Honestly, sweetheart, I feel truly sorry for you. In response to talk of joy, you can't pinpoint joy in your life, but must point to the Bible, writing about joy. I read your words, I feel what's behind them, and I feel no joy in your life. I would hope each person in the world finds a spirituality that gives them joy. This will, undoubtedly, be different for each person, even if some sets of beliefs and lifestyles fall under similar umbrellas (Christianity, Paganism, Judaism, Taoism, Buddhism, to name a few). But I don't see that in your life.
Keep in mind that I'm not making a blanket statement about Christianity in general. I've interacted with many Christians whose faith brings them great joy, and that makes me very happy. I don't begrudge them that joy, simply because their beliefs differ from my own. They live their faith, and their lives are enriched by it. It's just that I don't see that with you, personally. I don't know what would give you joy. I would hope that you keep searching until you find it, though. Maybe you can find joy in Christianity, even the denomination you're currently in. Maybe you can find it elsewhere. Your religious beliefs are really irrelevent to me. What I do find relevent is how it affects your life. And right now, I see a bitter person, who can't accept that there are many many paths to Truth, to God, to Love, and they are all equally valid. It's a subtle, vicious circle, which leaves one with a sense of empty hubris, and fear. Both qualities I see in you. I'm not saying that to judge you, or to be mean to you. I'm merely stating what I see.
Frankly, I doubt that your spiritual preference has much to do with those feelings, but each religion gives its followers a different set of tools, and I can't see that you've built anything with yours. I will concede, however, that my knowledge of you is limited, but your posts say so much.
I've enjoyed your comments on polyamory. They made me think, to process my own reasons for it, and in the end, I believe even more strongly that this path is the right one for me. I thank you for helping me to come to that decision.
I'm not quite sure how the conversation got turned to another discussion on Christianity vs. Paganism. It's unnecessary, in my opinion. There doesn't ever have to be a "vs.". And, in the end, I could care less what your religion is. I'd like to see you happy, but it's not my place to make you happy, and your place to find it. I have those rights, as well, and I've found what makes me happy. I have joy in my life in abundance. I have struggles, too, but I find a joy in those, as well. I feel the presence of the Divine all around me - all I have to do is stop and pay attention.
I won't stop you from continuing this discussion, but I have no interest in converting you to something that doesn't speak to your heart, nor do I have any interest in being converted. It's nice to have a look at the other side now and again, but in the end, we must all follow our hearts.
Re: Continued
Keep in mind that I'm not making a blanket statement about Christianity in general. I've interacted with many Christians whose faith brings them great joy, and that makes me very happy. I don't begrudge them that joy, simply because their beliefs differ from my own. They live their faith, and their lives are enriched by it. It's just that I don't see that with you, personally. I don't know what would give you joy. I would hope that you keep searching until you find it, though. Maybe you can find joy in Christianity, even the denomination you're currently in. Maybe you can find it elsewhere. Your religious beliefs are really irrelevent to me. What I do find relevent is how it affects your life. And right now, I see a bitter person, who can't accept that there are many many paths to Truth, to God, to Love, and they are all equally valid. It's a subtle, vicious circle, which leaves one with a sense of empty hubris, and fear. Both qualities I see in you. I'm not saying that to judge you, or to be mean to you. I'm merely stating what I see.
Frankly, I doubt that your spiritual preference has much to do with those feelings, but each religion gives its followers a different set of tools, and I can't see that you've built anything with yours. I will concede, however, that my knowledge of you is limited, but your posts say so much.
I've enjoyed your comments on polyamory. They made me think, to process my own reasons for it, and in the end, I believe even more strongly that this path is the right one for me. I thank you for helping me to come to that decision.
I'm not quite sure how the conversation got turned to another discussion on Christianity vs. Paganism. It's unnecessary, in my opinion. There doesn't ever have to be a "vs.". And, in the end, I could care less what your religion is. I'd like to see you happy, but it's not my place to make you happy, and your place to find it. I have those rights, as well, and I've found what makes me happy. I have joy in my life in abundance. I have struggles, too, but I find a joy in those, as well. I feel the presence of the Divine all around me - all I have to do is stop and pay attention.
I won't stop you from continuing this discussion, but I have no interest in converting you to something that doesn't speak to your heart, nor do I have any interest in being converted. It's nice to have a look at the other side now and again, but in the end, we must all follow our hearts.