Finding faith in later life.

seems a bit cruel to mock whtever people's affiliation or not

I was baptised age 35. We do get critical comments, but know to expect them. It makes no difference at all.

Congratulations to your niece, she’s in very good company.

Just seen this thread and wanted to pass on my congratulations to your niece Judy. I hope she'll be able to enjoy celebrating her baptism with those who love and support her.

People should not make derogatory comments - each to his own. Unless she is planning a medieval style "Christian" campaign, slashing heads off the heathens then it is no-one else's business.

Redl, that is a wise decision.

"Don't cast your pearls before swine."

Not only religious faith but anything you hold dear is best reserved for people you know you can trust to respect you and what you think.

I got baptised at the ripe old age of 56. I had been Christened as a baby but I wanted to be baptised as a believer. It was a wonderful day and though I no longer attend that particular baptist church I still believe in baptism after you accept Christ as your saviour. Some in the church I attend now also believe this, some don’t. That’s how it goes, we all have our path .

nanna8

I got baptised at the ripe old age of 56. I had been Christened as a baby but I wanted to be baptised as a believer. It was a wonderful day and though I no longer attend that particular baptist church I still believe in baptism after you accept Christ as your saviour. Some in the church I attend now also believe this, some don’t. That’s how it goes, we all have our path .

Yes...Jesus only asks us to do two things...
Get baptised.
Take communion.
The rest is all man made in the churches.

Two of my very dear and close friends have returned to the church in later life and I am so happy for them. It is their lives and up to them. Be happy for her and tell her not to let her so called friends spoil everything for her.

If your niece's friends do not accept her as she is then they are not really her friends. They are denying her the right to her own reality.

I do believe in the existence of a "superior power" but I dont follow any particular religion. I am certainly not Christian. Ive always been interested in other people's beliefs and have had many interesting conversations with Mormons, Jehova's Witnesses, Moslems and even Spiritualists. I have never felt threatened by anyone who has a faith so long as they dont try to convert me to their beliefs.

a brainwashed catholic as a child, with an equally brainwashed parent who digested all the beliefs and ruled with terror as the catholic church did prior vatican 2. the concept of a loving god did not come to me until i was in my 40s.i had totally rejected catholicism with a venom.Ive tried most religions east west etc, none of them make much sense,they all seem to have a common purpose, power over our critical thinking, amassing property and wealth and dividing us, Even dividing congregations ,cliques etc in each religion.With the increasing expose of child abuses I don't see how religion has a future.As for believing in a higher power of birth and destruction i say yes, whether it is a loving god is debateable.the power also gave me a mind to come to my own conclusions rather than blindly follow dogma.

No friend would resent her finding comfort - support - whatever it is that it she finds in her faith.

I was a sceptic and critic of all religion for years. Until real misfortunes hit and the light bulb came on. Religion CAN be used for manipulation, social control etc etc -BUT it can also give you a little more strength and control at times when you would otherwise BREAK. It just helps me be a bit of a nicer and stronger person than I am without it. - Also our traditional churches and their music etc are a huge part of the country's heritage. Imagine our towns and cities with NO religion - music, bells, art?

I wouldn't find it necessary to share some of the more private decisions about myself to "friends".
People can gather a lot of "friends" and not all are close enough to confide in.
Religion is like a club, one that not everyone wants to be a member of.

I have to agree with red1, as I tried for 3 years to attend a church after a life time of not.
The cliquishness and the unwelcoming behaviour of the established parishioners was a bitter disappointment, and made me wonder if any had learned the lessons of Christianity at all.

Of course, having said that, cliques are found in every group of people, aren't they.
It seemed very sad that a church full of Christians were no better.
The 'leader' of this group was oblivious and not much more welcoming; it certainly was an eye-opener for me.

I wish your niece the very best, I do hope she is fortunate enough to be accepted and made welcome in her church.

My father, whose sceptical questioning, socialism and atheism shaped my life, decided to get baptised and be an active Christian when he was 50.
He certainly didn't push any of his views on others, although would happily debate any of them long into the night (and especially if you bought some whisky along).
His friends joshed him about 'hedging his bets' but otherwise quite happily accepted it, as did we all. And if anything, it strengthened his practical socialism.

I think that your niece now knows who her true friends are. I remain an atheist, but have had good friends of different faiths, and we respect each other. My nan used to say 'Respect the Lord and be kind to each other is true religion'.

My best wishes to your niece. May she find the peace that many of my religious friends have; and the grace to rise above her critics.

What a lovely post Nannarose. My niece is now baptised and it was a lovely ceremony attended by close family. I believe she has the grace to rise above her critics and I love what your Nan used to say "Respect the Lord and be kind to each other is true religion". Like yourself I have friends of different faiths and some of none and it is so important to show respect for other people's beliefs. Thank you for your best wishes for my Niece which I shall pass on.