Cf and religion

[AimeeSue82]

Hey all. This is the first time I've posted here, but I've read a lot of the past messages. I was wondering what some of your views on religion are. I was raised Catholic because my parents are, but currently consider myself Agnostic (questioning the existence of God). Once I got old enough to starting thinking about religion, I sort of lost my faith. Mainly because I can't answer a huge question, which I'm sure most/all of you have had at one time or another.... "Why did this have to happen to me?" I just wonder how people can stay so faithful to a God who would put you through everything we have to go through. I don't want to start any fights, I'm just looking for a little insight.

I'd also just like to get to know more people with cf so if anyone wants to talk, email me: aimeesue82@yahoo.com

Thanks everyone!!
Aimee

 

[luke]

Aimee,

These conversations never last very long on this site because of the arguing...but to answer your question. I was raised in a christian home, went to church at least every Sunday morning and normally Sunday/Wednesday nights. I first questioned God's existance when I was 15 when my 19 year old cousin died from cancer. I progressively got more bitter against religion until I finally just quit believing too. I always considered myself a prettty intellegent guy and thought religion just didn't add up. Now I told that so I could tell you this. I am a born again christian. The big difference is one easy little word, faith. You must have faith that God has a plan for all of us. I can't explain why he made me healther than some other CF'ers, I can't explain why he made me more sick than most others. Honestly, I am still looking for the reason he chose me to challenge with this disease. I do know that because of my disease I have been able to impact many lives in a positive way that maybe I would have otherwise never touched. Long story short, I believe in God for many reasons but most of all it may just be the comfort of knowing that I will live on when this diseased body of mine passed.

I will say one more thing, when I quit believing I hated nothing more than a christian pushing their believes and loved nothing more than debating why they were wrong. I actually took pride in shutting down the bible thumpers! With that being said I encourage my fellow christians to keep that in mind if you respond to this thread.

If you would like to discuss your faith you can E mail me. Just in case you may still care, I am keeping your pope in my prayers.

lukembarrt@yahoo.com

 

[anonymous]

Hi Aimee,
Yes, I think that all of us at one time or another question why we have CF, etc. I did that early around age 12 it was.
I have a very hard time with religious issues. I was raised in a non-dominational (I don't have a clue on how to spell that) church. Our pastor was an ex-gang member and he rode to church decked out in leather and on a Harley. Ever since then (I've moved) I cannot find a church that fits my needs. I want a church that is open minded, accepts gay and lesbian, does't matter what you wear to church, etc. I cannot find anything like this. I personally don't believe in hell, because if we ARE God's children why would he do that to us. I believe more in Karma and reincarnation. I know this is very different from others but it works for me. I don't mean to offend anyone who may read this, I am not bad mouthing your religion or beliefs, this is just how I feel and what I do.
Good luck to you Aimee and I hope you can find a way that you find comfort in.
Sincerely,
Kelli

 

[JennaB]

I'm not really religious. I believe in a higher power, and I also believe in science, but I learn more towards the science side. I don' t take anything out of the Bible literally, but I do love to figure out how the stories came about. I love the Discovery specials they do on Jesus, Noah's Ark, etc, because they look for explanations of the events.

For me, religion is more of what type of person you are, do you believe your actions impact other people, etc.

Christianity for the most part makes me uncomfortable. And I can't stand how much it has been brought into the government . Religion gives people excuses to hate on a group of people, such as gays, as they are teaching us to do so now. A few years ago it was blacks - Remember, the KKK claimed to be Christians... I could gag. People care too much about what other people are doing. Why is society taking so many steps backwards, instead of forwards??

Just my two cents. Not really anything to do with CF, but still my thoughts.

 

[S]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>AimeeSue82</b></i>
Mainly because I can't answer a huge question, which I'm sure most/all of you have had at one time or another.... "Why did this have to happen to me?"<hr></blockquote>


I have never asked "why did this happen to me" because i have always thought "why should this happen to someone else?" i was given this disease for a reason and am not going to dwell on the "why's?". i have had the opportunity to do so much because of my disease, things i would have probably never done without it...i have been to 2 super bowls, the world series, met hundreds of the greatest people who dedicate their time and hard earned money to help me/us without asking or expecting anything in return, and so much more. so the "why me?" question is pretty much moot in my opinion.

 

[ej0820]

I'm with luke on this one. When I was finally old enough to realize what CF was and that I had it, and others around me had it 'better than me' health wise, I questioned God. As a kiddo, I went to church every sunday, thought sunday school was the coolest thing ever, lol (gotta love the Jesus coloring books, jk). Then my mom and I stopped going and I kinda was on my own with finding out about my own faith and stuff. On occasion I would get angry and ask why it had to happen to me. But then, a friend of mine I've had since birth (10 days older than me w/cf too) got really sick, and for health reasons, we couldn't see eachother anymore. It was then that I realized, I don't have it as bad as others, and seeing and knowing what everyone else is going through too, I'd rather take cf for someone else, ya know? I believe that God has a major plan for me to use and truely inspire someone with it. I'm in school studying to be a music teacher and I always thought music was the way I'd inspire someone, but the more I go through life and school, the more I see that CF is my way to inspire. In closing, I really believe that God gave me this challenge to teach me more things than I can think of (faith, patience, thankfulness, accepting support, etc.) and I thank the Lord that out of my family and friends, I have CF...not them. Also, having God in my life makes treatments and things a little more bearable...I have the faith that I'll get better, or being in the hospital I'll meet some other awesome CFers I can really relate to, etc.

Those are my thoughts...my prayers are with you all <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

-erin
19/f/cf

 

[Emily65Roses]

I never really asked "why did this have to happen to me?" either. But as far as religion goes... I grew up going to church. We went every Sunday until for years. We stopped going (the people in church made my family very uncomfortable because I coughed all during the services) before I turned 10. I was never really big into god, even when I went to church. I never really prayed (at least not to my recollection). But as I grew up, I started to think for myself. That's not to say anyone who believes in god isn't thinking for themselves. Not at all. But growing up, personally the only reason I ever gave any assumption to a god existing is because my family and my church told me so.

So we stopped going to church, and I started looking into the idea on my own. I decided somewhere in my early teen years that I didn't believe in any of it. I take a philosophy class, and due in part because of it, my mind is pretty open as to what is "truth." I will never be so arrogant as to claim that there is no god and that I know that for a fact. Just like I would never be so arrogant to claim that there <b>is</b> a god, and I know that for a concrete fact. I don't know which way it is. But I still have my belief, and I choose to believe that there isn't one. If someone ever proves me wrong, then I'll retract my opinion. But until that time, in my opinion, with how I live my life, there is no god.

 

[luke]

Emily,

I see your point of view, I used to feel that way too. But, like I said faith is the key. I didn't need anyone to prove to me there is a god, I just believe that there is. That is not arrogance, that is just my truth.


luke

 

[Emily65Roses]

There is no way to say to me there is without a doubt a god (that is universally, for every person). Complete fact, complete truth, concrete, and there is NO possibility for you to be wrong. Impossible. Socrates was known for saying that the wisest man was the man who could admit that he knows nothing. I tend to agree.

 

[anonymous]

We are Christians and we go to a Baptist church, I believe that God has a plan for all of us. Those that believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted him as their Savior are Gods children. I often wonder not why people are born with disease but why my Lord Jesus Christ had to die such a horrible death on the cross for our sins. I could never imagine watching my child die such a death. I do know that watching my father die and then having a child with CF has brought me closer to the Lord. I only wish that my faith was as strong as my daughters and as Abraham who listen to the Lord and was going to sacrifice his son and what happened but the Lord provided the sacrifice for him by sending a ram in his sons place!!!! What amazing faith!!!!!!! I really do believe that those who do have faith in the Lord, the Lord will provide for, if not in this world than in Heaven.

kaitsmom<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Hello everyone, this subject will always be a controversial one. I believe in a higher existence and know although I was bought up in the Catholic church, I have since fallen by the wayside!! I have a form of faith if you like, I look around and see all the beauty in nature, the simple things in life give me the most pleasure, the smell of roses, {when the old nose is'nt blocked}, the sunsetting and just the love of good friends and family. I try to base my life on a simple bit of practice, " Do to others as you would want them to do to you." I tend to meditate and reflect on life, and I value my own existence, I kind of believe we were all bought into this world for a reason, life does have a purpose, don't like to be judgemental, but find some religions are all doom and gloom. I think alot of people can often find hope and inspiration through attending Church, quite often in smaller communities the church is a weekly social event that draws people together.
Cheers Eileen :<img src="i/expressions/sun.gif" border="0">

 

[Mockingbird]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Emily65Roses</b></i><br> Socrates was known for saying that the wisest man was the man who could admit that he knows nothing. I tend to agree.<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, Rossesau said stuff like that, too. It's funny 'cause he's a philosopher who says there's no point in studying philosophy. =-) I tend to go with that, too. When I was a teen, I was a devout atheist, 'cause I thought I knew everything. Then I got into buddhism for a while, which made me realize i don't know anything. And now, i'm back to being christian. Ha ha, full circle. =-) Even though I'm christian, though, i still agree with Socrates and Rosseau. So, i don't worry about that stuff anymore. I just go with my instincts. =-)

Emily, there's another quote out there that says something like, "A man who thinks he knows everything is already flawed," or something like that. I don't remember where I heard it, but I was wondering if you knew what it was. I think it was by someone like socrates, but for all I know, I could have gotten it from a cartoon, or something. =-)

Jarod
22 w/cf

 

[Mockingbird]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br> I try to base my life on a simple bit of practice, " Do to others as you would want them to do to you."

Cheers Eileen :<img src="i/expressions/sun.gif" border="0"><hr></blockquote>

Eileen, does that mean if I want to be bonked on the head, I can go around and bonk everyone else on the head? =-) Sorry, I couldn't resist. Once I was in church and the sermon was about that, so i ran up to the preacher, bonked him on the head, and then indicated I wanted him to bonk my head. =-) It was a small church, and pretty casual, obviously. =-)

Jarod
22 w/cf

 

[Emily65Roses]

It sounds Socrates-esque. But I'm not sure what/who it's from. And I'm too lazy to flip through my philosophy book trying to find it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Sorry. lol <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Is anyone here LDS?

 

[timmy]

i do agree with people that are against organized religion. It seems that nothing good has come from it throughout history. it just gives people excuses to abuse the earth, abuse fellow humans, start wars and all that. I was brought up a mormon, but at the age of 9 we quit attending the services. And i do thank "god" for that(and my parents) that that religion was never engrained into me. anyway religion is an easy way out... that is not making any conclusions for yourself and that is a bad thing.
As far as the "why me" i think we all will or hav gone through that...and it is only natural that we go through some very hard times befor we eventually come to accept it.
So i wouldn't listen to anyone who thinks they know who god is, you need to come up w/ that on your own
my .02c

tom

 

[anonymous]

I was raised a christian and attended church for many years. I have since, as some other said, "fallen by the wayside". In my gut I still believe that there is a God and in the end everything in life happens for a reason, but sometimes I feel like I loose my faith because of all these bad things that go on in the world. In the last few years I have faced the fact that I am really torn on where I stand with the subject, and part of me want's to go back to church, start reading the bible again and praying regularly like I use to , but the other part of me says, life wans't any better than (maybe even worse) so why bother. Then I get into this whole, "is that the devil dragging me down" thing and I just come full circle with my thoughts.

I do have to say this though, and am kind of curious as to what others think on the matter: What is all this crap about trying to remove "God" from everything in the government and removing all prayer from the schools? I know in many schools prayers have been not allowed for many years, but some schools are still fighting it so my thoughts are-let those who want to pray, pray and if you don't want to pray, don't, do somethign else. Also taking the word God out of everything is just so rediculious. To some people, it means so much, and to some people it means nothing and it's just a word. So, if it is just a word to you, why not let it be just that A WORD. Pay no mind to it if you don't want to, or don't believe in it. My big issue with it is that it takes so much money to revise everything and redo some of the literature that our country was founded on. If you don't believe it it, just omit that part, but I don't see spending millions of dollars to just omit one word. Just my thoughts.


Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)

 

[anonymous]

Hello Jarod, Are you mocking me? My late Dad bought me up with 'that practice', believing in life, if we are caring and kind to people, our actions can be rewarded.
Cheers Eileen<img src="i/expressions/sun.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

I would have to go with Eileen, I share a lot of her beliefs. I am also glad that all of us were able to get our points across and not let it turn into a free for all as I have seen on other topics.
Way to go!
-Kelli

 

[shamrock]

I'm a catholic and I believe in God. I go to mass most Sundays and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I realise that other people don't feel the same and i respect your choices, but I would disagree with Tom that religion is just used for an excuse or the easy way out. My religion is about faith and I have faith in God. Shamrock x