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Hello :)
Thanks for inviting me here, Setamontet. I left faith recently (again) and sorting things out. Feeling like the best way to describe my feelings right now from a faith perspective is spiritual atheism? That's probably the best way I can put it for now. This looks like a cool forum, and look forward to chatting with you guys. 
August 02, 2017, 11:39:00 pm |
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Does this belief system bring you peace?
Does this belief system give you a sense of deep satisfying peace? When I practiced Christianity, I felt a sense of peace. But, then I came to realize that much of my belief system was built upon wishful thinking. I left Christianity five years ago, about a year after that, I naturally concluded that atheism was what made sense to me, and fast forward to about two years ago, I returned to Christianity. This was largely due to the stress and grief I was experiencing over my grandmother's death. I had never grappled with such a great loss, without faith to escape. Being an atheist when my grandmother died was hard, I won't lie. It was HARD. Intellectually, I think atheism describes my thinking now and has for some time, but my heart looks for something else, I guess. That sense of peace that is difficult to find in the day to day, but I'm learning. I'm having to UNLEARN certain things, in the process. I don't want to cling to false gods and faiths in order to give myself a false peace. And so here I am again, having left faith again, and sorting things out for myself, in terms of atheism and spirituality, of some sort. I'm finding that meditation and practicing centeredness brings me great peace. And so I wonder about others' belief systems, does a left hand path bring one peace? Can you describe how? I'm just curious. I find people's belief systems to be fascinating, so long as they don't harm others, and learning about why people follow what they do. August 03, 2017, 12:10:19 am |
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Re: Hello :)
Okay, thank you for saying this. :-) I was like...why is he calling me saint frankenstein? lol  August 03, 2017, 02:06:40 am |
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Re: Physique and Strength
I'm into cross fit and running. I can't imagine not working out because it's not only good for my body but it's good for my mind. I don't think about the stress in my life at all during a run or when I'm at the gym.
August 03, 2017, 11:27:15 am |
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Re: Hello :)
Welcome Deidre, great big huge hugs! = ) Hugs back! 
August 03, 2017, 02:14:36 pm |
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Re: Does this belief system bring you peace?
I'll come back to ask more a little later, but thank you for your insights. So this brings about a question ...would you say that your belief system is one whereby enlightenment is brought about because of the darkness or despite it? I'm thinking that the darkness acts as a conduit for positive change which I find fascinating. But am I understanding that right?
August 03, 2017, 07:33:51 pm |
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Re: Does this belief system bring you peace?
The things you're saying here totally resonate with me, regarding the 'right hand path' type faiths, like Christianity. I was raised in a Christian home, and always practiced without thinking about it much. What is practicing Christianity like, really? It's basically worshiping a deity and by that I mean praying to him, and sacrificing one's own ambitions and desires for this ''greater good,'' or ''greater god.'' The problems that I've run into, and why I left Christianity for the first time 5 years ago, is that I couldn't make logical sense of the Bible, a book that is wrought with contradictions. But, there was something about this Christian God that made me feel loved...comforted. Or it was what I was taught to believe without asking questions. To doubt meant you were in sin. You know the drill, coming from that background. This left hand path. I have to say, I was taken aback when I first read about it when I came to the religious forums. I never knew anyone who actually practiced any type of magic, and again, was taught that ''sorcerers'' and ''wizards'' are evil beings, and should be avoided, according to Christian beliefs. But, I never really thought this deep down. I've always viewed people as just humans all struggling with pretty much the same things...depression, love, confusion, sadness, grief, etc. Religions just offer everyone a different way to cope with the human condition, perhaps. So, I started reading a little bit about the left hand path community, and then talked with two people from RF about it. And these two people, one of them one of the co-founders of this site, always seemed in good spirits. Even in better spirits than the Christians I knew offline, or on RF. That struck me as curious...why would people who are the antithesis of Christianity, be so joyful? So hopeful? I liked it, though. I was drawn to learning more about it. Fast forward to recently, I came back to faith (after identifying as an atheist for a little while a few years ago)...largely due to my grandmother's death that happened a little over two years ago. Her death rocked my world, and I couldn't process it without faith. As an atheist, it was just really hard to process that I would have to cope with her loss on my own. Just me. No gods, no crutches. Just me. A few months later, I lost an online friend named Mequa, a few people here knew him. He used to post on RF. His death following my grandmother's death, just was so shocking. He was only 33 years old. So, I eventually ran back to faith, thinking that I had a supernatural experience of some type. This is the abbreviated version, but it's what led me back. A few weeks ago, I thought that I just don't believe this stuff anymore. I want to believe in a god, or that a supreme being adores me, but logically, I don't. I mean, I hold out hope that one may exist, but to worship a potentially fictional character in my mind started to seem once again, very stupid. This left hand path. Hmmm. It is interesting that we can learn from darkness. Christianity teaches how to snuff out the darkness. That we shouldn't walk towards the darkness, yet in LHP ...it seems you embrace the darkness. Is this darkness, the darkness of our souls or the darkness of life, in general? Is darkness subjective? Like maybe what you consider dark, I might not and vice versa. I like your story, it is very helpful to me, and I'm glad you've shared it. I want to learn more. :=) August 04, 2017, 12:50:25 am |
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Re: Does this belief system bring you peace?
Greetings Deidre, Yessss, that's exactly right...the LHP sounds much harder, in terms of work one does on one's self, to reach enlightenment. Not unlike say Buddhism, although I know they are very different belief systems. That said, following a deity that promises you salvation if you do this...and this...and that...isn't easy either, but in a different way. It is disappointing to cry out to a god that you fear isn't listening. These fears coupled with the natural fears that we all experience as humans, can really mess with a person's head. When I was following Christianity, I made a lot of excuses for God, when things didn't go as planned in my life or I failed at something. It was never me looking at me, and what did I do wrong in the situation that I could learn from? It was always me blaming a god, or calling out to him for help. And feeling a sense of peace, because I didn't have to worry about it, anymore. God would take care of it all. And for a time that worked. But, you don't grow when religion becomes a crutch in your life, always catching your falls. So, I read that Setians don't worship any being. Do you revere any particular being, though? Or is it mainly a set of principles that help you to become your best self? (Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.) August 04, 2017, 12:59:12 am |
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Re: Does this belief system bring you peace?
Shamira, thank you!! I'm at work and want to quote certain parts of your post so I'll come back later with questions :-) I would like to resolve some irrational fears I have, like fear of death, loss, and new situations. These fears are irrational because they're affecting how I view life and have for a while. Like these fears keep me from getting out of my comfort zone and doing things that I'm unfamiliar with. In Christianity, or RHP's in general, the idea is to escape your fears or give them to God. But there's no real life practical ways that are taught to overcome fears. So you sort of live with your fears, never really growing and hoping some cosmic relief comes your way through prayer. This isn't the whole of Christianity but it is definitely a layer of it. So can and will the LHP help me resolve my fears? I don't want necessarily an easy way out because how I came to have these fears came from my childhood. Thanks for any advice you may have on this. BBL... August 04, 2017, 02:11:06 pm |
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Re: Does this belief system bring you peace?
Hey :=) Okay...soooo many questions, I hope you don't mind. Coming from Christianity, the Prince of Darkness is referred to as the enemy of ''the light.'' (of Jesus/God) Since I've departed from Christianity again, I'm not hung up on that aspect of it, but I do wonder why is darkness thought of as a bad thing in Christianity. And how is it viewed in the LHP? With that question, I will then ask...is darkness something to be embraced or worked through? If enlightenment is the ultimate destination, and like Buddhism, the journey is really what enlightenment is about, learning about one's self and growing along the way...then how does darkness get me there? Here's my thing, I don't want to worship a different deity. I've read that Setians don't worship per se, and you say so yourself that you don't...but, it still has that feeling of theism to me. Just being honest, so can you help me understand that better? (thank you) August 04, 2017, 04:24:44 pm |
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I apologize if my reply may had given you the wrong impression. You just seemed to be a bit familiar that was all, I apologize if I may had offended you in anyway. I just haven't known you fully on RF.