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Original poster

To wish I had a faith?

25 replies

peanutbutterbananapancake · 06/03/2020 20:40

I went to a funeral today for an elderly relative who was very active in the church all her life. It was the first Christian funeral I'd ever been to and I was somewhat naively surprised at how much the minister talked about God and Jesus and how little he talked about my relative.

He did discuss her and said some lovely, lovely things and I can see how the things he said about religion would be of comfort to you if you believed. But I don't, so it really meant nothing to me and I kept wishing he would talk more about her. It was the service she would've wanted though.

I would like to have that sort of comfort, in believing in the power of prayers and that there is a heaven and someone looking out for me and my family, but I just don't. I'm somewhat envious of those who do.

OP posts:
katebushscat · 06/03/2020 20:47

I wish I did too I think it would be lovely

Mandraki · 06/03/2020 20:57

Why don't you look into it then? If you feel you have that need, there's no harm.

GnomeDePlume · 06/03/2020 21:01

At times I have envied the sense of community that comes from organised religion but never really envied faith. I like the randomness of life. The idea that the good and the bad in terms of luck just happen and are arbitrary.

Marmit · 06/03/2020 21:04

I love the community aspect of church but don’t have faith myself (and disagree with a lot of what the church says and does). I’m sometimes envious of those who have faith but more often I see the harm the church causes.

Hassled · 06/03/2020 21:05

I'm with you - I think it must be lovely to have faith. There have been many times in my life when it would have been an enormous comfort. But I just don't.

Teacup34 · 06/03/2020 21:06

You could do an alpha course if you have one local to you, it would be a great place to go and find out more about the Bible you don't have to believe in God to go and if you feel you would like to have faith it can't do any harm.

Davros · 06/03/2020 21:06

You want "a faith"for the community, structure, certainty etc it gives you but not "faith". I am a committed atheist but I have faith in humankind and in people and in living well. It's called Humanism, maybe it would be if interest to you?

Wearywithteens · 06/03/2020 21:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Stella8686 · 06/03/2020 21:07

I agree with you. I have very 'christian values' I went to a C of E primary school and remember esops fables. My daughter has gone to the church toddler group. We live in a small village. All that's missing is the faith! I tell my daughter it's her choice to believe what she wants.

I can agree with the principles

I can't agree with the divinity

I also can't agree with the bible as word for word 'gospel truth'

I am also quite liberal.

I still get that village church feel but I don't attend services. I do attend community days

My parents weren't believers and I was brought up knowing they didn't believe. A lot of my friends were in a similar position. I don't know that many practicing Christians under 40

Neverender · 06/03/2020 21:07

Jesus can bring you comfort if you want comfort...perhaps explore what that could mean for you..

I was a sceptic but got a lot out of it.......

Find your path...

WeWantSweet · 06/03/2020 21:09

Agree as sometimes wish I could silence logic in favour of faith. A non religious Church of the Human Spirit could be something I could get behind..

Brahumbug · 06/03/2020 21:33

Taking joy and comfort from your fellow human beings is far better that so called 'faith's which is just the excuse for believing in things that you have no justification for.

contentedsoul · 06/03/2020 21:47

I really don't wish to sound rude, so please forgive me.
But I always think of people who follow religion to be fairly weak. To want to believe in something that has never had a shred of evidence to support its tales and fables is strange to me. Should I believe in mermaids and unicorns, elves and fairies?

If I had to believe in anything, it would probably be what the native American Indians believed. The seasons, wind, rain, sun things that I can actually relate too.
But asking me to accept the scriptures that was written thousands of years ago is no more silly than asking me to believe in mythology,

Babdoc · 06/03/2020 21:52

Why not discuss it with the minister who took your relative’s funeral? Most churches run classes for people who want to explore Christianity.
You have nothing to lose, and a great deal to gain. There is enormous comfort in knowing that we are loved by God and will be reunited with our lost loved ones in His presence when we die ourselves.
I love the sense of community in my wee village church. And we are not the simple minded science deniers that atheists think- my congregation contains doctors, university academics, vets, teachers, a headmaster and IT specialists!

suze108 · 06/03/2020 21:56

What is the point of faith, when it may be faith in the wrong thing?

Wearywithteens · 06/03/2020 22:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Etinox · 06/03/2020 22:10

@Stella8686 Aesop’s Fables are moral, pre Christian tales. I feel like an arse pointing that out, but it’s also the kind of thing people irl would point out to you and that would be worse Wink

ElbasAbsentPenis · 06/03/2020 22:13

I’d like to have faith, but would really, really not want a church community. It would be like the PTA x a million.

Original poster
peanutbutterbananapancake · 06/03/2020 22:53

I don't mean to be at all rude to the people suggesting I find out more but it's just not something I'm interested in. I was born into a Christian family (although not at all devout) and went to church every Christmas Eve and with the brownies etc growing up. I know a lot about it, I
just don't believe in it.

I do think that in times of hardship, such as death or illness etc, having a belief in some sort of higher plan would bring comfort and I envy that, but I wouldn't be able to force myself to believe in something.

OP posts:
Original poster
peanutbutterbananapancake · 06/03/2020 22:57

@wearywithteens She was raised with religion being a constant in her life and the sense of community was always very important to her. I certainly don't believe she was brainwashed! Her beliefs were different from mine, but neither are any more or less valid.

OP posts:
Mandraki · 06/03/2020 22:59

Fair enough. I actually understand where you're coming from. I was raised a Jehovah's Witness, not so now (I say thankfully, but thats another thread). However I do miss the sense of community, even if I don't believe anymore.

AnuvvaMuvva · 06/03/2020 23:06

I wanted to start going to church, and then I found they were running a 6-week "Exploring Faith" course. I signed up and it's been absolutely wonderful. A chance to learn, and to discuss huge ideas with your local vicars.

I've started going to church too and I love it.

I wasn't sure what I believed in before I went. I still get a touch of imposter syndrome. But I can't tell you how enjoyable it is. The music, the beautiful building, the stirring words, and the friendliest people.

Walnutwhipster · 06/03/2020 23:06

DM died last year. She knew she was dying and I was comforted by the fact she truly believed she would be reunited with my dad and brother. I have no fear of death (I have a life limiting condition and have been on life support twice) but she wished for it in her last month. It's the only time I wished I had faith.

AnuvvaMuvva · 06/03/2020 23:06

Oh sorry! Just RTFT! Never mind. 🙈

Davros · 06/03/2020 23:57

I'll just put this here, mentioned up thread

humanism.org.uk

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