I have been missing a lot more of my religious meetings than not and people have asking me whether I still "believe". Yes, the people who ask me are usually members of my congregation; and, yes, I do suspect they ask me only to know whether I'm still an 'acceptable' person for them to talk to and not an evil ex-member. I'm still classified as a member, albeit what in my religion is called an "inactive" member, for reasons I won't go into just now. But do I still "believe"? Well, yes, I believe many things...
I am a person learned in science, medicine, and theology. I love all of these as subject matter immensely and I'm a nerd who finds these subjects of study very interesting. Yes, I still consider myself a Christian as much as I am a scientist and a doctor. There are beliefs I choose to have; things I choose believe based on what I've read, studied, seen, and some just based on hunches. That's how I practice medicine and that's how I act in the rest of my life too. Well, of course, the practice of medicine is and has to be less based on hunches and more on reproducible evidence that has a higher standard of proof than religious beliefs do, but both are a combination of both hunches and "evidence". Fortunately, however, I am never asked if my belief in science has lapsed because as we all know and expect, scientific knowledge is meant to grow, change, and new knowledge must replace old one. My religious beliefs can only grow within a confine before it's considered irreligious by some, though. But what do I (still) believe?
I believe that God has given us an intelligent mind with the ability not only to accept, but also to ask questions and learn. I believe curiosity is a great learning tool, and learning is a gift. I believe learning only grows us as respectable human beings. I believe we all have a conscience and an inbuilt system to determine whether new knowledge is good or bad for us; whether or when to apply it. I believe knowledge enlightens us.
I believe that in a bad situation I can pray to God to ask for his help. And I don't know how God does it, but I will pray for it anyway.
I believe that in good or stable situations, I will pray to God to express my gratitude for allowing me either to experience that or for bringing it about. I don't know which one is the right way it happened, but I will pray with gratitude anyway.
I believe that God is the only one with a right to judge me and any of my actions, and not any member of my religion (regardless how "high up" they are).
I believe that God evaluates us in much more complex ways than meeting-attendance.
I believe that being a member of my religion doesn't automatically classify you as a good person, and that lack of membership doesn't necessarily mean a person is unworthy or bad.
I believe that one of the greatest aspects tarnishing my religion is the fact that former members are shunned and association with them is actively discouraged. I believe that is cruel and inhumane. Further, I believe God would frown upon this practice.
I believe that the members of my religion really do try their best. That is not to say that they are well-guided in all their beliefs, but they believe with purity that what they are doing is right - and that is why I cannot judge any of them negatively.
I believe God loves me. And I believe God is not offended or even blinks an eye at the fact of my believing what I believe. I believe he sees my intentions and my background and knows why and how I am who I am and forgives me for what I err in.
I believe God does not expect from us anymore than a particular individual can give.
And my overwhelming belief is that God's intention/purpose is summarized in this: "love your neighbour as you love yourself". I believe God (or the concept of God) does not exist to cause division, to instigate guilt and prosecution, or to punish or reward us for our behaviour and thoughts, but rather only to promote that each human being treat each other with respect and as our equals.
