Hi,

I don’t mean any harm in this post or to offend anyone. I’m also sorry if someone has posted something similar, but I’m here in hopes of finding some kind of inspiration to get In touch with my faith.

I work as a psychiatric nurse consultant in an emergency department. I see life and death on a daily basis, and deal with a range of mental health patients. Some with psychosis believing their the incarnate of Jesus Christ, to others who need counselling over their loss.

I find that lately people have been using their faith as a ‘bargaining chip’ to get what they want. I.e. pray to win the lottery, praying to get themselves out of terrible situations they put themselves into, praying to get high exam marks with minimal effort to study for themselves. Oftentimes they don’t get what they pray for, and become hostile people themselves and others.

I also see people using confession and praying as an excuse to warrant their ‘sinful’ behaviour. Suddenly church on Sunday means that they’re exonerated from their sins, and liberally able to do it again.

From what I see from work and my surroundings, I can’t help but question my faith and relationship with god. I see that no one really knows the true teachings of the bible and rely solely on ‘Devine intervention’ for their own personal gain. I’ve observed that being catholic nowadays is inherent rather than by choice, thus this ongoing cycle.

I suppose I’ve tried to do my own soul searching (with an open mind), I’ve been called “a lost cause” by some, I’ve received heaps of negative comments by others. Hence coming on this forum for help.....