Love, denied by religion

[Troublesome]

I am so self conflicted about religion. Religion religion religion. Believing in a higher power has become increasingly difficult. Is it for fear of becoming nothing, a vast space of darkness and emptiness that we put our faith in the unseen? I come from a religious family. My boyfriend comes from a religious family. We have different religions and are almost nearly the same in belief. Well he is not religious like me but certainly believes in a higher power. What to do when we get married? Am I to force the man I love to come Into a religion as expected by my family? Or is he expected to do that for me? I live by moral standards. And I hope I that treat those around me well. Religion separates. There are morals we should all, as humanity, an intelligent species ( most of the time) unite by. Why is this separated in religion. It is clear to me, that In religion, people find themselves worshiping the same God but following different beliefs still. Yes, everything I say is debatable. Devouts will give me proof and lines of faith. Fanatics may condemn me. But in a world where I can not see a here after, how can I justify denying myself happiness with the one I love, because of a religion that may or may not be real.

[pie2]

... in a world where I can not see a here after, how can I justify denying myself happiness with the one I love, because of a religion that may or may not be real.

 

If we can't see a hereafter, the bible says that we should eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die (Ecc. 8:15, Isaiah 22:13).

 

I wonder, though, if, in the back of your mind, you really do wonder if there is a hereafter?

 

What are your and your BF's religious backgrounds?

[pureinheart]

I am so self conflicted about religion. Religion religion religion. Believing in a higher power has become increasingly difficult. Is it for fear of becoming nothing, a vast space of darkness and emptiness that we put our faith in the unseen? I come from a religious family. My boyfriend comes from a religious family. We have different religions and are almost nearly the same in belief. Well he is not religious like me but certainly believes in a higher power. What to do when we get married? Am I to force the man I love to come Into a religion as expected by my family? Or is he expected to do that for me? I live by moral standards. And I hope I that treat those around me well. Religion separates. There are morals we should all, as humanity, an intelligent species ( most of the time) unite by. Why is this separated in religion. It is clear to me, that In religion, people find themselves worshiping the same God but following different beliefs still. Yes, everything I say is debatable. Devouts will give me proof and lines of faith. Fanatics may condemn me. But in a world where I can not see a here after, how can I justify denying myself happiness with the one I love, because of a religion that may or may not be real.

 

Nope, not here to condemn....it doesn't sound to me like you are too much into your religion anyway. So would this be for both sets of parents? It sounds to me like that is the major issue.

[dichotomy]

So you think if you marry the one you love - it will be that way forever? Whats love got to do with marriage? I am teasing a bit of course but not really.

 

In many cases, if you are married long enough - you will fall in and out of love. feelings come and go in these things. What unites in marriage is a shared set of beliefs, and common unifying commitment to something beyond feelings.

 

It might be God or heaven, or paradise, or it might be other things.

 

You mention moral principals - from which do you derive your morality?

 

I am not arguing your issue with marrying someone who does not share a religious belief or practice, or if the after life exists - I am simply asking you to consider makes for a good long life with someone - cause it ain't always a feeling of love. Oh - and happiness comes and goes to - that is not what life is always about.

[trevzilla]

I'm not motivated by fear, the Bible said God put eternity in our hearts. It's just normal to be dissatisfied with life and it's difficulties and not ask there must be more. Many atheists are motivated by their desire to do what they want without consequence, but then if you don't believe in a higher power there is no reason to be "good" other than if you feel like it. There is no Natural law by which you can judge a Francis of Assisi to be better than a Stalin. In Stalin's and Hitler's minds they thought they were doing what was right to advance their goals, and yet generally even atheists will condemn them for the evil they did. Where does this standard come from? Right and wrong are not material things that can be measured, so how do we generally know in our guts what is good conduct and why do we feel guilty when we do wrong?

Edited February 12, 2013 by trevzilla