When I was in High School, I really rebelled against the whole Judeo-Christian model of spirituality. I felt in myself a lot of what I see others here write about religion and "God".
For me, I got caught up in the ludicrous dogma and hypocrisy I witnessed being spewed from so many who called themselve "good Christians." I equated the religion with these people and denounced it at every opportunity as vociferously as I could. Much in the same way I see happening here quite often.
At some point, though, I separated spirituality from religion. Once I did that, I was able to see religion - any religion - for what it is: simply a means to an end. A very personal means to an end. When I internalized that concept, a whole new world opened for me from a spiritual perspective.
I was able to listen to anyone talk about any religion with an eye to finding the Truth in it vs. the man-made dogma. And I came to see so many consistencies from faith to faith that I couldn't ignore what seemed to be a fairly universal human experience.
I still disagree with a lot of the dogma surrounding the Christian faith, but I also appreciate the Truth that lies within it.  |