So what was your interest in world religions? Just an elective to get out of the way?
Btw, I picked this thread to respond as I don't think we have any taoist to answers you right now...
But how about you responding to your questions?
The class is an elective, but I hope not to view it as something to be tossed aside. I have always loved learning about other cultures and want to travel a lot. I have found religion to often be synonymous with culture and think a great way to know one is to know the other. I go to a Christian, private University and often times the goal of leaning is to debunk the other person. While apologetics is important, I believe there is a time and place for everything. I wanted to learn from the approach of just sitting back and listening about other religions, not picking them apart.
I thought as much with the Taoists, yet it’s why I posted it here too. I know several people from several faith backgrounds but cannot recall running into to Taoist. I know nothing about them and was hoping for a response, but see that there are not many on here.
I can absolutely respond (I come from a Protestant Christian faith):
1) Did you convert, or did you grow up in your current faith?
I grew up in a Christian household and around Church, but I have really grown in my faith as I have gotten older and can say that it is my own, not my parents
2) Who has inspired/ motivated you the most in your faith?
I don’t have just one person; it’s more the community of believers I run across. We have many nights of fellowship at my hometown church and often everyone shares his or her testimonies. Hearing about their strength and seeing how far God has carried them is very inspiring.
3) What is the most important part of your religion to you? (prayer, mediations, good works, etc)
I think of my faith as a relationship, so I would probably say prayer. To be able to come to the one that created the universe and know He is listening is something that I honestly take for granted. Through prayer, I have been able to sort out some tough times/thoughts and I do not know where I would be if I did not have someone guiding me
4) What is your favorite memory associated with your religion?
I have too many fond memories of Christmas and Easter to count. But, the most impactful was my time overseas on a mission trip. Every day felt like I was finally helping something greater than myself. While there, I felt the presence of God like I had never felt before.
5) What is your favorite holiday that stems from the religion?
I can never decide between Christmas and Easter. Christmas is just a lovely time of year and the fact that Jesus came down to us is pretty great, but there is just something refreshing about Easter and the promise of new life that it holds.
6) If you will have/already had children, will you raise them in the faith too?
I am a long way from children, but I hope to raise them in the love of the Lord and hope that they continue their walk with Him, even in adulthood.
7) What is the common portrayal of your faith? Do you think it is accurate?
In media, we are the bumbling crazy ones that don’t know what we are talking about and are often narrow-minded. Like anything, there are a lot of crazies, but there are more good people than bad. I have yet to see a popular portal of a Christian in media that is accurate, but I hope that will change.
8) What do you wish more people knew about your religion?
I wish they saw past the broken, hate-filled people that may turn them away and instead see that Jesus is full of love and compassion. Kinda like the aforementioned question, people just see the crazy ones. They see all the “do not’s”. But I wish they saw the freedom as well.
9) What is the most troubling part about it? The most rewarding?
This may be true of other religions, but it can be troubling to not see the thing you pray too and live your life for. I see many peers struggle with doubt and it feels too cliché to say “Just believe” or something like that. But, when we realize that it is okay to have doubts, and then move on from them, it is rewarding to see someone with a fiery passion for God. The love that exudes from them is contagious and seeing others be brought to Christ is very rewarding. When I was younger, my dad would say when someone accepted Jesus into their hearts that “The angles were having a party in heaven” and I have kept that image with me and feel like having a party myself when someone becomes a Christian.
10) How has it impacted the past/how you look at the future?
Without writing a book about my testimony, it was only through God that I was able to come through some hard times and looking back I can see His hand guiding me to were I come today. It impacts me every day and challenges me to change the way I look to the future. I am a planner and a worrier. Knowing that God has control of the future can be both frustrating and relieving.
11) What is one thing you would like a non-practicer of your faith to understand?
I think it is easy to say “running to a higher power is a cop out”, but I would argue against that. I think it takes a lot of strength to admit you cannot do something on your own and to give up your life in trust to someone else. I have personally never regretted that decision. I would love a non-Christian to know the sweet, overwhelming Love of Jesus and to just know that He cares for them.
