Religious History
Julie Garfield
When I was about six years old I started to have an idea about God, and what it meant to believe in a higher power. I learned a great deal about the Christian religion by going to Sunday school at a little church in my old neighborhood. I remember helping out every Sunday with serving coffee and tea after church services to all the church going folks, but when our family moved I stop going to that little church.
As time went on I found myself only going to church on special occasions, for example, Christmas, and Easter, and sometimes when life would get unbearable. However, I never stop praying because this is one of the ways I communicate with God. In fact, I say a prayer almost every night before I go to bed, and sometimes throughout the day when times get hard and I need a little help from above. I feel that God has answered all of my prayers, sometimes they don't get answered the way I want them to, but my prayers are always answered.
When I was baptized the priest said a prayer, then put a few drops of water on to my forehead. However, I can't remember the name of the church I was baptized in because it was a long time ago. It's hard to believe in something you can't touch or see, however, when your prayers get answered you know that God does exist. I do believe in a higher power named God, and Jesus even though I can't see them or touch them.
The relationship I have with God is like no other one. It's very personal and private because only God knows my deepest thoughts and feelings. We have a strange kind of a relationship one could say. In fact, if I were to have a relationship with an invisible friend people might think I've gone mental, but since my invisible friend is God it becomes ok with them.
Back in the early 80's a few friends and I went to a Buddhist temple and attended their worship service. It was a big culture shock to see people chanting with beads in their hands to a God I had never heard about. I left that day with a new perspective on religion. I had often heard about other religions and Gods, however, I didn't give it much thought until I was faced with it.
There are many different things about other cultures and their religions. In fact, some use drugs to communicate with their Gods. In my religion it is a sin to use drugs, and if you come to church high on them, wanting to talk to God, the clergy people might ask you to leave!
Sometimes people make mistakes in life and it sure is nice to know God does forgive those who ask for forgiveness. I do believe in salvation; in my religion Jesus died on the cross so God would forgive man for his sins. If I didn't believe in salvation, then I would have no reasons to repent. I would also have no relief or outlet for the guilt I felt from the sins.
In my personal life my spiritual practice affects many parts of my life, for instance, when it comes to people I try to treat them the way I want to be treated, however, sometimes it doesn't matter because some folks are just mean spirited. Once I found a wallet on the street, not knowing whom it belong to, I reported it to the authorities. Hopefully, they were able to return it to its rightful owner. If I had lost my wallet I would hope someone would do the same thing I did, however, I know the chances of that happening would be very slim to none. I try to live my life doing the right thing, and avoiding making wrong decisions whenever I can.
In some cultures sex is part of their religious practices, but the only connection I have with sex and religion in the Christian religion is marriage comes first then sex. If you have sex outside of marriage then you're committing a sin according to the Christian religion, however, I don't practice this belief. I do strongly believe you should know everything about your partner first before you have sex.
Through the years I've learned to believe and trust in God, however, I've never been a practicing Christian, in fact, I can't remember the last time I stepped into a church, or read the bible. When I try to analyze why I practice this religion the only answer I can come up with is because I believe in God. Religion to me is a personal experience that is deeply embedded inside my soul. When I think back on why I'm Christian, I guess it's because that is what my family has always been, and that was all I ever knew back then. Now, I'm more open and wanting to understand about other kinds of religion and their spiritual practices