Finding religion

[green]

Hi, haven't posted In a while and a lot has been happening. My life has become busier and more stressful and I haven't had as much free time as I used to. I have a problem however that I think that both religious and non-religious people can contribute to solving. For the majority of my life I have had no need for religion, I've been happy, working towards simple goals and mainly ignoring the faith of my mothers family which is Catholicism. Sure I went to church every now and again and I went to catholic schools, but it was never a big part of my life.
Now as I'm getting closer to adulthood and moving away from my family into the world, I feel like I'm missing somthing. I crave closure about the small things in my life and I crave the peace and good attitude that I have seen in people of various religions. However, I have never actually felt anything for any religion. I've been to churches and religious schools of various faiths such as Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and even to pagan and Wiccan ceremonies. No matter where I look I have never felt that connection or agreed with any of the teachings and stories of the faith.
Does anyone know how one finds that peace through religion. How does one find a faith that just fits into their life and their morals?

[ksdnfkfr]

idk other than what you are already doing.
Most ppl far as I know do what you have done
and finally settle on something.

[Sugaree]

Does anyone know how one finds that peace through religion. How does one find a faith that just fits into their life and their morals?

It's a hard thing to do, for sure. I tried many different ideologies before settling on Buddhism because the confusion in my mind was rampant. Eventually the dust just settles and you go back and say "Hey, I never thought about that...". That's how I settled on Buddhism, I just went over everything, something caught my eye about sanghas, and I just went from there.

But it's not just religion that could be missing in your life. It could be a number of things. It could be love, it could be fulfillment of purpose, it could be anything! What those things are, I don't know, but going immediately towards religion and spirituality doesn't make sense. If they weren't that big of a deal earlier in your life, why are they such a big deal now? Are you going to make some longer term commitment?

idk other than what you are already doing.
Most ppl far as I know do what you have done
and finally settle on something.

Well, when you put it in terms like that, it just makes it sound like you just study a bunch of religions and pick whichever sounds the least worst. Which is not always the case for a lot of people. But a lot of people do just what you said and simply pick what sounds best and don't look further into anything.

[darthearth]

So, do you feel you have any kind of "third eye"? That is the root of spirituality for most. I know that by 5 years old I had one. It was that, not blind belief in a religion that made my such a strong theist.

I just feel this overwhelming connection to that which is beyond, it helps that I have a strong idea of infinite existence within me too. And as I have posted, the Universe needs a non-physical transcendent cause.

http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=197693

I would suggest just a plain contemplation of existence and life to begin, maybe you have a third eye that is just not activated yet.

[glad0s]

It looks like you're trying to find a community of similar beliefs as you move on in your life. Keep looking; I'm sure there's something out there lingering for you.

[The Trendy Wolf]

No matter where I look I have never felt that connection or agreed with any of the teachings and stories of the faith.
Does anyone know how one finds that peace through religion. How does one find a faith that just fits into their life and their morals?

If you feel as if you have no need for a specific religion, then don't force yourself to try and find one that represents you. You have your morals, so stick to them, but don't use religion as a representation of yourself. If you are simply searching for closure, then look no further than within yourself. You are you, and nobody, despite what some may say, can be nor should be defined by their religion.

I suspect that you are feeling empty simply because you do not have acceptance or pride within yourself. You are a human with your own beliefs and morals, and you do not necessarily need a religion to dictate or describe your life goals. You have even said that you know what those goals are, so strive to complete them with your morals, and you must simply have faith within yourself.

[sqishy]

Have you own beliefs, if you want it to be that way. Religions don't have to be seen as categories for people to fit in (same with atheism); it's a label. Be independent. Take ideas from certain religions here and there, if it helps. But you don't have to feel like you need to search for one.

[Syvelocin]

I had a director that was really puzzled with this same thing. He had searched years for a religion for him and that's how we bonded because at the time I was just starting to find my philosophical beliefs after a long period of darkness. Satanism wasn't for him either, lol, but you're not alone. That's how I felt with Catholicism as well. I looked around at everyone and just wondered how they could get so excited about it. I remember wanting to be able to feel that but I couldn't feel that for Christianity. So I left the church when I was eight and declared atheism when I was eleven. You have to let yourself be okay with having no religion and also know it's okay to pick many. I had a psychologist who believed in reincarnation, pantheism, and used the pentagram as a grounding symbol but was Christian. I use Satanism's philosophy, Wicca's practice and symbolism, and then philosophical Taoism all as an atheist and this is the mix that sings to me. I discovered the first four years ago and the second I think two years ago. Most people in similar situations of disbelief probably take longer if they ever find their spirituality.