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Originally posted by REIKI
I think that some level of structure is important in any belief system simply because if you don't have some discipline and focus then it will be hard to make any substantial level of spiritual/psychological growth and maturity. I think that any parameters should be simply utilized for the purpose of pacing yourself, and not to prevent yourself or others from growing at their own pace.
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I agree!
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Dogma is a control mechanism, in my opinion, especially when the church holds it as the absolute truth and regards all other faiths as invalid or untrue. I think that this is what causes the guilt and shame. In my opinion, a legitimate faith is one that recognizes the legitimacy of other faiths. If a faith claims to be the absolute truth of all truths, I would run the other way Not even Jesus claimed to be the absolute truth. . . . He said I am the way, the truth and the light. In my opinion, that meant that whatever truth there is to life that can be found, can be found inside of me. Fear is not liberating, and I refuse to believe that the purpose of religion is to live your entire life in fear and psychological bondage to men. So to answer your question, can structure, parameters and dogma be good. . . yes, when not misused.
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This is where I disagree. I think a lot of people have used religion to bring about shame, but there really shouldn't be. To me, the parameters in my belief system are there for MY benefit. Not to control me, make me feel guilty, shame, etc. but to bring me joy about what God has done for me.
My personal story is not a conversion from one religion to another, but from attending church to having a true conversion.
I was "raised" Christian. My mother grew up Baptist and so did my father, but he was really turned off by what he saw as the hypocrites in the Baptist Church. After they got married my mother wanted them to attend church together, so they found this little Episcopalian church near our house. My father was confirmed as an Episcopalian and when I was about 13 so was I. I just remember doing it because I was "supposed to" and all of the other kids in my age group at the church did at the same time. I found the confirmation classes EXTREMELY boring and would fight to stay awake. I was happy when I was finally confirmed because that meant I could take communion (and you know they were serving REAL wine!). I wasn't excited about communion per say, just the fact that I got to 'legally' drink wine. I found church as a whole pretty boring actually. When we went to visit my grandmothers Baptist church I liked the music, but thought they were too loud. The shouting ladies scared me too.
My family continued to attend this church, although my father less than any of us. We were pretty active in the church. My sister played flute for the church band and in her sophomore year of college got pregnant out of wedlock. The priest (who was always at our house visiting for some reason or another and frequently around the dinner hour) came by and told my sister and parents that she could no longer be in the band because she was not married. At the time we all talked about how judgemental they were, couldn't believe it, etc. and pretty much stopped going to church as a family. That was my senior year in HS.
I went away to college and hardly ever went to church, although I would have probably called myself a Christian. I dabbled in Islam a bit, mainly because of their pro black stance and my respect for Louis Farrahcan (sp??). I believed there was no true path to God and everyone had to do it there way. I moved out of state after college and in a search for community (my new state was predom. White) I started to attend church again, but never found any connection. Where I found the greatest connection was this Pan African discussion group that met on Saturdays. While I don't think anyone would have called it a religion (I don't recall anyone doing it) we spent a lot of time talking about the ancestors and pulling strength from our ancestors in our prayers. There were a people from different religions or probably no region that attended and it wasn't really an issue. I was extremely un happy in my new location and decided to bight the bullet and move back home. After a while my grandmother got extremely ill and I moved to her home town to live with her and my uncle who had downs syndrome. Both were deeply religious (Baptist) and I frenquely took them to church. I was really about my 'obligation' more than anything else, cause I saw a lot of people playing church. After my grandmother's death I because the primary care giver for my uncle for a while and since he wanted to be in church every time the doors opened so was I. I think for the first time I really started listening to and absorbing the messages. They seemed to apply to me and my situation and gave me strength and confidence through a very tough time. During one service I felt (I now know it is the Holy Spirit) something say it was time for me to stop playing church and really give my heart to Christ. I did and although I have fallen more than a few times since then and haven't nearly done things the way I am supposed to I haven't looked back. I love the personal relationship I have with Jesus and am in a church, while not perfect, is really focused on teaching the word and growing people in Christ. I've learned most of all that my eyes should not be on what other people are are aren't doing but on Jesus and Jesus along and what is said in the Word.
You know, several people have commented on their family's attitude when they converted. Mine is not as dramatic, because most of my family claims Christainity, but what is interesting to me is those people who have an attitude with you because you are now trying to be serious with your walk. I have some who are Sunday morning Christians only and are truly like
when they realize you don't do some of the things you used to do.