AIBU to wish I were religious?

[religiouslychallenged]

Name changed as I never thought I'd be anything other than a stoney atheist (and it's a hell of a lot of fun to come up with new names, pardon the pun).

Can't help but feel on some level desperate for religion. I poked fun at people who were heavily emotionally attached to the concept of God, mostly to do with premarital shagging. Now I wish I had something I could dedicate myself to as much as folk dedicate themselves to God and religion. Anyone else?

is there anything that could now make you doubt your faith stripes, or is it set in stone? theres so little i could believe to the death but im glad for other folk to be spared from the existentialism to some degree

I think religion for some helps them but I never worked with anyone that suddenly found religion through their grief (I’m sure it happens) I no longer work as a therapist I work in MH religion plays an important part in supporting many with an addiction to not use drugs. It’s surprised me how many young people will use their faith or new found faith

I feel you, I wished when my aunt passed that I believed in something. Now I realise, because I think of her all the time, she is always here, in my heart at least. Which makes me feel better

@ItsAlwaysSunnyOnMN if we take the grief element away, could religion be seen as like a coping mechanism then

for people who are struggling severely (like the alcohol you mentioned) and need some guidance. or do you think its a genuine call to god

@FloraButterCookie thats a lovely way to think about things, people can still be with you in memories but to a certain bit i like the idea of people whove died close to me getting a bit of rest. not waiting for me to come and see them, just a big sleep. but thats romanticising death in a different way than religion potentially might so thats probably hypocritical.

it does sound nicer to believe theres good in death, i just cant believe it. i cant make myself.

As a non-Christian I can't separate my religion from a lot of feelings involving family and tradition and history. I don't know if there is a God, but I like the ritual of prayer and services and it's been quite lonely with the Covid disruptions.

But I'm also a member of a more liberal group socially and politically so it is rather easier from that POV

@knitnerd90 if youre non-christian but religious, what do you consider yourself? spiritual maybe? sorry if read wrong

There are probably many things that could cause me to doubt, but I don’t know what they are going to be yet.

I focus on the bible quote ‘do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’

Go to a few different churches and try it out. I was atheist and now am Christian. Took many churches to find where I fit, but I'm happier for it. (Christianity can be very non-judgmental if you find a church/group that doesn't go along with the whole gay-hating thing)

No--Jewish

I understand the sentiments but can’t wish yourself to believe something you don’t. I do think religious people are generally happier though snd is probably good for your health. I’m a critic of organised religions for the bad things which come out of them but also recognise a lot of good things come out of them too

beanieb ive got vehement memories of mass which make me uncomfortable but might consider bruising through that to try n get some experience of religion. glad to hear youre happier for it tho, and im glad people can find happiness in religion even if i cant really get it.

a question for you and stripes - would you recommend people converting to christianity ? or does it have to be a call of some kind
does the specific religion matter or is it just the concept of believing in a higher powwr in general

It must be comforting when a loved one dies. Or you yourself get a terminal diagnosis, that they’re in better place and you’re heading to heaven or somewhere similar rather than just dead and worm food

sorry knitnerd - my bad, we were mostly talking about christianity so when i read "non-christian but religious" i dont know why my brain didn't make the jump forgive me!

my grandfather n that line of family are jewish from ukraine, but i know surprisingly little about judaism. i guess i also know very little about protestantism too though and thats the other side of my bloodline. if youve got any wisdom to impart on your religion, am keen to learn

clarence - are you religious? i wish i could wish myself to believe, though i guess thats ironic in itself. the idea of a higher power seems comforting, even if its not a particularly proactive / obvious one

Like the OP I’d quite like if if I was. But of course can’t be forced. Belief is great if your believe it but pretty impossible to pretend as you still won’t believe it

‘a question for you and stripes - would you recommend people converting to christianity ? or does it have to be a call of some kind
does the specific religion matter or is it just the concept of believing in a higher powwr in general‘

I believe you should give the ways of finding meaning a go. I believed that as an atheist. You can do that either through religion or through secular means.

If you haven’t been brought up in the Christian faith then you could try any of the Abrahamic religions, as far as I understand it, although I could be wrong as I am just starting out. I can’t comment on the non Abrahamic religions.

I don’t think you can convert to a religion unless you believe in God, but you could attend services and participate in the community.

clarence have you ever felt any pull to any religion ? theres tons of stuff that i like in theory (i think wicca is cool and a bit "fuck you" to the typical negative stuff asociated with religion, and buddhism is about the inner self that seems helpful). im just interested to see if anyone's ever willed themself into belief.

Not religious no but agreed with the sentiment that I might be happier if I was. But it’s impossible for me. Could convert to anything but with no true belief it’s pointless and you don’t get the benefit

stripes. i think even thinking about this probably steers me towards religion more. like i have a lot of incredibly strong emotions that i cant explain (its deeper than that, like the dream thing not sure how to express) and im now thinking "hhmm is that God or religion calling out to me in some way". but i think thats the power of suggestion maybe more than true belief

Only thing I’ve had a spurious connection to is Buddhism because of the reincarnation angle because we all are physically. Buried or burnt our atoms end up somewhere else. But still a stretch to connect that logical and factual stuff to that. Plus if you can’t remember your previous life what’s the point? Might as well just be dead dead as I think of it

clarence i definitely have a feeling every once in a while that im reincarnated and have a lot of past lives. but i think thats my brain playing tricks like deja vu, as if it were true id have a different bunch of cells and how would i remember?

i guess the idea of being buried or burnt seems kinda archaic. would be nice to know that our souls are elsewhere, not rotting in a corpse i guess but i suppose no one wants to think the worst. also curious on whether religious folk thnk that animals go to heaven

Do you know why I was required to wear modest clothes (almost like what Amish or German Baptist would wear) when I was in a strict church. It to set example so people would want to turn to religion. Most of the time it works But the grass is not greener. I still believe in God and it is ok to believe something is bigger is out there if you believe in it.

@religiouslychallenged

stripes, i mean as far i know there's a lot of theories on dreams but you could be dreaming about themeparks as you're not able to access them due to lockdown as that's what youre thinkin about most. though im not freud and could be (and probably am) chatting out my arse.

do any of the points ive made or things ive mentioned make you doubt your faith?

@Goosefoot you've got an interesting view. mind if i ask if youre religious?

Yes. I grew up in a sort of lukewarm religious household, or mildly culturally observant, and became an active Christian after I went to university to study philosophy.

@Blueberries0112 why was there pressure to wear modest clothes, and why would that have been attractive for people to turn to your religion?

goosefoot can i ask how studying philosophy led you to god? do you think you were maybe just wantin some answers