Walking back from school today made me realize how glad I am

[JohnKleeb]

that I believe in god. I am not very religious on a public level, you won't here me discussing specific verses with people, I just like to pray humbly but on the way home from school today got me thinking about how great it is that there is a god and in the way I believe, a heaven. Ive been told that religion is mostly gloom and doom, to me it's not, the fact that there is something beyond the tunnel as its called guiding the light, that moves me, the fact that my good bye to my godmother who was one of my favorite aunts, to my great uncle, to my nana, etc was only temporary, the fact that I will see them again in heaven makes me happy. Maybe Christ didn't raise from the dead, thats not what its important, whats important is that people have seen what Christ did and done extrodinary things. Anyone ever have a similiar experience like this?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Not quite the same as you, but I've found that my faith has allowed me

to avoid wallowing in or becoming bitter about disappointments and troubles. Through the faith communities I've joined over the years, I've come into contact with wonderful, supportive people of all varieties whom I never would have met in any other context, and discussions in Bible study classes and book groups have been thought-provoking in ways that were literally life-changing.

No snarky atheists can take that away from me.

[JohnKleeb]

2. Yep they cant take my belief in eternal paradise away

That to me is one of the most beautiful things about our religion is that we will get to see those we lost again, perhaps not in human form but somewhere. In fact in a dream last night I saw my nana again but she then turned in to a ghost.

[elshiva]

3. I have had similar experiences. Thanks for sharing!

[Maru Kitteh]

4. What a lovely slice of life you shared with us there John :-)

I've had that kind of experience also. It usually happens when I am alone with my thoughts, out in God's good world, walking or biking or driving on a country road. Often times I end up humming some Third Day or a favorite hymn and having some good prayer. It's always a good day after that.

Thanks for your story. :)

[UrbScotty]

5. Thank you for sharing, John.

We shall all meet again.

[RevCheesehead]

6. Hey, Mr. Kleeb -

I've read this thread before, but it just occurred to me to add something about your specific situation.

For many people of your age, this is a time when one does some serious questioning about your faith. When I went away to college, I pretty much dropped out of church activities. I still attended worship, but mostly because I could pick up organist gigs ($). It was also the first time I had ever met people who were not like me, and the first time anyone really challenged me or my faith. I had a lot of questions at that time in my life.

However, I don't see that questioning, per se, in you. Instead, I see contemplation. Contemplation is good.

I guess I would add that organizations always have the potential to let us down, but God will never, ever abandon us. Even while we are questioning, God is there. When we feel we are alone, hurting, grieving, or in pain, God is with us.

I greatly admire your insights, and am impressed with your maturity.
God bless you, John Kleeb. You are a person of hope.

[JohnKleeb]

7. I already did my questioning

I am not a devoutly religious person but religion plays a role in my life, it is hard to explain really.

[elshiva]

8. Maybe because of your strong idenity as a Catholic

and interests in social justice? Just guessing. Rev is right you are a person of faith.

[JohnKleeb]

9. My identity as a Catholic to me is just as important as my politics

and ethnicity. I don't hate people if they are not but I am personally proud of those 3. No, I think what helped me was that I realized that those bigots I knew were just intolerant assholes and not a reflection of the church itself.

[elshiva]

10. Right on!

[UrbScotty]

11. I consider my Catholicism to be most important in my life as well.

Politics is important to me, but not as important as God.