Is there only one way to believe in God?
69Where do you believe in God?
 | Amazon Price: $12.93 List Price: $14.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $11.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $22.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $17.98 |
why is my way-the wrong way
Last night (early this morning-when I typically form thoughts into words and commit them to paper), I was looking to see what was happening on the forums. I saw a forum posted by Huber Rick Marrow (or a past Huber) who decided to leave Hub Pages, in his decision to do so-posted what I viewed as an insult to many, who differed from his beliefs in God and Christianity.
A week or so back I also participated in a Forum where another Huber asked whether or not he should purchase a vibrator for his girlfriend. I entered the forum in fun spirit and posted my reply. Little did I realize that I would have a disagreement with another Huber over Christian Values. The posting that made me stop and react was the comment that a person that uses a vibrator is not the type of individual that anyone (any man) should want raising their children, and that a woman brought up with Christian Values is much more suitable mother and teacher.
I am a firm believer that every single person on Hub Pages as well as in the rest of the world is entitled to their own beliefs and views. Most people that I have had the opportunity to converse with are also very open and considerate with their views. A few however, seam to be very strict in what they feel to be suitable beliefs, and appropriate views. This I do not understand.
Why do discussions having anything to do with GOD-become so hostile? Is believing in GOD-JESUS-ANGELS-THE AFTER LIFE, a cut and dry type of belief? Is there truly only one way to believe in God?
I believe that I have a belief in God that is relatable, pure, non confrontational, and personal to me. I've always thought that is how a persons relationship with god should be, just you and God, not you, God and the rest of the worlds opinion on what you are doing wrong, believing wrong and interpreting wrong.. My perception is that God made us all-and in that, accepts and believes in us all. Each individual has a purpose in life and not any two of us are exactly alike in mind or spirit. Just as each individual learns new material differently, why is it such a sin to believe in God differently?
In my life, I have been through stages regarding what I believe God to be and represent and how I relate to religion and how I feel about my beliefs. I have been angry with God-I have blamed God for turmoil I have experienced and suffered through, as well as I have praised God, thanked God and turned to God for strength and guidance when I have found myself to be lost or had fallen down and was not sure how to get back up.
I believe that angels are among us, as well as some are above looking down on us to work, side by side with God, and to act as our protectors and guides. I also believe that there are angels here on earth. The angels here on earth, are kindred persons walking next to us on a busy street. I believe that a friend that stands beside you even after you tumble and land flat on your face, is an angel that holds out their hand for you to pull yourself up with, then dusts off your bruised knees when you can finally stand. I believe that any person that you can call at 4am so you can cry, and will cry with you, not because they understand, but because they know you're hurting, is an angel as well.
When it comes to God, I believe that I have never been faced with a situation that I could not handle, and that each situation I have endured has made me who I am, and given me the strength and abilities I possess. I believe that who I am, and who I will become later in my life, God already knows and God is okay with that, because he knows what my heart is made up from.
I do not lie, because I believe it is wrong and causes
un-needed pain and deception, not because the bible tells me not to. I do not beat my children because I take the role
as a parent very seriously. Not because I fear hell. I do not set out to shatter another person’s dreams or
beliefs, because their dreams and beliefs are as personal to them as mine are
to me. As a human being- I do not tell another person that the way that they
believe or view things is incorrect, even if I believe that they are. I may
argue my views-and defend my beliefs, but when all is said and done, I have the final thought that God is
probably okay with each of us-which is why he made each of us as unique as a grain of sand.
This is my view on Church/Religion and Beliefs in God
(No, I don’t think god/church/religion is a cracker-this is what we call an analogy)
You eat crackers in the kitchen, which you believe to be the ‘proper place to eat crackers’
I eat crackers in the living room, where you rather I not.
But we both eat crackers.
I like my crackers with a sliver of cheddar cheese.
You like your crackers with a perfect square of American cheese.
But we both eat cheese on our crackers.
You share your crackers with the people who like them, just the way you do.
I share my crackers with who ever asks me for a cracker.
But we both share our crackers.
Why does it matter how we eat them, how we like them and how we share them?
We both have the same basic cracker to start out with.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (2)
- Funny
- Awesome (1)
- Beautiful (2)
- Interesting (1)
CommentsLoading...
nice take about crackers and every belief, respect is all, maita
Very thoughtful. You capture the sentiment of more than a few I am sure.
I like marmalade on my cheese crackers, the sweetness makes a nice 'cut' to the cheese. Good hub, glad you like cheese and crackers, not relevant where or how you eat them!
Welcome to Cheesianity... ;o)
Good job. Thank you for sharing your heart.
In my understanding, we are all on a spiritual journey & God desires to be in relationship with each one. If someone disagrees with my views/belief system that's fine. It grieves me when supposedly civilized human beings hurl abuse at each other when God/faith issues are discussed.
Much encouragement to you on your journey.
it was interesting. The thing is that what you believe, what i believe is our own business. Our relationship with god, that is important, we know what we are doing, and how happy we feel with it. I really do not like people telling us they are not christian, it is unfair.....
Very interesting hub that makes some good points. There is no "one size fits all" religion and to accept those who differ from us in their beliefs, is, in my opinion really being a "Christian."
Thanks for the hub.
H.C.
Exactly! Each of us is on a spiritual journey that is as unique as each of us are. Glad to be a fellow cracker eater :) Holly
It takes a good person to write a good hub about this subject. Great hub.
Thank you all for your comments, I really appreciate them all. A belief in God should not have 'Just one way'-I am glad that others believe this too.
HC Porter
I agree with your pictures - they show some of the same things that I see god in, or feel god in. Children and nature: one shows us the everlasting joy and blessing of god, and nature gives us wonder and awe, and sometimes shows us how insignificant we really are. God is much bigger than the church walls, you are right!
Thanks William for your comment-and for reading my hub. Very much agreed. We are shown God each and every day. Many people do not look at life as a gift as often as they should, they are too busy trying to judge others and rise to the top-that they dont pause and look at the beauty that is around them and appreciate what is already in front of them. All too often, it isnt about appreciate what you have now-it is work harder or steal more to have more. Stupid-Crazy-Sad way to live your life.
hc porter
hc porter
Enjoyed your hub. Actually you rightly take understanding of god as some thing spiritualistic, some thing which can make oneself a better person, a happier person and help others to find happiness (or god ) in their own way.
While some others think of god as some thing social, some thing, talking about which gives them right to control others too. In the process neither they are happy nor does their attitude provide happiness to others.
Thus one is left with very little doubt that your attitude is right one. I also feel just like you. You are saying exactly what two principals followed in India by most, since ancient times say.
1. Have equal glance on all religions and philosophies (exact sanskrit words "sarva dharma saman bhav" ) and
2. All paths and philosophies leading to Brahma (truth or god or what ever you like to call it ) are parallel. You choose what you find suitable for you.
But it is interesting that you use word belief so often when you talk about god. Is it belief or an inner strong spiritual feeling? But perhaps these words for description depend on one's upbringing. You have been brought up as a Christian, while I have followed Hinduism.
Your pictures again say a lot as clearly as your thoughts.
What a hub.You yourself seem to be an angel. I am glad that such people exist in this world. Very clear thinking. I agree with you totally. God never discriminates his creations. We human beings are the cause for every negative thing happening in our lives. There may be many religions, but the main stream is a single course. We may differ by words, but we should remember we are just the tributaries of the main stream and some day we will also join in the main stream. Lets hope so. Keep it up. My spirits are elated by your hub.
I too have been angry with God. Almost 20 years ago I became so angered and depressed that I decided that God could not exist and leave me with the life I was living. But, it was during that time of my life that I found the real spirituality of my life. It was only when I lost the God that I had known that I found the God that I know today. Over the years I have found my own strength through those very hard times. And, I have found that my personal story often comforts others who have delt with similar experiences that I once delt with.
You are correct. Your relationship with God is a personal one.
Shealy
Narain.K.D.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I am glad that you were able to find some truth to my views on God as well as religion-and that your spirit was elated from reading this. It makes me so sad each time I hear another stupid fight over religion and differences in beliefs-if people could understand that a relationship with a higher being is a personal relationship, which doesn’t need to be forced on everyone.
Shealy,
Thank you as well for taking the time to read and comment, all the feedback is much appreciated. I am glad that you have been able to calm your anger- not necessarily for Gods sake but for your sake. I too think the same way- that perhaps my personal experiences and struggles and how I dealt with life-can give hope or guidance to others- then my struggles were not experienced in vain. Thanks again for your great thoughts and comment.
Godbless you all, i'm inspired by your work of art, does it really have to matter who we love who we share our dreams with no aslong as the outcome is love and share that matters the most. i love you all thanks for sharing all your thoughts and ideas, i'm moved by them.
nutty19, I completely agree. As long as love is the outcome-who cares how we arrive there. Thanks you so much for commenting and I am very glad that you enjoyed the hub :)
i agree with u. traditional religion n man-made religion during the middle-ages had given rise to the reformation period started by Martin Luther, Wesley n many others.
it was a very dark period in Christianity.
but there is only ONE Truth. Only ONE GOD.
but many ways of coming to God, of knowing God
We are all made differently.
God is love. He who truly knows agape Love knows God.
out there there is only
one God
one Truth, that lies beneath all mysteries
one road that leads us to eternity.
follow Jesus n u will see the truth
u will find your way eventually.
let Him guide you
let Him bring you
through the storms in your life
Across the oceans, across the skies,
there is only one true Kingdom,
one treasure that belongs to us.
live life meaningfully.
God is always there for you.
just call out His name
n He'll come to your rescue.
I encounter hostility concerning my religious views from other hubbers because my "biblical interpretations" come 99% out of the original languages of Scriptures while theirs is only 55% pure Scriptures. One such example is "angels having sex with women". People who support this theory warp the "sons of God" Hebrew words of Gen. 6:2 & 4 to say the same "b'ney elohim" of Job 38:7. But the Gen. rendering like all other "sons of God" except 38:7 are "b'ney ha-elohim". Thus the "ha" = "the" and says "sons of the gods" and refer to "the godly men" of that era.
But some hubbers war with me over this ("The Case against Angelic Offspring"). Not to mention "most" of their evidence comes from "outside biblical sources" while mine come from "within the Bible." So who is correct: the person who draws 45% of their supporting evidence from non-Biblical text or the one who uses 1% of outside reason to support Biblical text.
I like this hub. Good job. It addresses the problem of religious debating. People heatedly argue religion versus calmly discussing it.
joshuachlim
I think that people need to get over there narrow minded way of thinking and try to consider a larger picture and other option-rather than stand on a very slippery pedestal they cant be certain of- I am glad that you read and took the time to leave another thought provoking comment- I appreciate it very much :)
ShadowKing!
yep-people often have much to say and no want to listen when it comes to their views on God and Religion. Thanks for reading and for the comment- I am glad that you liked the idea behind the writing :)
I read it. Those who are intelligent believe in god. Those who believe in god are like angels working tirelessly for god and human beings.
upal19 -thank you for commenting and reading. I appreciate you sharing your point of view...
Lol! I love the cracker analogy. It can take a long time to develop our ideas about God and unfortunately many church goers never do develop them, because they're told how to think by a powerful system of indoctrination that's as difficult to escape from as drugs.
aslanlight- I love when people read and comment on hubs that are older and see less traffic- it allows me to re-read something I have since forgotten was here. God, and religion are so touchy with most that the way they are approached with many is to completely avoid it. Other submerge themselves in the church and develop a 'my way or no way' antic towards religion. I believe we are all entitled to believe or not believe as we wish...God made us this way and we should all respect each others views. Thanks for the comment :)
Nicely done. I must say I am in complete agreement. If God wanted us all to be the same we would be. If God wanted us all to think the same, we would.
God loves diversity. Which is why everything in creation is slightly different from everything else. People however like diversity in very limited quantities, and humans love conformity much more. Which is why when a human plants trees they put them in organized rows lining the drive and God simply throws the seeds to the wind and lets the seeds decide where to grow... or not grow.
Again Nicely Done. Mikel
Mikel G Roberts, wow you came across an old hub of mine...glad that i could share this view with you. I am in complete agreement with you as well. Thanks for the comment. :)
Cagsil Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago
This made for interesting reading. I'm glad your wrote it so well. Very much appreciative for your sharing. :)