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RichStine: 1 year ago

Are there things you fear/dislike/avoid thinking about, because if you were honest with yourself, it could possibly change what you believe?

For example: I was raised with religion, and to have faith. There were times when I seriously doubted what I was raised to know as absolute truth. However, admitting such doubt, even only to myself, assuaged me with guilt, fear and unworthiness. Answers do not have to be faith-belief-related. Thisjustaeeeexampleofwhat I

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Answer 1

snafubar: 1 year ago

I was raised the same way.....when I first started to question my belief/faith I thought I was going to be struck down by God or go to Hell because I wasn't sure what to believe anymore.....my parents thought the same and had a very hard time with my doubt.....over time when nothing happened to me and my life didn't disintegrate as the people in my religion told me it would and I learned more about the rest of the world and found out it was okay to use my brain and think for myself and to have that doubt and to question the things I had been taught.........that there was really nothing wrong with me or my doubting or not believing like everyone else.....that making up my own mind was the right thing to do....always keep an open mind and respect the belief of others even when they are rude and never fear to be different or to doubt just be yourself and remember knowledge is power

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RichStine: 1 year ago

Thanks for your candor, and taking the time to answer. You've captured quite well the internal conflict that occur on the inside. :)

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FreudianSlip: 1 year ago via iPhone

Nice, as usual :)

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Answer 2

AskAlexandria: 1 year ago

Hmm for me... it is the question of whether true love exists or not. I believe it does... but I have been through and seen enough things to believe it doesn't. But I keep believing that there is someone out there who's perfect for me. I have to keep believing, because if I don't I'd drive my self insane or into a state of severe depression if I didn't have the hope of meeting "the one". Hope my answer helped :)

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MisanthropicGeek: 1 year ago

I agree. My love life sucks booty, and I am such a great person, flawless, I think not, but no one has ever treated me the way that I deserve to be, so I don't believe in love anymore unless it's a mother's love.

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RichStine: 1 year ago

Thanks so much for your response. A very thoughtful answer, and I appreciate it.

Keep your chin up!

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AskAlexandria: 1 year ago

@MisanthropicGeek I'm sorry :'c

@

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AskAlexandria: 1 year ago

@RichStein I'm glad I could be of assistance. And thanks c:

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AskAlexandria: 1 year ago

Stine* sorry for the misspell :/

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RichStine: 1 year ago

Haha... I misspell, and type long-winded, yappity answers! :)

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Answer 3

MisanthropicGeek: 1 year ago

Yup, all of the time. I'm a scientist, and sometimes it conflicts with what my religious beliefs are. I try so hard not to think about how many questions that I have that just don't make any sense at all from a religious perspective, but makes all the sense in the world from a scientific perspective. I believe in God, but i believe in evolution, so to make things easier for myself mentally, I try to drill the thought that God created everything, and He is why the Big Bang can't be explained. Please don't debate with me, I'm trying to remain sane XD

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FarmerGirlMaryJo: 1 year ago

The way I see it, there is nothing saying that God didn't create a big bang when he created the world. As far as dinosaurs, etc., go... who is to say that our current world is God's only go at creation? He may have placed fossils, etc., so that he could test faith. I'm just sayin'...

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RichStine: 1 year ago

Thanks for answering. I did not ask, to begin debate. I just had a desire to see what others felt or know to be true to them, insofar as the question, itself.

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to answer. :)

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RichStine: 1 year ago

Thanks both of you! I appreciate your thoughts on all of this. :)

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Answer 4

ScottyDuzit: 1 year ago via iPhone | Last edited at 12:25AM on 4/27/2012

Max Ehrmann was a clever bloke back in the early 1900's and after I strayed from religion I found a bit of comfort in this poem he wrote called 'Desiderata'
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Unfortunately these are not my words! All the same I hope it helps you.

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FreudianSlip: 1 year ago via iPhone

My parents have Desiderata displayed in their home. I've never seen it anywhere else.. Nice!!

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ScottyDuzit: 1 year ago via iPhone

Thank you :) it's awesome I love it! Once upon a time could recite it from memory lol how sad!

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RichStine: 1 year ago

Ah, but so wonderful, really. Thanks so much for all the feedback, everybody. I mean it sincerely. And ScottyD...thanks for taking the time to write down Ehrmann. Nice job. Good stuff, all!

RS

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ScottyDuzit: 1 year ago via iPhone

It was only a copy and paste job, no trouble at all for helping you out mate :) hope you find peace within yourself

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RichStine: 1 year ago

To ScottyDuzit,
Copy/paste...nevertheless, a thoughtful response. And I agree...How I can only wish my thoughts were that deliberate, and resonant with a truth that reaches the gulfs that religiosity creates.

Aside from being an extraordinary writer, he was, as you already know, an attorney (I share this tidbit should any others who are following this that aren't familiar with M.E.).

That's the man I'd want for the job, if ever I needed a lawyer. Do you know where there's any place to go to online, that would have some of his cases to read about? That would be a very good read, I'll bet. Lemme know if you know of anything, please.
RS

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