Finding a philosophy that I could relate to...

[optimismrus]

Finding a philosophy that I could relate to changed my life. I was raised Methodist (in my opinion the least damaging religion). But from Jr. High on, I couldn't connect with traditional religion. In my mid thirties depression set in. Thoughts like "my family will be better off without me", scared me enough to begin working with a therapist. Long story short I was an eager patient. I did everything I could: journaling, reading, 12-Step grps, and it paid off. Eventually, I wanted to know more about my inner spirit (higher power). It lead me to a New Thought church called Religious Science (NOT SCIENTOLOGY). Sometimes Religious Science churches are called Centers For Spiritual Living. Later, I joined a group called, The Course in Miracles, and still later a group studying, The Way of Mastery. I'm sharing this because I know how important it was for me to find a Philosophy that I could follow, and almost as important, I found a community of like-minded people. Do I still suffer from depression? Yes, but I have enough skills now to keep from spiraling into chaos.

I apologize in advance to anyone who might be offended by my share because I discussed religion.

[Starrlight]

I’ll be teaching philosophy next school year to my kids and I’m excited to learn and hopefully connect deeper with God/Universe/nature. I think it’s great that you are finding ways to keep chaos of depression away from you. I can relate to your words in many ways. I’ve been healing myself a lot lately and allowing all the good in, whether it’s from a religion or spiritual philosophical teachings or my psyche team or people here and at home, …and leave the rest that isn’t for me. I hope you and I both experience a deepening understanding to help us have hope and love to make a better place and to be happy in life. Best to you.

💛⭐️

[Shnookie in reply to Starrlight]

With all due respect, it is good that this person found a belief system help her deal with depression. HU is not the proper forum for this. Religion is a personal issue. I practice my Judaism and it helps me with my mental illness. I would never tell someone else to study it to assist them with their mental health

[Starrlight in reply to Shnookie]

Yup!

[Shnookie]

This is not the proper forum to discuss one’s faiths and beliefs. And as a practicing Jew, to mention that Methodist is the least damaging religion is extremely offensive to me. There R people on HU from many religious beliefs, non-beliefs, Aetheists and agnostics - Sorry if I have forgot a belief group.

[Starrlight in reply to Shnookie]

So sorry Shnookie. I thought if I didn’t say a particular religion it would be ok, to talk about connecting with God or universe or nature for our souls to help with our illnesses. But I wasn’t thinking that a religion was mentioned above. So sorry hope you will be ok.

[Shnookie in reply to Starrlight]

U R so sweet and have a pure heart. I will be Ok. I’ve gone thru this my whole life in different ways. Having people say to me, YOU don’t celebrate Christmas? I’m comfortable in my own skin. Of course I have had Gentile friends over the years and been at their houses for Christmas meals and get togethers. But we didn’t discuss religion. No one tried to convert me.

[Starrlight in reply to Shnookie]

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Hug)))))))))))))))))))))))

[worthytobeloved in reply to Shnookie]

Hello, sweetheart. This is a tricky subject, isn't it, because some people feel like you (or hate talk of religion in general), and others like to share what helps them - and their faith can be a major part of that.I welcome what the previous poster said about the faith that helps him, even though I'm happy with my own faith. I think he posted that hoping that it could possibly help someone else. That's what we do on this site - we share what helps us, and people can accept or reject that as they choose.

I have mentioned my faith in posts, and others have also shared. We mean no harm, and we certainly don't want to 'convert' anyone.

Let's just rejoice that God made us all, whatever faith, race, gender etc - we are all children of the creator.

[Shnookie in reply to worthytobeloved]

Don’t call me Sweetheart. II have no idea what it was like for me to grow up as a child, niece and grandchild child of Holocaust survivors. People trying to convert me being called the killer of Jesus. HU is for tolerance of all different kinds of people.

[worthytobeloved in reply to Shnookie]

Sorry. I agree with you, HU is for all us human beings, whatever our beliefs and non-beliefs. I, personally, believe that whoever or whatever created this world and us, there is only one. This applies to people who have no faith too. I think we just have to keep particular religions out of it, but I do ask that you respect those of other beliefs, as I respect yours.

[Starrlight]

can you delete this thread please?

[Arymretep in reply to Starrlight]

I think it’s up to the poster to delete it if they wish to

[worthytobeloved]

Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you've found a philosophy that has helped you so much. I've never heard of it, so it will be interesting to see what it's about. Best wishes. xxx

[Weatherwoman in reply to worthytobeloved]

I am TOTALLY with what you wrote --Just So glad this woman found a philosophy that helps her. I just don't get people that get So shook up with what the writer of this post wrote. I am Jewish, and don't feel in Any Way At All dismissed, or slighted, or --I just don't get it. This women found a philosophy that Helped her, & a spiritual sense which makes sense to her & if some religious parts are part of it so what! I am, actually, an Agnostic, and don't care if people on here are & talk about their faith if it helps them, or if people are religious, or not religious --as long as they don't go on preaching which this women certainly did not do. Just had to get all that off my chest. Thanks!

[optimismrus in reply to Weatherwoman]

Thank you Weatherwoman. I appreciate knowing you understood my post.

[Weatherwoman in reply to optimismrus]

Of course, you are quite welcome. And, all the best to you in this adventure!

[worthytobeloved in reply to Weatherwoman]

Thank you - it meant a lot to me to read your kind words. xxx

[Weatherwoman in reply to worthytobeloved]

Welcome!

[worthytobeloved]

Just to add to my previous post, although I'm a Christian, I am open to all religions. I think we all worship the same God/Creator/Higher Power. There's nothing more powerful than standing with a Muslim one side of you, a Sikh (sorry if I've spelt that wrong) on the other side, and all faiths (and none) all coming together to 'pray' (as I experienced after a terrorist attack). If there was such a thing as an interfaith gathering, I would definitely want to attend.

[Shnookie in reply to worthytobeloved]

We do not all worship the same God. I’m Jewish. I only believe in one God. I do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Rather Jesus was a great Jewish leader and Rabbi.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Shnookie]

Hi Snookie, You say “We do not worship the same God”. I believe whichever way we go, that we are ultimately all led to one God. He says himself “There is no other.” “I am”. I respect your Nation and l know how much God loves you. He repeats His love for you so many times in His word. I believe in Jesus as “The way, the truth and the life.” and that we are brought back to the Father through Him and through Him we are forgiven our sins, but we all love the same God. He will never stop loving us, it’s eternal. Rejoice in that. God bless.

[Shnookie in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I understand that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and respect your religious beliefs. But again here you R quoting New Testament language and promoting your religion. U do not understand the concept of Hashemite- the Jewish concept of God. The important point here is to be respectful of one another there R atheists on HU who don’t believe in God. They should be respected for their beliefs as well.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Shnookie]

Thank you Snookie. No l don’t understand the Jewish faith and at the same time you do not understand Christianity and that is true in every religion. I respect everyone because God gives us a choice. Moses was given the commandments and to love one another is what we have to do, if we love God. I quoted from the Bible, not to promote my religion, but to explain why l believe. Because it is written. Sorry if it caused offence. We are all equal in God’s sight. He doesn’t have any favourites. My late son-in-law was Jewish and l loved him dearly.

[Shnookie in reply to Cavalierrubie]

My condolences on the loss of your son-in-law. We need to be respectful of each other’s beliefs.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Shnookie]

God bless and keep you safe. 🙏

[Shnookie in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thank you for your good wishes

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I believe Jesus was a great rabbi. That doesn't make him our creator - call him what you will, out of - how many names?

[worthytobeloved in reply to Shnookie]

Gosh, this IS a deep conversation! Yes, I totally understand, just like when I talk to Muslims about 'God', some of them use the word 'Creator'. Then there are people of no faith, but who believe in some sort of good force - they use words like 'Higher Power'.I just hope we can all respect each other (even if we disagree), and put love and forgiveness over bitterness and hate.

[Shnookie in reply to worthytobeloved]

You are correct. This is how it should be. But unfortunately at times things get in the ways.

[Teaching]

Do what works for you. I'm glad you are in a safe place.

[MaggieSylvie]

I have heard very good things about The Course in Miracles.

[MaggieSylvie]

Actally, for all its faults, Scientology is a fast-lane to self actualisation. Not with them any more but I learned a lot of common sense for living.

[LifeIsThePitts]

All major religions are based on the same fundamental theories for enlightenment and awakening. I only have a small understanding of the histories of mankind's major religions but what I do know is that the principles are all the same in reaching what is the goal of eternal Peace and happiness.

It's a journey to find which flavor of guidance speaks to your mind and Soul. I was raised Lutheran but chose to discard my assigned indoctrinated religion when my mom died nearly 31 years ago when I was only 19.

It's taken me 30 years of wandering in the darkness to "discover" the spiritual language that speaks to me 🙏 and it sounds like that's what happened with you, too

That's ultimately all that matters, in the end. You can't take peace from those that have it 🤗💞

[Mohammad-341]

Try exploring Islam

[Tracey0101]

I believe in God and its the best thing to do we have purpose and our identity in Christian values and its our full potential in this life we will still have trials and tribulations because we are still human being and we are not perfect but all born as imperfect we will do good things and bad things and have bad times and good times we all have sin and we will still have difficulties in this life just because we are Christian people doesn't mean that we are perfect we will still fail at times its our hearts that change but that is a life process just because we are a Christian and we have changed and accepted Chrisg as our Lord and saviour it doesn't mean that we suddenly come to being perfect just like that it takes a lifetime commitment each day we are changing to be like christ and be the person he wants us to be and do good things and not bad things but we will not just change like in a moment it takes life long and we are always learning each and every day to do our best work on earth and be the best we can do for Christ sake on this earth to be good people on this earth. He loves each person who he created and he is thinking of each person each day and how much he loves us and that he will forgive us all when we ask in for forgiveness and he removes it as soon as we repent of it how I know this all because Jesus Christ says all this in the word of God the Bible.