Religion and spiritual readers:Do you feel you have contributed?
829999
To some, yes.  To some, no.  Same as everyone else.
1145668
I don't just believe, I "know" from deep within. I can't look at all of the good around me, all of the gifts I've been given, the lessons I've learned, and the "coincidences" that appear right as I need them and not believe. But, I also don't push my beliefs on others. I consider myself an "independent spiritual" as I do not lock in to one religion but take wisdom from numerous religions. God loves everyone whether they believe or not. I find that things go best when I remind myself to relax and trust in God's plan.
1123018
I am a spiritual atheist.   I have the following practices:\n\n* Personal altar where I self-pray or meditate to focus on an issue or to help absolve a problem I have.\n\n* A few books of quotations that I read occasionally for inspiration.\n\n* Dancing to my music---that is one of my other ways of gaining spiritual inspiration, to just "let go".   Some of my internal answers are found via dancing.  :-)\n\n* Internet searches for religious answers to my queries, if any.\n\n* Being an artist (writing, drawing, painting).   I consider this a spiritual aspect of my life.
254167
I'm totally fine with religion in the Religion & Spirituality section. But every day I see people in the Science & Mathematics section trying to answer questions with God. Keep it in the category.
1072882
Someone who asked a question about a book she read by Sylvia Browne and psychic phenomena wrote me to thank me because I told her about deceiving spirits who seek to lead people away from God and into the occult.\n\nIn her question she was convinced that by reading this book that she had "opened her mind" to a new world of psychic insights but after she read my answer she wrote me and thanked me and told me that I was right and that her sister who was a Christian had been trying to tell her the same thing.\n\nA couple of other people have also written me to thank me for setting them straight about something, but I give all of the glory and honor to God! I regularly ask that the Holy Spirit will guide me to posts and speak through me and accompany the words He gives me to accomplish every purpose that He would set for them in Jesus' name.\n\nIsaiah 55:10  For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and does not return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring out and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater;   11   so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do.
931177
I was born and raised Christian. After studying the Bahai Faith while in high  school, I became a Bahai.  Because Baha' u'llah often quotes from the Quran, I studied Islam. My fascination with religion led me to take two college courses on world religions, so I have studied some forms of paganism, Hinduism, Sikhism,  Judaism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Taoism.   My participation in forums such as this one -- and the violent attacks on Islam - have  led to more study of the Quran. And when the Jehovah's Witnesses dropped by, I studied  with them for awhile until they give up on me and stopped dropping by.  Since I have lived in Ohio, I became interested in the Amish religion and studied that for awhile. Online discussions and the behavior of some of its followers drove me to read up on Scientology. Basically, I find the variety of beliefs fascinating and love reading about them. I find that understanding religion makes it easier to understand people. More understanding, IMHO, would lead to fewer wars.
585265
Sure!\n\nI sing, participate in Bible study classes and ladies' classes.  I send out a daily e-mail to our congregation.\n\nI think it's sad when people think that just because they aren't leading, that they aren't contributing.  Anyone can (and I believe, should) participate.\n\nI listen attentively.  I've heard preachers say that it's so discouraging when people don't make eye-contact with them while they're preaching.  Apparently someone in a congregation I once attended was doing homework during the sermon.  :o(\n\nMany of us meet outside of services as well.  We need to be active and participate in each others' lives and encourage each other.
91586
I believe my religion is true -- that's why I follow it!  I've had many prayers answered... and just praying brings me that "peace that passeth understanding"  This isn't like meditation -- it's something more!
303933
Yes, I had more than one religious experience as a child, but I am now an atheist. I think that those experiences were cathartic realizations and that they did mean something, but they meant something because of my situation, my psychology, and my desire to believe in certain things beyond the physical world. I view them as experiences that were powerful and important, but I no longer think that they were truly supernatural. I interpreted them as supernatural experiences at the time because of the spiritual belief system that I accepted, rather than because there were reasons to interpret them in that way.
183129
In the open section? Oh, no. None of that. In the Religion and Spirituality section? Sure, that's perfectly fine. So many people define themselves by their belief, that any answer they give is going to be tinged with it. As long as it's in the proper place, I see no problems with it.
794939
I have been going through the same thing right now.  I have done a lot of research and it is something that is really hard to prove.  Also there are 5 or 6 books that aren't in there and it makes me wonder who decided which books belong in the Bible and which don't.  Also have you noticed that other religions are just a loyal and believe just as strongly in their religions or "bibles" laws.  It's a strange thing.  Sometimes it makes me wonder if I always believed just because I was born here and my parents do .... I'm interested to see the answers you get though.
872792
I have several "faith heroes" for whom I am extremely grateful.\n\nMy wonderful sister-in-law helped me initially.  I thought I was a Christian since my dad brought me up in a church (but I was wrong).  From the first time I met my worldly sister-in-law I adored her!  When she became a born-again Christian I adored her even more!!!  \n\nShe helped me to get to the point where I could ask the Holy Spirit to help me.  I realize NOW that the Holy Spirit has been working in me throughout my life.  Hindsight is 20-20.\n\nSeveral authors have been of humungous help to me.\nCharles Spurgeon with Morning and Evening as well as several other books.\nOswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest\nC.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity as well as several other books.\nI've also been greatly influenced through The Father's Love Letter by Barry Adams.\n\nLately I've been receiving a great deal of help from Ravi Zacharias and J.I. Packer.\n\nI have received help from each and everyone of these people and now I try to pass on to other people the blessings that I have received.\n\nBefore I came in contact with my faith heroes I was living to self and making a mess of my life.  Now I am learning about living to the purpose to which my heavenly Father has called me and I know JOY and peace.
445473
Yes, and I'm so glad I did! I just started attending again recently, and I knew I missed it, but I didn't know just how much until I started going back. It felt so good to be back in God's house worshiping and fellowshiping with all my brothers and sisters.\n\nIt's no wonder that studies have shown that church going people are much more happy than those who do not attend church on a regular basis.
996341
There is no way one can know if someone else is "enlightened" or not unless one himself becomes enlightened too.\n\nI have had many instances when my guru has answered questions in my head without my having even asked him. At times I have asked him a question and his answer has seemed absurd at that time. However, in hindsight, when I have analysed his answer with a clearer mind I have seen that instead of answering my words he has answered the real question within me.\n\nIf you are really looking for spiritual growth (spiritual growth today has nothing to do with religion mind you! as most religions have just become businesses with nothing spiritual left in them) please read the book "Mystic's Musings" from amazon.com
1147109
Intellectual surrender. Good phrase! I (as you may gather) am a member of the second group. I feel that some people cling to the Word or God and the word of God only idea because they are lazy. If everything I need to know is already written down and needs no interpretations then I don't have to think for myself. It gives them an out and makes the spiritual life a no brainer with no work required.\nIt's just "here are the rules, go live by the rules" They have no need to pray or listen to God speak to them. They never have to wonder about anything. They never have to do any of the work of being human. Like cattle. Just follow the rules and then die. Easy instructions.\nThis is why I belong to a church that values education and thought.
1071259
I often feel as you do. Confused and hurt, by a God who was supposed to be there for me. I also agree with you that the bible is no more relevant than greek mythology, or even the eastern relgions. I still conteplate the existence of a God period, yet the fact that all these religions exist, might lead us to a God.
1051627
I can definitely listen without judging. But do I feel safe? I feel .......uninformed. What scares me is that others will speak of things I know so little about. If they stop and explain to me about aspects of the religion I'm not familiar with, I know I would feel so open and so much more comfortable to intelligently discuss beliefs. It is my fear that people will mistake my lack of knowledge for ignorance and judgement against other religions. In truth.....it is me reaching out saying........."show me." If everyone can have tolerance for our differences, for our beliefs and for our levels of knowledge, religious discussions could be and would be amazingly interesting.