What do I follow if this is what I believe in my heart?

If I believe that the Earth and all it's living things..the air, the water, the wind, the dirt, the trees, etc, are connected and can communicate. If I believe that the natural disasters of hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, etc are the Earth pissed off at humans for abusing it, and almost fighting back. If I think animals are the most sacred thing, hate hunters, animal killers, abusers. They are powerful, innocent creatures and I think they have an amazing spirit and know something we don't. If I look at a beautiful scenic area with lush green trees, or a lake or something and see it as a artful masterpiece. If I think love is the most powerful element. If I do NOT believe that prayers are heard or answered. I believe in stillness and mediation to guide..almost from within. If I believe that any two beings from anywhere can be connected beyond comprehension to most. If I don't believe in a firey pit of hell or devils or Satan. That is there is a hell, it's Earth and this is all a test, if you pass you move on to better, if not you try again here. If I believe in spirits. I used to go to church, churches always said God's love is for all and is unconditional. But I don't believe them when everywhere I read Christians say horrible things about gays, lesbians, trans gender, bisexuals, black with white, asian with hispanic, etc. Therefore they believe the Love of God is for some, not all and is conditional. I don't believe if there is a God, that he would ask one to change themselves or be miserable. I don't believe he would love me less for loving and committing to a relationship with one of the same sex. Not if a human has enough love for someone to not ask these things of them...God's love is supposed to be greater then a humans ability. Why would a powerful God allow hate and war and cancer and rape and murder and abuse and pain? Why would a loving God make all people for the rest of Earth suffer because of one apple eating persons ?

Anonymous2010-09-02T15:16:54Z

Favorite Answer

I appreciate how you feel.

Sam2010-09-02T15:32:58Z

First of all, I applaud you for expressing such feelings publicly and articulately. There are a number of belief systems and organizations that are similar to what you describe. But more important than selecting a label is examining and understanding what you believe, why, and how it impacts your lives and those around you.

A great place to continue along your journey might be a Unitarian Universalist congregation (http://uua.org/). It's not a huge religion by any means, but you are fairly likely to have one within range. They promote the inherent worth and dignity of all humans regardless of race, creed, class or orientation. They don't have a fixed doctrine as with Catholics, Mormons, etc. Instead they have a list of principles which encourage people to work together to search for what holds particular spiritual meaning for each individual, within the context of an understanding and supportive group of people.

This site has a lot of information on their principles, what they do, where to find a meeting place, etc: http://uua.org/visitors/6798.shtml

I wish you the best of luck on your journey. The world is a difficult place for a mind to live, and I hope you find inspiration and encouragement.

MikeM2010-09-02T15:26:09Z

It sounds like your experience in church wasn't that great. I'm sorry about that. You asked a lot of questions and it would take a long time to address all of them. Many books have been written on some of these topics.

I think that one thing to consider is that sometimes, things are not as they appear. The love of God is for all. Jesus died for all. All are invited to go to heaven. I know that is true.

1 Timothy 2:4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

God loves you.

?2010-09-02T15:14:31Z

He allows it because of His fairness. He will allow even evil to complete it's course before passing final judgement. The opening part of your post is very beautiful and you should not give up on God, just because of the bad behavior you have seen from the "church people" It may not be hip to believe in the old legend, the way that it is written, but it has been around for 5000 years. Rumors and myths usually dry up and blow away. read the bible for yuorself and leave the church building for those who believe in it. I don't go to a church , but I love God and read His book

erez2010-09-02T15:42:20Z

God is Love and Love is most powerful element. and we are all ugly when God sees us because we are sinners but because of Jesus he choose to look beyond our bad things and Love all of us whether Gay or Straight equally
and you shouldn't be guided by the things Christian's say about other people be guided by what the Bible and Jesus says
God gave us guidelines and rules to follow because he created us and he knows how we work and he have our manual(Bible)
God doesn't let people commit murder and rape and get away with it or let people get murdered or raped he says "All things workout for good for those who love and obey God" and he promises on that one
So we just have to take the test(our life on earth) and work hard on it just like our manual(Bible) says hope and pray for the guidance of God in our life and go to heaven for eternity and full happiness forever
our life is short and we only have one chance to follow Jesus

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