Hi anoniem,

I agree with anita that there is not necessarily any need to change religions. Christianity is not defined by its followers; the fact that some Christians are judgmental (even toward fellow Christians!) and the fact that they occasionally do nasty or immoral things (and sometimes in the name of Christianity!) doesn’t mean that it’s a bad religion. I guess Christianity just isn’t enough for these people to get them to behave responsibly. If the lesson you get from Christianity is to love and respect everyone, then I’d say you may not have any spiritual crisis at all.

I consider myself a syncretist; while I am Jewish on a practical level, I incorporate aspects of other religions into my personal spirituality. This may be something you could consider (though it doesn’t sound like it would help you in dealing with your friends and family). Every religion has its limits; for example, I became dissatisfied with what I perceive to be my religion’s condoning of violence in the name of God. Yet, Judaism still appealed to me on a practical level because it helped give me a mindful, meaningful, organized life. So I use my original religion to organize my life on a practical level, while deriving a sense of inner and outer piece from faiths like Hinduism and Buddhism. There’s nothing wrong with treating religion like a buffet, taking what you want from each one. As long as your beliefs make sense to you.

Dear anoniem:

I very much like your quote about not fitting into a spiritual box. You are welcome and please do post anytime.

anita

Hi Anoniem,

Welcome aboard 🙂

For me there is so much to say on this topic that books are indeed already filled with ideas and opinions….. So I will skip most details and share my understanding.

Most religions and belief systems all point to the same thing. Something the brain/mind can not understand because thought is itself a form, and the messages all point to a formless.

The religions/beliefs all have a framework around them, which enables a certain language to be shared, so the messages can be transfered without having to reinvent the communication level – over time, distance, cultures, etc….

Regardless in what belief or religion you follow, the purpose of these frameworks is to enable you to realise who you are. Follow your heart, as that is the path to a greater understanding of yourself, and discovery within that all religions, belief, philosophies, traditional stories etc point to anyway.

There are a thousand paths that lead to the same door. The most important part of this, is that you are walking on one of them.

From Aikido – seemingly unrelated, you can feel the truth within the words….

Morihei Ueshiba – The Art Of Peace

The art of peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the art of peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your inner enlightenment, foster peace in your own life, and then apply the art to all that you encounter.

Best

Evan