  Spiritual
This week: Why Do You Believe What You Believe? Edited by: Kit of House Lannister  
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As spiritual people, we all face questions. A common one is, "Why do you believe what you believe?"
This week's Spiritual Newsletter, then, is all about exploring our faith.
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Why do you believe what you believe? Is it because of personal experiences? Were you raised in your faith? Is it the result of a lengthy search, and plenty of reflection?
Have you ever had doubts? If so, how did you resolve these doubts? If you are religious, do you feel that your religion is perfect, or do you follow it despite any disagreements you might have?
The above are questions most believers face at some point during their lives. How we answer them will vary from person to person, and may depend on when we are asked – it is not unusual for one's strength of faith to waver.
I was raised in a Christian family, and went to a Christian primary school. I have no doubt that this has, to some extent, shaped my views about God, and Jesus, and the afterlife. The fact that most of my family members weren't very conservative Christians will have helped – I had the ability to question. And, at my school, there were children of different faiths, who happily sang along to all the songs, yet brought different perspectives that I was keen to explore.
My belief in the existence of God has never left me, but what, exactly, I believe has been subject to change. For one, I do not believe in the existence of a hell. I simply cannot imagine that an all-loving, all-merciful God would allow people to suffer like that, let alone for all eternity. It is difficult enough to imagine what eternity is like, and to exist for that amount of time (in whatever form). What could any human being possibly do to deserve such suffering? Even for people whose crimes I find utterly abhorrent, those crimes would surely be outweighed a million, or a billion times by what would be inflicted upon them in hell. That is besides the fact that a lot of criminals are mentally ill - even those who have committed their crimes whilst having no mental illness at all would receive a punishment far, far beyond what they have done to others. How can that be morally justified? And how could I, or anyone, be at peace in a heavenly paradise knowing that other people are suffering so? If I were to stop caring about that, I would no longer be me.
I am reading a book by Russell Brand at the moment, called Revolution. I wanted to prepare myself, as there is a possibility I'll be entering a debate with him on whether or not people should vote; I figured that it is always best to know who and what you're up against. I soon discovered that first of all, Brand is an eloquent writer, which makes his work an enjoyable read, and second of all, it isn't the political discussion that I'd expected. It's an account of his spiritual journey.
Brand talks about interconnectedness. A shared consciousness. His views on God and humanity drive his views on how we should move forward for the sake of all. This view matches, at the very least, what I wrote about hell and how I couldn't possibly be at peace in the knowledge that others are suffering.
Now, I know that my lack of belief in hell places me out of line with most Christians. Yet, I still believe in God (as does Russell Brand). The way I see it is that nobody can know the true nature of God. As with eternity, it is beyond our comprehension. All we can do is to go with that feeling we get deep inside of us when we know that something is right and – this is usually a more powerful feeling for me – when we know that something is wrong. It is a physical and mental sensation that, in my opinion, we were given by God. Therefore, we should use it.
I believe that we should never simply follow what we are told. We should always question, and draw our own conclusions. These conclusions may be in line with what we were told. That's fine. There are instances, however, where there is a mismatch, and that should lead us to investigate further.
Humans are curious creatures, and I believe that there is a good reason for that. Our brains are rather magnificent. We err, we learn, we search, we discover, we analyse. We evolve. It is hoped that the further we evolve, the closer we come to the truth of our existence.
So, I reject hell, and Brand thinks that we are all interconnected. What do you believe, and why?
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
shepherd46 - This is a wonderful and much needed topic! It is easy to bring a person down but it takes more of an effort to lift a person up. We all have the potential to do good and bad, but oh how wonderful it is to lift another up!
Thank you . It truly is!
~~~
Quick-Quill  - I'm in total agreement. When I first joined WDC I had some pretty rough times with reviews. Because I'd received harsh reviews I was critical in my own. After it was suggested I take the reviewing class. I established my own form and found lifting others up even when having to critique bad writing is better that telling someone, "Your writing stinks." When we show the way through love and example we will have made a friend. I have many friends on WDC and this is the one place I can accept honest critisizim on my writing.
When I first joined, I felt very daunted, both when reading reviews and when writing them. Like you, I learned to be kind even when offering feedback that wasn't all positive. And yes, it was a positive learning experience. I feel the same way about honest criticism on this site. It no longer makes me want to delete my item, but to learn from it and keep on improving .
~~~
monty31802 - Lifting others up with a nice comment is surely true and the News Letter is touching in areas that will make me remember this one.
Thank you, Monty! You just lifted me up.
~~~
Elfin Dragon-finally published  - Yes, Black Friday here can inspire some fairly riotous atmospheres. However the vast majority of us here in the States have learned how to cope with the crowds. However, there are other things which seem to insight riots which I've yet to figure out...Our teams winning the Super Bowl (American Football), the latest police incident of "to much force" causing a young man's death, and even a team winning the Stanley Cup (American Hockey). Not to mention the college teams when they win. But we're getting better. Most of these can be put to what's called "Mob Mentality". But in truth, all it would take is some common sense from people to behave correctly. I'm inclined to believe my ex though in that common sense is slowly being bred out of the human genome. And as Ron White (a comedian) once said..."You can't fix stupid."
It's the same here in the UK. We've had our problems with football (soccer) matches, concerts, protests getting out of hand, riots. I do think that people behave differently in a group than on their own. In fact, a social psychology course I did last summer touched upon some of those things. It was very interesting, but also a bit worrying to see how regular people can behave in certain situations. I sure hope that your ex isn't right, though! We need to learn how to work together in order to move forward.
~~~
redbarron
 - Very nice and informative newsletter!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
~~~
Elfin Dragon-finally published - It seems I'm always late in commenting on these wonderful newsletters.  You asked, "Have you ever read something, watched something or listened to something that sparked a change in you? If so, what was it and what happened?" The truth is that it's often my own writing (or Poetry) which sparks changes - or at least causes me to pause and consider - in my life. Especially when I begin to write darker poetry. It's then I truly begin to take stock of where I am and where I need to go. Like you it's easy to sit in front of a computer and not socialize or exercise. Procrastination and excuses start to come easy. I'm lucky to have people who care and try to get me out of my place, though it can sometimes still be difficult. Appointments and hobbies help.
Hey, I was a bit late catching up on the ask and answer section as well  . Better late than never, I say!
Sometimes I read back my writings, especially my darker works, and, like you, it causes me to reflect. I am glad that you have people around you who care, and who give you a nudge, but yes, we do have to motivate ourselves and find what helps us move in the right direction.
~~~
Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008 - This is my answer to your question on prayer. I pray all the time, doing dishes, vacuuming, driving etc. The thing about prayer is you first have to have a real connection to God, to me, that comes thru a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that different people have different ways to pray, the Bible has Jesus' model prayer and I do try to remember to always thank Him for what He has given me - but mostly I talk to Him like I would my friends - for He is the greatest friend you will ever have. Prayers are not always answered either - some are just not good for us. He will either answer your prayer right away or say wait the time is not right or say NO, it is not good for you. He is always there and always listens, He is not the one who moved away, we are.
Thank you for offering your insights. Like you, I do thank God. I would so love to feel a connection, though, like you do, and like others do. It must be a wondrous thing. I believe, but I don't feel, which always makes me question if my faith is somehow flawed.
~~~
Elfin Dragon-finally published - You ask some interesting questions....
1) how do you pray, or meditate?...Prayer and/or meditation is often a personal thing. If you're looking to start praying (in Biblical sense) for the first time you might want to start simply. Start praying for your meals. It doesn't have to be every meal, but it's a start. Also, The Bible mentions one particular prayer we call "The Lord's Prayer" (some reason I'm having problems finding right now, it should be in the New Testament). But it starts out "Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name..." Sometimes sung at church as well and can be uplifting. In regards to meditation, it varies with people and you just have to find something which works for you. Me? It's either a quite space and doing something I enjoy, or having my favorite music on while I do something I enjoy, or a nice drive by myself. It simply depends upon the day.
2) Do you find it easy, or do you struggle with it as well?...Again, yes sometimes it's easy and sometimes I struggle with it. Both prayer and meditation can be difficult. You have to (forgive the pun) religiously practice it or you fall out of practice. For either one.
3) Do you feel listened to?...with regards to prayer a big YES.
4) Do you have a connection with God/a Higher Power?...I feel that I do. I suppose because I not only pray but I praise God as well. Not just for the big things but for all the little things in my life. The green lights which get me home faster when I'm tired. The nice person at the checkout counter or the person who holds the door open for me. And even if God answers no to a request it's still an answer, still a connection. You just have to find it and realize it's there. Sometimes it takes time to realize an answer's been given, and that's ok too because then it's an even bigger blessing.
5) How did you establish this?
Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that advice. The connection you have with God sounds so special to me. I do sometimes say the Lord's Prayer (though I alter it slightly, adding "please" and I ask Him to lead us away from temptation rather than ask Him to not lead us into it). But then, I think that God might get bored hearing that one . I know, my mind works in strange ways.
I will definitely take your advice into consideration and try to improve and be more patient!
~~~
redbarron
- Hi. Loved your Newsletter. It's true. Can someone write something about Facebook?? It's a live thing, and I have problems with getting 'likes'. Seems the little devil on people's shoulder is being stingy when all it takes is the hit of a like button. Gee whiz. I have posted positive things, and people don't care. Can you write something about facebook? I am thinking of just going to writing.com all the time, but it is not instantaneous gratification.
I can definitely write something about Facebook in a future Newsletter. Even though I closed my account last year. I didn't find it to be a very nice place to be in the end. It can bring out good in people, I'm sure, but it can most certainly also bring out the bad.
As for instant gratification, this is true. However, when your work and your contributions on this site are recognised, it is a wonderful feeling, far better than a "like". At least, in my opinion!
~~~
Lynda Miller  - I would like to say "Yes kittiara, there is a God." How dos one come about praying and feeling a connection? In all honesty, I don't think it happens all the time. I believe when we least expect it, you will feel it. There have been many times I have prayed because I thought that was what I was suppose to do. Praying, meditating, it is all difficult, but there will come a time when you will achieve this. I says prayers for my friends and even people I don't know. Do I feel a connection? Sometimes and sometimes I don't, but I still pray because I hope, no, I know God listens. Once in awhile he might give me a shove to let me know he is still listening.
Haven't you ever almost had an accident and wonder how in the world did it not happen? That's God giving you a shove. Listen to those moments then you will understand what the connection is about. It will come, it will happen, just be patient. Notice the little things or the big things you go WOW, I can't believe that just happen. I guess this is ramblings of an older woman trying to give you some comfort and telling you it is okay what you are feeling. Lynda
Thank you very much, Lynda. Your words of comfort helped a lot. They also made something click - a few weeks ago, I was nearly hit by a car whose driver suddenly decided to do a hard reverse into the street I was crossing. I had a split-second to react, and all I could think was, "I'm going to get hit", yet my body jumped out of the way and the car missed me by perhaps a centimeter. It was indeed as though someone had given me a shove. So, what you said made me think .
~~~
katesthename - I am in a wheelchair and am physically limited to be of any help to people. However, there's one thing I can do, and that's is to pray. Prayer to me is a continual, flowing conversation to the One with whom I'm deeply in love with. He Is a Person. Prayer is not a ritual. Prayer is the Life Source. It's taken me many many years to understand 1st Thessalonians 5:17, but now, so many years later, I pray unceasingly. Ask God for help and He Will Help you. Ask Him for quietness and a quick ear to listen and hear His Voice. You are His delight!
Thank you so much! I will ask for quietness and to be allowed to listen and hear His voice.
~~~
Zeke - I too pray daily and I trust our Creator to hear them.
Zeke
Thank you, Zeke. I hope to develop your trust.
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team
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Spiritual: January 28, 2015 Issue [#6800]
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