Good grief Gert!! I come here after being away for what seems half a lifetime and who do I see?
Chazz, I must admit, I didn't read everything here with the intensity I ought. But I can certainly understand your views on the church. I didn't have half the experiences you have had, was raised Catholic, educated in Catholic elementary and high schools, attended a Lutheran college, and never really got into it beyond professing to be a "reformed" Catholic and paying homage to St. Pillow every Sunday morning.
I don't know...maybe the "group think/group speak" thing never influenced me. I do know some very religious or very spiritual people, but you know what...they usually aren't the type that preach eternal damnation or give you black and white sermons either.
And I have to admit, I'd never make a good alcoholic cause I hit the floor after a couple drinks. I like a good wine now and again, but the older I get, the less I can tolerate booze LOL. I don't like hangovers. But you know, addictions (any of them...behavioral, substance, etc.) really are a sign of covering up some pain or loss that we can't face. There is such a familial pattern to them, that I really do think that any addiction is a big spiritual hole inside of us.
One thing I do see is that the whole idea of "judgement" is pervasive throughout organized religion. It's one thing to live as moral of a person as possible...a good thing. But so many times this flawed church and its members take on the duty of God, judge, and jury. That is a very difficult thing to deal with especially while grasping with issues like addictions, divorce, broken families. Condemning someone through moralistic judgements when they are at their weakest just doesn't help.
I think I probably have just as many questions as you, and often wonder why humans have to take the negative side of things--"thou shalt not"--instead of looking at some of the more positive aspects of spirituality and religion--"you are made in the image of God." (And isn't that one of the basis of the first book, Genesis?) Humans by their nature are imperfect; yet, why do we persist on emphasizing and strengthening our weaknesses by criticism and condemnation instead of building each other up?
Never did get that. It's why I call it "reformed Catholicsm" LOL.
I think very much like NMD.
All I can say is...life is good. I had a very wise life coach a few years back who encouraged me to always look at things from as many different angles as possible and to stop the black/white thinking. So often, we do attract what is inside of us. If you're feeling low and down about yourself, you will attract someone who's going to eventually pick that up about you and will beat you down further. So...what's good about you? What's good with what you're doing? If you can't find it...do something better!!
