Religious Views... What's Yours?

[melilley]

me too...

haha same here!

[melilley]

Wow, I didn't know that there were so many religions. I haven't heard of half of what some of you have mentioned on here! I was sort of brought up Christian. My parents were divorced since I was 3 and my father in his later years became religious (around when I was 10 or so), my mom, not at all. My father was a born again christian and took my sis and I to church when we went to his house. I have to say I don't have any good memories from attending the services. There were a few things that went on and things my father would say or tell us and I just never accepted his religion. I'm with CedarCreek. I do believe in God, but at the same time, there are so many questions, I could go on for days! I'm not sure what I would classify myself as, especially after seeing all the different religions/beliefs on this thread.

[safechner]

I believe in GOD but I do not believe any religious. I believe that God only make anyone the same, not different kind of religions. I was catholic that my mother's family are. Honestly, I don't know nothing much about Catholic and I am not interested to learn. That is just me....

[Hazel]

Raised Roman Catholic with 14 years of catholic education under my belt but I am now what is considered Pagan. I believe what I believe, it doesn't follow any one specific organized religion. HOWEVER my beliefs are mine and I have chosen to raise my children with a catholic education. Mainly bc I officially left the church AFTER my 20 year old had already started her education (she was 9) and my ex husband and I had agreed to raise our 10 year old catholic. They both know my choice bc it's more of a lifestyle and doesn't involve going to services or anything. I have 3 altars in our home, one to God, one to Goddess and one to my ancesters. Both my girls help me decorate our altars for the seasons.
This being said, my fiancée is Jewish, so we also celebrate the Jewish holidays in our home! My kids love it, I find learning about his heritage fascinating and its actually ALOT of fun around here!
Also, my DCPs all accept what I am, love that we do things for every holiday (including pagan holidays since they coincide with seasonal changes) and I've never had any complaints! I have a pentacle wreath on my front porch that is also seasonally decorated and Buddah in my garden! No one seems bothered in the least!

[wdmmom]

I was baptized in a Reformed Church. My grandparents were members there for many, many years and both were very devoted Christians.

My father is atheist. He doesn't buy into it. My mother has continued being a non-practicing Christian.

I was forced into attending church with my grandparents. When they didn't go, my mother found other members of the church to pick me up and take me. I was forced into Youth Group, Awanas and Sunday school. I was "kicked out" of Sunday school around the age of 13 because I "asked too many questions" yet no one could give me the answer.

After experiencing that, and experiencing many unimaginable things in my short life and after countless prayers and pleading and begging, only to no avail, I came to the conclusion that it was a waste of time that can't be proven to me in any way, shape or form.

Upon reaching adulthood, I looked into the practicality of religions and God(s). After reading countless articles, I have come to the conclusion that SCIENCE says polar opposite to what religion preaches.

I have had countless friends plead with me to join a church. I've even had ministers come to my door upon moving to town. I simply smile and say, "Did you know Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and many doctors are either atheist or agnostic?" That usually ends the conversation.

[Meeko]

LDS for the last 37 years.

[youretooloud]

I'm a Christian who follows a non Christian/lazy Christian lifestyle. I believe in respecting all other religions and don't feel like others are wrong, and only Christians are right.

I don't understand it when people say "God doesn't make mistakes" when they are talking about Gays. What does that even mean? Are they saying "God made them Gay, and it's not a mistake." ? or "God made them perfect and they chose their own path."? Because saying "God doesn't make mistakes" is very confusing and open to interpretation.

[Starburst]

I don't understand it when people say "God doesn't make mistakes" when they are talking about Gays. What does that even mean? Are they saying "God made them Gay, and it's not a mistake." ? or "God made them perfect and they chose their own path."? Because saying "God doesn't make mistakes" is very confusing and open to interpretation.

Some more concervative religious people usually use that to imply that gay people are falling into sin and that God didn't make them gay they "choose it" (a bit of the free will aspect) because they believe it is unnatural (since sex is used as a means for reproduction they rationalized the instincts of love must be a biological thing in order to procreate)- but actually today I was just doing homework for my anthropolgy class on Bonobos (primates who have the most similar DNA to humans of any animal) and it was talking about their social behaviors that are similar to that of humans because 1- females don't go into heat cycles like most other animals (even some primates) and 2- they have intercourse for both reproduction and pleasure (just like humans). They have also been recording in engaging in intimate activity face-to-face like humans too. They also tend to engage in these activities with opposite sex and same sex partners. Dolphins are also another animal that has sex for both reproduction and pleasure and they also have been found to "swing both ways".

Some of the more liberal religious groups believe that the bible teaches to accept everyone and that it is not your job to judge the sins of others because you have your own sins to worry about. This is more about the god give you the free will thing but also that he gives you challenges and brings certain people into your life to either test your acceptence and tolarence or to teach you about acceptence/tolarence.

There are actually gay christian groups, they say that since homosexuality is only referenced very few times in the bible and some of those passages aren't as littleral as they could be that they will follow the path and teachings of God and Jesus but they do not put too much enpheses on those specific parts but instead focus on being a good person. In my state there is actually a new law that just passed a year ago saying that it is illeagal for churches (or any group for that matter) to try to have "pray the gay away" type of programs/schools to try to "convert" gays into straight.

[frgsonmysox]

Thanks blackcat, I know other Buddhists just not Buddhist child care providers. But oh well! Glad to know you know some .

Honestly for years I said I leaned towards Buddhism and Paganism. I believe 1000 percent in karma and reincarnation. But I also believe in energies, that some would call Gods and Goddesses. I don't believe they are an actual being but more of an energy. I found that neo-druidism spoke the closest to my beliefs.

[Willow]

Because saying "God doesn't make mistakes" is very confusing and open to interpretation.

It all depends on who you're talking to

[youretooloud]

Some more concervative religious people usually use that to imply that gay people are falling into sin and that God didn't make them gay they "choose it" (a bit of the free will aspect) because they believe it is unnatural (since sex is used as a means for reproduction they rationalized the instincts of love must be a biological thing in order to procreate)- but actually today I was just doing homework for my anthropolgy class on Bonobos (primates who have the most similar DNA to humans of any animal) and it was talking about their social behaviors that are similar to that of humans because 1- females don't go into heat cycles like most other animals (even some primates) and 2- they have intercourse for both reproduction and pleasure (just like humans). They have also been recording in engaging in intimate activity face-to-face like humans too. They also tend to engage in these activities with opposite sex and same sex partners. Dolphins are also another animal that has sex for both reproduction and pleasure and they also have been found to "swing both ways".

Some of the more liberal religious groups believe that the bible teaches to accept everyone and that it is not your job to judge the sins of others because you have your own sins to worry about. This is more about the god give you the free will thing but also that he gives you challenges and brings certain people into your life to either test your acceptence and tolarence or to teach your acceptence/tolarence.

There are actually gay christian groups, they say that since homosexuality is only referenced very few times in the bible and some of those passages aren't as littleral as they could be that they will follow the path and teachings of God and Jesus but they do not put too much enpheses on those specific parts but instead focus on being a good person. In my state there is actually a new law that just passed a year ago saying that it is illeagal for churches (or any group for that matter) to try to have "pray the gay away" type of programs/schools to try to "convert" gays into straight.

Thank you.

[WImom]

I dont believe in Organized religion, but I believe, I believe instead of worshipping god on Sundays, he would be really happy to see me spending the day with my family, enjoying life, being a good person.

I feel the same way. I do attend church (lutheran) on occasion and my kids attend sunday school weekly. They go with my mom. She has finally given up trying to make me go, I just don't feel I need to attend and I've always found church very boring. I also don't make my kids go to Sunday school if they don't want to but so far they do most weeks.

[Binkybobo]

Agnostic Atheist.

[CedarCreek]

That's pretty interesting,binky.

Now I'm not sure where I fit though.

[Rachel]

No offense taken, really, just thought Judaism.should be a choice, besides "other":::: But I guess it was moot,.since nobody checked the new Judaism choice anyways.

I just did and I was actually pretty shocked I'm the only one! Anyway, we are Jewish and religious and the daycare is also.