Here, in my postings and on my blog, I am very open about my faith, my religion. Hopefully, I come across as being devout and yet accepting of other people's faith and religion ~ or lack thereof. When questioned about how I can be both so completely, the answer is easy for me:
We. Don't. Know.
That, my friends, is why it's called faith.
This is a very, very difficult thing for me to admit. Because I know I will see my father and grandfather again. I know there is a higher power. I know there is more than just this life.
And I don't know. None of us do. No matter how strong our faith, no matter how deep our convictions, no matter how much we know ~ we don't. We trust. We believe. We have faith. We don't know.
We don't need faith that the earth is round. There's a reason you never hear about someone having a crisis of gravity. Faith isn't necessary for me to believe my broken nail will grow out again. These are things we know. However, until we die, none of us know what happens next.
There are reports of people who have had near death experiences ~ or even death experiences ~ who speak of an afterlife. There are also reports of people with very similar experiences who speak of nothingness. I have friends whom I love and, more importantly to this conversation, respect, who believe Very Differently than I do. Some believe that I am going to hell for my beliefs, for the way my faith manifests. Some believe that I will go to heaven but am in for an incredible shock when I get there. Some believe that once we die, we die and there is nothing left to us but a corpse. And who am I to tell them they are wrong ~ or they to tell me I am?
Because We. Don't. Know.
And that's a scary thing ~ without faith. With faith, it's not so scary at all because even if I'm wrong (although I obviously don't believe I am), I have faith that there's something and it's good. So, I'll admit, albeit with a deep swallow and a deeper breath, that we. don't. know. One day, we'll all find out. Until then, I'll have faith in what I... know and allow you to have faith in what you... know.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
20 comments:
A very interesting post. I am a firm believer in Life after Life. I think we are all living in our own hell, to learn our own life's lessons. I also think our loved ones who have passed are living the life they deserve, having fun and doing what they always wanted to do....
I went to a medium one year after my mother passed and she told me things NO one would ever know about her. She told me my mom was smoking "Benson Hedges 100" "painting" and doing her gardening on her lake....my mother quit smoking 16 years prior to her death, loved painting, missed smoking and loved her garden at her house on the lake in Maine, it was her dream life.
I walked away from my reading feeling like 100 pounds was lifted from me. I no longer felt sad that she passed, I miss her but I have FAITH she is doing what she loves.
Wow - to nancy, our comment really made me stop and think. As did the original post.
I think for me I really struggle between the scientist in me, the way I was raised (as very Christian) and the experiences I have that don't fit at all into either of the first two ways of thinking.
I truly know what I've experienced and what ever is beyond that I can only speculate and hope about. I wish I could diminish the fear that Christianity instilled in me for things such as a medium as nancy discussed in her comment. If I could, I'm sure there would be things that I may be able to come to terms with...
As for the having faith and knowing ones own beliefs as well as being accepting, I sure can relate to that bit of seemingly contradicting thought. At the same time, that accepting for me has brought me to greater understanding and further exercised my faith all at the same time. Hmmmm....
No need to discuss my faith at length here. We have done so many times. All I have to say is this:
It's all good.
I love and respect you AND your choices for YOUR life. You do the same for me. We're good like that.
That has always seemed like the very definition of faith to me, and anyone who claims they "know" for sure always makes me extremely leery.
Good post and comments. More than once I have characterized myself as being, for a Presbyterian, a fairly good Zen Buddhist. One of the AppsRus tests for truth is whether the same meme is found from a large number of sources. And much in faith/belief/religion -- choose the word you will -- meets that test. An image from "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" works for me -- there are many paths up the mountain, they cross and recross in many ways, and each may choose which they walk at any given moment.
Lovely, thought-provoking post, Pobble. My personal philosophy on life after death runs like this: I know what I believe, but I don't believe I know.
Plus, I liked appsrus' comment from 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence', re: paths up the mountain. I'll be ruminating on this post for the rest of the day, I assure you. :)
Nicely said...I'm of the same mind. Everybody gets to believe whatever they like. No one knows for sure.
(Just don't shoot at me 'cus I don't believe the same you do. I hate that violent aspect of 'faith' that rears it's ugly head.)
Beautifully said, Pobble, as usual. Thank you! I feel a need to speak to graziella's comment about "the fear Christianity instilled in me." I was also raised Christian, with a father and grandfather who were ministers. The central and, in fact, ONLY message of Christ was Love. It's the experience of Love as complete, transcendent, unconditional, unavoidable, untainted, and unadulterated that has been the converting force of millions. Fear as well as shame, condemnation, bigotry, intollerance, arrogance and general insufferable-ness are all human constructs, born out of ego, misunderstanding and human failings, and hence make up the bastardization of the Truth of that Love. The ability to experience and work with spiritual energy is genuine and available to everyone (you, too), regardless of the label they give themselves, be it Medium, Shaman, Priestess, Cleric, Rabi, Minister, or Witch. It is, however, because the teachings of Christ and traditional Chrisianity are so far separated that I don't identify as Christian anymore. I hope you can trust yourself to know Love and Truth as you find it most meaningful! ~Crow
Nancy ~ A good medium is a powerful thing. And I too have faith you're mom is doing what she loves.
Graziella ~ I have so much to say about this post. I know you as a Christian, as a scientist, as a Witch (which you are, even if you're not ready to admit it yet), as a spiritual being, as so much more than any of these labels. Let's leave it at you'll find your way ~ and save the rest for a phone call. Love you.
Jaded ~ "It's all good." I like that. Not as much as I love you, though.
$$ ~ Exactly! Thanks for summing it up so perfectly.
Appsrus ~ Your influence was hugely instrumental in allowing me to explore, think differently, observe differently and, finally, embrace the differences I was drawn to. Yep, not a bad Zen Buddhist...for a Presbyterian.
Wolfgrrrl ~ "I know what I believe, but I don't believe I know." I like that one, too. Please, share your ruminations as you wish, here or in my inbox, because this one's got me ruminating as well.
Tai ~ That whole violence in the name of religion thing bothers me as well. Seems pretty hypocritical, regardless of the religion one follows. Not to mention the fact that I really don't need to end up at the end of a rope, tangible OR metaphorical, thankyouverymuch!
Crow Mother ~ And you're intimidated by *my* writing? :) Beautifully put. Thanks. Love you.
Pobble! Such a powerful post! One that I've been contemplating for several hours...
Crow, "The central and, in fact, ONLY message of Christ was Love..."
WOW! You so totally summed it up! The Bible says, "They will know we are Christians by our love." It was the lack of love that made me leave the church.
But it was love that brought me back too!!!
The spiritual energy thing is something that I'm working on. I have the gift of healing. I can see and feel spirits. I sometimes know what is going to happen before it happens. I know to call someone before they need so I'm there when they do need me.
These are things that, unfortunately, the church is afraid of. They seem to forget that Christ Himself, and his disciples, had these gifts as well. But centuries ago the church was afraid of them because it prevented them from controlling the people the way they wanted.
The lack of acceptance of these gifts is not Biblical. I'm in a church where I have had the oppurtunity to help a few people in small ways. I have met quite a few Christians in my community who understand and encourage me (they've been brought to me at times when I struggle). I pray for God's guidance and signs that this is from Him.
Pobble and Crow, you both have my mind spinning. I'm sure I will be writing a post soon about my experiences and struggles in the church in regards to spiritual energies.
Graziella, you have to ask yourself if Christ is whom you wish to follow, not because of fear instilled in you by church, but because you believe He loves you. If you do, then you need to pray and ask for guidance. Maybe you need to try a different denomination or just a different church; one that believes and practices love and grace instead of one that dominates through fear.
Mystery and faith are the ineffable essences that keep things going! Love the post Pobble!
Krystal ~ Well put! Well lived. I look forward to reading your post. Feel free to share as much or as little with my inbox as you'd like. And Crow is something special, isn't she? She certainly keeps me on my toes ~ in a most excellent way.
Akakarma ~ Glad you liked it! I do enjoy the mystery aspect of faith, as well.
Thank you, Pobble! That's quite a compliment! :) love you, too!
And a compliment from Krystal, too... any time I can make someone think deeply about the nature of the Divine, my job is done! All kidding aside, I think that if we don't begin sharing a message of acceptance, we will, indeed, continue to create our own private hells, to use Nancy's image.
AppsRus, excellent! Haven't thought about ZAMM in too many years... I'll have to dig out my old copy... along with the copy of Gifts of Unknown Things you gave us! hehehe!
Oh god, I'm gonna have to blog about this.
My dear Pobble, can you send your email address? I'm outinthemiddleofidaho@gmail.com
I want to get your opinion on something...
Crow Mother ~ Anytime. ;)
D-man ~ I look forward to the post. And done. :)
I used to be sure I knew what came next...or didn't. Now, I haven't a clue and I marvel at my certainty when I was younger. I do often feel there must be more than simply this life but do I have faith? Not so much. I'm just doing the best I can and trusting it will be enough. This is a thought provoking post dearie. Thank you.
Traci ~ You're welcome. Interestingly enough, my faith is stronger now than it ever was as a younger woman - and it wasn't weak then.
It intrigues me why people still include the concept of hell in theological dogma.
I think that it was a convenient way of maintaining control of large groups of people in the early centuries. Perhaps it is easier to prevent questioning members from straying to far this way. For most it might have been a useful deterrent for nastiness toward each other. Perhaps sacking Rome was more difficult when one was busy with worrying about devils.
Education and understanding of neighboring cultures, philosophy or ideologies was limited to a very few of the elite.
Of course as we all know the world was very different than it is today.
When the world became smaller with exploration, exploitation (the good kind) and education one would think that we would find that demonizing other groups impossible, being nasty and hostile should be silly yet we find it so today.
Cool Options:
There are a few options for religion out there that seem as valid as any other. The members are expect to take care of now and each other, they are to be responsible and tolerant in their community.
I like Buddhism with being judged by yourself and your neighbors for your intentions and then being responsible for your choices and actions. Forgiving yourself for being unenlightened when one makes a mistake.
Karma seems to be a beeatch. There is something satisfying about the notion of sitting quietly by a stream as the bodies of your enemies float by as a result of their own hand.
I like Judaism, you don't go to hell but can be known as a real schmuck instead.
Jewish guilt and introspection seem like a huge deterrent of aberrant behavior in my opinion. This speaks of solid family and community structures perhaps.
I like some of the followers of Christ who seem to be able to enjoy their faith without some of the "other stuff". There are some that are just happy to be. They offer tolerance with their neighbors and actually live by asking themselves; "What would Christ do?"
Pagans are very interesting with a general happiness to participate in the fabric of our universe. They seem to experience joy and comfort in the flow of life around them with good and evil being balanced in a greater scheme.
It is rumored that they have cookies too.
Life after death?
I know that I am not getting out of life alive but an encore would be cool.
Anonymous ~ Very nicely written. All things worth continued conversation. And yes, we have cookies. ;)
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