is there anyone new to religion and spirituality?

Question

(((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))
welcome
will you tell us a little about yourself and your beliefs ?

I am Pangel ( Angela ) a Spiritualist from Scotland
but I am very open to many aspects of other religious beliefs

you oldie regulars can join in also of course

Kallan
stop looking for excuses and just drink up buddy

not everyone midnight
so dont be too disheartened yet
look through the trash to get to the good answers
ok sweetie xx

Answer 1

Yes, I am new here.
Hmm..a little bit about me?
Well, I am a searcher. (Or at least I want to be.)
I was raised by wonderful Christian missionary parents.
I had absolutely marvellous times and profound moments on the many "mission fields" that I lived on and etc.
And I am very thankful that my childhood was the way that it was.
Yet....I just don't know what to believe about anything...now.
I have seen, heard, read about, and tried out so many different religions, spiritually, and even lack thereof it, that for the moment, I am just so confused. *Cries*
I am not in any religion right now, nor do I have any very strong "spiritual beliefs" but I am not what you could classify as an atheist or an agnostic.
I am a searcher.

Thank you soooo for welcoming me!!!
(((((Hug))))))

Answer 2

Hi P'angela,

My name's Dave. I live in Texas. I started checking out Y!Answers a week or so ago (though my ID says I've been been a member for a year ... not sure how that happened).

I came close to dying a child, and I have ever since been drawn to the questions of what means most in life and how best to appreciate the wonder of being alive.

To that end, I've studied some philosophy, a lot of psychology, and a lot of world religion. I'm a therapist and a meditation teacher.

I am pretty much only interested in how spiritual practices "work" in deepening one's experience of life ... so I'm personally not so interested in "dogma". My focus is mostly on practical experience, especially mind- and heart-opening practices like meditation and contemplative prayer.

And there is SO MUCH similiarity in those practices across the centuries and across cultures, and the experiences they help allow us are so utterly profound and beautiful, and so utterly simple.

Too simple and too profound, in fact, for words. To me the words are only poetic expressions of such experiences. I am fond of saying, "If you take religious language literally, you're not taking it seriously enough."

I've done lots of intensive meditation, espeicially retreats in Zen temples and practice centers, but in some other traditions as well.

I'm saddened by how much unkindness is enacted on these boards, but for now I'm willing to participate here and there in the Q&A that seem sincere.

Thanks for the hug. Back at ya, sweetheart.

Answer 3

I'm new here and really unimpressed. I came over thinking that I might find some interesting things to ponder and different ideas. But really all I am seeing are people being mean to each other. I posted a question about what people think of my theory of creation v evolution and most of the answers were negative and some down right hateful. I have seen this in other people's questions as well.

I am just wondering what the point of this board is if everyone is mean to each other? Is everyone on here like this?

Answer 4

I'm not new to Y!A, but since I don't frequent religion section, then I'm new here. Since you ask, my beliefs are just a bunch of different things I pick and choose from different religions, and doesn't make a whole religion. I like Wicca because it empowers me as a female, and I like Buddhism because it makes so much sense to me. I also respect Islam because it is part of my heritage, but I do not agree with any monotheistic religion, I am an Atheist most of the time. I respect any person who uses their religion privately, and does not think they are "chosen people" because "God" said so. I am always learning, and am open to listening to anyones point of view if they approach me in a respectful manner about it. I really do like to hear more about different, nature based religions or beliefs.

Answer 5

The word "spiritual" refers to the part of the human being which is not material. There is only one aspect of the human being which is not material: his mind. The mind, or consciousness or spirit of man is not an entity on its own, an entity that can live by itself without a body and without a physical brain that produces it. The spirit of man is not a ghost trapped somwehere in the body, waiting to be finally free when the body dies! Anything that pertains to our consciousness, our ability to perceive reality through the senses and transform our percepts into CONCEPTS is spiritual, non material. Our thoughts. ideas, concepts, knowledge, emotions, sentiments, feelings, sensation, opinions, hypotheses, etcetera are examples of spiritual PRODUCTS of our consciousness. Since we are not omniscient and infallible, what we perceive of reality and what we abstract from our perceptions can be right and wrong, can be rational and irrational, can be real and imaginary, can be true or false. If we choose to practice the VIRTUE of rationality, we have a chance at knowing reality. If we don't, we are like people who travel without a map. Rationality is the highest spiritual human virtue. Without it we cannot distinguish the real from the unreal, the true from the false, the just from the unjust and the moral from the immoral. Religion is just a mystic form of philosophy that takes us to believe in supernatural entities and events that are not part of reality at all.

Answer 6

I'm new, Haven't got a clue, But here's Hugs back to you!

Wow, poet and didn't know it!

See ya around Pangel. ; )

Your Pagan Bro,
John

Answer 7

I am Kimberly, I'm 18 and I am a Mormon girl from the Dominican Republic but I live in the US since July 2004. I have been a Mormon since February 25th, 2007. I am hmmm.. kinda new to R&S, I have been using YA since November 2006 but started to use the R&S category more often like in the middle or late Febuary ^_^

Answer 8

Hi Pangel you know me.I am a hindu. I came here three months back.

Answer 9

You know me Pangel. I am a Pitt Bull Catholic. I defend my faith and sometimes get into trouble with my friends but we all love each other anyway. To all the new people welcome and carry some anti-venom with ya cuz you'll need it.

Answer 10

New account, just not new here. No religion for me thank you. But I always love my Pangel hugs! (((hugs))) back!