Is it okay to believe in God?

[she_is_my_addiction]

God's the only thing that's gotten me through some of the toughest times recently, despite the goodness and love of my friends (although I'd have to say they've helped too). But in some of the darker moments, I can pray and talk to God, and my heart feels okay again. But sometimes I feel like I shouldn't be believing because some people wouldn't say that it's okay for me to believe in God? Is it okay? What are other people's opinions? Have you ever had a moment when you're so moved by some presence that it moves you to tears? How do I know if it's okay to feel what I feel? I'm more confused about this than I ever was about coming to terms with my homosexuality.

 

[cantdog]

This confusion is a precious thing.

Good luck in your seeking.

cantdog

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

This confusion is a precious thing.

Good luck in your seeking.

cantdog

 

[BlackShanglan]

Belief (and doubt) are very personal things. But I can't see a reason against believing. *What* you believe might come under some fire, but in the end I think even the most hard-core atheist would have to confess that the most that can be said is that there is a total absence of all measurable data one way or another. In that sort of circumstance, what do any of us have to go on but faith and gut instinct?

On the whole, I feel that my faith - shabby, poor thing that it is - has been of great value to me, and would probably be of greater value still if I was more disciplined and took the care to cultivate it. Like most things, I think that what you get out is largely a product of what you put in. If you put in a desire for love, gentleness, and peace, it can be a very beautiful thing. Faith need not divide us; it can unite us, and oddly, I think that at heart it can unite even those with faith and those without, if we each play our parts nobly and with love.

Or perhaps I am simply feeling more than normally utopian today.

Shanglan

 

[cantdog]

Ya Ta Heyy

Then it's a good day.

Love trumps faith, in my view; but each must find her path. The finding is very important. No one progresses by accepting pronouncements from authorities, particularly in the spiritual. Listen to those with experience, fine. But just accept their dicta and quit looking? Never.

Introspection is not up there with sex and improvisation, but it's big. Up there with history, redemption of spoken oath, hospitality, and other major things in the life of house apes. For me.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Re: Ya Ta Heyy

Love trumps faith, in my view; but each must find her path. The finding is very important. No one progresses by accepting pronouncements from authorities, particularly in the spiritual. Listen to those with experience, fine. But just accept their dicta and quit looking? Never.

Agreed. I think that if they are truly honest and introspective, even the most devoted church leaders would have to admit that unthought, rote devotion is close to meaningless. Was it you, cantdog, or someone else recently who opined that there is no faith without doubt? I thought that profound and extremely sensible. Only that which is hard-won is worthwhile.

Wilde's words are ringing in my ears - "everything must be paid for." I think him entirely right. We must purchase our faith, at times dearly, with these moments of agonizing doubt.

But that strikes me more as a matter of "do I believe?" The original question I think was "should I believe," or "would it be wrong to believe?" I think that if one thinks there might be an infinite being, it is fruitless to consult the opinions of house apes on whether one ought to believe in it. Don't fight the faith that springs within you; only question it, speak with it, and learn from it.

Shanglan

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Re: Re: Ya Ta Heyy

Don't fight the faith that springs within you; only question it, speak with it, and learn from it.

Shanglan

I'm beginning to understand.

 

[CharleyH]

Is it okay?

Others have already reflected my own sentiment, so I will not reiterate except to agree, yes.

 

[DirtyJJ]

God's the only thing that's gotten me through some of the toughest times recently, despite the goodness and love of my friends (although I'd have to say they've helped too). But in some of the darker moments, I can pray and talk to God, and my heart feels okay again. But sometimes I feel like I shouldn't be believing because some people wouldn't say that it's okay for me to believe in God? Is it okay? What are other people's opinions? Have you ever had a moment when you're so moved by some presence that it moves you to tears? How do I know if it's okay to feel what I feel? I'm more confused about this than I ever was about coming to terms with my homosexuality.

Of course it is okay, but you don't need anyone to really tell you that. You answered your own question when you said "God's the only thing that's gotten me through some of the toughest times recently" and "in some of the darker moments, I can pray and talk to God, and my heart feels okay again."

It is fine to question your beliefs, but don't do so just because some people wouldn't say it's OK to believe in God. It's an entirely personal thing, so if you are getting something positive from the experience, that is the most important thing.

JJ

 

[mismused]

God's the only thing that's gotten me through some of the toughest times recently, despite the goodness and love of my friends (although I'd have to say they've helped too). But in some of the darker moments, I can pray and talk to God, and my heart feels okay again. But sometimes I feel like I shouldn't be believing because some people wouldn't say that it's okay for me to believe in God? Is it okay? What are other people's opinions? Have you ever had a moment when you're so moved by some presence that it moves you to tears? How do I know if it's okay to feel what I feel? I'm more confused about this than I ever was about coming to terms with my homosexuality.

=======================

My belief is that there might be a God, and if there is one, God, I'd love to know God, my true purpose, the why of this experience.

If I can't take what I feel, what I think, what I want seriously, then what do I have? I will wonder unashamedly for all of my days, and never wonder what anyone else thinks of what I wonder at. It is me, whatever I am.

More to the point, if any delves into the complexity of our existence, in mind, rather ineffable, in body, now more understood than ever, yet still so much to be learned, in the coldness (Really?) of the universe, and wonders if it's all a part of the whole, how can we not be mesmerized by the totality of it all, and how it could all just be by coincidence?

Homosexuality? Is it with love? Isn't love one of those ineffable things? No one can say that what is deep seated and unknown as love is, is wrong. I'd have no problem with it, even though my culture did. *Sigh!* Culture! So many *inbred* beliefs, yet we can't do without them as a society. When will society catch up with reality? Society, culture, has always been slow to change, to admit to what is, and what isn't, even to the flatness of the world, eh?

Your way of loving is real, so what's wrong with it? What you don't make of it, is what, or how loosely, and perhaps frivolously you use it. It is your treasure within you, so treat with it preciously.

Is there a God? Hmm! We're built to wonder, and I do wonder myself. I love the trip. Good luck on yours, and all I can advise is to believe in yourself for there is nothing else you can know save you and your belief.

mismused

 

[Guest]

. . .Have you ever had a moment when you're so moved by some presence that it moves you to tears? How do I know if it's okay to feel what I feel?. . .

Many things move me.

Beautiful music, incredibly sensitive prose, unexpected kindness from friends or strangers, watching the successes of my children, intense love for my family, passion for my husband -

While listening to a classical musical selection once my daughter (who was probably 6) started crying. She looked up (a little confused) and said, "It's so beautiful." She didn't know why she was crying but it moved her to tears.

If you are a loving person, how could you not be moved by joy?

There are so many different interpretations of the Bible. The God I learned of when I was young always loved everyone - no matter what the situation. Just because a few select money-grubbing evangelists feel THEY know God's will shouldn't have any effect on your feelings.

If you feel your joy is because of God's presence, then it must be so.

You are blessed.

 

[mismused]

Re: Re: Is it okay to believe in God?

Many things move me.

Beautiful music, incredibly sensitive prose, unexpected kindness from friends or strangers, watching the successes of my children, intense love for my family, passion for my husband -

While listening to a classical musical selection once my daughter (who was probably 6) started crying. She looked up (a little confused) and said, "It's so beautiful." She didn't know why she was crying but it moved her to tears.

If you are a loving person, how could you not be moved by joy?

There are so many different interpretations of the Bible. The God I learned of when I was young always loved everyone - no matter what the situation. Just because a few select money-grubbing evangelists feel THEY know God's will shouldn't have any effect on your feelings.

If you feel your joy is because of God's presence, than it must be so.

You are blessed.

========================

sweetss,

Had to come back and say:

What a beautiful answer.



mismused

 

[rikaaim]

My faith is strong. I know God exists, but you can't exactly tell someone that if they don't want to hear it or believe it for themselves. God has saved me from a fate worse than death, insanity. Love was my guide. He gave me my wife who is a very dovoted and loving person. Through her, He showed Himself. Several times in my life I couldn't make it on my own and but simply asked for His help and I was saved. This past July, I took a week vacation. My bank account was negative 300 dollars (American). We were having a BAD year. Couldn't pay the bills. Had 1 car totalled in an accident. I didn't have car insurrance. Went to court for that. Lost the car, only had 1 car left that we were still making payments on. That vacation week in July, EVERYTHING fell apart.
We had NO food to eat. We were eating the last few pounds of hamburger that we had left. We were in a total bill debt of about 5,000 American dollars. On Thursday of that week, our car got repossed. I couldn't go to work, didn't have a phone, didn't have food, and had no hope of getting out of this mess. We had to pay 800 dollars just to get our car back. But we needed food, we were being taken to small claims court for our bills, we were completely falling apart as a family. I prayed. I said, "Lord, I can't do this. There is no way that I can possibly get out of this mess. I need your help. Lord, I'm going to nail this to the cross and let you take it. It's yours now. I can't even worry about it because it's no longer mine." After I said that I went to bed and went to sleep. I woke up the next morning scared as hell. I went over to my Grandpa's and told him what happened and how bad things were. My Grandpa couldn't really help out, but he said he would talk to my aunt. Later that day he came over and got us. He said, "What would you do if I said that you could have enough money to pay off your car? Would you pay it off, or just get a new one?" We said, "Well, it's a good car, so we would get it back and catch up the payments." He then said, "What would you do if I gave you $5,000? Your Aunt Geneva had set up a savings bond for you and the total ammount is $5,000" My wife and I almost cried. We couldn't believe it. The exact amount that we needed was provided to us. We sat down that night and gathered up all of our bills and debts and made a list and a payment plan. We knew God came through for us and we knew that our part of this was to use His gift and grace to fulfill His will. To remove our debt. God never wants His children to be unhappy. It says so in the Bible. That's why He has these laws, but in the "New Testament" the law is replaced by grace. The grace of love and of Jesus. Talk to God. You already seem to be close. Just tell him outright your pain, your hurt, your fears and concerns. The enemy wants you to think that you can't go to God for help. That is not true. The most pure prayors I ever had were made in anger. I said, "God. I'm going to kill myself. I'm praying to you now for help. I gave myself to you, but I'm still misserable. I have faith that you will help me. I know you will because You said so. If I die, it's your fault." I had to be honest. I had to be pure. God saved me, not because I threatened or tried to guilt God, but becaused I believed.

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Re: Is it okay to believe in God?

========================

sweetss,

Had to come back and say:

What a beautiful answer.



mismused

 

[rikaaim]

Sorry if I am long winded, but God has done so much for me that I get overjoyed when I can share. God gave me enough money to buy my wife a pearl ring that she saw once and we couldn't afford simply because I asked. I said, "God, I'm going to make a faith prayer. I know you want to bless your children and provide them with joy and happiness. So, God, I'm praying for enough money to get that ring for my wife." That week, she went to play the game Bingo and won enough money for the ring. She didn't get the ring, but she didn't want to. The fact is that the prayer was answered. I can go on and on, but right now she is rubbing my inner thighs, so...uh...gotta go.

 

[TheEarl]

My faith is strong. I know God exists, but you can't exactly tell someone that if they don't want to hear it or believe it for themselves. God has saved me from a fate worse than death, insanity. Love was my guide. He gave me my wife who is a very dovoted and loving person. Through her, He showed Himself. Several times in my life I couldn't make it on my own and but simply asked for His help and I was saved. This past July, I took a week vacation. My bank account was negative 300 dollars (American). We were having a BAD year. Couldn't pay the bills. Had 1 car totalled in an accident. I didn't have car insurrance. Went to court for that. Lost the car, only had 1 car left that we were still making payments on. That vacation week in July, EVERYTHING fell apart.
We had NO food to eat. We were eating the last few pounds of hamburger that we had left. We were in a total bill debt of about 5,000 American dollars. On Thursday of that week, our car got repossed. I couldn't go to work, didn't have a phone, didn't have food, and had no hope of getting out of this mess. We had to pay 800 dollars just to get our car back. But we needed food, we were being taken to small claims court for our bills, we were completely falling apart as a family. I prayed. I said, "Lord, I can't do this. There is no way that I can possibly get out of this mess. I need your help. Lord, I'm going to nail this to the cross and let you take it. It's yours now. I can't even worry about it because it's no longer mine." After I said that I went to bed and went to sleep. I woke up the next morning scared as hell. I went over to my Grandpa's and told him what happened and how bad things were. My Grandpa couldn't really help out, but he said he would talk to my aunt. Later that day he came over and got us. He said, "What would you do if I said that you could have enough money to pay off your car? Would you pay it off, or just get a new one?" We said, "Well, it's a good car, so we would get it back and catch up the payments." He then said, "What would you do if I gave you $5,000? Your Aunt Geneva had set up a savings bond for you and the total ammount is $5,000" My wife and I almost cried. We couldn't believe it. The exact amount that we needed was provided to us. We sat down that night and gathered up all of our bills and debts and made a list and a payment plan. We knew God came through for us and we knew that our part of this was to use His gift and grace to fulfill His will. To remove our debt. God never wants His children to be unhappy. It says so in the Bible. That's why He has these laws, but in the "New Testament" the law is replaced by grace. The grace of love and of Jesus. Talk to God. You already seem to be close. Just tell him outright your pain, your hurt, your fears and concerns. The enemy wants you to think that you can't go to God for help. That is not true. The most pure prayors I ever had were made in anger. I said, "God. I'm going to kill myself. I'm praying to you now for help. I gave myself to you, but I'm still misserable. I have faith that you will help me. I know you will because You said so. If I die, it's your fault." I had to be honest. I had to be pure. God saved me, not because I threatened or tried to guilt God, but becaused I believed.

A beautiful post rikaaim. Thank you.

The Earl

 

[rikaaim]

A beautiful post rikaaim. Thank you.

The Earl

Sometimes people have to see real world problems and answers. God is real, but if we don't see how He works, then how can we believe?

 

[LadyJeanne]

Shanglan said it best - don't fight the faith that springs within you.

I place my faith in love, and I don't question it as a guiding force in my life. If you place your faith in God and that sustains you, please don't feel you have to question that because of others' beliefs or non-beliefs. It's all about you, sweets.

 

[English Lady]

Sima -

At my darkest moments I feel arms around me, holding me tight. I know it's Jesus comforting me.

Whenever I fear I cannot afford something or manage to do something essential to my life and wellbeing something comes along and makes it possible. I know it is Jesus looking after me.

If I am in a situation that is potentially dangerous or involved in an accident I am never hurt as much as could be possible. I know that is God's Angel protecting me.

It is more than OK to believe in God;in my life I find it completely essential. Think upon your feelings,thoughts and questions and I know God will answer you, comfort you and hold you tight.

God bless!

 

[Edward Teach]

We cannot help what we believe and many of us really do not know exactly what we believe. You do not have to justify your belief to anyone, not even yourself. If you believe it strongly, it must be true, at least for you.

One great thing about the mind is that it will often create for us the things we need. God can exist in many forms and there can be nothing wrong with believing in God.




Ed

 

[BlackShanglan]

About a year ago, a severe financial crisis loomed. Layoffs were on the books, and there was a strong possibility of a sudden loss of nearly all income. This problem came to mind over and over, waking and sleeping ... it was serious enough that I was making lists of everything that could be sold and trying to calculate how soon the house - a beautiful home, the first and only ever to be my own, wherein I had lived less than two years - would have to be put on the market. I was trying to arrange mentally the list of the order in which nearly everything I owned would have to be sold in order to keep the house payments up long enough to sell it for a fair price instead of having the mortgage forclosed. It felt very grim.

Then a relative I love and care about very deeply called. He'd just been diagnosed with esophagial cancer - had waited, in fact, for my vacation to be over to break the news, not knowing that the first whiff of layoffs had come at the same time. Surveying the data, looking at the success rates for the operations, and taking into account the doctors' comments, I felt simply as sick and lost as I have in a very long time. Estimates for survival stood at about 15%.

It was, very oddly, a gift. I realized with a clarity and speed for which I am earnestly and deeply grateful that money could cost me absolutely nothing I cared about. I went, of course, through the predicatable bargaining phase - please, God, throw my worthless hide out on the streets, take the clothes on my back if you like, it's little enough price to pay for this good and kindly man to live - but I meant it, and what's more, I really felt how tiny a thing all wordly problems were. At that moment I would have smiled while signing over the deed to the house. Mercifully, some of that has kept with me; I think I hold it all more lightly, and in that I am happy.

The greatest mercy, of course, is that he has lived. The recovery continues slowly, but apace. He is still among us. There is part of me that was fed on fairy tales in my youth and that still sincerely believes that if one gives half of one's food to the strange beggar in the forest, some magical good will light on one's life from out of the anima mundi. But even that part of me stands back a bit in awe to see that our prayers were answered. I can only say that it is a tribute to the man, that his goodness was vouchsafed to us some little while longer.

Shanglan

 

[English Lady]

About a year ago, a severe financial crisis loomed. Layoffs were on the books, and there was a strong possibility of a sudden loss of nearly all income. This problem came to mind over and over, waking and sleeping ... it was serious enough that I was making lists of everything that could be sold and trying to calculate how soon the house - a beautiful home, the first and only ever to be my own, wherein I had lived less than two years - would have to be put on the market. I was trying to arrange mentally the list of the order in which nearly everything I owned would have to be sold in order to keep the house payments up long enough to sell it for a fair price instead of having the mortgage forclosed. It felt very grim.

Then a relative I love and care about very deeply called. He'd just been diagnosed with esophagial cancer - had waited, in fact, for my vacation to be over to break the news, not knowing that the first whiff of layoffs had come at the same time. Surveying the data, looking at the success rates for the operations, and taking into account the doctors' comments, I felt simply as sick and lost as I have in a very long time. Estimates for survival stood at about 15%.

It was, very oddly, a gift. I realized with a clarity and speed for which I am earnestly and deeply grateful that money could cost me absolutely nothing I cared about. I went, of course, through the predicatable bargaining phase - please, God, throw my worthless hide out on the streets, take the clothes on my back if you like, it's little enough price to pay for this good and kindly man to live - but I meant it, and what's more, I really felt how tiny a thing all wordly problems were. At that moment I would have smiled while signing over the deed to the house. Mercifully, some of that has kept with me; I think I hold it all more lightly, and in that I am happy.

The greatest mercy, of course, is that he has lived. The recovery continues slowly, but apace. He is still among us. There is part of me that was fed on fairy tales in my youth and that still sincerely believes that if one gives half of one's food to the strange beggar in the forest, some magical good will light on one's life from out of the anima mundi. But even that part of me stands back a bit in awe to see that our prayers were answered. I can only say that it is a tribute to the man, that his goodness was vouchsafed to us some little while longer.

Shanglan

Beautiful and so truthful.

EL -a fellow fairy tale believer!

 

[Guest]

Shanglan, that's a beautiful story.

And I have to agree. Often our pressures seem overwhelming, day to day, financial, marriage issues, career difficulties, whatever.

We were attempting to handle serious financial concerns last year when our family suffered a tragic loss. That showed us what was truly important in our lives and those other worries become unimportant.

Today we're still recovering. My husband continues to be my rock and our family is even closer than before.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Deepest sympathies for your loss, and my most profound respect for the good that you have taken from it.

Shanglan

 

[Kassiana]

Is it okay to believe in God?

Honey, you can believe in as many Gods, Goddesses, fairies, leprechauns, aliens, or mutants as you want. Just make sure that your belief doesn't make you into a jerk, and I'll support your right to it any time. Personally, I believe in all the Gods and Goddesses, though I don't worship all of them.