I wish that I had a Faith

keep us posted on that one

Dear Cornforth You say you wish you had faithe--I can understand that especially when you see people of faith and how well it affects their lives

It will cost you nothing to sit and try and have a chat with God

Hey God if your there I would like ot chat with you Please let me feel your Love and Presence

And see what happens

I truly believe you will feel His Love

What do you have to loose

Wyllow3, if you are saying it's impossible to define the good , I agree. I also agree that all we can know of the good is lived examples of what reflects the good.

Caleo

I understsd that Kate1949. So what if anything does religion add to cause a person to be a good person?

I don't think ever that being told or advised to be a better person in the name of a god would work for me, but maybe it does help some.

Its something. that can enter the heart at times of despair, joy, and conflict, or a quiet "knowing" that to feel love not hate, forgiveness not blame...

is the only path to try and follow, (for trying is mostly all I can manage) but it's beyond words really, those are just the closest I can get. And its in the fellowship of others it becomes at its most possible, or the reading of the right text at the right time, or the choice of the right music at the propitious moment...or the acceptance that for some moments, a connection with this flow in the heart cannot be made, and one must endure.

Annie I have followed your story on here over the years. What you have suffered is truly horrendous. I am glad you have your faith if it helps you. I don't blame God because I don't believe he exists.

Anniebach, you are a fighter and survivor. Some people would not have survived these experiences.

Kate1949 having faith doesn’t protect one from grief, pain, sorrow.

I lost my third baby, year later my husband died only 8 years of
marriage, 5 years ago my adored elder daughter took her life.

I was at the Aberfan disaster and saw mothers, fathers, grandparents digging for childrens bodies, a very well known
BBC news reporter told me his faith died the day those children died. In Each of these happenings there was human
failure but easier to blame God.

I understsd that Kate1949. So what if anything does religion add to cause a person to be a good person?

Yes I would Caleo. My nephew was good and kind to the bitter end.

Kate1949, would you not also admire people who are good and kind to the bitter end despite not holding to any faith?

my brother not me brother.

I admire people who still have a faith despite having terrible things happen to them. I don't understand it but I admire it.
When my nephew died of cancer as a teenager, someone told me brother (his dad) that they would have a mass said for him. My brother said 'Please don't bother. If there was anyone there he wouldn't have put us through this hell'. I totally agree with him.

We are all casting our bread on the waters which in the case of Gransnet is cyberspace.

I have never understood why nor want to because at the end of the very day there is only 1 God,

Is that what Hindu's believe too?

I mentioned music upthread, and this rarely fails to lift me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXcttZVhf0s

Man is the maker of religion, religions, and God. This is not a claim that religion, religions, and God are bad ideas.

God is a good idea depending on how bossy and whimsical he is, or alternatively how much He accords with goodness, truth, and beauty.

In my view its man who has slotted religion in all the different denominations..... Baptist.... Methodist.... Anglican .. etc, etc. I have never understood why nor want to because at the end of the very day there is only 1 God, and that is so very important to me, not which church I attend. We all face bad times in our lives and some point their fingers to God and blame him, but a LOT of our downfalls are our own doing ( man-made)

I don't preach to people, i don't stand in town shouting out for all to hear, nor do I frown upon another religion, each to their own, all i know is God has surrounded me with loving arms and is right there to steady me when i 'fall'.

There lays the end of the sermon haaaaa....

Have a good day everyone ... x

I'm just so grateful for what I got in secondary school: the very gentlest introduction in our school assemblies, for home was determinedly atheist. Fortunate that to was a gospel of love one another not judgement. Lots of psalm 23.

So much later when I begun to have spiritual feelings it was there in the background.

I wanted to mention music, btw, it has always been a way into the soul (whether religious or otherwise).

Oh Serendipity that’s exactly what I’d like. It sounds wonderful

Yes Anniebach you are so right. Religion isn’t faith. I have also been involved with many different denominations. Brought up Methodist, left for years, went to a Uniting Church, taught at a Catholic school, went to a Fundamental Baptist church for years and currently a Presbyterian church full of loving and caring people of the faith. People on church congregations are mixed ,just like anywhere else and we are all imperfect human beings.

Serendipity

Hello everyone x

I have a lovely faith. I was brought up in a Christian home, teenage years arrived and I didn't turn away from my faith but let's say i didnt attend church with my mum and dad. All my life i have known that God is walking besides me, through the good and guides me through the bad. I dont expect ' magician tricks ' . I accept what happens in life because I know God is walking besides me.

X

I have never let rules affect me, was a Baptist when a child, we moved to another part of Wales, no chapel, my parents said
church, same God, went to Anglican Church and was baptised and confirmed.

Worked several years in a R.C.Convent, loved the Nuns, attended some services. Sat in the Peace Garden with Quakers,
raised funds for Salvation Army, hung ribbons on trees around a very ancient well with Pagans.

Never been concerned about God being masculine or feminine, my father was full of love, compassion and caring.
Never ever felt I could only approach God through a priest.

I talk to God every day, I turned to him for my needs and with my joys.

God Is Love.

I can't do that without sharing with others most of the time. Its a great aim.

poshpaws

I'm a Christian, though not affiliated to any church, as I feel organised religion has veered well away from the God I feel I know, into sects and faiths which are the very opposite of love, caring, kindness, compassion, forgiveness and doing good, which are what I associate with God.

I hope that one day you will be able to find your own relationship with God - you are obviously open to such a thing, and I believe it would be such a comfort to you to lean on God when life gives you tough times and griefs.

I recommend taking a "leap of faith" if you'll excuse the pun, and just start talking to God (He hears you even if you're not speaking out loud!) about the things that you're grateful to have or have had, and the things that scare you/ worry you etc., and to ask for help for you and people you feel need His help.

Sending you hugs xxx

I feel exactly as you do, poshpaws. I was brought up in the Catholic church, but never felt it was what I needed. Now I just pray to God, don't folliow any rules. and feel He is really there for me. You don't need any diploma to have faith. Just decide to believe and the rest follows naturally. Keep it simple, it's the rules and regulations that destroy real faith. I believe in a loving God who cares for us all, and yet each one personally too.. The relationship develops from that. Decide to love, and do your best.