion as a part of your healing process?

[DharmaGirl]

I believe all those things, including God and religion, point to a similar experience/feeling of unconditional love and being present that all humans seek no matter the story they find it through.

All paths lead to enlightenment.

 

[Beans]

This @Beans is where I'm at as well - the suffering and an all knowing all seeing...

Idk if this resonates with you at all, but i'll just share my conception of God now. To me God is Love, meaning Love is God. Love IS God. That's what it is. That's what everyone, in all the dif religions and different ways, is searching for. Love. So whether some believe there's a being who provides unconditional love and help that's fine. If you find love in nature, mindfulness, appreciation of a child, the outdoors, animals, a flower, your fave hobby, your best friend. That feeling is love, that's God. Unconditional love is acceptance, understanding, forgiveness (as in giving the benefit of the doubt, not letting pple walk all over you,) kindness, compassion. It's loving, it's appreciation. And whenever you're being those things, first to yourself, to others, to the world, that's being loving, that's being godly.

Love is a feeling, but also a choice. Choosing to be kind and understanding to yourself when you don't feel love for yourself is love. Imo, love changes the world. Compassion towards others is what heals poverty, homelessness and all the ills of the world. It's the most powerful force, imo. So while I don't believe in any being that cares, I do believe there are many, many ways to experience that unconditional love we're all wanting. Anywho, glad this thread came up today. Needed a reminder. Been so caught up in my recovery work I sometimes forget to be accepting and compassionate to myself first.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I so agree, @Beans.

 

[deeplyloved]

I no longer believe God has any power to intercede in human relationships, beyond trying to melt and convict our hearts. I am with a lot of people on this thread: I cannot love or serve a God who could help innocents but chooses not to do so. God needs us to be God's love in the world. I don't buy into very many people's interpretations of sacred scriptures. The issue of infallibility is not actually universal across different religions and denominations of religions. There are a lot of religious people who value independent, critical thought. I heard a well-respected Rabbi speak about how he rejects certain texts that don't fit into his lens of love. I have heard similar things from Imams and preachers of different traditions. Jacob wrestled with the angel, Job wrestled with God, several woman argued with Jesus... In my opinion, real relationship includes conflict, disagreement and anger. I care enough about my faith to struggle and grapple and be upset with it. Humans have made a mess of every religion at one time or another. For me, anything that doesn't jive with unconditional love gets filed in the trash can.

 

[Fadeaway]

Religion was harmful spirituality was more helpful.

 

[StarChild]

Dear @Fadeaway, could you give me an example of what that means? As in "What is the difference between these two"?

 

[user27357]

I think I can help here-

Imagine a terrorist zealot spiritualist. Got an image? Having trouble? C'mon, anyone?

Anyone that can't name a half dozen religious extremist groups that are currently or have been guilty of terrorism just hasn't been paying attention.

 

[Emily L]

I was raised to be culturally aware of my religion more than I was to practice it. I believed in...

I wish I could like this comment a thousand times!

 

[watundah]

I have never been drawn to religion, others telling me what is right and wrong. (Outward solutions). I have recently started down a spiritual path (inward solutions) and have found peace and healing and a path to wholeness that I define for my self.

I also feel so much positive energy in the forest. The Japanese call it a Nature Bath.

Not saying my way is better, just different.

 

[Deleted member 37085]

If you find love in nature, mindfulness, appreciation of a child, the outdoors, animals, a flower, your fave hobby, your best friend. That feeling is love, that's God. Unconditional love is acceptance, understanding, forgiveness (as in giving the benefit of the doubt, not letting pple walk all over you,) kindness, compassion. It's loving, it's appreciation. And whenever you're being those things, first to yourself, to others, to the world, that's being loving, that's being godly.

What @Beans above-posted resonates with me where I'm at today...

 

[Beans]

Dear @Fadeaway, could you give me an example of what that means? As in "What is t...

I'm not Fadeaway, but to me religion is more the trappings and the institution, meaning the church, the rituals, the expectations/behaviors of others, possibly the books. Spirituality is more about your inner experience of meaning/God/love/connection/whatever. It's how you feel, how you live your life, your personal values, the way you see the world, it's about your personal spirit life. I suppose religion is more outward and spirituality is more the inner stuff. That's why someone can be on a spiritual journey without being on a religious one. At least that's how I think of it. Someone may be able to give a better answer though.

 

[Muted]

It has helped me with forgiveness, but it hasn't taken away the PTSD yet.