I feel so free...

[EbelEyes]

I feel so incredibly free after breaking ties with theism. Theism, in my case, was Jesus. Life feels so much better without him. One day I came to the conclusion that he wasn't anything I'd ever serve. Nice to not have some fear of god anymore. But hey, he never really gave me a reason to fear him in the first place.

[albertwalker]

well god or jesus is noone to fear. and i feel its better to want something to look forward to when you dont have a human body anymore. i mean he promises anything you want gold roads, fruit, anything you want when the time comes. but if you dont feel like you want to then, um,.,. have fun with that!!

[40oz]

well god or jesus is noone to fear. with that!!

well according to the bible this statement is not true.

And if you like to think you will get your eternal reward for a restricted life after you die....have fun with that too.

[Ghengis Chron]

Well, I'm just a college student right now, and I don't pretend to know everything about religion. I'm in a Religions of the World course this semester and have learned a lot.

From what I understand, to my current knowledge, I tend to find that all religions say two distinct things to people. People are easily manipulated, and How to be a "Good Person".

It seems people like to belong, to feel safe, I guess you could say. They feel like they have to have the answers to everything to feel a sense of security. So they pick an ideology or religion and think their problems are solved.

I wasn't raised by any religion, but I feel like I am a good person. I don't hate anyone, I don't harm something/someone for any reason, I believe in peace and mindfulness.

I don't pretend like I know everything, I admit i'm still learning about life, and am very thankful I was given to oppurtunity to attend college. I've learned so many things so far and have begun to formulate my own ideals, which, ultimately, everyone should have that option provided to them.

I've begun to think, attaching your mind to a single ideal is not healthy for one's intellectual growth. It is impossible to know "everything", the minute you commit yourself to a single ideology or train of thought, you narrow any sort of intellectual growth potential. That's not to say you won't learn, but in my opinion, you don't learn as much, you put on a pair of glasses that narrow your viewpoint of life.

However, having not grown up and never been a religious person, in terms of current western culture, my opinions only hold so much weight when talking about such issues. Maybe I'll start a thread similar to this one at the end of the semester and see how far i've come intellectually on this matter.

[Barney Trouble]

I never realized how dumb the world actually is until i stopped believing fairy tales...

[Acouwaila]

yeah, I wasn't raised religous at all, though my parents would tell me I was baptist when I'd ask. I was always scared the subject would come up at school or somewhere and Id have no answer.

Religions are just a clothing company. Just another idea to make someone feel comfortable going about life. What are they anyway? Some formula of opinions and theories passed on for several years? The minute people began to develop different religions, is the same minute this world started having conflict. Well not exactly. The minute was also when people started having FAITH that everyone is an individual because they've got their own brain, and everyone had FAITH that personal possessions are a real thing. There is no religion which can save you from all your troubles. People just forgot what we were walking around on, and in, along long time ago.

[beachguy in thongs]

To me, religion class was another medium for my friends and I to find entertainment. It was a way for me to meet other people, outside of sports. It was about being with people.

And, now, I'm confirmed. It was a long effort that I didn't even notice because we entertained ourselves. My parents don't go to church, unless it's with their grandkids. My Brother is trying to instill religion into his kids because it adds another facet to their lives.

I guess, you'd have to be willing to get in trouble to make it fun.

[Hardcore Newbie]

The minute was also when people started having FAITH that everyone is an individual because they've got their own brain, and everyone had FAITH that personal possessions are a real thing. There is no religion which can save you from all your troubles. People just forgot what we were walking around on, and in, along long time ago.

You mean that we have evidence we're separate beings, with separate bodies, separate minds and separate thoughts. If we aren't individuals, why am I disagreeing with you?