How our beliefs are changing.
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
September 18, 2009 4:20pm CST
In the US and and Canada and probably in some other countries as well, those who call themselves spiritual are growing faster than any other segment of society. We are not picking and choosing among the many religions, because we feel that they are all the same. It might also surprise many people that more and more of us are coming to believe in reincarnation. Sixty-five percent of Americans now believe that many paths can lead to eternal life, including thirty-seven percent of white evangelicals, who were traditionally the most hard core Christians
We have more freedom today than ever before to question and learn. We are thinking in different ways about the spiritual and what we really believe. Our minds are broadening and the old order is falling away as people educate themselves and their children. The church has less influence on the masses as we question and trust to our own judgment. Leaders of the church who claim to have Gods ear are not as believable in our time as they were even twenty years ago. Do you feel that this is a good or bad thing?
2 people like this
11 responses
@ra1787 (501)
• Italy
18 Sep 09
I think that this is a good thing, the process of personal research is much more important than blind faith, asking question and realizing that there can be more answers and that many of those answer are equally right makes us more tolerant and more open-minded, and probably gets us closer to truth than just listening to someone who tells us what to believe.
2 people like this
@Hazelrose (2179)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
It is the time than man must seek Gods will, not so materialistic. All in vain if the teaching and precepts of men.
@IMEzekieL (498)
•
19 Sep 09
Right on ra1787.
I believe God's not in favor with those people who are using faith for their own benefit.
It's much better to have some kind of a personal relationship with God. That's what I have right now, and it feels good. I just let people do what they want in terms of spirituality. No need to be pushy.
1 person likes this
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
there were many great church leaders before. i think there are still some good great leaders. but i don't believe that church leaders will or should be our GOd's ear. we ourselves should be God's ear for our family, for our friends, for our community. We should all be in connection to GOd and not depend on so called church leaders. God communicates to all. it is our responsibility to communicate to God on day to day basis so we can be properly guided spiritually. i don't know what do christians believe . if they believe in reincarnation or not. but i don't believe in it. as i believe the soul does not die and the soul actually would live forever. in this times of great confusion and when there are many news about war and terrorism we should really hold on to God and our faith to give us peace in the world and to keep us safe always.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
19 Sep 09
Hi hotsummer, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I think we agree on most things except that I believe reincarnation, to be not only true, but very necessary. It won't always be necessary to come back to this plane as many have already moved on. Our job here is to live in the moment and to work together to make this world a better place for everyone. Blessings.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I am not a church fan, more horror in the form of war and total annihilation has taken place in the name of organized religions than for any other reason. So I am very glad to find that the spiritual development is becoming less and less under the guidance of those religions.
1 person likes this
@jlynn00 (16)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I feel that people have a right to believe in what they choose, but it's heartbreaking to know how many are confused in what to believe. I coud say that I believe there's only one way, but then again people will believe what they want to.
@Hazelrose (2179)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
God choose the right way where man must do. You will not be confused if you believe what have written in the Bible. Have faith in it, not what the other say.
@steve2708 (2)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Its not just a good thing, its a great thing, people need to open up and realize that religions, every one of them, are ways to explain the unexplainable. Originally people had multiple gods to explain the multiple mysteries of their worlds, after a time many of these beliefs were labeled as merely mythology. This led in a rise of monotheism, appealing to the masses simply because there was only one god to worship, and only one entity responsible for everything they hold dearest. Organized religion has done wonders for many people, and it gives many more something to hold onto, something to believe in, and generally a support group of like-minded individuals and families. While these are great things, organized religions are also responsible for some of the most terrible acts of violence and cruelty the world has ever seen, or will see in the future. As information is more readily available to people and questions formerly only answerable by a higher power are becoming fewer and fewer we are bound to see a shift away from the old established religions. While it may seem odd to look at how fast this shift takes hold of society, it's merely a sign of progress in my eyes.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
20 Sep 09
Hi steve, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I completely agree with you. Some people do need a faith and if it helps them that's great, we should not try to take it from them. I was active in the Christian church for many years before realizing that I didn't believe most of it. There was a well known evangelist in Canada back in the fifties and probably early sixties. He was a good friend of Billy Graham and sometimes travelled with him. One day he just threw it all down, saying that it was all a farce and that he couldn't continue deceiving people that way. He turned to journalism and made quite a name for himself there as well. I feel that we have to respect the views of others as long as they are doing no great harm. Blessings.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
19 Sep 09
I think it's wonderful that eucation is preventing us from being blind followers. I think that people should be able to make an informed decision about what they believe, instead of blindly following the so-called authority of out-dated practices. I believe in something, but human interpretations are making it quite hard for me to know what that something is. If we are allowed to believe as we want, without the influence of so-called leaders, I think the "truth" would be easier to find.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
19 Sep 09
Hi danishcanadian, Thank you for commenting and I agree. You remind me of a retired Episcopal Bishop who was recently quoted as saying, "I find my beliefs are stronger than ever but also that I believe in less and less". Many people seem to have the idea that people are more determined to hold to their beliefs as they get older, but I know that isn't always the case. Blessings.
@goldfish27 (22)
• China
19 Sep 09
May be this is a good thing.May be we should believe the God,bud we should believe ourselves or the trues any more .As the first floor`s said the God is not changing,but we change everyday.Every tomorrow is a new day.We must have new mind to deal with the new thing,answer new question and do new work.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
19 Sep 09
Hi goldfish, Thank you for your comment. I like the idea of Spirituality rather than religion because it reminds us that we must live in the moment. I don't think that we are here to worship a deity but rather to treat our fellow humans as if he/she were God. Blessings.
@IMEzekieL (498)
•
19 Sep 09
I'm a Christian and I believe this is much better than listening to some hypocritical religious leaders.
I like the part where you said:
"Sixty-five percent of Americans now believe that many paths can lead to eternal life."
I really love that.
Overall, I think this is a good thing 'cause I believe in this thing called freewill. And besides, choosing the spiritual side isn't a sin at all, so why bother?
People choose what's best for themselves. God would understand that.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
19 Sep 09
Hi IMEzekiel, Thank you for commenting and I am one of those people who consider myself spiritual and I have thought about the idea of reincarnation since I was just a boy. No matter what path one takes, they all lead to God, yet our work here is to treat our fellow human beings as we would God. Blessings.
@Hazelrose (2179)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
In the Bible their is only one path for salvation, Our Lord Jesuschrist. But not all claiming Christ is their Savior will be saved, even though they make good things and miracles(Matthew 7:21-23). Not all the leaders and preachers of the religion is of God, many false prophets nowadays claiming for God and for our Jesus. Let the Bible Speak, not the one preaching their own. The one can preach the pure Words of God is the one being SENT(Romans 10:14-15), not claiming they are sent, but the Bible propesied in them. Only the Bible can change the belief of a man.
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@pinkz_gurl (19)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
our beliefs are really changing in connection with our environment and situation in life.or even when you are getting convinced with a big happening in your life that could really change your attitude and faith
1 person likes this