David and I were recently having dinner with two other couples when the topic of religion came up.
The six of us all happened to be in interfaith relationships. One person in each pair was raised in the Jewish faith, while the other was raised in a Christian background.
Shockingly, I was the only person at the table who didn’t talk about suffering from religious guilt. My friends defined religious guilt as the persistent, nagging feeling that we’re just not good enough in the eyes of our creator.
When I asked about the source of this guilt, I was surprised to hear that all of them seemed to be raised to fear (not love) god.
We discussed our childhoods and some of the messages we heard through organized religion (or from our parents).
I shared how lucky I felt to have been raised by a mother who was an open spiritual seeker.
We used to jokingly say that she was part of the church of the month club. She loved spirituality and learning about many different approaches.
I remember her exploring the Science of Mind, Buddhism, various forms of Christianity and more.
Her bedside table was always stacked with a pile of spiritual books. I’d flip through the dog-eared pages to see what she was reading about that week. Each book contained bookmarks, folded pages and highlighted sentences throughout.
But there was a never a sense that there was only one way to approach a relationship with our creator. I always felt encouraged to honor and observe other belief systems, and weave in the parts that moved my heart in my own life.
Sharing these memories with the other couples at the table, our conversation at dinner organically led to questions about our own belief systems.
We clearly knew what we had heard, or were told to believe while growing up. But had any of us really thought what our core belief system was?
It’s interesting to think about how we define spirituality. As I write this, behind me is my altar. There is a statue of ganesh, buddha, crystals and even a photo of a guru’s feet. There are stones I have been given and mementos from traveling to various sacred sites.
I have paintings of Mother Mary up in our home. We have a mezuzah on our door and Judaic art in our living room.
I have always loved things that feel spiritual and am open to exploring all faiths.
But items don’t hold power to me. They are representations of the divine, a reminder to me that there is something bigger and beyond us.
If I narrow it down and try to define my spiritual belief system it’s something like this:
I believe in the Universe.
I believe in a greater power that represents love, kindness and connection between souls.
I believe in masters, teachers, angels and guides.
I believe in miracles and love.
And mostly, I believe there are many ways to connect to our souls.
It was an interesting conversation to have with friends and also, a powerful moment to sit and ask ourselves, what do I believe?
If you suffer from religious guilt, my hope is that you can receive these words and know how truly loved you are. No guilt necessary!
I’d love to know what your spiritual belief system is. Let me know in the comments and together let’s inspire each other to be seekers and learn from others.
Much Love,
29 Responses
Dougall, my house looks like yours with the spiritual symbols. And I have tried to study like your mom. I guess sometimes we need to separate what man does to man and what God does. Beautiful blog. Thanx.
Beautiful blog. I’ve been a spiritual eclectic seeker for most of my life and your description of your belief system matches exactly to mine. My home is also filled with crystals and other spiritual symbols that are calming reminders. Thanks so much for this blog and reminder that we are loved…and we are Love.
That is how I feel too. My house and car have altars with a combination of Buddha, angels, beach glass, heart stones, crystals, and more. I love combining all the symbols, like you as a reminder that there is something much larger at work here. I call it universal energy, and when things get overwhelming I remind myself of that energy and I feel calm and all is well again. Love your Blog and your perspective.
I just read your blog and giggled as I looked at my stack of books by my sofa . Refreshing to walk the road of enlightenment with like minded people.
I was raised pretty much without spiritual guidance and searched for it as an adult. I rejected much in traditional beliefs. I couldn’t reconcile a “loving god” with one who sent people to everlasting hell. That didn’t make sense to me. I am so grateful for teachers like you, Radleigh and Abraham who reinforce the concept of a loving God. I believe that God is love and that I am God learning how to express myself in loving ways.
Dougall, great Blog. It’s such an enlightened, joyful way to live. My heart breaks to hear the awful things parents do to their gay children in the name of God. As if a loving God would ever want this for any of the children. I was raised to believe God Is Love. Simple.
I keep it simple. I love the Dalai Lama’s words about kindness.
So regardless of what people say their religious or spiritual beliefs are I look for kindness, respect an integrity in their life.
I frequently ask myself have I been kind today or was that a kind thing to do or say. The same questions are asked about being respectful and living from a place of integrity.
I use this as my inner compass to guide my life. Blessings 💖
I believe in God, Angels, the mythical creatures and other beings.
Raised in a Christian church and reading mysteries, I love mysteries, written by a priest, the members of some churches are raised to feel guilt. I have read every book I can by Sylvia Browne. My own spirituality has grown. Recently I was blessed to hear a male voice in my head. Gina Lake helped me and said it was probably my male spirit guide. I am over the moon that I have progressed spiritually to this point. What’s ahead, I don’t know. But my life revolves around color! I understand there are colors at home, in heaven, we don’t remember. That’s exciting!
Beautifully said, Dougall❤️! I too was raised Jewish but am married to a Buddhist and studying up on Christianity. Already reviewed Hinduism! To me all religions are mankind trying to describe and honor the same indescribable Truth. I had a NDE as a young child so the connection of all humanity at a spiritual level was a known fact to me, not a premise.
I find it interesting that both of our mothers instilled the knowledge of a Loving God and an openness to spirituality as well as being the closest member of our Wisdom Circle providing the Ying & Yang/Balance in our lives. I know for me the belief in a loving, caring, compassionate God who is our friend and would never leave or disown us is what I consider the greatest gift she gave to me. Her view of God is bigger than what she was gifted by her parents and my view of God is bigger than what she gifted me and what I hope I can gift to others.
Love, Hugs & Peace
I was raised in the Catholic religion and there was a lot I remember questioning especially in school and being taught science of the Big Bang theory and that of the Bible. It just never matched up. (The science teacher I think had a rough time because he was teaching in a Catholic school-maybe he preferred our parents talking to us) I did bring my children up in the religious faith but it was more something that was expected than what I probably believed. In my twenties I started reading a lot and went to spiritual groups which I loved for I too believe that there is something greater than us and it is loving. The judgements and forgiveness pieces are things I feel as humans put upon ourselves.
I remember a family friend who was a priest and was doing a memorial for my husband’s mother who had passed. I believe it was a 5 year celebration of life. He quoted from a book he was reading and it touched me in many ways. The author of that book was Dr Wayne Dyer it was at that point that a new door had opened for me. If this Catholic priest could read things outside of what was taught in the Catholic Church then I was all ears.
I was and had been intrigued by tarot and Oracle cards. I remember bringing a deck to a family gathering and my father was not ver happy because he saw it as something evil. I just saw it as another way to communicate with our higher self or those that are here to guide us. I definitely would rather be spending a day in nature because there I feel closer to the universe or God.
There are some messages that I have heard at some masses that have meant something to me so I won’t discount all of them.
In the end I believe in a Loving presence that is greater than all and yet if we find it in our hearts it’s really been there all the time ♥️
Dougall, the way I look a God, higher power, and the universal all, is that we are all incarnated “pieces” of the divine. While on earth, we are invited to remember that in ways that make sense to us in that particular life. So, the result is many faiths inevitably. With that in mind, I often use the metaphor of people gathered around looking an elephant, “the divine”; we each are looking at the same thing but depending on how close we are to it, our description may be drastically different, if one was looking a a trunk and another a foot or hoof – I don’t know what elephant feet are called. For each person, what they see makes sense to them, but it’s important to step back and realize that there are other parts, and they are part of the same thing.
That said, I too grew up with Catholic guilt and fearing God. But in college I experienced a loving God, and later, now a spirit healer know we are all part of that loving divine entity.
Thank you for the kind and thoughtful comment Joe, I really appreciate it!
Beautifully stated, Dougall.
You are such a loving person!!!! Thank you for always thinking how to help people be better, in their own way!!! Dear one, love you so much!!! Blessings!!!
Thank you for the kind words Fernando! 💚
My Dad’s family were Jewish but he was not brought up Jewish unlike 10 of his siblings. My mother was a Jehovahs witness and I spent years trying to get the JW teachings out of my head. I’m at a stage at 71 where I loathe religion but believe in a creator or higher power. I don’t give any thought to what others think now. Life is what you make it and I’m happy with myself these days.
I totally understand and agree Barbara, believing in a higher power simplifies things so we can focus on what’s important. Sending you much love. 💙
I, too, am wrestling with “religious guilt.” I have struggled much of my life wondering how a loving god could let so many bad things happen in this world. I was raised Lutheran and have always considered myself a Christian, but these past few years I have had many questions, and thinking about the Bible, along with me being Lutheran, just doesn’t make sense when I think about so many other possibilities. The moon, the planets, the stars, other galaxies, this boundless energy and our vast universe all make me realize there’s so much we still don’t know. I believe in love. I believe in life after death. I believe in past lives, I believe in past life regression. I believe in mediums. I believe in masters and guides. I believe with each new life, I want to do better in my next. This whole “spiritual change” in me has helped me feel stronger about going toward a different path – one that is leading me away from my older beliefs. It is a little scary, and I find it difficult to open up about my spiritual feelings now, thinking that I may be looked at differently by my family and friends. I no longer feel “religious”, but more “spiritual” now. So, when I read your description of how you defined your spiritual belief system, it all made sense to me. Thank you, Dougall, for helping me lift a weight off of my shoulders, as I try and navigate my new path. I’m so new at all of this, and would love to be more articulate. Please bear with me. I am a novice!
Thank you so much for sharing Jenni, it sounds like you are evolving beautifully on this path in life! 💛
Thank you for sharing! Your thoughts are wonderful and worthy of pondering. I was raised Presbyterian, but without a lot of oomph behind it. I went so my parents could have sex Sunday morning. I was able to find my own spiritual path and in my late 20’s discovered Ramtha. A great start on my spiritual journey to study all religions. Now I’m a psychic medium and also believe in the Universe. How full my life is and how happy! No religious dogma chasing after me. I feel worthy and loved and completely blessed. You are an inspiration Dougall!
Thank you so much for the kind words Suzan, your life indeed sounds full and blessed! 💜
Dougall, I love this. I even read it to my husband who was raised Catholic. I was raised Lutheran but now consider myself more spiritual than religious. Your belief statements put into words what I believe. I am very much like your mom. Reading this gives me hope that I am positively impacting my kids the way your mom Did for you. Thank you. Big love to you and David.
Thank you for sharing Kathy, I definitely think the kids will appreciate your more open approach. Sending you lots of love right back. 💙
I was raised in a very strict religion, similar to the Amish, but not quite as severe. My father was a preacher so my family was deeply involved in church activities throughout my childhood. As an adult I reached a place in my marriage that I chose to divorce rather than continue to suffer abuse. Divorce was not accepted in the church, so I was ostracized. I was devastated and grieved deeply at this harsh loss. Once I recovered from the shock, I explored many other religious beliefs, from organized religion to the more non-judgmental native beliefs. I found that they all have common core values; all believe in a Supreme Being, Creator, God, Great Spirit, the Universal Life Force, whatever you want to call it. All believe (to varying degrees) that this Being promotes love and desires us to live our lives with love as our motivations.
While I don’t consider myself a “member” of any one understanding, I lean toward what I call the ‘user friendly’ religions that do not use guilt or judgment against humanity. Each individual must find their own path through all of these choices. The one that helps them grow to their highest good, live a loving life and find peace, is the one they should follow. I think of the supreme being as the Great Spirit; a being of pure love. Our lives are a place where we learn and grow without condemnation or judgement. We are embraced in love always. The joy and peace this brings is beyond measure.
Thank you for sharing Jeanette. I know the journey hasn’t been easy and I’m so proud of you for gravitating towards a more loving definition of spirituality. 💗
Dougall,
I love this blog. It’s a beautiful summation of what I believe to be true and real. I think it should be incorporated into one of Marilyn’s art projects.
❤️
Ramey
Thanks Ramey, and I agree! 💚