I envy people who have Faith

[BlueBloodedBlue]

I don't but it must be a real comfort to believe in a higher power and have something that gives a meaning to everything.

That's it really.

I’m so sorry, that’s immeasurably awful. I hope you can find peace and be surrounded by people who help with that rather than hinder and hurt.

This is awful. I am sorry that you had to go through this. You have these people, trained as priests - being confessed to, having people come to them with very hard, real issues, situations that they want to discuss, to get some sort of support for,. And yet these priests have zero life experience, their point of reference is the bible, written 2 thousand years ago solely by men, and whatever the Vatican decrees. It’s mad! He was in no position to help you. These holy men have no clue, especially in their attitudes towards women, in general, given that it’s a patriarchy. He had no right to make you feel guilty. When you were at your most vulnerable, this priest judged you.

There is no hell - it’s made up. It’s a way of control, for the holy men to create fearful followers who will do everything they say just so they don’t go to hell. Why would anyone want to follow such a belief system and/or even believe that it’s the truth?

My child like faith has been eroded over the years. The message of the plan and trusting in god is sadly untrue. In my local church the villagers all took refuge in the 13th century and were burned to death. I think the hideousness of the Ukraine war may have been the final nail in the coffin. I love churches and divine beauty and perfection exists but as for god having any control over anything well no.

some of the people I know who have or had faith have had been caused a lot of trouble by it.

😁😁😁

I can't imagine my life without my faith and yes, it has really helped me get through some horrible times

To know that even if everything else in life went wrong, there is nothing that can take away God's love is absolutely a comfort

I know there are some awful things done in the name of 'religion' but I don't believe they have a true faith, or they would not do them

Even if everyone only followed the commandment 'love others as yourself' I think the world would be a much better place

I just think ‘ they are going to feel very silly…..’

how insulting

Not for me. I simply couldn't switch off my critical thinking to the extent required. I have no problem with people who do have a faith though and wish them well, as long as they keep it to themselves and focus on using it for their own moral and spiritual guidance. Unfortunately, too many see their faith as license to try and dictate how others should live their lives and they invariably cause more problems than they ever solve.

EverythingHeadinSouth I completely agree with you. Be religious if you want but don't assume you have any right or reason to influence others.

Missionaries are the worst and imo should be banned worldwide. Such arrogance and ignorance.

@Haggisfish3 I envy you! I'd lone to have been a chorister in a proper choir. A cathedral choir would have been awesome. Got the faith and love the music. But not the voice or the talent alas!

@MummyInTheNecropolis

?do religious people just assume it’ll be ok and god will protect them and see them through it all?

No. It’s more that god will not give you more than you can handle, and will be with you as you face it. But the Bible also makes it clear that you have to put the work in - you won’t be handed things on a plate. Eg Matt. 25:1-13 The parable of the ten virgins - those who didn’t come prepared (brining oil for their lamps) were left out in the cold.

I’m slowly finding faith. I used to be hardcore atheist, but as I learn the bible’s message without a school trying to force them on me, they find there’s a peace there that I never had before.

This is not at all goady but I know it's hard to "hear" in text.

Would anyone who has a belief in god explain where they find their proof that she/he exists. I don't mean a feeling, I can easily understand that. I mean actual solid irrefutable evidence. It's one of my reasons for not being religious but I am genuinely curious.

Tia.

Unfortunately, too many see their faith as license to try and dictate how others should live their lives

But you seem to have some strongish views yourself about how religious people should live their lives (by keeping religious belief to themselves and using it only for some sœur of personal spiritual growth)? Interesting.

‘some SORT of personal spiritual growth’, even. Clearly a French-speaking demon has possessed my phone keyboard.

Why not a feeling? If you believe in God in the sense of the big monotheistic religions, then the God you believe in is by definition outside and beyond the natural world, and therefore can’t be proven by ways of analysing and interpreting that natural world.

If you want a decent explanation of what it feels like from the inside, the best I’ve read is in a recent book from Francis Spufford called ‘Unapologetic’. Can’t speak for others obvs but he’s one of the few writers I’d have found compelling back when I was an atheist.

I think you might be missing the point of faith there FourChimneys.😄

GoldenOmber thank you, I shall look that up.

Vincitveritas possibly but I am genuinely interested to know what has made countless millions of people religious for centuries. Surely someone somewhere has got some scientific proof? They can't all just have been making assumptions.

^ Agreed.

To think that one day you’ll see your loved ones again, that they’re happy, watching over you etc.

you really can't see why the non-religious would rather not have other people's faith pushed upon them?

@kmblark That's not what GoldenOmber was getting at.

So religious people should live their lives according to the way you want them to, because you’d ‘really rather not’ hear them being religious out loud? But your main problem with them being religious is… that they think they can tell other people what to do? Surely you can see at least a teensy bit of a tension here?

I’m paraphrasing someone here and I can’t even remember who, but I do recall someone saying people should treat their religious beliefs like their penis- use it to entertain or comfort themselves in private, don’t shove it down anybody’s throat and keep it well away from children 😁

Why do you 'feel sorry for them'? and what about having faith is 'wrong'? I don't understand what you mean by 'advocates responsibility'.

I have nothing against people practicing their faith however they want so long as its not imposed on other people yes. Don't see what's so controversial about that.