Further to the question posed recently about God walking into the room

[Court]

I am interested to know whether Parkinsons has tested the faith of those who believe. I would also be interested in knowing whether their diagnosis and the anger that usually goes with this has made their faith stronger or weaker.

For myself, my faith is stronger as I really need to believe in someone, it doesn't matter who we think this is, who I can thank for all the blessings I have been given and berate for things I cannot understand or change.

Hope this makes some sense and doesn't cause offense to anyone.

Sue

[JennyR]

Sue ~ How could your comment possibly offend anyone. Each of us has to deal with the arrival and severity of Parkinson's symptoms in our own way, be it a belief in God, or a Higher Power or karma. No one caused this to happen- It just IS. And if you believe in "nothing" as some of our friends on the blog, then deal with Parkinson's problems in your own way. It won't matter to anyone but you. I don't believe I was angry with anyone except all of the doctors who missed the diagnosis for 5 years and now I understand that the soup bowl of symptoms is so different with each of us, it takes time to sort it all out. So, any anger I may have shown did nothing to those doctors who let me down, it would have affected only me and my family.. Love and good luck. JennyR

[Court in reply to JennyR]

Thanks for your answer. I know that faith means something different to each of us and nothing to some and was unsure whether to post this question or not.

Strangely enough, I have never felt anger or even thought why me? I am the type of person why needs all the facts available so that I know what I could be facing.

Sue

[Susie01 in reply to Court]

Sue,

Just also want you to know that anger is one of the stages of grieving process. It is OK to have anger, you just do not want to be stuck there!

[Susie01 in reply to JennyR]

Very well spoken. I think differing life events can cause us to question our faith. I spent a lot of time in a church prior to my divorce. I felt abandoned when I confirmed all the "reports" that my ex was cheating on my with multiple people.

It was very difficult. Not one person from the church that I had given so much of myself to even picked up the phone and asked what they could do to make such a difficult time better, nor did they ask or even seem to care why I was not there working away as I had been. If my ex had died, they would have been there with food and comfort.

I tell you this because there are many life events that can cause us to question our faith. Truth be told, I no longer have a place for "organized" religion in my life though I do know that I have a higher power. I do not know if I will ever return to church and participate as I had before.

[JennyR in reply to Susie01]

Susie, I can really relate to this. Organized religion is where I can't go. The hipocracy I've encounter has been a huge disappointment to me, but I know there is Someone looking over me and to help me through the tough times. That is all I ned to know. JennyR

[Susie01 in reply to JennyR]

Sooooo true! My ex's father was an "ordained minister", yet they had two sons who had multiple affairs and found a way to make it the fault of myself and my ex-sister-in-law. Their son's could do no wrong even when it was in black and white in front of them! They even went to far to pay for an abortion for the oldest son's girlfriend so there would be no obvious proof of his affair...For me Character is what you do when no one else is watching and I cannot say they had character, for them it was all about what other people saw or the image the projected.

I know all religions are not the same, but I don't feel the need to surround myself with holier-than-thou hipocrites!

[Court in reply to Susie01]

I quite agree with your comments and organised religion is not for me. Sorry if this question caused any offence that was not my intention.

[Susie01 in reply to Court]

Court,

No offense taken, I am very open minded. I know there are good and bad people who are Christians. There a good and bad people who have no faith in God.

[Court in reply to Susie01]

Thanks for your reply. I also believe that good and bad people exist in all walks of life.

I can't believe I raised this question as there are two subjects I never enter into discussion about, one is Religion and the other Politics.

[Susie01 in reply to Court]

In my younger days I had said I would never "debate" politics or religion. It is only in the last few years that I have come to my own in these arenas. I think we formulate opinions and come to our own set of belief or dis-belief from every life experience. I still don't want to debate them.

I have come to accept that everyone has the right to whatever they believe and would not attempt to transform thier belief system and I want them to understand they are not going to change mine. If I decide to change, it is my right but I am the one in charge of that.

[jazzfan53]

After my diagnosis in 2003, I went through something like the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Once I got to acceptance, I felt at peace with God, but that took me about 7 years. Maybe it wasn't the road I would have chosen, but PD has somehow , someway strengthened my faith. Difficult to put into words, and there is nothing rational about it, but I know in my heart everything will be ok.

[Court in reply to jazzfan53]

Thaks for your answer. As you say PD is not the road we would have chosen bit I am just glad for a roof over my head and for the fact that neither me or my children have ever gone hungry.

Like you I cannot put my feelings into words. but believe I will be given strength to fight this monster.

Sue

[Dennis in reply to jazzfan53]

Fantastic reply.

Dennis

[hilarypeta]

Recently diagnosed I feel a lot of emotions but it doesnt affect my faith in God as as always in the past he has guided me even when i wasnt listening! I am sure there are lessons for us to learn from our experience and ways to help others. Most of my friends have problems due to arthriris etc from aging. We are never alone.

[Hidden]

I am truly doing well (considering) because of my relationship with the Lord. I believe He has guided my path and revealed to me how to live to feel better.

As I look back over my life I see many "road blocks" He has but in my life. When I went right through them my life was a mess. When I allowed Him to guide me around them I was blessed. I look at PD as a "road block" telling me to slow down and enjoy my many blessings (an amazing husband, 33 years on Tuesday, children and the best 7 grandchildren!)

[Susie01 in reply to Hidden]

Congradulations on your anniversary! It is always good to see people who take their marriage vows seriously!

[LeeB]

I believe that christianity lays down a set of "rules" that, if lived by will give you a good and hopefully you will be a good person. Do I believe in god. NO! I'm afraid I don't subscribe to the belief that faith is being tested when we are presented with something that makes life difficult to deal with. There is too much pain and suffering in the world today to blame some other entity for. In fact if there is a god and a devil then the devil is winning hands down. As a retired soldier, I have seen the devastation that conflict causes on the innocent. A loving and caring god would not allow the children of this world to suffer the way they do. Sorry if this offends anyone. My attitude is, you've got, it live with it and make the best of the rest of your life.

[Court in reply to LeeB]

Certainly not offended. I fully accept that not everyone believes in God. In fact, my own family are not believers. I can only speak for myself in that my faith makes me stronger and helps me to cope. I agree with your statement "you've got it, live with it and make the best of the rest of your life".

[Jupeter in reply to LeeB]

My thoughts exactly. I am not offended by anyone who has faith, I think it is a personal matter and no-one should be judged on that.

What I can't stand is the evangelising, trying to persuade me that I will be damned if I don't believe - or even worse.

I speak as one who was a Deacon of a Church and a Sunday School teacher. My faith disappeared long before Parkinson's came along. I am content with my lot.

[Susie01 in reply to LeeB]

And how many of those wars were faught in the name of God? I have good Christian friends and good Athiest friends. I have always said that religion does not have a singular hold on ethical behaviour. For me it always comes down to treating others the way we would want to be treated and I don't have to be a member of a church to do that!

Each person feels their faith is the "Truth", otherwise they would not subscribe to it. It would be predudicial for me to say one person is right and another is wrong. I try to keep an open mind and heart.

[LeeB in reply to Susie01]

Most wars are fought in the name of religion or for financial gain. Some say they are fought for political ideals but the politicians don't fight them, they are just the widow makers. Susie01 I totally agree with your sentiment - treat others the way we would want to be treated. Best of luck to you and I wish you all you wish for yourself.

[Court]

I may have crossed the boundaries with this question and am sorry if this is the case. I just think we all need a crutch to lean on and wondered if this was one way that helped people to cope. It was never meant as a question directly about religion but more about how people coped with their day to day lives.

However, you will see from the post by Moderator 1 that I probably overstepped the mark and I can only apologise if this question caused anybody any undue offence.

Actually, one last comment. Although I have faith I do not find that organised Religion is for me and do my best to live life bearing this in mind.

Sue

[LeeB in reply to Court]

Certainly no offence taken by me. We are all entitled to our beliefs. Good luck to you all.

[Moderator_1]

Court

Posing a question about the impact of a PD diagnosis on a persons belief /faith system is appropriate.

After discussion the Moderators decided to post the guideline comments as a general reminder before problems arise. This applies to the whole forum and not just this thread.

[Joealt]

Amen.

[Koko]

WHen I was diagnosed I didn't feel angry. I felt challenged. ANother mountain to climb. I wanted to learn and get going. make the best of it.I am really blessed in that I have found a new me with this disease. I paint now, I volunteer at places I never dreamed I would place myself, I wrote a book because my brain worked even if jy typing was bad. I have met people I would have never met had i not gotten PD. ALl in all, it has been a gift. OH, by the way, the book is "Mrs. Coach-Life in Major COllege FOotball." It is on sale on line with Barnes and NOble and Amazon .Egeryone has a book inside of them. It is a great thing to do if you have Parkinson.

[Court in reply to Koko]

You are an example to all of us. Keep up the good work.