Not sure what my actual question is...
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but here goes...
I was raised in a Baptist church. Recently I've began having "issues."
This just no longer seems like enough spiritually. I just need something deeper. The problem is there is nobody to talk to about this. I feel like if I go to a church leader, they'll just be trying to sell me their religion. If i go to my family, it will be basically the same thing. Have any of you gone through this kind of "faith crisis" so to speak? Where do you go for answers to these kinds of questions. I just feel like my soul is restless, if that makes sense. I'm not content to just go on the way things have been. Any help would be great.
Bea -
I know many ex-christians, so more and less can guess where you coming from.
But to be more precise, why not let us know what questions you are having now either here, in skype or private message. -
"If anyone lack of wisdom, let him ask of God which giveth to all men liberally and upbrideth not......." James Chapter 1 v 1 - I think- not sure
"Seek and ye will find, ask and it shall be given unto you."
I've been through this personally and can understand what you are going through.
I would suggest you spend some quiet time on your own to do some serious soul-searching. Straighten yourself out. Find out exactly what it is that's gnawing you from within. At the same time, gain a netter appreciation of yourself, your strengths and our weaknesses. Then turn to prayer earnestly to ask God to grant you His spirit to guide you to the answers that you seek. Listen to the still small voice prompting you......
The answers may not come in an instant but over time. Exercise some patience and be steadfast in your quest for His guidance and wisdom. Have faith and it will come to pass one day. May peace be with you!
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Hello Bea,Originally posted by Bea:Have any of you gone through this kind of "faith crisis" so to speak?
I don’t think “faith crisis” as a term applies to Buddhists… This is because our belief in Buddhism is based on experience, not “faith”.
I also agree with Justdoit77Â… Might be better if you can post the exact issues you are having, and how these issues have been gnawing at you. Only then it is perhaps beneficial for you to see the Buddhist worldview on these issues you are having.
With metta.
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well, for a start or attracting element, i also have the same idea at first...but as i understand Buddhism deeper, i came to understand that faith is still the foundation of cultivation of the Way and the mother of all merit and virtue.
ref:
http://online.sfsu.edu/%7Erone/Buddhism/BuddhistDict/BDF.html
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MMM as i don't really understand the "issues" you are refering to. It could be one complicated matters. Find a friend to talk about your problems ? Or taking a break out of everythings and coming back to it later.Originally posted by Bea:but here goes...
I was raised in a Baptist church. Recently I've began having "issues."
This just no longer seems like enough spiritually. I just need something deeper. The problem is there is nobody to talk to about this. I feel like if I go to a church leader, they'll just be trying to sell me their religion. If i go to my family, it will be basically the same thing. Have any of you gone through this kind of "faith crisis" so to speak? Where do you go for answers to these kinds of questions. I just feel like my soul is restless, if that makes sense. I'm not content to just go on the way things have been. Any help would be great.
Bea
If it is really a negative issue.. How about learning to let go of holding on this issue?
"Holding on to the past is like carrying a burden n trying to walk across a dangling bridge"
Why carry it so tightly if it is creating so much suffering? -
If I were you.. I would certainly keep an open mind, and found out more about what I want to find out... since you posted in the Buddhist forum I presume you like to find out about Buddhism... if you do, go ahead.. find out what Buddhism is about with an open mind.Originally posted by Bea:but here goes...
I was raised in a Baptist church. Recently I've began having "issues."
This just no longer seems like enough spiritually. I just need something deeper. The problem is there is nobody to talk to about this. I feel like if I go to a church leader, they'll just be trying to sell me their religion. If i go to my family, it will be basically the same thing. Have any of you gone through this kind of "faith crisis" so to speak? Where do you go for answers to these kinds of questions. I just feel like my soul is restless, if that makes sense. I'm not content to just go on the way things have been. Any help would be great.
BeaKalama Sutra
By the way if you have any issues you would like to share or discuss.. we can do so in this forum.
"Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the
spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience.Do not believe in anything simply because you
have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do
not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is
written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and
elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is
conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
- the Buddha
Full sutra here: http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/resources/kalama_sutra.html Or if you would like to ask anything you can ask here and we'll try our best to reply you...