[Guest]

I know that this is probably something that will strike a wrong chord in some of you, but I have been thinking a lot about it so I decided to take a risk and bring it up. How does your illness relate to your faith--Christian or otherwise-(that is, if you have a faith)? I am very sensitive to the fact that some of you may have bad experiences with religion and, for that reason, are turned off by it. My question is, do any of you use your religion as a way to cope with your problems?

I am a Christian and have been my whole life. I am probably what many of you may call a "good girl." But I am used to being called that, though I wish that people could see me as someone just like them. What I am trying to say is I don't really see a reason to live if it weren't for my faith. I am wondering what keeps you guys going. I would like to hear about your experiences (good and bad) with religion/spirituality/faith and how it affects your dp/dr and other struggles. Thanks.

 

[Sojourner]

Just found this wonderful site, if there are any Catholics here seeking to ground recovery:

http://chastitysf.guidetopsychology.com/depanx.htm

 

[Ben]

I'm not religious (and yes, that is a completely different story - one not suited for this board), but I did use it when I was younger to escape the fear I had concerning the uncertainties of my nature and the world about me. I basically used religion like an opiate, that's all.

 

[gem]

I respect your post but unfortunately for me one issue I personally do not like to get into is religion. Therefore for me I think I will just leave this subject alone. I have learned that it can be a very sensitive subject for many.

gem.

 

[Martinelv]

Martin takes a deep breath........counts to 10.....and becomes calm. Like an ocean wave lapping against the shore perhaps...or a dog continually f*****ing licking it's bolloxs like mine did last night.

If people find solace in their faith, then I say go for it. But you must remember Britters, or perhaps you don't realise it, a lot of people do not need faith to lead meaningful lives, or to find joy and purpose to their existance. Life itself, with all it's weeping and laughing, misery and euphoria, rain and sunshine, is enough for us.

 

[Scattered]

No, not really.

 

[rainboteers]

You know what is ironic, sometimes my spirtual beliefs make me feel worse. I know that there is life beyond this. In fact I think we are only here to learn. Life is equivalent to boot camp or a really hard school. I think our real home is the other side, heaven, whatever you choose to call it. I think we CHOOSE to come down to the marshes because you can learn so much from being here. Sometimes it makes things worse because I just want to go HOME. I know this isn't it, and thank god for that, but I get sick of being here. I don't believe in "religon," there is to much dogma associated with that word. I am spirtual though and it helps and hinders all at the same time.

 

[Ben]

You know what is ironic, sometimes my spirtual beliefs make me feel worse.

Explain?

 

[rainboteers]

hmm... don't know if I really want to get into it here, so many seem to take offense to this topic.

The short version: EARTH is the closest thing to hell I believe anyone will ever experience. Don't get the wrong idea, I don't think being here is a punishment, I actually think we are very brave and deserve an award just for coming (and like I said I think we choose to come). I don't have a death wish, but sometimes I am just ready to get to the other side. I feel I have so much there waiting for me. A life I have forgotten and it is so beautiful and wonderful it is beyond my knowledge while I am here. Besides if you remembered the other side that would make it to easy, and how would you test the mettle of your soul? So to get to the point (if I am making one at all), I know that I will be glad I lived this life once it is over, just like being glad you took a really hard course in college. It may have sucked while you were going through it, but it really did make you wiser. So maybe you can see why it makes me feel worse at times, maybe it is still unclear. :lol: Just knowing home (heaven, or whatever) awaits me ironically makes me just want to get outta here! Wow people are really gonna think I am strange. It is hard to explain your spirtual belief system through the internet, not to mention my anxiety and all this other junk has made it a little harder for me to express myself. If you want any further explanation pm me because I don't want to go any further into this and upset anyone. People can be so judgemental about this topic.

 

[Sojourner]

People who don't like this topic can read something else....

 

[Ben]

People can be so judgemental about this topic.

Rest assured that I'm really only interested in hearing what you have to say - not to corner you or anything.

 

[rainboteers]

Ben,
I don't doubt that, but their are 840 members and I don't want to offend anyone. I could see where this would offend many people. It is Not the typical Christian belief system (if I had to categorize myself I am a gnostic christian), and it is not an atheist point of view. Most people are one or the other and have zero tolerance.

 

[Guest]

Most people are one or the other and have zero tolerance.

Yeah? And?

F*ck 'em.

I've thought similarly to you before but I really don't know what beliefs I have...Don't even know what to believe... :?

 

[Sojourner]

That's the beauty of message threads. People have a wide variety to choose from.

Some people don't want to talk about religion and personal beliefs about ultimate human questions. Why should that prevent people who ARE interested in these subjects from discussing them and sharing their feelings?

You don't participate in EVERY thread, do you?

 

[agentcooper]

someone should move this topic to the spiritual forum. mods? anyone?

 

[rainboteers]

It probably should be moved.

I agree people should be able to freely discuss their beliefs, and you are right they don't have to read it if it is of no interest to them. I am sensitive to the feelings of others though which is why I don't want to upset anyone. So... it would be interesting to know what people do believe. I told a little about mine.... anyone else? It is an interesting topic to me.

 

[Scattered]

I think I'm more interested in how you can be so sure of your belief. Then again I suppose its a belief because its based on faith. I would need a reason to make such a grand proposition.

 

[rainboteers]

It was a long search for me. I NEVER believed in the traditional stuff (you know, hell-fire and brimstone). I spent a good bit of time thinking that God did not exist because what I had been taught made no sense to me. Instead of giving up on the idea or listening to anyone else I spent a lot of time reading and searching until I figured it out for myself. I know we all have a different path and it really doesn't matter what anyone believes, it is just interesting to me. Part of it is faith but I have also had proof of God and miracles in my life.

 

[rainboteers]

I also want to add that the proof I write of is proof in MY life, if I told you it would most likely prove nothing to you. I am not declaring that I can prove that God exists to anyone else, only to myself. Just wanted to clarify before anyone goes on attack. :wink:

 

[Scattered]

I suppose that makes sense. I don't believe in god because I've never seen or experienced anything that would indicate that life in general is anything other than a temporary experience that will end when I die.

I don't deny that god can exist, its just that I feel no reason to believe that he/she/it does. Life seems strange, but it does not seem far fetched to assume that it is what it is for no reason in particular.