Elvis and Religion

[MissyM]

Do you think it brought him comfort or more turmoil?

[Tony Trout]

That's a loaded (no pun intended) question....

Elvis clearly was a religious person and I do think that it did bring him comfort but, yes, I also do think it caused turmoil in his mind because I've experienced that very same thing in my own walk with Christ with being felt like I was being "told how to live" by other ministers.

I realize (as a Christian) that those of us here (and yes, I realize that there are some here who don't believe that there is a God--and I respect their views) who do believe in God are required to live up to a "standard" and live by what the Word of God says but I also realize that we're not perfect and that we do make mistakes (I do on a continual basis) but it does give me comfort knowing that I can go to God asking for help and forgiveness when I've messed up and that He'll be there for me to pick me up and dust me off and lead me in the way that He'd have me to go.

[MissyM]

I know that believing brings about as many questions as it does answers. That's the hard part for me. I wonder if Elvis felt like that too?? Do others?

[Stryx]

Do you think it brought him comfort or more turmoil?

I think Elvis found comfort in it.

[elvisspankme]

I think it brought comfort of a sort but he was alway searching for the reason why he was chosen to be the "KING" searching for a higher perpose, I don't know if he ever found it.

[ruggishboo]

Do you think it brought him comfort or more turmoil?

Complex question with regards to Elvis. Probably he did find a good deal of comfort with it, but at the same time it might of caused him turmoil. Here was a man who searched for answers for many years, but couldn't find whatever it was he was looking for sometimes. Just from some of the books I've read, he seemed to never understand why he was "singled out" to be who he was, or who people thought he was. Fame came early for him, and he experienced all the pleasures and pain of it. Some of these pleasures were in contradiction to the religious views, so he probably experienced some turmoil with either doing what he wanted or doing what he felt was the right thing to do. He seemed to want to bring many people happiness, at the cost of his own sometimes.

[Lisarose]

He stated more than once that gospel music brought him comfort, and he never turned his back on the Bible. He was always searching, so I imagine that brought some of the turmoil. I think he missed not being able to go to church - maybe he missed that sort of fellowship, being with people who shared his same beliefs. Just my opinion.

[Diane]

I'm in complete agreement with you ruggishboo, it was a mixed blessing for him as it is for us all. No human being can live up to the teachings from the churches, but then the churches are not God. God I believe is much more forgiving. He doesn't deal in power, control and money, he just wants our love and to do the very best we can under our lives' circumstances...each are different and that's understood.

Diane

[Faith]

The answer to this question, was shared with me,b:

(You know it takes only one to listen. Yes, I awoke in the night, sensing, as I seem to do with you. So answering, honey).

"Jesus doesn't ask us to leave our families. He says that we are to
make Him (Jesus) the first priority in our lives. The important thing
is about understanding how our lives and our happiness is, is not to be
found in our families, our work, our material things, nor even our
friendships. Rather our happiness, our self worth and significance, is
to be found in our relationship with Jesus.

Once we understand who we are and whom we belong to (i.e. God) then we
are in a position to reach out and help others.

To help others out of a 'need to feel significant by helping others'
means we are always operating out of a lack of self worth rather than
'full self worth' which is so full, it overflows to others. The first
way will always leave one wrung out and tired. This is then an
impossibility, as one is unable to fulfill others ... also their
success or failure, determines one's self worth - which is an unsafe
position, to help others from.

The Bible says "Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you." Jesus
said: "You need to come closer to Jesus first."

Your Faith should be in what Jesus can do through you - not in what you
can do for Jesus.

Pain of loss, and the suffering of others, does not diminish, when we
make Jesus the highest priority of our lives. It does enable us to
understand that which we are responsible for, giving or affecting or
changing, and that which is Jesus' responsibility".

My grandmother and I listened to this beautiful song, (from when I was four) before everyone awoke, every Christmas morning. This song means the world to meb, (grandad sang, whispering to me, not long before he died, a moment I'll hold in my heart) you may remember, as I've mentioned this, and you sing it, too. So, I was thrilled to find the original, and I immediately, wanted to share with you. Love you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn3TGI5xZIc

May God bless you.

Hugs,
xxxxxx

[utmom2008]

I know that believing brings about as many questions as it does answers. That's the hard part for me. I wonder if Elvis felt like that too?? Do others?

I'm betting that he had all the same questions that we all have. I think, that at the end of the day, it brought him comfort. He had to know he was going to see his mom again, and all of his loved ones. We all mess up, but no one knows that better than God. I find comfort knowing that someday there will be something waiting for us at the end of the road....

[utmom2008]

Complex question with regards to Elvis. Probably he did find a good deal of comfort with it, but at the same time it might of caused him turmoil. Here was a man who searched for answers for many years, but couldn't find whatever it was he was looking for sometimes. Just from some of the books I've read, he seemed to never understand why he was "singled out" to be who he was, or who people thought he was. Fame came early for him, and he experienced all the pleasures and pain of it. Some of these pleasures were in contradiction to the religious views, so he probably experienced some turmoil with either doing what he wanted or doing what he felt was the right thing to do. He seemed to want to bring many people happiness, at the cost of his own sometimes.

Very well said!

[Merry]

"May You Be Blessed". I wanted to share, again, as I love this beautiful movie. Perhaps some other people, may like it, too.

http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/



Merry Christmas, Elvis,



Kimmi

[LianaKaralivanou]

"May You Be Blessed". I wanted to share, again, as I love this beautiful movie. Perhaps some other people, may like it, too.

http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/



Merry Christmas, Elvis,



Kimmi

This was so touching that it brought tears in my eyes. Thank you for the link.

[MissyM]

Ruggs, Good answer!

[Diane]

Thank you Jess, that was very beautiful and comforting and we all need that from time to time. I have to believe that there is an afterlife and that I will see all my loved ones again....I think I'd go crazy if it was proved that all we have is right here and now.

Diane

[MissyM]

Well not just my family is on my list of ppl I want to meet up with there. I have a few questions for Elvis too, and hugs!

[Merry]

Thank you Jess, that was very beautiful and comforting and we all need that from time to time. I have to believe that there is an afterlife and that I will see all my loved ones again....I think I'd go crazy if it was proved that all we have is right here and now.

Diane

You are welcome, Diane.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. I wish you, and your family, joy, peace, and happiness.

Kimmi

[Merry]

Well not just my family is on my list of ppl I want to meet up with there. I have a few questions for Elvis too, and hugs!

I feel the same re my family, and I agree with Diane, I'd hate to think, that this is it (although I don't believe it is, because of my family members, who have passed).

Anyway, I specialise in wonderful, huge, loving, hugs, so Elvis will have to just "take it"! lol

Kimmi

[Diane]

Yes Jess, it's also because of my family members that have passed that I still miss. As much as I love Elvis and would also love to meet him, my family and dear friends do have top priority in my heart...I knew them and held them, they were part of my life.

Merry Christmas to you and your family also Jess and I wish you all peace, joy and happiness in the New Year as well.

Diane

[riley]

good question and many many good and touching answers here.

I do hope to meet Elvis once in better places , together with all my loved ones .
Esp my grandmother. I still miss her


by the way I liked that film, made me cry