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I feel pangs of envy when I see people involved in church, or spiritual shows on TV. It must be nice to be able to share with people your beliefs, and have comforting messages tailored to you to ease the burden of worldly cares. I question whether I could ever belong to any of these communities while having beliefs they would reject and dismiss.
I guess it's hard to share my beliefs because they're mostly negative rather than affirmative. I reject any religion that claims there is only one god. In general, anything that is filled with too much certainty and exclusivity seems arrogant and wrong. Pascal's wager should include the possibility of offending other gods besides the Hebrew one.
But whatever your beliefs I think there's still a practical side of religion that is perhaps more important. Community building is one, but there is also the dealing with things like joy, pain or wonderment that exceed the temporal. I'm sure everyone has these moments, and it's sad to not have any symbology or container to put them in. Maybe some people are able to share those moments with others without the need for religion, but for people like myself I experience them alone and then they are gone. Maybe it's the same for religious people too, I don't know.
 
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United Kingdom10026 Posts
There are definitely non-religious communities that can fulfil the exact same role. I've found the local underground arts community to be quite similar in a way, very supportive, willing to discuss deep and meaningful subjects; political and spiritual as well as being open to new ideas.
I could also suggest Unitarianism (I think that's what its called) which is a church that has its roots in Christianity but as far as I know you can simply be on a spiritual journey and they will welcome you. I don't think they would reject you on the basis of your beliefs although I could be wrong.
I've also found the new age crowd to be quite accepting of diverse belief systems - although you can run into some crazies who believe ridiculous shit. If you accept them, they will accept you.
Get yourself out there and try things would be my advice, there are plenty of non religious communities who offer diverse and interesting ways of community building and fulfil the roles of religion you are looking for.
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As Jock says, such communities do exist, both offline and offline. Also, philosophical debate and/or discussion is another great way to help satiate spiritual needs in an increasingly superficial and compartmentalized world.
That said, pursuit of truth might be best done on one's own. It's likely that reaching out for comfort or solidarity will do nothing but keep a person from forming beliefs that are truly their own, and that the desire for personal connection will overshadow adherence to honesty with one's self.
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Honestly starlightsun, you just feel lonely. There's no reason why you can't share joy, pain or wonderment that exceed the temporal with friends and family and significant others.
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4713 Posts
Hi Starlightsun,
From what I'm getting you're sort of isolating yourself because of your beliefs and your feeling of wanting to be part of a community which you feel might not be able to understand you.
I can relate slightly and I have a short story.
I grew up in a very religious Orthodox family, although part leaned more towards atheism and part towards belief. At some point I grew disillusioned with religion most with the inconsistencies in the idea of an all powerful God which could allow the existence of evil in the world.
I also though religion was cowardly, a means for weak people to blame their strife on a "higher power" instead of taking responsibility for their action.
Unfortunately I didn't find any comfort in this and I just kept making myself feel miserable and I didn't really understand why.
Recently I discovered Jordan B Peterson's YT channel and he had a few eye opening things to say and it sort of boils down to, if you replace a religious framework, which leans in a positive direction, with nothing and especially with a negative belief system, you simply aggravate your own suffering.
Life Travis said, I think pursuing understanding on your own could be best, reaching a certain realization might be stronger than trying to find understanding from someone who can't completely understand you.
That said there is nothing wrong in opening up somewhat and being exposed to other points of view, philosophies and ways of thinking, it can help you make sense of reality.
I've recently sort of changed my point of view and I also think religion can be important, but more for the positive moral system it tried to promote, which, fundamentally seems to have helped people.
My advice would be, do some soul searching, read up on some philosophy of meaning or watch some YT channels, talk to people, expose yourself to different PoVs and then judge their merits.
Best of luck.
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Thank you all for the thoughts and advice.
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Hi Starlightsun,
In my opinion, religion was created to bring people together. And yes i do believe that religion as a concept can do more good than bad. The problem starts when followers of a religion become more rigid or unwelcoming. As long as religion can accept and coexist with thoughts and opinions of people, which are different from the basis on which a religion was founded, there is hope.
Regards
Anurag
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