I truly appreciate the concern expressed for me! I really do. It shows that I am cared about and that is special to me. Although I feel concern doesn't need to be placed on me. :)
I, for once in my life, am finally on the right path for ME. Everyone has their own path. My path is not right for you, your path is not right for me. I am finally at complete peace with where I am in my life. My marriage is much happier, things in other areas of my life are smoother, and everything is just finally... right!
I strongly feel that I will never go back to Christianity. I firmly believe that much of it (and some other religions) is here for one reason. And that is to control. Get a large portion of the human race to blindly accept what their church tells them and you have control over them. I do think there is a place for it, as there is a place for any religion. But I really do think we all would be at a much freer, more peaceful, love filled place if everyone dropped their boxed in religion. :) But if that is where you are most comfortable, so be it! :)
It is so important to challenge everything you read, everything you learn, everything you are told. Everything. Don't just compare it to your church, or even dare I say it, the Bible, to see if it is something you should keep as truth. Challenge it. Think on it. Hold it in the depths of your soul for a just a moment before you decide if it is something you should keep. Do this with everything.
I do believe that the Bible contains history and some very good things to live by. But same goes with many books out there. I saw a very interesting quote a while back. It is from the Essene Gospel of Peace, one of those books that didn't quite make it to the Bible for some strange reason. It is a quote from Jesus (which I believe was a MAN that did a great amount of good on Earth but is definitely not God.) Here's the quote: "After my departure there will arise the ignorant and the crafty, and many things will they ascribe unto me that I never spake, and many things which I did speak will they withhold, but the day will come when the fog shall be rolled away..." Interesting indeed!
There is one thing that I live by: The Ethics of Reciprocity or The Golden Rule. This site has different versions of this from many religions.
My favorites are:
*"...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?" (Buddhism)
*"Respect for all life is the foundation." (Native American Spirituality)
*And my most fave- "An it harm no one, do what thou wilt" (i.e. do what ever you will, as long as it harms nobody, including yourself). (Wicca)
Love, respect, and tolerance for all. Ok, so I do squish the occasional spider so I haven't gone that far. ;) lol As for other beliefs, its is a work in process.
I can say that I do not believe there is a devil or hell. Evil energy in the world, yes. But not a being that goes around stirring things up and tempting people. So since I don't believe in hell, I know I won't be going there. :)
The nature of God/Goddess/gods/etc- I'm not completely sure on that yet... I have some ideas but this all is still quite new to me so I am still processing. I do know without a doubt there is something out there that leads us, cares for us, and protects us. I have experienced this first hand!
I strongly believe there are no coincidences. Things happen for a reason! I am constantly seeing little things everywhere that confirm for me that I am on the right path. The right path for me. :)