They say you should never talk politics or religion in mixed company, right? Both are such loaded topics and particularly religion is not something I’ve ever discussed on this blog. But I’d like to touch on it this week.
I believe that religion and spirituality are incredibly personal. To me, every religion or belief system has its own merit. I would NEVER tell anyone what or who to believe in, just as I’d hope for the same respect.
I was born and raised Catholic. In fact I went to Catholic school from kindergarten through college, but I no longer consider myself Catholic. In fact, I no longer consider myself Christian. It makes me nervous to say that to you, partly because it was so ingrained in me for so long, but also because I know many of you have a deep relationship with Jesus. While I truly believe that’s wonderful for you, I’d hate to think I might lose readers because I have a different belief system.
So bear with me and let me tell you a little bit about my own spirituality and how my many years of religious education and beliefs affect me as a woman and mother.
I do believe in God. I believe in the energy of the Universe. The power of positive thinking. I believe in angels. That we go somewhere when we die. I believe that Jesus is the son of God just as each of us are beautiful sons and daughters of God. He was probably a very great man in his time, and spread very positive messages.
I also believe that other non-Christian religions are right for those who believe in them. At its core every religion teaches the same message of love, and that’s a very good thing.
But I’m also ok with those who don’t believe in God, a higher power, or life after death. They have a right to those beliefs too. It does not make them intrinsically bad or on a path to hell. In fact, I don’t even believe in hell.
There is both good and evil in this world, good and bad in people who are both religious and not religious. Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, etc who do both good and/or bad in this world.
As a mother, I want to teach my children respect for all belief systems. I want to let them explore all faiths and determine what they believe as the unique people they are. It is their right as human beings to find their own path.
As a woman with mental illness, I know believing in a higher power can have a great positive impact on my state of being. I can pray to God or the Universe on the bad days and by putting those positive thoughts into the world, bring positive thoughts into my heart.
I know many people who put their trust in God, give themselves over to Him for safekeeping and find joy and fulfillment in their lives. I also know people who put faith in themselves and create positive actions in their own lives to find their bliss. Both points of view to me are valid.
I’m going to be sharing a few varying points of view on religion, spirituality, personhood and parenthood in the coming days. I hope you have a chance to read each of them with an open heart. And perhaps learn something about our fellow human beings.
Does spirituality impact your own mental health, well being and parenting?
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motherunadorned
motherunadorned
motherunadorned
motherunadorned
Since officially becoming Atheist several years ago I often feel like an outsider. (Not that I want to be inside, but sometimes it seems like everyone else is in there.) Otherwise I don’t think it affects my mental health negatively, rather it inflates my ego just a little bit. (It’s ironically easy for me to feel holier-than-thou sometimes.) I don’t try to convert, because it is such a deeply personal belief, and I do worry about losing friends because of it. (I have, in fact.) I’m glad to see people raising their kids by giving them the chance to decide for themselves. =)
And my go-to words of wisdom on this subject naturally come from the Harry Potter series: (Sirius Black to Harry Potter) “… the world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters.”
Twitter: Motherunadorned
says:
I just saw that HP scene yesterday and thought the same thing Chris! You’ll be interested to read a guest post by my husband on Thursday. I’m sorry you’ve lost friends over it. Not cool at all.
Thank you. I grew up southern baptist, I live in east Texas (smack in the middle of the evangelical bible belt of something) and get so sick of having religions shoved down my throat. I am a non-believer these days and generally just keep that to myself because I don’t want to waste energy hearing some right wing christian nut tell me I am going to hell. What ever happened to tolerance and love? Thank you for your open mind, your courage to speak out, and your tolerance and love.
Cindy recently posted..It’s time I jumped on the bandwagon for the December edition of the World Tour
Twitter: Motherunadorned
says:
Thanks Cindy. I really appreciate your thoughts. For me tolerance and love is the only way to go with religion but I’m know I’m probably not the norm. I’m sorry you have to hide your feelings where you live. That’s not fair.
Cristi Comes recently posted..Spirituality Uncensored
Do I believe in God?
When I was sexually assaulted, was he there to protect me?
When I prayed for him to take my debilitating pain away, did he listen? Did he answer?
On the happiest day of my life, he gave me postpartum depression.
When I begged for help, he gave me a razor blade and pills and bipolar disorder.
When I climbed back on my feet he gave me a tumor.
It could be cancer.
What God creates immeasurable pain on his people?
People worship this “God” who turns an eye on world famine, AIDS, genocide, cancer and all the other problems our world has.
People are suffering.
Sure people can argue the whole “But God also gives us blessings”…but can those blessings just be because life happens?
And shit happens because life happens?
I don’t know where I’m going with this…
I’m pissed at whoever is running this shit show on earth.
Twitter: Motherunadorned
says:
Oh Kim, you really have been through so much and it sucks. I understand feeling that way when life has been so frustrating, painful and scary. I’m sending you love and hope so much that you heal.
Cristi Comes recently posted..Spirituality Uncensored
I love that you’re talking about this. why are we all so scared to share our own truths? My views are very much in line with yours and I just believe that there is room for everyone to have their own opinions and beliefs. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts on this subject:)
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It is actually very cool that you chose to post on this because I’ve been struggling with my own spirituality lately. I’m very interested in reading your future posts on this subject, especially during this time when my depression is very severe!
I may be in the minority, but I grew up Catholic and after studying it for a long time, still truly believe everything about it. I’ve thrown a lot of questions that way and found a lot of answers, and it has truly been something that sustained me. During some of the hardest times of my life, knowing that God existed was important to me (and I did do a lot of studying on suffering, because I, too, questioned why it existed). Anyway, there’s my little piece.
All of that being said, I don’t think a person has to be Catholic (or even Christian) to be a good, beautiful and worthwhile human being. I think exploring your spirituality and religion (should you have one) are important, so good for you being brave enough to share!
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Twitter: VenusLeeloo
says:
I think it’s wonderful that you wrote this! Personally, I’m agnostic (I don’t know what exactly I believe in), but I’m married to a Catholic and have many friends of many different faiths. I respect them all because:
a) they don’t try to prostletyze to me
b) they don’t judge me
c) they honestly answer my questions when I pose them (and I always ask respectfully
d) they do what they preach
I wish more people could speak openly like you have.
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