What does your spirituality or faith mean to you?

[spiritmum]

Just being nosey really.

It means a lot to me

i don't quite get the question

What would you like to know?

Thank you for your replies.

I don't know really, MFM. I think even the question will mean different things to different people.

I think I'm trying to understand the importance that women place on their spirituality, the way in which it helps us day to day or at times of crisis and why someone follows a particular path.

But equally I know some people will find their beliefs throw up as many questions as answers, and I'm interested in that, too.

And I'm wondering if in these uncertain times whether people want more spirituality in their lives, or seek out 'quick fixes' to make themselves feel better.

My faith means everything to me.

My Christian faith means everything to me. In fact I don't know how I would have coped through some very tough times without it.

Thanks everyone.

Do you see faith and spirituality as different things?

And does faith/spirituality come into your everyday lives or does it become more important when things are hard?

I'm thinking about these spiritmum and will come back to them shortly!

Like PositveAttitude and seaturtle, my faith means everything to me.

In answer to your question, spiritmum, my faith is central to my life, in everyday life. It's based on a love of God and a desire to please Him, to do the right thing all the time.

(discaimer: sometimes I make a horses arse of it!)

My Christian faith is an everyday faith. How can you rely on something during the bad times, if you have not got to "know" about it during the "boring" times? Although I never find life boring .

If you get to know God day to day, when the tough times come, it is easier to know that God is in control.

Thanks so much, everyone.

Cate, I'm interested in what you say about your desire to 'please God'. Is that the same as or different from pleasing yourself?

Positive, when you say that God is in control, do you think you have any say over the every day stuff - is it just the 'big things' that God controls or is there more to it?

And do you all find having faith fun and enjoyable? (I know I am inclined to take my spirituality Very Seriously sometimes!)

Hi Spiritmum, When I say "God is in conrtol", what I mean is that on EVERYTHING Big and little God lets us choose, but ultimately, he is in control. For example: DH was looking for a job recently. He applied for a number of jobs (he was getting off his bum and being proactive), but ultimately God was in control of the job he got. (IYSWIM) You cant just sit on your bum, do nothing and say "Oh God never doea anything for me". You need to be proactive with life, but accept the "no" answers as well as the "yes" because ultimately knows the whole plan for our lives, so even if we mess up royally, learn from it and move on.

Does that make sense?

Hi Spiritmum - I've been thinking about this one and am not sure I have a full answer yet!

Like others, my (Christian) faith is central to my life. However, I don't consider myself to be a 'religious' person (to me this suggests a strict adherence to doctrine / dogma) or a particularly 'spiritual' person either ('spirituality' to me being something that is not quite 'of this world') (NB - I accept that these are MY definitions only - others might define spirituality and religion differently). I'm not even sure that I believe in a God as an entity that is separate from / exists independently from humankind, or if he is simply an expression of the 'link' (love?) that draws the whole of humanity (past present and future) together.

To me, my faith is something very practical (pragmatic, even) and very much rooted in THIS world and my everyday life. My faith helps me on every level: in my relationships, in my work, my understanding of the world and everything in it, my sense of responsibility towards myself and others, my attitudes to everything. I think it comes from a firm belief / acceptance that the universe (on a grand scale) is exactly as it should be, and will continue to be as it ultimately should be, and that within it I (and every other life that is and has ever been) am both utterly insignificant and infinitely precious. It's an idea that I find both humbling and inspiring in equal measure, and informs everything I do.

I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all to anyone else I'll come back again later if I think of a better way of putting it!

Spiritmum, good thread,
I have gradually been drawn to a Pagan Path over the last 6 or 7 years.
I was raised as CofE which I took very seriously until I discovered feminism and was appalled at the treatment of women in the church.

Then I was hedonistic until I met and fell head over heels with DP. Now I am thrifty, eco, Pagan and so so blessed.

My spirituality informs all of my actions, I connect to the Earth every morning and then try to live in a way that hurts no-one and hopefully helps.

Of course I fail on a daily basis, but that's ok, I learn and go on.

It's amazing when you realise you are a part of this wonderful inter-connected Web of Life. Bit of a bugger when any thing you do comes back at you three-fold!

I'm off to my spiritual home to recharge my batteries, andI send blessings to all who walk the Many Paths to One Source xx

hi spiritmum

I'm really glad you posed this question as it's made me think and try and crystalise what my spirituality means to me... I think that it gives me context, and this helps me to understand myself better. It places me within time (the wheel of the year) and place (upon the earth, in my local area). This helps me to appreciate that i am simultaniously unique, important and sacred, and fleeting, replaceable and forgettable.

I think i prefer the term spirituality for my beliefs and practices as to me faith suggests something prescribed and dogmatic, that one has faith in iyswim... reminding me of how i felt about the structured ritual of my rc upbringing. Please don't be offended by that anyone...it just wasn't for me

It's really interesting to read everyone elses responses. Sorry it took me so long to reply!