Friday, April 16, 2010

Aloha Friday 4/16


Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday.

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My question is:

Why are you the religious path you are?

Is it because it's what you have always been or did you study and find your path that way?

Have a great Friday everyone!!




7 comments:

Lori said...

I'm a Christian (follower of Christ). My parents are too, but it's a decision I had to make for myself. I have found it to be true and real in my life. A life changing experience to follow Christ and allow Him to be my Lord - the best decision I've ever made. I just became very aware of my desperate need for Him to rescue me!

Great question!

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I would say it is from what I grew up knowing and practicing.

Rach said...

Good question! I'm not religious, but i think most people follow the religion that their parents followed, but haven't actually looked into any other beliefs. if i had to choose one religion, I'd go for buddhism

Pat said...

OK, I'm brave enough to respond to your inquiry here, but not brave enogh to post a quesiton on my own blog or link to Island Life. Sorry, but I do admire your courage Suzanne!

My stepmother was Bhudist (sp?), but not a practicing Bhudist. Similarly, my father claimed to "have a religion" but never ever practised or exercised any belief system that I ever witnessed. So I guess you could say I was raised by Hypocracy (again, sp? - just too lazy to look things up this morning!). Anyway, being raised by hypocracy was actually a good thing. It left me free, with both parents' blessing, to study and explore as many religions as I could.

What I came away with is that they all hold some of The Truth, but none of them hold ALL of The Truth. However, I'm the type that needs a belief system. So after further observation and study, I finally settled on being a Christian. A Dutch Reformed Christian, to be exact. But again, I still believe even that "path" holds only part of The Truth, not necessarily all of it. So why bother? And specifically, why did I choose Christianity? Well, what I came away with after all my studies is that most world religions either "prescribe behavior" or they make the path all about the follower. Christianity, however, is the sole path where I found someone (Jesus) pursuing me. Actually wanting me. Just as I was, warts and all. All He asked is that I want Him, truly and sincerely want Him, back. And what's more, He persisted in wanting me even all those times I totally rejected Him and tried running away from Him. He never gave up on me. How could I resist, eh? No other religious path had offered, near as I could tell, someone that not only offered unconditional acceptance and love, but persisted in offering it, to anyone willing to sincerely accept it. Yes, yes. I know. Humans often get it wrong, His message of unconditional acceptance and love. And that makes being a Christian difficult, and sometimes depressing. I need to be part of a community, and it hurts when that community judges or rejects me. But I always remember that isn't His message. It's only human interpretation and practice that is wrong.

So I try very hard to be the kind of Christian that practices and continually tries to perfect nonjudgment and acceptance. It's not easy, because there are those out there intent on hurting and one does have to be savvy enough to protect themselves and their family. But since I know the pain of rejection, I try very hard not to reject unless I have to. I try to follow Jesus's teachings, as told in the Bible. And when my church's teachings agree with the Bible's teachings, all is well. When it doesn't, or doesn't seem to, then I simply read what the Bible says, form my own interpretations, and spend time in prayer that I've gotten at least close!

Whew! There you have it. You're probably bored to tears by now, but I gotta say - it felt good getting that out in wrting for once. Thanks for the opportunity!

Frugal Vicki said...

Intense question! I was born Catholic, but never had my first Communion or Confirmation until recently. I wish I had a mix. I am glad I made the final choice, but I wish I had some more guidance when I was younger.

Stephanie said...

I studied. I thought. I read. I prayed. I discovered LOVE - the gentle, full, powerful love of Christ.

One book that had a particular impact on me in my teen years was "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. Have you read it?

stephanie@metropolitanmama.net

Cascia Talbert said...

I don't understand the question but i will give it my best shot. I am Catholic because that is how I was born and raised, I guess.