Spirituality, religion and self-guidance

I was raised in a region that is mostly Christian with a good dose of exponentially-increasing atheism. However, general spiritual topics and practices are now on the rise in today's society. I never really practiced Christianity other than my mother giving me the 'opportunity of choice' by christening me (I know, it doesn't make sense) and taking me to Sunday school and to participate in the church girls' brigade.

Anyway, from an early age I decided to take an interest in all religions, which led to my interest in mysticism as opposed to feeling any urge to follow any strict rules or guidelines of a religion, as I was never about to read the historical religious texts of any one religion nor was I about to follow the rules of something which I haven't read the historical religious texts of. Mysticism always had my attention because I am concerned with core truth and the underlying thread that applies to everything and brings it all together. For me, organised religion works to separate people and create conflict when we will clearly benefit more from cooperating and coming together on world issues. My views are panentheistic, also.

I feel like mysticism with pantheistic views has led me to create my own set of morals and values that are in line with the times and today's society through compassion, understanding, forgiveness, and empathy for others and the world in general, and this especially applies to nature, wildlife, and the environment as well. Although Christianity and other religions have their teachings regarding all of this, I don't believe followers of organised religions necessarily connect with these teachings or practice them, unless they create the same or a similar set of values within themselves, by themselves, and for themselves separately from this. Otherwise, they may just be abiding by rules out of fear of wrongdoing, rather than reasoning.

For example:

'The concept of a moral compass, rooted in the teachings of Jesus, is essential for guiding decisions. His messages of love, compassion, honesty, and integrity resonate deeply within the hearts of Christians. These virtues serve as a foundation for making choices that align with one's faith and personal values.'

Love, compassion, honesty, and integrity are the four components of the 'moral compass' according to Christianity. If someone is a Christian, they may align with their faith, but only with their personal values if their own personal values match this, which the majority of the time isn't necessarily true, as most people are born into religion and aren't given the choice to create their own personal value system before matching this with whichever religion they beleive it aligns best with, if any. You can tell a person what you think their personal value system should be, but you can't force it on anyone and they will not adopt it just because you told them to. A genuine personal value system that integrates well with today's society with a healthy and beneficial moral compass has to be learned independently and integrated emotionally via the heart route, through genuine empathy and compassion for others. This is why I believe it's important that a person connects with 'all that is' deeply and through their own meditative contemplation and encouraged to see the world through the underlying thread of truth that lies beneath all religion. Connecting with nature also helps.

idk why they irritate me so much but after observing christian fundies online and irl, it struck me how they seem to treat their faith like some brand name bag like 'oh my Jesus is Gucci, what about yours?' they strike me as arrogant social climbers (and it's always those lutherans/baptists etc.) somehow the catholics slapping their kids around, cheating on their wives while drinking and gambling all day grates at my nerves less than this pompous 'saved by grace' fundies.

if you're a good christian, pardon me but i just feel like sometimes it creates even more irritating people out of cultures that are so BIG on impressing their peers and socializing. it creates monsters who bully others while dancing in worship with a tambourine. tbh i'm horrified to learn that some of my SILs converted to this worship-singing hypocrites who'd rather be making strangers' lives more comfortable than their own mother. understandable if she's awful but clearly they're just doing it for clout chasing.

i won't be surprised if this is popular among gen z coz clout chasing is life for some of this gen.

Idk I think clout chasing has always been a thing, but tends to be more prevalent amongst younger groups who have yet to learn from experience that it leads to lack of fulfilment. Otherwise I see it as a soul growth/ age thing.

You're right on the religion/ gucci handbag point.

This wasn't a criticism of Christianity, I'm pointing out that a genuinely good moral compass and set of personal values are attained through life experience and integrating emotional experiences. People can be told to have them and why they should, but they are not really assimilated by being told.

I mean beneath most organised religions is the same thread that means well and teaches us to be kind to others and follow helpful guidelines etc. That's the common underlying thread that's being woven. Is this what those successful gurus teach? Christianity is a religion I was brought up around so I experienced it first hand.

This is the parable of the prodigal son:

When his fortunes were spent and his servants abandoned him, he returned to his father home

The father's eldest son, ever-loyal, was jealous at first when the prodigal son received so much affection. But he inherited the estate.

Who has ears, let them hear!

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by clare
This wasn't a criticism of Christianity, I'm pointing out that a genuinely good moral compass and set of personal values are attained through life experience and integrating emotional experiences. People can be told to have them and why they should, but they are not really assimilated by being told.

I mean beneath most organised religions is the same thread that means well and teaches us to be kind to others and follow helpful guidelines etc. That's the common underlying thread that's being woven. Is this what those successful gurus teach? Christianity is a religion I was brought up around so I experienced it first hand.

I'm telling you you're wrong.

Agree to disagree I guess. But I know Christianity is right—or Islam, the non-Obama/Qutbist version.

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I really don't know what you're referring to so I don't agree or disagree. It feels like some sort of misunderstanding or miscommunication. I'm not trying to tell you what's wrong or right, just sharing something I learned experientially about the human condition.

I think everyone has had or should have had a point in their life when they started to consider all of this deep inside themselves. There is nothing wrong with that as long as the direction that people take is one which guides them to acceptance, understanding and treating people with respect for everyone they come in contact with in their lives.

In today’s world that seems like a tall order as it is human nature to discriminate in one’s choices of what who we choose to associate with and what choices we make. We can only try at best to use our moral compass to guide us.

We are all different but some virtues should still be revered whether they come from Christianity or not. We all judge and we are not perfect in our assessments and beliefs. But the guiding factors should be that we treat everyone like we would like to be treated. Would the world be a better place if we all did that? I would like to think it would.

We live in a big world and the people we touch in our live may not seem to us to make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things. But if everyone did their part and use the gifts they had to help each other instead of taking or hurting each other then the world would be a better place for everyone. Whether that comes from a religious doctrine or not doesn’t matter.

It’s a wonderful life lesson you brought up and resonates with the question and reason for our existence on this planet. I think if more people thought of it as more of a spiritual question than a religious one then more people might be on the same page.

@humbleknight2 amen, greater cohesion is definitely needed if we're to come together to overcome today's problems.

Posted by Bluemoon86
I’m converting to Judaism as we speak.

What do you like about it/ what drew you in? It's probably one of the religions I know the least about, but I remember some things from one of the best friends I had that I used to hang around with in uni. She was devout.

Posted by Bluemoon86

Posted by clare

Posted by Bluemoon86
I’m converting to Judaism as we speak.

What do you like about it/ what drew you in? It's probably one of the religions I know the least about, but I remember some things from one of the best friends I had that I used to hang around with in uni. She was devout.

I love the culture that the Jewish people have. They are a beacon of light in this dark evil world.

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Very cool.

I'll be 100% honest, and each to their own when it comes to religion, but the second I start to accept the aspect of Jesus in my life and say daily prayers, my life instantly starts to get better. Even if those prayers are silent, and in my head. Every single time I'm at my weakest my internet feed starts to fill with religious positivity, and speak about Jesus. Its extreamly odd imo. Then when I start waking up hungover af, feeling like I want to die, or have moments i feel completely corrupted by society and sin, I force myself to get back up, and thank the lord for giving me another opportunity to change and walk in the path of light. Every time that happens life instantly starts to get better.

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by _Falange_
Since i am brazilian i had a lot of contact with african native religion, idk if there is a name in english

Good stuff, lots of light, yes you reach somewhere

I was raised a christian tho

"Animism" is the working term for pre-Christian/Islamic pagan religions in a society.

But africans are rapidly and in huge numbers converting to Christianity or Islam either.

Not sure where this notion of people "exponentially" "converting" to atheism/marxism is gaining any traction.

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It's happening in the UK. Wouldn't say 'converting', as its more just kind of happening and shifting over time. Marxism isn't the thing, because Atheism doesn't always parallel with Marxism.

Posted by Soul
I'll be 100% honest, and each to their own when it comes to religion, but the second I start to accept the aspect of Jesus in my life and say daily prayers, my life instantly starts to get better. Even if those prayers are silent, and in my head. Every single time I'm at my weakest my internet feed starts to fill with religious positivity, and speak about Jesus. Its extreamly odd imo. Then when I start waking up hungover af, feeling like I want to die, or have moments i feel completely corrupted by society and sin, I force myself to get back up, and thank the lord for giving me another opportunity to change and walk in the path of light. Every time that happens life instantly starts to get better.

I believe he's here, he's kind of omnipresent. A few of my friends talk to him regularly and he replies. He helps out a lot. I hope you're OK right now.

Posted by _Falange_
Since i am brazilian i had a lot of contact with african native religion, idk if there is a name in english

Good stuff, lots of light, yes you reach somewhere

I was raised a christian tho

I would be very fascinated with African native religion. Ancient/ native religions in general. I'm interested in belief and ritual but more so what's happening and being seen spiritually and what it all means.

Posted by _Falange_

Posted by clare

Posted by _Falange_
Since i am brazilian i had a lot of contact with african native religion, idk if there is a name in english

Good stuff, lots of light, yes you reach somewhere

I was raised a christian tho

I would be very fascinated with African native religion. Ancient/ native religions in general. I'm interested in belief and ritual but more so what's happening and being seen spiritually and what it all means.

Well i am kinda lectured about it nowadays, a bro from the cult told me every church and every "terreiro" (a word for the native african cult places), or every place of cult of any religion, is a place for the ones who are sick, like an hospital, every belief is valid to them, ppl searching for spiritual guindance are sick ppl searching for a cure, and shouldnt be judged for this

The wars and prejudice that religious ppl have against each other is not abot religion, is about politics and cultural intolerance, sometimes racism, but this part is just my opinion

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I'm wondering if the word cult is the same to you as it is to me. In my region the word cult has a fairly negative connotation.

That's an interesting opinion. So the ones who are warring to get the world to succumb to their religion are using it as a guise?

Posted by _Falange_

Posted by clare

Posted by _Falange_

Posted by clare

Posted by _Falange_
Since i am brazilian i had a lot of contact with african native religion, idk if there is a name in english

Good stuff, lots of light, yes you reach somewhere

I was raised a christian tho

I would be very fascinated with African native religion. Ancient/ native religions in general. I'm interested in belief and ritual but more so what's happening and being seen spiritually and what it all means.

Well i am kinda lectured about it nowadays, a bro from the cult told me every church and every "terreiro" (a word for the native african cult places), or every place of cult of any religion, is a place for the ones who are sick, like an hospital, every belief is valid to them, ppl searching for spiritual guindance are sick ppl searching for a cure, and shouldnt be judged for this

The wars and prejudice that religious ppl have against each other is not abot religion, is about politics and cultural intolerance, sometimes racism, but this part is just my opinion
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I'm wondering if the word cult is the same to you as it is to me. In my region the word cult has a fairly negative connotation.

That's an interesting opinion. So the ones who are warring to get the world to succumb to their religion are using it as a guise?

"Cult" i mean religious practices 😅

Religion is often used for political reasons, everyone knows that, many christian right wingers never step their foot in a church or follow any commandment or jesus teachings, only for cultural war, same thing for muslims

But still, there is serious followers who have their reason to follow their religion, and are not trying to control anyone, only saving themselves and anothers in need

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Sure. A part of me believes that some religious right wingers such as these really do believe they are following the religion, even when they're not. Like maybe they have a huge sense of entitlement that makes them think they can follow it without actually following it. Like instead of consciously 'using' it as a guise the whole way, many seriously have a screw loose. Just a thought.

That's my thought for the day 😅

Posted by clare

Posted by Soul
I'll be 100% honest, and each to their own when it comes to religion, but the second I start to accept the aspect of Jesus in my life and say daily prayers, my life instantly starts to get better. Even if those prayers are silent, and in my head. Every single time I'm at my weakest my internet feed starts to fill with religious positivity, and speak about Jesus. Its extreamly odd imo. Then when I start waking up hungover af, feeling like I want to die, or have moments i feel completely corrupted by society and sin, I force myself to get back up, and thank the lord for giving me another opportunity to change and walk in the path of light. Every time that happens life instantly starts to get better.

I believe he's here, he's kind of omnipresent. A few of my friends talk to him regularly and he replies. He helps out a lot. I hope you're OK right now.

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I'm alive, and know I'll pull through. I know right now its hard for me, but its not only hard for me, but millions of other souls trying to pull themselves out of a dark moment in life. I truly believe we can, and we will. I see so much beauty and art in life, nature, and the entire universe as a whole. I will never give up, and I will never stop trying to progress forward within the time I have. I don't wish this type of motivation on just me, or even my family and friends. I wish good health, and positivity for the entire world as s whole. I make sure to put that in my prayers when i make them. Like I want everything to be ok for me, even more for those i love, but even more for the entire world at large. I pray for everyone and everything existing in this current timeline.

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by clare

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by _Falange_
Since i am brazilian i had a lot of contact with african native religion, idk if there is a name in english

Good stuff, lots of light, yes you reach somewhere

I was raised a christian tho

"Animism" is the working term for pre-Christian/Islamic pagan religions in a society.

But africans are rapidly and in huge numbers converting to Christianity or Islam either.

Not sure where this notion of people "exponentially" "converting" to atheism/marxism is gaining any traction.
click to expand

It's happening in the UK. Wouldn't say 'converting', as its more just kind of happening and shifting over time. Marxism isn't the thing, because Atheism doesn't always parallel with Marxism.

I don't believe that; the media is staging LGBTQ+ Pride events in the UK and elsewhere; I think you're casting a phantom conversion idea to compensate for your loneliness in this moral compass cult you're trying to build. Like January 6th.

And as far as I can tell, yes, there is a 1:1 connection between atheism and Marxism. I guess you're still riding the Christopher Hitchens wave but who knows.

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Your tone is becoming a little unfriendly to be honest. Just do your own research or actually do some before questioning everything i say and leave me alone. Figure out that your beef isn't with me, it's with something or someone else.

Posted by clare

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by clare

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by _Falange_
Since i am brazilian i had a lot of contact with african native religion, idk if there is a name in english

Good stuff, lots of light, yes you reach somewhere

I was raised a christian tho

"Animism" is the working term for pre-Christian/Islamic pagan religions in a society.

But africans are rapidly and in huge numbers converting to Christianity or Islam either.

Not sure where this notion of people "exponentially" "converting" to atheism/marxism is gaining any traction.
click to expand

It's happening in the UK. Wouldn't say 'converting', as its more just kind of happening and shifting over time. Marxism isn't the thing, because Atheism doesn't always parallel with Marxism.

I don't believe that; the media is staging LGBTQ+ Pride events in the UK and elsewhere; I think you're casting a phantom conversion idea to compensate for your loneliness in this moral compass cult you're trying to build. Like January 6th.

And as far as I can tell, yes, there is a 1:1 connection between atheism and Marxism. I guess you're still riding the Christopher Hitchens wave but who knows.
click to expand

Your tone is becoming a little unfriendly to be honest. Just do your own research or actually do some before questioning everything i say and leave me alone. Figure out that your beef isn't with me, it's with something or someone else.

click to expand

You don't have to respond; I don't like your cult about moral compasses, so stop question my FACTS and opinions if you don't want a response.

And come up with a coherent idea before you spread lies about religion. Just my two Abe Lincoln's; you don't have to read this or anything I post, but apparently this useful tidbit needs to be communicated to you.

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by clare

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by clare

Posted by HereforTaurusAgain

Posted by _Falange_
Since i am brazilian i had a lot of contact with african native religion, idk if there is a name in english

Good stuff, lots of light, yes you reach somewhere

I was raised a christian tho

"Animism" is the working term for pre-Christian/Islamic pagan religions in a society.

But africans are rapidly and in huge numbers converting to Christianity or Islam either.

Not sure where this notion of people "exponentially" "converting" to atheism/marxism is gaining any traction.
click to expand

It's happening in the UK. Wouldn't say 'converting', as its more just kind of happening and shifting over time. Marxism isn't the thing, because Atheism doesn't always parallel with Marxism.

I don't believe that; the media is staging LGBTQ+ Pride events in the UK and elsewhere; I think you're casting a phantom conversion idea to compensate for your loneliness in this moral compass cult you're trying to build. Like January 6th.

And as far as I can tell, yes, there is a 1:1 connection between atheism and Marxism. I guess you're still riding the Christopher Hitchens wave but who knows.
click to expand

Your tone is becoming a little unfriendly to be honest. Just do your own research or actually do some before questioning everything i say and leave me alone. Figure out that your beef isn't with me, it's with something or someone else.

You don't have to respond; I don't like your cult about moral compasses, so stop question my FACTS and opinions if you don't want a response.

And come up with a coherent idea before you spread lies about religion. Just my two Abe Lincoln's; you don't have to read this or anything I post, but apparently this useful tidbit needs to be communicated to you.

click to expand

Blocked/ muted. Crossing boundaries and general lack of kindness/ respect. Projection. Waste of bandwidth as little positivity and nothing being learned by either parties. No massively hard feelings or anything but bye regardless.