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Original poster

Does religion give you comfort?

27 replies

ssd · 30/08/2020 12:53

I'm not religious at all.
But I'm watching songs of praise and it's so nice. People are speaking of how religion helps them. It makes me want to be religious, but I'm an atheist through and through.
I'm quite jealous of people who believe and get comfort from that.

OP posts:
Original poster
ssd · 30/08/2020 12:54

There were 5 young women singing Jerusalem, they were incredible.

OP posts:
TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 30/08/2020 12:55

I get a lot of comfort from my religion. Even when I've been so so angry at God and wanted to stop believing in him I've found comfort from going to Church and just being.

Parker231 · 30/08/2020 12:58

No - I’m a non believer with a science background so can discount a lot of the religious theories. However if others like it, it’s up to them

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Philosophy & religion
Original poster
ssd · 30/08/2020 12:58

That's so nice.

OP posts:
jackstini · 30/08/2020 12:59

Yes, I get huge comfort. Just knowing that I am completely and unconditionally loved, I always have support and someone to listen and I feel an incredible presence

Although my church is not open at the moment, it's like having an extra family

The joy, hope, peace is immeasurable

If you are curious then try it

Original poster
ssd · 30/08/2020 12:59

Sorry that was to The Former

OP posts:
SheWranglesRugRats · 30/08/2020 13:04

No. Religion is an oppressive social tool, even though some of the music is nice.

june2007 · 30/08/2020 13:16

Yes. REligion does give me comfort.

VirginiaWolverine · 30/08/2020 13:18

Yes, and no. I think the closest thing I can compare it too is having a family who loves you absolutely unconditionally but who have very high standards. So I feel strength and comfort, and it's definitely easier to pick myself up and start again when I make a mistake or when life is hard, or to find courage inside myself to do something difficult, but it's also uncomfortable because I'm constantly being reminded of suffering and injustice and my obligation to change that, and that often involves stuff that is very far from comfortable.

midsomermurderess · 30/08/2020 13:20

I was exposed to a lot of religion when I was young but it was just something I had to do, it didn't 'take'. I understand at some level how it does bring comfort to people with faith, but I have no meaningful experience of that. It's a complete absence for me.

PaperMonster · 30/08/2020 13:27

Not sure if it brings me comfort, but I do love going to church and I find it sets me up for the week.

greyisagoodcolour · 30/08/2020 13:27

No.

I went though a spiritual phase where I felt the presence of God had entered into me, and that was a source of strength and comfort.
But going to an evangelical church destroyed all that. There was so much emphasis on God fixing all your problems if you prayed and I hated that. It clearly was not true and I found it quite pernicious and upsetting. I also needed to believe I could fix my own life rather than rely on an outside force to do it for me. I also really hated being told that I was a worthless sinner who God loved despite me not being worthy. That's what abusers say. I needed to feel seen and loved because I had value and worth.

aToadOnTheWhole · 30/08/2020 13:29

@jackstini

Yes, I get huge comfort. Just knowing that I am completely and unconditionally loved, I always have support and someone to listen and I feel an incredible presence

Although my church is not open at the moment, it's like having an extra family

The joy, hope, peace is immeasurable

If you are curious then try it

This. My faith is incredibly important to me and I love having a faith. I feel very lucky to be able to nourish it. It feeds my soul.
Poppet1974 · 30/08/2020 13:29

Yes.... in times of trouble I’ve leaned very heavily on God and Our Lady and a few Saints .... it’s given me great comfort.

aToadOnTheWhole · 30/08/2020 13:30

Nourish it and be nourished by it*

SqidgeBum · 30/08/2020 13:32

I have no religion. I find great comfort in thinking I have control over my decisions and destiny (to an extent) and my actions are 100% my own. I never feel anger at some entity if things go wrong. I just put it down to actions of others, which I couldn't control, or my own actions, which I can react to and change.

Mintjulia · 30/08/2020 13:34

No. I like some of the music and church buildings. They are beautiful & peaceful.

But I don't have a faith and never have.

OneTooManyBathtimes · 30/08/2020 13:40

Yes, and 100% believe that Science goes hand in hand with it as well, which gives me more comfort.

SunbathingDragon · 30/08/2020 13:41

I’m not religious but I do love spending quiet time in churches.

Babdoc · 30/08/2020 13:43

OP, why not go along to a few services at your local church, chat to the minister and the worshippers, see how it feels? You don’t have to be a believer to be made welcome - my own village church has atheists and Buddhists among the congregation! They come for the sense of community, the emotional support, the engagement with local charitable and fundraising efforts, the chance to help other people.
Belief in God is a lifelong comfort. Knowing that you are unconditionally loved and valued by God, whatever your flaws or failings, and however other people let you down or hurt you, is wonderful beyond words. I had abusive parents and was widowed young, so I know one cannot rely on humans. God is eternal, unchanging and infinitely compassionate. He willingly suffered an agonising death on the cross to demonstrate His love even for His enemies, and the resurrection showed us, once and for all time, that death is not the end.
I hope that by exploring issues of faith with a minister, you may find your way to a relationship with the God who loves you.

SilverOtter · 30/08/2020 13:49

Yes, I find huge comfort in my beliefs. Having faith is sometimes very difficult though.

Marmite27 · 30/08/2020 13:50

Yes. DC2 had to have an operation Wednesday night. It was comforting.

Parker231 · 30/08/2020 13:56

@Babdoc - it sounds like it is good for you? It wouldn’t work for me as I don’t believe God exists.

Nandakanda · 30/08/2020 15:53

People confuse religion and spirituality. You don't have to follow any mainstream religions to believe in God or a God.

I found my way into a loose-fitting spirituality through being a recovering alcoholic, and it's quite simply the best thing that ever happened to me. I could find a strength I never knew I had though the deaths of both parents and some fairy major life events.

You see nobody knows really. Even the bishops, imans, atheists and hyper scientists. None of them know really, although they may have ideas that they want to believe. As the op suggested, there is great beauty in some of the organised religions. Everybody can feel the peace and calm inside an old church.

Camomila · 30/08/2020 16:05

Yes, I feel a bit disconnected at the moment (no church atm due to masks/no singing etc and for the last few years I've just spent my time telling a toddler to shhhh!) but I look forward to being able to pay attention to the readings and joining in the singing again.

I also sometimes lurk on the 'witches' thread, I like the idea of paying attention to the seasons and of magic.

I think there's good bits in all religions.

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