Nurturing Spirituality Post-Christianity

[HanSoto]

It seems like the farther I get from Christianity (or at least the fundamentalist form I grew up in and was heavily involved with), the harder it is to actually edify myself spiritually speaking. For example, I used to fulfill that spiritual need by studying the Bible and theology, going to church, going to Bible study and just having that community of like minded people to connect with. I havent been to a Christian service however since Christmas eve at boot camp. After that I visited the Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist services, which I found pretty interesting but now Im on a military base that seems to JUST have Christian services, so it's a bit disappointing. I think I've come to realize the main reason I've even gone to church the past year or so was to appease my family--not because I still got much out of it.

 

My guess is that most people here are atheist/agnostic and might not really have this problem. Truthfully though, I'm just as spiritual as I was when I was a devout Christian, the only difference is I see Christianity as just another religion ---just another attempt by humans to categorize and ritualize community thoughts on morality and spirituality. It's value regarding spiritual truth isnt necessarily any more or less than any other religion's. So its just hard to know where to go from there...what do I study? Who do I "fellowship" with? How do I live out what little I still believe?

 

It's just odd not having much direction.

[mymistake]

Have you checked out our Ex-Christians Spirituality section? We have a lot of members who have tried other religions. We have one member who follows Kementic/Egyptian. We have a number of Buddhists. We have a couple of experts on meditation. I'm an atheist but I often do wish I could join or found a new religion.

 

What do you still believe and what do you wish you could live out? Knowing that would help.

[HanSoto]

Have you checked out our Ex-Christians Spirituality section? We have a lot of members who have tried other religions. We have one member who follows Kementic/Egyptian. We have a number of Buddhists. We have a couple of experts on meditation. I'm an atheist but I often do wish I could join or found a new religion.

 

What do you still believe and what do you wish you could live out? Knowing that would help.

 

Hmm, I will have to check that out.

 

I find it increasingly hard to spell out what I believe anymore.

 

- I think a "God" exists but its more a blissful state of mind or connection between self and the universe, than it is a bearded super-man in the sky with a naughty-and-nice list.

 

- Jesus had some wise things to say, but I dont think anyone needed his death in order for God to forgive them of not being perfect.

 

- The Bible also has some wise things to say, but also some things I find unnecessary or flat out terrible. I don't think it is the "Word of God" anymore.

 

- Siddhartha Gautama also had some wise things to say, but I'm still investigating him being super new to Buddhism.

 

- How we perceive reality seems to somehow affect reality. Maybe its something supernatural or maybe not.

 

- All religions seem to have beliefs that resonate as true from my experiences, as well as beliefs that do not.

 

- If there is a heaven, I think everyone goes there eventually (I was big on the Christian Universalism movement for awhile, and I still like it)

 

- Ultimately we cant know what is true in the absolute sense of knowing if there is a God or if hes a trinity or what not, but I still find the questions and postulated answers important...which I guess is what separates me from just a simple agnostic.

 

That's about it in a nutshell, I spose.

[Positivist]

Hi HanSoto. Welcome to Ex-C!

 

I agree with MM: check out the Ex-C spirituality section. For me, any sense of spirituality completely dried up with my increasing understanding of neuroscience. I considered Buddhism for about 3 seconds and then I realized I just couldn't do anything even remotely spiritual.

 

I think it's healthy to nurture ourselves as whole people; I think you'll find some people in a similar spot as you here at Ex-C. I wish you peace in the journey!

[mymistake]

Have you checked out our Ex-Christians Spirituality section? We have a lot of members who have tried other religions. We have one member who follows Kementic/Egyptian. We have a number of Buddhists. We have a couple of experts on meditation. I'm an atheist but I often do wish I could join or found a new religion.

 

What do you still believe and what do you wish you could live out? Knowing that would help.

 

Hmm, I will have to check that out.

 

I find it increasingly hard to spell out what I believe anymore.

 

- I think a "God" exists but its more a blissful state of mind or connection between self and the universe, than it is a bearded super-man in the sky with a naughty-and-nice list.

 

- Jesus had some wise things to say, but I dont think anyone needed his death in order for God to forgive them of not being perfect.

 

- The Bible also has some wise things to say, but also some things I find unnecessary or flat out terrible. I don't think it is the "Word of God" anymore.

 

- Siddhartha Gautama also had some wise things to say, but I'm still investigating him being super new to Buddhism.

 

- How we perceive reality seems to somehow affect reality. Maybe its something supernatural or maybe not.

 

- All religions seem to have beliefs that resonate as true from my experiences, as well as beliefs that do not.

 

- If there is a heaven, I think everyone goes there eventually (I was big on the Christian Universalism movement for awhile, and I still like it)

 

- Ultimately we cant know what is true in the absolute sense of knowing if there is a God or if hes a trinity or what not, but I still find the questions and postulated answers important...which I guess is what separates me from just a simple agnostic.

 

That's about it in a nutshell, I spose.

 

That is a lot like where I was about a year ago.

 

Read up just about any post from Antlerman to see if that kind of spirituality appeals to you. If not look around some more.

[Deva]

I would just say give it time, and explore anything you feel might be attractive. If your ability to get off the base is limited, then you might not be able to find a group right away, but if I were you I would check groups online on Meetup.

 

I explored the teachings of J Krishnamurti for a number of years, even started a discussion group, then went into Buddhism. Now I have a Tibetan teacher. It was certainly a gradual process.

[dyanaprajna0]

There are a variety of non-xtian spiritualities represented here. As far as Buddhism goes, if you have any questions, just ask me, or Deva, or Antlerman, and there's a few more Buddhists here, but I can't think of who off the top of my head. But I went through something similar myself. When I finally broke free of xtianity, I went through a period where I rejected religion and spirituality outright. After a little time, though, I realized that I was still spiritual, so I started looking in various places. Eventually I found Buddhism, and it's fit me just fine. Just keep looking, you'll find something. Two things to remember though, enjoy the journey, and don't stop until you find something that you feeling comfortable with. But from what you've listed so far, I would suggest starting with certain Hindu sects. Depending on if you believe in reincarnation or not, that is. Also, look into whether you believe in dualism or monism. If you end up believing in monism, maybe check out the Hindu school of Advaita Vedanta. If you have any more ideas or questions, just post them, and there are people here who can help you out.

[florduh]

I see Christianity as just another religion ---just another attempt by humans to categorize and ritualize community thoughts on morality and spirituality. It's value regarding spiritual truth isnt necessarily any more or less than any other religion's.

I know several people who see themselves as very "spiritual." They consider Christianity to be the mortal enemy of "true" spirituality. If you see no difference between Christianity and anything else, why not just stick with that religion since that's what's available to you at this time?

 

BTW, many who consider themselves to be highly spiritual often meditate and practice alone, as in the tradition of hermits and monks. It seems that only in modern America is it the fashion to wear one's spiritual beliefs as a badge of rank or accomplishment.

[ConureDelSol]

Are you allowed to go off-base or do you have the means to do so? Deva mentioned MeetUp.com and I second that. I'm sure you could find a Buddhist temple or a group that meets somewhere to get your spiritual fix.

[HanSoto]

I know several people who see themselves as very "spiritual." They consider Christianity to be the mortal enemy of "true" spirituality. If you see no difference between Christianity and anything else, why not just stick with that religion since that's what's available to you at this time?

Well, I mean thats essentially what I was doing for awhile and I wouldn't say that I have suddenly "denounced Christianity" persay. On a personal level I suppose it works for me though I'm still not sure what to do with the Bible now that I don't take it's stories or theology as literal representations of history and reality. But I also find it increasingly difficult to relate to most Christians anymore because I have so little in common with them belief wise. Not that someone needs to share all my beliefs in order for me to socialize or discuss with them but me trying that in my previous churches usually resulted in raised-eyebrows and dissassociation, lol.

 

Are you allowed to go off-base or do you have the means to do so? Deva mentioned MeetUp.com and I second that. I'm sure you could find a Buddhist temple or a group that meets somewhere to get your spiritual fix.

 

I am allowed, but it's a "buddy system" so I'd have to find at least 1 or 2 other people to go on a crazy adventure with me and then we'd have to get a taxi and I don't know that I want to go through that every weekend, though maybe I will try it if I can find some interested in visiting a buddhist temple or something.