Let’s Talk Religion

[ke101544]

So everyone has an opinion about religion, of course starting with, “is there a god?” The real fact is that all religions go on faith, and no fact. Don’t get me wrong, I am a believer, but I don’t claim a church- I’m nondenominational, and haven’t been to church in years. I find most of them hypocritical, so I do my own believing and studying at home. Many people, like myself, have always been a bit skeptical about the different religions, how they are formed, and why there isn’t just one if we are all worshiping the same God, or gods. So tell me what you think, but keep it civil…
Do you believe in a higher being?
Do you claim a church or religion?
Do you think your beliefs are superior to others?
Keep the questions coming.. I’ll keep tabs on this and answer to the best of my being.
Thanks, Krisie

[butimnottired]

oooh, see, now this i can talk in....30 posts....whatever...haha.

my faith and religious views have taken an interesting leap over the past 6 months to a year.  i grew up "in church" and believing in the Bible and God and Jesus.
I still do very much believe in God and Jesus Christ as my Lord King and Savior.  However, I no longer "attend" church to say, in a building.  The Bible calls followers of Christ "the church".  I find myself in an interesting place in life now.  I have no problem with the way others choose to live their lives.  I do believe with all my heart that what I believe to be true, is in fact true.  The reason I feel this way is because it is so much beyond book knowledge and it is a life experience with Jesus Christ, my God.  I do 100% believe the Bible, and Jesus said He is the only way to the Father, so this is what I have found to be true.
I love Jesus and I do my best to serve Him daily, to spend time with Him and learn more of what He desires of me.  I seek fellowship with other believers, but have been looking more towards a non-religious approach.

Well I hope to expand more on some of this, comment or question....

[cynybiny68]

I grew up Catholic, always going to church every Sunday no matter what.  After I was on my own I still went to church.  When I got married, we went together.  We found another church, Non denominational, and started going there.  I liked it a first, but it seemed that if you didn't put all your time into it and donated a substantial amount of money, you weren't really a good member.  I stopped going to church for a while.  Then when I went back to the Catholic church I found Jesus again and I am still going now.  I don't always read my bible like I should, but I do beleive that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  He died for my sins, just like he died for everyone else's sins.  I love learning new things about him every day. 

[Tje73]

Also, grew up Catholic.  Not that into it anymore.

[Freeman352]

I have been going to a unitarian universalist church since the beginning of the year. I think Im starting to slowly lean more towards christianity, I have had my reservations about it, but Im starting to think, at the very least it teaches good morals & values and is not a bad way of life. When I was a kid, my parents were the type of people that would do whatever the hell they wanted to 99% of the time, and then once in awhile decide we had to go to church 3x a week and be perfect christians,baptists,whatever. It would always last about 2-3 weeks & then back to normal lmao.

[lightstar240]

I can see this topic turning into a flame war fast on any other website. But here, maybe we're mature enough to keep that from happening.

I've been going to a Nazarene church for......I don't know, probably my whole life.  My entire family has been doing the same thing for generations.  But we don't go because of that. Rather, we go because it's right. Although, we don't really think of it as a religion. It's really a way of life for us. And not a bad one, either.

I find most of them hypocritical, so I do my own believing and studying at home.

Not judging you, just curious. What exactly do you mean?

[aspenl]

I do believe in God, and I do go to church regularly.  But I will say that even though I believe my religion to be true, that I do not view myself above others, because I know I am extremely far from perfect.  I love to study other religions christian or not, and while I study other religions it verifies that what I believe is true.  I think all religions except those deliberately worshiping the devil or idols actually believe in the same God not different ones.  I find many similarities between other religions and my own...not only christian religions, but muslim, jewish, and buddhist as well.  I try not to judge people for their religion because we all are trying our best, what more can you ask?

[vlsm23]

Do you believe in a higher being?  This question is why I claim agnostic and not atheist.  I definitely do not believe in a god, budda, spirit, entity, etc. because there are over 1000 religions/beliefs/ideas all claiming their way.  But maybe there is an non-dominational higher being.     

Do you claim a church or religion? Umm...no, obvious from prior answer...

Do you think your beliefs are superior to others?  Honestly this question is the reason I despise religion.  No one should be able to claim their beliefs or opinions superior to others.  In that aspect I think religion makes people selfish, close-minded and arrogant.  Sorry, I am not trying to offend, but the question was asked.  It drives me crazy when people judge me because I am not religious or pry into my reasoning and try to convert me to their beliefs.
 

[xkrystlex]

i was brought up catholic....had to go to catholic classes on wednesdaynight after school, then go to church on sunday....until i was an adult..i am a strong believer in jesus christ and his works..however, i am not a strict catholic....i dont think i liked all too well how strict of a catholic my family tried to make me be....i no longer go to church, but i try to remember to pray nightly...and talk to God often. I have all of the catholic beliefs still, i just dont see the need to be so completely strict about it...no one is allowed to judge me but God, and we have a good relationship even though i dont regularly go to church

[ke101544]

I find most of them hypocritical, so I do my own believing and studying at home.

Not judging you, just curious. What exactly do you mean?
[/quote]

no not at all ask all the questions you want.

1. God doesnt want anything from us, yet some churches REQUIRE you to tithe 10%. i think you should be able to donate what you feel comfortable with
2. i went to a church for a while where the preacher was teaching "no relationships with humans, jsut with jesus.." he was my best girls boyfriend...
3. catholics (no offense my brother is catholic) go to confession, holding a priest in a higher sence that a normal man, yet the bible says everyone is equal
4. each church says something different, from small things, to the name of the Gods..

several other reason but thats to list a few
churches just cant get all on one page
but i suppose thats why we all get to choose our own ways

[ke101544]

Do you think your beliefs are superior to others?  Honestly this question is the reason I despise religion.  No one should be able to claim their beliefs or opinions superior to others.  In that aspect I think religion makes people selfish, close-minded and arrogant.  Sorry, I am not trying to offend, but the question was asked.  It drives me crazy when people judge me because I am not religious or pry into my reasoning and try to convert me to their beliefs.
 

great point. i think thats my main problem with a committed religion. if we are all worshiping the same god, why arent we all equal?


side note
i went to a private baptist school for 9 years...
you can imagine how thrilled my parents are that i dont attened church

[liljp617]

Do you believe in a higher being?  This question is why I claim agnostic and not atheist.  I definitely do not believe in a god, budda, spirit, entity, etc. because there are over 1000 religions/beliefs/ideas all claiming their way.  But maybe there is an non-dominational higher being.

Atheism is the lack of belief in god(s)/supernatural entities, not necessarily the belief or claim that there are no god(s).  

Theism - Belief in god(s)

The "a-" prefix connotes "without, lack of, non-, etc."

Atheism - Lack of belief in god(s)

[Note: Not trying to be condescending, I'm sure it's relatively easy for you to understand, it's just that many people seem to use the less common definition of atheism and the one most atheists do not live under when talking about it]

It would appear you're as much an atheist as anyone based on what you just said about not believing in a supernatural entity (that is the precise definition of atheism).  Unless you're saying you don't believe in any of the suggestions put forward by man, and that you believe there is something that hasn't been claimed yet by any religion.  That would still make you an atheist in a way, however, given that you've just said you don't believe in a "god, buddha, spirit, etc."  If you lack belief in any god(s), you're an atheist in that respect, regardless of what you do believe.

Agnosticism is the recognition that we currently cannot, and in the view of many agnostics, will never be able to prove/disprove the existence/nonexistence of god(s), supernatural entities, etc.  It is a position of uncertainty, not a position of belief.  Thus making any sane, rational person an agnostic, usually in addition to atheist or theist (agnostic atheist / agnostic theist are the two categories the vast majority fall into, even though they rarely self-proclaim this position).

yet the bible says everyone is equal

It would be a much better book to live by if it said or exemplified such a noble idea.

[luvh8tragedy87]

I was also raised Catholic but I haven't been to mass in about 7 years. I don't agree with everything the Catholic church stands for. I also live in Utah so the LDS church is very big here and stuff that happens within the church is usually on the front page. I believe in God but I don't associate myself with any religon.

[butimnottired]

i would like to suggest to anyone interested, to read the book of acts in the bible.  the early church, the original followers of Christ, was not that similar to today's church.  i don't have a problem with people who choose to attend a church congregation, but when it is not their choice as much as a duty or religious obligation, i think we have come away from the truth of the bible.  in the early church, people met in much smaller settings and everyone was free to bring their thoughts with them - not just sit down and listen to one "inspired" person.  God can speak to you or i or any person just the same, whether or not you hold a title or pastoral occupation. 
i do agree with those saying that today's church has created a lot of rituals, and religious regulations- my husband and i don't attend a church building, we pray together, read the bible, edify each other, and whenever the situation allows we do this with other believers as well.

but for those who feel the church is hypocritical, i would just encourage you to think of God moreso than people- God is not hypocritical, and the true church, God's people, the body of Christ, though imperfect will be showing true signs of living for Him, not for themselves.  seek out God's truth, don't base your own lifestyles or actions on others behaviors, you can only be responsible for yourself. 

i don't have all the answers by any means, but i seek to learn God's truth from the word which He has given us, Jesus is the perfect example for us, read about His life, that is how we are supposed to live as well.  Hope this encourages someone, if any of it seems negative, that wasn't my intention. not sure how others will read it though

[dreamyxo]

Do you believe in a higher being? Yes
Do you claim a church or religion? No
Do you think your beliefs are superior to others? No.  Who am I to say someone else's beliefs are wrong.  And I hate people who do.  Know one really knows the truth they just hope that in the end they are right.