My dad was brought up Catholic. My mom Protestant. They decided to raise us in the Protestant church. There was no getting out of going to church every Sunday. Except, that is, on the occasional Sunday that my dad would wake me up early to work with him on the apple orchard. Thinking I was getting out of church was usually short lived as my dad always found a way of still getting a lesson in there somewhere for the day.
When I was fourteen, everyone was given a permission slip for our parents to sign so that we could join the church. I thought my dad would be really happy that this was something I wanted to do. So, that evening after dinner, I gave him the paper to sign. He looked at it, put it back on the table and said that he would not sign it. I was quite confused to say the least.
He explained it like this. It was he and my mom's intention that I get a good base, a good foundation. Now that he felt that I had it, it was my turn to go and decide what was truly right for me. If for the next few years I wanted him to take me to the catholic church, he would. A synagogue, baptist, advent, temple....he would. It was truly up to me, but I had to study something. If there was no place near for me to go, then I was to get a book. We would then talk about it later.
To this day I treasure this gift. This freedom to truly believe what resonated within. This is what I have come to believe.
All religions are but a mere different interpretation of the same thing. And so I am free to pick and choose the pieces to fit my belief system. I do not feel the pressure of conforming to believe something that just doesn't "fit" with me.
What about God? Do I believe that there is an almighty being, and almighty power? Absolutely. Do I necessarily believe that his name is God, or Alla, or Om, Mohammad, Buddha.....? No. So when I use the name God, it comes from my foundation, but the context of it is very different for me. Although some of my beliefs are very Christian, some are American Indian, Tibetan, or very Eastern in philosophy.
An example. You have a doctor. Within his office walls, he is the almighty being, the almighty power. It doesn't matter who enters his office, he is still the almighty power. Now of the people that come into his office, some may call him Doctor. Some may call him by his first name. And still some may call him Dad. Each of these people have a different interpretation of who the man is. One is not more right or wrong than the other, just different. It also matters not what you call him. If the intention is for him, he'll answer.
This, I guess is how I view God and religion. I have my own set of beliefs. I feel that it is important to take the responsibility to occasionally review your belief system. Let the truths that no longer serve you fall away and find a new truth to take it's place. This, is where I find myself floundering. I have come to believe that just because we become older and wiser, it doesn't necessarily mean that the lessons get easier.
Thank you, Dad, for the true freedom of your gift.
When I was fourteen, everyone was given a permission slip for our parents to sign so that we could join the church. I thought my dad would be really happy that this was something I wanted to do. So, that evening after dinner, I gave him the paper to sign. He looked at it, put it back on the table and said that he would not sign it. I was quite confused to say the least.
He explained it like this. It was he and my mom's intention that I get a good base, a good foundation. Now that he felt that I had it, it was my turn to go and decide what was truly right for me. If for the next few years I wanted him to take me to the catholic church, he would. A synagogue, baptist, advent, temple....he would. It was truly up to me, but I had to study something. If there was no place near for me to go, then I was to get a book. We would then talk about it later.
To this day I treasure this gift. This freedom to truly believe what resonated within. This is what I have come to believe.
All religions are but a mere different interpretation of the same thing. And so I am free to pick and choose the pieces to fit my belief system. I do not feel the pressure of conforming to believe something that just doesn't "fit" with me.
What about God? Do I believe that there is an almighty being, and almighty power? Absolutely. Do I necessarily believe that his name is God, or Alla, or Om, Mohammad, Buddha.....? No. So when I use the name God, it comes from my foundation, but the context of it is very different for me. Although some of my beliefs are very Christian, some are American Indian, Tibetan, or very Eastern in philosophy.
An example. You have a doctor. Within his office walls, he is the almighty being, the almighty power. It doesn't matter who enters his office, he is still the almighty power. Now of the people that come into his office, some may call him Doctor. Some may call him by his first name. And still some may call him Dad. Each of these people have a different interpretation of who the man is. One is not more right or wrong than the other, just different. It also matters not what you call him. If the intention is for him, he'll answer.
This, I guess is how I view God and religion. I have my own set of beliefs. I feel that it is important to take the responsibility to occasionally review your belief system. Let the truths that no longer serve you fall away and find a new truth to take it's place. This, is where I find myself floundering. I have come to believe that just because we become older and wiser, it doesn't necessarily mean that the lessons get easier.
Thank you, Dad, for the true freedom of your gift.
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