WHOA, I read my old posts in this thread and judging by my understanding of the subject at the time, this thread must be 2 years old!

Well, to anybody who is considering buddhism, just remember that the buddha didn't want mindless drones and unquestioning obedience (not that theists are mindless drones, but some churches inevitably want that). Learn from the Buddha's teachings, and question them constantly so as to understand them fully. If they truly are correct (which I have found in my experience), there's nothing to fear from questioning them.

I really hope I can get back into it seriously again. It seems with a life of constant studying in college, constant pain raging through every muscle in my body, and of course all lifes other surprises that inevitably come up, it's much too easy to distract your attention with useless things. But I'm working at that again.

All I can advise on for everybody here, is to consider not devoting yourself strictly to buddhist practice. Buddhism is a staple in my life, the main perspective and philosophy that guides me, but there's incredible wisdom to be found elsewhere as well. No one faith/belief/philosophy has every answer, just the answer's it's offering.