Comments on: When you were a child, what did you learn about religion? http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/ www.thefaithclub.com Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:28:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Cytocop http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-340 Mon, 25 Dec 2006 21:11:07 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-340 To finish answering your question, oh yes, without a doubt my upbringing nurtured my spiritual growth in the sense that I try to see God's spark in everyone, whatever their faith. To finish answering your question, oh yes, without a doubt my upbringing nurtured my spiritual growth in the sense that I try to see God’s spark in everyone, whatever their faith.

]]> by: Cytocop http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-339 Mon, 25 Dec 2006 21:08:10 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-339 I was raised in a church-going family. I attended Sunday school, and my sister and I were in the children's choir. We were all baptized and confirmed. My father taught Sunday school and was active in the Methodist Men's club. I'll never be able to say how much my church attendance or religious upbringing had to do with my faith. But without a church or religious experience, I might never have felt the urge to ponder the things I have because the questions that inspired them probably wouldn't have come up. As a child, religion and going to church were inseparable. Religion meant Christmas trees and decorations and gifts and Christmas food; Easter baskets and brand new Easter outfits and Easter candy. The city in which I was raised was, at that time, all white and American for several generations. Everyone was either Roman Catholic or of some small variety of Protestant, and that whatever one was was OK. I was vaguely aware that there were people who believed differently from us and who did different things. But that was fine too. As a child, my parents liked for us to rub shoulders with people who were different from us. I had Catholic friends and Protestant friends. But no Jewish or Muslim friends nor no black friends. But that was only because there weren't any around and accessible. As a child, I learned to have a great love for the Jewish people and the Jewish religion, though I never met any Jews until I went to middle school. I don't know where this inexplicable love came from. Certainly, my parents taught us to hate nobody. But to single out Jews for special attention must have come from Sunday school and the church. We had a collection of Little Golden Books of Bible stories. On the last page of the story of Noah's Ark, there was the rainbow and funny little markings inside it which I now know to be Hebrew letters. I remember wondering what in the world these strange marks were - even before I was old enough to read the English letters. I could see they were of a different nature, but what were they? I did know that since they were inside God's rainbow they had to be very special indeed. I became seized with the notion that they were too holy for me to look at. I would steal glances at that page, then quickly shut the book before God might catch me looking at them. I have no idea where I got this weird notion from. Now, if only I could find that edition, I'd love to know what the Hebrew letters were because I could probably read them now. Before it was popular to do so, my church started a tradition of a pulpit exchange with a synagogue in the bordering city. Their rabbi spoke from our pulpit and our pastor from theirs, and the congregations were likewise invited. I remember wondering what they thought of us. I wonder if this tradition continues. At some point, I became aware of Muslims - though, in those days, they were called Moslems. This probably was around the time of the release of "Lawrence of Arabia." (Not to date myself but I was 12 years old then). I was fascinated with the entire culture - the desert, the clothing of the nomads, the exotic impressive architecture of the mosque, the beautiful artistry of Arabic calligraphy.... I wished I could know someone who was Muslim. Later, that wish came true through my father's company. My father was an electrical engineer and worked for the city utility company. They were importing a lot of foreign engineers then for educational purposes. My father would always befriend these gentlemen (in those days, in the sixties, they were all men) and invite them home for a home-cooked meal. Some of these men were Pakistani and Muslim. But the gentlemen were much older than I was, and they were men; I wasn't in a position to become good friends with them. So I still have that wish to have a Muslim friend. I was raised in a church-going family. I attended Sunday school, and my sister and I were in the children’s choir. We were all baptized and confirmed. My father taught Sunday school and was active in the Methodist Men’s club. I’ll never be able to say how much my church attendance or religious upbringing had to do with my faith. But without a church or religious experience, I might never have felt the urge to ponder the things I have because the questions that inspired them probably wouldn’t have come up.

As a child, religion and going to church were inseparable. Religion meant Christmas trees and decorations and gifts and Christmas food; Easter baskets and brand new Easter outfits and Easter candy. The city in which I was raised was, at that time, all white and American for several generations. Everyone was either Roman Catholic or of some small variety of Protestant, and that whatever one was was OK. I was vaguely aware that there were people who believed differently from us and who did different things. But that was fine too.

As a child, my parents liked for us to rub shoulders with people who were different from us. I had Catholic friends and Protestant friends. But no Jewish or Muslim friends nor no black friends. But that was only because there weren’t any around and accessible.

As a child, I learned to have a great love for the Jewish people and the Jewish religion, though I never met any Jews until I went to middle school. I don’t know where this inexplicable love came from. Certainly, my parents taught us to hate nobody. But to single out Jews for special attention must have come from Sunday school and the church.

We had a collection of Little Golden Books of Bible stories. On the last page of the story of Noah’s Ark, there was the rainbow and funny little markings inside it which I now know to be Hebrew letters. I remember wondering what in the world these strange marks were - even before I was old enough to read the English letters. I could see they were of a different nature, but what were they? I did know that since they were inside God’s rainbow they had to be very special indeed. I became seized with the notion that they were too holy for me to look at. I would steal glances at that page, then quickly shut the book before God might catch me looking at them. I have no idea where I got this weird notion from. Now, if only I could find that edition, I’d love to know what the Hebrew letters were because I could probably read them now.

Before it was popular to do so, my church started a tradition of a pulpit exchange with a synagogue in the bordering city. Their rabbi spoke from our pulpit and our pastor from theirs, and the congregations were likewise invited. I remember wondering what they thought of us. I wonder if this tradition continues.

At some point, I became aware of Muslims - though, in those days, they were called Moslems. This probably was around the time of the release of “Lawrence of Arabia.” (Not to date myself but I was 12 years old then). I was fascinated with the entire culture - the desert, the clothing of the nomads, the exotic impressive architecture of the mosque, the beautiful artistry of Arabic calligraphy…. I wished I could know someone who was Muslim.

Later, that wish came true through my father’s company. My father was an electrical engineer and worked for the city utility company. They were importing a lot of foreign engineers then for educational purposes. My father would always befriend these gentlemen (in those days, in the sixties, they were all men) and invite them home for a home-cooked meal. Some of these men were Pakistani and Muslim.

But the gentlemen were much older than I was, and they were men; I wasn’t in a position to become good friends with them. So I still have that wish to have a Muslim friend.

]]> by: The Faith Club http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-323 Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:34:10 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-323 It has truly been an honor to read all of these honest, vivid postings. Thank you all for sharing your childhood experiences and explainiing how they influenced you later in life. We have been on the road, my internet service has been cranky, and I am so glad it flickered on tonight long enough for me to savor all of your entries. Thank you so much for taking the time to communicate with us. Betsy, I am so humbled and touched by your ability to share such a painful experienec so eloquently. I can only imagine, with the aid of your vivid writing, the agony you must have felt as your tiny daughter struggled to live. I hope she is alive and well today and I thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It seems you have known God for a very long time. I am going to be thinking about your posting for a long time as well. I will never look at a rocking chair in the same way again...I will continue to look for God in the quiet moments when the moon is full and on dark, stormy days and nights. Thanks you. We wish you and every0ne who has opened up their hearts and minds to us all the very best - a life full of love. faith and hope, a joyous, memorable holiday season and a very happy, peaceful, healthy new year. Priscilla It has truly been an honor to read all of these honest, vivid postings. Thank you all for sharing your childhood experiences and explainiing how they influenced you later in life. We have been on the road, my internet service has been cranky, and I am so glad it flickered on tonight long enough for me to savor all of your entries. Thank you so much for taking the time to communicate with us.
Betsy, I am so humbled and touched by your ability to share such a painful experienec so eloquently. I can only imagine, with the aid of your vivid writing, the agony you must have felt as your tiny daughter struggled to live. I hope she is alive and well today and I thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It seems you have known God for a very long time. I am going to be thinking about your posting for a long time as well. I will never look at a rocking chair in the same way again…I will continue to look for God in the quiet moments when the moon is full and on dark, stormy days and nights. Thanks you. We wish you and every0ne who has opened up their hearts and minds to us all the very best - a life full of love. faith and hope, a joyous, memorable holiday season and a very happy, peaceful, healthy new year.
Priscilla

]]> by: Betsy http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-294 Fri, 24 Nov 2006 16:50:37 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-294 As a child I remember - Oral Roberts on Grandma's TV, five pennies tied up in a handkerchief and pinned to my dress so I could give to the poor at Sunday school, singing - belting it out like Ethel Merman - "Jesus Loves Me - this I know - in front of the church and watching the smiles and laughter (I was three). I remember the Reverend Dr. Davis preaching on sin and hell and being sure I had no chance. But mostly, I remember a night when I was three. My two baby brothers were asleep in the next room. My new baby sister and parents were in their room. It was a hot Texas night and the windows were open. I sat in one of the two little rocking chairs by the window and listened and watched. The moon was full, I could hear a train whistle far away. I could see the cat next door wandering about the neighborhood. I could hear Mikey Castle yelling at his mother down the street. The idea of God had been with me since earliest memory -my parents taught me to pray very early. I remember hearing my little brother's tiny snore . Then, I knew - God was in the other rocking chair. I talked to God all night - told God everything and then sat and rocked in my little chair until morning. I told my mother and she told me I had been dreaming. The memory faded and was gone - until one awful day about 15 years ago. It had been the worst day of memory. My youngest was five and was receiving chemo and radiation for a tumor we had found in the winter. She required many blood products and developed an allergy. She received platelets one morning and then - she quit breathing. her color changed and I watched people rush in to breath for her and give her drugs to save her life. By nightfall, she was better. We were alone in an isolation room and there was no sound except her tiny breath which I watched and angonized that they would stop. She gave a tiny snore and I heard a train far away. The moon was full and I could hear Mikey Castle screaming at his mom. The rocking chair in the room was illuminated by the light of the full moon and I knew - once again - that God was with me and would be forever. I relaxed and slept for the first time in days. I think that all of it came from a family that took the idea and presence of God seriously. It started me on a quest - from Southern Baptist to Catholic, from weird little adolescent nerd to degrees in theology. I teach others now and tell stories to do it. The third year of life seems an important time in the religious imagination that belongs to us all. Do any of you have memories of that time that connect you to God today? As a child I remember - Oral Roberts on Grandma’s TV, five pennies tied up in a handkerchief and pinned to my dress so I could give to the poor at Sunday school, singing - belting it out like Ethel Merman - “Jesus Loves Me - this I know - in front of the church and watching the smiles and laughter (I was three). I remember the Reverend Dr. Davis preaching on sin and hell and being sure I had no chance. But mostly, I remember a night when I was three. My two baby brothers were asleep in the next room. My new baby sister and parents were in their room. It was a hot Texas night and the windows were open. I sat in one of the two little rocking chairs by the window and listened and watched. The moon was full, I could hear a train whistle far away. I could see the cat next door wandering about the neighborhood. I could hear Mikey Castle yelling at his mother down the street. The idea of God had been with me since earliest memory -my parents taught me to pray very early. I remember hearing my little brother’s tiny snore . Then, I knew - God was in the other rocking chair. I talked to God all night - told God everything and then sat and rocked in my little chair until morning. I told my mother and she told me I had been dreaming. The memory faded and was gone - until one awful day about 15 years ago. It had been the worst day of memory. My youngest was five and was receiving chemo and radiation for a tumor we had found in the winter. She required many blood products and developed an allergy. She received platelets one morning and then - she quit breathing. her color changed and I watched people rush in to breath for her and give her drugs to save her life. By nightfall, she was better. We were alone in an isolation room and there was no sound except her tiny breath which I watched and angonized that they would stop. She gave a tiny snore and I heard a train far away. The moon was full and I could hear Mikey Castle screaming at his mom. The rocking chair in the room was illuminated by the light of the full moon and I knew - once again - that God was with me and would be forever. I relaxed and slept for the first time in days. I think that all of it came from a family that took the idea and presence of God seriously. It started me on a quest - from Southern Baptist to Catholic, from weird little adolescent nerd to degrees in theology. I teach others now and tell stories to do it. The third year of life seems an important time in the religious imagination that belongs to us all. Do any of you have memories of that time that connect you to God today?

]]> by: cazodrac http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-289 Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:43:09 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-289 I grew up as a Catholic in the 1960's. Catholic school K-12. Following the church's teachings was done by fear, intimidation and guilt. Although I didn't practice the faith much after high school, I was "officially" excommunicated in 1983 when I remarried after being divorced. I don't know what I believe now. I find validity in all world religions as long as the interpretation of the faith does not lead to violence, hate or prejudice. THE FAITH CLUB shows how people (3 in this case, but it could work for more) can learn to get along, resolve conflict while, at the same time keeping their indivual beliefs and values. I grew up as a Catholic in the 1960’s. Catholic school K-12. Following the church’s teachings was done by fear, intimidation and guilt. Although I didn’t practice the faith much after high school, I was “officially” excommunicated in 1983 when I remarried after being divorced.

I don’t know what I believe now. I find validity in all world religions as long as the interpretation of the faith does not lead to violence, hate or prejudice.

THE FAITH CLUB shows how people (3 in this case, but it could work for more) can learn to get along, resolve conflict while, at the same time keeping their indivual beliefs and values.

]]> by: Notasheep http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-278 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:40:05 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-278 When I was very young my family went to a Lutheran church. I attended Sunday School and learned about Jesus, the ten commandments, Heaven and Hell (Heaven was up in the sky and Hell was in the center of the earth). I was told to believe in God, the Father almighty and his only son, Jesus and to obey the ten commandments and I would go to Heaven and live with God and his son when I died. My mother died when I was seven years old. My dad stopped going to church and I thought that God was awfully mean to take my mother up to Heaven when I needed her on earth. My father would take my older brother and me to church and drop us off there. He would go and join his friends for beer. My brother told me that I was created in the image of Eve, the first sinner and that Mary was just a woman although her son was God. I saved my Sunday School lessons in a black binder and would often look at the beautiful pictures of angels, stairways to Heaven, creation, the nativity. I thought there must be more to this than he was telling me, but it often sounded like he must be right because so many people seemed to believe the stories that he told me. Although I had thought that God was a presence that I had discovered in the backyard and noticed how everything seemed to have a light. This presence seemed to fade as I learned that God was a punishing God and that I must have broken his commandments. I managed to remember my Bible verses and memorized prayers and was confirmed and became a member of the church when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I left the Lutheran church and began to search for God elsewhere. My father said that was okey as God didn't care where you went to church as long as you showed up. That is how my journey back to the light began. I am a grown up now and I am not a child or a sheep. I have my own beliefs about God and they are the ones that I discovered in my own backyard when I was five years old. That light that I rediscovered 29 years ago is in everyone and everything. It has always been and it will always be. God to me is Light, Life and Love, and I won't let anyone take that knowledge away again. When I was very young my family went to a Lutheran church. I attended Sunday School and learned about Jesus, the ten commandments, Heaven and Hell (Heaven was up in the sky and Hell was in the
center of the earth). I was told to believe in God, the Father almighty and his only son, Jesus and to
obey the ten commandments and I would go to Heaven and live with God and his son when I died. My
mother died when I was seven years old. My dad stopped going to church and I thought that God was
awfully mean to take my mother up to Heaven when I needed her on earth. My father would take my older brother and me to church and drop us off there. He would go and join his friends for beer. My brother told me that I was created in the image of Eve, the first sinner and that Mary was just a woman although her son was God. I saved my Sunday School lessons in a black binder and would often look at
the beautiful pictures of angels, stairways to Heaven, creation, the nativity. I thought there must be more to this than he was telling me, but it often sounded like he must be right because so many people seemed to believe the stories that he told me. Although I had thought that God was a presence that I had discovered in the backyard and noticed how everything seemed to have a light. This presence seemed to fade as I learned that God was a punishing God and that I must have broken his commandments. I managed to remember my Bible verses and memorized prayers and was confirmed and became a member of the church when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I left the Lutheran church and began to search
for God elsewhere. My father said that was okey as God didn’t care where you went to church as long
as you showed up. That is how my journey back to the light began.

I am a grown up now and I am not a child or a sheep. I have my own beliefs about God and they are
the ones that I discovered in my own backyard when I was five years old. That light that I rediscovered 29 years ago is in everyone and everything. It has always been and it will always be. God to me is Light, Life and Love, and I won’t let anyone take that knowledge away again.

]]> by: Liahona http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-269 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 17:30:03 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-269 When I was growing up my family didn't go to church. My parents believed in God and in Jesus Christ, but their parents had been forced to attend church and subsequently my parents never forced any of us to go. I, however, always wanted to go to church and felt a seemingly in-born desire to know more about God and faith. My father would drop me off at whatever church I wanted to attend. When I was about 4 or 5 years old they let me attend The Church of Christ Scientists because my Mom had a friend who went there. I vividly remember memorizing the books of the Bible, both old and new testament so I could win a set us scriptures for myself--people were amazed that this little girl could memorize them so well. Over the years I frequented many denominations including Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, and Evangelical Free churches. I was actually baptized in high school into the local Baptist church. I never questioned if there was a God, nor if Jesus Christ was his divine son and redeemer. During my teenage years I can remember laying awake at night and thinking about the "unanswerable" questions, like, where did God come from? I studied the Bible and attended prayer meetings and church camps, etc. My family was always very supportive. During my college years I really struggled with the concept that if you are a good person who lives a good life and simply doesn't hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and "accepts him as your personal savior", then you will go to Hell. I also didn't understand the idea that God was God the Father, and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost all at once. The trinity was confusing to me. I also struggled with living the precepts which I believed to be true. I was a "good" person and never robbed or stole or murdered, etc., however-- drinking socially and have sex outside of marriage and smoking were temptations I never seemed to be able to stay completely away from. I felt terrible because I was believing one thing in my heart and living at variance with those beliefs. I stopped attending church for a couple of years. ( The following is simply my experience & is not meant to be prosyletizing) When I was 21 I moved from the Los Angeles area, where I had been born and raised, and moved to southern Utah because of my job. I was warned by friends and family to "watch out" for those Mormons. To make a long story short, I ended up converting to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Their doctrines satisfied all my questions and confusions about the trinity, about the eternal destination of those good people who had not "walked the isle", and more. I was finally given the power to line up my ideals and beliefs with my actions in my daily life. I came to understand that I was literally a daughter of God, and that He loves me more than I can ever comprehend. I understood why I needed Jesus Christ to act as a mediator and redeemer for me so that if I remained faithful to Him and tried to follow His example throughout my life and serve others, then after all that I can do, His saving powers will atone for my sins and I can return to live with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Chost. I now understand that all those who did not have the opportunity to learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ while living on this earth will have that opportunity when they leave this earth. There are many kingdoms in Heaven and it is not simply a matter of Heaven versus Hell. Many people strive to follow the particular God they have been raised with in many religions and that does not mean they go to Hell for following a different religion than mine. One of the ideas that I have learned as an adult that helps me immensely in my day-to-day living is that all the bad stuff that happens in this world is not God's fault and is not an indicator of either God being "dead" or not caring about us. I have come to understand that the most important thing God gave us when we were born on earth is the concept of free agency. I am free to choose good or evil, right or wrong. Of course that does not mean I am free to choose the consequences of those decisions--they will come naturally into my life. It is so important for us to grow by trial and error and the making of our own choices, that someone around me may make a bad choice that has negative effects on my life. Someone may choose to drink and drive and a loved one of mine may end up being killed by that drunk driver. God does not "take my child away" in that situation. Life happens and what keeps me going is that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my loving Heavenly Father will be there by my side to help me find peace and meaning in the midst of tragedy and trial. If I study, pray, and listen then my eyes and heart will be opened up and I will be able to perceive the good that can come out of a bad situation. We were sent to earth to have experiences and make choices and grow from those choices. If we learn from our mistakes then the pain is worthwhile. We cannot know joy if we have not experienced sorrow. I am glad my parents allowed me to find my own way spiritually when I was a child and supported me, regardless of what church I attended or didn't attend. Their supportive love for me helped me be able to envision and understand God's love for me. If I had earthly parents that loved me then it only made sense that my Heavenly Father could love me far more than they could. When I was growing up my family didn’t go to church. My parents believed in God and in Jesus Christ, but their parents had been forced to attend church and subsequently my parents never forced any of us to go. I, however, always wanted to go to church and felt a seemingly in-born desire to know more about God and faith. My father would drop me off at whatever church I wanted to attend. When I was about 4 or 5 years old they let me attend The Church of Christ Scientists because my Mom had a friend who went there. I vividly remember memorizing the books of the Bible, both old and new testament so I could win a set us scriptures for myself–people were amazed that this little girl could memorize them so well. Over the years I frequented many denominations including Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, and Evangelical Free churches. I was actually baptized in high school into the local Baptist church. I never questioned if there was a God, nor if Jesus Christ was his divine son and redeemer. During my teenage years I can remember laying awake at night and thinking about the “unanswerable” questions, like, where did God come from? I studied the Bible and attended prayer meetings and church camps, etc. My family was always very supportive. During my college years I really struggled with the concept that if you are a good person who lives a good life and simply doesn’t hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and “accepts him as your personal savior”, then you will go to Hell. I also didn’t understand the idea that God was God the Father, and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost all at once. The trinity was confusing to me. I also struggled with living the precepts which I believed to be true. I was a “good” person and never robbed or stole or murdered, etc., however– drinking socially and have sex outside of marriage and smoking were temptations I never seemed to be able to stay completely away from. I felt terrible because I was believing one thing in my heart and living at variance with those beliefs. I stopped attending church for a couple of years.
( The following is simply my experience & is not meant to be prosyletizing) When I was 21 I moved from the Los Angeles area, where I had been born and raised, and moved to southern Utah because of my job. I was warned by friends and family to “watch out” for those Mormons. To make a long story short, I ended up converting to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Their doctrines satisfied all my questions and confusions about the trinity, about the eternal destination of those good people who had not “walked the isle”, and more. I was finally given the power to line up my ideals and beliefs with my actions in my daily life. I came to understand that I was literally a daughter of God, and that He loves me more than I can ever comprehend. I understood why I needed Jesus Christ to act as a mediator and redeemer for me so that if I remained faithful to Him and tried to follow His example throughout my life and serve others, then after all that I can do, His saving powers will atone for my sins and I can return to live with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Chost. I now understand that all those who did not have the opportunity to learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ while living on this earth will have that opportunity when they leave this earth. There are many kingdoms in Heaven and it is not simply a matter of Heaven versus Hell. Many people strive to follow the particular God they have been raised with in many religions and that does not mean they go to Hell for following a different religion than mine.
One of the ideas that I have learned as an adult that helps me immensely in my day-to-day living is that all the bad stuff that happens in this world is not God’s fault and is not an indicator of either God being “dead” or not caring about us. I have come to understand that the most important thing God gave us when we were born on earth is the concept of free agency. I am free to choose good or evil, right or wrong. Of course that does not mean I am free to choose the consequences of those decisions–they will come naturally into my life. It is so important for us to grow by trial and error and the making of our own choices, that someone around me may make a bad choice that has negative effects on my life. Someone may choose to drink and drive and a loved one of mine may end up being killed by that drunk driver. God does not “take my child away” in that situation. Life happens and what keeps me going is that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my loving Heavenly Father will be there by my side to help me find peace and meaning in the midst of tragedy and trial. If I study, pray, and listen then my eyes and heart will be opened up and I will be able to perceive the good that can come out of a bad situation. We were sent to earth to have experiences and make choices and grow from those choices. If we learn from our mistakes then the pain is worthwhile. We cannot know joy if we have not experienced sorrow.
I am glad my parents allowed me to find my own way spiritually when I was a child and supported me, regardless of what church I attended or didn’t attend. Their supportive love for me helped me be able to envision and understand God’s love for me. If I had earthly parents that loved me then it only made sense that my Heavenly Father could love me far more than they could.

]]> by: RVNFTHR8 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-264 Sat, 28 Oct 2006 19:31:52 +0000 http://www.thefaithclub.com/blog/2006/10/26/when-you-were-a-child-what-did-you-learn-about-religion/#comment-264 As a kid, we went to church till I was about 3ish. I think my mom just did it cuz it was what she was used to in her life growing up catholic. even though her and her 8 brothers and sisters were severly abused, physically, emotionally, and sexually by their father, they were 'devout' catholics. After about age 3, we stopped going to church, my parents divorced when i was 5 and mom never mentions church or god or spirituality again. I do remember one time when i was 7 and lived with my dad, some jahovas witnesses came to the door. my dad was quite rude to them and closed the door in their face. He said something about not liking others shoveing god down his throat. I remember asking him where god was, who god was. but at the same time i was thinking to myself that god is in all of us, god is love. no one taught me that, i just felt it, knew it. i have never had any kind of religious or spiritual teaching growing up. when i was about 11 and discoverd masterbation, i 'knew' that was wrong, just by hearing so in the past. so i prayed to god then to help me stop. of course it didnt happen. so i figured there must not be a god. i gradually became quite an athiest. believing that with all the hate and badness in the world, there must not be god. especially after experiencing my own abuse as a child, physical, emotional and sexual. in my late 20's i prayed again for the first time. it took me awhile to 'take the chance', not wanting to be let down again. i understood then what people ment when they said 'the spirit entered them'. i felt something, the more i prayed and talked to god, the fuller my heart felt, the safer i felt. since then, i have slowly built my own relationship with god. we're close. and my life is full of god. i have also realized that god is a word that is used as a pronoun and also an adjective. the word god encompasses all that we do not understand, all that ever was and all that ever will be. therefore, to me god is the collective energies of the universe. god is goodness and love. god can not be anthropamorphizied. definatley should not be. god is not a he or a she. i teach my kids this and spred the love to who ever wants to hear my opinions. i pray often and i know my prayers are answered. I believe much like the lady from florida was taught. What I experienced as a child hindered my growth at first, but now my faith is only stronger. to me, to have 'faith' means having faith in yourself. thats faith in god. when you have the faith in yourself as a loving caring giving nurturing person, you are doing gods work. What my experiences as a child did teach me is that religions are comparable to cults even ocults in so much as its a way to control the masses. someone, or a group are in charge, while several follow, usually w/o question. I believe we should all question. and not settle untill we find the answers. god is love, god is good As a kid, we went to church till I was about 3ish. I think my mom just did it cuz it was what she was used to in her life growing up catholic. even though her and her 8 brothers and sisters were severly abused, physically, emotionally, and sexually by their father, they were ‘devout’ catholics.

After about age 3, we stopped going to church, my parents divorced when i was 5 and mom never mentions church or god or spirituality again. I do remember one time when i was 7 and lived with my dad, some jahovas witnesses came to the door. my dad was quite rude to them and closed the door in their face. He said something about not liking others shoveing god down his throat. I remember asking him where god was, who god was. but at the same time i was thinking to myself that god is in all of us, god is love. no one taught me that, i just felt it, knew it. i have never had any kind of religious or spiritual teaching growing up.

when i was about 11 and discoverd masterbation, i ‘knew’ that was wrong, just by hearing so in the past. so i prayed to god then to help me stop. of course it didnt happen. so i figured there must not be a god. i gradually became quite an athiest. believing that with all the hate and badness in the world, there must not be god. especially after experiencing my own abuse as a child, physical, emotional and sexual.

in my late 20’s i prayed again for the first time. it took me awhile to ‘take the chance’, not wanting to be let down again. i understood then what people ment when they said ‘the spirit entered them’. i felt something, the more i prayed and talked to god, the fuller my heart felt, the safer i felt.

since then, i have slowly built my own relationship with god. we’re close. and my life is full of god. i have also realized that god is a word that is used as a pronoun and also an adjective. the word god encompasses all that we do not understand, all that ever was and all that ever will be. therefore, to me god is the collective energies of the universe. god is goodness and love. god can not be anthropamorphizied. definatley should not be. god is not a he or a she. i teach my kids this and spred the love to who ever wants to hear my opinions. i pray often and i know my prayers are answered.

I believe much like the lady from florida was taught.

What I experienced as a child hindered my growth at first, but now my faith is only stronger. to me, to have ‘faith’ means having faith in yourself. thats faith in god. when you have the faith in yourself as a loving caring giving nurturing person, you are doing gods work.

What my experiences as a child did teach me is that religions are comparable to cults even ocults in so much as its a way to control the masses. someone, or a group are in charge, while several follow, usually w/o question.

I believe we should all question. and not settle untill we find the answers.

god is love, god is good

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