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: 02-22-2006
Thu, 03-02-2006 - 9:59pm

Let's see, my children have taught me some valuable experience-laden stuff, and will continue to, I'm sure. The attitudes and behaviors I've modeled have been important to their development, as have the attitudes and behaviors of those around them; friends, peers, teachers, and other adults. I place a great deal of emphasis, onus, and expectation on the obtainment of a great liberal education, or an education rich in the sciences, maths, and arts, than I do anything religious in nature. Each child, I think, deserves an opportunity to learn about those who've come before us from the best teachers, and we as parents have a responsibility to light that way.

Don't think that children need to be "taught" to be good, and to recognize their good, and the good in others, in the sense that some religions think that kids must be students of some religion, or attend church to become good. Children need love, and nurturance like the flowers need sun, and water. Like people, children crave a variety of learning environments, and a world rich and ripe enough to express, and experience their creativity. Things go downhill when we are force-fed that only god knows good, or that we must look to s/he for it. One of my greatest hopes as a mother, is to instill in my children the importance of *questioning*, of not taking others' words for something that they are more than capable of finding deep in their own hearts.

The answers are not nearly as important as the questions, and what I do weighs a ton more than what I say. (guess the last line sums up the paragraphs above for me) ;o)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2004
Fri, 03-03-2006 - 6:30pm

Can you ladies handle yet another reunion? Is this old home week or what? Maybe you remember another from New Hampster with the nick thebran? :-]

Susan, you have been thought of so much over the years! I especially though of you when the Old Man fell. I saw him the fall before and sent prayers of love can caring to you as I veiwed him. I've lost all your info but I have a special little plastic heart that wwas robbed of it chocolate! heh-heh!

*M*, I'll call ya later. Leila, It's great to see you too!

I think I remember Gypsywolfwoman from the last few weeks of Spiritaul Paths.

I know Jodi, and Powder - I'd wondered where she veered off to from Pagan Paths.

So many faces, so many perspectives.

Let me do some reading and get started!!

Lots of hugs To ever'body - whether I know ya or not!! ;-]

Bren

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 03-03-2006 - 8:17pm

Can you ladies handle yet another reunion?


I can't think of anything I'd like better!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2003
Fri, 03-03-2006 - 11:41pm

Hallo Bren!
am sorry to have to admit? that I don't remember you nor the others.. from previous boards here.. as I am very much at the cooking areas.. but also? I have a very bad memory as it is.. that heart of mine? when it goes off? just before it does? it stops and makes me faint and then a little more of my memory has disappeared.. can't speak right, my hub keeps complaining about my mouth, going sort of downward at the left side.. me dragging my left legg too. Although I don't notice anything at all, just my bad memory! Names of plants, places, people be gone or I see people or plants and can't place them.

sigh sigh, well, at least I hope I wasn't a nuisance and a pleasant one to remember.
greets and hugs from that old powderbrush, now just brush

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Sat, 03-04-2006 - 3:01pm
Thank you, Jodi and Susan, your replies resonated with me. I have 2 friends that very recently, in different ways, said something like- if you don't take them to any church, they won't even know enough to start searching for their own spiritual path, and it worried me a bit. But- I don't think that it is necessarily true. I talk to them about different religions, tell them everyone has their own spiritual path that is very personal to them, I share my beliefs, and I share that above all love of ourselves, others, and God is what matters.
Hugs, Nikki


Edited 3/4/2006 3:03 pm ET by nikki940
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Sat, 03-04-2006 - 3:49pm

Welcome, Bren.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 03-04-2006 - 10:04pm
Bren, where have you been? When are we getting together in Concord? love, Leila
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-22-2006
Sun, 03-05-2006 - 3:31pm

Hugs, Bren, it's so great to hear from you! What's been happening in New Hampster?! I did mourn over the Old Man on the Mountain. That happened around the time when we lost my grandfather to cancer, so the crumbling seemed particularly significant to me. They are going to restore the "OM" though, right?

It is like old home week around here, isn't it? Bring it on!!! Maybe we can summon Karen, Mj, and others, with the energy of our celebration. I've thought of you often, too, Bren, and always by sending good wishes your way.

xxoox
Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2004
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 4:53am

Not to worry, Brush! Some of us have been around at different boards for ages. For instance, back in the days when this particular board was called Faith in the Family, FIF for short, Susan (spiritsong) was a CL here. There were lots and lots of arguements on this board between Christians and pagans like us. It didn't matter how hard ya tried to avoid them, they just happened.

This incarnation seems very nice indeed and I can't wait to get started in some of the topics!

Be well! Bren

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2004
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 4:57am

Glad to be here! I may be slow in responding, but daggit, I'm slow! It was a great invite from *M* that got me over here. I'm so glad I did! Thanks for the welcome!

Bren