Exploring Faiths Around the World

October 9, 2024 Aphsie No comments exist

I’ve recently embarked on a journey to learn and understand the many religions that shape the world around us. My goal is to open my eyes and heart to diverse beliefs while deepening my own faith.

As someone raised Christian (as I discussed in The Retired Church Girl), my foundation is built on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity, as defined by Britannica, is:

"A major religion stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus of Nazareth (the Christ, or the Anointed One of God)."

This exploration is not meant to dilute my Christian faith but to expand my understanding of the world’s spiritual diversity. While I won’t delve deeply into the teachings of the prophets and spiritual leaders from each religion, I hope this sparks curiosity for you to explore further.

For example, I recently came across a key belief in Buddhism, where:

"Human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but if one achieves a state of enlightenment (nirvana), it is possible to escape this cycle forever"

While I am not a Buddhist, I can resonate with the idea that life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth. My personal experiences have taught me that each challenge we overcome leads to a kind of “rebirth” or renewal. However, my belief differs in that I don’t see this in the form of reincarnation into another body but rather in the way we are continuously made new through life’s trials and triumphs.

One fascinating discovery on this journey was that Buddhism isn’t a monotheistic religion, meaning it doesn’t center around one God. This led me to learn that Christianity, along with Judaism and Islam, are the world’s only monotheistic religions. 

On the flip side, there are polytheistic religions, which include Hinduism, Shintoism, Thelema, Wicca, Druidism, Taoism, Asatru, and Candomblé. While I firmly believe in one true God, I also respect and acknowledge that other people find meaning and guidance in their own spiritual practices.

I understand that religion is a sensitive subject, but I believe that respectful dialogue and understanding are crucial in navigating our differences. What do you believe in? And how open are you to acknowledging the beliefs of others? 

Let’s connect and explore together.

Yours in faith,  

P.S.  Thanks for having a read & you're MORE than welcome to share your thoughts on our comment section below...

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