Did they change? Stay the same? Did you question your God(s)' existence? For me, I was skeptical about Christianity but thought Atheists were retarded. About a year after rotating from agnostic to christian and back again, I became Atheist. What is your stance, and if you believe in god(s) than why do you think he/they allowed this to happen?
Your religious views after IBD
- Thread starter jmlport98
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I do not see why I should blame god for anythign that happens to me.
What happens here on earth is always our responsability and putting blame on anybody else is just plain idiotic. I teach my kids to take responsibility for their actions and god or no god this cannot change. Things happen because you work hard, and sometimes bad things happen because they just do. You have to make do and your best.
That's what I think. I've had a hell of a year in 2011 I was sick like hell broke my leg but I'm the one who suffered and a'm the one who got better. Maybe god gave me the strength when I was created but uit,s to me to use it.
Cheers
What happens here on earth is always our responsability and putting blame on anybody else is just plain idiotic. I teach my kids to take responsibility for their actions and god or no god this cannot change. Things happen because you work hard, and sometimes bad things happen because they just do. You have to make do and your best.
That's what I think. I've had a hell of a year in 2011 I was sick like hell broke my leg but I'm the one who suffered and a'm the one who got better. Maybe god gave me the strength when I was created but uit,s to me to use it.
Cheers
I don't think alot about why this has happened to me. I try to think positively because I have learned over the last 16 years after being diagnosed with Crohns is that negative thoughts are not good for this disease. I think bad things happen and you can't dwell on why me. I really want to believe in God though but I just don't know. I was very close to death in November and I was so scared that this is it (lights out) and there is not a hereafter. I am not ready to die and have this life be all there is. But since I can't find a way to believe in God, the very thought of dying really does scare me alot.
I agree with Carolyn regard thinking positively. That is something I was born with, I guess. Yes, I believe in God. I also mix in other stuff from Native American beliefs. Perhaps some Budist beliefs (dont think i spelled that correctly) and some Druid in there too. Not making fun. I find that one religion doesn't answer all questions. I guess it would be more accurate to say I believe in a higher power.
To answer your original question: no Crohn's didn't change my religious beliefs but time and maturity have.
To answer your original question: no Crohn's didn't change my religious beliefs but time and maturity have.
Crohn'sFor Life
Colon Free!
Buddhist...still Buddhist.
I guess I can post my religious story as an answer to this question.
I was born a cradle Catholic and believed in God as a child but didn't understand much at all about the Catholic Church except that I was to go once a week. When I moved from Louisiana to Connecticut my Catholic education teacher told me "God is love" and I wanted more but she could not provide answers, not many could.
When I was 14 I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when I was coming into my beginning to have an eventual career in soccer if I wanted to push myself. Instead I got sick and lost 30-35 pounds and became very sickly. I was not solid in my faith and so I got angry at God, I blamed Him for everything and thus my depression began. You just have to read some of my early posts to understand I was depressed and religion was not really doing anything for me. I spent my high school like this.
Then I went off to college. I went to a Catholic college and because I played guitar I decided I would play guitar in the choir and so I did. This began to help me get re-interested in God and my faith. After a few years I began to really study the doctrines of my faith and pray and understand who God is. I now know that God is Love but He is so much more than that. I won't get into it here.
Now I'm studying to be a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Birmingham, AL and I feel like this quote is very helpful from St. Therese of Liseaux, "I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me". I feel that God used my suffering to make sure that I did not become too prideful for had I become a professional soccer player, or if I was healthy, I'm sure I would be too prideful and thus God allowed me this suffering so that I will always run to Him like a child running to his father when he gets injured. Sorry for the long and drawn out answer but that is all I can give in response to this question.
I was born a cradle Catholic and believed in God as a child but didn't understand much at all about the Catholic Church except that I was to go once a week. When I moved from Louisiana to Connecticut my Catholic education teacher told me "God is love" and I wanted more but she could not provide answers, not many could.
When I was 14 I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when I was coming into my beginning to have an eventual career in soccer if I wanted to push myself. Instead I got sick and lost 30-35 pounds and became very sickly. I was not solid in my faith and so I got angry at God, I blamed Him for everything and thus my depression began. You just have to read some of my early posts to understand I was depressed and religion was not really doing anything for me. I spent my high school like this.
Then I went off to college. I went to a Catholic college and because I played guitar I decided I would play guitar in the choir and so I did. This began to help me get re-interested in God and my faith. After a few years I began to really study the doctrines of my faith and pray and understand who God is. I now know that God is Love but He is so much more than that. I won't get into it here.
Now I'm studying to be a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Birmingham, AL and I feel like this quote is very helpful from St. Therese of Liseaux, "I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me". I feel that God used my suffering to make sure that I did not become too prideful for had I become a professional soccer player, or if I was healthy, I'm sure I would be too prideful and thus God allowed me this suffering so that I will always run to Him like a child running to his father when he gets injured. Sorry for the long and drawn out answer but that is all I can give in response to this question.
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I'm not sure if my beliefs have changed. I have always believed in God, have very defined opinions as to what God is, what God expects and have lived my life as I believed a good person should. I rarely attend church because, for the most part, I always believed they were separate - God was God, church was a man-made institution. No problems with the church but always believed you could believe in God, pray and be a good Christian without attending weekly mass.
There were certain sayings or stories that always gave me comfort and that I never doubted.... that God wouldn't give you a burden you couldn't bear; the poem 'Footprints', that there was a reason for everything, even if you couldn't see it... BUT, since my son's diagnosis, I have questioned many of my beliefs. I do still draw some comfort from my faith, however, my beliefs and faith are certainly being tested and questioned.
For all the parents of the kids who are sick, I'll share a story I read or heard years ago and it always stuck with me, it has been in my mind often since my son's diagnosis and has helped me. Maybe it will help someone else...
...A sickly child was born and the parents were quite upset. They wanted to know why 'their' child, why wasn't it healthy? They had no experience with this, didn't know how they would know how to care for their child and had no idea how they would bear it. They were told that their child was one of God's special angels and that it needed extra help to survive in this world. God had chosen them as parents because he trusted them to care for his special angel and knew they could give his angel the extra love and care it needed.
Sorry if it's a bit sappy
I always thought it was a beautiful story and means even more to me now...
There were certain sayings or stories that always gave me comfort and that I never doubted.... that God wouldn't give you a burden you couldn't bear; the poem 'Footprints', that there was a reason for everything, even if you couldn't see it... BUT, since my son's diagnosis, I have questioned many of my beliefs. I do still draw some comfort from my faith, however, my beliefs and faith are certainly being tested and questioned.
For all the parents of the kids who are sick, I'll share a story I read or heard years ago and it always stuck with me, it has been in my mind often since my son's diagnosis and has helped me. Maybe it will help someone else...
...A sickly child was born and the parents were quite upset. They wanted to know why 'their' child, why wasn't it healthy? They had no experience with this, didn't know how they would know how to care for their child and had no idea how they would bear it. They were told that their child was one of God's special angels and that it needed extra help to survive in this world. God had chosen them as parents because he trusted them to care for his special angel and knew they could give his angel the extra love and care it needed.
Sorry if it's a bit sappy
I always thought it was a beautiful story and means even more to me now... 
I had no religious faith when I was first diagnosed about twenty years ago.
I had the beginning of my religious epiphany in 2005 on the roof of a gay bar in Puerta Vallarta (I kid you not!!)
I'm agnostic and have no commitment to any specific organized religion (some of them have quite peculiar ideas, rituals and they generally seem to be rather homophobic - all of which do not appeal to me)
I have absolute faith in my god and providence.
CD has not effected my faith. In fact I feel very blessed and lucky. When I read some people's experiences and stories - I realise that things could always be worse.
My mantra - every day my god smiles upon me. I'm the luckiest person in the world.
I had the beginning of my religious epiphany in 2005 on the roof of a gay bar in Puerta Vallarta (I kid you not!!)
I'm agnostic and have no commitment to any specific organized religion (some of them have quite peculiar ideas, rituals and they generally seem to be rather homophobic - all of which do not appeal to me)
I have absolute faith in my god and providence.
CD has not effected my faith. In fact I feel very blessed and lucky. When I read some people's experiences and stories - I realise that things could always be worse.
My mantra - every day my god smiles upon me. I'm the luckiest person in the world.
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Is there anyone else who feels that it is absurd to think that the massive forces that drive this seemingly infinite universe should ever be attributed with human personality traits? Is it just me that finds the idea sickeningly egocentric?
This illness has kicked the crap out of me yet I feel no inclination to behave like an injured child running to his parent for help. I do feel inclined to love, to learn, and to experience.
This illness has kicked the crap out of me yet I feel no inclination to behave like an injured child running to his parent for help. I do feel inclined to love, to learn, and to experience.
Well, if you believe in the bible, no. It states God made man in his image. Besides as humans we would have no other experience to compare it with. I think it's great that people have such strong faith and I am even happier that it helps them through. One of the kindest, smartest, gentalist men I have ever known is a priest. He is a man of infinite kindness. He embodies the word "priest" in my opinion.
I myself do not have strong religious convictions as I stated before. I have a seeking mind, one that loves to explore most religions.
I myself do not have strong religious convictions as I stated before. I have a seeking mind, one that loves to explore most religions.
I have 2 sons with health issues and their health has definitely affected their faith. My oldest son said, when he was about 15 after a few years of painful debilitating head and spine issues, that it was "more comforting to think that God does not exist, than to think God lets me suffer and does not answer my prayers". My personal faith is also tested ... but I cling to hope.
nogutsnoglory
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I became a progressive Christian into the disease. I believe everything is a life lesson and this is one of them.
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He only gives you what you can handle and we all have a journey....this is ours and we can handle it....
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That's a really beautiful and succint way of putting it.
Myself, atheist at the time I was diagnosed, still atheist. *shrug*
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Nicely put Handle. My situation is what it is and all a part of the journey that is my life. I really don't think to bring God in at that level. To me, God is the force that drives the universe, I am just along for the ride.
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The ancestors does not bother me much, and I try not to bother them. I will be in their halls soon enough, no need to seek them out before the Norns cut my thread...
That said, a few words to Eir have been said during the worst of the pains, both good and bad...well, I am a Norse heathen...
And well, I no, nothings changed in my relationship with religion...
That said, a few words to Eir have been said during the worst of the pains, both good and bad...well, I am a Norse heathen...
And well, I no, nothings changed in my relationship with religion...
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We are not given more than we can bear.
God made us to know love and serve Him in this world and always answers our prayers.
Mankind brings suffering upon itself, usually through greed, look at what is happening in the world today, adulterated food through genetic modification GM milk vegetables and contaminated air through pollution.etc.
God always answers our prayers but sometimes we do not perceive His responses or are unwilling to act upon them.
He gave us a perfect world which man is systematically destroying with nuclear effect.
'He has given us beautiful landscapes, seascapes, lovely families, beautiful music, so many good things to enjoy.
In the midst of pain and suffering it is hard to always see Him and be thankful, but we must look through the mist of tears to a better world.
Trysha
God made us to know love and serve Him in this world and always answers our prayers.
Mankind brings suffering upon itself, usually through greed, look at what is happening in the world today, adulterated food through genetic modification GM milk vegetables and contaminated air through pollution.etc.
God always answers our prayers but sometimes we do not perceive His responses or are unwilling to act upon them.
He gave us a perfect world which man is systematically destroying with nuclear effect.
'He has given us beautiful landscapes, seascapes, lovely families, beautiful music, so many good things to enjoy.
In the midst of pain and suffering it is hard to always see Him and be thankful, but we must look through the mist of tears to a better world.
Trysha
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You guys are brill! Your attitudes are the kind of attitudes and perspectives needed to get through life. We can't sit and dwell and blame God for everything and you can either take whatever challenge/test is thrown at you and aim to grow stronger not just spiritually but also emotionally, or you can point the finger at God and take nothing from this. At first of course we're all going to stumble be that spiritually/religiously or otherwise, yes we're gonna get emotionally upset, grieve, go through phases, of course, this is how we come to accept things through various phases but we've got to accept it and grow. This period where we stumble should be just a small pse but not to the extent where we leave everything. Even with the death of a loved one we should accept that it's a phase and a guarantee for every living thing. We're not immortal, we're all going to end up six feet under, some of us when we have grey hair and others when we've just found ourselves at 'young' ages.
Anyways with me, after conciously questioning the 'religion' i was 'born' into and conciously coming to a rationalised decision to accept it, i've always taken every year as a huge self-development stage in life and 2012 thank God has started with something which i'm coping and capable with. So no, it hasn't changed my view that all of humanity has been created for a purpose nor do i blame any individual.
It's another part of life, and i'm soo grateful for this despite the physical pain etc coz 1-it's the first time ever i've been in such a condition and it looks like it's Crohn's or something long term and 2- 20yrs of health, 20yrs of being as physically fit as a fiddle and one small stumble means that i find different ways to grow. I'm grateful even moreso because it's not just a physical test but God tests those whom He loves because am i gonna coward out and say 'whyy mee' or am i gonna take this as a means of growing and getting closer to Him?
The prick of a needle which causes the individual to say 'ouch' is a means of purification for the believer, so imagine this which causes us to say more than ouch, it's like purification forever lol.
But dunno how long this post is so yeah, or rather no, it's not caused me to change my views (xcept get stronger) nor has it caused me to emotionally negate the fact that we've all been created
But regardless of your views or whether you follow a religion or not take care of your emotional wellbeing and take this IBD condition as something to move you forward in life and not backwards. Accept it and i guess live well with it, honest!
Anyways with me, after conciously questioning the 'religion' i was 'born' into and conciously coming to a rationalised decision to accept it, i've always taken every year as a huge self-development stage in life and 2012 thank God has started with something which i'm coping and capable with. So no, it hasn't changed my view that all of humanity has been created for a purpose nor do i blame any individual.
It's another part of life, and i'm soo grateful for this despite the physical pain etc coz 1-it's the first time ever i've been in such a condition and it looks like it's Crohn's or something long term and 2- 20yrs of health, 20yrs of being as physically fit as a fiddle and one small stumble means that i find different ways to grow. I'm grateful even moreso because it's not just a physical test but God tests those whom He loves because am i gonna coward out and say 'whyy mee' or am i gonna take this as a means of growing and getting closer to Him?
The prick of a needle which causes the individual to say 'ouch' is a means of purification for the believer, so imagine this which causes us to say more than ouch, it's like purification forever lol.
But dunno how long this post is so yeah, or rather no, it's not caused me to change my views (xcept get stronger) nor has it caused me to emotionally negate the fact that we've all been created
But regardless of your views or whether you follow a religion or not take care of your emotional wellbeing and take this IBD condition as something to move you forward in life and not backwards. Accept it and i guess live well with it, honest!
Like that other kid, I'd rather have no god than one that abandons me.
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jmlport- if you don't mind me asking, why do you feel that God's abandoned you if you feel that way?
That's made me think actually, imagine if this never happened to any one of us, would we even be questioning or thinking of God. On the contrary it brings us closer to God coz we're more grateful for our health. Imagine always being given food 24/7, like top notch food day in day out and one day that service isn't available. Then and only then do you become grateful for what you had. If we're always fit and healthy like 24/7, nothinghappens to us, we never lose a job, never wake up late for a meeting, never fall over, how are we going to appreciate things. Life would always only be one way, one straight line with zero progress.
Things like health conditions, loss of jobs, loss of wealth, loss of lives i.e death of loved ones, brings us all admitedlly closer to God coz we're thinking of Him. Only then do we reflect.
That's made me think actually, imagine if this never happened to any one of us, would we even be questioning or thinking of God. On the contrary it brings us closer to God coz we're more grateful for our health. Imagine always being given food 24/7, like top notch food day in day out and one day that service isn't available. Then and only then do you become grateful for what you had. If we're always fit and healthy like 24/7, nothinghappens to us, we never lose a job, never wake up late for a meeting, never fall over, how are we going to appreciate things. Life would always only be one way, one straight line with zero progress.
Things like health conditions, loss of jobs, loss of wealth, loss of lives i.e death of loved ones, brings us all admitedlly closer to God coz we're thinking of Him. Only then do we reflect.
maria
I love you God.
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I have to admit theres a few times I've gotten mad but I still believe in god. I don't think god would give us anything we couldn't handle. It's how we deal with it is what god is looking for I think. He is training us to be his soldiars here on earth and weeding out the bad SORTA LIKE. He wants people to believe in him, that he tests us with sometimes. Just have faith in him and that he will get us through hard times.
When I was a little kid I had severe Anxiety problems. I remember laying in bed, always thinking of scary things, being worried etc. every night for a few years, I prayed to god every night. Not ONCE, not a single time did it work. Ever. When I asked my mom to come up by my and lay in bed with me, I felt comforted. I never understood why god plain out ignored my prayers. Many times have I had a bad Crohn's day and I prayed, and prayed, but not a single time did it help. Never. Thinking of god made me angry, and it still does.
When I began to question my faith, I became Agnostic within weeks. Atheist after mere months, and to this day the entire idea of god is nothing but false promises, hope, and claims.
Silvermoon
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Some would say that, by your mom coming to lay with you to comfort you, this WAS God answering your prayers, just by the fact that you had someone who was there and had the time to be with you..... :shrug:
I was born into a Roman Catholic family. I went to church every Sunday while living at home, 'because that is what we do". I even went quite a few times on my own after I moved out to go to college. As I began to 'experience life' and mature, I also began to question the relgion I was practicing and whether or not it was what I actually believed.....
To be honest, I still don't know what I believe.... I am still learning and growing and maturing......
