THE QUESTION

Formative Religious Experience

What was your own most formative religious experience, if you had one?

Posted by Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on January 3, 2007 11:00 AM
FROM THE PANEL

Again and again, I experienced that sense of oneness in direct contact with the natural world.

Posted by Starhawk, on January 9, 2007 4:50 PM

A 19th Century Decision Resonates Still

"Formative" experiences--especially those that involve coming to (or abandoning) faith--are not always confined to the person directly involved. They can ripple outward to affect family, friends, strangers--even those yet to be born.

Posted by Gustav Niebuhr, on January 9, 2007 4:15 PM

A Simple Prayer, A Radical Idea

I was not expecting the soul-shaking feeling I had when I heard the words of the Sh'ma--the ancient Jewish prayer asserting monotheism over all other religious choices.

Posted by Lisa Miller, on January 9, 2007 3:13 PM

An Experience of Grace in Nature

On that beach, I experienced some all-encompassing source of love, a power that pervaded the universe with compassion.

Posted by Wendy Doniger, on January 9, 2007 11:05 AM

A Moment in Madison Square Garden

Surrounded by thousands of people, I felt that I was alone in the presence of the Eternal

Posted by Richard Mouw, on January 8, 2007 5:20 PM

Selfless Consciousness Without Faith

I believe that most people are interested in spiritual life, whether they realize it or not...On the question of how to be most happy, the contemplative life has some important insights to offer.

Posted by Sam Harris, on January 8, 2007 12:30 PM

My Father, A Rabbi With His People

Only congregational clergy interact with someone from birth to death, in good times and bad...What a magnificent calling!

Posted by David Saperstein, on January 8, 2007 12:00 PM

A Questioning, Critical Perspective Makes Religion More Relevant

Religion is related to reality, and therefore provokes questions

Posted by Welton Gaddy, on January 8, 2007 10:45 AM

A Labyrinth and A Way Out

A labyrinth and meditation offered clarity and renewal in a trying time -- and perhaps something more.

Posted by Sally Quinn, on January 7, 2007 4:32 PM

A Life Changed By Truth In Louisiana In 1937

Shaken from center to circumference in my whole being, I felt led to become the Lord’s lawyer

Posted by Gardner Calvin Taylor, on January 5, 2007 5:30 PM

Near Death As A Child, I Learned Trust in God

I can’t explain it adequately but a wonderful calm descended over me.

Posted by Desmond Tutu, on January 5, 2007 11:00 AM

Mystical Experiences of God

For a minute or two (and once for the better part of an hour), what I was seeing looked very different–as if there were a radiance shining through everything.

Posted by Marcus Borg, on January 5, 2007 10:48 AM

The Best Game in Town

At the age of 15 God seemed to me to have the most exciting game in town.

Posted by John Dominic Crossan, on January 5, 2007 9:30 AM

Memories of a Skeptical Girlhood

My first serious memories about religion date from the period when I, already a religious skeptic, began reading the Bible.

Posted by Susan Jacoby, on January 4, 2007 5:13 PM

Conversion on Palm Sunday, 1953

My life changed at that moment, and I have had a personal relationship with Jesus from that day forward.

Posted by Richard Land, on January 4, 2007 2:21 PM

Dying Strangers Lifted Me Up

Instead of dread, we found hope

Posted by Martin Marty, on January 4, 2007 11:00 AM

Inspiration Found In Guided Retreat of Jesuits' Founder

I came to a better knowledge of myself and came to accept myself as a loved sinner.

Posted by William J. Byron, on January 4, 2007 10:30 AM

Career Setback Led to Spiritual Growth

Experiencing God's love and grace in a way impossible with material things

Posted by Cal Thomas, on January 4, 2007 10:00 AM

The Long, Dark Night of the Soul

It seemed dishonest to go forward with ordination when my prayer life was in shambles.

Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on January 3, 2007 12:50 PM

A Grandmother's Last Lesson

She was very clear that she was going to meet her maker, and that she felt calm and resolute.

Posted by Julia Neuberger, on January 3, 2007 12:30 PM

Most Important Religious Experience Is Life-Long

My formative religious experience was confronting each of these prejudices and overcoming them.

Posted by John Shelby Spong, on January 3, 2007 12:00 PM

Dance Of The Fishes

"Dance of the fishes" was my first encounter with sacred patterns

Posted by Lauren Artress, on January 3, 2007 11:34 AM

FEATURED COMMENTS

EMM: From early childhood, through my teenage years and into adulthood, I have experienced, like many people I know, transformative moments of sp...

Dinah: Robin, Some experiences are entirely personal. Only you can experience the love for your Mother you describe; and the same with feelings o...

david grant: getting sober i asked God for help and haven't had a drink or drug since....i believe i a conscious contact with God....i don't have to go ...

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