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Re: There is always hope

Posted by Willful on May 22, 2012, at 10:27:50

In reply to Re: There is always hope » emmanuel98, posted by Dinah on May 22, 2012, at 9:16:10

I think it's great if people find deep comfort in facing life from the idea of god.

But that idea has no meaning in my life. I was brought up without religious training or experiences, and while I have a deep emotional response to the beauty or feeling evoked in temples or synagogues and by certain rituals, I also have that feeling when I hear certain music, or see a beautiful painting or great movie.

For me, spirituality is an emotion, a heightened state of mind, but it doesn't flow from anything beyond this world, any being that's all-powerful, all-knowing, who loves or doesn't love me or knows or doesn't know me. I don't believe life was created by anything but physical forces, or that our sense of right and wrong or of justice depends on their being some sort of judge or commander outside of the human realm.

I have beliefs that I hold strongly about what's right and wrong-- or just-- just as much as anyone who is religious. I deeply object to those who argue that we need religion to have morality-- nor do I think "god" cares how we dress, how often we bow down, or give thanks to him, that there are god-given rules about abortion, respect for others, the role of women etc. Life and experiences, good and bad, are what we have to be thankful for-- the goodness and kindness of others, and beauty around us, the satisfactions of loving someone and being loved-- all these things really are created by us and by those around us-- together in ways that we can't fathom--

So when it comes to recovery models that require me to believe in a higher power, I see that higher power in some part of myself that I don't have contact with consciously, or have control over, that is my will to live, in a constructive, life-affirming way. And I see it also in loving or empathic connections between us and others-- all others, no matter who or where they are. So I try to put my faith in those things, which are unspoken and often unknowable. I try to move in myself toward them.

But of course, those who deeply believe in the goodness of god have every right to evoke and hold onto that as a source of strength, and, to state their belief in that. Where I take exception is when they're judgmental or try to control the live of others who don't share their beliefs.

Willful


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poster:Willful thread:1017999
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