Anonymous wrote:Fear of death, gain a sense of control when there is none, upbringing, community, comfort, etc

I respectfully disagree with this one. It is decidedly *surrendering* any sense of control and trusting my life to God that leads me in my “religious-ness”...and recognizing that this surrender will quiet fear of death, as I am secure in my faith that no matter what happens in this life, the Lord cares about me personally and I have surrendered my life to Him and claimed Him as my Savior. Agree that this gift is a warm comfort that envelopes me even in the darkest of times. I sincerely pray that all who are led to ask Him into their hearts to be Lord of their lives will hear the call and respond. Amen.

^I should mention that several of the near death experiences I've had were miraculous in nature to others too. I had one woman who thought I was dead, because she saw what happened and assumed the person died. When I told her I was the person involved she couldn't believe it and couldn't believe I was here. Some of the ways I was saved defied physics. So yes, no doubt in my mind it had nothing to do with me and EVERYTHING to do with God! I trust fully in God and know He will protect me and help me EVERY TIME! I know He knows the best thing for me and is always on my side!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because God is AMAZING! If you had ever touched into His energy and power you would never ask the question God is so good!

I'm delighted you have an amazing relationship with God but I'm curious as to what drew you to him before you came to that understanding?

I have always been very intuitive and even as a child sought out a relationship with God and was always wanting to feel that God energy. My parents were Christian and somewhat religious though my dad has kind of atheist leanings. But I always intuitively loved to pray and would talk to God and could feel Him. Now that I'm older and have directly sought out those experiences I recognize it was God. I have had several near death experiences, even psychics I've seen have mentioned that to me, and i attribute my surviving each of them to God. I have also been told by psychics that I have a big team of angels and ancestors on the other side, and I feel them and feel they help me when things get dangerous. Because I'm so close to God, He has helped me again, and again, and again, in miraculous ways, so even when I am going through a hard time I know He is with me and when I pray or meditate I can feel Him. it is the best feeling in the world and feels kind of like the purest love your mother ever gave you as a child, multiplied by a million or infinity. It's incredible. And you just have to reach out to Him! You dont have to be religious if you dont want to- but trying to contact God, and having a relationship with Him, in whatever way, is the best thing you could ever do- better than any drug or human experience. You could try meditating and seeing what comes up if you are curious- or just asking your angels to show you a sign. Trust me they will God bless!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Control
2. Power

I think these are reasons that some people might be drawn to “act” religious.
But I believe OP’s question was about actually BEING religious—and that’s another matter entirely.

Exactly. I’m the PP right above you. I don’t attend any organized religious services. My spirituality is a personal experience.

Anonymous wrote:1. Control
2. Power

I think these are reasons that some people might be drawn to “act” religious.
But I believe OP’s question was about actually BEING religious—and that’s another matter entirely.

I was raised Jewish and still identify as such, though it’s nearly all cultural (I had my Bat Mitzvah and plan to do that with my daughter, but we are not a very religious family).

Anyway, my first truly spiritual experience was when I was living in rural Thailand. A monk taught a few of us how to meditate. I swear to you I saw my third eye and felt the presence of some sort of power connecting all of us together.

I have also felt exceptionally strong connections to those who have died (relatives, but also people I did not know when they were alive). I know that sounds insane, but it’s helped me believe in souls that outlive our material bodies.

So I do not believe in the typical Judeo-Christian God, but I do believe in souls and in a power that connects everyone. It’s a vaguely Eastern philosophy, but doesn’t fit into any box.

Fear of death, gain a sense of control when there is none, upbringing, community, comfort, etc

For me, it’s personal relationship with Jesus that is the attraction. Praying to my creator/maker/savior to express gratitude, joy, praise...confess fears, ask forgiveness for sins,seek truth and wisdom from Biblical teachings that provide a perfect example of love of God and others that I can use as a model and guide while I’m on this earth. I think personally for me it helps answer the why and redirects purpose when I feel confused, frustrated or lost. In short, it’s a comfort and peace, but also helps to center my aspirations to live my life in LOVE and for LOVE.

Other people may have other reasons for engaging in their religion (e.g., tradition, connection to past and family, emotional fulfillment, substitute for meditation, etc.) and those probably play a role for me as well but it’s mostly the reasons above for me personally.

It can be very comforting, and provides automatic community.

Anonymous wrote:I just felt called to God.

Could you elaborate on this please.

Anonymous wrote:Because God is AMAZING! If you had ever touched into His energy and power you would never ask the question God is so good!

I'm delighted you have an amazing relationship with God but I'm curious as to what drew you to him before you came to that understanding?

I was raised atheist (and sometimes Wiccan) but I just felt called to God.

Interestingly I married someone raised atheist who was still atheist when we married. Over time he too felt called.

1. Control
2. Power

Because God is AMAZING! If you had ever touched into His energy and power you would never ask the question God is so good!

As a non-religious person I'm curious as to what draws one to religion.