Religion And Spirituality

[jmni]

If you do not mind sharing was it a different 12 step group (emotions anonymous). I think that building a 12 step group around the idea of emotional control is sort of futile. I mean if you "feel" a certain feeling or have a thought, it's already happened, so you can't tell yourself not to feel it or think it and if its so persistent that its become a nuisance it would just need to be analyzed. It just seemed like avoidance and very counter-productive to people who already have some issue with their own emotions. Maybe if there is a goal to the effect of not using an addictive substance to deal with the toxic emotions, its entirely different.

 

[Go Hungry]

I'm of two mind when it comes to the gods. One one hand they seem to be out there, as I saw something that was awful miraculous happen one time. On the other, I'm functionally an atheist. I relied very heavily on the christian god when I was a child and it was frankly disastrous. So that ones out for me. But there are other gods who I have no problem with. It just depends. I don't think religion can really be relied upon at all, especially when it comes to public policy. It's just a personal relationship that people may feel, but in terms of practical applications, it's the wrong idea.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I am a Buddhist, and it has helped me heal. Meditation and letting go of useless thoughts or racing thoughts has allowed me to be a stronger person. In Buddhism, you don't share God's love, you share your love and kindness to help heal yourself and others. It has set me up to be successful in my healing journey.

 

[Hashi]

People think God can't exist because bad things happen to them. I don't get that. I guess they define God as someone who grants wishes.

I think it's more likely to be that God is often seen as all-powerful. If there's an all-powerful God, then bad things that happen are within God's power, so they are accepted and allowed by God. Including all the things that come under "free will" because the existence of free will and the suffering associated with it are in God's power, so that suffering is ultimately God's choice. Since God is also generally seen as good, it doesn't add up.

Of course, it could be viewed instead as a mystery we can't understand. To me, a God that lets me suffer and I have no understanding why, isn't a very comforting idea.

 

[Chosen]

I don't really believe in a "religion," per se, but I am in a relationship with Jesus. He's my Savior, friend, counselor, comforter, healer, rescuer, etc. I wouldn't be alive today without Him.

But I run screaming from religiosity when it's extreme, shame-based, work-based, approval-based, etc. I'm blessed to be in a healthy church (for the most part, nowhere is totally healthy), and I find that a great help. I also connect with Jesus in nature extremely well, so that's one way I heal a lot.

 

[Hope4Now]

I'm not religious, but am deeply spiritual. There is a big difference between them--although for some people they overlap. I belong to a church that celebrates community and connection and the individual striving for their unique life's path. I have made many fulfilling connections with all sorts of people of all ages and backgrounds through this community. So, yes, "church" of the sort that matches your beliefs can be healing.

My beliefs in what some people call "g/God(s)" has evolved over decades. I am now in a very clear place for me; so yes, my beliefs have helped me in my healing process.

I was raised in a conservative RC culture that have me many solid bases for developing my spirituality, but also deeply damaged me spiritually.

I do think that a big part of healing from PTSD (especially for complex trauma such as I have) is engaging in a journey of identifying what is important to YOU...what YOU want...what YOU believe--Not what others tell you you should. So, yes, my spirituality is a major healing factor in my PTSD.

 

[thisbejoe7]

I've been a Christian for most of my life, and I never blamed God for my trauma or abuse. I could go into the nuances of it, but long story short I am a Christian layman, critical thinker, wanna-be theologian/apologist. I love science, philosophy, comparative religions, worldviews, etc. I think my "mere Christianity" worldview is one of the things that helps keep me sane.