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Chatterbox: Down to Earth
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Religion.
I'm talking about religion.
Mainly the topic of praying.
75% of the U.S. is Christian and heck yeah that's a lot.
I'm not Christian.
I was never Christian, but was taught growing up that God exists. My dad said we were "Unificationists." (Yeah I know, you've her heard of it. . . it's a religion, alright?)
I'm not going to go into what I define myself as, or what I believe or any of that.
But I will say I pray.
Or I used to pray.
See, recently I've been doubting everything I was taught growing up.
Praying, afterlife. . . God.
I always thought things in my head, starting with "Dear heavenly father" and ending it with "Amen" or "adju" (another Unificationist thing).
But I started to wonder
Is anyone even listening?
I always asked for good health for me, my family, my friends and my pets.
And, I realize
Just thinking those things out loud
Made me feel better.
Made me believe things were going to be okay.
And growing up with anxiety from a young age,
I've continued to
"Pray"
I don't know if anyone is listening.
And sometimes I call it praying
Sometimes I don't.
When someone I know tells a group of people, which includes me, that they are going through rough times, and if the group can pray for them,
There is usually one person who says
"We will."
And I get so ticked off.
How do they know we are all religious?
I know it's a small thing.
And I'm I'm probably overreacting.
But still.
Be careful what you say.
•
And with dating.
The way my parents got married was they both sent a picture to this old but in Korea, and he matched them.
Because of instinct.
He did this with a billion other people.
Then they all went to Korea two months later, found this person who you would be spending your life with and have never seen before,
Get dressed up and walk in the rain to a big baseball stadium,
Where 7,000 other couples were
And this old guy and his wife
Married them all.
At the same time.
Then my parents went to the airport
And left.
She went back to Japan.
He went back to America.
And they sent letters
But didn't live together until
Ten
Years
Later.
(For you nosy people, the are happily married at 22 years.)
I always thought my marriage would be arranged.
But my older sister got permission to date last month.
Nothing about religion specified.
And yeah, I've got my eyes on a few guys.
And they are all Christian.
I don't mind
But I'm scared they'll mind.
•
I'm sorry for this rant
But I have no one else to talk to.
Only two of my friends know.
My parents don't know about me not labeling myself as Christian.
(I hate labels if you couldn't tell.)
But I also wanted to let y'all know,
Whatever religion you are, I love you.
Whatever race you are, I love you.
Whatever you believe or think or look like,
I love you.
And I believe in you.
~❤~❤~
submitted by Me
(March 2, 2018 - 5:25 pm)
(March 2, 2018 - 5:25 pm)
I'm sorry. That must be really hard. It's okay to rant. We all need to rant sometimes.
I don't how much these words will help you, or if you will even believe me when I say them, but I want you to know that someone is listening. I believe God is listening. He hears you. Even if you don't think he does, even when you're doubting, he hears your prayers. And he cares. He loves you.
And I can't speak for anyone else, but know that I am praying for you.
*hugs*
(March 2, 2018 - 9:34 pm)
(March 3, 2018 - 4:41 pm)
Awwh, I know your frustration, it's okay to rant - I'll always be here to listen. You know, sometimes I wondered the same thing. People I knew, my family, or myself would face something that makes you think "Why this? Why didn't God do anything about this?" I mean, that's just my own personal perspective. But over time I did see amazing things happen. I started praying more, and "mini miracles" took place. Some say it would be religious reasons, some say coincidence, etc. But I felt that he was listening, and sent help. And sometimes, I found it was just good to pray to let out all my anger and frustration. To kinda revitalize myself again. I donno, I know there are a lot of non-religious folks out there, and that's okay. We all have our own opinions. If you decide now, or someday, that there is no one listening, at least don't forget you will have people in the world who will listen. If you decide that there is God, and he listens, then turn to him. The choice is yours, but no matter what, you'll have people in your corner.
As for dating, goodness I know it's a rough topic. I know very little about assigned marriages - I had no idea large assigned marriages like what you described were a thing. To me, it's shocking, but it is just part of a different culture I have yet to discover. Just follow your heart, you know? If there is someone you like, and they like you back, they shouldn't judge you. Anyone who truly loves you will not judge for your religion. They'd find a way to balance it. It's also great news to hear your parents have such a long-lasting marriage!
Again, you can rant for a century and I'd listen. I don't care who you are, what you believe, or what you've been through, etc, I've made it a passion and duty of mine to be there for people. I love you and wish the best in whatever path you take <3
(March 3, 2018 - 5:18 pm)
It's okay to rant. Everyone needs to get things off of their chests sometimes. I'm sorry if you're going through a rough time, but never be scared of being yourself. You are loved, never forget that. You will be in my prayers tonight. If you ever need it, I love you, believe in you, and am here for you.
(March 3, 2018 - 7:03 pm)
This is interesting, and admirable. I'm openly a nonspecific agnostic pagan, and I think I'll be stealing "Dear Heavenly Father" and "adju" (which, if it's not sacrelige to say this, sounds a bit like a sneeze). Thanks!
Anyway, to be less blithe about it, I'm not really sure what to say. Or, more accurately, how to begin. So, stream of consciousness:
Wow, that is a lot of Christians. C-Christianity? *flustered* Claaws, I--I hope nobody gets ticked off about this...
Ah, the inner existentialist. *shoves down her own existentialism*
Aw man, me too! Like... normally Nymph would say this, but jeez.
A matchmaker? *mental Fiddler on the Roof clip begins playing*
Wow. That's a lot. Wait, is that exaggeration?
Wait, were they kids, then?
Oh. I... didn't quite realize that was still a thing.
Ooh... *leans forward with a Cheshire grin*
Aww. :3 I bet they won't, though. Not if they're the right kind for you.
Rant? That was no rant. That was an artful monologue, a poetic soliloquy.
Me neither. *murmurs* Me neither... (oh no oh no am I making this about me oh no I totally am even now even with this oh no stop no)
Unless I decide to dump whatever it is on a random stranger, which I might actually do.
Yeah, labels suck. But they're useful. Or they can be. They're best when you understand that they only loosely define one aspect of something. "To define something is to distance yourself from it," someone once said (I forgot his name, but it wasn't me, and I admire and appreciate the sacrifice he made in doing it).
Aww, really? No. No, you couldn't possibly mean that all the way, it's too sweet. Too broad. Agape. Is it agape? Agape as in the Greek word for love of one's fellow humans. Not as in... Mouths agape. It's pronounced ah-gah-paye. The Greek one, that is. It's probably agape...
Okay, stream of consciousness over. You have my support, if it's worth anything. And I don't really know what else to say, so good luck! Fare thee well... *drifts off singing softly*
(March 4, 2018 - 6:20 pm)
*randomly pops up and yells “I’m Hindu!” then disappears*
(March 6, 2018 - 10:28 pm)