Why I'm sharing my beliefs online (it's not what you think)

You might be asking:

• Why would you put your beliefs online?

• Are you trying to convert everyone to be like you?

• What is your motive?

Well, I'll help you out with that by sharing a little more about my story.

My Story

As a child, I was taught about God. My mother took me to church and read scripture stories to my siblings and me. She prayed at night with us. I've always felt God was there for me.

I got older and started encountering other belief systems. Different religions, other spiritual systems, other philosophies. And I found truth in ALL of them!

I read a lot, and I've deliberately exposed myself to as much religious, philosophical, and historical information as I could. In the back of my mind, I've always had this question, "What is God up to? What does He intend, with all of these belief systems?"

I'm still learning, and I don't have all the answers. But I have come to the following conclusion:

God loves all His children.

He is giving us all pieces of truth in many different packages.

He expects us to get along and learn from one another.

We each have something to share.

Now I'll answer those questions...

Q - So why would you put your beliefs online?

A - Because I want to share what I HAVE. I cannot share what I don't have. I can't be anyone other than myself. And I believe my religious faith has some very nice gifts.

Q - Are you trying to convert people?

A - Not necessarily because conversion is private, between a person and their God. But I AM trying to raise AWARENESS of what my faith is really like. Many people have misconceptions. My heart has grown so much in learning about and coming to respect other people's beliefs. I want to give that gift too.

Q - What is your motive?

A - To increase mutual understanding, love, and unity among God's children by providing understanding. As long as we look at each other as "the other," we will never be united.

Here's Something You Can Do

Do you also want to increase love and unity in the world? Then look for ways you can do the following things in the next few days:

• Ask someone about their beliefs and listen with kindness.

• Share a sensitive belief that you have with another person, GENTLY, without expecting them to agree.

• In both cases, look for common ground. Look for something positive you can both agree on.

Thank you for what you are doing to bring unity and peace to the world by both listening and sharing with respect.

Until next time!

:) Shara Ogilvie

My beliefs started here: as a young child, learning from my mom. But your journey can start whenever you are ready!