am i the only one.........

[ryanmoore]

here who is religious?
what are your guys's religions
if you have one


i wont criticize or tell you
that you are wrong i was just wondering

im a christian (baptist)
if anyone was wondering



-ryan-

[ryanmoore]

here who is religious?
what are your guys's religions
if you have one


i wont criticize or tell you
that you are wrong i was just wondering

im a christian
if anyone was wondering



-ryan-

[ladyjanewriter]

(Yeah, Please keep the thread nice, OK?)

I am a Unitarian Universalist. I was raised unchurched, and became one when I was 26.

[Cacophany_cat]

I'm not officially any religion, I tell people I'm Agnostic but my beliefs are pretty much purely Christian.

Edit: And since I've been with my s.o I've been shown a lot more about Fundamental Christianity

[Miss_Gagarin]

I come from a catholic family, I had baptism and first communion, but I am now atheist. I do however have a few friends that are practicing (catholics, protestants, muslims, etc.) and I enjoy talking about religious values with them. Over here, since the 60s and the 'révolution tranquille' not much people are practising religion...

[crazydaiz]

I'm Catholic
Live with a Catholic family
go to a Catholic school
all around Catholic

But my community is not as condemning as most people portray catholicism to be.

It's why I'm still religious

[DBXP]

I'm Christian, Baptist to be specific...but I don't EVER go to church...

Although I've been told I'm a "Southern Baptist" which I have no idea what the hell that is..

[DBXP]

I already posted in your other thread >_<!

I'm Baptist, but I RARELY goto church. Like once....a year...

Although I've been called a "Southern Baptist" which I'm guessing is just like the fact I'm from Texas and I'm Baptist, but I feel it goes deeper than just that...does it?

[Ada D]

born and raised roman catholic. went to catholic school, and learned all there was to learn. then converted to born-again christian when my mom got re-married (I think I was 13)

not long after I renounced all faith and I am now an realist. I study theology and like to know as much as I can about religion, but I'm not about to follow anything in particular.

One thing I found was that most religions believe in the same basic principles and moral values. to me these were things I could do in my everyday life with out haveing to rely on any doctorins or omniscient help.

[Tallulah-Satan]

i dont have a religion. only go to a church for funerals and ive been to too many of them.
my mama says now she wish she sent us to a catholic school as we dont know anything about Jesus and his gang.

[pinoyblaze]

My family comes from a Roman Catholic background... but uh, ahaha lazy Catholics ^-^ I'm agnostic myself.

[pinoyblaze]

I'm Christian, Baptist to be specific...but I don't EVER go to church...

Although I've been told I'm a "Southern Baptist" which I have no idea what the hell that is..

Never let one choose religion for you. it should be your choice and you don't need to identify with one if it isn't truly yours. Well, at least thats my belief. I encourage you to explore more about the Southern Baptist church. Seriously, you'll learn a lot.

[Coffee]

I'm Antagonistic.


A**hole!

[DBXP]

Never let one choose religion for you. it should be your choice and you don't need to identify with one if it isn't truly yours. Well, at least thats my belief. I encourage you to explore more about the Southern Baptist church. Seriously, you'll learn a lot.

Well this dude said by the way I talk I sound like one. And dumbass me had no idea what that was and forgot to ask him.

I rarely go to church at all so I mean it's not like I was shaken by that or anything, I didn't really care.

[ryanmoore]

im southern baptist
and i kinda also
dont really know what it means

[duct tape dude!]

im mormon and prolly the only 1 here lol

[underpressure]

im christian! yey!

[goofipinay]

I'm Catholic.. =]

[bjababy]

i tell my parents im full on christian but im sorta agnostic. (i think it comes from having too many atheist friends who hate christians which i think is a very dumb thing to do )

[pinoyblaze]

im southern baptist
and i kinda also
dont really know what it means

Once again :P if you guys really identify with a religion you really should study it. It's fun actually, just look online, it's usually a good resource....or even you local library XD

[DBXP]

....or even you local library XD

*hiss*

He enjoys learning! SHUN HIM! SHUN HIM WITH THE RAKE!

[DBXP]

Fo real though I know I'm Christian, thats about it.

When you start breaking it up in to branches just confuzzles the hell outta me...

[Miss_Gagarin]

hi hi! me think that when you ride in the country in the Eastern Townships (the part of Québec next to New England) you see all those churches from different christian congregation (mostly founded by the loyalists who came here after the US independance war) I just think : why don't they all go to the same church, then they'd only need to build one and it can be bigger and more beautiful like ours!!!

Just to say that I am too confused with the protestant churches... One good thing though : pastors can marry

[Maluro]

Well... i need to say most of the Colombian people is VERY religious...i don't consider myself or my family very religious but still
I'm Catholic, I had baptism and first communion and i go to a Catholic school (so yes... all of us in second grade did the first communion at the same time :) )

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

dont know im confused about life but dbxp which part of texas do you live in, my mom is thinking about moving to texas

[DBXP]

dont know im confused about life but dbxp which part of texas do you live in, my mom is thinking about moving to texas

Northern Texas. Like right by the Oklahoma border. Near the Sherman area.

Do it, its awesome here! You just have very little to do(if you don't have friends) and it's a little hot...

[duct tape dude!]

*hiss*

He enjoys learning! SHUN HIM! SHUN HIM WITH THE RAKE!

shun the learner shun shun ssssssssshhhhhhhhhuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnn!

[ladyjanewriter]

Hi! Neff asked me to merge the two threads - sorry it took me so long to do that! My bad.

OK - I did edit one cuss with a few asterisks (Sorry, Coffee...) - but I did realize that Coffee was making a play-on-words joke between "Agnostic" and "Antagonistic," so I left his statement. (Which I as a poster thought was hillarious, but I as a mod had to make the edit, I feel. I totally had to do a double-take and re-read to get the joke.).

Just a reminder to keep this kind of discussion friendly and to approach it with an open mind, of course. I guess I've seen these kinds of discussions go completely out of control and hurtful on other boards. Unfortunately, it's not that hard to have happen, due to the sensitive nature of the subject.

OK, carry on! :)

[ladyjanewriter]

Oh - one more thing. The "shun" joke (IMO) is funny in context, if you've seen the Charlie and Candy Mountain vid on YouTube. But, er...in a religion topic, it kind of accidentally takes on another meaning?

I mean, there are religious groups like the Amish, who actually do shunning.

Just puttin that out there. Hope that makes sense.

Boy, this is kind of a balancing act with this thread! Well, I'm learning something new about moderating, I guess. This is definitely one of those gray area threads. I guess all "hot topic" threads are?

[MamaSasss]

I don't really have a religion. I'm more spiritual than anything. I believe in God, but I believe more that God is love. I don't believe in hell, I believe in karma (good and bad). I believe Heaven is what you believe it to be. I really try to practice kindness more than anything.

I do have to say, learning about other religions is pretty fascinating to me.

[pinoyblaze]

I've studies various beliefs, mostly eastern (Taoism etc...)and catholicism. The most eclectic of which was Wicca. Boy, I remembers those days, really changed my outlook of life for the better.

[MamaSasss]

I've studies various beliefs, mostly eastern (Taoism etc...)and catholicism. The most eclectic of which was Wicca. Boy, I remembers those days, really changed my outlook of life for the better.

Most of the women in my theatre company are Wiccan or Pagan. I heart them so much. They are some of the kindest, most open minded people I know. Gotta love religions that are centered in nature.

[kate]

MamaSasss - I TOTALLY agree with everything you said.


I don't really have a religion. I'm more spiritual than anything. I believe in God, but I believe more that God is love. I don't believe in hell, I believe in karma (good and bad). I believe Heaven is what you believe it to be. I really try to practice kindness more than anything.

I do have to say, learning about other religions is pretty fascinating to me.

[pinoyblaze]

Gotta love religions that are centered in nature.

Yup yup, that's where all religion originated after all :P

[Ada D]

Yup yup, that's where all religion originated after all :P

well just look at paganism which has been around before most patriarcal belief systemsthe whole point of it was nature ecspecially women and childbirth.

They are even saying that the first religions (if you agree with evolution) was based around thunder since it was such a powerful and unknown force.

[ryanmoore]

i dont beleive in evoloution
( this isnt mean to offend anyone who does)

but have you heard of the primordial soup theory??

The Primordial Soup Theory suggest that life began in a pond or ocean as a result of the combination of chemicals from the atmosphere and some form of energy to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which would then evolve into all the species.

from: http://leiwenwu.tripod.com/primordials.htm



like seriously though
so some chemicals decided to come together
and right at that very exact momnet some lightning decided to strike them and BAM it turned into life?
i dont think so

does this make sense to anyone???

[MamaSasss]

i dont beleive in evoloution
( this isnt mean to offend anyone who does)

but have you heard of the primordial soup theory??

The Primordial Soup Theory suggest that life began in a pond or ocean as a result of the combination of chemicals from the atmosphere and some form of energy to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which would then evolve into all the species.

from: http://leiwenwu.tripod.com/primordials.htm



like seriously though
so some chemicals decided to come together
and right at that very exact momnet some lightning decided to strike them and BAM it turned into life?
i dont think so

does this make sense to anyone???


Personally, I believe science makes a lot of sense, BUT I don't believe there can be science without a higher power, God if you'd like to call it/he/she that. It's very complicated, simply 'cuz we may never know how all this jazz called life started. It's almost futile to even try to attempt to figure it out really. Spend your life thinkin' or spend your life doin'. (Ooooooo, might have to make that into a t-shirt. :D)

Ryan - I'm sincerely curious when I ask this and I'm not judging...I assume that since you don't believe in evolution that means you believe in creationism. So, what about it makes sense to you?

P.S. There is a creationist museum that opened in Texas (I think) a few years back. I want to check it out.

[pinoyblaze]

i dont beleive in evoloution
( this isnt mean to offend anyone who does)

but have you heard of the primordial soup theory??

The Primordial Soup Theory suggest that life began in a pond or ocean as a result of the combination of chemicals from the atmosphere and some form of energy to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which would then evolve into all the species.

from: http://leiwenwu.tripod.com/primordials.htm



like seriously though
so some chemicals decided to come together
and right at that very exact momnet some lightning decided to strike them and BAM it turned into life?
i dont think so

does this make sense to anyone???

ah, yeah, heard of it. I personally believe in the creation story (well the basics of it) Evolution is very iffy to me -_- haha then again, ignorance is bliss ;P

[Sacha]

I don't have any religion. I don't classify myself that im athest or what have you. I think that what every you believe in is fine as long as it doesn't hurt people physically or mentally.... so no brainwashing please. lol :)

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

the real reason i dont have a religion is becuase how do you know some human didnt just make it up to control people, and then you live your life in fear and then when it is all over you regret it all, so if there is a TRUE relgion and i practice the wrong one it is all for nothing

[ladyjanewriter]

I do actually believe in creationism and evolution, but I also feel that somehow there's a divine force or spark in all of it. Which, yeah, I know is kind of weird and having it both ways.

I've never understood why science and religion can't somehow merge together. Oh, shoot, I can't remember how to spell it. The Fibronacci Seqence? That wonderful mathmatical sequence that just really has this beautiful order to it? And fractals? I mean, even snowflake crystals have this interesting, beautiful, geometric quality/sequence to them.

There's this hymn in the Unitarian Universalist hymnal called "Bring Many Names," and that's kind of how I feel about God/The Great Spirit/insert deity's name here.

[ryanmoore]

i understand you on this
i dont beleive in evoloution
but i do beleive in the bible

if thats call ed creationism
then yes



Personally, I believe science makes a lot of sense, BUT I don't believe there can be science without a higher power, God if you'd like to call it/he/she that. It's very complicated, simply 'cuz we may never know how all this jazz called life started. It's almost futile to even try to attempt to figure it out really. Spend your life thinkin' or spend your life doin'. (Ooooooo, might have to make that into a t-shirt. :D)

Ryan - I'm sincerely curious when I ask this and I'm not judging...I assume that since you don't believe in evolution that means you believe in creationism. So, what about it makes sense to you?

P.S. There is a creationist museum that opened in Texas (I think) a few years back. I want to check it out.

[kate]

I believe in evolution, but I think there's room for God in there. I certainly don't know how life on earth started, but I definitely believe in the evolution that followed. So maybe it took something like God to spark it all and set it in motion.

Even the Pope said that evolution can coexist with faith: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19956961/.

[pinoyblaze]

Religion should be a personal choice, not something imposed at birth or even burdened. that's just stupid. It should be between the person and the God(dess) not person>Pastor>God.

I've always hated the hierarchy concept. It always put one person above another. It should be circuital, uh...on the same level rather than top down.

[suburbanjungle]

Religion should be a personal choice, not something imposed at birth or even burdened. that's just stupid. It should be between the person and the God(dess) not person>Pastor>God.

I couldn't agree with you more. I almost feel like this is off topic, but I'm Christian. I go to a Baptist church, but denominations shouldn't really make a difference [at least to me they don't].

[Ada D]

Personally, I believe science makes a lot of sense, BUT I don't believe there can be science without a higher power, God if you'd like to call it/he/she that. It's very complicated, simply 'cuz we may never know how all this jazz called life started. It's almost futile to even try to attempt to figure it out really. Spend your life thinkin' or spend your life doin'. (Ooooooo, might have to make that into a t-shirt. :D)


I don't think we should completely ignore our past. We learn alot by looking at where we came from. No matter what you believe there is alot to be learned from the begining.
Evolution shows us how everything can change past and future.
Creationism teaches us about original sin.
etc. etc.

Oh, shoot, I can't remember how to spell it. The Fibronacci Seqence? That wonderful mathmatical sequence that just really has this beautiful order to it? And fractals? I mean, even snowflake crystals have this interesting, beautiful, geometric quality/sequence to them.

There's this hymn in the Unitarian Universalist hymnal called "Bring Many Names," and that's kind of how I feel about God/The Great Spirit/insert deity's name here.

even pine cones have a mathematical sequence to them, its pretty impresive when you look into it. there is even a mathimatical theory behind true human beauty.


on another note. I was curious, for those who believe in creationism, what are you're thoughts on the belief that Adam had two wives before Eve?

[ladyjanewriter]

(I like Lilith.)

[MamaSasss]

(I like Lilith.)

(Same here. :D)

[Xx-fairy-dust-xX]

Most of the women in my theatre company are Wiccan or Pagan. I heart them so much. They are some of the kindest, most open minded people I know. Gotta love religions that are centered in nature.
I am wiccan and i am very proud of my religion but people think i am some kind of satanist and i don't even believe in the devel or hell.

[Cat_Party]

I believe in Evolution, and Science.
But I respect every Religion.

My dad forced me in to Catholic Catechism. Every Tuesday I had to go to church and learn about God until I was confirmed in grade 7. By then I was 12 and had enough "balls" to stand up to my dad and ask him to stop pushing his beliefs on me.

[Bob_is_a_hobo]

I am also a Christian(Baptist)
I believe in Creationism.
I believe that God sent Jesus Christ down to earth to die for our sins.
And I'm proud of it! : ) But I do respect all other religions!
But as of right now I am going to a Catholic Highschool. I know that sounds weird, but it's a really good school and they don't force anyone to take communoin or anything. It's actually kind of interesting to learn about another religion.

[Nila]

im christian which i have to say is hte only protestant religion that is fun to go to like my schools chapels are better than any church can dish out haha we sing and dance and have a surmon from a teacher or guest speaker and about 5 pple out of 200-300 pple are not christian (but they go to a christian school wth?) yah we fit 300 pple in our gym/chapel on fridays which next week is gonna be a-some,

we think only God is AWSOME

(long story short a girl in my class spelled awsome wrong spelled it asome so we all said a-some and when we got to 7th grade we made it so that we call every thing a-some and God is awsome)

ok so my spanish teachers "adopted" son is a Jesus skateboarder and hes coming to chapel next week and their gonna set up a ramp and the whole shibang then the surmun and stuff and its gonna be fricken cool

[Nila]

i dont beleive in evoloution
( this isnt mean to offend anyone who does)

but have you heard of the primordial soup theory??

The Primordial Soup Theory suggest that life began in a pond or ocean as a result of the combination of chemicals from the atmosphere and some form of energy to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which would then evolve into all the species.

from: http://leiwenwu.tripod.com/primordials.htm



like seriously though
so some chemicals decided to come together
and right at that very exact momnet some lightning decided to strike them and BAM it turned into life?
i dont think so

does this make sense to anyone???

i know it makes no sense at all! i mean some science dudes actually calculated the chances and it was (not acurat i dont remember the exact) 400,000,000,000,000,000 of a chance ok thats like four hundred million billion trillion of a chance

so wat im saying is NO FRICKEN CHANCE!

[OtakuGirl92]

I am a one-God Apostolic tongue-talking holy-rollin' Pentecostal! :D

[Cat_Party]

(long story short a girl in my class spelled awsome wrong spelled it asome so we all said a-some and when we got to 7th grade we made it so that we call every thing a-some and God is awsome)

Its actually spelled Awesome. As in I'm in awe of that, making it awe-some.

[The Angry Hippie]

Yea you a-hole! lol.

[madonnaontherocks]

i dont beleive in evoloution
( this isnt mean to offend anyone who does)

but have you heard of the primordial soup theory??

The Primordial Soup Theory suggest that life began in a pond or ocean as a result of the combination of chemicals from the atmosphere and some form of energy to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which would then evolve into all the species.

from: http://leiwenwu.tripod.com/primordials.htm



like seriously though
so some chemicals decided to come together
and right at that very exact momnet some lightning decided to strike them and BAM it turned into life?
i dont think so

does this make sense to anyone???

I could believe that.

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

Atheist.
Believe in evolution.

And not to get in an argument here (which probably is inevitable if this thread continues), but...
that makes a lot more sense to me than some mystic god in a far off land decided to create a man and take one of his ribs and make it into a woman. Then they ate from a evil tree, because a snake/devil talked them into doing it, and now all humans are born with sin...

We all believe different things.
You think evolution is ridiculous.
I think that is ridiculous.

[KetchupSoldier]

I'm Christian, Presbyterian.

It's cool to see other Christians here. Sometimes I feel like I'm alone on the internet, because the only vocal "Christians" seem to be more of the Westboro Baptist variety.

[KetchupSoldier]

We all believe different things.
You think evolution is ridiculous.
I think that is ridiculous.

I think evolution is perfectly legitimate. It makes more sense to me than creationism.

I just believe that God set evolution in motion, not that it happened on its own.

But let's not get into a debate here. You have your beliefs, I have mine. :)

[He@RtAtT@cK]

We all believe different things.
You think evolution is ridiculous.
I think that is ridiculous.

I'm religious, but I don't think evolution didn't or doesn't happen.

I choose faith because of a few of the following:

When I think of matter, or basically just the existence of the universe as we know it - how did it happen? How did "stuff" just start to exist? As far as we know, this "stuff" has always just "existed". Try to think of something that has always existed. When I do that, it sends my brain into an endless loop. I mean, how can something have no beginning? Sure, there are theories on how life began, but life is only one type of existence. Sentient life is a type of existence, sure, but what about everything that's considered non-living? I'm sent into a loop when attempting to imagine how existence happened.

These same ideas and questions can be applied to the idea of God. It's believed that he has just "always been". How, though? It sends my brain into that same endless loop as when I'm trying to think of all scientifically evident matter having no real beginning. I don't think the idea of God or science are all that different from each other. I mean, I believe God exists, but science is real, too. They still both seem completely illogical when looked at in the perspectives I've described. Neither seems more valid to me than the other, but I suppose that's why it's called faith.

In my eyes, it's like this:

Where's the harm in having a little faith? I mean, if I'm wrong then what's the worst that can happen? I'll just die and that's the end of that.

[Cat_Party]

I love our Earth, and this is what I believe:

Evolutionists do believe all life began in the oceans. And the oceans were created by pockets of steam captured under the earths surface from the blistering heat of the sun. They burst out flooding the earth with water, Introducing oxygen and hydrogen to our atmosphere and allowing life to begin. Starting with single celled organisms we evolved into what we are today. Our World has created everything we have, whether its man-made, it was still derived from chemicals the earth has given us, or products we have been given to create them with.


If believing in a higher power helps you sleep at night, and takes your troubles away why not eh? Maybe that's why I'm stressed cause I only have humans to blame for my sorrows, you can say a prayer, ask god for forgiveness, and he'll forgive you and you're happy again. :)

[Amie]

i was raised catholic, but i consider myself agnostic.

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

Heart, a lot of people are religious just for that reason. Because they can think of no other way to explain something, than a mystic power. It's actually pretty ludicrous.
If the colonists had all just equated the deaths from smallpox to God's wrath (which a lot actually did), we would not have the vaccine to it now unless somebody came forth and actually studied it. The Enlightenment created a huge surge in experimentation and the colonists (thanks to ideas from natives) found that if you injected a person with a mild case of the disease, they'd be less likely to die from the disease.
So, it's not really a good idea to just convince yourself that things you don't understand are the products of a god.

But, like Cat_Party said, if believing in a religion comforts you, more power to you.

[Nila]

Its actually spelled Awesome. As in I'm in awe of that, making it awe-some.

fine I spelled it wrong and no its not awe-some she spelled it asome in place of awesome and we all just started saying a-some

[He@RtAtT@cK]

So, it's not really a good idea to just convince yourself that things you don't understand are the products of a god.

But, like Cat_Party said, if believing in a religion comforts you, more power to you.

Ha ha, well I think it may be safe to say that I understand quite a bit, as I've studied science and religions extensively, and believe in both science and an all-powerful-being. I don't choose religion because it simply comforts me - believe me. Of course, that's a small part of it. It goes equally both ways, though - I don't think it's a good idea to default to the thought that everything just "happened" out of nowhere, one random day in a lonely, empty universe. I mean, really, how much sense does that even make?

But hey, to each, their own. :)

[gothictany]

Heart is right. I've read a lot peoples responses here about their faith/religion. And no one is wrong. Why? Because the Beautifull thing about free-will goes in effect.
Even if "I" (personally) don't agree, I won't judge you. And I'm Christian.
If believing in something gives you confort? Then good for you!
If believing in nothing gives you more confort? Then good for you too.
But do an extensive research on every belief so you can make up your own desicion. Please don't be ignorant and cop out on something easy when one hasn't even read the 5 books of Moses. Or the theary of evolution.
Which I did.
You'll know when you've find the right one for you:)

Edit: Guys please don't be judgmental either. It just makes your post look tackless.

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

Ha ha, well I think it may be safe to say that I understand quite a bit, as I've studied science and religions extensively, and believe in both science and an all-powerful-being. I don't choose religion because it simply comforts me - believe me. Of course, that's a small part of it. It goes equally both ways, though - I don't think it's a good idea to default to the thought that everything just "happened" out of nowhere, one random day in a lonely, empty universe. I mean, really, how much sense does that even make?

But hey, to each, their own. :)
Yea, I know that. I wasn't say that to you, per se, but just in general.


Edit: Guys please don't be judgmental either. It just makes your post look tackless.

Me?

[He@RtAtT@cK]

Yea, I know that. I wasn't say that to you, per se, but just in general.

Oh, no it's all good. I was just explaining a bit more on my position and why I'm in that position is all, I don't think you were being judgmental. I think Tany was just giving a general warning so that no conflicts start or anything like that. :)

[LudicrousLouisa]

Atheist.
Believe in evolution.

And not to get in an argument here (which probably is inevitable if this thread continues), but...
that makes a lot more sense to me than some mystic god in a far off land decided to create a man and take one of his ribs and make it into a woman. Then they ate from a evil tree, because a snake/devil talked them into doing it, and now all humans are born with sin...

We all believe different things.
You think evolution is ridiculous.
I think that is ridiculous.

Not to be judgemental, but I agree with Saint.
Being an atheist does match nicely with being gay, but it isn't the same, because even though being gay causes..a lot of anger at religious law/doctrine, I was an atheist before I knew.

Putting aside my views on doctrine/social structure and rules, the truth is I am atheist because I just..literally CAN'T believe in something which I think has no way of existing. You can't actually force yourself to believe (well, that's not proper belief, more brainwashing.) I could theoretically go through all the motions of a religion (pray, go to church, preach etc etc) but not believe in a higher power, which would make it all pointless anyway, so why bother?

That said I try not to get all preachy about people's beliefs, because I'm a person who likes to avoid conflict.

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

I was agnostic before I knew too.
I actually began to question religion when people were shoving it down my throat. That's when I actually started learning about the things I was supposedly believing in (my pet peeve: When people are ignorant of their own religion. Argh!) and I decided it wasn't for me.

[gothictany]

I think Tany was just giving a general warning so that no conflicts start or anything like that. :)Exactly:)
But with talk of religion and politics, there always is unfortunately.

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

I know. And it sucks.
Cause they are both interesting topics. XD

[Cat_Party]

I try not to bring up any conflict..
Religion to me is something I can respect, but I'll never truly understand and "get" cause my mind is too scientific. But I think different cultures, religions, and nationalities are amazing and fascinating. Without all the different beliefs our world would be so bland and boring.

Tany is totally right... no one is wrong in this thread. Except when you tell someone they're wrong :P

[gothictany]

I try not to bring up any conflict..
Religion to me is something I can respect, but I'll never truly understand and "get" cause my mind is too scientific. But I think different cultures, religions, and nationalities are amazing and fascinating. Without all the different beliefs our world would be so bland and boring.

Tany is totally right... no one is wrong in this thread. Except when you tell someone they're wrong :P
Cat, I love you girl!:)

[Cat_Party]

Back at ya ;)

[Chuf_Gun]

im athiest, i used to be agnostic, but then my best friend died aged 13, and i lost any sort of faith, and am now terrified of the idea of life after death. my whole family is athiest apart from my mum who is agnostic... i dont know how she does it :)

[glass__onion]

im athiest, i used to be agnostic, but then my best friend died aged 13, and i lost any sort of faith, and am now terrified of the idea of life after death. my whole family is athiest apart from my mum who is agnostic... i dont know how she does it :)

oh no, im so sorry! *hugs*
i like to think of life after death of more of a release... you're finally free from your body and i think the afterlife will be whatever you want it to be. :)

[JumpyJavaJawa]

I'm a non-denominational Christian. I grew up in a pentocostal church, went to a mennonite church for a while, and a believers fellowship that wasn't as conservative as most other BF's.
I don't hold to a specific doctrine. I sure there can be problems with that, some say "Picking and choosing what you believe" type thing. I believe the bible, that's it. Some doctrines can try to change the bible to what they believe, I don't want to do that. I want to take the bible at face and modern value.

[LudicrousLouisa]

I think I started first having faith doubts when my Aunt died when I was about 5. To be brutally honest I wasn't fond of her, so I didn't quite understand why everyone was so upset. I asked my parents why, when she was obviously going to rise from the dead in three days, like Jesus. They told me it was only Jesus who got to rise from the dead.
in my young mind, i sort of went 'well, that's c**p then!" And I don't think I really was super sure about it ever since then. I also didn't understand why mass had to be so boring, surely God would find the exercise of us sitting in a church every Sunday and doing the same stuff over and over again really boring and pointless? Just a whole bunch of things like that compounded, I'm not sure I could pinpoint when I decided I really didn't believe, I think it was when I first heard of the idea of Atheism, and I mulled it over in my mind a bit.
I mean..I appreciate people want to tell kids about heaven, because it makes it easier to explain death, but I think some of the things I was told (and no one I knew was particularly fundimentalist) were..messed up. I also believe that human morality is entirely separate to religion. It is possible to be motivated by your faith to be a good person, but equally it is possible to only do good works through fear of retribution, as opposed to because you thought that was a good thing to do.
Naturally I can't understand how everything "works" properly, I wouldn't claim to be a professor of evolution or abiogenesis or anything, but in my mind the thought of God is the much more unlikely one.

[Brett]

I'm Wiccan :)

[crafty.rebel]

oh no, im so sorry! *hugs*
i like to think of life after death of more of a release... you're finally free from your body and i think the afterlife will be whatever you want it to be. :)
you make me excited for the afterlife :D

i'm atheist

[CourtneyCouture]

I'm agnostic. I don't really know what I believe, to be honest.

[ButterflyDemise]

you make me excited for the afterlife :D

i'm atheist

haha, I thought I was the only one after reading that XD

Non-religious here~ but I'm very tolerable of religions

[JaeBird]

I am not "religious" but I believe fully in Jesus Christ. I believe 100% in what the bible says but above all else I believe in love (which is what the bible says). I believe that His love is what satisfies my soul, and I believe if one believes in Jesus they must live their lives in love. Before I believed in God (I was an atheist) I was a person of hate and bitterness, and even while believing in God i was filled with hate and bitterness, but once I realized how much He loved me, I am able to love others.

I also believe that the many different denominations can sometimes hinder rather than help. If I believe in Jesus and you believe in Jesus it shouldn't matter what denomination we are from.

But if you wanna classify me....i'd probably fall under the Pentacostal/charismatic Christian category.

also, I respect that others have different beliefs, and can be friends with anyone, but I believe that Jesus is the only way that leads to eternal life. I tend not to "preach" but if the subject of religion comes up I will strongly voice my view :)

[glass__onion]

yay i made people excited for the after life!!! ...which sounds a little weird when you think about it.

im not religious. i don't at all mind people who are, as long as they are tolerant of other religions as well. the whole 'if you don't believe in this you are going to hell' thing really bugs me.

LOL my great-aunt thinks im going to hell... she's never told me that in person though. i would just laugh and say "oh, that's ok. i'll have some great company." :D

[JaeBird]

im not religious. i don't at all mind people who are, as long as they are tolerant of other religions as well. the whole 'if you don't believe in this you are going to hell' thing really bugs me.



when I was an atheist that used to make me so angry, too. I *try* never to make anyone feel like that (though i can see where my previous post might have been taken like that). However, I think theres more to religion and beliefs than where you are going in the end. If you do things or believe something just because of where you will be going in the afterlife, then you've missed the point.

[ChristineOne]

hello.. I'm a Christian(Roman Catholic) and its not a big deal having a variation of religion, what is important is that we are trusting and leaving all our faith in HIM..

[Oggiecat]

Hey, I agree with what a previous poster said--it's good to see that there are so many other christians around online! I am Mennonite (not old order), but I grew up in an area that did not have any AT ALL, so most of my friends growing up were muslim, Greek Orthodox, or Roman Catholic. Since moving, I have found it a lot of fun to learn more about my denomination :)

P.S. I wear makeup, plus my family has TV and drives a car :P Many people confuse any mention of modern Mennonites with Amish or old order mennonites

[Brandy]

I'm catholic

[madonnaontherocks]

I'm a proud member of Cardiganism.

[PinkPK]

I'm a wiccan, battling thoughts of atheism. But being a wiccan now, I don't mind if I become an atheist, which is very confusing, and hard to explain. xD
But. Wiccan. Indeed.

[glass__onion]

I'm a proud member of Cardiganism.

lol i love you donna :D

[Gabby]

im a christian also

[Gabby]

I'm a wiccan, battling thoughts of atheism. But being a wiccan now, I don't mind if I become an atheist, which is very confusing, and hard to explain. xD
But. Wiccan. Indeed.

im actualy not sure what exactly a wiccan is could you explian it?

[namelesswonder]

I am religious. I'm pagan, sometimes refer to myself as a witch. I have essentially constructed my own beliefs based on druidism and Wicca. I grew up Orthodox Christian, but lost faith around the age of 14, and went on a hunt for something that suited me.

[PinkPK]

im actualy not sure what exactly a wiccan is could you explian it?

Ehhh, I'm not very good at explaining, especially since Wicca is so open... But it's a very nature-based religion, with open interpretations about gods/goddesses and the afterlife. A lot of us believe in a Goddesses and God, but we can believe in anything we want; one god/dess, multiple deities, a pantheon(established or not)(Roman, Egyptian, Norse, etc), or anything. /shrug
A lot of us do witchcraft, but we don't have to. So, some wiccans are witches, but not all of them are.
Of course, I'm really bad with explaining...

[namelesswonder]

im actualy not sure what exactly a wiccan is could you explian it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
Google is your friend. Of course, the definition will vary from person to person, but you can at least get an idea.

[Gabby]

Ehhh, I'm not very good at explaining, especially since Wicca is so open... But it's a very nature-based religion, with open interpretations about gods/goddesses and the afterlife. A lot of us believe in a Goddesses and God, but we can believe in anything we want; one god/dess, multiple deities, a pantheon(established or not)(Roman, Egyptian, Norse, etc), or anything. /shrug
A lot of us do witchcraft, but we don't have to. So, some wiccans are witches, but not all of them are.
Of course, I'm really bad with explaining...

ahhh i see, that sound's pretty enteresting i acualy have a friend just like that i suppose she just never used the actualy word wiccan she doesnt do witchcraft at all but she's much into motherearth and praising the earth and goddesses. sorry if i put ya on the spot, i love hearing what people believe in (or dont), i am a christian but i dont realy go to church ive never felt like i have to proove anything to people which is sort of what i see church as. i prey before every single meal and when ever i feel i need to thank or ask god for something and that work's fine for me if god dissaproved i think he'd show me (that seems to be the way my life goes) if i were dishonest or something like that my life usualy takes a turn for the worse sort of like a "what goes around comes around" kind of thing and the same goes for if i do a realy good deed.

[Cat_Party]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62oOrxHuI_0

This song explains my beliefs :P

[anomalie]

I am not religious, but I am spiritual. Earth-based beliefs. Agnostic pseudo-Pagan. I do practise the craft and a few forms of divination occasionally, as well as meditation once in a blue moon. I was raised Roman-Catholic but it didn't feel right for me... I left it around the age of 14 to find something that spoke to me. I was Wiccan briefly as well, but I felt too constrained by the rules within it and the preconceptions that come along with it.

I also do believe in evolution/science... and some things some people would call pseudoscience (nothing too crazy).

I find religion/spirituality very interesting. It's something I want to study more.

im actualy not sure what exactly a wiccan is could you explian it?

The wiki article is pretty through. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca People do take liberities, but then it's not technically Wiccan. It's Pagan with Wiccan influence. But a lot of people don't know that there are other things within Paganism besides Wicca (which was only coined in 1954). Druidism, Shamanism, various forms of mysticism and occultism, neo-Celtic, and other spiritualities that take from old mythology (Egyptian, Greek, Norse, etc) all fall under the umbrella of "Paganism", as does Wicca. :)

[SilaLahes]

I think most people are perhaps not devout members of a church, but still religious. I fully believe that there is a higher power. I believe there is good and there is evil and every existing force falls under one or the other. I am a Latter-Day Saint, more commonly known as a Mormon. I believe in the Bible and the Book Of Mormon :)

[Coffee]

Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine

Also: Jesus don't want me for a sunbeam. Sunbeams aren't made of folks like me.