The $100 Question: How Did You Come By Your Spirituality? Tell Lori from Weebles Wobblog

I got a sense of the Holy, especially in nature from my Mom, although she was outside any Church. I went to National Cathedral School and feel in love with Jesus. I lost that faith in collage but came back to it after talks with my future husband who was going to be a priest. But more, that God just met me where I was. I am an Episcopalian, a feminist one, and pretty committed.

Well Lori, it was the deaths of my 17mth. old daughter and my 51 yr. old mother when I was 21 that had the biggest impact on my belief system. Studied many different religions trying to understand what happened to their souls. It's been 35 years now and while I do have a strong spiritual base, the more I learn I find the more there is to learn. Waves of increased awareness little by little and I am so humbled. For me there is purpose and order and reason in understanding the consciousness of love.

I discovered I am a spirit, living in a flesh body, when I was very young and feeling quite different. I was always much more aware of my spirit self than my physical self, and for some reason I believed God was my enemy, and I did not like Him.

Without going into a lot of detail, I was fully aware that God wanted a relationship with me, and since I believed myself to be in charge of me--I always said, "No."

This went on for a couple of decades, and one night when I was in my early twenties, I was talking to Him because I felt guilty about something I had done, and I couldn't figure out how to relieve myself of the guilt any, other way.

The next thing I knew, I heard Him calling to me(for the--I don't know how many times), and I started to say no again, when I heard Him say: "This is the last time I will call you."

Everything in me melted in the presence of His great love and mercy, and I surrendered like melted butter soaks inseparably into sugar.

I have no idea why I ever said no to such joy and peace; to such love, but now, forty-six years later--I live with a King who came to get me on a white horse and made me His bride!

Words cannot describe the intimacy in this amazing relationship--only through a life lived with Him can others see this and want it for themselves.

Born into a Christian Home

Came to realize in 9th grade how important Christ was to me

Grew through christian college education

Now we're living the life we think God's called us to :0

Born into a Christian Home

Came to realize in 9th grade how important Christ was to me

Grew through christian college education

Now we're living the life we think God's called us to :0

My spirituality has been cobbled together over the years from many sources: my mom's Catholic upbringing, my Lutheran elementary school years, visits with friends to Christian, Mormon and Jewish youth programs and dances, and my husband's Catholic family. I like to say I embrace all the faiths I've learned about, although some more-traditional people might be put off by my "cherry-picking". I do feel that people are people and there are so many good things to learn from all the different religions. Even if there is something I don't agree with, at least it has caused me to think about it and delve more into my own beliefs.

I'm not a "believer" -- I find it difficult to have any "faith" in an invisible magician who somehow cares about the details of our lives.

However, I follow the traditions of my ancestors: Kashrut, Shabbat, etc. This helps me feel connected to past and future generations.

I find my beliefs change and deepen as I get older. We had very few growing up so I would say I have grown in to mine as lives moves along.

My spirituality was modeled to me by my parents and our weekly trips to church. I have evolved, slightly, less rigid, more open, more seeking.

I'm the same religion as my family although I consider myself to be fairly open-minded.

Grew up in a strict Christian home. Around high school I turned my back on all of it!
But I recently came back to my faith.
It seems Life if much more productive when you do things for a reason!

My parents where Baptists and started taking me to church when I was a baby.It grew from there,was baptized at that same church.I
have fallen off the path a few times but
always come back to God's loving arms.He
sustains me

I was baptized Catholic and went to church thoughout my childhook but when I became an adult I realized I didn't really belive in the churchs teaching so I no longer go to church.

I have a Catholic dad and a Lutheran mom. They both have a deep and abiding faith which they shared with us. Religion and the true faith that accompanies it was never a taboo topic. We talked about it a lot. My journey through infertility both created challenges to my faith and allowed it to grow stronger and deeper. Then, of course, I have brilliant friends like you who ask great questions that make me think about my faith and grow it even further.

I was introduced to spirituality at a young age through my parents. however, I was drawn to prayer and bible study much more than they ever were. I feel like my spirit got a touch of "food" through my reading and has pushed me for more. i now try to inspire that in my family.

I was introduced to spirituality at a young age through my parents. however, I was drawn to prayer and bible study much more than they ever were. I feel like my spirit got a touch of "food" through my reading and has pushed me for more. i now try to inspire that in my family.

I grew up in church, and my spirituality is who I am. I don't force my beliefs on anyone, but I'm very spiritual.

I posted twice :/

I was raised in the church, and love the rituals, etc., but much of my spirituality came from reading Thoreau, the poets, etc. To me, Spirituality comes from within, and is not a part of a religious organization.

I personally believe that everything flows in a kind of harmony and that we have to respect nature as well as each other in order to co-exist on a relatively coherent level.

I don't believe in 1 almighty god, and I don't believe in heaven or hell. I do believe that we are all one and the same thing and that once we're done on this earth, there is no more.

I respect, and am often jealous of other people's ability to believe in god etc, but it isn't for me.

I was raised in a very religious household and because I didn't agree with those teachings, I challenged myself to learn about different cultures and their paths to enlightenment and I've taken a mix of all that knowledge to create my own version of spirituality.

I grew up in a Christian household and religion was always a part of my life. But it was not until I went through a period of depression in my early 20's that I embraced my own spirituality. I would also say that my spiritual beliefs have been tested quite a bit by those around me - and this has only made them stronger! I can't say that I know or understand it all - but I know that I'm dedicated to continuing to search for the answers...

I was born into my religion and still believe (although not as rigidly as I once did)

I was raised with an awareness of religion- meaning I was taken to church and sunday school by either my Mother or my Grandparents. I feel like I became religious in high school because I was craving something stable in my life. And at that point having the ritual of service and community of church was a great grounding force. When things got too overwhelming I would try to find answers or comfort within my religion. Recently, after dealing with Alzheimer's and infertility I seem to have broken up from religion. A part of me still craves it- or something to replace it. I try to focus on being kind and being centered.

Calliope
blogging about Alzheimer's, Infertility, and Single Motherhood

http://creatingmotherhood.com

I got it from the church my parents took me to. garrettsambo@aol.com

I was born into a loving, Christian family and have tried to nurture my faith by studying the Bible. God offers his love to everyone, we just need to make sure we're really listening to what He's saying not what we think. It's a lifetime of learning.

I was fortunate to be raised in the faith from cradle on. I am very "fixed" in it, it is always at the forefront of how I make decisions and act.

My Mom is mexican-American and grew up strictly Catholic,way back when mass was still read in Latin. So naturally I grew up Catholic as well.
As I got older, however, a lot abou the church turns me off and I don't go to mass at all. But I do pray a lot and talk to God and am very comfortable with our One-on-one relationship.

that's an interesting observation. Are you talking about in your life, or have you noticed this as a general theme? Do patriarchs play a role?

Weebles Wobblog ( http://www.weebleswobblog.com/ ) ... yin-yanging my way.@LavLuz
Examiner ( http://www.examiner.com/x-13701-Open-Adoption-Examiner )for Open Adoption.
( http://twitter.com/LavLuz )

This got me, too, at a young age:

"How is it, I wondered, that they could be so sure there was a God of the Sea, a Goddess of Love, and whatnot, yet be utterly wrong?"

Weebles Wobblog ( http://www.weebleswobblog.com/ ) ... yin-yanging my way.@LavLuz
Examiner ( http://www.examiner.com/x-13701-Open-Adoption-Examiner )for Open Adoption.
( http://twitter.com/LavLuz )

It seems that grandmothers and mothers are the typically the ones who transmit the religious beliefs or spirituality from one generation to the next.

Personal Blog: www.mrsspock.blogspot.com ( http://www.mrsspock.blogspot.com )

I was raised Catholic. My mother is so devout she gets up at 5am every morning to go to Mass. I read widely as a young'n, and at age 11 or 12 was very into Greek myths. How is it, I wondered, that they could be so sure there was a God of the Sea, a Goddess of Love, and whatnot, yet be utterly wrong? Isn't it possible, I thought, that those on my very catholic side of town could be so impassioned in their beliefs but also be wrong?

In the end, I decided that yes, the world was wider than my own. It did not fit in with my very conservative, very Catholic hometown. I went on to study Buddhism in high school, and meditated with the local Sangha every Sunday. I studied anthropology in college.

It has been a winding road that has lead me to be happily agnostic with a penchant for Buddhist meditation and philosophy. I do not have a deep psychological need (yes, even when I lived with the possibility of having a terminal diagnosis last summer), for a creator, a God, or an afterlife. I am perfectly comfortable with not knowing- but I acknowledge that I am in the minority. I have a strong penchant for social justice and have always chosen professions that are helping others, like social work and nursing. Perhaps it is because I do not expect a deity to save us, and do not expect a reward in the afterlife- that makes making this world better now a priority.

...seem to make one's views more of a choice than a default setting.

:-)

Weebles Wobblog ( http://www.weebleswobblog.com/ ) ... yin-yanging my way.@LavLuz
Examiner ( http://www.examiner.com/x-13701-Open-Adoption-Examiner )for Open Adoption.
( http://twitter.com/LavLuz )

My parents made a path for me--and I have strayed from it a time or 2. Became very connected during my difficult time with infertility and my pregnancy. I still question things--so I dont know if Im completely fixed, but I feel comfortable where I am.

Our journey of passing on our family "jeans"
reproductivejeans.blogspot.com

Follow me on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/reprojeans

I'm a work in progress...still havent found it

jdmimi at gmail dot com

I have been influenced by a lot of things that I've read, seen on TV and in the movies. I'm pretty open-minded, which drives my conservative Christian mother crazy!

I've studied them on my own.

My spirituality was greatly influenced by my mother, but as I've got older I've spent some time reading and forming my own opinions.

i prayed for God to take away my depression. It took about a year, but it vanished..My faith only strengthens

Raised that way, live that way.. very fixed.

I grew up with my beliefs, but have continued to form them as I age.

I am not religious, but I have become more spiritual after my mom passed away.

...come back and answer the question, maweisberg. Have some fun with it!

Weebles Wobblog ( http://www.weebleswobblog.com/ ) ... yin-yanging my way.@LavLuz
Examiner ( http://www.examiner.com/x-13701-Open-Adoption-Examiner )for Open Adoption.
( http://twitter.com/LavLuz )

would like to win this

I always thought of myself as a Christian but I have learned over the years more and more of what that really means.

I was raised vaguely Catholic, but never really explored it because the Catholic church (ours, anyway) was so hypocritical. When I was the ripe old age of 27, I was invited to a non-denominational church and actually read the Bible for the first time. And basically, I fell in love with Jesus. I admired him, respected him, and wanted to emulate him. Plain and simple. And I've never changed my mind for 20 years.

I was guided towards my religion (Christianity) by my grandma - who I felt was the sweetest, kindest person on the planet. She epitomized "they will know we are Christians by our love".

Heather

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www.heather-cook.com
www.thewritingmother.blogspot.com
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Born into Christianity,but the journey to by faith can't be pinpointed by one influence or event that I can say made me arrive with my faith. The more I work with others, read and experience life though the more I get closer to God and hopefully become a more understanding person.

Mandy W.

FourAgainstTwo.com

I arrived at my religious beliefs by studying many and leaving most. Definitely more spiritual than religious, and always open to learning more.

Thank you for the thought provoking question and giveaway.

Although I've had religious education, nature has always been the most powerful connection to spirituality for me. Much remains constant, but my understanding is evolving.