Interesting observations on religion

[Aerows]

Here is something that I experienced, personally.

I was putting gas in my car, and this big bus drove up and parked away from the gas station. About 30 women with hair that looked like it needed to be treated by something other than Suave in ankle length skirts got out.

The man, in a short sleeved shirt with a grey bow tie went into the gas station. I'm still pumping gas. The women, all stood there. A few had hats, but all looked about as grim as a human being can be without being a cadaver. One of them made a semblance of a smile at the flowers growing on the roadside and I swear, was visibly hushed for a positive emotion.

I put the gas nozzle back in its compartment, paid for the gas and started the car. I looked at those women, one more time, and while I'm not religious, I prayed that they would find a better life than what they were having. It was sad.

I thought I should mention that this happened in 2012. Just so you have a reference point.

* * *

Mind you, I am searching my soul, and I think the Episcopal faith might be my answer, but I have been ridiculously damaged by Southern Baptist and Evangelical religion to the point where I might not even be salvageable. Catholicism is liberal compared to what has been drilled into me, and I won't even go into how being gay has been instrumental in driving me from ANY church.

How do you go back to religion when it seems faith has turned on you?

[LostOne4Ever]

1. Do you really want to go back?

Sounds like your experiences have really soured you on religion. There is nothing wrong with that.

I think the important thing to do is to ask yourself what it is you believe and follow your conscience from there. Maybe Episcopalianism is for you. Or maybe the right path for you is to decide on your own unique beliefs and to follow them and not worry about labeling yourself as a follower of any particular organized religion. Or maybe, religion is just not for you.

In the end, only you can decide that. No one, other than yourself, truly knows where you are going or where you have been; and you can only rely on yourself for any real direction.

[BabbaTam]

2. Hope

In my opinion, hope brings interest and then action into pondering the great mystery of God. I once tried an experiment where I lived for a few weeks in constant prayer as I moved throughout the day, just to see what would happen. I was astounded at the results, I kid you not, I saw miracles! This lead to a faith that was more than the 'blind' kind. The message of Jesus that ended all the debate of what was correct and not correct (as I'm sure you've heard before) is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The magic of this message isn't in the messenger, but the message itself. You can observe the effect it has immediately when you practice it. This message pretty much exists in every religion. Live your religion, practice it, make it second nature. As some old hippie said, "And, in the end, The love you take is equal to the love you make."