One of my favorite bloggers and great blog friends Kristen, from KV Confessions, confessed her "secret" on her blog the other day.. Well, even if it wasn't a secret, it wasn't something she'd announced to blog world before. She is not religious.
Now, if I'm being totally honest and true to myself here, I need to share my feelings on the same subject. I have blogged before about my struggles with religion and I have spoken to a few other bloggers about it too. When I became a part of this blog world, I was exposed to so many wonderful people, a lot of whom just so happened to be religious. Let me start by saying that is totally okay. I'm happy for everyone to believe in what they will. And while we're being totally honest, I admit that I felt this need to find God and be part of the family that religion seems to create.
Maybe this only happened at this point in my life because its the first time I'd really had friendships or connected with outwardly religious people. Maybe it's because I needed to believe in something at the time in my life when my grandpa had just passed away from cancer and my far too young cousin had been diagnosed with leukemia. Maybe, maybe, maybe.
See, I find with me and religion, there are a whole lot of maybes. Kristen's post inspired me to be true to myself. True to what I believe in. And you know what? I want to believe in God. I want to and I've tried to and for a while it felt like I did but the phase of belief passes and I'm back to square one of confusion.
Kristen made me feel like it's okay that I'm not religious, it's okay that I'm part of this community but I don't praise God in my blog posts, it's okay that I don't feel or see all these signs from God that others blog about. For so long, I wanted that to happen. To get a "sign", to know that my believing was working, I don't know. But something as simple as a post from another blogger made me accept something inside myself. It's okay.
It's okay that I'm not religious, I can still be part of the blog world. I can still be part of the interconnected "family" that we bloggers are. I can still believe- and I do. I believe in many great things that I have felt with my own heart and seen with my own eyes. I believe in love, in medicine, in forgiveness, in honesty, in skinny jeans, in friendship, in equal and fair rights, in shopping clearance racks, in laughter, in drinking beer instead of wine and in being true to myself-- and that is starting right this second on this blog.
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I wouldn't say I haven't been me this whole time, but I have been wary of what I say and how I say it. It's about time I am the full-on Chelsea around here. Expect the same sorta content and ramblings, but with a bit more of my blunt honesty, sarcasm and sass. I really and truly hope you stick around. xoxo
41 comments:
I'm not religious either & I don't feel like that defines whether or not you are a good person. So keep on keeping on & be who you are being :)
Ahhh I heart you! I've been struggling to write this very blog post. I've literally had it in my draft box for months b/c I'm not quite sure how to say everything I want to say.
I'm not religious either...and I think bloggers that aren't religious should be a little more known b/c sometimes it feels like I'm drowning in "Oh girl, God will take care of it!" and "I'll pray for you!" and that's all well and good...but I don't put much stock in it.
Yes!!! I love this! I have totally felt the same way and I'll bet you will find more of us around just because you wrote this post.
Erica
its always ok to just be you :)
Great post, and I feel you! I'm not religious. I've yet to come out on the internet with my specific beliefs, but maybe one day. I'm glad you've come to your realization that it's okay to have your own beliefs, no matter what they are.
New-ish follower here. :)
The Ellison Family Expansion Plan
This is beautiful Chelsea!!! I'm so glad my post could help you feel better about your beliefs... that's what this blogging community is for - sharing and connecting on all different levels, from rhinestones to religion, and we shouldn't be censoring ourselves on any subject. I'm so thankful to have you as a friend around these internets!! Love ya! :)
I love this post! I am not religious either. I haven't really posted about it on my blog, but I guess it is my blog, I should blog about what I want huh :) I will definitely stick around :)
I love your honesty! I'm not religious either and it seems like every blog out there is! I guess us non-religious people just don't announce it to the world like they do.
I've definitely went through phases too, and have wanted to believe, but I find it difficult. I'm still open to someone changing my mind, but if that doesn't happen, I'm perfectly fine with not believing.
Thanks for being open and honest! I think that is way more important than defining your religion stance. Don't worry, I am not religious either but I am definitely spiritual. I can't wait to see your true, true self come out!
What a great post. I am not religious either but like you I still struggle to "want" to be religious and to want to "feel" it as others do...but I don't. My boyfriend is Catholic so this topic comes up a lot for me lol, especially when people find out I am not religious. I love that he is religious and it does not bother me at all.I would never ask or want him to change and he would never ask me either.
I've come to the conclusion that I can be spiritual in my own way without following Christianity or some other specific religion.
This topic is very difficult to talk about since so many bloggers are religious, kudos to you for talking about it on your blog. I hope to address it on my blog someday when I get enough courage.
I just love this post Chelsea! Really, my favorite I've ever read here. Whatever you believe, so long as you're true to you that's what matters. I waited, and prayed for that sign just like you descried. Then you know what? My sign came. In a very non-cliche way the "sign" I'd waited for so long, prayed for yada yada happened! I think we just each take our own paths; learning from one another is what makes it so worth while. Glad you shared today :)
I'm going to stick around :) I think we all struggle with this at some point. It's been on my mind a lot lately! Coming from the center of the bible belt, I understand the feeling of being a bit "different". I consider myself to be spiritual.
Thanks for posting this. I've been wanting to write something very similar for quite some time, but just haven't been able to follow through because I feel so nervous talking about religion at all on my blog...
One reason I love blogging...I feel like I can be myself. No restrictions. No concerns. No regrets. If people want to read, they do. If not, that's okay to. While I am currently boasting about my faith on my blog, that hasn't always been the case. I will continue to blog even if that changes, with honesty because I think people need that. Thanks for yours, truly!
I believe "religion" is what you want to stay away from - and instead just have some you and God time - forget what the world is saying and just let it be you and God :) and it's good to believe my friend.
I love this post! I am an atheist, and I have a post written about misconceptions about me because of this, however I have been afraid to post it. I didn't want to lose readers because of religion. This post made me feel better about it! Thank you for sharing!
It's you (at your finest, not religious and all) that keeps people coming. If you find religion, awesome! If not, that makes you no less AMAZING!
Great post. It's refreshing to see this from another's perspective. Most people consider me a very religious person. I consider myself very lazy. Time to time I write about it specifically and many of my posts on do have a Buddhist flavor to them, but mainly when I write abou it it is because I get a lot of questions, but it always feel weird about it. Honestly I don't want to alienate readers, like so many blogs I followed I felt alienated by when they really started talking about their beliefs all the time. It's a hard balance to find, but sometimes nice to address.
Beautifully said! I have grown up with religion, but I know that it's not for everybody. I actually wrote a post on it a while back. :-) But I think that as long as you stay true to who you are and what makes you happy...that's all that really matters. You're amazing for writing this! :-)
I struggled a few weeks ago about sharing my views on faith and religion. It's scary to put yourself on the line like that with something that is so controversial. I'm sure you feel like a weight is lifted off of your shoulders. Great post, Chelsea!
thank you, thank you. Sometimes I really feel like I'm the only blogger that has 1) struggled with faith and 2) decided that it is okay to not be religious.
so thank you.
Thank you for posting this! I'm also not religious, and I understand the feeling like your're not quite in the blog community because of it.
- Ididtellyou.blogspot.com
It's funny, as a Christian in Australia, the one thing I noticed was how open everyone in the blogging world is about their faith- which I think is great and have found it very encouraging. I can totally understand though how it could be overwhelming and potentially leave people feeling like outsiders- which, as a Christian blogger, I think I need to be aware of, so thanks for the reminder.
I encourage you to keep exploring this inkling you have- I never received a "sign" and to be truthful, you may never see that sign you are searching for. However my faith comes from a deep conviction that there is something more to life than just the here and now.
Good on you for being honest and for doing it in such a sensitve and thoughtful way :) xx
Love this post btw.
I'm not religious either, I am more spiritual than anything. I do believe in a higher being and I do believe religious people tend to judge and judge harshly.
If anything, I like your blog more now! I am not religious either & I must confess, in all honesty, I find bloggers that boast about their religion to be a little off-putting. One's religious beliefs should not be considered a personality trait, at least, not if one wants to be inclusive. Christian bloggers and Christian blogging is actually a genre, and it tends to be clique-y and preachy. Don't misunderstand, there are some lovely people out there as you so aptly pointed out, but their drive to evangelize can borderline on discriminatory. I agree with other commentors that we religiously non-affiliated bloggers should make our presence known-- not in a mean way, but in an honest way. Thanks for being an example of how to do it.
there is nothing wrong with not being religious!! i can't stand when people sorta shove it down your throat anyways, a little bit goes a long way :)
I am religious but... everyone has the right to believe what they want. I don't begin to tell people how or what to believe... No one should!!
Thank you for being upfront and honest. I read your post yesterday and I thought I should say something but I didn't want to seem like the odd ball since my answer would go against the grain. And for the last 24 hours you have been on my mind so I decided to respond. Religion is more about the system of beliefs rather than a relationship with God. I would encourage you to still ask God the hard questions, to seek spiritual wisdom and find out what God means to you. Prayer is a wonderful way to get to know God. I started my prayer life in my car during my commute. I know there are a lot of crazy God fanatics out that seem more like a cult than a person in a loving relationship with God. For God is a gentleman that just wants to ask you out for a cup of coffee to just talk. He admires you and wants to have a relationship with you, he is not really caught up in doing the religious thing. Keep being curious and true to yourself for that is who God really loves.
I <3 you so much more after reading this post!!
Same with Kristen's!
I just blogged about my kiddo asking me about dying. It was a difficult question.
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU for writing this post! I have been struggled with religion and faith [not believing and having a hard time swallowing many of the teachings] since jr high, and have taken a lot of flack for it from family and some friends. I have friends, family and a husband that have very strong faith. I also have friends and family who are agnostic like me. I respect peoples faith or lack therof, whatever makes you content and complete :)
Glad to know I am not alone in my feelings!
XO!
I am so proud of you for putting yourself out there girl. For standing up for yourself and what you do believe in. It's so hard to find that strength sometime.
I believe in God. I believe every word of the bible. I believe there is a heaven and a hell. I believe in everything that comes with believing in God.
What I don't believe in - is having to be religious & that's all i'm going to say about that in a blog comment. :)
I love you tons!
honesty is always appreciated around here. You are loved, accepted, and approved of.
Great post and very inspiring!
I'm a new follower from 2 in diapers. Love the look and feel of your space here!
Holly
http://notdonegrowing.blogspot.com/
You rock! Thanks again for the help!
Holly
A lot of people aren't religious and I actually find it odd when people actually admit they are, like me! haha :P I embrace so many people who are and aren't! I believe it's how you feel and what's comfortable to you! Great post!
Stephanie
http://www.heartsoulinspiration.com/
Cute blog... Visiting from Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles.
Love the color scheme!
I am so glad you and Kristen have both had the courage to write a post like this. I've been wanting to do something similar for quite some time now but I'm just not sure how to say everything without hurting other's feelings.
like both of you, I'm not very religious either. I was raised Catholic but haven't been to church for the past 2 years. But even when I was more religious, I still didn't find myself praying. I'm not sure how all these ladies can say that God is "giving them the answers" and "showing them what to do". I just don't understand how that's possible.
Finally someone spoke what I've been feeling since I started blogging. I almost shyed away from it because I didn't have the religious tag line in my description. For me it's a personal decision and have great friends who are on both sides of the spectrum. I love them for who they are but always wonder what others in the blogging community thought since I don't put religion as my #1.
I appreciate your openness.
I'm not religious. I have a very complicated relationship with what I believe to be my maker. But that's between us. You are allowed to believe love or talk to who you want! and for Who what where whatever brought you to me, I'm thankful.
It's totally okay that you're religious. I think what's more important is how you treat other people. Let kindness be the "thing" you believe in. It all roots from love, anyway (I believe so). :)
You don't have to be religious to be a good person, or to be interesting to others. People want to hear what you have to say, regardless, if it's coming from the heart.
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