I'm catholic. I actually went to church weekly until I was around 10 and my mom told me I had the choice to go or not, I haven't been back since :D
Printable View
I'm catholic. I actually went to church weekly until I was around 10 and my mom told me I had the choice to go or not, I haven't been back since :D
I'd characterize myself as agnostic.
Yet fairly spiritual nonetheless.
I don't feel militant opposition against those with faith. I like the idea that folks can believe what they want to believe. I don't want others' religious beliefs pressed upon me, my schools or my government, however.
I was raised in a Unitarian fellowship and am a current member in a very liberal, left-leaning, tolerant Presbyterian congregation. I live in the Dallas area, an area that has a higher concentration of Southern Baptist right-wing Christians than nearly any other area of the country.
Fundamental religions of all types scare the liver outta me. Nothing is more terrifying than pious certitude behind a lofty, hypocritical exterior.
I belong to no religian of man I am a Scholar and student of Gods Scriptures...The church has corrupted Gods word by false teachings but that doesnt mean Gods Word aren't true...One day when you die you'll find out..."Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 timothy 2:15
"WHY DO I BOTHER"
"Because it's the truth"
Precisely. But even moderates, in continuing to publish their "holy scriptures", end up promoting fundamentalism in the long run. Sure, it's nice that most believers cherry pick the good parts out of the scriptures and follow those, then ignore all the hateful crap, but they continue to publish the whole book and call it divine, which is just begging future readers to take the whole thing seriously. Moderate religious people, who don't take their scriptures seriously and are perfectly content to disregard anything in them they personally don't like, are setting the stage for fundamentalism among people who are more intellectually honest with their beliefs and do consider their holy scriptures to be truth.Quote:
Originally Posted by birdgirl73
It's even worse when the religious try to indoctrinate children into their belief systems. It is a form of child abuse to teach children who can't yet reason out the metaphysical arguments around God's existence that they must believe a certain faith and if they do not they will be shunned by their families and sent to burn for eternity after they're dead. I feel it is perfectly justified to stop parents from abusing their children with such belief systems. Sure, everybody has the right to believe whatever they want, but nobody has the right to psychologically abuse a child.
Religions are viruses of the mind that require a fresh batch of supple young minds to prey on every generation. Once we stop parents from indoctrinating their children into these irrational superstitions, the viruses will have a much harder time spreading themselves. Ever try to convince a post-pubescent person that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy exist? They don't swallow it up unquestioningly like a four-year-old would.
Are you kidding me? O'hair was batshit crazy/awesome. Congrats :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat
I'm not necessarily anything, I don't know what to believe. I tend to lean towards Athiesm, but there are also traces of Nihilism and Existentialism.
I'm not trancendent in the slightest, so religion doesn't do anything for me. I'm fairly certain, at least in my conviction, that even if there was some kind of god, all human perceptions of it are incorrect.
It seems to me that a person's religious beliefs are primarily based on neurobiological structure, so I'm cool with diversity. It's annoying when people force their beliefs on others, because seriously, people are different. Even if your beliefs wind up being correct, they wont work for everyone.
As for Heaven, I doubt that, at least in the Christian version, we would all have our current states of consciousness. We'd probably just be energy sitting around, or something.. Can't make too good of a guess.
I can't believe it, another Hellenic Pagan. I am a hard follower of the ancient Greek faith, and i'm very happy to see another follower on these forums. Because I have to admit, I really didn't expect it lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by sanguinekane
Quote:
Originally Posted by intrepidus6
This word does not exist !
Dictionary.com Unabridged
san‧guine /ˈsæŋgwɪn/ [sang-gwin]
â??adjective 1. cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident: a sanguine disposition; sanguine expectations.
2. reddish; ruddy: a sanguine complexion.
3. (in old physiology) having blood as the predominating humor and consequently being ruddy-faced, cheerful, etc.
4. bloody; sanguinary.
5. blood-red; red.
6. Heraldry. a reddish-purple tincture.
â??noun 7. a red iron-oxide crayon used in making drawings.
PS I believe in me and thats more than enough as far as I'm concerned.
i'm agnostic.
Haha, we run into each other in the oddest places. Once encountered another believer over the net on a model gaming forum. May the gods guide you to good things.Quote:
Originally Posted by S.P.Q.R.
I don't have a "religion" I have a personal relationship with god. Too much instilling fear, brainwashing, greed and corruption going on with organized religion.
i am a mesh of ideas, philosophies
i believe in God, or an equal supreme being. This God may manifest itself in anything, it could be a God of everything aroun dme, it could be sitting in a throne, but i couldn't tell you.
I think the spiritual realm is inivisble.
I like to study Buddhism, Wicca, Taoism, Christianity, Paganism, Existentialism, Scientology, Astrology...........just about anything, tiny parts of each one are part of what i believe
I couldnt pick one set religion.
I am very spiritual, I believe in impossiblities, the paranormal, parrallel dimensions and self-fulfillment.
I love nature, i believe in its important within our existence. That there must be a connection there, somewhere...
I do pray to God. The God. A God. Goddess. Whatever we are a part of, whartever rules or flows within us all.
I believe happiness and harmony and peace and love are meant to be the best feeling, everyone must acquire a sense of them, or to acquire whatever senses you are here for
drugs are on this earth because they were meant to be. they may be our lost keys.
There may be a heaven, and a hell, because i believe in karma, and if you don't deserve the greatest you will get the worst because there has to be a parallel to everything. there has to be an up and a down, the heat and the cold.
I believe we make our lives to what we believe they should be.
agnostic--believe in some sort of higher power but not necesarilly GOD/JESUS or whatnot...........I think everyone is agnostic to an extent...everyone questions their "god" at some point..........and personally...."god" is just what they sum up their supreme being/power as.....so doesn't that make everyone agnostic? (or am I not making much logical sense?---->muscle relaxers :))
Quote:
Originally Posted by royalHIGHness
Having fun with Flexeril?
;)
(but yeah, that made perfect sense)
I'm Pagan.
im chrisian because i like the knowing that if i just ask for forgiveness i will go to heaven and hang out with all my lost family members.
plus i dont go to church or read the bible, i dont feel like i need that material to be connected with God. PEOPLE connect with God, i dont need priests or a book to tell me what i have to do.
sorry for posting twice
Tibetan Buddhist, Dzogchen, Nyingma lineage. I only beleive in what I can experience myself.
MelT
I believe everyone who is religious is so for one of these reason's.
1.Thats all they know and were hard wired with it as a child, were never given a choice.
2. Weak minded...can't accept the unknown.
3. Traumatic experience...had no one to turn to expect "God"
I think most religions are good though....if it makes you a good person and satisfies your needs go for it. Personally I see it as a waste of time and $$. I have hardcore science and fact based beliefs. When ever I have a discussion like this im almost always attacked and told im going to hell by the religious person and I always say to each their own, live and let live.
More death and terrible things have occurred due to organized religions(and you think the Nazi's were bad)....it has always been that way and always will continue to. If you were given the choice and left to think freely I think more people would believe in Bigfoot and ghosts than any concept of "God".
I don't discredit the possibility of some sort of supreme being('s) though, more like the concept of Q in star trek though.
I agree with you to some extent Cyclonite. The thing that drew me to Buddhism was that it isn't a religion and it doesn't claim to be able to cure the world's ills and nor do we worship anyone. Buddha encapsulated I think the only approach you can have to any religion or belief - prove it to yourself rather than taking someone else's word for it.
[align=center]Do not believe in anything simply because
you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions simply because
they have been handed down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything simply because
it is spoken and rumoured by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because
it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority
of your teachers and elders.
But when, after observation and analysis,
you find anything that agrees with reason,
and is conducive to the good and benefit
of one and all,
then accept it and live up to it.
-- The Buddha's Kalama Sutra[/align]
This applied to even his own teachings. I can live with a philosophy like that.
MelT