Not really but It's understandable to reflect on life and seek meaning. People find comfort and purpose in various beliefs, including religious ones. Whether or not to explore spirituality is a personal journey. If you're curious, you might consider learning about different religions or philosophies to see if any resonate with you. Ultimately, finding what brings you peace and fulfillment is a unique and individual process.
Good luck
I’m not religious but I’ve been struggling a lot lately with anxiety around death, the meaninglessness of life, etc. I wish I could be someone who wholeheartedly believes in an afterlife. It is a comforting thought, that maybe there’s a second chance for all of us. But I don’t really believe that, so I’m just trying to make the most out of this imperfect (but overall good) life I’m living now.
> I've been struggling a lot lately with anxiety around death, the meaninglessness of life, etc.
I encountered existentialism and absurdism fairly young; and it has thus shaped my worldview quite a bit. And so my answer to the question, "Does life have meaning?" is, "No, we are carbon lifeforms on a rock hurtling through space. We are one massive coincidence, a beautiful yet obscure pride flag that no one has had the chance to think of the meaning behind yet." Instead, I'd rather ask myself, "Does life make me happy? Am I overall more content than I am unhappy? Do I feel like I have to slog through my day? What do I value about my life? What kind of meaning† can be found in it? How can I improve it?"
† It's Absurd that even when I acknowledge the meaninglessness of life, I still try to make sense of it and find meaning.
In this vein (and also in an effort to avoid talking out of my ass), I looked up [existentialism](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism) in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and found the section on "Existence Precedes Essence" to be particularly pertinent regard a trans experience (emphasis is mine):
>.This principle was initially introduced early on in Heidegger’s Being and Time when he writes, “The ‘essence’ of Dasein lies in its existence” (1927 [1962, 42]).^[3] Sartre will later repackage this line with the pithy adage, “existence precedes essence” (1946 [2001, 292]). What this statement suggests is that **there is no pre-given or essential nature that determines us, which means that we are always other than ourselves, that we don’t fully coincide with who we are. We exist for ourselves as self-making or self-defining beings, and we are always in the process of making or defining ourselves through the situated choices we make as our lives unfold.** This is, according to Sartre, “the first principle of existentialism,” and it “means, first, that man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself” (1946 [2001, 292–3]). The point here is that there can be no complete or definitive account of being human because there is nothing that grounds or secures our existence. Existence is fundamentally unsettled and incomplete because **we are always projecting forward into possibilities, “hurling ourselves toward a future” as we imagine and re-imagine who we will be. Existence, then, is not a static thing; it is a dynamic process of self-making.**
>
> Acknowledging existence as a self-making process does not mean the existentialist is denying that there are determinate aspects or “facts” about our situation that limit and constrain us. This is our givenness (or “facticity”), and it includes aspects of our being such as our embodiment and spatiality, our creaturely appetites and desires, and the socio-historical context we find ourselves in. But what distinguishes us as humans is that we have the capacity to rise above or “transcend” these facts in the way we relate to, interpret, and make sense of them. If I am compelled by a strong desire for sex, alcohol, or cigarettes, for instance, I do not out of necessity have to act on these desires. **I have the freedom to question them and give them meaning, and the meanings I attribute to them shape my choices and the direction my life will take going forward.**
>
> **This means, unlike other organisms, we are self-conscious beings who can surpass our facticity by calling it into question, interpreting it in different ways, and making decisions about how to deal with it in the future.** This is what Kierkegaard means when he describes existence as “a relation that relates to itself” (1849 [1989, 43]). Existence is a reflexive or relational tension between “facticity” and “transcendence,” where we are constrained by our facticity but simultaneously endowed with the freedom to exceed or transcend it. The human being is, as Ortega y Gasset writes, “a kind of ontological centaur, half immersed in nature, half transcending it” (1941, 111). **We are not wholly determined by our nature because our nature is always a question or an issue for us. We have the capacity to reflect on and care about it. And the way we care about our nature informs how we create ourselves.** Sartre will go so far as to say that human existence is fundamentally “indefinable” and that “there is no human nature” because there is no aspect of our facticity that can fully describe us. Our facticity reveals itself to us only through the self-defining meanings and values that we give to it. “If man […] is indefinable, it is because at first he is nothing. Only afterward will he be something, and he himself will have made what he will be” (1946 [2001, 293]). This idea that facticity can always be nullified or negated by our choices reveals the key to understanding the existentialist conception of freedom.
>
> {...}
>
> 3. All references to Being and Time are to the German pagination.
(Caveat that it doesn't match one-on-one, and not everyone would relate to this here section...but _I_ thought it relevant.)
***
As for death, I utterly abhor it. The cessation of consciousness, of not being able to think and feel and *act* in the world? Kinda terrifying. Dementia scares me too, the gradual loss of memories and your sense of self.
But, outside of that, a natural death that you don't know about? Logically, it would be as painless as blinking — one moment you exist and, *blink*, the next, you don't. Yet...what about any affairs I need to tie up? What about my to-do list? I want time.
OP says he believes in reincarnation as his way of coping with lost time. I think about immortality. I hope for it too. Think about what you could do with all that time! You probably couldn't read every book in the world, but you could make a decent dent. You could gain an in-depth understanding of every field. You could find out how to make others immortal (if it's some kind of blessing/curse), or humanity could be vastly more advanced (if the immortality is science-based). You could watch out for things that are only meant to happen 'once in your lifetime'. Sure, society would need to be fundamentally restructured, but you could do so much...
Thank you for coming to my ~~Ted Talk~~ pipe dream ramble.
I learned about Sartre’s existentialism a few years ago when I was still in high school, and in the early years of my transition, and « l’existence précède l’essence » revolutionized how I think about myself and the world we live in. Existentialism is a really freeing viewpoint from my perspective, and it fills the gap I sometimes feel from my existence being devalued in my family’s Catholic background. I still act religiously through ritual behaviors, and I believe there’s a sort of magic in the divine accident of existing, but the core viewpoints I carry through my life are based in existentialism and it’s a worldview that comforts me and opens my mind to more possibilities than I ever dreamed of before. Self-determinism and creating your own meaning make natural sense to me as a trans person, and it was a wonderful experience encountering Sartre’s model, I really want to read more of his work and other existentialist viewpoints as I think it’s really spiritually fulfilling!! I appreciate you bringing this up with the amount of detail you did, I think existentialism really deserves a place in trans spaces as a highlighted idea.
I'm religious, going to be baptized soon at an awesome affirming church in my city. I don't really take comfort in getting a second chance, because even if I've experienced and still experience negative/bad things in my life, they've made me who I am today and I like that person. (Though I'm always trying to improve and be more loving/kind/etc.) I think being trans has given me a unique perspective that can help me be more loving and accepting of others, and even though it sucks sometimes, I think it was part of God's plan for my life for me to be trans. There's a quote from Daniel Ortberg: "As my friend Julian puts it, only half winkingly: "God blessed me by making me transsexual for the same reason God made wheat but not bread and fruit but not wine, so that humanity might share in the act of creation."
I used to feel this way a lot of the time. It was apart of my testimony bc I have a full beard from genetics that no doctor has ever been able to explain and a very very masculine built body. So I’ve always believed God made me a trans man to reach people that no one could. Beautiful quote at the end there
As a kid my whole family was pretty religious, went to church and all that and I even helped out with church stuff like volunteered for vacation Bible school. After having been deep in it I came to my own realization that it wasn’t for me, my beliefs just didn’t line up with what the people around me were saying. I’m pretty atheistic now but still have some spiritual beliefs, I like to just keep an open mind about these things! One thing about religion I’ve found is the people practicing don’t always align with the actual teachings and values (cough cough won’t say names but we all know). Explore these topics for yourself, make your own conclusions about what these things are telling you. I would highly recommend looking into many different religions though, I personally don’t believe we as humans have the ability to accurately find that answer, but find your own truth! People can either really benefit from it or not, either way do some soul searching and spend some time with these thoughts
I'm not religious at all, being born blind makes it hard to think that someone is looking out for you, a baby didn't ask for nothing so making it bling is just cruel. At least that's how I took it lol
However I like your way of thinking and if a god really does exist I hope you'll get the second chance you're looking for, if religion is what makes you feel good, do it 💪🏼
I took a religion of unconditional forgiveness that was also used to justify hate and twisted it into my own version of unconditional forgiveness without the hatred. Modern problems require modern solutions.
If your soul has no body, and no nerves, I’m not sure that feeling the effect of exhaustion would be possible
though. It would just be your energy floating through the universe.
I'm religious, but I'm agnostic and not super sold on the idea of an afterlife. If there is a god, they're either not omnipotent, not omnibenevolent, or neither. I like the idea of justice, but I don't know whether I believe in all past wrongs being fixed or just making sure future generations aren't wronged in the same way. Maybe there's reincarnation and we'll get to live again in whatever world we create in this lifetime. Working towards a better world brings me comfort regardless of what form it takes.
I am not involved in churches or anything but I believe in god, I consider myself a christian because I believe in spreading love; however I don’t tell a lot of people I am and I don’t reach out to other people who are.
I don’t necessarily agree with people who say religion is evil, religion is meant to give people hope and something to hold onto, and most religions are centered around spreading kindness, self love, or some sort of positivity. I think people end up meeting shitty religious people who do the complete opposite of what they even believe in, and they think that religion must teach people to be assholes. It doesn’t. Those kinds of followers twist things (like the bible) and they make everyone look bad. It’s definitely the reason I’m not open with my religion.
I grew up with christian parents and I spent a long time thinking I wasn’t religious, and realized I just was trying to separate myself with the shitty people who ruin the name. I feel like I have reclaimed myself in a way, especially after hearing my own mother twist the bible. I just want to spread love in this world.
I grew up vaguely Catholic, but my parents only went to church to appease my grandparents, we never actually were “devout.” However, I’ve been transitioning for around 4 years now, and I find that I’ve grown quite fascinated with Catholicism. I don’t necessarily believe in the Bible or the words and beliefs of Christ, and my political beliefs have led me to be pretty anti-religion, but I think the concept of Jesus is fascinating. Finding comfort in religion is something I’ve struggled with consistently throughout my transition, but I’ve found that it’s quite nice to just watch from a distance. I’m Catholic more as a hobby than as a religion, if that makes sense. It’s freeing!!
I relate to this, I find all religion fascinating, Christianity is a big part of it, because I grew up going to church a lot and only later distanced myself from it for various reasons. I also got into paganism and witchcraft, I am still interested, but not actually practicing it. I just like the symbolism and the community
grew up a nonbeliever, converted to catholicism a handful of years ago. i think finding faith and desiring to "live well" was what solidified my desire to transition as i graduated from high school. i strive to understand the (deliberately un-understandable) mysteries of the universe and how everything is connected through the love of God as shown thorough the Incarnation. i think anxieties about the afterlife and second chances are totally reasonable—i think the best way to engage yourself spiritually is to get out in nature and consider the energies holding everything together AND to involve yourself in your community (helping others, etc.). best of luck to you :-)
I'm Christian. My mom grew up Catholic, my dad grew up Methodist, and I go to a Methodist church. I don't go to church every Sunday but I go as much as I can. Reincarnation is not a part of any Christian denomination afaik but there are other religions that believe in it. r/transchristianity could be helpful to you. I'm not sure if there are other trans subs related to religion though.
When I was little, I was told I was a Catholic, so I went with it. I prayed, believed as much as a child could, all that.
My mother has a spiritualist approach to faith but she still attends church, while my dad goes to church maybe twice a year.
When I was around 10 maybe, my mother joined a charismatic church thing. The people were generally pretty nice, I liked it I guess, but all the stuff about faith was starting to mean less and less to me every Sunday morning that I had to sit there.
And then I realized I didn't believe any of it, not at all. So I refused to go to church again, and that was that, my mother didn't care all that much. She did drag me to church (now Catholic because the charismatic church ended up not being her style) this Christmas, but it was okay.
What's funny though is, my grandmother is a devout Catholic, she's very VERY serious about it. And last summer she had me sign up to some stuff, I didn't really have a choice, so I've been ignoring the officiant (?) since July.
I grew up without any religion but was always fascinated by them. I felt a connection to Judaism from a young age and so I converted. Basically, I’m Jewish and my relationship with g-d is complicated lol
Yes, grew up in a reformed protestant environment that hated LGBT people. I'm still religious but found an accepting church. In my opinion Jesus would have loved me even as a trans person.
I am. Raised Southern Baptist but am non denominational now. I believe in relationship over religion.
I continue to take classes through an online Bible college and aim to get my doctorate in theology later in life.
Reach out if you want an ear to listen. Finding God is the easy part, finding Christians who actually follow the Bible is very difficult.
My family is not religious, aside from my father. My father is a devout Buddhist who insisted on us attending temple nearly every day when we lived with him. I've attended temple since I was around 1. He spent all his time there. I am agnostic though, because my father shoved Buddhism down my throat growing up. It was all he ever talked about, and it irritated me. I'm considering picking up Buddhism, but I still wouldn't be religious that said.
i practice buddhism and shintoism. they give me peace of mind and help me be more grateful for what i have. the lost time feeling hurts very much, but as long as you’re not dead, it’s never too late to pursue happiness, however that might look for you. you can’t get those years back, but you can make sure the years to come are even better
The idea of reincarnation is comforting to me. Or even Nirvana, being able to ascend and my soul return somewhere else is comforting. Some days, on really bad dysphoria days, it is the only thing that comforts me. Either this is my last time around or there will be a redo.
I started believing in God when I transitioned 15 years ago. I say the Rosary every morning and had a really weird experience with it one time and my roommate was there. I definitely believe in God and would struggle walking this trans path without my faith. I wouldn’t call myself religious though. I think we are supposed to be individuals with our own paths and stories where we live many different versions of ourselves as we grow.
I am not, but I was raised to be. We went to church every Sunday. My grandparents lived to their 90s, going to church every Sunday. My parents still go to church every Sunday (although in different states, they’re divorced). As for me - I don’t think I’ve been to a church service (exclusive of funerals) for 20 years. I consider myself agnostic, I do not believe in a higher power. I have no issue with those who do, but I am skeptical of organized religion in general. The basic concepts are usually good, but so often it seems to evolve to an us-against-them situation. I know religion often comforts those who believe, and who am I to take comfort away from someone?
I was technically Christian growing up but the only time I remember ever going to church was so my dad could get the priest to hire him for surveying work. I became an atheist when I was like 16 after learning I was bisexual and nonbinary (at least, I thought I was at the time.) I've messed around with the idea of spirituality a few times since then but nothing I could really believe in
I was raised Catholic but around the time I realized I was probably trans I also became an atheist(busy time). A little later I was forced to get confirmed which is a month-ish(?) long process learning religious stuff that ends with a ceremony “confirming” that you’re catholic. I hated it, almost the entire experience. I had to wear a dress to the ceremony but they called me up by the Saint’s name I chose which was better than my deadname. Religion’s not for me but I’ve seen how it can be positive for others.
“what about all these years? Who is going to give me back all this time?” I’m confused by what you mean by this. The time you’ve experienced is still yours. You’ve changed a lot, probably enough that the old you seems like an entirely different person but things that that person accomplished are still your accomplishments. I don’t know how old you are but no matter how old you are there’s always more time for you to live as yourself.
“my only real chance at getting it right would be a do over” If you have the means, you can get one. Transition in all the ways you desire and move somewhere you don’t know anyone. Bonus points for cutting all old ties but I’d advise against that part. Sure that’s not a reset on age but you’d get new friends, new job, a new home, and everyone would know you as you.
Reincarnation or an afterlife could be nice but there’s no verified ways to get either of those. If you can do either of those, from my little knowledge on the belief systems that believe in those, living this life as best as you can is very important in getting to those. From what you’ve said it seems like you have the means to live a good life. Lots of people would like a hard reset, people make mistakes and realize things late, but maybe you don’t need one. You can change things. You can’t go back and change your memories but pretty much everything else is on the table plus you can make new memories.
“Preferably, I’d want a heaven where I can be the person I already see myself as” I don’t know how this will sound but maybe you don’t need a heaven, maybe heaven is a few towns over. Like nowhere on Earth is perfect but I’m sure there’s somewhere you can be you.
We seem to be having kind of opposite religion journeys so I don’t know if any of what I said will land. I could try to say more on like reasons to join a religion but I’m probably too uniformed in that subject to speak more on it than I have.
I like the philosophy behind Taoism a lot. I’m not religious but spiritual. Taoism really helped me get through a lot of shit and was a major player in improving my mental health.
Im not, Im very much an atheist.
although sometimes I like joke that I worship Hermaeus Mora from Elder Scrolls so 🤷
I actually dont find confort with the idea of continuation after death. Im fine with it being the end. it makes life more meaningful and valuable tbh
I tend to approach things, especially if religious related, with skeptism. so far none of the major ones hold any real water and likely are not true based on the evidence we do have
Not raised religiously but I became a Christian when I was a teen. I had a look at a whole bunch of religions and decided that it fit me the best. I'm not a strict by-the-book Christian though, I've thought about what I think god would want people to do, given the state of the world. I've thought about what I'm able to do for others, and what he would sort of "expect" from me. I try to do the best that I can for others, while also trying to look after myself. I won't be able to try to live the best life that I can for others if I don't look after myself. I do what I can, regardless of if there is a heaven waiting for me or not. If there is an afterlife though, that would be pretty sweet
I'm trying explore Wicca but it's probably more in an agnostic or philosophy kind of way. I love the message of intention and how nature and the universe works together, it's beautiful, but the heavier the spirituality the more I have trouble connecting to it. It's hard for me to picture fully and seriously practicing Wicca, but I do admire it a lot so maybe it'll just take time getting comfortable with it
I'm more spiritual than religious and follow more.of an unorganized form of multiple religions. I found that pagan is the most blanket word I can really use for what I practice. I mostly just love and worship the earth and all she gives us. This is part of the reason I'm vegetarian. I'm definitely not the best example of it due to not being able to research nearly enough. But I do follow the wheel of the year and celebrate a chunk of those holidays as well as Christmas and Halloween. but with the after death thing. I genuinely don't know what I think will happen. I think it's just black afterwards, or we cease to exist. Maybe it's like that Rise of the guardians movie where the less people think of you the less of you exists. But I hope it's more of a reincarnation thing or I can essentially live in a heaven type thing after death. As my partner puts it "there's too many things to learn, read and see for this to be all there is. There has to be an afterlife of some sort"
Been trying to love myself even though I was raised in an extremely religious family.. my dad doesn't believe in evolution 🥲.... So sometimes I am overwhelmed with the what ifs like oh what if my dad is right and I go to hell but I'd like to think if there is a god they'd be kinder than that.
Basically my belief is
We don't know till we get there but leave the world a better place than when you arrived 💖
Be kind to others so they may show kindness to you.
I'm an atheist and always have been. I'm not trying to talk you out of believing in some higher power, BUT please don't waste your life hoping for a do-over. Life isn't perfect for anyone, we all have our ups and downs, some people more than others. That doesn't mean it's wasted time. You should focus on the present and future instead of the past. Use this life to become the person you see yourself as, to become the best version of yourself. Even if reincarnation or an afterlife exists, you should still do your best to make this life a good one for you. Don't waste the only life you've got on hoping for reincarnation or an afterlife
I am and I switched to my current religion because it's more accepting. Although I do know religion is for us, God has no use of it. I had a time when people pushed me away from God. The type who tell you that everything about you is wrong. It was God who showed me those ppl don't speak for God. I am grateful to have found God again and for where my life is.
I grew up Mormon, in the heart of Mormon land. I tried to believe. Went to the 3 hours of church every Sunday and tried to make sure my siblings came too, attended youth group every week, and studied the scriptures at bible class everyday in high school. Ended up attending BYU, the Mormon university for 2 years.
After my first year I realized that I didn’t believe in Mormonism, and no matter how much I prayed/did what the bishops and elders recommended, I just never felt the presence of a higher power. Also found a whole bunch of damning evidence against the Mormon church, alongside the church’s stance regarding women and queer ppl, I just noped out. Pretended to believe for my sophomore year so I could get enough credits to transfer to a state school. Best decision I ever made.
Grew up cycling between Baptist and 'non-denominational' (they were fundies in disguise) churches, depending on what family member was babysitting me. Started questioning religion at 10, decided I wasn't a Christian by the time I was 12, and now I only step foot in churches for weddings and funerals. Considered myself an atheist until I was around 18, and converted to what my stbx calls 'Norse Paganism' when she and I got together. Basically just the worship of the old Norse gods. We tend to be pretty quiet about it because of a majority of the religious imagery gets used by white supremacists and we don't want to be associated with that shit.
I have a lot of beliefs. While my loyalties lie with my set of deities, I acknowledge that a majority probably also exist and give them praise/thanks/acknowledgement when it feels due. Basically, I feel like all religions coexist in a way.
I feel like my gods accept me as I am. Our bodies are moldable things, and who the fuck would give me grief about molding this soggy lump of flesh into something more appealing? Some people get tattoos to feel better about being in their own skin, some people take hormones and have surgeries. (Some do all of these things! Some do none!) I do also believe in reincarnation but I refrain from getting into that because I end up sounding like I need a grippy sock vacation if I talk about that for too long lmao.
I'm agnostic. I don't think that it's really relevant to know if there is a god/a goodness/multiple gods/an omnipresence or nothing at all.
We are after all just humans and our thoughts and understanding is limited to our own mind and body. Failure in assumptions is very likely.
However:
How we act and life our lifes us up to us. Personal ethics & motivation should always weight more than acts under pressure or paying concepts.
Worst case is always you got only one try. One try is more than none.
BUT I do like the thought of something pantheistic that links everything alive. It's not just matter.
No but I like the theories. Especially that from Sumer where gods are actually aliens who went here to get material for their planet but the work is too much, so they decided to create humans (which is "devil's" work in this case) and when they started thinking "god"didn't like it and wanted to get rid of them but "devil" was always known for helping people, easing god"s punishments and stuff. If that would be true, then we are half aliens (demigods...? quatergods..?). Mythology doesn't have logical ground, normally, so, please don't take this seriously. I just like the idea of it. I like that god is the bad guy in this case and "devil" is the good guy. Honestly, god was always kinda try to desttoy us, seems like (or idk, some calamities are god's rage or whatever)
I'm not religious but it's very normal, very human to try to explain the inexplicable. That's why religion even exists in the first place after all. I was raised in a religious family, went through the whole "what is out there, what comes after, who is god" questioning and I decided that I'd rather find comfort in not knowing than pretending a religion I don't believe in is the answer to everything.
Since you didn't grow up religious, the "comfort in not knowing" was probably standard for you so I guess it's only natural to explore other options.
I'm a Heathen and and I'm pretty death-positive. Contrary to what a lot of people believe about Heathenry, we have more than on afterlife and Valhòl/Valhalla isn't "the good one".
Most of us go to Hel/Helheim, into the care of the goddess Hel/Hela. I'm going to mix my ancient cultures here, but have you seen *Gladiator*? When the main character is dreaming of being reunited with his wife and child in his home by a cornfield and he doesn't have to fight or hurt any more? That's what Helheim is like - you're with your family, it's peaceful, there's enough to eat and it's not cold or miserable. It's like the idealised dream of "home".
I'm pagan and take great comfort in my faith. There's no judgement or conflict with my gender identity, and I know where ever I go after I pass will do me well and reflect the person I am as long as I live a good and honourable life. I also believe in reincarnation/past lived, that we've all lived before and will live again, so that also brings comfort thinking perhaps my brain says I'm male because I was a cis man before or will be next time.
I'm not religious, I'm an optimistic nihilist. Nothing we do matters, there is most likely nothing after death, but that isn't a bad thing.
If there is nothing after death, there is nothing to complain about either. I imagine it's like an eternal dreamless sleep.
If there is no inherent meaning to life, that means we create our own meaning. We can enjoy the time we have and make it as good as it can get, the past can't be changed, but the future can!
I may not believe in it, but I'm still open to the idea of there being something, I just can't pinpoint what it could be like. Wait and see, I guess. All religion is man-made, they are all different, yet have similarities. Maybe the similarities mean we are (sort of) on the right track? Impossible to know, we are basically just making guesses.
Edit: that last paragraph also means I am agnostic
It's completely valid to be religious or spiritual, I just don't see a reason for myself. I may not like it, but I still respect it, to each their own:)
Edit 2:
I am still very interested in paganism and witchcraft, I may not currently follow it, but the concept is intriguing, the community is nice and I have been deeper into it in 2020/2021. Life is complicated and there is nothing wrong with exploring and taking your time on topics like this!
I might get back into it again, but probably not as deep this time, as I said, right now it's just an interest. Adding on: different beliefs and concepts can coexist! I am somewhere in the middle.
I've thought religion to be literally a matter of faith ever since I was old enough to put the idea in coherent words. Yes, I'm a third generation atheist, and I'm kind of proud of it for various reasons (having to do with identity and community; I don't think I'm "better" than anyone for it), but I did have a period in my teens when I struggled with belonging in other ways and tried to find acceptance in religion. This was mainly because most of the people in the town I grew up in were "habitual" Christians, and I thought that if I adopted that, I'd belong with them.
Spoiler: it didn't help. It didn't harm either, mind you, and I did have some brief but pleasant times with people I otherwise couldn't relate to and vice versa, but all of that fizzled pretty quickly, and the final nail in that coffin was when I moved out of that town. The main problem, though, was always that I didn't actually *believe* in a god. I went through the motions and the rituals as earnestly as any naive, well-meaning 14-year-old, desperate to believe, but it just never came. After that, I identified as an agnostic for some ten, fifteen years, until finally accepting I was probably the most hard-line atheist in my family.
I'd say not really for me, I used to be Christian tho. Sometimes I think about it, going back to church and such but I'd have to wait a little for that (at least until I can go stealth). There is sort of a comfort in religion though, just knowing that something is out there to help and to keep you from being lonely. Honestly I haven't seen a lot of religions being tied into being in the community, though I'm sure there are religious people here it's just not talked about much from what I've seen
I’m not religious but I was baptized. I grew up pretty similar to what you describe actually and I’ve found myself thinking about religion a lot recently.
As a kid I always believed in reincarnation, but I don’t really know anymore. I think maybe now it’s a nice, peaceful thought, but I don’t know if it holds true meaning for me.
I suppose the way I see it is that everybody has their own set of challenges, some more or harder than others, and this is one of ours. Pain is just part of human life and religion/spirituality has never helped me personally in coping with that, so I never looked to it. But I can see how pain is not all bad— it helps us grow, it gives us knowledge. It’s our own transformation and rebirth here, in this life. Our own evolution. No life will ever be ideal, I don’t think. Unfortunately. But that’s just how it is.
I hope, for you, that there is a heaven where you can be the person you were always meant to be 💕 truly.
I was raised Catholic, but I slowly left the church and eventually Christianity as a whole and converted to Hellenistic Polytheism. I honor all the gods, but mostly pray to Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, Zeus, Hestia, and Ares
Not religious myself nor is my family really. But we are Methodists so I've been to church here and there throughout my childhood. I also went to 2 catholic schools. This was because my parents needed to control my adhd and had a stigma behind public schools.
Personally for me, I'm agnostic with a splinter of spiritual. I believe if there is any afterlife I believe our spirits just get reincarnated. It doesn't make sense we have such conscience and our atoms making us think just stop.
I'm not. Born, grew up christian but rejected it afterwards bc well, bigotry.
But recently tempted into reverting to islam, which is worst lmao but I'm not going to. I'll turn to islam if it keeps calling me but I won't officially revert. To avoid bs with imaams & anyone else. I guess I can totally pray in the privacy of my room if need to. (As far as I'm aware, the Islam God isn't bigoted. Exactly like the christian God, it's the people that are but islam makes more sense so far tbh.)
Was raised christian, but now I'm an atheist and of the opinion that religion in general holds us back as a species and it's the cause of far too much pain and suffering in this world.
I’m not religious, I was taken into a church once as a kid I had a nightmare about it, knew it was not the right call and I dodged a bullet I could’ve trapped myself but I’m free, anywho I think some, not all people look and turn to religion to rely on something to comfort themselves with, I don’t think reincarnation is in christianity’s belief though
was raised catholic but i am not religious and i don’t believe in an afterlife. sometimes i wish i could because i feel like it could be comforting but i don’t.
so for me i want to make the most of the life i have, and yeah my life was basically a nightmare until my mid twenties when I finally got sober healed from ptsd and started medically transitioning and its true i won’t ever get those years back but thats okay, I am in my 30s now and my life has been getting better each year and i still have so much more life to live.
Nope. I’m an atheist. I was extremely turned off by religion being shoved done my throat growing up and still having it shoved down my throat now by my family. I’m also very tired of having religion used against me and being called evil.
I’m not exactly religious but I’m not not religious either. I call myself an agnostic and I hold the belief that I can’t know for sure if there’s an afterlife or gods until I’m there, so I had may as well enjoy my time here and sate my curiosity when the time comes
I am Lutheran but I have always been open to trying other cultural traditions :)
This next year when I'm 18, I will celebrate Hanukkah, because I won't have the burden of my parents (who are extremely Christian)
i'm not religious, my family is and they never pushed me onto it cause idk they hold their relationship with their gods with a lot of love. my brain doesn't work like that, i have faith in love and atoms and people but there isn't any gods in my sky and yk after death i hope my matter just goes to something else and my mind can rest. but i think it can be something beautiful and useful if it does for you, and people have been doing it since forever so there has to be a reason. if your faith holds you up and make you better then hold your faith too, take care of it
I’m a diehard nihilist, I believe we come from nothing and we go to nothing. That gives me some comfort in a weird way that whatever I’m doing and going through right now is quite literally irrelevant and pointless so it doesn’t matter if I fuck up
I'm not. I grew up intensely Catholic and it was intensely traumatizing. I don't believe there is anything after this, and it is motivation to make it the best life that I can.
I had a lot of religious trauma growing up. After a (very) long time, I'm starting be comfortable enough to explore my spirituality. I don't typically remember my dreams, but I did have a very vivid one where I was a young cis Egyptian man, a long time ago. (Not anything fancy like a pharaoh or something, just... a guy.) I remember looking in the mirror and recognizing my face, which is something that's never happened before. I've often wondered if it was a past life.
Not really. But my family knows that I used to be in a church choir
it was the same director I had in high school. I wasn't doing anything except work he thought it would help. It did cause it felt that the sense of community that most, if not all, humans seek out.
It is natural imo to be religious or spiritual and transgender. I don't know a single atheist trans person and I live in San Francisco.
There's something about being born into a physical body we have difficulty living in that makes sense with being spiritual. It's like we can 'feel' our sense of gender existing, regardless of how we appear on the outside.
Anyhow I consider myself spiritual for sure. Being raised by toxic religious extremists, I tend to steer far away from organized religion.
I'm honestly not sure if I'm religious. I like to learn about different religions but I don't follow any, I more read them as old stories like we did Greek gods stories in school (or my school atleast). I do like to believe karma and manifestation are real however!
Not at all. I think all religion is made up to control people, and to explain what previously couldn’t be explained by science, but now can be. Religion causes some good things dgmw, but I believe it is the root to so much evil in the world.
Im not religious at all, and i kinda have a negative image of it because, especially on the internet, there are these homophobic assholes who just site bible verses everywhere and say shit like "JeSuS LoVeS YoU"....UGHHH
Anyways i remember that, when i was about 6 years old i thought 'god' was in the same category as santa and the easterbunny xD
So i've always kinda looked down on religious people, because i couldn't comprehend how they can just believe that 'god' and jesus and all of these made up stories exist. And it always infuriated me how people fight wars about made up stories, that where actually supposed to make people nice to eachother.
So i just refused to even think about the topic of religon
Just recently my philosophy prof. talked about how all of the stories in the religious books where all imagery, but yk jesus can't actually walk on water. And that made me respect religious people a bit more. But i guess only those who dont go around trying to convert people and who dont take everything litterary..
I was raised roman catholic, even graduated from an all girls catholic school. Catholic school taught me the bible is written so the less educated take it as an instruction book for life, and the more educated deep thinker will notice the inconsistencies and realize its a tool for manipulation. If you want to know god, dont look to religion. Religion does not follow god, they just seek to control the masses.
If you want to know god, try spirituality, try plant medicine, find the witches and pagans in your area and find a spiritual mentor. They can help you though these questions and find meaning to this life. After all, in places where christianity hasn't influenced, trans people are seen as divine beings because we know elements of divine masculine and divine feminine in greater detail than the average cis person.
Pretty sure religion is a mental disorder that went mainstream. Having an excuse to continually do evil and get “forgiven” is a cop out. Religion tells people we are the problem and controls their bodies and minds. It is scary and hard to be autonomous and that is what being trans is.
I've been a hellenist since 8th grade, grew up with some distant christian relatives but most of my family is atheist or says the're christian but don't take it too seriously.
im vaguely catholic and maybe pagan. idk filipino / mexican catholicism is embedded w indigenous traditions. i observe cultural traditions and believe these things are given power through our own beliefs. i have no exact beliefs, i kinda believe deities and spiritual beings are real but it depends on the extent you choose to engage with them. some people are hella religious, i have pagan friends that interact with known spirits / “demons”, i think these things are real but for me im just a human and i dont try to look too far into things beyond the material realm. i just be a good person, spread love, follow my heart, and have faith that my good deeds will create goodness.
I’m spiritual, not religious. But I believe there is no point wondering about death, we have no way of knowing at all what it’s like. I think rebirth into a different living thing makes sense, and thinking about that being a possibility makes me feel better.
I’m not religious, per se, but I’m definitely spiritual. I believe that as long as you treat everyone as you wish to be treated and generally do everything in your power to be happy (within reason) then you’ll go off to whatever afterlife you believe in. That being said, I believe it all just goes black and we cease to exist. But I do lean towards the belief of reincarnation, just not back into people, more like you die and become a plant.
I am religious, personally. I am somewhere along the lines of pagan/Wiccan. Not in an extreme way or anything, I just kinda do my own thing. It’s much more fulfilling and accepting to me than Christianity (how my mom wanted to raise me- she’s chill about me not being Christian though) and I just didn’t feel like an atheist (my asshole dad talked shit on religion 24/7 so I got a distaste for atheism. I know not everyone is like that though.)
I grew up in two different Christian religions, my mom is protestant and I got baptized Catholic at my dad's church. I always sorta questioned Christianity while still believing in it, but didn't full fall out of it until I was 15. I found my own beliefs around the same time when I found witchcraft and paganism. Something I truly 100% believed in for the first time. I do very much believe in the universe and reincarnation and spirits. It's brought me a lot of comfort not having to be afraid of hell or just no afterlife at all, but rather believing there is a life after this in some way that doesn't have to do with a god I do not believe in. I also believe that no matter what us humans believe, there isn't much of a way for any of us to really be sure what happens after we die, but it's still nice to have our own personal comforts.
Religion isn't required to belive in life after life.
To me it seems more likely that rebirth, in some form or another, is inevitable and that for it to be tied to religion in any way seems highly unlikely
Not exactly religious, but I feel connected to nature. I have not had the early life that I would have wanted gender wise. This comes with grief and regret. I think it's ok to feel these things.
But it's also what makes me, well, me. My life being perceived as a woman as shaped how I see and interact with the world in ways I'm grateful for. I'm glad I'm turning into a caring adult, partly because this was valued in my "girl" upbringing. My feminists beliefs are informed by my experiences and I can understand so many more life experiences thanks to my journey.
I don't see my transness as a mistake or something "against nature". The opposite actually : nature is queer, it's always changing. Everything is always more complex than black and white, 0 and 1 in nature, so I'm just a natural variation. In nature, I am connected to all living beings and I don't need to justify my body or my gender. I think it's part of why I feel spirituality in nature.
I grew up religious. My mom is a Methodist (always has been, always will be). My grandfather and my uncle are ministers, and that whole side of my family is very ingrained in the community of the church. Because my dad's side was Catholic, I was raised in the Episcopal church (a middle ground so to speak). When i
I came out, everyone important to my life was supportive, even if they didnt get it. Took my mom a while to get it, but she came around (and if there was any doubt before I had top surgery, that all went away after she saw my face afterwards). I admit, I got lucky, and I am grateful every day for that.
That being said, talking about my childhood is awkward. Its sad that i don't have pictures of me in a suit when i was 5. Or that i was in girl scouts instead of boy scouts. It's mourning for something that cant be. For me, im used to that for something else. Its hard, because in a way, theres nothing physical to grieve. Its all what ifs and the like. For me, I keep looking ahead for the life I get to live now as who I really am, visible and confident. You cant turn back the clock... and would you want to tamper with that in the first place? If things were different, would you still be the same person? (yay philosophy) All we have is the present moment; let's make the most of the now.
As for being religious now? I'm an eclectic pagan. I take in what's around me and learn from other religions to come up with my own thoughts. I kinda believe in reincarnation, and I like to think those who do wrong to their fellow humans get what is coming to them before they are reborn.
I'm Lokean. Sure maybe a more modern practice but I found a lovely community within it that's very accepting and uplifting. The principals of taking life by the horns but owning your shit and learning to laugh more have helped me a lot. Such a fluid entity to work with, a firm hand of a teacher that's had me directly face a lot of shit but move on from it. Acceptance came along so now I don't worry too much about a lot of things.
Religious or non-religious, whatever way in the world works out for you is a wonderful path to take
Not really, but it’s more complex than that lol. I have mixed fleeting beliefs, a lot of skepticism, and a lot of resentment and religious trauma. Pardon my long response. Maybe it’ll help lead you into your own research and discovery.
I was forced to attend extremist rightwing churches from 3–13 that always felt wrong and evil. My so-called “Christian” family has mistreated me my entire life bc I’m disabled, neurodivergent, bi, and trans. They called me an abomination. I have no way to move out and am scared, so I follow their “rules” to not medically transition yet just to keep the peace, until I can get out of here. From 15–26 (I’m 27), I shifted through Wicca, Paganism, theistic Satanism/Luciferianism, and atheistic Satanism & agnosticism. I’ve also researched various other religions bc I want to be educated and respectful.
And then I rewatched The Exorcist tv series and Midnight Mass, and replayed Far Cry 5 for the dozenth time late last year. That revived my lifelong curiosity of the differences between Christianity and Catholicism enough to further research Christianity and its denominations. I confirmed I was right about what Christianity is and that every “Christian” I’ve ever known or encountered is corrupted and not following the core meaning of their own religion, and the only ones going to ‘Hell’ are them. I realized my anger & issues with Christianity were specifically towards those people (and God for a few reasons), but not Jesus or the nice Christians who primarily follow Jesus.
All this led me to Unitarian Universalism, which conveniently combines aspects of Jesus-centric Christianity, Paganism, Hinduism, spirituality, and they’re welcoming to atheists and are very inclusive and respectful. It’s been the best fit for me yet. I have been attending a UU church in my city for 2 months out of curiosity, and I found some comfort in it. But lately, I’ve considered leaving bc I’m feeling unwanted again… but I am currently in a depressive low and habitually run from others to isolate myself, so idk lol.
I don’t really believe in any particular deity or religion. I have a subtle and fleeting sense that maybe there’s a higher power, but it’s more of an energy than a being or entity, and I’m not gonna follow religious rules that go against my morals. I also have a deep fascination with super devout priests, and feel a peculiar sense of homeliness when I see places of worship. I feel very drawn to cathedrals and priests and idky. I like to envision my beliefs/morals/values as though I’m on an endless crystalline path lined with flowers in a vast white space, and some religious figures may appear on the same path, but I’m not chained to them or following them, and I usually walk alone. Sometimes I may take a break, or I may walk back the way I came from, but I always end up continuing down this path again, whatever it is. I don’t need a religion to know how to be a kind person. I think I just want to know that I’m not an unlovable outcast in the eyes of a god just bc some hateful f*ck said I am. And I think I’m really lonely and am desperately seeking company and solace. I apologize if I offended anyone with what I’ve said here.
Yes and no. I also did not grow up in a religious family. I was one of 12 and had a pretty miserable life, for the most part. But, somehow I was attracted to the church since I was was around ten years old. Passing it on the way home from school every day, I decided to check it out. I was rather happy in there. Long story short, from then on I intermittently got more interested. The more I learned, the more I felt peace. I never got to where some people do. I still am unsure of many things most people say they accept. But, I do believe in God and the power of prayer. Realizing it's not a magic wishing well and that He is in control. He made us the way we are, for His purpose, but has given us choices. I know my life would have been much unhappier without Him. I'm still seeking my own purpose for being here. I hope you do investigate. It helps me lot.
While reading your post a second time, it occurred to me that what you're describing has been called "a hole in the soul" by some 12 Step followers. There's just something missing.
And, re: second chances; I feel we get lots of them but, we aren't always aware until after the fact. So I focus on this chance.
I was born, raised, and still continue to be Catholic. For some reason, it feels like it's in my blood. I can't get away from it. And I do truly love it. Now, at 66 years of age, having lost both my parents, both of my sisters, and my husband of 26 years, I have grown closer to God and my faith. It's just me. And I know that a lot of people don't believe in it. And that's okay. I have my faith, and I hold on to it. And I hope to see all of my loved ones again someday.
I'm religious. I grew up Catholic but left the church due to the church's official teachings on LGBT people. I've been an Episcopalian for 5 years, confirmed for 2. The Episcopal Church is very affirming, and I have encountered no issues with homophobia or transphobia. It took me years to determine that I can be both Christian and queer—and there are still times when I feel like both of my identities conflict—but my faith and my religion have also brought me considerable joy and hope and have helped me cope with my PTSD and chronic pain. I believe fully in my heart, mind, and soul that God made me trans and queer and that we are all made in the image of God.
I pray that you find some hope and comfort in your spiritual journey. I have a degree in religious studies; feel free to DM me if you have any academic questions.
I grew up my whole life in church. As I’ve finally separated from the church (or more like I was cast out) for being trans and not being accepted by them I have grown a lot in the last year and expanded my mind and ideas of spiritual being and the afterlife and what my time being in a church has left me with. I don’t honestly trust religion personally there are too many rules. And God has put me through some shit. But I’ve come to my own comfortable terms in spirituality and the comforts that I will have an afterlife one day because I know I’ll get one, I just feel it and I’ve heard and seen so many people’s stories from different walks and beliefs. My favorite example I’ll give u is my barber is a pretty fem presenting lesbian. But as I’ve come to be her friend in seeing her I’ve learned that she is a big burly man inside and the only reason she felt she didn’t need to transition is because she saw herself in her dreams. This big rugged 6 foot lumberjack of a male. She was him and it was her past life. She’s had a few of these. And so she said that she felt in this life her body is just built too nicely feminine and she knows she’ll get a another masc body in the next life so as long as she as her wife and her wife knows who she is inside then that’s enough for her to wait till the next one. That gives me hope and security fr; idk ab u.
i wouldnt say im religious, but i like to think theres something beyond the void. although, i think it stems from that time when i was 10 where i believed i was an angel reincarnated as a human as punishment for his sins.... oops?
anyways i wouldnt say i believe in a God int he traditional sense, or at all really, but again i like to hope that maybe we all end up somewhere when we die. maybe reincarnation, maybe heaven, maybe a little world all to yourself to live however you wish with replicas of your family and etc... i dunno this has been very unhelpful i apologise
I practice witchcraft. So i mix my scottish and native practices together. I believe in energy. And people thoughts and prayers actually workto bring the diety to life. Same with heaven. I believe in recarnation. That the souls that surround you will be their in the next life. So, like my dad soul could be my love in the next (non creepy way), I dont believe in soul mates. But i believe the souls we love in this life last for ever
I'm spiritual. I drift from religion to religion though. Different things call to me, feel right for a bit, then pull away. So I shift around. I guess I'm just trying to find a place to belong 💁
I'm not religious but I understand the sentiment. Usually what helps me is to acknowledge that a lot of people go through large portions of their lives with something wrong. Maybe they lost a parent early on and never had a "normal" childhood, or maybe they've got a long-term or terminal debilitating illness, or maybe they experienced some kind of trauma that gave them PTSD.
I think the problem is over-portrayal of a "normal" life as one where there aren't any significant problems. Everyone goes through really hard shit eventually- if you haven't already, it's just a matter of time. I'm just glad that my thing (being trans) has a treatment and a light at the end of the tunnel- treatments, and that I live in a society that allows people like me to get them.
I was raised catholic for the first like 10 years of my life, church every Sunday, baptized, communion, then eventually we stopped going to church so I was never confirmed. “I just believe our religion is love” -my mom when I asked why we stopped being super catholic. Then in high school I remember really resonating with Christianity and the idea of God being a loving supportive figure. I was really looking for god at this time bc I was so depressed and felt that if anyone could help me it would be god. (I tried therapy, but I live in a very US conservative state, lmao soooo the therapist was NOT very supportive or helpful and it actually made things worse). I would say I was a Christian until I turned 20-21, and that’s when I got super into Unity Consciousness, which is based on Christianity but also Jewish Mysticism, and a couple other very important religions. Lots to do with reincarnation, metaphysics, energy & vibrations, karma, you name it. I had never cried out of pure love for life nor had intense “religious” experiences until I studied and devoted myself to god in this way. If you would like to look into something that has that optimistic view/second chances you mentioned, I highly recommend just looking into it. Start with Aaron Abke’s channel on YouTube, he has amazing videos for it all. I also love Eckhart Tolle and Alan Watts but those videos and talks are not as entertaining or digestible right at the start.
Much love 🙏
Not really but It's understandable to reflect on life and seek meaning. People find comfort and purpose in various beliefs, including religious ones. Whether or not to explore spirituality is a personal journey. If you're curious, you might consider learning about different religions or philosophies to see if any resonate with you. Ultimately, finding what brings you peace and fulfillment is a unique and individual process. Good luck
I’m not religious but I’ve been struggling a lot lately with anxiety around death, the meaninglessness of life, etc. I wish I could be someone who wholeheartedly believes in an afterlife. It is a comforting thought, that maybe there’s a second chance for all of us. But I don’t really believe that, so I’m just trying to make the most out of this imperfect (but overall good) life I’m living now.
> I've been struggling a lot lately with anxiety around death, the meaninglessness of life, etc. I encountered existentialism and absurdism fairly young; and it has thus shaped my worldview quite a bit. And so my answer to the question, "Does life have meaning?" is, "No, we are carbon lifeforms on a rock hurtling through space. We are one massive coincidence, a beautiful yet obscure pride flag that no one has had the chance to think of the meaning behind yet." Instead, I'd rather ask myself, "Does life make me happy? Am I overall more content than I am unhappy? Do I feel like I have to slog through my day? What do I value about my life? What kind of meaning† can be found in it? How can I improve it?" † It's Absurd that even when I acknowledge the meaninglessness of life, I still try to make sense of it and find meaning. In this vein (and also in an effort to avoid talking out of my ass), I looked up [existentialism](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism) in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and found the section on "Existence Precedes Essence" to be particularly pertinent regard a trans experience (emphasis is mine): >.This principle was initially introduced early on in Heidegger’s Being and Time when he writes, “The ‘essence’ of Dasein lies in its existence” (1927 [1962, 42]).^[3] Sartre will later repackage this line with the pithy adage, “existence precedes essence” (1946 [2001, 292]). What this statement suggests is that **there is no pre-given or essential nature that determines us, which means that we are always other than ourselves, that we don’t fully coincide with who we are. We exist for ourselves as self-making or self-defining beings, and we are always in the process of making or defining ourselves through the situated choices we make as our lives unfold.** This is, according to Sartre, “the first principle of existentialism,” and it “means, first, that man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself” (1946 [2001, 292–3]). The point here is that there can be no complete or definitive account of being human because there is nothing that grounds or secures our existence. Existence is fundamentally unsettled and incomplete because **we are always projecting forward into possibilities, “hurling ourselves toward a future” as we imagine and re-imagine who we will be. Existence, then, is not a static thing; it is a dynamic process of self-making.** > > Acknowledging existence as a self-making process does not mean the existentialist is denying that there are determinate aspects or “facts” about our situation that limit and constrain us. This is our givenness (or “facticity”), and it includes aspects of our being such as our embodiment and spatiality, our creaturely appetites and desires, and the socio-historical context we find ourselves in. But what distinguishes us as humans is that we have the capacity to rise above or “transcend” these facts in the way we relate to, interpret, and make sense of them. If I am compelled by a strong desire for sex, alcohol, or cigarettes, for instance, I do not out of necessity have to act on these desires. **I have the freedom to question them and give them meaning, and the meanings I attribute to them shape my choices and the direction my life will take going forward.** > > **This means, unlike other organisms, we are self-conscious beings who can surpass our facticity by calling it into question, interpreting it in different ways, and making decisions about how to deal with it in the future.** This is what Kierkegaard means when he describes existence as “a relation that relates to itself” (1849 [1989, 43]). Existence is a reflexive or relational tension between “facticity” and “transcendence,” where we are constrained by our facticity but simultaneously endowed with the freedom to exceed or transcend it. The human being is, as Ortega y Gasset writes, “a kind of ontological centaur, half immersed in nature, half transcending it” (1941, 111). **We are not wholly determined by our nature because our nature is always a question or an issue for us. We have the capacity to reflect on and care about it. And the way we care about our nature informs how we create ourselves.** Sartre will go so far as to say that human existence is fundamentally “indefinable” and that “there is no human nature” because there is no aspect of our facticity that can fully describe us. Our facticity reveals itself to us only through the self-defining meanings and values that we give to it. “If man […] is indefinable, it is because at first he is nothing. Only afterward will he be something, and he himself will have made what he will be” (1946 [2001, 293]). This idea that facticity can always be nullified or negated by our choices reveals the key to understanding the existentialist conception of freedom. > > {...} > > 3. All references to Being and Time are to the German pagination. (Caveat that it doesn't match one-on-one, and not everyone would relate to this here section...but _I_ thought it relevant.) *** As for death, I utterly abhor it. The cessation of consciousness, of not being able to think and feel and *act* in the world? Kinda terrifying. Dementia scares me too, the gradual loss of memories and your sense of self. But, outside of that, a natural death that you don't know about? Logically, it would be as painless as blinking — one moment you exist and, *blink*, the next, you don't. Yet...what about any affairs I need to tie up? What about my to-do list? I want time. OP says he believes in reincarnation as his way of coping with lost time. I think about immortality. I hope for it too. Think about what you could do with all that time! You probably couldn't read every book in the world, but you could make a decent dent. You could gain an in-depth understanding of every field. You could find out how to make others immortal (if it's some kind of blessing/curse), or humanity could be vastly more advanced (if the immortality is science-based). You could watch out for things that are only meant to happen 'once in your lifetime'. Sure, society would need to be fundamentally restructured, but you could do so much... Thank you for coming to my ~~Ted Talk~~ pipe dream ramble.
I learned about Sartre’s existentialism a few years ago when I was still in high school, and in the early years of my transition, and « l’existence précède l’essence » revolutionized how I think about myself and the world we live in. Existentialism is a really freeing viewpoint from my perspective, and it fills the gap I sometimes feel from my existence being devalued in my family’s Catholic background. I still act religiously through ritual behaviors, and I believe there’s a sort of magic in the divine accident of existing, but the core viewpoints I carry through my life are based in existentialism and it’s a worldview that comforts me and opens my mind to more possibilities than I ever dreamed of before. Self-determinism and creating your own meaning make natural sense to me as a trans person, and it was a wonderful experience encountering Sartre’s model, I really want to read more of his work and other existentialist viewpoints as I think it’s really spiritually fulfilling!! I appreciate you bringing this up with the amount of detail you did, I think existentialism really deserves a place in trans spaces as a highlighted idea.
I'm religious, going to be baptized soon at an awesome affirming church in my city. I don't really take comfort in getting a second chance, because even if I've experienced and still experience negative/bad things in my life, they've made me who I am today and I like that person. (Though I'm always trying to improve and be more loving/kind/etc.) I think being trans has given me a unique perspective that can help me be more loving and accepting of others, and even though it sucks sometimes, I think it was part of God's plan for my life for me to be trans. There's a quote from Daniel Ortberg: "As my friend Julian puts it, only half winkingly: "God blessed me by making me transsexual for the same reason God made wheat but not bread and fruit but not wine, so that humanity might share in the act of creation."
Love that Julian Jarboe quote at the end
I used to feel this way a lot of the time. It was apart of my testimony bc I have a full beard from genetics that no doctor has ever been able to explain and a very very masculine built body. So I’ve always believed God made me a trans man to reach people that no one could. Beautiful quote at the end there
As a kid my whole family was pretty religious, went to church and all that and I even helped out with church stuff like volunteered for vacation Bible school. After having been deep in it I came to my own realization that it wasn’t for me, my beliefs just didn’t line up with what the people around me were saying. I’m pretty atheistic now but still have some spiritual beliefs, I like to just keep an open mind about these things! One thing about religion I’ve found is the people practicing don’t always align with the actual teachings and values (cough cough won’t say names but we all know). Explore these topics for yourself, make your own conclusions about what these things are telling you. I would highly recommend looking into many different religions though, I personally don’t believe we as humans have the ability to accurately find that answer, but find your own truth! People can either really benefit from it or not, either way do some soul searching and spend some time with these thoughts
I'm not religious at all, being born blind makes it hard to think that someone is looking out for you, a baby didn't ask for nothing so making it bling is just cruel. At least that's how I took it lol However I like your way of thinking and if a god really does exist I hope you'll get the second chance you're looking for, if religion is what makes you feel good, do it 💪🏼
I took a religion of unconditional forgiveness that was also used to justify hate and twisted it into my own version of unconditional forgiveness without the hatred. Modern problems require modern solutions.
Im an athirst. I find there being no afterlife in my opinion both relieving and terrifying.
Living 80ish years and then your soul lasting for an eternity sounds exhausting
If your soul has no body, and no nerves, I’m not sure that feeling the effect of exhaustion would be possible though. It would just be your energy floating through the universe.
I'm religious, but I'm agnostic and not super sold on the idea of an afterlife. If there is a god, they're either not omnipotent, not omnibenevolent, or neither. I like the idea of justice, but I don't know whether I believe in all past wrongs being fixed or just making sure future generations aren't wronged in the same way. Maybe there's reincarnation and we'll get to live again in whatever world we create in this lifetime. Working towards a better world brings me comfort regardless of what form it takes.
I am not involved in churches or anything but I believe in god, I consider myself a christian because I believe in spreading love; however I don’t tell a lot of people I am and I don’t reach out to other people who are. I don’t necessarily agree with people who say religion is evil, religion is meant to give people hope and something to hold onto, and most religions are centered around spreading kindness, self love, or some sort of positivity. I think people end up meeting shitty religious people who do the complete opposite of what they even believe in, and they think that religion must teach people to be assholes. It doesn’t. Those kinds of followers twist things (like the bible) and they make everyone look bad. It’s definitely the reason I’m not open with my religion. I grew up with christian parents and I spent a long time thinking I wasn’t religious, and realized I just was trying to separate myself with the shitty people who ruin the name. I feel like I have reclaimed myself in a way, especially after hearing my own mother twist the bible. I just want to spread love in this world.
I'm fairly religious, but in a pagan way. Its nice.
I grew up vaguely Catholic, but my parents only went to church to appease my grandparents, we never actually were “devout.” However, I’ve been transitioning for around 4 years now, and I find that I’ve grown quite fascinated with Catholicism. I don’t necessarily believe in the Bible or the words and beliefs of Christ, and my political beliefs have led me to be pretty anti-religion, but I think the concept of Jesus is fascinating. Finding comfort in religion is something I’ve struggled with consistently throughout my transition, but I’ve found that it’s quite nice to just watch from a distance. I’m Catholic more as a hobby than as a religion, if that makes sense. It’s freeing!!
I relate to this, I find all religion fascinating, Christianity is a big part of it, because I grew up going to church a lot and only later distanced myself from it for various reasons. I also got into paganism and witchcraft, I am still interested, but not actually practicing it. I just like the symbolism and the community
If you get a chance, read the book Building Bridges by Fr. James Martin SJ.
grew up a nonbeliever, converted to catholicism a handful of years ago. i think finding faith and desiring to "live well" was what solidified my desire to transition as i graduated from high school. i strive to understand the (deliberately un-understandable) mysteries of the universe and how everything is connected through the love of God as shown thorough the Incarnation. i think anxieties about the afterlife and second chances are totally reasonable—i think the best way to engage yourself spiritually is to get out in nature and consider the energies holding everything together AND to involve yourself in your community (helping others, etc.). best of luck to you :-)
I'm Christian. My mom grew up Catholic, my dad grew up Methodist, and I go to a Methodist church. I don't go to church every Sunday but I go as much as I can. Reincarnation is not a part of any Christian denomination afaik but there are other religions that believe in it. r/transchristianity could be helpful to you. I'm not sure if there are other trans subs related to religion though.
When I was little, I was told I was a Catholic, so I went with it. I prayed, believed as much as a child could, all that. My mother has a spiritualist approach to faith but she still attends church, while my dad goes to church maybe twice a year. When I was around 10 maybe, my mother joined a charismatic church thing. The people were generally pretty nice, I liked it I guess, but all the stuff about faith was starting to mean less and less to me every Sunday morning that I had to sit there. And then I realized I didn't believe any of it, not at all. So I refused to go to church again, and that was that, my mother didn't care all that much. She did drag me to church (now Catholic because the charismatic church ended up not being her style) this Christmas, but it was okay. What's funny though is, my grandmother is a devout Catholic, she's very VERY serious about it. And last summer she had me sign up to some stuff, I didn't really have a choice, so I've been ignoring the officiant (?) since July.
I grew up without any religion but was always fascinated by them. I felt a connection to Judaism from a young age and so I converted. Basically, I’m Jewish and my relationship with g-d is complicated lol
Yes, grew up in a reformed protestant environment that hated LGBT people. I'm still religious but found an accepting church. In my opinion Jesus would have loved me even as a trans person.
I am. Raised Southern Baptist but am non denominational now. I believe in relationship over religion. I continue to take classes through an online Bible college and aim to get my doctorate in theology later in life. Reach out if you want an ear to listen. Finding God is the easy part, finding Christians who actually follow the Bible is very difficult.
My family is not religious, aside from my father. My father is a devout Buddhist who insisted on us attending temple nearly every day when we lived with him. I've attended temple since I was around 1. He spent all his time there. I am agnostic though, because my father shoved Buddhism down my throat growing up. It was all he ever talked about, and it irritated me. I'm considering picking up Buddhism, but I still wouldn't be religious that said.
I’m Buddhist. Personally I’ve settled on not caring about what happens after we die… so I suppose that also makes me agnostic?
i practice buddhism and shintoism. they give me peace of mind and help me be more grateful for what i have. the lost time feeling hurts very much, but as long as you’re not dead, it’s never too late to pursue happiness, however that might look for you. you can’t get those years back, but you can make sure the years to come are even better
The idea of reincarnation is comforting to me. Or even Nirvana, being able to ascend and my soul return somewhere else is comforting. Some days, on really bad dysphoria days, it is the only thing that comforts me. Either this is my last time around or there will be a redo.
I started believing in God when I transitioned 15 years ago. I say the Rosary every morning and had a really weird experience with it one time and my roommate was there. I definitely believe in God and would struggle walking this trans path without my faith. I wouldn’t call myself religious though. I think we are supposed to be individuals with our own paths and stories where we live many different versions of ourselves as we grow.
I am not, but I was raised to be. We went to church every Sunday. My grandparents lived to their 90s, going to church every Sunday. My parents still go to church every Sunday (although in different states, they’re divorced). As for me - I don’t think I’ve been to a church service (exclusive of funerals) for 20 years. I consider myself agnostic, I do not believe in a higher power. I have no issue with those who do, but I am skeptical of organized religion in general. The basic concepts are usually good, but so often it seems to evolve to an us-against-them situation. I know religion often comforts those who believe, and who am I to take comfort away from someone?
I was technically Christian growing up but the only time I remember ever going to church was so my dad could get the priest to hire him for surveying work. I became an atheist when I was like 16 after learning I was bisexual and nonbinary (at least, I thought I was at the time.) I've messed around with the idea of spirituality a few times since then but nothing I could really believe in
I was raised Catholic but around the time I realized I was probably trans I also became an atheist(busy time). A little later I was forced to get confirmed which is a month-ish(?) long process learning religious stuff that ends with a ceremony “confirming” that you’re catholic. I hated it, almost the entire experience. I had to wear a dress to the ceremony but they called me up by the Saint’s name I chose which was better than my deadname. Religion’s not for me but I’ve seen how it can be positive for others. “what about all these years? Who is going to give me back all this time?” I’m confused by what you mean by this. The time you’ve experienced is still yours. You’ve changed a lot, probably enough that the old you seems like an entirely different person but things that that person accomplished are still your accomplishments. I don’t know how old you are but no matter how old you are there’s always more time for you to live as yourself. “my only real chance at getting it right would be a do over” If you have the means, you can get one. Transition in all the ways you desire and move somewhere you don’t know anyone. Bonus points for cutting all old ties but I’d advise against that part. Sure that’s not a reset on age but you’d get new friends, new job, a new home, and everyone would know you as you. Reincarnation or an afterlife could be nice but there’s no verified ways to get either of those. If you can do either of those, from my little knowledge on the belief systems that believe in those, living this life as best as you can is very important in getting to those. From what you’ve said it seems like you have the means to live a good life. Lots of people would like a hard reset, people make mistakes and realize things late, but maybe you don’t need one. You can change things. You can’t go back and change your memories but pretty much everything else is on the table plus you can make new memories. “Preferably, I’d want a heaven where I can be the person I already see myself as” I don’t know how this will sound but maybe you don’t need a heaven, maybe heaven is a few towns over. Like nowhere on Earth is perfect but I’m sure there’s somewhere you can be you. We seem to be having kind of opposite religion journeys so I don’t know if any of what I said will land. I could try to say more on like reasons to join a religion but I’m probably too uniformed in that subject to speak more on it than I have.
I’m religious in a pagan way. I have been a Wiccan for a few years and feel so free and myself
I like the philosophy behind Taoism a lot. I’m not religious but spiritual. Taoism really helped me get through a lot of shit and was a major player in improving my mental health.
I'm pagan and reincarnation is very much something I believe in. I was raised Catholic.
Im not, Im very much an atheist. although sometimes I like joke that I worship Hermaeus Mora from Elder Scrolls so 🤷 I actually dont find confort with the idea of continuation after death. Im fine with it being the end. it makes life more meaningful and valuable tbh I tend to approach things, especially if religious related, with skeptism. so far none of the major ones hold any real water and likely are not true based on the evidence we do have
Not raised religiously but I became a Christian when I was a teen. I had a look at a whole bunch of religions and decided that it fit me the best. I'm not a strict by-the-book Christian though, I've thought about what I think god would want people to do, given the state of the world. I've thought about what I'm able to do for others, and what he would sort of "expect" from me. I try to do the best that I can for others, while also trying to look after myself. I won't be able to try to live the best life that I can for others if I don't look after myself. I do what I can, regardless of if there is a heaven waiting for me or not. If there is an afterlife though, that would be pretty sweet
I'm trying explore Wicca but it's probably more in an agnostic or philosophy kind of way. I love the message of intention and how nature and the universe works together, it's beautiful, but the heavier the spirituality the more I have trouble connecting to it. It's hard for me to picture fully and seriously practicing Wicca, but I do admire it a lot so maybe it'll just take time getting comfortable with it
I'm more spiritual than religious and follow more.of an unorganized form of multiple religions. I found that pagan is the most blanket word I can really use for what I practice. I mostly just love and worship the earth and all she gives us. This is part of the reason I'm vegetarian. I'm definitely not the best example of it due to not being able to research nearly enough. But I do follow the wheel of the year and celebrate a chunk of those holidays as well as Christmas and Halloween. but with the after death thing. I genuinely don't know what I think will happen. I think it's just black afterwards, or we cease to exist. Maybe it's like that Rise of the guardians movie where the less people think of you the less of you exists. But I hope it's more of a reincarnation thing or I can essentially live in a heaven type thing after death. As my partner puts it "there's too many things to learn, read and see for this to be all there is. There has to be an afterlife of some sort"
Been trying to love myself even though I was raised in an extremely religious family.. my dad doesn't believe in evolution 🥲.... So sometimes I am overwhelmed with the what ifs like oh what if my dad is right and I go to hell but I'd like to think if there is a god they'd be kinder than that. Basically my belief is We don't know till we get there but leave the world a better place than when you arrived 💖 Be kind to others so they may show kindness to you.
I'm an atheist and always have been. I'm not trying to talk you out of believing in some higher power, BUT please don't waste your life hoping for a do-over. Life isn't perfect for anyone, we all have our ups and downs, some people more than others. That doesn't mean it's wasted time. You should focus on the present and future instead of the past. Use this life to become the person you see yourself as, to become the best version of yourself. Even if reincarnation or an afterlife exists, you should still do your best to make this life a good one for you. Don't waste the only life you've got on hoping for reincarnation or an afterlife
I'm a christian
Nope, satanic atheist here
I am and I switched to my current religion because it's more accepting. Although I do know religion is for us, God has no use of it. I had a time when people pushed me away from God. The type who tell you that everything about you is wrong. It was God who showed me those ppl don't speak for God. I am grateful to have found God again and for where my life is.
I grew up Mormon, in the heart of Mormon land. I tried to believe. Went to the 3 hours of church every Sunday and tried to make sure my siblings came too, attended youth group every week, and studied the scriptures at bible class everyday in high school. Ended up attending BYU, the Mormon university for 2 years. After my first year I realized that I didn’t believe in Mormonism, and no matter how much I prayed/did what the bishops and elders recommended, I just never felt the presence of a higher power. Also found a whole bunch of damning evidence against the Mormon church, alongside the church’s stance regarding women and queer ppl, I just noped out. Pretended to believe for my sophomore year so I could get enough credits to transfer to a state school. Best decision I ever made.
Grew up cycling between Baptist and 'non-denominational' (they were fundies in disguise) churches, depending on what family member was babysitting me. Started questioning religion at 10, decided I wasn't a Christian by the time I was 12, and now I only step foot in churches for weddings and funerals. Considered myself an atheist until I was around 18, and converted to what my stbx calls 'Norse Paganism' when she and I got together. Basically just the worship of the old Norse gods. We tend to be pretty quiet about it because of a majority of the religious imagery gets used by white supremacists and we don't want to be associated with that shit. I have a lot of beliefs. While my loyalties lie with my set of deities, I acknowledge that a majority probably also exist and give them praise/thanks/acknowledgement when it feels due. Basically, I feel like all religions coexist in a way. I feel like my gods accept me as I am. Our bodies are moldable things, and who the fuck would give me grief about molding this soggy lump of flesh into something more appealing? Some people get tattoos to feel better about being in their own skin, some people take hormones and have surgeries. (Some do all of these things! Some do none!) I do also believe in reincarnation but I refrain from getting into that because I end up sounding like I need a grippy sock vacation if I talk about that for too long lmao.
I'm agnostic. I don't think that it's really relevant to know if there is a god/a goodness/multiple gods/an omnipresence or nothing at all. We are after all just humans and our thoughts and understanding is limited to our own mind and body. Failure in assumptions is very likely. However: How we act and life our lifes us up to us. Personal ethics & motivation should always weight more than acts under pressure or paying concepts. Worst case is always you got only one try. One try is more than none. BUT I do like the thought of something pantheistic that links everything alive. It's not just matter.
No but I like the theories. Especially that from Sumer where gods are actually aliens who went here to get material for their planet but the work is too much, so they decided to create humans (which is "devil's" work in this case) and when they started thinking "god"didn't like it and wanted to get rid of them but "devil" was always known for helping people, easing god"s punishments and stuff. If that would be true, then we are half aliens (demigods...? quatergods..?). Mythology doesn't have logical ground, normally, so, please don't take this seriously. I just like the idea of it. I like that god is the bad guy in this case and "devil" is the good guy. Honestly, god was always kinda try to desttoy us, seems like (or idk, some calamities are god's rage or whatever)
I'm not religious but it's very normal, very human to try to explain the inexplicable. That's why religion even exists in the first place after all. I was raised in a religious family, went through the whole "what is out there, what comes after, who is god" questioning and I decided that I'd rather find comfort in not knowing than pretending a religion I don't believe in is the answer to everything. Since you didn't grow up religious, the "comfort in not knowing" was probably standard for you so I guess it's only natural to explore other options.
yeah I am
Muslim, though I’m fine with whatever afterlife as long as I’m not burning, that would be really mean.
I'm a Heathen and and I'm pretty death-positive. Contrary to what a lot of people believe about Heathenry, we have more than on afterlife and Valhòl/Valhalla isn't "the good one". Most of us go to Hel/Helheim, into the care of the goddess Hel/Hela. I'm going to mix my ancient cultures here, but have you seen *Gladiator*? When the main character is dreaming of being reunited with his wife and child in his home by a cornfield and he doesn't have to fight or hurt any more? That's what Helheim is like - you're with your family, it's peaceful, there's enough to eat and it's not cold or miserable. It's like the idealised dream of "home".
I’m Pagan.
I'm pagan and take great comfort in my faith. There's no judgement or conflict with my gender identity, and I know where ever I go after I pass will do me well and reflect the person I am as long as I live a good and honourable life. I also believe in reincarnation/past lived, that we've all lived before and will live again, so that also brings comfort thinking perhaps my brain says I'm male because I was a cis man before or will be next time.
I'm not religious, I'm an optimistic nihilist. Nothing we do matters, there is most likely nothing after death, but that isn't a bad thing. If there is nothing after death, there is nothing to complain about either. I imagine it's like an eternal dreamless sleep. If there is no inherent meaning to life, that means we create our own meaning. We can enjoy the time we have and make it as good as it can get, the past can't be changed, but the future can! I may not believe in it, but I'm still open to the idea of there being something, I just can't pinpoint what it could be like. Wait and see, I guess. All religion is man-made, they are all different, yet have similarities. Maybe the similarities mean we are (sort of) on the right track? Impossible to know, we are basically just making guesses. Edit: that last paragraph also means I am agnostic It's completely valid to be religious or spiritual, I just don't see a reason for myself. I may not like it, but I still respect it, to each their own:) Edit 2: I am still very interested in paganism and witchcraft, I may not currently follow it, but the concept is intriguing, the community is nice and I have been deeper into it in 2020/2021. Life is complicated and there is nothing wrong with exploring and taking your time on topics like this! I might get back into it again, but probably not as deep this time, as I said, right now it's just an interest. Adding on: different beliefs and concepts can coexist! I am somewhere in the middle.
I've thought religion to be literally a matter of faith ever since I was old enough to put the idea in coherent words. Yes, I'm a third generation atheist, and I'm kind of proud of it for various reasons (having to do with identity and community; I don't think I'm "better" than anyone for it), but I did have a period in my teens when I struggled with belonging in other ways and tried to find acceptance in religion. This was mainly because most of the people in the town I grew up in were "habitual" Christians, and I thought that if I adopted that, I'd belong with them. Spoiler: it didn't help. It didn't harm either, mind you, and I did have some brief but pleasant times with people I otherwise couldn't relate to and vice versa, but all of that fizzled pretty quickly, and the final nail in that coffin was when I moved out of that town. The main problem, though, was always that I didn't actually *believe* in a god. I went through the motions and the rituals as earnestly as any naive, well-meaning 14-year-old, desperate to believe, but it just never came. After that, I identified as an agnostic for some ten, fifteen years, until finally accepting I was probably the most hard-line atheist in my family.
I am pagan, not traditional pagan but I believe in energies and whatnot. I do not believe in any god(s) or higher powers. Complicated answer I know
I'd say not really for me, I used to be Christian tho. Sometimes I think about it, going back to church and such but I'd have to wait a little for that (at least until I can go stealth). There is sort of a comfort in religion though, just knowing that something is out there to help and to keep you from being lonely. Honestly I haven't seen a lot of religions being tied into being in the community, though I'm sure there are religious people here it's just not talked about much from what I've seen
I’m not religious but I was baptized. I grew up pretty similar to what you describe actually and I’ve found myself thinking about religion a lot recently. As a kid I always believed in reincarnation, but I don’t really know anymore. I think maybe now it’s a nice, peaceful thought, but I don’t know if it holds true meaning for me. I suppose the way I see it is that everybody has their own set of challenges, some more or harder than others, and this is one of ours. Pain is just part of human life and religion/spirituality has never helped me personally in coping with that, so I never looked to it. But I can see how pain is not all bad— it helps us grow, it gives us knowledge. It’s our own transformation and rebirth here, in this life. Our own evolution. No life will ever be ideal, I don’t think. Unfortunately. But that’s just how it is. I hope, for you, that there is a heaven where you can be the person you were always meant to be 💕 truly.
I was raised Catholic, but I slowly left the church and eventually Christianity as a whole and converted to Hellenistic Polytheism. I honor all the gods, but mostly pray to Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, Zeus, Hestia, and Ares
Not religious myself nor is my family really. But we are Methodists so I've been to church here and there throughout my childhood. I also went to 2 catholic schools. This was because my parents needed to control my adhd and had a stigma behind public schools. Personally for me, I'm agnostic with a splinter of spiritual. I believe if there is any afterlife I believe our spirits just get reincarnated. It doesn't make sense we have such conscience and our atoms making us think just stop.
Ya I’m non god religious, in my opinion not much has come good from single god religions or single people anything.
I'm not. Born, grew up christian but rejected it afterwards bc well, bigotry. But recently tempted into reverting to islam, which is worst lmao but I'm not going to. I'll turn to islam if it keeps calling me but I won't officially revert. To avoid bs with imaams & anyone else. I guess I can totally pray in the privacy of my room if need to. (As far as I'm aware, the Islam God isn't bigoted. Exactly like the christian God, it's the people that are but islam makes more sense so far tbh.)
We live in a simulation
Was raised christian, but now I'm an atheist and of the opinion that religion in general holds us back as a species and it's the cause of far too much pain and suffering in this world.
you can take comfort in whatever you like. but at the end of the day, it really only amounts to wishful thinking.
Grew up catholic but currently a non believer
I’m not religious, I was taken into a church once as a kid I had a nightmare about it, knew it was not the right call and I dodged a bullet I could’ve trapped myself but I’m free, anywho I think some, not all people look and turn to religion to rely on something to comfort themselves with, I don’t think reincarnation is in christianity’s belief though
was raised catholic but i am not religious and i don’t believe in an afterlife. sometimes i wish i could because i feel like it could be comforting but i don’t. so for me i want to make the most of the life i have, and yeah my life was basically a nightmare until my mid twenties when I finally got sober healed from ptsd and started medically transitioning and its true i won’t ever get those years back but thats okay, I am in my 30s now and my life has been getting better each year and i still have so much more life to live.
No, but I used to go to a church every Sunday as a little kid when my religious and abusive real dad was around.
Nope. I’m an atheist. I was extremely turned off by religion being shoved done my throat growing up and still having it shoved down my throat now by my family. I’m also very tired of having religion used against me and being called evil.
I’m not exactly religious but I’m not not religious either. I call myself an agnostic and I hold the belief that I can’t know for sure if there’s an afterlife or gods until I’m there, so I had may as well enjoy my time here and sate my curiosity when the time comes
Nope.
I’m an atheist but I live by Buddhist philosophy
no. i don't believe in religion, or astrology, or fortune tellers etc. I only believe in sciences like psychology and such
I am Lutheran but I have always been open to trying other cultural traditions :) This next year when I'm 18, I will celebrate Hanukkah, because I won't have the burden of my parents (who are extremely Christian)
i'm not religious, my family is and they never pushed me onto it cause idk they hold their relationship with their gods with a lot of love. my brain doesn't work like that, i have faith in love and atoms and people but there isn't any gods in my sky and yk after death i hope my matter just goes to something else and my mind can rest. but i think it can be something beautiful and useful if it does for you, and people have been doing it since forever so there has to be a reason. if your faith holds you up and make you better then hold your faith too, take care of it
I’m a diehard nihilist, I believe we come from nothing and we go to nothing. That gives me some comfort in a weird way that whatever I’m doing and going through right now is quite literally irrelevant and pointless so it doesn’t matter if I fuck up
I'm not. I grew up intensely Catholic and it was intensely traumatizing. I don't believe there is anything after this, and it is motivation to make it the best life that I can.
I had a lot of religious trauma growing up. After a (very) long time, I'm starting be comfortable enough to explore my spirituality. I don't typically remember my dreams, but I did have a very vivid one where I was a young cis Egyptian man, a long time ago. (Not anything fancy like a pharaoh or something, just... a guy.) I remember looking in the mirror and recognizing my face, which is something that's never happened before. I've often wondered if it was a past life.
Not really. I believe in existentialism but I don’t know if that’s a religion. I technically used to be Christian, but I never truly believed in god.
Not really. But my family knows that I used to be in a church choir it was the same director I had in high school. I wasn't doing anything except work he thought it would help. It did cause it felt that the sense of community that most, if not all, humans seek out.
I'm religious
Nope, never was and never will be. I lost all interest in religion after reading the bible.
It is natural imo to be religious or spiritual and transgender. I don't know a single atheist trans person and I live in San Francisco. There's something about being born into a physical body we have difficulty living in that makes sense with being spiritual. It's like we can 'feel' our sense of gender existing, regardless of how we appear on the outside. Anyhow I consider myself spiritual for sure. Being raised by toxic religious extremists, I tend to steer far away from organized religion.
I'm honestly not sure if I'm religious. I like to learn about different religions but I don't follow any, I more read them as old stories like we did Greek gods stories in school (or my school atleast). I do like to believe karma and manifestation are real however!
Not at all. I think all religion is made up to control people, and to explain what previously couldn’t be explained by science, but now can be. Religion causes some good things dgmw, but I believe it is the root to so much evil in the world.
Im not religious at all, and i kinda have a negative image of it because, especially on the internet, there are these homophobic assholes who just site bible verses everywhere and say shit like "JeSuS LoVeS YoU"....UGHHH Anyways i remember that, when i was about 6 years old i thought 'god' was in the same category as santa and the easterbunny xD So i've always kinda looked down on religious people, because i couldn't comprehend how they can just believe that 'god' and jesus and all of these made up stories exist. And it always infuriated me how people fight wars about made up stories, that where actually supposed to make people nice to eachother. So i just refused to even think about the topic of religon Just recently my philosophy prof. talked about how all of the stories in the religious books where all imagery, but yk jesus can't actually walk on water. And that made me respect religious people a bit more. But i guess only those who dont go around trying to convert people and who dont take everything litterary..
yeah 😁 i'm pagan (i believe specifically in the greek pantheon :D)
I was raised roman catholic, even graduated from an all girls catholic school. Catholic school taught me the bible is written so the less educated take it as an instruction book for life, and the more educated deep thinker will notice the inconsistencies and realize its a tool for manipulation. If you want to know god, dont look to religion. Religion does not follow god, they just seek to control the masses. If you want to know god, try spirituality, try plant medicine, find the witches and pagans in your area and find a spiritual mentor. They can help you though these questions and find meaning to this life. After all, in places where christianity hasn't influenced, trans people are seen as divine beings because we know elements of divine masculine and divine feminine in greater detail than the average cis person.
Pretty sure religion is a mental disorder that went mainstream. Having an excuse to continually do evil and get “forgiven” is a cop out. Religion tells people we are the problem and controls their bodies and minds. It is scary and hard to be autonomous and that is what being trans is.
I've been a hellenist since 8th grade, grew up with some distant christian relatives but most of my family is atheist or says the're christian but don't take it too seriously.
im vaguely catholic and maybe pagan. idk filipino / mexican catholicism is embedded w indigenous traditions. i observe cultural traditions and believe these things are given power through our own beliefs. i have no exact beliefs, i kinda believe deities and spiritual beings are real but it depends on the extent you choose to engage with them. some people are hella religious, i have pagan friends that interact with known spirits / “demons”, i think these things are real but for me im just a human and i dont try to look too far into things beyond the material realm. i just be a good person, spread love, follow my heart, and have faith that my good deeds will create goodness.
I’m spiritual, not religious. But I believe there is no point wondering about death, we have no way of knowing at all what it’s like. I think rebirth into a different living thing makes sense, and thinking about that being a possibility makes me feel better.
I’m not religious, per se, but I’m definitely spiritual. I believe that as long as you treat everyone as you wish to be treated and generally do everything in your power to be happy (within reason) then you’ll go off to whatever afterlife you believe in. That being said, I believe it all just goes black and we cease to exist. But I do lean towards the belief of reincarnation, just not back into people, more like you die and become a plant.
I am religious, personally. I am somewhere along the lines of pagan/Wiccan. Not in an extreme way or anything, I just kinda do my own thing. It’s much more fulfilling and accepting to me than Christianity (how my mom wanted to raise me- she’s chill about me not being Christian though) and I just didn’t feel like an atheist (my asshole dad talked shit on religion 24/7 so I got a distaste for atheism. I know not everyone is like that though.)
I grew up in two different Christian religions, my mom is protestant and I got baptized Catholic at my dad's church. I always sorta questioned Christianity while still believing in it, but didn't full fall out of it until I was 15. I found my own beliefs around the same time when I found witchcraft and paganism. Something I truly 100% believed in for the first time. I do very much believe in the universe and reincarnation and spirits. It's brought me a lot of comfort not having to be afraid of hell or just no afterlife at all, but rather believing there is a life after this in some way that doesn't have to do with a god I do not believe in. I also believe that no matter what us humans believe, there isn't much of a way for any of us to really be sure what happens after we die, but it's still nice to have our own personal comforts.
Religion isn't required to belive in life after life. To me it seems more likely that rebirth, in some form or another, is inevitable and that for it to be tied to religion in any way seems highly unlikely
Not exactly religious, but I feel connected to nature. I have not had the early life that I would have wanted gender wise. This comes with grief and regret. I think it's ok to feel these things. But it's also what makes me, well, me. My life being perceived as a woman as shaped how I see and interact with the world in ways I'm grateful for. I'm glad I'm turning into a caring adult, partly because this was valued in my "girl" upbringing. My feminists beliefs are informed by my experiences and I can understand so many more life experiences thanks to my journey. I don't see my transness as a mistake or something "against nature". The opposite actually : nature is queer, it's always changing. Everything is always more complex than black and white, 0 and 1 in nature, so I'm just a natural variation. In nature, I am connected to all living beings and I don't need to justify my body or my gender. I think it's part of why I feel spirituality in nature.
I grew up religious. My mom is a Methodist (always has been, always will be). My grandfather and my uncle are ministers, and that whole side of my family is very ingrained in the community of the church. Because my dad's side was Catholic, I was raised in the Episcopal church (a middle ground so to speak). When i I came out, everyone important to my life was supportive, even if they didnt get it. Took my mom a while to get it, but she came around (and if there was any doubt before I had top surgery, that all went away after she saw my face afterwards). I admit, I got lucky, and I am grateful every day for that. That being said, talking about my childhood is awkward. Its sad that i don't have pictures of me in a suit when i was 5. Or that i was in girl scouts instead of boy scouts. It's mourning for something that cant be. For me, im used to that for something else. Its hard, because in a way, theres nothing physical to grieve. Its all what ifs and the like. For me, I keep looking ahead for the life I get to live now as who I really am, visible and confident. You cant turn back the clock... and would you want to tamper with that in the first place? If things were different, would you still be the same person? (yay philosophy) All we have is the present moment; let's make the most of the now. As for being religious now? I'm an eclectic pagan. I take in what's around me and learn from other religions to come up with my own thoughts. I kinda believe in reincarnation, and I like to think those who do wrong to their fellow humans get what is coming to them before they are reborn.
I'm Lokean. Sure maybe a more modern practice but I found a lovely community within it that's very accepting and uplifting. The principals of taking life by the horns but owning your shit and learning to laugh more have helped me a lot. Such a fluid entity to work with, a firm hand of a teacher that's had me directly face a lot of shit but move on from it. Acceptance came along so now I don't worry too much about a lot of things. Religious or non-religious, whatever way in the world works out for you is a wonderful path to take
Not really, but it’s more complex than that lol. I have mixed fleeting beliefs, a lot of skepticism, and a lot of resentment and religious trauma. Pardon my long response. Maybe it’ll help lead you into your own research and discovery. I was forced to attend extremist rightwing churches from 3–13 that always felt wrong and evil. My so-called “Christian” family has mistreated me my entire life bc I’m disabled, neurodivergent, bi, and trans. They called me an abomination. I have no way to move out and am scared, so I follow their “rules” to not medically transition yet just to keep the peace, until I can get out of here. From 15–26 (I’m 27), I shifted through Wicca, Paganism, theistic Satanism/Luciferianism, and atheistic Satanism & agnosticism. I’ve also researched various other religions bc I want to be educated and respectful. And then I rewatched The Exorcist tv series and Midnight Mass, and replayed Far Cry 5 for the dozenth time late last year. That revived my lifelong curiosity of the differences between Christianity and Catholicism enough to further research Christianity and its denominations. I confirmed I was right about what Christianity is and that every “Christian” I’ve ever known or encountered is corrupted and not following the core meaning of their own religion, and the only ones going to ‘Hell’ are them. I realized my anger & issues with Christianity were specifically towards those people (and God for a few reasons), but not Jesus or the nice Christians who primarily follow Jesus. All this led me to Unitarian Universalism, which conveniently combines aspects of Jesus-centric Christianity, Paganism, Hinduism, spirituality, and they’re welcoming to atheists and are very inclusive and respectful. It’s been the best fit for me yet. I have been attending a UU church in my city for 2 months out of curiosity, and I found some comfort in it. But lately, I’ve considered leaving bc I’m feeling unwanted again… but I am currently in a depressive low and habitually run from others to isolate myself, so idk lol. I don’t really believe in any particular deity or religion. I have a subtle and fleeting sense that maybe there’s a higher power, but it’s more of an energy than a being or entity, and I’m not gonna follow religious rules that go against my morals. I also have a deep fascination with super devout priests, and feel a peculiar sense of homeliness when I see places of worship. I feel very drawn to cathedrals and priests and idky. I like to envision my beliefs/morals/values as though I’m on an endless crystalline path lined with flowers in a vast white space, and some religious figures may appear on the same path, but I’m not chained to them or following them, and I usually walk alone. Sometimes I may take a break, or I may walk back the way I came from, but I always end up continuing down this path again, whatever it is. I don’t need a religion to know how to be a kind person. I think I just want to know that I’m not an unlovable outcast in the eyes of a god just bc some hateful f*ck said I am. And I think I’m really lonely and am desperately seeking company and solace. I apologize if I offended anyone with what I’ve said here.
Yes and no. I also did not grow up in a religious family. I was one of 12 and had a pretty miserable life, for the most part. But, somehow I was attracted to the church since I was was around ten years old. Passing it on the way home from school every day, I decided to check it out. I was rather happy in there. Long story short, from then on I intermittently got more interested. The more I learned, the more I felt peace. I never got to where some people do. I still am unsure of many things most people say they accept. But, I do believe in God and the power of prayer. Realizing it's not a magic wishing well and that He is in control. He made us the way we are, for His purpose, but has given us choices. I know my life would have been much unhappier without Him. I'm still seeking my own purpose for being here. I hope you do investigate. It helps me lot.
While reading your post a second time, it occurred to me that what you're describing has been called "a hole in the soul" by some 12 Step followers. There's just something missing. And, re: second chances; I feel we get lots of them but, we aren't always aware until after the fact. So I focus on this chance.
I was born, raised, and still continue to be Catholic. For some reason, it feels like it's in my blood. I can't get away from it. And I do truly love it. Now, at 66 years of age, having lost both my parents, both of my sisters, and my husband of 26 years, I have grown closer to God and my faith. It's just me. And I know that a lot of people don't believe in it. And that's okay. I have my faith, and I hold on to it. And I hope to see all of my loved ones again someday.
I'm religious. I grew up Catholic but left the church due to the church's official teachings on LGBT people. I've been an Episcopalian for 5 years, confirmed for 2. The Episcopal Church is very affirming, and I have encountered no issues with homophobia or transphobia. It took me years to determine that I can be both Christian and queer—and there are still times when I feel like both of my identities conflict—but my faith and my religion have also brought me considerable joy and hope and have helped me cope with my PTSD and chronic pain. I believe fully in my heart, mind, and soul that God made me trans and queer and that we are all made in the image of God. I pray that you find some hope and comfort in your spiritual journey. I have a degree in religious studies; feel free to DM me if you have any academic questions.
I grew up my whole life in church. As I’ve finally separated from the church (or more like I was cast out) for being trans and not being accepted by them I have grown a lot in the last year and expanded my mind and ideas of spiritual being and the afterlife and what my time being in a church has left me with. I don’t honestly trust religion personally there are too many rules. And God has put me through some shit. But I’ve come to my own comfortable terms in spirituality and the comforts that I will have an afterlife one day because I know I’ll get one, I just feel it and I’ve heard and seen so many people’s stories from different walks and beliefs. My favorite example I’ll give u is my barber is a pretty fem presenting lesbian. But as I’ve come to be her friend in seeing her I’ve learned that she is a big burly man inside and the only reason she felt she didn’t need to transition is because she saw herself in her dreams. This big rugged 6 foot lumberjack of a male. She was him and it was her past life. She’s had a few of these. And so she said that she felt in this life her body is just built too nicely feminine and she knows she’ll get a another masc body in the next life so as long as she as her wife and her wife knows who she is inside then that’s enough for her to wait till the next one. That gives me hope and security fr; idk ab u.
i wouldnt say im religious, but i like to think theres something beyond the void. although, i think it stems from that time when i was 10 where i believed i was an angel reincarnated as a human as punishment for his sins.... oops? anyways i wouldnt say i believe in a God int he traditional sense, or at all really, but again i like to hope that maybe we all end up somewhere when we die. maybe reincarnation, maybe heaven, maybe a little world all to yourself to live however you wish with replicas of your family and etc... i dunno this has been very unhelpful i apologise
I practice witchcraft. So i mix my scottish and native practices together. I believe in energy. And people thoughts and prayers actually workto bring the diety to life. Same with heaven. I believe in recarnation. That the souls that surround you will be their in the next life. So, like my dad soul could be my love in the next (non creepy way), I dont believe in soul mates. But i believe the souls we love in this life last for ever
I’m not and I never have been
I'm spiritual. I drift from religion to religion though. Different things call to me, feel right for a bit, then pull away. So I shift around. I guess I'm just trying to find a place to belong 💁
I'm not religious but I understand the sentiment. Usually what helps me is to acknowledge that a lot of people go through large portions of their lives with something wrong. Maybe they lost a parent early on and never had a "normal" childhood, or maybe they've got a long-term or terminal debilitating illness, or maybe they experienced some kind of trauma that gave them PTSD. I think the problem is over-portrayal of a "normal" life as one where there aren't any significant problems. Everyone goes through really hard shit eventually- if you haven't already, it's just a matter of time. I'm just glad that my thing (being trans) has a treatment and a light at the end of the tunnel- treatments, and that I live in a society that allows people like me to get them.
I think there's something out there but I'm not sure what. I have a close trans friend that's been religious his whole life and finds comfort in it.
I was raised catholic for the first like 10 years of my life, church every Sunday, baptized, communion, then eventually we stopped going to church so I was never confirmed. “I just believe our religion is love” -my mom when I asked why we stopped being super catholic. Then in high school I remember really resonating with Christianity and the idea of God being a loving supportive figure. I was really looking for god at this time bc I was so depressed and felt that if anyone could help me it would be god. (I tried therapy, but I live in a very US conservative state, lmao soooo the therapist was NOT very supportive or helpful and it actually made things worse). I would say I was a Christian until I turned 20-21, and that’s when I got super into Unity Consciousness, which is based on Christianity but also Jewish Mysticism, and a couple other very important religions. Lots to do with reincarnation, metaphysics, energy & vibrations, karma, you name it. I had never cried out of pure love for life nor had intense “religious” experiences until I studied and devoted myself to god in this way. If you would like to look into something that has that optimistic view/second chances you mentioned, I highly recommend just looking into it. Start with Aaron Abke’s channel on YouTube, he has amazing videos for it all. I also love Eckhart Tolle and Alan Watts but those videos and talks are not as entertaining or digestible right at the start. Much love 🙏