I've lived a sheltered life!

I can certainly appreciate that it might feel like you've lived a sheltered life-- after all, myLot is one of the most "international" sites on the web, so we get exposed to people from almost every walk of life. My life has followed an almost exactly opposite path from yours. My parents travelled and moved constantly, and I had already lived in 12 countries on three continents by the time I was 21. As such, understanding and accepting the vast variety of beliefs anf nationalities of the world is almost second-nature to me. On the other hand, I cannot even begin to imagine what it might be like to have lived in the same place, and known the same people and places, for an entire lifetime. So even though I may be "well-travelled," I still have a sense of feeling a bit "sheltered" from the kind of stable, dedicated and completely "normal" lifestyle you have lived... and I find myself curious, at time, wondering "What is it LIKE?"

It's kind of hard for me to imagine how anybody can be tht isolated these days, but I guess it happens. I hope you're able to adjust and enjoy the wide variety of people on the internet. For me, that's one of the attractions of the net, that I can come into contact with people and lifestyles that I could never experience any other way. In fact, because my background, beliefs, and education are quite different from the norm, the internet is the only place I can find people who are more like me than the ones I meet in the "real world."

My background sounds similar to yours also but I do feel others have the right to their own beliefs and as long as they are not hurting others around them (which to me is the basis of Christianity) they are free to use their own conscience and live their lives. I find I do not get into conversations about religeon very much on here as it is so hard to get a point accross without someone taking it the wrong way or condemming you for your thoughts.

No I never find it a problem to relate to people that are different from me. That is what makes a forum like this so great we can understand where others are coming from in their beliefs, cultures and religions.

You have been very blessed. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, have been married and divorced 3 times, have moved I can't tell you how many times. I guess I don't find it difficult relating to non-believers because for a large portion of my life I was one. Not exactly that I didn't believe but I didn't understand nor find it important to learn. I don't think it's a question of your being right or wrong, it's understandable that you would find it difficult to relate to people you've known nothing about. The key is they are human, just like the rest of us, they are God's children, and God loves them the same as He loves us - the only difference is we know this and they don't. Personally I find the best way to relate to non-believers is first of all not to relate - I know that sounds silly but if you try to relate to them you are bring yourself into their realm and you don't want to do that. Don't try forcing your beliefs but let them see God's goodness through you. Don't put yourself above them but share how your life is with Him. Don't expect them to jump at your beliefs but leave an opening for them. Don't condemn but show patience and gentleness. That's just my 2 cents from one that was once on the other side of the fence...

Yes it's true we are surrounded by different cultures, personalities and characters and I just loved them all. Sometimes I'm shocked but sooner or later I am able to adopt. I'm just so amazed to see people's opinion, just love to see the difference of every human and I can do it all just by sitting in front of my pc. I would hate it if I will be seeing the same thing, hearing the same idea everyday.

its understandable of what you feel about different people here in my lot...as for me i was not shock at all because i was been exposed to that all along..am a catholic but not a church goer..

estherlou I am 56. Raised basically the same as you, except my mother was the one who did the church going and forcing. Once I was UNENCUMBERED with a first and second husband I was able to learn of different people and customs by actually interacting with them. I formed my own prejudices. Not relying on the prejudices of a church or a preacher telling me. I am tougher now. I can handle myself; I can handle life-for the most part. I HATE religion of all kinds. I was married for 21 years; it wasn't always great, but it was sheltered. I had my brick home in Texas. I would rather be me today than 20 years ago.

I can relate somewhat (though I am only 23). I have lived in the same subdivision since I was three, same house since I was four. I pretty much also grew up around all the same people my whole life. This whole area even outside of my community has never been anything that I am not used to either. I do often find it odd - sometimes even astonishing - to see how some other people think and how they treat each other (some getting away with saying and doing things that would never be gotten away with here). Also, when I went off to college, even though it was still in my area, there was a lot of "culture shock" as you put it because so many people there were from out of state. It certainly is difficult to relate to some people. I never have that much of a problem with religion... politics, however, is a different story for me.

You have indeed lived a sheltered life. I am 69 years of age and have moved and lived in many different states. I come from Puerto Rico and at first it was hard to adjust to the American way of life. Thank goodness we now have the internet so we can make friends with people all over the world without having to take a plane. You have been blessed to live in the same house, same town and raised as a Christian.

hmmn, that does sound like a terribly sheltered life! I wouldn't have liked a life like that. I can't relate to the kind of culture shock you're going through, but, being a wiccan who's lived a very 'different' sort of life, I can relate to feeling like I can't relate to some people who have really different sorts of lives...like you! I absolutely can't imagine what it must have been like to live your life and i find it really hard to imagine what your perspective on things must be like. So I guess i can relate to not being able to relate lol!

I also grew up in a Christian home. When I went to college I was exposed to many other beliefs. It is good to be open to many other cultures and beliefs to broaden your horizons. It doesn't mean that it is wrong to mingle with other people with different backgrounds. Jesus shared his life with many other people who do not share the same set of beliefs that he had. As long as you know what you believe in and you have a strong foundation of what matters to you, your faith will not be shaken.

I am jelouse of the wonderful sheltering you have had. When I was growing up I was raised half the time in sunday school as my grandparents preached, and ran the sunday school classes. That was on my fathers side of the family. The other half with my mother, who was a univeristy student working internationally to get her PHD in Anthropology. Subsiquently learning so much about the worlds varius cultures, she herself does not believe in any sort of God or Higher Power. She educated herself right out of faith. Needless to say I had a culturally and spiritually divers upbringing. I chose Christ

Hi! I was raised catholic. By my teens I realized that catholic religion was not providing real answers and true examples of what religion should be. I am 42 now. I don't go to church but that does not mean I don't believe in a high power or energy guiding and protecting us. I have read and study many religions, from pagan, from were all started, to hindu, wicca, muslim, and the list grows longer. All major religions acknowledge one supreme being, call it Jesus, God, Allah, Mahoma, Krishna, or Budda. We have created the divisions among people and religions. We have turned into fanatics. Religion, over history, has been the main reason for war and massive killings. How could we solve that? No, we are not different. It might look like that in the outside and personal beliefs. When we start viewing ourselves as the same probably we would be in our way to tolerance, acceptance, and respect for each other. We all come from the same divine source. Look outside the shell. There's a whole real and beautiful life outside. I am glad you were so honest. Blessings and best wishes.

For me, it's not about religion. I have difficulty with the people who I find are quite sexist - guys posting about whether or not their wives should work, or women posting guy bashing stuff. (Although, of course, personal problems are different. It's just the general attitude towards men and women's roles in life that I find strange).

Its okay if you believe in god, budda, or anything else. People need to learn to be tolerant to others. I am not a Christian, I did grow up in a Christian household. My experiences in life has taken me to what I believe. I am a Pagan. I don't believe in the Christian verison of God. What people need to focus on instead of religion is what we have in common. Noone likes people to shove their beliefs down their throat, especially when they have different beliefs from their own. You are a mother, so am I. That is one thing we have in common. I live ini the town I was born and grew up in. You live in the town you grew up in. People are the same, just different beliefs, that is the great thing about diversity. Finding out what people have in common not the differences.

I think by joing MyLot or any other forum you will discover things from yourself you may never have discovered before. Just be yourself and then you can cope with the culture shock.

The world is made up of many kinds of people, each with his own beliefs and perspectives in life. In my opinion, it is these vast differences that makes the world more interesting and colorful. I am sure within your own church or cell groups, there are people with different ideas about many other things other than God. All it takes is an open mind and a willingness to accept others. I am sure it is a heartening experience for you to remain open and blend easily into a society with different culture and beliefs. I feel happy for you :)

I think your life is ideal. You have a strong background, which can give valeuable support and guidance for others that may not have had an ideal past life.

Yes, not everyone can relate to everyone so it just isnt you. When you arent exposed to it then it becomes a hard thing to deal with.