Saturday, August 21, 2021

Losing My Religion

 I've been watching the world around me this week, and witnessing the anguish of so many people, in so many places has been difficult for me. 

I've always been like this. I don't know why. I'm rarely in a position to make a difference to anyone, but I grieve terribly. 

In the midst of all of this, I suddenly realize that I don't believe in God anymore. I'm not sure what has happened. I just don't. 


18 comments:

  1. I don't believe in a god, but rather the divine that exists within us all. We are all connected I believe and when one hurts, we all hurt. As I write this I'm thinking that's why I've been so weepy yesterday and today. It's too much. The world is too much sometimes and we humans hurt each other over and over again. I think we often lose sight of the good within us and others.

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  2. Funny, Pixie. You and I have been led to parallel thoughts. My thinking led me to realize that my behavior and kindness in this world matters more than ever.

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  3. You are losing faith rather than losing your religion.

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  4. The headline would make a good song lyric. Ahh, it has been.

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  5. I like what Red wrote. This is such a very sad time in our world. It’s easy to be discouraged. I can truly empathize. I’m trying to be happy.

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  6. That's a very interesting thought Red. It will give me plenty to think on.

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  7. I've seen REM live Debby. I believe but don't belong. Mother Nature shows me every day that there is a God.

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  8. I have been a Humanist for many years Debby - it helps me to come to terms with the happenings in the world.

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  9. It doesn't have to be the 'end of happiness'. My feelings about established religion changed a long time ago but the wordless intuition (known to Zen Buddhists, I guess) that led me to engage with its teachings is still there.

    I spent a lot longer just now thinking about what I've just written than I did writing it, if you know what I mean.

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  10. It happened to me suddenly, but I can trace the moment.

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  11. Interesting, because lately I have been moved to pray more than I ever have since I was an innocent first communion receiver and Catholic school student 50+ years ago. I remember in my childhood that in most every home but especially in the older people's, there was a picture of the current president, of the pope, and of the sacred heart of Jesus (along with woven palms and a crucifix above every bed). I'm understanding this better now, as it seems there is not much I can do except pray for President Biden and all those who are fighting the forces of authoritarianism. I don't know if I have faith or religion, but it centers me and helps me do whatever I can to keep the world around me making sense.

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  12. The end of happiness has nothing to do with my belief or unbelief. What is horrible is so many desperate people in so many desperate situations...and I have no power to make a difference in any of it.

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  13. It is a scary time, no question about it, and I can see how it would test your perspective on things. I like Red's comment too, and Pixie's.

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  15. I think that there are so many strands to "faith" - I spent a bit of time over the weekend with people who (bless their cotton socks) are very strict with their beliefs and how they should be applied, and as someone who is "other" it seemed a challenge to them to get me to accede to their ways.
    That is not what my belief system is based on, but there are points in which we agree - it may not have been good enough for them, but that is not my problem.

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  16. In situations like this I am reminded of an old joke. I don't know it exactly but paraphrased, a guy was trapped on the roof of his house with flood waters swirling all around. A floating deck goes by but he doesn't hop on thinking God will save him. A boat goes by and offers a ride but he declines saying God will save him. A helicopter flies overhead but again he declines saying God will save him. He drowns and upon entering heaven he asks why God didn't save him. God said he sent a floating dock, a boat and a helicopter.

    Sometimes we look at situations like Afghanistan and think there isn't a God and yet we are probably just blind to God's love and don't realize it.

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  17. Well, that is pretty sad. I have always had faith, but I don't have religion. Faith keeps me going. And Debby, there is something you can do. Prayer is powerful.

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