Today, I went to visit my co-worker's Sunday church ceremony. I'm not Christian and am not planning to be one either, but since I am interested in religion and she invited me, I thought "why not?".
This one that I went was more like live music show, live band, singing, dancing etc. but talk about bible, sing about Jesus and make community. Many were young (18-30 yld) and very international community. What I was surprised was that there were so many young Japanese who believe in Jesus, and they were so energetic, so positive.
I've been to church quite a few times when I was living in US, with my friends or family so going to the ceremony it is nothing new to me. I've met people who believe in God, and some were non-believer but became a strong believer when they are grown up.
I am not for or against religion, I think as long as one is happy with that, it is completely fine.
Sometimes I feel envious for the people who believe in God. Sometimes I wish I believe in God. Because they have something to believe, believe that God is there to help you, I think you are stronger than others. That strong belief will help you and lead you to overcome difficulties.
In my experience there are 2 types of beliver. One is the ones taught by their parents since they were born so religion is part of their life. Two is the ones who once got lost in their lives but met god and was saved by him. When they were struggling and needed someone's help, somehow they met religion/God. Maybe through friends or accidently went to the ceremony etc. but however people met God, there is one thing that is common between them. They were all lost. They were desparate. By listening to the what God wants to tell you, that God is there to help you, and sharing their experiences with other people in the same community, they feel that they are not alone and be resuced. A lot of my friends who I know is this second type of people.
If religion can encourage people to live, to survive, I think religion is a wonderful thing. I said in the former paragraph that beliver is stronger that others (non-believer) but maybe people who has weak mentality, who is feeling alone, who needs help tend to believe in God. People who has strong mentality, who is succeeding very much may not become a believer.
As I said before, I'm intested in religion. To be more specific, I'm interested in mentality side of religion. I'm curious why people became a beliver, how they were rescued, are they happy compared to the time when they did not believe in God?
If some of the readers who can share their experience/opinion, please let me hear what you think.
P.S. One more thing what surprised me was that people were so friendly to me. Everyone came and talk to me, asked me many questions, looking like they really want to get to know me. I asked my co-worker, "why everyone is so friendly? why do they want to know about me?" and she said "we are happy to have someone new in the community. we want as many people to know about us, how fun it is to come here even though they don't join the group. We want to share our experience and want to know about others too." Everyone (I mean EVERYONE) seemed to enjoy being together. I also asked her "what if you met someone you feel you are not comfortable, or you don't like?" Then she said "there are no likes and dislikes. we are like brothers and sisters, like one big family. There is no likes/ dislikes to your family, your family is your family, right?" I totally understood what she meant.
