What are some things you wish people would understand about your beliefs?
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
October 17, 2008 11:10am CST
We don't say, "Good-bye." Because all spirits see each other again, one way or another. We say, "Later, Take care, See you or See ya, etc." Some people get upset if I don't say, Good-bye, "She didn't even say, Good-bye!" So now, sometimes, I do say Good bye, but I don't like it.
I feel at home praying in a woods or field, but not in a church. I feel like people are busy watching me or that my random movements and sounds that come out of me disturb them (I have Tourettes). In most books, religious people prayed other places like mountains, seas, or even the desert. In my religion, most people pray wherever, whenever.
My religion is the same every day of the week. I may do one or a few more special things one day of the week or once a month, but I don't forget my religion for 6 days and then go all out one day a week. I'm still me 7 days of the week and so are the creative powers I believe in.
Each person in my religion is called to do something. What I am called to do is not the same as what someone else is called to do.
What do you wish other people understood about your religion or your religious beliefs?
3 people like this
5 responses
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
17 Oct 08
Right now I cannot think of anything since my mind is blocked. However, I would demand other people to respect my reliigous beliefs. I respect others and I do not make fun of anybody beliefs though strange they might sound to be. © ronaldinu 2008
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I respect others beliefs and once they understand mine, others usually respect mine, but not always. Some people think their way or no other, I like all beliefs, as long as people don't follow a path or terror or torture, all peaceable beliefs have merit. Take care.
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Sep 09
That they are not ugly and dark. That they have just as many wholesome and positive aspects as the christian beleifs do. I am same believer seven days a week as well. We are sensitive to those around us. Or most are anyway and we can't let them orchestrate how we act or what we do. Life is too short and belief too deep.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Very true, life is too short and beliefs are too deep. Are you of the Wiccan beliefs?
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Ok. I have heard what you have written by many believers in Wiccan, that is why I asked. But I guess many people think that the beliefs of others should be like their own and also that other religions or beliefs lead to people not being good or whatever. Sad, but true. I welcome all beliefs of people with peaceful hearts. So you are welcome here, Celtic Eagle.
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Sep 09
So true. I respect the Earth and I am an agnostic. I have a lot of beliefs that are not main stream.
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I have been very fortunate in that no one as yet has said anything derrogatory when I tell them I don't follow a religion or a God that has any religious connotation.
I have gotten a few strange looks and have been asked to explain what a Pantheist is however since the term is not widely used. Even after some lengthy explanations it's difficult for some to grasp the concept and understandably so, since most Pantheists use that term in a general sense and not as a definition of their beliefs. Pantheism does not required us to follow specific rules since there are no doctrines, no sacred texts, no hierarchy, no churches and no dogma. It is very much a personal path.
I have been called an atheist and by dictionary definition I suppose I am though that is not how I define myself. Some have called me a Pagan and again, by dictionary definition I qualify but again that is not how I define myself. I tend to dismiss any pigeon-hole definition of myself and my beliefs. I am a unique individual and my beliefs, self-definition and feelings are my own.
So my personal mantra in a general sense is:
*I define my beliefs as: a philosophy rather than a religion.
*I define my philosophy as: reasoned reverence for all that exists in the Universe
*I define my reasoned reverence as: my personal action, my personal code of ethics and my personal code of conduct
*I define my personal actions as: to protect, enhance and advance all life on earth and to gain and disseminate knowlegde of the Universe and all it contains.
My philosophy is a way of life, I live it every day in everything I do. It's who I am so a once a week or once a month meeting to reinforce a system of belief is not necessary. My personal "rituals" are for me not any other person or deity. This is a difficult concept for many people to comprehend. Good thing is, they don't have to! It doesn't change a thing for me whether anyone understands or not.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Oct 08
Techinically no one has to understand my beliefs or believe anything I do either. But when you're in sales or conduct business, people expect you to act like all Americans and say, "Good-bye." Why some people can't accept take care or see you later as a parting greeting is weird.
Sounds like you're very happy in your philosophy and that you live it every day. That's very cool, take care.
1 person likes this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
24 Oct 08
I guess the most important thing I would like others to understand about my beliefs is that they are just as wrong, as right, and as ridiculous as their own. Perhaps when everyone can see that no belief is totally right or totally wrong, we will have less conflict over meaningless differences.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
24 Oct 08
I wish I hadn't given best response away already, yours is beautiful.
Sounds like you would like Hyoka. Hyoka is where you show people their beliefs have flaws, as well as your own, in a funny way. It is also called Cayote, to some-the trickster, where a person gets people to think in ways that are not their usual ways of thinking. The Hyokas (Cyotes) in my religion do what you wrote and usually are very funny. Yes, indeed, my beliefs aren't perfict, as such, they are always evolving and changing. One made me laugh so hard, I had to admit, one of my beliefs couldn't stand up to much logic for real life.
Yes, I think people get into fights over taking religion too seriously. Their way or the highway. If they could see the beauty in differences, then maybe less fighting. Wonderful response, simple, straight forward, and to the point, unlike my response. Take care
1 person likes this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
24 Oct 08
Oh! I didn't know you're Lakota. I've been very interested in Native American culture and religion but don't have a good source for information.
There's a western pagan believe called Discordianism which is similar to the Heyoka. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discordianism
Thank you for your wonderful reply :)
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
24 Oct 08
No, I'm not Lakota, but I am impressed with your knowledge and correct spelling of what I wrote. I believe in Shamanism in general, worldwide Shamanism is what I'm interested in, but my studies are based on a variety of Native American religions. I don't think I'm Native American, but my ancestors came from Canada and many Native Americans living in an area considered under Canadian rule were kidnapped and "adopted" into white families, so anything is posible. But my skin is pretty white. My family has all kinds of skin, hair and eye colors so we look like European mutts with some possible Native American, Black, and Asian features (can't imagine why I'm into multiculturalism, can you?).
Discord, huh? So a religion that creates discord, how fascinating (just teasing). I will have to check it out. If a religion is truly great, it intersects with the beliefs of other religions. There was a book, by I think Sufies (my spelling of various religions is terrible) that discussed the commonalities of various religions and was quite fascinating. So I'll check out the definition. Sounds like you're aware of or have studied different religions, too. Very cool, take care.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
18 Oct 08
That it is not religion I bleive in or follow or involved in, but a relationship with my Father, the Creator and that in order to bring others to Him, we need to have a relationship with people and not some program or doctrine..
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
18 Oct 08
You do know the root word for religion is bondage don't you? That is why I have nothing to do with religion..
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Oct 08
We are all bound by something, family, friends, beliefs, etc. It is what we choose to be bound by that gives us the illusion of being free from being bound. Most of us are bound by bills and money. Thinking that one isn't bound by anything is an illusion.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Oct 08
Interesting. I think of religion as a way to live my life to give Glory to the Creator. If people are called to my religion, I will help them. I do not try to bring others into my religion. If they aren't called to be there, then that would be inflicting my religion on them. Take care.
1 person likes this
