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I'm sorry if serious illness or big aging issues are the only reason anyone would wonder about meaning and all that goes with it! It's a basic human concern.
Maybe it's because I took LSD when I was a teenager- I took it to get to the base of human consciousness (or something) so I was always oriented to those questions, just not thinking to find any paths or answers through religion. I was fortunate to be raised by wolves, as a friend of mine reminds me. I wasn't raised an atheist, I just wasn't raised. I just sort of grew taller and left home, unburdened by other people's religious beliefs or issues. (Well, I had plenty to deal with from their personal issues, but not religious ones).
I grew up in a very post-war, second-generation Jewish suburb. There were few religionists, and adherence to Jewish thought seemed far more cultural than religious. I think I got the best of it from the environment.
I am not nor have I ever been a very religious person. I do believe in a "God" but don't subscribe to any particular dogmas.
One thing I've noticed with the retirees I know is that many seem to become increasingly religious and introspective as time passes and they realize they don't have too much time left in this world. I think some were simply too busy with work, raising children, and day to day responsibilities to honestly give religion much thought, and now have more time to attend services, etc.
Did you find yourself become more interested in religion in your old age/retirement? Why or why not?
I don't think so. It's not for lack of trying. I'm not an atheist, but not particularly religious. Never have been. Apparently never will be. I believe, and have always believed, that none of us really knows for sure...so I keep my options open!
I think if a person truly believes certain things, age doesn't change that. Life experiences and growth may change that, but that doesn't necessarily mean age.
Another drop-out from church and organized religion here.
After a decade-long flirtation with atheism in my 20s, I suddenly and unexpectedly had a series of what are sometimes referred to as a spiritually transformative experiences. I eventually ended up attending and taking a very active part in a mainstream Protestant Christian church, primarily because I wanted to expose my children to the experience. During that time, I attended and taught adult Bible classes. When my children left home, I quit attending church. That's been some 16 years now and I've never gone back.
So to answer the thread question: I've never been religious but I've long had a deep spiritual faith. And although that hasn't grown since I've retired, the time I spend in spiritual practice has certainly increased. Most days I spend 1-2 hours reading and meditating, sometimes more. The particular learning path I've chosen involves other practices as well that extend to other areas of my daily life.
I don't think so. It's not for lack of trying. I'm not an atheist, but not particularly religious. Never have been. Apparently never will be. I believe, and have always believed, that none of us really knows for sure...so I keep my options open!
I think if a person truly believes certain things, age doesn't change that. Life experiences and growth may change that, but that doesn't necessarily mean age.
Ha, so what you are saying is that many are merely fearful atheists.
I've always been somewhat religious but never a Bible thumping fanatic if that means anything.
I know God exists because when I look at the structure of a baby's hand, what a marvelous creation of engineering it is, I know there has to be something behind it. It didn't just happen.
The eyes. Riding down the highway last evening I'm looking at the trees on each side and my eyes... take a moment to really think about what you are seeing; the what appears to be millions of bits of information you are processing when you look at trees with millions of leaves. Of course, I know we don't see the millions of leaves but somehow our brain manages all the information and I for one find that simply amazing and a miracle really. It didn't just happen.
And yes, I believe in evolution but then the Pope does as well. Oh yeah, and we all know the world is billions of years old and not 6,000 or whatever number the idiots might say it is.
I'm Jewish, and in the past few years I have become much more active in my congregation, but not for reasons that would typically be termed "religious." Some years ago, a rabbi paraphrased the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber by saying, "It is in the interconnection between people that the divine emerges." I strongly believe that the interconnection between people creates something that is larger than the people themselves.
So I attend Saturday morning services to be with the other people there, and also to continue my connection with Jewish family members -- my husband, my dad, grandparents, aunts & uncles -- who have died. I am not one of those who can find God in a forest or at the beach or wherever -- I need my community of people around me. I derive great comfort from this.
Interestingly, Judaism requires the presence of ten adults (ten adult men, if you're Orthodox, which I am not) before many important prayers can be recited. I think this underscores the necessity of community. That is where I find God.
It is nice to be around good caring people, not to mention wonderful music from a nice choir. Many churches help the poor and do all kind of wonderful things with the power of their people. Sadly, the press only reports bad things from a few bad churches. They are very few indeed. My last church gave money to a ton of laid off workers in our region and helped them EAT! Of course you hear about all the bad things instead. For the most part church is quite good. I am not that old, but do the holiday thing at this time. Maybe when I hit 60 or so, I will go more. I am not proud that I don't support all the good at this time.
Also, religion isn't all about one style. Some religions feel the bible happened as such, some think it was stories for teaching us how to act. I get a kick out of people that try and lump all religions as one. Clearly, if you try and do that, you are completely ignorant of religion and really shouldn't speak.
Enjoy the day and be thankful for each one you have!
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