Changing faith, changing religion?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Changing faith, changing religion?
46
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 10:32pm

Just wondering...........

How many of you are still practicing the same religion you grew up with? Or, if raised in a family that didn't practice any religion, are you still non-practicing, or have you gravitated towards one? If a change, why?

It recently occurred to me that most of my friends grew up in one religion and are now practicing another or not any at all.

Myself, I was raised an Episcopalian (geesh, hope I spelled that right) but now am following more of a new-thought path, I like the four agreements, Course in Miraclese, etc; and go to a Unity church sometimes. I changed because I felt something missing, and started exploring, and liked what I found.

How about others here? :-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-17-2006 - 7:44pm
I am the sum of all my spiritual searching, studying, reading, explorations.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-22-2006
Thu, 02-23-2006 - 7:46pm

Heartwarming to run into you here, Leila! Second visit to iVillage in a couple of years, and you're the only face I recognize here. It's *so good* to see you.

How have you been, dear lady?

xxoox
Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-22-2006
Thu, 02-23-2006 - 8:03pm

Hi! Grew up attending the church of put on a good face for the neighbors, which left a sour taste in my mouth for anything overtly religious in nature.

My focus is to wake to the day with more and more awareness, mindfulness, and knowledge. My desire is to bring as much good to the world as I can. One does not need to be "religious" or "spiritual" even, to do those things. Life is a series of in/significant choices that come together to create everything around us, as much as an attitude/challenge to be fully present, or not, no matter whom, or if we call god.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 02-23-2006 - 11:20pm
Is this my Susan from Texas?????????
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 5:36am

Thank you all for responding! It was so interesting reading the different paths.

HMMMMMM,,,
So this was very interesting, out of 9 women, (which isn't a huge sample, but still...add to the fact that I began the discussion because I noticed at least 20 people I know that didn't stick to their religion) only one person stayed with the religion they grew up with. And it seems that most people changed or started searching because, like me, their faith of their youth wasn't enough, made them feel empty.

This sort of leads me to wonder what you think is the best thing we can do for our kids? If most of them change religions anyway (I know-- it isn't a huge sample, but does seem to be a trend of sorts) should we take them to our church (or give them a good understanding of our beliefs if we don't attend a church), take them to many different churches and expose them to alternative philosophies, (age specific) or don't bother at all since they won't be staying with our faith anyway?
Hugs,
Nikki

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 6:06am

<>
In many ways, this sums up my beliefs. I guess this means my 'spirituality' matches your 'un-spirituality' !! ;-)

Hugs, Nikki

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 6:11am

<>

I like this, and think that probably ALL of us can accurately say this. So, maybe,after all, we wouldn't be exactly who we are now, where we are now, if we hadn't had those vaguely unsatisfactory religious beginnings!
Hugs,
Nikki

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 6:22am

<>

Sigh.......can you even imagine all the bloodshed, wars, and tears that this world might have saved itself from if only everyone embraced this simple statement you made!?!

Hugs,
Nikki

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-22-2006
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 8:59am

Yes, I am your Susan from Texas. :) Good morning, and {{{{{hugs}}}}} to you on this beautiful day.

xxoox

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-22-2006
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 9:11am

Cute, Nikki. ;o)

Okay, let me explain a little bit: I think that I'm a spiritual woman, among many other things, but I think that we don't have to call ourselves anything to be who we are, and invite good into our lives. Make sense?

I mention this, because sometimes people who do not talk a lot about faith, or spirituality, or even know it, are living the kind of "walking the walk" lives that most of us would call spiritual, anyway. It's good to talk about our spiritual lives/feelings, but it's most important, of course, to just do it! ;o)

Peace,
Susan