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Absence of God.

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Posted 11/8/2008 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
While I've been going through the posts on here - I've noticed that a vast majority of you usually mention something about God and it seems to keep you going. Are there any of you who don't have a belief in a god? I don't and I wonder if there is anybody else that doesn't have that belief to hold on to. A lot of people have that higher power to look up to and believe that He's watching over them and protecting them but that belief and faith has been long gone for me. How do those of you cope who don't have that belief? Is there something else that replaces it? Is there something else that you hold on to when the times get tough? Is there someone or something else you hold close to your heart when the pain seems unbearable?
Posted 11/8/2008 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I grew up believing in God.. but as I got older I drifted away from the thought.

Right now I use the faith I have in myself to get through each day. I work on the principal that every little thing I do to make my life better is a little thing less that I have to worry about... and that with the combination of accomplishing little feats I will hopefully one day be able to be healthy enough to live a semi-normal life.

That's what I have faith in.. and that's what I rely on. It's not a higher being... but a principal.

I hope that helped :)

I'm 20... 21 in March... and I'm trying to be optimistic as well :)

Posted 11/9/2008 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hey. Ms L ands welcome. I believe you posed an important question. I am working on my faith and relationship with God. I agree so much with Corrie's post- sometimes it is so easy to feel alone and totally not understood with this health issue that is insidiously invisible. There are times, like Corrie said, when the one thing we can hold onto is ourselves, its easy to feel hopeless. When I feel like this, I do two things- I post here, and I remind myself to trust myself. My instincts are always right and all I have to do is listen to them. Its not so much a matter of not being able to trust or hear God working in my life, its more that He helps me learn to trust myself. My faith is strong but not perfect, so I keep on keepin on.
Peace!
Posted 11/9/2008 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I just... deal.  It is what it is, you know?  I've never really had a faith in God, so I don't know what it's like to have that faith and then lose it and not know what to do with myself.  I'm going to have the pain and fatigue whether I pray or not, whether I believe in a higher being or not, whether I go to church or not.  I just try to ignore it as much as I can and try to have fun.  Some days I just want to lay on the couch all day, and that's fine.  Other days I can't wait to leave the house and go explore something new with the kids, and that's great and does seem to keep me from dwelling on the pain.  If religion helps someone through the hards times and gives them hope, I think that's great.  But you definitely don't need it! 
Posted 11/9/2008 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
i used to believe in god but as i got older and developed my own mind and thoughts i got away from it

I pull alot of principles from buddhism and other similiar religions to help me get through, and find that looking in myself for the strength to move forward everyday is so much better for me. i also rely on information and research..

I also have a few little sticky notes all over the place with positive affirmations like.. Today is going to be a good day!  I am strong!

I can deal with anything put to me! that i repeat if i am starting to feel hopeless or i come here and read how other people are dealing..

 

Post Edited (Carnissa) : 11/8/2008 6:13:08 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/10/2008 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
i do not have a belief in god in the christian sense, but I believe myself to be very spiritual. I have faith in mother nature, and thats what gets me through. I respect that everyone has a different god or gods that they look up to, or maybe none at all. I have studied many religions, and the things that make the most sense to me come from native american and hindu religions. I believe very much in Karma. I believe that some things in life are unexplainable, and thats what gets me through. bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people. and then again, who am i ( or we) to judge who is bad or good. I have faith that as long as I try to be a good person the best I know how, I will make it in life. I may have to struggle sometimes, but I know there will also always be good times.
Posted 11/11/2008 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have been an atheist pretty much my entire life, so I've never needed something spiritual to rely on. I'm like the others on here that posted they rely in themselves and their instincts. I also rely on those I am close to in my family. That has gotten me through some rough times, and it has been enough for me.
Posted 11/11/2008 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Without my belief in God, the world would be a bit more lonely and my trials would have far less meaning.

 

Posted 11/11/2008 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I believe in god and thats what gets me through the tough times.
Posted 11/11/2008 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Leeriesan,

 

First of all, I don't think we've "met," so hello, and welcome to the boards. :-)   As you have seen, some of us have a deep relationship with God, and others of us don't.  My personal opinion is that you need to find something that works for you.  Growing up in the south (in what I like to refer as the "buckle of the bible belt" LOL), religion was forced down my throat.  BTW-if religion is your thing, I think that is wonderful.  I just don't appreciate people who judge, point fingers, and condemn others because they may not be religious or believe in God.  In fact, it was the people that did this to me that pushed me farther away from religion.

 

I consider myself spiritual, but definitely not religious.  When someone asks me what religion I am, I tell them that I am agnostic.  Do I believe that there is something out there-like a higher power?  Yes, I do?  Do I call that higher power, God?  No, I don't.

 

The great thing about this country is that you have the right to believe (or not believe) whatever you want to.  There are many things that I think are positive things in my life-and none of them have to do with God or religion.  I just think that if you can find something positive to hold on to, whatever it is, it will help you through those hard times.

 

I also realize that some people here may not agree with me.  But, everyone has a right to their own opinion.  I wish you the best trying to find that "thing" that makes you happy and is a positive thing in your life. :-)

Posted 11/12/2008 12:06 PM (GMT 0)

I'm most thankful in my life for my strong belief in God and honestly don't know where I would be without it. I have had several things happen which made my faith strengthen, however I know that doesn't happen to everyone so I am fortunate and very blessed. But I learned through many trials that it was I who had to reach out in faith to God, and found to my delight that He always 'reaches' back in one way or another! Too often we think God is a Santa Claus or magic genie who gives us what we want if we just ask. Not true--He gives us what we NEED, though we may not know it at the time. It feels good to know He's always there and will give us what we need, when we need it; a Mind so much beyond ours we can't begin to comprehend.

Best wishes and prayers!

Posted 11/12/2008 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
My grandfather was a minister and I was smothered with organized religion since a child.  I can remember my father dragging me out of bed the Sunday after the Senior Prom and making me go to church...my hair was still full of glitter, and I was exhausted.  I went to church camps until I was 18 years old and to a Christian College.  As I grew older and finally could make my own decisions, I drifted away from the fundementals of all that organization and dogma and now try to respect the beliefs all  religions and truly feel there is one God or somekind of supreme being.  I once heard a physicist say that the chances of this planet existing in such perfect syncranicity and balance without the intervention of something else beyond science is more than the chance of throwing a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle into the air and having all the pieces land perfectly in place.  That you have a better chance of winning the lottery 10,000 times in a row.  So I guess I think there is 'something'.

Posted 11/12/2008 4:27 PM (GMT 0)

kmhayes said...
i do not have a belief in god in the christian sense, but I believe myself to be very spiritual. I have faith in mother nature, and thats what gets me through. I respect that everyone has a different god or gods that they look up to, or maybe none at all. I have studied many religions, and the things that make the most sense to me come from native american and hindu religions. I believe very much in Karma. I believe that some things in life are unexplainable, and thats what gets me through. bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people. and then again, who am i ( or we) to judge who is bad or good. I have faith that as long as I try to be a good person the best I know how, I will make it in life. I may have to struggle sometimes, but I know there will also always be good times.

kmhayes you just echoed my thoughts exactly!

If nothing else you can have faith in the fact that not everyday will be terrible..there is always something you can look forward to or enjoy in the moment.  Tomorrow may be a very good day!

Posted 11/12/2008 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
religion/god/ spirituality has a tendency to be a very touchy subject for some people. I am highly impressed that everyone who has commented on this subject has been very respectful.

on an other note, i just ordered a guided meditation cd, which is supposed to target stress and anxiety, I am very excited about this, and if anyone is curious, I'll let you know what I think



I hope everyone is doing well and has a good day. the sun is shining here, and that makes me smile ;)
Posted 11/13/2008 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I have the beilieve in a higher power but one that is made up of energy,  I beleive you can draw on that energy.  I wish I did beleive in god the way others do as it seems to help them but I picture myself up and about in my minds eye and I do pray to that energy.  Sounds strange I know   sue 2z :-) :-) :-)
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