I'm a catholic as many of you already know.
My faith began with my mom, when i was a child praying next to the bed before sleeping which i still do.
Then I went to a catholic school my whole life til i went to college.
After high school i was always involved in my parish.
However, through dialogue with people of other faiths and reading several books other than the bible. I have acquired some knowledge.
I love my church, but through time i've learnt that my church fails in several things. I think that is part of the maturity which a believer has to reach withing his/her faith.
Nobody owns the truth, but each one of us owns the maturity to discern which is true and which is false according to our cirucmstances.

I don't think one should be mature in faith, one should look at it all through the eyes of a child and think about it with the mind of a child...in this child like state then nothing can cease to make you wonder and be open to all possibilities.

i have a faith that there is a GOD but that is about it anymore. through the years of me maturing and seeing the world for what it really is and finding new information on historical and scientific facts i have come to many different conclusions on my beliefs. they will probably continue to change as i grow older still. right now i still believe in a divine power but not much in the way of any organized religion.

I have sought a relationship with the Lord of and on throughout my life. I have (most of my life that is) beleived as I do now, as a Christian. It has only been in the last 10 years my faith has taken on so much more meaning on a spiritual level.
I beleive as the Word of Life Church does, and that means disregarding the religious dogma and doctrine of the fundamentalist Christians. The more I seek Him, the more he shows me. Once you receive the Holy Spirit, as long as you pursue your relationship with Christ/God, your faith will grow stronger and stronger. Praise Him, Thank Him for everything you can think of and you won't be sorry. Your faith will grow as mine has! Praise God, Glory Glory!!!!!!!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:5 and 6

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

I love the world and to me that means I love the creator of the world as well. But as far as "religion"- to me that was made by humans. Flawed, contentious humans. So it does not surprise me that (to me) there are so many inconsistancies and flaws in each religious sect...

But I have found some wisdom, guidance, and practical advice in every religion that I have ever studied. I use what I find good and leave the rest where I found it...

Is this "maturity"- choosing, discerning; or "childlike"- being open to all possibilities?

I don't know, it's just what makes sense to me.

The word maturity has gotten in the way of my thoughts on this subject. What is maturity? To me, maturity refers to a physical attribute only. The word maturity used in any other reference is totally subjective. In other words, one can really open a can of worms, by using that word in such a topic.

Some might associate the word with one who has developed a sence of logic. To that person a sence of logic might mean that religion is totally an immature concept.

Sorry, I've been doing homework, my mind is set in logic mode, and this is the first post I saw.

I will have the grace and 'maturity' to apologise for my rambling, but I do appreciate the chance to get out of logic mode before I do the meet and greet thing with customers. Thanks for this break.

Hugs all around.

remember i asked how mature is your faith.
why do you guys go around the bunches messing with religion
i know faith and religion are related. However, i said faith trying to relate to our spirituality.
I set the example as catholic because that is where i come from, but my faith don't accept somethings that the catholic church preaches.

I have to do that with the customers I work with, too, Red. What makes sense to me may be different than what makes sense to others. I have customers who are very manipulative; Some customers are bed bound and see the world with a limited sense of vision; Some of my customers have no real sense of reality; and some of my customers may not even be there when I get back to work. It is an occupational hazard. The last customer I had to deal with this morning was this real cute blonde 23 year old with multiple scherosis. She is such a cutie with the mind of a five year old. She was watching the cartoons on television in her geri chair with her head hanging upside down just a giggling. I was asking the nurse while I tried to right her in her chair if her head was supposed to hang like that. I put her head right and she promptly put it back upside down and giggled at me. It reminded me of when I used to do yoga and how beautiful the world looks upside down. She reminded me of a very important lesson and that is sometimes we just forget to giggle at life.

I think the most mature thing that I have ever heard was when my athiest friend told me, "The world doesn't want to be saved. It is happy just the way it is. Save yourself because you are worth saving." Then she told me that I was loved. I have always thought that was sweet.

TLW,

I think the more appropriate way to phrase your question should have been, "HOW do we MEASURE the maturity of our faith?". Do you agree with this? Or am I getting off your original train of thought?

If we go with the question I posed aboved, the way we measure the maturity of faith is laid out in the Bible in Galatians.

An "immature faith" is a life lived according to Galatians 5:19-21:

"19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

A "mature faith" is lived according to Galatians 5:22-26:

"22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

All you need to do is to look at your own life and your own sphere of influence to know which of the two sets of scriptures above that you fall into. It's all about the relationships you have with the people around you.

*scriptures taken from BibleGateway.com

That post regarding the immature and mature definitions; I actually find a bit amusing. I love how witchcraft is always included in the sinful regions. What will happen to those witches who practice with what Galatians describes as a mature faith? Hate to burst any bubbles, but they do exist.

Hey Diff,

I think what you bring up is another thread/discussion all together. I used the example from the Bible mainly because TLW is Catholic. I was applying his question in the context of Christianity.

good 1 bay i am on the same page as you i think

Miguel-

You wrote: "remember i asked how mature is your faith.
why do you guys go around the bunches messing with religion
i know faith and religion are related. However, i said faith trying to relate to our spirituality.
I set the example as catholic because that is where i come from, but my faith don't accept somethings that the catholic church preaches."

I orignially wrote:
"I have found some wisdom, guidance, and practical advice in every religion that I have ever studied. I use what I find good and leave the rest where I found it... "

I meant that to represent my faith. So to be a bit clearer (hopefully) my faith changes and evolves... what I was taught as a child by others (Christians) is something that I have tried to respect (out of respect for people that I care for who still have those beliefs) but most Christian teachings play little part in my current faith. I have re-examined my beliefs many times and will continue to do so, to clarify for myself or integrate new thoughts and ideas.

Is this what you mean by "maturity" of faith?

Yes, Bay, you have a point. However, had I not grown in my maturity regarding my spirituality, would I have even noticed that which I questioned?

i am very mature in my faith... i believe that there is a world outside my fence.... i have seen it on the way to the store and so on.. it's strange really it just seems to keep going.. like the world is adding on... like you take one step and another and you can just keep going....