Confused about religion?

Diend

Diend

Well-known member
I've recently felt like i'm being brainwashed by my religion, i-guan-dao. I joined the cult at age 8 and everyone knows me there. during my depression period in high school, this 'church' helped through lonliness and anxiety by giving me a community to talk to and spend time with. Now I am 21 and I find it difficult to blindly follow the teachings. I am conflicted because even though the 'church' has helped me so much in the past, I think that a lot of its teachings are backward. What should I do?
 
Diend

Diend

Well-known member
Earthcircle said:
Before answering the question -- assuming that I can even do that -- could say more about this religion?
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The religion wants its members to be vegetarian. They believe in karma. They believe in reincarnation. They worship idols in hopes of honoring their teachings. They believe in spirit possession. People are born with the gift of being spirit mediums. Spirits enter their bodies at will.
 
PugofCrydee

PugofCrydee

You want to know how I got these scars?
yea.. personally I see the whole religion thing as a bit of an oxymoron.

You have people teaching you about 'god/gods' supposed will.
All you have to do is have 'faith' in what these people ask you to blindly follow.

And therein lies the problem. You spend your days following the teachings of men, not a god/gods.

Personally I'm not religious. And I actually dont have an issue with religion itself.

It's the way people practice it that I have a problem with.
 
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vj288

vj288

not actually Fiona Apple
If you still enjoy the community and the feel of the church, here is what I would. do. Use the scripture, or whatever the name of the holy text, as a guideline as opposed to the definite answer of the universe. Don't follow blindly - pick the parts you do like, and amend the parts you don't. Unless it strays too far from more accepted idea of the religion, it should be ok I think. I don't think you should feel obligated to stick with it because they supported you, but the supportive nature of the community I'd consider as a factor in your decision. Maybe talk to one of the religious leaders about your doubts, and what their thoughts are? Having doubts is very common in religions, I'm sure they'll have something to say. Hope it all works out for you
 
L

Lavinialuna

Well-known member
Follow your heart, follow your gut.
From my experience spirituality is a journey that evolves over time. You can thank the people who lead you in your youth and show them respect and honor while still continuing on your own path to wherever you are lead. I think peace is the ultimate goal, I hope you find it.
 
E

Earthcircle

Well-known member
Diend said:
The religion wants its members to be vegetarian. They believe in karma. They believe in reincarnation. They worship idols in hopes of honoring their teachings. They believe in spirit possession. People are born with the gift of being spirit mediums. Spirits enter their bodies at will.
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I guess I was just wondering if it has something to say about suffering and if what it says makes sense to you. I suppose that if you have doubts about the religion and feel that something isn't right, you should reconsider it.
 
Diend

Diend

Well-known member
I fear the idea of becoming a religious zombie more than their teachings. I don't want to unknowingly start pushing my ideas onto others once I've completely adopted the teachings. I argue that vegetarianism isn't for everyone.
 
E

Earthcircle

Well-known member
Diend said:
I fear the idea of becoming a religious zombie more than their teachings. I don't want to unknowingly start pushing my ideas onto others once I've completely adopted the teachings. I argue that vegetarianism isn't for everyone.
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I think an ideal religion would be one that does not proselytize. (But then it wouldn't be well known, would it?) I think that if you start to proselytize, you will become an obnoxious person. I would avoid that, if you want my opinion.
 
iAmCodeMonkey

iAmCodeMonkey

Member
If you are at all curious, here are my thoughts on religion:

Random thoughts about religion and life...

I personally consider myself Agnostic, almost borderline Atheist due to losing someone in my family to cancer recently. But that is another story. I feel like we as humans do not have the hard evidence to prove that "God" actually exists outside of our imaginations. On the other hand, we also do not have the hard evidence to prove that some higher-power does not exist at all.

Here is the most amazing video on how science has found out how the universe may have started: Professor Brian Cox Lecture on the universe - YouTube
 
MotherWolff

MotherWolff

Banned
Diend said:
The religion wants its members to be vegetarian. They believe in karma. They believe in reincarnation. They worship idols in hopes of honoring their teachings. They believe in spirit possession. People are born with the gift of being spirit mediums. Spirits enter their bodies at will.
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Well, me being a Christian, I believe you would be better off abandoning that and becoming Christian as well.

But you have the free will to do what you want.
 
surewhynot

surewhynot

Well-known member
Diend said:
The religion wants its members to be vegetarian. They believe in karma. They believe in reincarnation. They worship idols in hopes of honoring their teachings. They believe in spirit possession. People are born with the gift of being spirit mediums. Spirits enter their bodies at will.
Click to expand...

Well, see, I personally find those beliefs pretty great. Do I follow a religion? No. But I don't believe in eating meat, I somewhat believe in karma, reincarnation (e.g. when you die you get buried, trees grow from your remains and animals eat its fruits). Worshiping idols is more or less the same as admiring role models.

My point is, you don't have to feel forced to follow any religion, just believe in what you personally and sincerely believe. Spirituality is one of the most intimate aspects of life, it has to do with you and only you.

Also, it's normal to be confused. People spend their whole life wondering about the meaning of life and its intricacies. That's half the fun right there.
 
mismeek

mismeek

Well-known member
surewhynot said:
Well, see, I personally find those beliefs pretty great. Do I follow a religion? No. But I don't believe in eating meat, I somewhat believe in karma, reincarnation (e.g. when you die you get buried, trees grow from your remains and animals eat its fruits). Worshiping idols is more or less the same as admiring role models.

My point is, you don't have to feel forced to follow any religion, just believe in what you personally and sincerely believe. Spirituality is one of the most intimate aspects of life, it has to do with you and only you.

Also, it's normal to be confused. People spend their whole life wondering about the meaning of life and its intricacies. That's half the fun right there.
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I agree with Sure. You should just carve your own path and take what you want from your religion. My family is a mixture of two religions so use to be very torn between them. It would keep me up at night! finally i just decided to mix the two rather than trying to figure out which was "more important".
 
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