How does religion help you?

[Rainforest453]

Does it help you get through testing times? Does it take away your stresses and worries? Does it help you to forgive yourself and others? I don't follow a religion but curious to know how it helps you in your life

I think there are two parts to it, for me.
One is the actual faith, and relationship with God, but the other HUGE part of being part of a Church for me, is the sense of Community it gives me. It is like having a second family that are there for me when I need them.

Mine helps me to put things in proportion, love the simple things in life and practice gratitude.

I have been a practicing Buddhist for the last 12 years. I have seen major improvements in all areas of my life, from my relationships with my husband, my brother, my brother to my professional success. Daily chanting and a monthly discussion meeting has been a very worthwhile investment of my time and energy.

Further to the earlier message... there was no going back for me after I read "Buddha in Your Mirror " book

That's really nice to read. It must be lovely to feel that sense of belonging and have a second family almost. I do read that it's a common thing in religions to encourage being part of the community. I definitely believe in God and it has helped me to stay grounded through the good times and the bad

I think what is holding me back is the fact that I don't have a faith I follow, therefore no community to be a part of. That can be hard as when I am demotivated, or "fall off the path" there's no encouragement from anywhere

Rainforest 453

I don't have community to my way of life but there a loads like me online x

It calms me and grounds me. It links me with generations of my family and of humanity who have worshipped before me. It gives me a real sense of something enduring and unchanging for hundreds of years. Worries come and go but God is always there and the world keeps turning. How comforting is that? I'm lucky.

And I am part of a multi-generational, open-minded, genuinely friendly, welcoming and caring congregation. I am in fact doubly lucky.

I guess my main motivation for following my faith is because I believe it to be true rather than any help it provides, although there is that too. But Jesus doesn't promise Christians an easy life, rather that he will never leave us or forsake us. Christians in other countries still due for their faith. This is not reported in the news much.

*die

I'm Jewish and an atheist, as is my husband. For us Judaism is a cultural and spiritual practice rather than a 'faith'. Synagogue services are meaningful as a shared, meditative experience, and the rituals that come with Judaism are comforting - I was particularly struck by this during COVID when we did Friday nights at home together, lighting the candles etc. Of course, that sort of comfort doesn't just come from religion, anyone can find their own rituals - I wouldn't privilege it over other kinds of ritual experience. But it is nice to have that framework.

Judaism is also good around death - the shiva where the immediate relatives of the deceased basically have an open house for visitors for a few days has always struck me as a really good idea. It gives the mourners something to do and it gives their friends and family an outlet to go and talk them which can deal with that 'I don't know what to do' factor when someone you care about is bereaved.

My faith gives me confidence in all that I hope for and gives me assurance about the things I cannot see or understand. As others have said, it helps me practice gratitude and also count blessings in the knowledge that things come and go but Jesus is constant as my Rock and my Refuge.

I’m always at peace. I sadly haven’t had the best time with church communities (nice people but I haven’t found my “family” in it) and so I’ve built other communities and enjoy bringing people together. I’ve always believed in God from a young age and that just hasn’t changed. Most people would say I’ve gone through lots but I don’t act like I have. I think having faith for me is a reminder that there is so much more to life than just me - and no matter what I go through there is a purpose behind it.

Absolutely this.

It's comforting i guess

With me, I go to worship every weekend and pray every night, not seeking anything. I know when my father was diagnosed with MND I was on my knees and I managed to get through with my faith in my heart. Having experienced pretty bad times again, I go to sleep at night thinking God will do the rest while I rest. I think without my belief I wouldn't be where I am today.

My faith gives me a purpose in life and helps me to practice gratitude. Moreover it serves as a framework and guidance on how I should be living in this world.

These replies are really lovely to read. Thank you for sharing them with me. It's wonderful to read about how your faiths bring you comfort and help you to feel gratitude. It's quite inspiring actually x

I suppose it’s about having an “inner life” … we humans are multi faceted and spirituality is an essential part of our make up. Without it I feel we’re always looking for something to fulfil that need.

It doesn't, so I walked away from it.

Shame I got so badly abused before I did, though.

I believe in God too. It helps me find a place in this violent world, for me.

I believe in God too. I think it finds a place for me in this violent worl.d

My faith gives me a sense of peace, and immense comfort through.the bad times.
I am also very fortunate to be part of a wonderful church community.
I drifted away from my faith for a while, but found the "God shaped hole" couldn't be filled by anything else.

My faith definitely gives me comfort and keeps me grounded, during hardships I know all I have to do is kneel down and pray to God and he will make it easy for me and every time he does. When I’m feeling down all I have to do is open my Quran and recite, that gives me peace. When I make a prayer for something and God gives I kneel down to thank him. It makes me feel connected to him. When I need to talk to someone about just things I sit on my prayer mat I talk to God directly, I feel lighter after that. When you feel so stuck and you know there’s know one out there who can help you, I know there’s only one who can and that’s my creator. We are obligated to pray 5 times a day, it’s a blessing because those 5 prayers deepens our connection with God and strengthens our faith and love for him.

My Buddhist faith gives me immense strength and courage and daily chanting of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows me to remove myself from the heat of a moment and look at a situation from all angles. Monthly meetings with fellow Buddhists also help me to see how to apply Buddhist principles to the challenges of daily living. I can also reach to people within my faith community any time and their support doesn't cost me any money. I am going through a very challenging period at the moment. I am not sure where I would be without my faith and the support of my faith community. I started practicing 13 years, never looked back.