Wanting to Explore Religion
 

Hi everyone,

So...my family had to put our dog down about 36 hours ago. We'd had her for 10 years, since she was a pup, and we all really miss her. It's just been a very difficult couple of days around here...we all feel absolutely horrible.

Anyway, the grief in itself is not the point of this thread.

I consider myself an atheist. I believe in science, and I have difficulty believing in what cannot be scientifically understood. I have no reason to believe in a deity or an afterlife. To me, if something cannot be scientifically tested, it shouldn't be taken on faith. I say this not to offend anyone, but to explain my views as they are now. I hope you all know that I absolutely respect you and your beliefs no matter what.

All of that said, with my dog passing away, I find that I very much wish I was more religious or spiritual and believed in something beyond the life that we know. Because right now, my beliefs tell me that my dog has just ceased to exist...there is nothing, there is emptiness. And I want reason to believe that there is more to it than that...that she is in a beautiful place where everything is fine and she will never suffer again.

I just...don't know how to reconcile my belief in science and what we can understand with more spiritual ideas that require faith. I want advice on how people do that reconciliation, and on how I can start exploring different religions and spiritual traditions and ideas. I ordered a New International Version Bible and plan to start reading it (if nothing else, I want to learn about it from an intellectual perspective, and have wanted to for a while...just so I understand more). Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be appreciated.

:hug: to all of you

Re: Wanting to Explore Religion
 

Hey Chris,
Wanted to start by saying I'm very sorry for your loss. :hug:
Next is the religious stuff. Obviously religion and spirituality can be really personal but it is also about connecting with others in the community and sharing it. If you know what you want to explore, you can try finding a local group of people who are practicing said tradition or religion.

I can also offer you my perspective based on Jewish teachings. I also know that some of the most famous physicists believed in a higher power. Religion and science are two ways to understand the unknown and mysterious but in traditions that are earth based
, the convergence of science and religion may be seen more clearly. Studies such as Tai Chi, Feng Shui, meditation and energy healing can be also ways science and spiritual overlap. Anything to do with healing, medicine I suppose including psychological healing.

You said you don't believe in God at this point but do you believe in the concept of a soul?
If you start exploring the soul and what it means and how to nurture your soul, maybe that would be a start. You can also try reaching out to a higher power. You can write it or say it out loud when you're alone or put headphones to make it look like you're talking another person. Just say, "I know you're not scientifically proven but I want to connect with you, please show me how" or whatever you feel. This was just an example.

I'm willing to discuss is more with you if you would like. I'm not necessarily totally religious myself but this is something I've tried. Prayer is a powerful tool. That's something scientifically backed up :p Science falls short if it isn't integrated with art and spirituality. That's my personal opinion anyway. Best of luck with your journey

Re: Wanting to Explore Religion
 

Re: Wanting to Explore Religion
 

Hey,

I guess my worry is that I will end up "faking" something just for my comfort. I don't want to adopt something just because of this...

As for believing in a soul, I really don't know. I would like to but I'm not sure that I do. Certainly I think that the brain is amazing and we transcend the sum of its parts in some ways.

Re: Wanting to Explore Religion
 

Re: Wanting to Explore Religion
 

Hey there,

I think exploring religions can be kind of fun. I know you are worried that you'll be faking something for comfort but I don't think that will end up being the case. I suppose I could be wrong but I used to fake certain beliefs for comfort and it was really constricting. I have heard other people voice having similar feelings when they are faking their belief.

The main reason I think exploring religion can be fun or a good thing is even if you don't come out believing 100% it can give you knowledge and open your eyes to different perspectives. I have a decent knowledge about religion and I find that while I don't believe 100% in God I do find comfort in the idea that there's a possibility of a higher power and the possibility of us having souls etc. While this might not be what you take away from exploring religion it is possible that you will still take something away.

Wishing you the best and I hope this helped in some ways. :)

Re: Wanting to Explore Religion