Charliphine

God

Monday, 24. April 2006, 18:48:37

Over easter a group of my friends went on a trip to Wales with a local religious group known as 'JCU'. They originally went simply to give them something to do, but they seem to have returned with completely different view points. All day at school they were raving about it, saying how their lives have been completely changed.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against religion or god. People are perfectly welcome to be as religious/non-religious as they like. But I find it a little strange that some of my closest friends went there expecting it to be all "preachified" and came back raving about how their entire lives had been put into a new light. Apparently they spent a lot of their time paying and singing and worshipping. Dani said that she cried every night she was there, but that she feels better for it. And she has gotten obsessed with reading the bible.

Personally I don't believe in God, I use the standard arguments...about how much sadness and pain there is in the world etc. But I also feel that if I were truly meant to be religious I would have some sort of "experience" or there would be a sign. Something that would be personal to me. Perhaps I'm just not the religious type.

I know it sounds like I'm complaining, or being selfish, I don't mean to be, I'm just finding it a little difficult to watch my friends change from being normal...to slightly depressed/moody after one trip and then completely happy/enlightened/religious after a second trip. I wonder what will happen in the next trip?

Sorry for posting yet another rant

I'll try to cheer up for next time

Last day... (a little rant)Hahaha

Comments

jr.maty # 24. April 2006, 18:55

Well, you've opened a box of explosives there for discussion! Heh. Perhaps look at it this way - your friends have 'found' God, and suddely they seem happy, content and generally better for the experience. That in itself says something does it not?

It can be a littly dismaying to see friends change like that - but if they're happy for experience then its a good thing. Whether you believe in God or not, bathe in the happiness that your friends have brought back, use it as a positive thing.

longing2belong # 24. April 2006, 19:03

I know, you're right. I really do sound quite bitchy. I'm not like this normally.

But yes...I'm sure this will become quite an interesting topic.

I still love my friends loads, they're the best.

Ron Popeli # 24. April 2006, 21:30

Worse thing that could happen after their third trip is that they run around chasing you, sprinlking holy water on you, screaming 'SINNER!'

Ramunas # 25. April 2006, 05:47

Well i totally agree with you, and i don`t believe in god too.

Don`t surrender to those religious people

longing2belong # 25. April 2006, 19:05

Haha Rob that's true. I'm hoping the next one is the one I'm dragging Dani on so it should be ok.

Thanks Ramunas, good to have someone on my side

fregonassi # 26. April 2006, 05:01

Some people needs god/faith to be happy. I am not one of them, but they're right in their way, because they're seeking for something that makes them happy.
And the most important thing is to be happy, believing, or not believing.

Thank you for helping me in LX ^^

pjbatty # 2. May 2006, 17:31

I lived with a couple of girls for a year and they were heavlily into the Christian Union at uni. They read the Bible regularly and went to church every week and everything they did generally revolved around the church, the Bible and God.

I found it a bit hard to swallow and often they would leave the Bible and other bits of what I called propaganda relating to Creationism versus evolution and that sort of thing. Suffice to say, instead of convincing me of the benefits of Christianity they put me off it.

Be careful around those who stuff what they believe in your face.

longing2belong # 2. May 2006, 18:57

Thank you for the advice Peter. And I agree that you are right, I'd rather people tempted me into religion (or anything for that matter) than pushed me.

Although, things seem to have calmed down now. Perhaps it was just the initial excitement of 'finding god'? I mean, they're still as happy etc. as they were when they came back, but they definately aren't as 'in your face'.

xx

pjbatty # 3. May 2006, 09:32

Seems a bit like they were brainwashed. I don't believe that one can find God overnight or at some camp or other. I think it comes through geniune reflection on one's situation in life.

For me, I have no need for God in that I have no empty space that needs filling with anyone or anything. When I was younger I went to Sunday School and even said prayers quietly to myself in the evenings but later I grew out of it and I haven't missed it. I think there is a time and a place for religion but it is not for everyone.

longing2belong # 3. May 2006, 15:43

I guess you're right. I think I've sort'a figured out my ideas now... Rught now I do not believe that there is a 'god', but I am too young to know for sure. So, I am open to ideas. I also do not believe that any religion should be denounced- which is one reason I dislike Christianity, in my experience Christians are quite hypocritical.

xx