This - My Creed

Ever questioned your beliefs handed down to you since birth? Ever been curious to explore it for yourself? Instead of solely relying on what you inherited growing up. This is my personal journey in a nutshell, into doing just that. 

 

Ever since i was a child, I've always been curious about stuff, especially the world and our purpose in it. I refer to a post I read some time ago which read that as a species we constantly try to find something, anything that will explain human existence, why we are here, and our place in it, but it must be tangible for us to accept it. We are social beings and must be able to see it, touch it, and be a part of it to believe in it. Organized religion fills that need. Just believing in and talking to God does not. 

It's lonely when it’s just you and God. He doesn't say a lot and requires you to do all the talking. He exists beyond the physical world. Religion teaches that God requires absolute belief in him without ever giving you a chance to scientifically prove or disprove his existence. That's hard to sustain for any one person without the support and fellowship of others. Thus, we organize ourselves into groups of like-minded individuals, who have basically the same beliefs, and call it a religion.

Most people never actually chose their own religion. It was chosen for them by the simple act of being born into a family of that particular religion.

For many of us, religion is not a choice, it is a birth right. I apologize to that small percentage of you who have actively chosen your religion because it fits your present beliefs. You've obviously searched until you found a religion that, as closely as possible, fits your needs. That works for me too, but unfortunately, we are in the minority and as of this point in my life, I have not found that in religion. 

As I delved into questioning my own beliefs and the nature of existence, I found myself naturally exploring the broader landscape of religious systems. This exploration not only deepened my understanding of various beliefs but also led me to scrutinize the inherent challenges and critiques that some religious systems face. 

Let's now shift our focus from personal journeys to a broader perspective, unraveling the complexities associated with religious structures."

 

Unraveling Religious Systems: An Overview of Challenges and Critiques

See, religion is a system and like any man-made system, that system will eventually fail. Some critiques and challenges associated with religious systems include:

1.     Dogmatism and Rigidity: Some critics argue that certain religious systems can be dogmatic and rigid, providing a narrow framework that doesn't adapt well to the complexities of modern life. This rigidity might limit the ability of individuals to find meaningful and practical solutions to contemporary challenges.

2.    Selective Interpretation: Critics suggest that religious teachings can sometimes be selectively interpreted or cherry-picked to suit cultural or political agendas. This selectivity may lead to a distortion of the original messages of hope, responsibility, and resilience.

3.    Exclusivity and Judgment: Some religious traditions have been criticized for promoting exclusivity and passing judgment on those who don't adhere to specific beliefs or practices. This exclusivity can alienate individuals, hindering a sense of shared responsibility and interconnectedness.

4.    Institutional Failures: Instances of corruption, abuse, and hypocrisy within religious institutions have led to disillusionment among followers. Scandals involving religious leaders may erode trust in the institution and its teachings, undermining the message of hope and responsibility.

5.    Lack of Adaptability: Some argue that certain religious doctrines may be resistant to change or adaptation, making it challenging for these systems to address evolving societal issues effectively. This lack of adaptability may limit their ability to provide relevant guidance in the face of new challenges.

6.    Overemphasis on Afterlife: Critics contend that some religious systems place too much emphasis on the afterlife, potentially diverting attention away from addressing real-world problems and fostering a sense of responsibility for the present.

7.    Gender and Social Issues: Certain religious traditions have faced criticism for their stance on gender roles and social issues.

It's important to recognize that these critiques do not apply universally to all religious traditions, and many individuals find immense comfort, guidance, and hope in their faith. Additionally, religious teachings often emphasize positive values, community support, and personal responsibility.

The success or failure of a religious system in providing hope and preaching responsibility is often subjective and dependent on the interpretation and implementation of its teachings by individuals and communities.

When people feel disappointed by their religion, many end up rejecting the idea of the existence of God altogether. Some turn to other systems like science, agnosticism, or atheism. This cycle repeats as they adopt another humanistic framework to make sense of life. Perhaps, though, this complexity arises because of our unique consciousness. 

We mistakenly categorize things as good or bad when our real purpose might simply be to exist and live. Maybe all these systems are meant to coexist, each contributing to the grand scheme of the world. 

All peoples are more the same than they are different. We all mostly want the same things out of life. But those slight differences generate emotion, and emotion generates a sense of importance. Therefore, we come to perceive our differences as disproportionately more important than our similarities. And this is the true tragedy of man. That we are doomed to perpetual conflict over the slight difference.

Think of it this way: Sometimes, things that seem unfair or wrong might just be a natural part of life. Take animals, for instance—they're unable to think, let alone distinguish between "right" or "wrong". They just do what comes naturally, like hunting for survival. Now, humans,with our ability to think and reflect, will perceive hunting as something bad or evil, especially when it involves our own kind.

It's important to be clear that I'm not saying this to support or encourage violence in any way. I'm just pointing out that because we can think about ourselves and reflect on what we do, we also have the ability to decide if something is good or bad based on our own judgments.

 

Finding Freedom in Faith: My journey of Self-Discovery

Let’s take a few steps back, so I spent a long time researching many sources looking for the answers. With each experience and course my life would take the search would deepen.

Without being too specific, I grew up in a household where my parents were Christian, god-fearing, prayerful individuals instilling in me the beliefs they so strongly held, nothing particularly out of the ordinary than that of most Christian families or the like, I would assume, and this became a defining part of who I was and naturally so. 

I always aimed to be the perfect, "goody two-shoes" due to my deep-seated beliefs. Childhood and adolescence were a constant struggle between what I thought was right and the fear of disappointing others and feeling guilty.

As a kid, I even told friends what they should do to be right by God. This mindset lingered into my teen years, where I wrestled with the desire to live carefree and the fear of ruining my identity by deviating from expectations.

Eventually, I started valuing thinking outside the box of my old beliefs. It felt liberating to challenge the rigid boundaries and arbitrary rules that had defined my life. I vividly remember trying to preach to friends in high school about getting "saved" or "born again", as I naively believed they had a choice in the matter.  Today, my views have shifted significantly, and this journey has brought me a new sense of peace. The fears that used to haunt me are now opportunities for growth and understanding.

 

Exploring one’s beliefs is a journey which can take you down some rabbit holes as it’s impossible to cover all the literature or views out there, religious or not, but hey, that's part of the adventure if you're curious.

I'd like to compare what i had previously been taught with my present beliefs, emphasizing that I don't intend to invalidate the teachings of the church i grew up in , of course it also played a huge role in my personal growth and understanding. This is simply a reflection on the similarities and differences in what I was taught and what I now believe. 

This is my attempt at giving up my belief in a system or “organized religion” but holding on to my belief in God that without, I feel this very endeavor, would be futile. I've started seeing that the world doesn't have inherent meaning but that we get to choose and create our own meaning everyday.

Church – statement of beliefs	Potential misconceptions	Summary - What I choose to believe
We believe the Bible is God’s Word. It is accurate, authoritative and applicable to our everyday lives.	Literal interpretation of the bible - The claim that the Bible is "accurate, authoritative, and applicable" might be seen as contentious, as interpretations of the Bible can vary widely. Some people interpret certain passages differently, leading to diverse theological beliefs and practices.	I believe JESUS is the WORD of GOD, who came to dwell amongst us, as us, i.e. the word of God is a Person. Most scriptures I’ve been taught have been misinterpreted. The bible is descriptive not prescriptive. I acknowledge complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit for their accurate interpretation and application.
We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things. He exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He is totally loving and completely holy.	Trinitarian Concept: The concept of the Holy Trinity—God existing in three Persons—has been a source of theological debate throughout history. Different Christian denominations have varying views on the nature of the Trinity, with some interpretations considered more traditional than others.	God is three persons, inseparable yet distinct. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Father does not become the Son or Spirit, and the Son and Spirit do not become one another or the Father. It is a relationship of oneness, but not of absorption.
We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives.	Sin and Separation: The idea that sin has separated each individual from God might be interpreted differently across denominations. Some argue for a more inclusive perspective, emphasizing God's unconditional love and acceptance.	I believe that sin only separates us from God in our minds, and that nothing can separate us from the love and grace of God, no religion, nor our belief or disbelief in God. Our perceived loss of fellowship with God is a condition of unbelief and belief in sin is faithlessness.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ as both God and man is the only One who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove His victory and empower us for life.	Exclusive Salvation through Jesus: The belief that only through belief in Jesus can one be reconciled to God can be seen as exclusive. It's a point of contention for those who advocate for a more pluralistic understanding of salvation, acknowledging the diversity of spiritual paths.	Your physical body is holy. Your old sinful body died with Jesus Christ on the Cross when He paid the price for your sins i.e. price for sin Is death! In saying that we are free from sin does not mean that it doesn’t affect us nonetheless. Sin is an illusion a non-existence, but there is still a vast majority of humanity that identify with this lie, including countless Christians who don’t realize they are free from sin, so they still live according to that lie existence. Sin can only affect us if we identify with it, just like fear or insecurities is only real if we identify with it, once we grow and build confidence it no longer affects us.
We believe that in order to receive forgiveness and the ‘new birth’ we must repent (ask for forgiveness) of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.	The idea that you have any control over your own salvation.	Jesus Christs birth, death and resurrection is the sole reason we are cleansed and forgiven of our sins, whether we believe in him or not. This does not require a confession, repentance or change of religion and can only be revealed to us by the Holy spirit, we cannot muster up the belief on our own. Confession or repentance is a fruit of salvation (not a price tag by which you buy it). The idea of saving yourself invalidates the work of the cross i.e. that Jesus died to save you. Repentance literally translated means “change your mind”.
We believe that in order to live the holy and fruitful lives that God intends for us, we need to be baptized in water and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to use spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues.	Baptism and the Holy Spirit: The requirement for water baptism and the belief in the empowerment through the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues, is specific to certain denominations. Others may have different views on the significance of these practices.	Water baptism is not a requirement but rather a visible representation of our death, burial and resurrection with Christ.
We believe in the power and significance of the Church and the necessity of believers to meet regularly together for fellowship, prayer and the ‘breaking of bread’.	Church Authority: The emphasis on the Church's power and significance, as well as the necessity for believers to meet regularly, might be challenged by those who emphasize a more individualistic or non-institutional approach to spirituality.	The Lord’s Supper too is not a requirement but is a means of fellowship with the real presence of Christ. Both of these ordinances are expressions of grace offered to the church, in that they reflect Christ's person and work.
We believe that God has individually equipped us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives which is to worship God, fulfill our role in the Church and serve the community in which we live.		Our purpose is to know Jesus Christ and to make him known through calling out the truth in people i.e. that they are saved, cleansed, free from sin, delivered, forgiven through the personal work of Jesus Christ, so that they live and rest in him, who is the only truth of who they are.
We believe that our eternal destination of either Heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ. i.e. whether you choose to accept him or not (believe in him or not)	Predestination: The statement about eternal destination based on one's response to Jesus Christ implies a particular theological stance on predestination. Different Christian traditions hold varying views on the role of free will in salvation.	Hell is the ultimate condition of unbelief itself, the self-will to self-destruct. Hell is not the separation from God, God is omnipresent (fills   every space). With Adam the entire human race fell into a delusion when Adam hid from God, that we could find a place where He is not. Hell is the insanity of trying to escape the inescapable love of God. Trying to live according to a lie or according to who we are not. Even unbelievers have been included in God’s saving act of Grace on the Cross, even before they come to realize it. EVERYONE is included even if only in a hidden way. You have the Kingdom of God (Heaven) living inside of you. Jesus came to wake us up to the truth!! The only difference between believers and non-believers is a believer believes and since we believe we start living according and walking in the knowledge of our true identity in Christ Jesus (Holy, accepted, forgiven, Good) and experiencing an inheritance that everyone else may be ignoring or rejecting. They miss out on the very life of their design.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again as He promised.	Second Coming: While the belief in the Second Coming of Christ is widely shared, interpretations of the timing and nature of this event can differ among denominations and individuals. Some may hold differing eschatological views.	I believe in a literal return, a second coming of Christ.  Jesus will return and establish his perfect purpose amongst us, then all truth will be revealed and lies nullified.

 

I understand that not everyone may be intrigued by the theological intricacies mentioned earlier but fear not—I've got something for you too! If you're more interested in the practical implications this meant for me, here's the scoop: I realized I needed to stop stressing about fitting my beliefs into a specific mold or fearing eternal consequences for my mistakes. No more pushing others to adopt a particular way of living.

Instead, I found a peaceful realization that thanks to Jesus, the work is already done. That he's not out there somewhere but that he lives and dwells within us and has accomplished all that we strive to do in order to gain access to heaven. 

We can rest in this understanding, seeing ourselves and the world through a lens of purity and faultlessness, with heaven within reach if we choose to perceive it. Think of it like the stars in the cosmos—explosions that happened ages ago, yet we only see their light now. We are still catching up in our perception of a job well done.

I've chosen to love people as Jesus does, unconditionally, and to see them as a means within themselves other than a means to an end.

Now, let's unpack some key points that I find worth remembering, especially when undergoing a change of mind:

1.  Not Playing Tug-of-War with God:

• It's not my responsibility to bring God down from Heaven and force Him onto people.
• He's already behind the scenes, nudging people towards a reconciliation accomplished by Jesus.

2.  Awakening, Not Recruiting:

• People are confused by so many lies, and our task isn't to include them but to awaken them to the good news—they are already included.
• Through this awakening, their true identity surfaces, leading to outward actions that naturally align with their newfound understanding.

3.  The Mystery of Suffering:

• Despite the terrible things happening, even the enemy is subject to God's sovereignty.
• God's intent is to turn even the worst atrocities into sources of grace and eternal good.
• What we perceive as horror highlights what God is NOT like, not that it's out of His control.

4.  God's Redemptive Goal: 

• God's divine intent is to restore and redeem. He allows humanity to bang their heads and learn from their mistakes until they rest in the salvation He's already provided from the start.

5.  Unbelief Doesn't Alter God's Belief:

• Our unbelief doesn't change what God believes about us; He remains fully convinced of our innocence.
• God's faith defines us, and He cannot be untrue to Himself.

 

BOTTOM LINE:

• Faith is trust in God alone, not self-effort to earn His love or eternity in Heaven.
• It's by His finished work on the cross that we gain access to Heaven.
• Faith produces good fruits such as Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Discipline and these fruits help us discern truth from falsehood.
• Faith is realizing our true identity in Jesus Christ.

 

KNOWING THE TRUTH:

• Faith comes from hearing the truth.
• The truth is constant, regardless of belief, experience, or lived reality.
• As we come to know the truth, it sets us free and shapes our experiences.
• Negative thoughts, desires and emotions don't define us; realizing our true identity brings rest and peace.
• Don't just hear the Gospel and move on; rest continually.

 

After all these musings, I haven't landed on a specific "religion" to identify with or declare. While many of my new perspectives lean towards christian mysticism and historic orthodox christianity rather than charismatic christianity (the church I grew up in), the main focus of this blog isn't about settling on a particular religion or doctrine, nor is it a debate about the existence of God, of which I'm am already convinced there is. Instead, it's about embracing exploration and curiosity—a continuous journey, it's about choosing what you believe everyday and not a predetermined destination.

 

    Recommended resources:

     1. The Bible

I know the bible can be hard to interpret or comprehend so check out the sources below to put some pertinent issues in perspective for you!  

The Bible offers profound insights into our purpose as well. It calls us to live in alignment with our faith and values, showing compassion, love, and service to others. It reminds us of the ultimate salvation and grace provided by a higher power, offering solace in times of hardship and guidance for our journey.

 

2. The Bible Project

Videos: The bible project

Website:https://thebibleproject.com/

The Bible Project has been absolutely amazeballs in explaining each book of the bible in a clear concise manner and the animations are a real help! So check it out! The Bible Project is a Portland based non-profit that utilizes short, animated videos to make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere.

 

3. Jesus Trip by John Crowder

    Videos: The Jesus Trip 

     Website: www.thenewmystics.com

     Books: Cosmos Reborn, Money Sex Beer God etc.     

    My personal favourite and “go to guy” take the time to watch all videos covering a number of topics, especially those often misinterpreted and be prepared to be offended and have all your religious walls broken down but in a good way!)

 

4. Jefferson Bethke

    Videos: Jesus > Religion

    Website: www.jeffandalyssa.com 

    Books: It’s Not what you think

    For the young at heart and those wanting to cover the bible in baby steps before deepening knowledge on theological content.

 

FURTHER READING:  

In this multifaceted journey of finding purpose and meaning in our lives, it is crucial to keep an open mind and maintain a balanced perspective when grappling with and trying to make sense of the various experiences and challenges we encounter along the way. With this I recommend the following books below: 

 

5.  Brene Brown

Books: Daring Greatly

"Daring Greatly" encourages us to embrace vulnerability and step into the arena of our lives, where we risk failure and disappointment but also open ourselves to the full spectrum of human experience. This process helps us uncover our authentic selves and connect with others on a deeper level.

 

6.  Mo Gawdat

Books: Solve for Happy

In "Solve for Happy," Mo Gawdat reminds us that true happiness is an inside job. Our purpose is to cultivate happiness, not as an ephemeral emotion but as a deep-seated state of being that transcends external circumstances. It's about learning to navigate the challenges of life while maintaining an inner state of contentment.

 

7.  Mark Manson

Books: A book about Hope

Mark Manson's "A Book about Hope" guides us to confront the harsh realities of life, accept our limitations, and find hope in our pursuit of personal growth and authenticity. Our purpose involves grappling with and integrating the inevitable pain and suffering that come with being human, using them as steppingstones toward a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.

 

8. Scott Peck

Books: The Road Less Traveled

"The Road Less Traveled" is a thought-provoking book that combines psychological insights with spiritual wisdom to offer a guide for leading a more fulfilling and purposeful life

 

Ultimately, our purpose as human beings is to live fully, embracing both joy and suffering, and to journey towards a more authentic, meaningful, and spiritually connected existence. 

If there's one thing I hope you grasp from all that's been shared here, I want to make it clear—I'm not asking you to accept everything written here as the absolute Truth, this is MY truth. In fact, whether you believe it is inconsequential. What truly matters, though, is the invitation to curiosity.

I urge you to lean into uncertainty, to let your mind evolve, and to treasure every twist and turn on your quest to understand your beliefs. This isn't about reaching a neatly wrapped conclusion or a fixed outcome; it's about summoning the courage to believe in the midst of the unknown.

The courage to choose what you believe because if you don’t choose, someone else will choose for you.

So, as you navigate the intricate landscape of your convictions, let curiosity be your guiding light, uncertainty your companion, and the courage to shape your own beliefs your unyielding strength. The true beauty lies not in a final destination but in the profound journey of self-discovery and the ever-shifting tapestry of what you choose to believe."

 

Thanks for reading!