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What Religion are You?
I AM HINDU
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[mod-edit]007: titlefix + could you please turn off caps lock?[/mod-edit]
MUSLIM!!
MUSLIM!!!!!!!!
Roman Catholic...but not in very good standing
Iam HINDU and a pure dravidian as same as you mega star.. but not from andra... Iam from kerala...
Am a Christian!
Protestant 4 life 
My Labels:
- CHRISTIAN---->CATHOLIC---->AMERICAN---->TIGER---->CRUSADER---->DAIGLE
Im CHRISTIAN!
Christian, I belong to the Catholic Church.
Well if we go by what I put on the last Australian census..
I Am Jedi
I Am Jedi
dont have one
lol jedi like that one. to me religion is spirituality, or in my view beleaving in ones self, does it have a name I am sure it does in many circles. Do i feel there is a higher spirit, of course I havent come across many in my life that dont. No i am not a preacher lol just a guy who thinks that putting a lable on religion is only away we as humans have to sperate each other. When in reality all is a basic beleave of a greater good.
I'm an instituted Acolyte of the Catholic Church, and a worship leader with the Charismatic Baptist, Evangelical and Conservative Protestant Churches. If anyone needs a short answer I'm a Charismatic Christian.
i'm a baptized roman catholic. but honestly, i do not know what i am now. i'm not really that concerned into fitting myself into a clique or label- religious or not. All I care about is that i believe there is a supernatural entity. that is all there is to it. simple.
I'm Catholic by baptism and birth, however I disagree with a lot of tenets of the Catholic church, so I prefer to see myself as a Christian, in the more general sense.
I am Hindu.
But the main concept behind religion is what u feel from inside and what you feel towards others.
Our main motto is "Live and Let Live".
But the main concept behind religion is what u feel from inside and what you feel towards others.
Our main motto is "Live and Let Live".
I'm a HINDU but I really don have any hard feelings for religion and caste. I respect ppl as individuals and except others to reciprocate in a similar way.
I am Buddhism.
It's a bit complex but here goes: I'm an eclectic, Irish-Celtic based Neopagan/Shaman Pantheist. Yeah, that's about as exact as it gets. For those that have english as a second language or even first) and not familiar with the word Pantheism which is where Pantheist comes from Merriam-Webster defines it thus:
Both of those definitions apply, though I don't be confused by the reference to the Roman Empire.
Geez, I think I have the longest reply concerning what my religion is even without the definition.
| Quote: |
| Main Entry: pan·the·ism
Pronunciation: 'pan(t)-thE-"i-z&m Function: noun Etymology: French panthéisme, from panthéiste pantheist, from English pantheist, from pan- + Greek theos god 1 : a doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe 2 : the worship of all gods of different creeds, cults, or peoples indifferently; also : toleration of worship of all gods (as at certain periods of the Roman empire) |
Geez, I think I have the longest reply concerning what my religion is even without the definition.
I'm amazed that I'm the first person saying 'Atheist'.
Although as ever, absolute labels don't quite fit. I'd normally describe myself as an intensely cynical agnostic, or possibly a reasonable atheist.
I don't believe in god, as I have never been given the slightest reason to. But who knows what can happen in the future? Perhaps one day I'll come across a reason. I'll be intensely cynical of it, question every angle of it, and try to find other explanations. But just maybe I won't find any.
Until then, atheist.
Although as ever, absolute labels don't quite fit. I'd normally describe myself as an intensely cynical agnostic, or possibly a reasonable atheist.
I don't believe in god, as I have never been given the slightest reason to. But who knows what can happen in the future? Perhaps one day I'll come across a reason. I'll be intensely cynical of it, question every angle of it, and try to find other explanations. But just maybe I won't find any.
Until then, atheist.
I was raised Catholic by my father, but my mother took me to Christian church a couple of times as a kid, but we are all YORUBA (Santeria). And i do love my religion.
We dont have a bible per se, and we are not told too much about heaven and hell, we believe more in something like re-encarnation.
We dont have a bible per se, and we are not told too much about heaven and hell, we believe more in something like re-encarnation.
I worship the divinity of me.
I'm enough of a universe of profound and trivial to fufill my faith. For when I sense or learn anything, it ultimately starts and ends within.
I spend every day seeking food, water, input, shelter, and security for me. How could any God do anything more then be a intermediate between me and myself?
He couldn't! If I did worship him, it would just so he could give me something I couldn't get...for ME. I can get everything I want or need, so his purpose is sadly moot.
I laugh and mock the God(s)(ess), for they will know me as me!
I'm enough of a universe of profound and trivial to fufill my faith. For when I sense or learn anything, it ultimately starts and ends within.
I spend every day seeking food, water, input, shelter, and security for me. How could any God do anything more then be a intermediate between me and myself?
He couldn't! If I did worship him, it would just so he could give me something I couldn't get...for ME. I can get everything I want or need, so his purpose is sadly moot.
I laugh and mock the God(s)(ess), for they will know me as me!
I am Buddhist. I belongs to Buddha's ethnic ie. Aryan. I am atheist like most buddhists.
| megastar wrote: |
| I AM HINDU |
I am a Christian and I am proud to be one.
it writes muslim but l can say l m a bad muslim....
100% Muslim.
You?
You?
Christian -> Protestant -> Lutheran ->WELS (soon to be LC-MS)
I don't much like the conservative Christians, but that's what I was born into. :sigh:
I don't much like the conservative Christians, but that's what I was born into. :sigh:
Christian...but was raised catholic...didn't agree with lots of things there...so now consider myself Christian
Christian, protestant.
I'm catholic CHRISTIAN. I know that people forced me into it though... I'm from Lithuania. (EUROPE)
| dwcnps wrote: |
| I LOVE GOD!!! |
I like this one. This is my religion too. I'm a Zen/Taoist/Druidic/Nagualist/Lamaist/Hindu/Christian/Jew.
I don't have a religion, I believe in God... 
Lots of people seem to be confused. Remember, Catholicism is part of Christianity. All Christianity is somehow derrived or traced back to the Catholic Church.
Christianity
^^^
Roman Catholic
^^^
Catholic (aka Orthodox) Same beliefs as Catholic Church, without Pope.
^^^
Protestant (some 300 different Churches)
Christianity
^^^
Roman Catholic
^^^
Catholic (aka Orthodox) Same beliefs as Catholic Church, without Pope.
^^^
Protestant (some 300 different Churches)
Roman Catholic
Zen Buddhism
Moslem.. I'll keep it never changed, Moslem for enitre of my life. Moslem I'm proud of it. The Real Pure Moslem
I'm proud of it. The Real Pure MoslemBorderline christian(Jesus is my savior, but I disagree with almost all of the old testiment(and a fair amount of the new))
My religion is simple:
The Golden rule:
Do Onto others as you would have them do onto you
As for others, as long as you dont hurt anyone or impose your belifes on anyone...whatever you want to believe is fine by me.
Lets stop worrying about the specifics of our religions and just agree to disagree.
The Golden rule:
Do Onto others as you would have them do onto you
As for others, as long as you dont hurt anyone or impose your belifes on anyone...whatever you want to believe is fine by me.
Lets stop worrying about the specifics of our religions and just agree to disagree.
Personally I guess you could call me a Zen Druid (though I have only started on my spiritual path) My patroness is the Goddess Brighid, Goddess of Bardcraft, Smithcraft and Healing.
Athiest, but not anti-spirituality.
i dont belive in a thing called God, but i dont rule out a higher power.
i dont belive in fate, or faith, or prayer. I belive in science, and mathematics. I belive in the big-bang theory. They bible on the other hand, is a great peice of literature, and i do not deny its authenticity from its ancient day, but i do deny certain aspects of it. I belive in spirits, and i belive in the subconcious that guides us at times, even if we do not wish to be guided. Sometimes something feels right, but i do not think its because of a higher power calling you upon it, i think its a subconcious decision towards something with potential. I belive in the earth, and a chance for life outside of this earth, because if theres one, thers gotta be another with the same/similar habitual features. I believe soaly in inner peace, meditation, intraspection + retrospection to calm the mind and consume + learn from past and unthought about events. Great ideas are sprung from the people who take the time to look into themselves and find the logic in whatever they are looking for. Most people don't really find themselves, so they have someone (God) else do it for them, but really its just them focusing on something else, but with just as much passion. I belive what i can see, and i cannot see your God, but i presume you cannot see my spirits, but my spirits dont run everything around me.. science does.
i dont belive in a thing called God, but i dont rule out a higher power.
i dont belive in fate, or faith, or prayer. I belive in science, and mathematics. I belive in the big-bang theory. They bible on the other hand, is a great peice of literature, and i do not deny its authenticity from its ancient day, but i do deny certain aspects of it. I belive in spirits, and i belive in the subconcious that guides us at times, even if we do not wish to be guided. Sometimes something feels right, but i do not think its because of a higher power calling you upon it, i think its a subconcious decision towards something with potential. I belive in the earth, and a chance for life outside of this earth, because if theres one, thers gotta be another with the same/similar habitual features. I believe soaly in inner peace, meditation, intraspection + retrospection to calm the mind and consume + learn from past and unthought about events. Great ideas are sprung from the people who take the time to look into themselves and find the logic in whatever they are looking for. Most people don't really find themselves, so they have someone (God) else do it for them, but really its just them focusing on something else, but with just as much passion. I belive what i can see, and i cannot see your God, but i presume you cannot see my spirits, but my spirits dont run everything around me.. science does.
I'm proud to be a CHRISTIAN! I'm from Roman Catholic Church, the first and original church founded by Jesus-Christ and Saint Peter as the first pope! I'm proud of it! Da Vinci Code?! No way!
I consider myself as "None religiors"
I don't bind myself to a religion, I'm free to belive anything i ever want.
I'm smart enogth to make my own belives and views on my life and the world.. I don't need a religion to define what to belive and trust.
I don't bind myself to a religion, I'm free to belive anything i ever want.
I'm smart enogth to make my own belives and views on my life and the world.. I don't need a religion to define what to belive and trust.
I am a Roman Catholic. I believe in what the church says and actually, although having some doubts, I have faith on this religion.
(I figure this is a good a place as any to start posting.)
People generally call me "atheist", which I don't think is really true. Do I believe we were created by some entity ("God")? No. I believe it's the other way 'round, which is probably why I'm labelled "atheist": we are the ones who've invented "God", by creating a non-corporeal entity (a concept if you will) and attributing to it different capabilities.
Now, do I think "God" is real? Yes. Anything that has the ability to affect anything else is, in some way, real. But I don't think "God" is all-powerful (obviously). "God" has power to the extent that we grant "it" power, and can affect us to the extent that we allow "it". However, "God" cannot act on it's own, but only through us.
I think there's a lot of good in religion though. Religion is a way of creating a framework for life, a way of arranging the information we recieve from the world around us. These frameworks are how we interact with, an essentially create, our world.
Everyone lives in the same world, but they view it differently. Asking how the world was "created" is to apply a human concept in a non-human world. We can ask how our world was created, and describe it in terms of sociology, psychology, physics, systems theory, economy. But these disciplines can only explain how their respective worlds was created.
The World (i.e. the all-encompassing, not just "our", world) is, and has always been, and lacks value and reason. But to say this is not to diminish the importance of value, reasons, meanings, it is just to point out that what is valid in one framework (or "reality tunnel" to use Timothy Leary's words) is not necessarily valid in another.
Long way of saying that I believe we all create our own reality, but that every individual reality is firmly, and by necessity, rooted in the World - a reality which we are incapable of observing "as-is".
People generally call me "atheist", which I don't think is really true. Do I believe we were created by some entity ("God")? No. I believe it's the other way 'round, which is probably why I'm labelled "atheist": we are the ones who've invented "God", by creating a non-corporeal entity (a concept if you will) and attributing to it different capabilities.
Now, do I think "God" is real? Yes. Anything that has the ability to affect anything else is, in some way, real. But I don't think "God" is all-powerful (obviously). "God" has power to the extent that we grant "it" power, and can affect us to the extent that we allow "it". However, "God" cannot act on it's own, but only through us.
I think there's a lot of good in religion though. Religion is a way of creating a framework for life, a way of arranging the information we recieve from the world around us. These frameworks are how we interact with, an essentially create, our world.
Everyone lives in the same world, but they view it differently. Asking how the world was "created" is to apply a human concept in a non-human world. We can ask how our world was created, and describe it in terms of sociology, psychology, physics, systems theory, economy. But these disciplines can only explain how their respective worlds was created.
The World (i.e. the all-encompassing, not just "our", world) is, and has always been, and lacks value and reason. But to say this is not to diminish the importance of value, reasons, meanings, it is just to point out that what is valid in one framework (or "reality tunnel" to use Timothy Leary's words) is not necessarily valid in another.
Long way of saying that I believe we all create our own reality, but that every individual reality is firmly, and by necessity, rooted in the World - a reality which we are incapable of observing "as-is".
I'm atheist
I respect people who believe in god, but I hate all monotheist religions.
I respect people who believe in god, but I hate all monotheist religions.
cant really pin it down to one but I am a pantheist as someone else said earlier, so I celebrate the forces of nature and read about various gods and godesses, it just fits best with the way I see the world, and I am open minded and respectful of anyone elses beliefs as long as they do likewise.
I'm an atheist. I only believe in myself.
Still, I respect people who have their own beliefs and usually avoid getting on the subject, because someone might take offense for some of my thoughts.
But if I'm allowed to state them, I think men invented superior being(s) (A.K.A. Gods) to try to find explanations to things they couldn't understand completely and to try to set some rules to what was acceptable or not in their society, claiming that the almighty creator(s) would punish those who ventured out of the "right path" and rewards those who stay in it and abide by his/her/their words.
Still, I respect people who have their own beliefs and usually avoid getting on the subject, because someone might take offense for some of my thoughts.
But if I'm allowed to state them, I think men invented superior being(s) (A.K.A. Gods) to try to find explanations to things they couldn't understand completely and to try to set some rules to what was acceptable or not in their society, claiming that the almighty creator(s) would punish those who ventured out of the "right path" and rewards those who stay in it and abide by his/her/their words.
I'm Catholic, not very good at it though, I love god and I couldn't live without him, but I think some people of my religion are misunderstanding him.
| Nikkori wrote: |
| I'm proud to be a CHRISTIAN! I'm from Roman Catholic Church, the first and original church founded by Jesus-Christ and Saint Peter as the first pope! I'm proud of it! Da Vinci Code?! No way! |
doesn't the Bible say something about being proud?
| a_dubDesign wrote: | ||
doesn't the Bible say something about being proud? |
It's "excessive pride." Surely you must be proud of yourselves in things you do and things you accomplish. You must be proud of your faith in God. It's when you become too proud and put yourself before God, that's when the deadly sins start.
i am what u call a "spiritual minimalist", rely on the principal of "less is more"; less distraction, less cynicism, less entertainment, less pleasure seeking for its own sake, less indiscriminate consumption of information and fantasy [with the exception of a good orson scott card or octavia butler book], and more inner silence, more concentration upon our own nature and being, more unmediated sharing of one another's simple human presence, more development of our innate human qualities of friendship, nurturing, awareness, sensitivity, humbleness, and awe of Absolute Being.
I am not really anything,
I am in a limbo between atheism and agnosticism (sp?)
speaking of religion though, I saw a really funny movie with Stephen Colbert "roasting" president bush...I thought it was funny!!
(here is the link to the movie: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879)
anyway, in that video colbert says:
"he is a supporter of all religions there are infinite ways of accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior"
though that isnt true of all christians...it is for some...
Giulio
I am in a limbo between atheism and agnosticism (sp?)
speaking of religion though, I saw a really funny movie with Stephen Colbert "roasting" president bush...I thought it was funny!!
(here is the link to the movie: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879)
anyway, in that video colbert says:
"he is a supporter of all religions there are infinite ways of accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior"
though that isnt true of all christians...it is for some...
Giulio
nature.
just amazing to feel the "force" from streams, trees, etc and I am not even a hippy LOL
I am not much into statues and chuches that beg/expect money esp those saying you are suppose to present 10% of your net
church, especially RC has TOO much money (for something that is not suppose to believe in phyical wealth?) and too many assets and too many child molestations... something wrong there....
just amazing to feel the "force" from streams, trees, etc and I am not even a hippy LOL
I am not much into statues and chuches that beg/expect money esp those saying you are suppose to present 10% of your net
church, especially RC has TOO much money (for something that is not suppose to believe in phyical wealth?) and too many assets and too many child molestations... something wrong there....
MUSLIM FTW.
Last edited by Ratman2050 on Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
Last edited by Ratman2050 on Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
I m Muslim , for me humanity is more than any thing else
I m Human first than Sindhi than Muslim
I m Human first than Sindhi than Muslim
WOW, it seems I'm the first one too say that I'm a very religous Jew!!!
(I'm Jewish)!
(I'm Jewish)!
I am a Christian and believe that Christ died for my sins and that He will return to bring us all home someday.
I'm a Roman Catholic.
I don't beleive in any relgions.
But i did go to a catholic school and i always wanted to be baptized when i was a kid because everyone else was but now that im older i realized that thats what i didn't want. But all my friends are christians mostly anyways and they are just normal people.
But i did go to a catholic school and i always wanted to be baptized when i was a kid because everyone else was but now that im older i realized that thats what i didn't want. But all my friends are christians mostly anyways and they are just normal people.
i don't really claim anything, but the one that fits the best is mahayana (vajrayana) Buddhism. Though I think there is something to learn from every belief system. NB Catholicism has always fascinated me
I'm a practising Muslim... will always be
I am a HINDU and I am very proud and I love my religion
I don't classifiy myself as part of a religion.
I used to be Catholic, i still techinically am.
The religion I can relate to most, is buddhism, for the simple fact that instead of restricting life, buddhism allows you to better yourself, thus allowing you to life all of life.
But then again, I don't know much of Buddhism.
I used to be Catholic, i still techinically am.
The religion I can relate to most, is buddhism, for the simple fact that instead of restricting life, buddhism allows you to better yourself, thus allowing you to life all of life.
But then again, I don't know much of Buddhism.
Topic "stickyfied".
I dont know if I can name it religion. It's a personnal meltpot of differents culture. I mixed a part of Sorcerer's philosopy and believes (that the Christian part;-), a part of Bouddhidm, a part of Shaman's practices and believes with vegetals life. And around all of that that's my personnal crazyness;-)
And I dont see a point of this post !!!!
Being a athiest
Being a athiest
I'm a Druid
| nerdmaster128 wrote: |
| I'm Catholic by baptism and birth, however I disagree with a lot of tenets of the Catholic church, so I prefer to see myself as a Christian, in the more general sense. |
The difference is that later I became Agnostic. I'm not sure about a lot of things, and prefer to let this question without an answer.
Sanguinus Spiritus..... well a semi practicing member of this religion of sorts...... 
I am pagan... Or more correctly a eclectic, neopagan pantheist.
I'm a proud JEW
I am my own damn god. Ha ha ha ha ha .... (I am not deranged - just happens to match some Modest Mouse lyrics) IT feels good to be the god of your own world - it is a bit of a sanity check - when bad things happen, you can no longer say things like "god's will".
I was forced to be raised Roman Catholic, but when I got older, I asked my Priest to help me understand some things. We both sat in his office talking about the old testament and God and geesus. We shared cigarettes while sipping iced tean and spoke for a couple hours. Ridiculous answers to questions like "If women are more sensitive as mothers, wouldn't they make better Priests? Why can't women become priests?" (answer: because they have a period every month... not because it would mess up the cassic alb - white robe, but becuase they were DIRTY FILTHY creatures that were not worthy to SERVE GOD.) The one question that nailed it for me (ignore the pun) was why there needed to be a sacrifice in order to open the gates of heaven... he couldn't answer that, I stressed that God was supposedly almighty. He kept stating that I needed Faith - like some thomas guy... Faith is blind and counter-observative in nature... ignore what you see and feel, and just believe THIS!
The Priest tried his best to answer my questions and keep me in the circle of faith, but it was over for me -- free will prevailed. I haven't felt that free since graduating high school! I was no longer told what to believe. He admitted that he didn't have to think that hard since seminary school (which was some 40 years prior). I was amazed that nobody asked questions like that.... it really says something about the blind faith and power that they have over their sheep.
BTW, I was an altar boy for about 15 years - the priest never tried to touch me in inappropriate places. I enjoyed my service at the time.
I was forced to be raised Roman Catholic, but when I got older, I asked my Priest to help me understand some things. We both sat in his office talking about the old testament and God and geesus. We shared cigarettes while sipping iced tean and spoke for a couple hours. Ridiculous answers to questions like "If women are more sensitive as mothers, wouldn't they make better Priests? Why can't women become priests?" (answer: because they have a period every month... not because it would mess up the cassic alb - white robe, but becuase they were DIRTY FILTHY creatures that were not worthy to SERVE GOD.) The one question that nailed it for me (ignore the pun) was why there needed to be a sacrifice in order to open the gates of heaven... he couldn't answer that, I stressed that God was supposedly almighty. He kept stating that I needed Faith - like some thomas guy... Faith is blind and counter-observative in nature... ignore what you see and feel, and just believe THIS!
The Priest tried his best to answer my questions and keep me in the circle of faith, but it was over for me -- free will prevailed. I haven't felt that free since graduating high school! I was no longer told what to believe. He admitted that he didn't have to think that hard since seminary school (which was some 40 years prior). I was amazed that nobody asked questions like that.... it really says something about the blind faith and power that they have over their sheep.
BTW, I was an altar boy for about 15 years - the priest never tried to touch me in inappropriate places. I enjoyed my service at the time.
I am a roman catholic, but I do not believe in all of the ways of the Roman Catholic church and I feel that my beliefs are better suited as a protestant.
Quote: I Am Jedi
---
And I'm Darth Vader (Mwahahahaha) No actually I'm a stormtrooper. Ok. Back to earth.
My Labels: didnt-follow-my-moms-religion, bad-girl, science-freak, or in other words, Religionless (Don't know if that's a word)
---
And I'm Darth Vader (Mwahahahaha) No actually I'm a stormtrooper. Ok. Back to earth.
My Labels: didnt-follow-my-moms-religion, bad-girl, science-freak, or in other words, Religionless (Don't know if that's a word)
I'm Roman Catholic, and proud to be so.
| afgdomain wrote: |
| Quote: I Am Jedi
--- And I'm Darth Vader (Mwahahahaha) No actually I'm a stormtrooper. Ok. Back to earth.
My Labels: didnt-follow-my-moms-religion, bad-girl, science-freak, or in other words, Religionless (Don't know if that's a word) |
So are you saying you have no religion or are just being pointless
| Revvion wrote: |
| dont have one |
Your like me. Were both Athiest.
im anglican, christian .. but dont really understand much about the religion.. as long as it teaches us good things, `most main religions are doing the same ,,, good teachings .,.. result in good poeple... thats wat i think .
i believe in christian values, but i am not catholic.
I believe in YOU guys; because we are all different parts of ONE being. The word Religion must have its roots in "relying on" each other. Anyways, we shall all meet there when time is due.
Till then, goodbye, good night and good luck...
Till then, goodbye, good night and good luck...
I am a Christian. I follow Christ.
Christian - Protestant (Lutherian)
I believe only to four dogmata:
Sola scriptura!
Sola fide
Sola gratia
Solo Christo
I believe only to four dogmata:
Sola scriptura!
Sola fide
Sola gratia
Solo Christo
| jaime wrote: |
| I don't have a religion, I believe in God... |
I don't have a religion, I don't...
I believe in and follow Jesus Christ.
where is he going?
you meeting him at Tim Hortons?
you meeting him at Tim Hortons?
Christianity, because i proven on myself, that its true religion. In Bible you can find all answers of your life. From where fe comes, Who we are, Where we going.
Religion and faith is most powerfull thing in this world and always will make conflicts till the end.
Religion and faith is most powerfull thing in this world and always will make conflicts till the end.
Hi People,
I respect all religions and have no preference - I guess religion is very important for all people.
I was born catholic - my family are, then I´m too.
I respect all religions and have no preference - I guess religion is very important for all people.
I was born catholic
- my family are, then I´m too.Religion is more than only name or any sort of peoples. Its based on faith.
Last edited by postcd on Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:47 pm; edited 1 time in total
Last edited by postcd on Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:47 pm; edited 1 time in total
I'm atheist.
A child of God, friend of Christ and faithful servant of Jesus Christ..believe in Holy Spirit and teh Holy Trinity..Christian, Protestant..Jesus for life
I am a christian. I attend a church that is non-demonational and is usually referd to as the church of christ.
I'm a Roman Catholic.
___________________________________________
I'm active in our Church's organizations and activities. In fact, I always come home in our province to celebrate the holy week. I'm a volunteer in our Church. Making me present there almost every day. I'm also a former guitarist in our choir,a former choir, a youth ministry member, a former Altar Knight, an active member of our apostles' group, and a current member of the Guadians of the Eucharist.
___________________________________________
I'm active in our Church's organizations and activities. In fact, I always come home in our province to celebrate the holy week. I'm a volunteer in our Church. Making me present there almost every day. I'm also a former guitarist in our choir,a former choir, a youth ministry member, a former Altar Knight, an active member of our apostles' group, and a current member of the Guadians of the Eucharist.
Roman Catholic
I dont belive in god! he doesnt exist and all people that bvelive in himnwill go to the hell sith the deamon, because heexists!!!!
My whole family is christian and members of "svenska kyrkan"(swedish church) so I guess that I am christian until I am 18 even if I not believe in any god.
Agnostic right here...
I'm a christian, protestant. well, i was raised as a christian.
i don't view the bible as an historical book. the bible is written by humans and formed by humans. everyone that reads it will find something that can be interesting and that may help in our search for hapiness.
believing is for me not the same like: yes i know there is a God. believing is for me the search for love and hapiness, also involving my fellowmen, and being uncertain. i can live with uncertainty, that's why i can believe. it makes you stronger. strange huh?
i don't view the bible as an historical book. the bible is written by humans and formed by humans. everyone that reads it will find something that can be interesting and that may help in our search for hapiness.
believing is for me not the same like: yes i know there is a God. believing is for me the search for love and hapiness, also involving my fellowmen, and being uncertain. i can live with uncertainty, that's why i can believe. it makes you stronger. strange huh?
hindu...
Jedi - Ha
| quicksilver00x wrote: |
| hindu... |
hey im hindu too! cool i thought i would be the only one lol
I am baptised Roman Catholic under Vatican Two, but unfortunately I am not a devout follower. In a way I could be considered a heretic, because though I believe in some of the laws of the church, there are a some that I chose to out right ignore or disagree with.
For the time being though, and most likely in the future, I will stay Catholic because as of yet no other religion has an appeal to me. Plus, all the arguements that I have heard so far that try to explain how there is no "higher being" or a God felt too much like they were putting me down for what I believed in and more like they were trying to get me to believe with their thinking instead of actually explaing to me how there was no such thing as a god or something.
As a side note, I find Greek and Roman mythology quite fascinating, but I do understand that it is mostly myth.
For the time being though, and most likely in the future, I will stay Catholic because as of yet no other religion has an appeal to me. Plus, all the arguements that I have heard so far that try to explain how there is no "higher being" or a God felt too much like they were putting me down for what I believed in and more like they were trying to get me to believe with their thinking instead of actually explaing to me how there was no such thing as a god or something.
As a side note, I find Greek and Roman mythology quite fascinating, but I do understand that it is mostly myth.
I suppose I am a christian, protestant. I rarely go to church, but I celebrate easter and christmas.
I'm a member of the Church of Google. I worship the search engine Google. Our religion is known as Googlism.
I am a HINDU! But that's where I draw the line! When I say I am a humanist, what l really mean is that l do not have the time to differentiate between any religion with mine! Ask yourself, do you have the time for all that crap!?
I have my own Religion ^_^, come from my own mind.
| talonsmallville wrote: |
| Hi People,
I respect all religions and have no preference - I guess religion is very important for all people. I was born catholic - my family are, then I´m too. |
yes 100% true!! religion mean so much for all of us !!
i'm Muslim
peace be upon you all
i'm muslem, i'm muslem like all the prophets including jesus.
jesus is a prophet and christians has missed that they made him a god.
jesus is a muslem just before the coming of prophet muhammed. CRAzyyy!!
no i'm not crazy it's the truth. muslem is the one who belives in The one god who sent all the prophets and who created earth,skies,angels, humans, and muslem who believes that this life is like a passing way to the after life.
jesus belived like that and he called for that so he is a muslem.
muslem is a word in arabic means a one who believe and obey something which is great of him.
prophet ibraheem is a muslem too and he called us muslems before the rise of islam. check that with holy books you will find it beleive me. and check in the bible you will find that jesus and moses knew that prophet muhammed will come after him and he is the last prophet for humans he told christians to beleive in him. but unfortantly christians are fighting him. shame!!!
i'm muslem, i'm muslem like all the prophets including jesus.
jesus is a prophet and christians has missed that they made him a god.
jesus is a muslem just before the coming of prophet muhammed. CRAzyyy!!
no i'm not crazy it's the truth. muslem is the one who belives in The one god who sent all the prophets and who created earth,skies,angels, humans, and muslem who believes that this life is like a passing way to the after life.
jesus belived like that and he called for that so he is a muslem.
muslem is a word in arabic means a one who believe and obey something which is great of him.
prophet ibraheem is a muslem too and he called us muslems before the rise of islam. check that with holy books you will find it beleive me. and check in the bible you will find that jesus and moses knew that prophet muhammed will come after him and he is the last prophet for humans he told christians to beleive in him. but unfortantly christians are fighting him. shame!!!
I only believe in myself, because it is impossibly to rely on some god in the world where is so evident that there is no universal power. But maybe I belive in the Nature. Nature is very clever and when a man looks around him he must realize that there are many wonders that only genius could created.
| abedalmged wrote: |
| peace be upon you all
i'm muslem, i'm muslem like all the prophets including jesus. jesus is a prophet and christians has missed that they made him a god. jesus is a muslem just before the coming of prophet muhammed. CRAzyyy!! no i'm not crazy it's the truth. muslem is the one who belives in The one god who sent all the prophets and who created earth,skies,angels, humans, and muslem who believes that this life is like a passing way to the after life. jesus belived like that and he called for that so he is a muslem. muslem is a word in arabic means a one who believe and obey something which is great of him. prophet ibraheem is a muslem too and he called us muslems before the rise of islam. check that with holy books you will find it beleive me. and check in the bible you will find that jesus and moses knew that prophet muhammed will come after him and he is the last prophet for humans he told christians to beleive in him. but unfortantly christians are fighting him. shame!!! |
Im Muslim too. I think you spelled it wrong. Its either Moslem or Muslim.
I am a Christian, and have always attended Anglican/Episcopal churches, though I'm moving somewhere where there is a large CRC (Christian Reformed Church) community so I might try that out
Christian, Lutheran.
Buddhism is still my religion, the philosophy is the only one that is truly real and it's the only tolerant religion. Period.
Facts:
Buddhism: The religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (ca 624544 bce). He refuted the idea of man's having an immortal soul and did not preach of any Supreme Deity. Instead he taught that man should seek to overcome greed, hatred and delusion and attain enlightenment through realizing the Four Noble Truths and following the Eightfold Path.
Prominent among its holy books is the Dhammapada. Buddhism arose out of Hinduism as an inspired reform movement which rejected the caste system and the sanctity of the Vedas. It is thus classed as nastika, "unbeliever," and is not part of Hinduism. Buddhism eventually migrated out of India, the country of its origin, and now enjoys a following of over 350 million, mostly in Asia.
Facts:
Buddhism: The religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (ca 624544 bce). He refuted the idea of man's having an immortal soul and did not preach of any Supreme Deity. Instead he taught that man should seek to overcome greed, hatred and delusion and attain enlightenment through realizing the Four Noble Truths and following the Eightfold Path.
Prominent among its holy books is the Dhammapada. Buddhism arose out of Hinduism as an inspired reform movement which rejected the caste system and the sanctity of the Vedas. It is thus classed as nastika, "unbeliever," and is not part of Hinduism. Buddhism eventually migrated out of India, the country of its origin, and now enjoys a following of over 350 million, mostly in Asia.
I am baptised Roman Catholic, but I am not practising my religion and I find myself almost believing in nothing. I will keep reading and learning and maybe one day I will find my spirtiual self.
Under the influence of my very religious grandmother (and through tradition), I'm a baptised Roman Catholic, I even did my holy communion at 11 or 12.
However, ever since my brain got to the "independant thinking" stage, I've been a convinced atheist. No God or mindless waste of time for me!
However, ever since my brain got to the "independant thinking" stage, I've been a convinced atheist. No God or mindless waste of time for me!
I'm not sure what I am anymore. I was raised Catholic, which is why I am not Catholic now in my adult life. I asked too many questions and was basically told to shut up and take it on faith.
I did A LOT of reading on A LOT of other religions, the major ones as well as the lesser known or older religions. I finally didn't know what to believe and finally just assumed there is a God and a bunch of supernatural stuff we don't know about, can't see, can't hear, but has some kind of influence on us sometimes, especially if we pray.
I then ended up in the hospital with a very life-threatening condition, had a horrible time at it, and came out very, very weak. Oddly enough, the first thing I did when I had the strength was go to a Catholic Church for confession. I hadn't been there over 15 years, but it was my one driving need. However, I didn't stay for mass; as strong as I felt about confession my sins (which I wept as I did), I felt just as strongly that I didn't belong there anymore.
So what am I now? Anybody know?
I did A LOT of reading on A LOT of other religions, the major ones as well as the lesser known or older religions. I finally didn't know what to believe and finally just assumed there is a God and a bunch of supernatural stuff we don't know about, can't see, can't hear, but has some kind of influence on us sometimes, especially if we pray.
I then ended up in the hospital with a very life-threatening condition, had a horrible time at it, and came out very, very weak. Oddly enough, the first thing I did when I had the strength was go to a Catholic Church for confession. I hadn't been there over 15 years, but it was my one driving need. However, I didn't stay for mass; as strong as I felt about confession my sins (which I wept as I did), I felt just as strongly that I didn't belong there anymore.
So what am I now? Anybody know?
I was raised Baptist, became agnostic, but I converted to Christianity.
It's very rude to say people who believe in God are mindless, ignorant, etc. I think I speak for everyone who does believe in God, that i is upsetting.
Hey dyrtyrice, I've met many Buddists who believe in a Supreme Being and believe Buddha taunt it at some point.
And the Muslim guy, Don't say "I'm Right, Christians are wrong about Jesus" Our religion came before, and out Bible tells mroe about him than your book(s).
Redace, you just described God. You said Nature is something taht only genius created. In religions that teach about a God, he is Genius.
I repect religions. If you're Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, I respect that. Religion is important, as someone has said. People who Diss religion are the cause of Religious peoples' anger.
studsstudio: You said that the Bible cannot be a historical book, however, if you look through history, and you watch the History Channel, National Geographic, etc, they are finding more and more that the Bible is very Historical.
If there was no God, there would be no Atheists. Lol.
It's very rude to say people who believe in God are mindless, ignorant, etc. I think I speak for everyone who does believe in God, that i is upsetting.
Hey dyrtyrice, I've met many Buddists who believe in a Supreme Being and believe Buddha taunt it at some point.
And the Muslim guy, Don't say "I'm Right, Christians are wrong about Jesus" Our religion came before, and out Bible tells mroe about him than your book(s).
| Quote: |
| I only believe in myself, because it is impossibly to rely on some god in the world where is so evident that there is no universal power. But maybe I belive in the Nature. Nature is very clever and when a man looks around him he must realize that there are many wonders that only genius could created |
Redace, you just described God. You said Nature is something taht only genius created. In religions that teach about a God, he is Genius.
I repect religions. If you're Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, I respect that. Religion is important, as someone has said. People who Diss religion are the cause of Religious peoples' anger.
studsstudio: You said that the Bible cannot be a historical book, however, if you look through history, and you watch the History Channel, National Geographic, etc, they are finding more and more that the Bible is very Historical.
If there was no God, there would be no Atheists.
Lol.im atheist cuz various thnigs one of them its cuz there exist to many religions i dont know who trust my soul the second one an irreparable lost that the most important one....i really belive if gods exist its no so good and protector....i respect religions something that my father told me to do ... the only reach which I have with the religion is by my mother she was catholic but nothing else....peace and love for all of those who belived in god and god failure you..
p.d. sorry for my english
Last edited by panacuba on Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:47 pm; edited 2 times in total
p.d. sorry for my english
Last edited by panacuba on Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:47 pm; edited 2 times in total
I am Roman Catholic but I'm not visiting churches so frequently (maybe few times a year).
well... I´m a christian... since I´m baptised (spelling?)
I dont really beleave in God though... I prefer sience...
I´m not sure that counts as an religion though :S
i can respect other religions, I dont say they are wrong, but personally I cant really beleave in any of them, I prefer facts (and now that might start some discussion here, lol)
I dont really beleave in God though... I prefer sience...
I´m not sure that counts as an religion though :S
i can respect other religions, I dont say they are wrong, but personally I cant really beleave in any of them, I prefer facts (and now that might start some discussion here, lol)
what would the religion be that honors nature?
not a God but just in a life force of some sort and just being in nature beings a 'religious expereince'
in the old days I would say druid but it also has different connotations and not really overly accepted anymore although there are some followers... and I dont mean DND gamers LOL
any idea?
not a God but just in a life force of some sort and just being in nature beings a 'religious expereince'
in the old days I would say druid but it also has different connotations and not really overly accepted anymore although there are some followers... and I dont mean DND gamers LOL
any idea?
Still some real Druids around in Wales (just down the road from me)- they are the ones with the funny white dresses and the jawbreaking language
There are a few cults/religions/beliefs in this category :
Paganism is probably the largest in this genre.
There are a few cults/religions/beliefs in this category :
Paganism is probably the largest in this genre.
I try to be Christian. Jesus teachings are not easy to put in practice, but I think they are the best principles to guide someone's life.
But I guess there's a way to spirituality in every religion. Your relationship with God and with the world deppend on you.
"The best religion is the one that makes every human being better. "
Dalai lama
"Nobody has talked like this man before"(John 7:46)
But I guess there's a way to spirituality in every religion. Your relationship with God and with the world deppend on you.
"The best religion is the one that makes every human being better. "
Dalai lama
"Nobody has talked like this man before"(John 7:46)
I'm proud to say that I'm a Muslimah, a Muslim woman. It benefits you in every aspect of life. The religion that never suppress woman instead give them the liberation. I'm thankful to be born as a Muslim and till now stays to be a Muslim.
I am a Hindu. I go to temples. But what in religion? We every one is human and mankind should be our religion. Agree?
Im Agnostic, but i respect the other religions, expecially christianity--due to culture-- and neopaganism.
My mother was a raised Jehovahs Witness. As soon as she got out of the house though she broke apart from the congregation. My dad was protestant. I rarely go to church and have dubbed myself humanist. It just makes the most sense to me.
Why should we believe in a religion formed 4.6 billion years after the earth formed?
Why should we believe in a religion formed 4.6 billion years after the earth formed?
Strife -- in philosophy, religion, and politics -- has certainly gained so much ground that it is impossible for us to reconcile with one another. But it is possible to find reconciliation ... by means of the foundation of all things, which is God. For he does not cease to be the same for all ... irrespective of our differences, and his earth bears us all, even if we preferred to see that the ground would cleave asunder beneath our enemies.
The sun sends his rays upon us directly, paying no heed that we look askance at one another. The rose smells sweetly to both the Jew and the Christian -- and to the Muslim too. And so God is God of all, and whatever he says, he says in the same manner to all that are ready to listen. If then we look to our own rules, books, and works, which we have made ourselves and which differ in many thousands of ways, we are irreconcilable. But if with due attention and honor we accept God's ideas regarding our lives ... reconciliation is easy.
I am the human, thats my religion........
The sun sends his rays upon us directly, paying no heed that we look askance at one another. The rose smells sweetly to both the Jew and the Christian -- and to the Muslim too. And so God is God of all, and whatever he says, he says in the same manner to all that are ready to listen. If then we look to our own rules, books, and works, which we have made ourselves and which differ in many thousands of ways, we are irreconcilable. But if with due attention and honor we accept God's ideas regarding our lives ... reconciliation is easy.
I am the human, thats my religion........
Buddhism, I think.
In Taiwan, some people would mix many religious elements into one. We may have ceremony like the other one. So, it is hard to define my religion. But basically, I respect all religions.
In Taiwan, some people would mix many religious elements into one. We may have ceremony like the other one. So, it is hard to define my religion. But basically, I respect all religions.
I am somewhere around a Unitarian Universalist haha :)
I am a born Catholic but it's been a while since the last time I went to church. Actually a lot of things had happen to me, and I had stopped believing in this religion. I had investigate a little about some others but I haven't found a good answer for me. I do believe in God, but I don't know, most of the religions contradict themselves, or there believers seem so hipocricts, doing what they are not supposed to do. I don't know, thats just my impression.
well, being new to this forum, i first have to explain the point where i stand, which is kind of confusing at times.
so here we go, im latin, from way down in south america and,
i guess i should be considering myself a kind of gelug tibetan buddhist.
not too weird already?
so here we go, im latin, from way down in south america and,
i guess i should be considering myself a kind of gelug tibetan buddhist.
not too weird already?
I am a paradoxial poet.
My religion is this.... be kind... enjoy life... give back to nature....
I am a paradoxial poet because in my religion we call god by different names at different times, sometimes god is a seductive emerald godess, 5'2'' with cute... anyways... othertimes we plead affirmations to St.Michael or the norse god Odin...
We try not to hold any particular concepts in mind....
Instead by moving beyond concepts we can see we are already there,
like the zen master who said he has nothing to teach, and people have nothing to learn.
I read the Tao Te Ching, and love it's everyword, I read the Bible, I worship not Lao Tzu or Jehova, I try not to worship myself, I don't think being conceited is always a bad term..
Me and other freethinking paradoxial poets can't label god, we love the mantra OM , it's the closest thing we've found to a name of that all rightous all encompassing allness....
We realize we a bright from the beginning, and when we don't flaunt our brightness, we become enlightened.
We see life as an illusion, and we don't see this is bad..
Breaking down the word illusion.... we see an illusion is an illuminated vision. Sounds glorious to us!
We love song, music, dance, and celebration.
We cry for those who die, and we joke empathicly about the opposing sides of war, we think... Take the soldier of that side, and the one of that side, give em a few drinks at a bar, they'd laugh together at something universally funny.
We here theres a word for us... no not crazy, though most the time that's acceptable, the term is that we are Universalist unitarians. That sounds silly, almost communist.
Speaking of communism... The word sounds alot like community?
Why do we want to destroy a community?
We don't call ourselves followers of anything..
What we follow has nothing we could call front..
and we don't see it's back..
What we see is constantly changing.
Like I wrote earlier, we move beyond concepts as often as possible, one benefit, is it keeps us from growing tumors and keeps us from much frustration, suffering is a part of life, yes, and we don't deny when we suffer, but it's not our life's emphasis, life is... as I like to put it..
joyous movement.....
We look for visions, like the old indian wandering the forrest,
We dream alot, with our minds, our hearts, our eyes, our hands.
One time in a trance an angel spoke to me the meaning of life.
I was shocked... for I don't often hear voices that make me feel total ecstasy by their vibration, I tried hard to listen, the harder I tried the more her voice faded away, the concept of hearing an angel dilluted the experience, from what I understood was simple. We are love, love is the creator, when we lose love, we lose ourselves, it has always been this way, and always were. Poeticly speaking, I didn't really talk to an angel, no one is really a prophet, no one is really anything?
How can this be? Didn't quantum physics prove this?
If there is a god, we joke, it must be a verb...
Hail Allah said a friend...
moving joyously...
My religion is this.... be kind... enjoy life... give back to nature....
I am a paradoxial poet because in my religion we call god by different names at different times, sometimes god is a seductive emerald godess, 5'2'' with cute... anyways... othertimes we plead affirmations to St.Michael or the norse god Odin...
We try not to hold any particular concepts in mind....
Instead by moving beyond concepts we can see we are already there,
like the zen master who said he has nothing to teach, and people have nothing to learn.
I read the Tao Te Ching, and love it's everyword, I read the Bible, I worship not Lao Tzu or Jehova, I try not to worship myself, I don't think being conceited is always a bad term..
Me and other freethinking paradoxial poets can't label god, we love the mantra OM , it's the closest thing we've found to a name of that all rightous all encompassing allness....
We realize we a bright from the beginning, and when we don't flaunt our brightness, we become enlightened.
We see life as an illusion, and we don't see this is bad..
Breaking down the word illusion.... we see an illusion is an illuminated vision. Sounds glorious to us!
We love song, music, dance, and celebration.
We cry for those who die, and we joke empathicly about the opposing sides of war, we think... Take the soldier of that side, and the one of that side, give em a few drinks at a bar, they'd laugh together at something universally funny.
We here theres a word for us... no not crazy, though most the time that's acceptable, the term is that we are Universalist unitarians. That sounds silly, almost communist.
Speaking of communism... The word sounds alot like community?
Why do we want to destroy a community?
We don't call ourselves followers of anything..
What we follow has nothing we could call front..
and we don't see it's back..
What we see is constantly changing.
Like I wrote earlier, we move beyond concepts as often as possible, one benefit, is it keeps us from growing tumors and keeps us from much frustration, suffering is a part of life, yes, and we don't deny when we suffer, but it's not our life's emphasis, life is... as I like to put it..
joyous movement.....
We look for visions, like the old indian wandering the forrest,
We dream alot, with our minds, our hearts, our eyes, our hands.
One time in a trance an angel spoke to me the meaning of life.
I was shocked... for I don't often hear voices that make me feel total ecstasy by their vibration, I tried hard to listen, the harder I tried the more her voice faded away, the concept of hearing an angel dilluted the experience, from what I understood was simple. We are love, love is the creator, when we lose love, we lose ourselves, it has always been this way, and always were. Poeticly speaking, I didn't really talk to an angel, no one is really a prophet, no one is really anything?
How can this be? Didn't quantum physics prove this?
If there is a god, we joke, it must be a verb...
Hail Allah said a friend...
moving joyously...
| Ratman2050 wrote: | ||
So are you saying you have no religion or are just being pointless |
I'm an atheist, so I don't see the point of coming here, but it's interesting to see what other people think.
Good to see so many alternative religions and inclusive ideas in one place - im an atheist but i respect any personal faith that doesnt try to enforce itself on others or set in ideas in stone. If you believe something and wish to express this in spreading love and forgiveness, im definitely a fan.
I think that organised religion has a very negative effect on personal faith, pigeonholing genuine belief into dogmas that have to be defended whenever a contrary statement is made. My girlfriend asks me (when drunk) if i think less of her for believing in a God - i tell her no, because her God is just a personl expression of herself and the world around her that she has chosen to manifest in a deity figure. Why would anyone have a problem with this? (Except the Pope of course. He is the only path to our salvation, and would like to keep it that way.) As a good man said, 'if you dont like my fire, dont come around'.
Anyway, im rambling and this was supposed to be a short post, peace to you all.
I think that organised religion has a very negative effect on personal faith, pigeonholing genuine belief into dogmas that have to be defended whenever a contrary statement is made. My girlfriend asks me (when drunk) if i think less of her for believing in a God - i tell her no, because her God is just a personl expression of herself and the world around her that she has chosen to manifest in a deity figure. Why would anyone have a problem with this? (Except the Pope of course. He is the only path to our salvation, and would like to keep it that way.) As a good man said, 'if you dont like my fire, dont come around'.
Anyway, im rambling and this was supposed to be a short post, peace to you all.
I'm a Muslim. And like to be one as Islam is very simple to understand and give you all the answers and reasons. Why it's simple? Cause its very main rule in your life is "Don't hurt anybody and don't get hurt" If you wanna do anything and you don't know if God will like it or not ask yourself: Does it hurt anyone including me? And Hurting here means in any way or means. At the same time if there's no other way but doing this harming thing and for example your life will depend on it so do it and God will forgive you. Simple and doesn't have strict rules to follow.
It gives the reason why you created, why you are on earth, why we should obey God? for me Islam was the solution for all my questions and hard times. In return I respect every other religion and I like to know what the other religions stand for and what answers it gives, and it's reasons to make us live.
It gives the reason why you created, why you are on earth, why we should obey God? for me Islam was the solution for all my questions and hard times. In return I respect every other religion and I like to know what the other religions stand for and what answers it gives, and it's reasons to make us live.
I'm proud to say that I'm christian.
Well, since "Chet is dead," I guess that would make me an atheist.
muslim------> sunnah------> mazhab syafie'
I'm a Muslim. Sunni
I don't like the fact that the world thinks of us as people that will kill anyone that isn't a muslim..
Islam is a peacfull religion. The name "Islam" comes from the world "Peace"
I love what TrueFact said
If only the world can sit down for a minute and learn what Islam's message, I bet they would change thier point of view about us
I don't like the fact that the world thinks of us as people that will kill anyone that isn't a muslim..
Islam is a peacfull religion. The name "Islam" comes from the world "Peace"
I love what TrueFact said
| Quote: |
| It gives the reason why you created, why you are on earth, why we should obey God? for me Islam was the solution for all my questions and hard times. In return I respect every other religion and I like to know what the other religions stand for and what answers it gives, and it's reasons to make us live. |
If only the world can sit down for a minute and learn what Islam's message, I bet they would change thier point of view about us
I am a Muslim - Shiat - the ones murdered for what they believe is spiritual enuf to be tolerated by others.. lol.. just a quick look at iraq boombings & syria... but umm i dont really think am that spiritual, i believe every religon have a single reason and thats the CREATOR, we all seek help and happiness from the creator, some calls it, Allah, God, Khuda, Buddha(s), Bhagwan & so on.. (sorry am not so much familiar to other faiths) ..
in the end, i quote " our religon & your religon are no much different as most of us want the same"
in the end, i quote " our religon & your religon are no much different as most of us want the same"
Hello,
The worst post ever! I don't like that Raymond!!!
We are all good people.
5ani
The worst post ever! I don't like that Raymond!!!
We are all good people.
5ani
I am a southern baptist.... so yeah.... you might think I am radical, but I am actually a pretty laid back kinda guy.
I happen to be a Christian but I don't belive and don't follow everything it preaches.
I have no religion. God or Allah does not exist for as far i see. People can control their own life. After death you live on in your sibblings, or in your ideology.
I strongly believe that anyone should have the religion of believes that he/she is most comfortable is. Power to live lies in within yourself, not in the divine.
I strongly believe that anyone should have the religion of believes that he/she is most comfortable is. Power to live lies in within yourself, not in the divine.
Catholic
Lapse Catholic
Pagan agnostic pantheist with Wiccan roots.
I usually find it easier just to say I'm Wiccan, less explanations that way.
Basicaly, I rejected my Southern Baptist upbringing because I found that Christianity had too many internal contradictions, found Wicca instead and followed that 'religiously' for a while, and now I'm pretty much a seeker with no dogma, just an open mind.
I do believe that there is something out there, but to my mind most religions are like the blind men in the fable about the blind men and the elephant. I'm blind too, but instead of only listening to one and believing that an elephant is like a wall or a tree, I'm trying to piece them all together for a better understanding of what the elephant really is.
I usually find it easier just to say I'm Wiccan, less explanations that way.
Basicaly, I rejected my Southern Baptist upbringing because I found that Christianity had too many internal contradictions, found Wicca instead and followed that 'religiously' for a while, and now I'm pretty much a seeker with no dogma, just an open mind.
I do believe that there is something out there, but to my mind most religions are like the blind men in the fable about the blind men and the elephant. I'm blind too, but instead of only listening to one and believing that an elephant is like a wall or a tree, I'm trying to piece them all together for a better understanding of what the elephant really is.
I belive in quran and the only god. I'm muslim and Islam is my religion. But, I can'y say I'm pure. It's not so easy to be a pure muslim. At leat I try to be a good muslim by practicing it's rules.
I am a Christian [Methodist]
Well I am Christian... Catholic to be exact. I was born and raised into my religion. I am pretty much satisfied with my religion. If I had to choose a religion other than Catholicism, I would choose Hinduism because it reminds me of the concepts that the greeks believed in, that is the greeks gods' and goddesses. If I had to inqire about a religion it would be Islam because it is expressed by the media and by many followers as being very violent and I hope that this is not true.
my family are Buddhism. but i go to church and buddhis temple. and i learn about islam. so i believe all the religions unless it is harmfull. and i respect all the religion. so can i say that i am a free thinker?
Christian Catholic
I am an athiest by choice. I am of Jewish decent
My religion is Optimism. OK so its not a religion but its the closest I will get to one.
I dont believe in God. I dont actively renounce God.
I see God / Gods or whatever as an idea, a tool people use to try and foster the things they see as right and good.
Not everyone agrees with everyone else and so we have religious conflict.
As soon as these ideas and ideals are Deified they take on a stronger and more sinister role. The "My way is right, and you will see that I am right, or be punished" is seen time and again for motivating the faithful to rise up against the unbelievers, heathens, or whatever.
Religion has had plenty of time to develop over the years and now much of it seems like a bad game of Chinese whispers.
I would like to strip it all back to core values.
I am Optimistic that at the heart of religious values, all most people want is safety, security, the love of their family and the ability to live their lives unmolested.
I am no Religious Studies major so I apologise for my simplistic approach.
Additionally I am not getting in to the Life after Death issue as I dont believe it, although I have dabbled elsewhere.
There is a great short story by Terry Bisson called "They're made out of Meat" (Google search will find it no problem) which kind of highlights my opinion of our standing in the Universe.
I dont believe in God. I dont actively renounce God.
I see God / Gods or whatever as an idea, a tool people use to try and foster the things they see as right and good.
Not everyone agrees with everyone else and so we have religious conflict.
As soon as these ideas and ideals are Deified they take on a stronger and more sinister role. The "My way is right, and you will see that I am right, or be punished" is seen time and again for motivating the faithful to rise up against the unbelievers, heathens, or whatever.
Religion has had plenty of time to develop over the years and now much of it seems like a bad game of Chinese whispers.
I would like to strip it all back to core values.
I am Optimistic that at the heart of religious values, all most people want is safety, security, the love of their family and the ability to live their lives unmolested.
I am no Religious Studies major so I apologise for my simplistic approach.
Additionally I am not getting in to the Life after Death issue as I dont believe it, although I have dabbled elsewhere.
There is a great short story by Terry Bisson called "They're made out of Meat" (Google search will find it no problem) which kind of highlights my opinion of our standing in the Universe.
muslim
I dont believe in anything, but if someone can proof anything I will believe it gladly.
I believe in God. I believe in Angels. I believe in Holy books. I believe in Messengers. I believe in hereafter. I believe in now and then.
I believe I'm a Muslim, practising Islam, from my first day of existence, now, forever and ever.
I believe I'm a Muslim, practising Islam, from my first day of existence, now, forever and ever.
CHRISTIAN but God is people.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) and yes, we are Christians. I actually just returned from a two year mission in New York City where I worked within the Hispanic communities. It was an amazing experience.
I was born into a Catholic family, but I guess I can attend any church I wish to attend, even outside Christianity.
I'm a neutralist-meaning that I believe that whatever a person believes in their heart to be the true faith is what matters, and that it is different for anyone. There are as many religions as there are people-so labelling them and trying to bind them all under a handful of umbrellas is just ridiculous. I just don't agree with other people pushing their beliefs on others.
I suppose if I had to define my own personal religion it would be a mix between Satanism and Buddhism, with a healthy dose of agnosticism.
I believe that I am my own god, but doing good deeds for others is essential for achieving contentment, and am always in pursuit of an ultimate truth-despite the unlikelihood of there actually being one.
I suppose if I had to define my own personal religion it would be a mix between Satanism and Buddhism, with a healthy dose of agnosticism.
I believe that I am my own god, but doing good deeds for others is essential for achieving contentment, and am always in pursuit of an ultimate truth-despite the unlikelihood of there actually being one.
Open-minded and curious.
apostolic
I am a neopagan... jsut starting my path through this life as one, and am just trying to figure myself out 
| Coclus wrote: |
| I dont believe in anything, but if someone can proof anything I will believe it gladly. |
I have always thought faith in anything is the belief in something you cannot prove. So if you can prove anything either way, tell me so I can further edumacate myself.
I classify myself as a pagan. Unfortunately, the Christian church has attached terribly negative connotations to such a simple word. When I say I'm a pagan, all I'm really saying is that I'm not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Most people get visions of devil-worshipping and the sacrifice of small children or something. Ridiculous, but I have had the response, "You mean you're a Satanist?" Uh, no. Sorry. I don't even believe in Satan. He's a Christian character. Yeah, you can keep him. I don't want him.
I believe that there is almost no black and almost no white in our world. Everything is made up of shades of grey. Nothing is completely good, and nothing is completely evil. Granted, some things are darker or lighter than others, but it's still all grey. I believe we should do the best we can with the information we are given in this life, and the afterlife will work itself out. That's the "my religion in a nutshell" speech.
I believe that there is almost no black and almost no white in our world. Everything is made up of shades of grey. Nothing is completely good, and nothing is completely evil. Granted, some things are darker or lighter than others, but it's still all grey. I believe we should do the best we can with the information we are given in this life, and the afterlife will work itself out. That's the "my religion in a nutshell" speech.
What ever be your religion, the best religion is Humanity. We call it in India as "Manab Dharma". Believe it and join it.
I don't think you can put a name to what I believe in. Here's my story:
Not everyone has the same beliefs. Some will read this and think nothing of it, I'm sure. On the other hand, there will also be those who read this and then start to wonder the possibilities.
My name is David and this is the story of how I was saved. It’s quite a long story, so you may want to get in a comfy seat with some snacks. The entire story is as true as I can remember it. This entire story really exposes me to a lot of things that I would normally not talk to people about. I do this because many people have talked to me about my life and want to know more about why I am the way I am. Even though some may look down on me because of this, this is where I come from.
When I was young, my relationship with God was strong. I was brought into the world knowing about God from the start and I could swear I could see Him when I needed Him most. It was when I was growing up, when my mother stopped talking about Him at the end of each night, when I thought I didn’t need Him, and when I questioned myself that He may not exist.
It all starts with me being two years old. I was like any other two-year-old, curious about everything, getting myself in trouble, and giving my parents gray hair. One morning I was playing around on the carport with my brothers (Robert, John, and Michael). My father pulls his truck up next to the carport and comes out with a shoe box in his hands.
He kneels down and opens the box with a girl puppy inside it. Her name was Lady. When dad puts her on the ground, she started to run around and I tried to run from her. She was small, yet able to keep chasing me as I was trying to run away from her. I was scared of her! I tried to stand on top of a small pile of wooden blocks that had a beam in the center of it, supporting the end of the carport opening.
It was a family event; the first day Lady joined the family. We ran all around the yard and had a lot of fun trying to play dead, while she curiously went over to us and sniffed our faces with our eyes closed. It was a day I will always remember.
When Lady got tired, one of her back legs didn’t look right and she limped a little bit. My father called the pound and the person that sold him the dog said that a car had hit her not too long ago and she did that when she ran around a lot. He explained that he was trying to get the dog a family, so he didn’t tell dad that piece of information. My father didn’t mind too much, since she was an overall healthy puppy. As time goes on my brothers and I have some playtime with Lady almost every day.
Each night, before bed, my mother would pray with me. This kept my faith and kept me strong inside. I prayed for everyone and everything I held dear – even Lady.
At the age of five, I started going to school. I was like anyone else; I had friends, family, and things seemed more than perfect. My mother stayed at home and helped my father with his truck-driving business. More time went by and I came to the end of my second year of first grade (Yes, I got held back; due to my reading skills not being as strong as my parents would have liked).
During this time, my parents explained to us that we were all going to move far away and live somewhere else. It made me pretty upset, having to leave my friends and home for the first time in my life. Dad had already gone to this site where we were going to live on and mowed it down. Apparently, it was all wooded with trees, etc. in the countryside.
We traveled some days later to get the site set up to live in. My parents had already thought of a house plan and everything. We left sometime near the morning of one day, and kept Lady at home, since we wouldn’t want her to run off while we were building the new house. I loved traveling. Seeing the capital of Georgia, Atlanta, was very neat, I thought. I went to Europe when I was four and remember the airport. My brothers and I always tried to count the planes every time we passed through the city.
Hours later, we moved from the 2-dimentional flat landscape to the 3-dimentional mountain area. I could never get used to going up and down so many times to get there! Rain started to fall when the sun soon fell down the mountain and the fog on top of the mountain area was near impossible to see through. It was miserable weather!
We finally go there, I looked out the wet window into the dark and saw weeds, grass, and trees directly outside the window. When the van stopped, the rain was still pouring down on everything. My father and mother told us to stay inside the van, while they set up the two tents. Some minutes later, they gave us a flashlight and told us to run inside the tent and try to sleep, while they go to their tent.
Extra Note: Years later we realized that some of us could have just slept in the van. The back seat of the van was even able to hold down into a bed.
The sound of the rain against the tent kept my mind off of things. I didn’t mind moving all that much, the only thing I really didn’t like was not being able to see my friends again. To this day, I have only seen one or two of them a time or two over the years and I really would have liked to keep in touch with some of them. So many things ran through my mind that night, but it would pass and I would awaken to a new beginning.
What a way to start the summer. I wake up in a tent in the middle of the woods. On the top of the mountain, I could look down into the valley of Menlo. Trees and huge rocks made up the majority of the environment. On the bright side, the whole place served my brothers and myself as a huge playground.
Our house soon became under construction. When the basement area was carved out and a few layers of blocks were put around the perimeter, we brought over Lady and some belongings. During this time, we had bought a mobile home to live in, to make living a little bit more normal. I was away somewhere during the time they put it there, and I have absolutely no idea how they managed to move that huge thing there, as it was so many rough turns to take in order to get to the property.
Oh boy did we ever have a lot of stuff to take over... One of my father’s friends helped us tow an 18-wheeler full of stuff and carried it all the way to out new home. It was several trips going back and forth across two states.
After the summer was growing short, I was going to school in the second grade. This is a major turn of events in my life. Getting new friends was hard - really hard. I don’t know what it was, but I was never able to get along well with the others my age.
Because I was trying to get along with others, I tried to play some sports like baseball and basketball. I soon found myself quitting them due to health problems. Allergies really, really, really, suck badly. Every time I did anything active, I would be disabled for continuing due to my allergies. Another problem I had was SVT, a rapid heartbeat problem. Out of nowhere, my pulse would go crazy due to this.
This was yet another reason why I never got along well with my friends. Because of this, Lady was basically my closest friend at the time.
Time went by and my relationship with other people was still not as good as I believed they should have been, even towards the end of the second grade. On Monday, May 6th 1996 I woke up and went outside to go on the bus for school, not knowing that this is the worse day I would have ever lived.
“Lady’s dead! Lady’s dead!” my younger brother cried out. I didn’t believe him. I ran towards the scene and saw for myself. There is no combination of words that can describe what I was feeling. I saw Lady lying on the ground, flies crawling all over her, blood staining the ground, and could see into her lifeless eyes. It was the most horrifying thing I have ever seen. Someone shot her during the night.
I was nine years old and just screamed as I ran inside the house that was almost finished. I ran through my parents’ bedroom and buried my head in my mother’s lap and cried. My mother held me close and tried to explain that she was an old dog and was going to eventually meet her end soon anyway. I don’t know if this helped me or not at the time, but I did understand that I would have had to face this at sometime… though I had not intended for it to be so cruel.
I went upstairs in my room and looked out the window at the site where Lady was lying. Minutes later, my father drove the backhoe and laid Lady in the bucket. He carried her to an area within the woods, dug a hole, and buried her there to rest forever.
Two days later, my school counselor spoke to me and tried to help me get over this. We got a piece of paper, wrote a small poem on it, placed a picture of Lady on there and had it laminated. I still have it next to me now, as I type this. It is too hard for me to upload it and not feel like a sissy (as the red pen marks now turned pink over and sloppy kid hand-writing), so I choose not to show it. The picture above of Lady is from the poster thing I made.
It was during this time when questions about God came through my head. The questions starting with “why” kept coming up in prayers. The whole thing stabbed me in the heart and I thought it would never heal.
Years pass by and it was still hard for me to accept this. You may think that is an exaggeration, but it really was that powerful against me. I thought it would never leave me; it was a constant nightmare to have it come through my mind so often.
Some time later, we had another dog for a while. This dog was named Dixie, but dad got rid of her after she tore the screen off our back porch.
I believe I was in the sixth grade and was having trouble at school one day and felt really bad. Coming home from school, my spirits rose when my mother was waiting for me with a weenie-dog named Oscar. She was vacuuming the kitchen and Oscar was barking (sounded more like high-pitched squeaks!) and playing with the vacuum end. We decided to keep him indoors. As I went to feed our chickens, I thanked God for making this day better, as it had started out pretty bad.
He was a very wild little dog and my brothers and I had some fun times playing with him. After I got in from school and finished my chores, I almost always spent time with him. Training him was pretty cool too, getting him to sit, shake, fetch, etc. was successful.
A few months later, my oldest brother, Robert, sneaked a puppy into the house. He was named “Dale” (after a racecar driver that had recently died) and was a bit smaller than Oscar at the time. Dale kept growing and Oscar remained the same size, the two dogs played with each other all the time.
Things were going along well, until something came through my head. Eventually, they will die also and I thought I knew for certain that it would be as hard as it was the first time, when Lady died.
In order for my brothers and myself to get covered by a scholarship, my parents made another decision to move back into the state of Georgia. At this time of my life, I was questioning the existence of God. I honestly had no idea if He existed or not. I could pray saying “If you exist, why don’t you show yourself to me?” but it doesn’t work that way and I often found myself endlessly questioning the facts of life.
However, I did make a sincere prayer, even when I did not know the truth about God. The way to think about this is: “If he doesn’t exist and I pray, then woopty-doo. However, if I prayed and he does exist, then things may fall in my favor.”
A prayer to the thing I was worried for the most was the only thing I could do, so I did it. I prayed to God and I explained everything, how I felt, why I needed help, that I didn’t want to ever be hurt that bad ever again.
Some time had passed. I was in the tenth grade, 17 years old, tired from a day of working around the house. The year earlier, I had discovered what I was allergic to and had that under control for the most part. I also had surgery on my heart to fix the SVT problem I had (again, for the most part).
So after this day of work, the night creeps up over the mountain hills. The family settles in their beds and I take a shower. Before wanting to head to bed myself, I step outside and feel the last bit of warmth of summer day against my chest. The night sky was so clear and calm. Every star was clearly visible and lighted the ground around the house.
It felt so nice outside, that I got a lawn chair and a quilt to make myself comfortable. As crazy as it sounds, I just sat out in my lawn for hours that night and gazed into the Milky Way. Some distance away, I could hear Oscar coming over, checking out what the noise was when I was getting comfy.
When Oscar realizes it was I, the little dog jumped up in my lap and seemed to take about ten full minutes before getting situated. I stayed out there for well over an hour, just gazing at the sky. It would be hard to believe, but there were so many shooting stars. The whole sky was just filled with them.
The whole thing was just magical. The sky continuously spat out beams of light like I have never seen before. There is no way to describe how amazing it was to be there, to see so many shooting stars and with Oscar in my lap, sleeping away.
The next day was like any normal day. It was the weekend, and things were normal. My little brother, Michael, went outside to check the mail and discovered a site that would bring back old wounds. Oscar had died. Michael spotted him on the side of the road when he reached the mailbox.
My father was away working on some house and so we got an old cardboard box and placed Oscar on it and left him on top of some concrete blocks we had outside our house. Dad would come home and would bury him.
Everyone went back inside the quietest house in Georgia to wait for dad to arrive. I was taking things well so far. On the other hand, I was not right in front of Oscar at all since he died. I had watched everything from the front porch.
When everyone was in, I pulled on some shoes and went outside to Oscar. When I got to him I noticed that there was no blood whatsoever. His eyes were closed and I pat his head and said good-bye for the last time. A tear rolled out down my face as I walked into a solitary environment on our property.
I approached a small lake on our land and washed my hands. Dad came home soon afterwards and my mother came out to tell him what had happened. Dad checked Oscar’s body and took him to a place to bury him.
At the end of the day, dad said that Oscar died from snakebite. Apparently, Oscar died somewhat quickly, since the bite was near his heart and he was, after all, a small weenie dog.
I believe God planned that last night I had with Oscar. That night with the shooting stars showed me that there is more to Heaven and Earth that meets the eye. So how do I know this wasn’t coincidence? Did God really answer my prayer and give me that miraculous night with my dog the day before he died? Folks, all things are questionable, but there is a point when you draw the line in what is true and false.
I prayed and I believe it was answered. Things as small as common house pets can mean everything in the world. Oscar meant a lot to me and when he died it gave me more than I could have ever imagined. The second that I thought my prayer was answered, I put faith in God and the truth has spoken for itself.
It wasn’t coincidence. I live now, with an open mind, while knowing the truth.
Edit: There are some things that I don't believe in that a lot of other people do. Such as, I think Saturday is the actual Sabbath day; not Sunday. I also think that God and Jesus were two different people with their own personality traits. I don't think God was actually Jesus. lol
Edit#2: Wait a sec, I only got four points from all of that? Not cool!
Not everyone has the same beliefs. Some will read this and think nothing of it, I'm sure. On the other hand, there will also be those who read this and then start to wonder the possibilities.
My name is David and this is the story of how I was saved. It’s quite a long story, so you may want to get in a comfy seat with some snacks. The entire story is as true as I can remember it. This entire story really exposes me to a lot of things that I would normally not talk to people about. I do this because many people have talked to me about my life and want to know more about why I am the way I am. Even though some may look down on me because of this, this is where I come from.
When I was young, my relationship with God was strong. I was brought into the world knowing about God from the start and I could swear I could see Him when I needed Him most. It was when I was growing up, when my mother stopped talking about Him at the end of each night, when I thought I didn’t need Him, and when I questioned myself that He may not exist.
It all starts with me being two years old. I was like any other two-year-old, curious about everything, getting myself in trouble, and giving my parents gray hair. One morning I was playing around on the carport with my brothers (Robert, John, and Michael). My father pulls his truck up next to the carport and comes out with a shoe box in his hands.
He kneels down and opens the box with a girl puppy inside it. Her name was Lady. When dad puts her on the ground, she started to run around and I tried to run from her. She was small, yet able to keep chasing me as I was trying to run away from her. I was scared of her! I tried to stand on top of a small pile of wooden blocks that had a beam in the center of it, supporting the end of the carport opening.
It was a family event; the first day Lady joined the family. We ran all around the yard and had a lot of fun trying to play dead, while she curiously went over to us and sniffed our faces with our eyes closed. It was a day I will always remember.
When Lady got tired, one of her back legs didn’t look right and she limped a little bit. My father called the pound and the person that sold him the dog said that a car had hit her not too long ago and she did that when she ran around a lot. He explained that he was trying to get the dog a family, so he didn’t tell dad that piece of information. My father didn’t mind too much, since she was an overall healthy puppy. As time goes on my brothers and I have some playtime with Lady almost every day.
Each night, before bed, my mother would pray with me. This kept my faith and kept me strong inside. I prayed for everyone and everything I held dear – even Lady.
At the age of five, I started going to school. I was like anyone else; I had friends, family, and things seemed more than perfect. My mother stayed at home and helped my father with his truck-driving business. More time went by and I came to the end of my second year of first grade (Yes, I got held back; due to my reading skills not being as strong as my parents would have liked).
During this time, my parents explained to us that we were all going to move far away and live somewhere else. It made me pretty upset, having to leave my friends and home for the first time in my life. Dad had already gone to this site where we were going to live on and mowed it down. Apparently, it was all wooded with trees, etc. in the countryside.
We traveled some days later to get the site set up to live in. My parents had already thought of a house plan and everything. We left sometime near the morning of one day, and kept Lady at home, since we wouldn’t want her to run off while we were building the new house. I loved traveling. Seeing the capital of Georgia, Atlanta, was very neat, I thought. I went to Europe when I was four and remember the airport. My brothers and I always tried to count the planes every time we passed through the city.
Hours later, we moved from the 2-dimentional flat landscape to the 3-dimentional mountain area. I could never get used to going up and down so many times to get there! Rain started to fall when the sun soon fell down the mountain and the fog on top of the mountain area was near impossible to see through. It was miserable weather!
We finally go there, I looked out the wet window into the dark and saw weeds, grass, and trees directly outside the window. When the van stopped, the rain was still pouring down on everything. My father and mother told us to stay inside the van, while they set up the two tents. Some minutes later, they gave us a flashlight and told us to run inside the tent and try to sleep, while they go to their tent.
Extra Note: Years later we realized that some of us could have just slept in the van. The back seat of the van was even able to hold down into a bed.
The sound of the rain against the tent kept my mind off of things. I didn’t mind moving all that much, the only thing I really didn’t like was not being able to see my friends again. To this day, I have only seen one or two of them a time or two over the years and I really would have liked to keep in touch with some of them. So many things ran through my mind that night, but it would pass and I would awaken to a new beginning.
What a way to start the summer. I wake up in a tent in the middle of the woods. On the top of the mountain, I could look down into the valley of Menlo. Trees and huge rocks made up the majority of the environment. On the bright side, the whole place served my brothers and myself as a huge playground.
Our house soon became under construction. When the basement area was carved out and a few layers of blocks were put around the perimeter, we brought over Lady and some belongings. During this time, we had bought a mobile home to live in, to make living a little bit more normal. I was away somewhere during the time they put it there, and I have absolutely no idea how they managed to move that huge thing there, as it was so many rough turns to take in order to get to the property.
Oh boy did we ever have a lot of stuff to take over... One of my father’s friends helped us tow an 18-wheeler full of stuff and carried it all the way to out new home. It was several trips going back and forth across two states.
After the summer was growing short, I was going to school in the second grade. This is a major turn of events in my life. Getting new friends was hard - really hard. I don’t know what it was, but I was never able to get along well with the others my age.
Because I was trying to get along with others, I tried to play some sports like baseball and basketball. I soon found myself quitting them due to health problems. Allergies really, really, really, suck badly. Every time I did anything active, I would be disabled for continuing due to my allergies. Another problem I had was SVT, a rapid heartbeat problem. Out of nowhere, my pulse would go crazy due to this.
This was yet another reason why I never got along well with my friends. Because of this, Lady was basically my closest friend at the time.
Time went by and my relationship with other people was still not as good as I believed they should have been, even towards the end of the second grade. On Monday, May 6th 1996 I woke up and went outside to go on the bus for school, not knowing that this is the worse day I would have ever lived.
“Lady’s dead! Lady’s dead!” my younger brother cried out. I didn’t believe him. I ran towards the scene and saw for myself. There is no combination of words that can describe what I was feeling. I saw Lady lying on the ground, flies crawling all over her, blood staining the ground, and could see into her lifeless eyes. It was the most horrifying thing I have ever seen. Someone shot her during the night.
I was nine years old and just screamed as I ran inside the house that was almost finished. I ran through my parents’ bedroom and buried my head in my mother’s lap and cried. My mother held me close and tried to explain that she was an old dog and was going to eventually meet her end soon anyway. I don’t know if this helped me or not at the time, but I did understand that I would have had to face this at sometime… though I had not intended for it to be so cruel.
I went upstairs in my room and looked out the window at the site where Lady was lying. Minutes later, my father drove the backhoe and laid Lady in the bucket. He carried her to an area within the woods, dug a hole, and buried her there to rest forever.
Two days later, my school counselor spoke to me and tried to help me get over this. We got a piece of paper, wrote a small poem on it, placed a picture of Lady on there and had it laminated. I still have it next to me now, as I type this. It is too hard for me to upload it and not feel like a sissy (as the red pen marks now turned pink over and sloppy kid hand-writing), so I choose not to show it. The picture above of Lady is from the poster thing I made.
It was during this time when questions about God came through my head. The questions starting with “why” kept coming up in prayers. The whole thing stabbed me in the heart and I thought it would never heal.
Years pass by and it was still hard for me to accept this. You may think that is an exaggeration, but it really was that powerful against me. I thought it would never leave me; it was a constant nightmare to have it come through my mind so often.
Some time later, we had another dog for a while. This dog was named Dixie, but dad got rid of her after she tore the screen off our back porch.
I believe I was in the sixth grade and was having trouble at school one day and felt really bad. Coming home from school, my spirits rose when my mother was waiting for me with a weenie-dog named Oscar. She was vacuuming the kitchen and Oscar was barking (sounded more like high-pitched squeaks!) and playing with the vacuum end. We decided to keep him indoors. As I went to feed our chickens, I thanked God for making this day better, as it had started out pretty bad.
He was a very wild little dog and my brothers and I had some fun times playing with him. After I got in from school and finished my chores, I almost always spent time with him. Training him was pretty cool too, getting him to sit, shake, fetch, etc. was successful.
A few months later, my oldest brother, Robert, sneaked a puppy into the house. He was named “Dale” (after a racecar driver that had recently died) and was a bit smaller than Oscar at the time. Dale kept growing and Oscar remained the same size, the two dogs played with each other all the time.
Things were going along well, until something came through my head. Eventually, they will die also and I thought I knew for certain that it would be as hard as it was the first time, when Lady died.
In order for my brothers and myself to get covered by a scholarship, my parents made another decision to move back into the state of Georgia. At this time of my life, I was questioning the existence of God. I honestly had no idea if He existed or not. I could pray saying “If you exist, why don’t you show yourself to me?” but it doesn’t work that way and I often found myself endlessly questioning the facts of life.
However, I did make a sincere prayer, even when I did not know the truth about God. The way to think about this is: “If he doesn’t exist and I pray, then woopty-doo. However, if I prayed and he does exist, then things may fall in my favor.”
A prayer to the thing I was worried for the most was the only thing I could do, so I did it. I prayed to God and I explained everything, how I felt, why I needed help, that I didn’t want to ever be hurt that bad ever again.
Some time had passed. I was in the tenth grade, 17 years old, tired from a day of working around the house. The year earlier, I had discovered what I was allergic to and had that under control for the most part. I also had surgery on my heart to fix the SVT problem I had (again, for the most part).
So after this day of work, the night creeps up over the mountain hills. The family settles in their beds and I take a shower. Before wanting to head to bed myself, I step outside and feel the last bit of warmth of summer day against my chest. The night sky was so clear and calm. Every star was clearly visible and lighted the ground around the house.
It felt so nice outside, that I got a lawn chair and a quilt to make myself comfortable. As crazy as it sounds, I just sat out in my lawn for hours that night and gazed into the Milky Way. Some distance away, I could hear Oscar coming over, checking out what the noise was when I was getting comfy.
When Oscar realizes it was I, the little dog jumped up in my lap and seemed to take about ten full minutes before getting situated. I stayed out there for well over an hour, just gazing at the sky. It would be hard to believe, but there were so many shooting stars. The whole sky was just filled with them.
The whole thing was just magical. The sky continuously spat out beams of light like I have never seen before. There is no way to describe how amazing it was to be there, to see so many shooting stars and with Oscar in my lap, sleeping away.
The next day was like any normal day. It was the weekend, and things were normal. My little brother, Michael, went outside to check the mail and discovered a site that would bring back old wounds. Oscar had died. Michael spotted him on the side of the road when he reached the mailbox.
My father was away working on some house and so we got an old cardboard box and placed Oscar on it and left him on top of some concrete blocks we had outside our house. Dad would come home and would bury him.
Everyone went back inside the quietest house in Georgia to wait for dad to arrive. I was taking things well so far. On the other hand, I was not right in front of Oscar at all since he died. I had watched everything from the front porch.
When everyone was in, I pulled on some shoes and went outside to Oscar. When I got to him I noticed that there was no blood whatsoever. His eyes were closed and I pat his head and said good-bye for the last time. A tear rolled out down my face as I walked into a solitary environment on our property.
I approached a small lake on our land and washed my hands. Dad came home soon afterwards and my mother came out to tell him what had happened. Dad checked Oscar’s body and took him to a place to bury him.
At the end of the day, dad said that Oscar died from snakebite. Apparently, Oscar died somewhat quickly, since the bite was near his heart and he was, after all, a small weenie dog.
I believe God planned that last night I had with Oscar. That night with the shooting stars showed me that there is more to Heaven and Earth that meets the eye. So how do I know this wasn’t coincidence? Did God really answer my prayer and give me that miraculous night with my dog the day before he died? Folks, all things are questionable, but there is a point when you draw the line in what is true and false.
I prayed and I believe it was answered. Things as small as common house pets can mean everything in the world. Oscar meant a lot to me and when he died it gave me more than I could have ever imagined. The second that I thought my prayer was answered, I put faith in God and the truth has spoken for itself.
It wasn’t coincidence. I live now, with an open mind, while knowing the truth.
Edit: There are some things that I don't believe in that a lot of other people do. Such as, I think Saturday is the actual Sabbath day; not Sunday. I also think that God and Jesus were two different people with their own personality traits. I don't think God was actually Jesus. lol
Edit#2: Wait a sec, I only got four points from all of that? Not cool!
Hardcore Christian. You can tell by every aspect of me (clothes, jewelry, attitude). The things that I have been through and have experienced leave me no other alternative than to put my faith in a higher being. After exploring, I found Him. I plan on going to a Christian college very soon and getting a degree in theology.
Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and Jew!!!!
P.S. That guy who just posted about 5 pages of a comment needs to get a life. No offense DUDE, but not only is it pathetic to write pages of a response to a subjective online question, it would be ridiculous for someone to read all of that.
P.S. That guy who just posted about 5 pages of a comment needs to get a life. No offense DUDE, but not only is it pathetic to write pages of a response to a subjective online question, it would be ridiculous for someone to read all of that.
I am Christian Catholic, but i don't go anymore to the church. Well i am still curios and open mind too.
And if i was in born in 2035 i will certainly choose the Jedi path ahahha ! Rolling on floor laughting !
And if i was in born in 2035 i will certainly choose the Jedi path ahahha ! Rolling on floor laughting !
I am a Christian, I don't really care about what you believe I just care that you believe it with your whole being. I believe that as long as you believe in God you should be fine. That means Islam, Judisim, Christianity, Hinduism, and most religions excpet for (sorry this is just what I believe) paganism, polythesim, atheism, Bhudism is OK to me.
My religion is Judaism. I am a Jew who lives in awe of God's wonder.
May God be Praised!!!
"As we wait for the coming of the Messiah, we praise God for what so far He has done." - Chabad Morovhokachad 156:91
May God be Praised!!!
"As we wait for the coming of the Messiah, we praise God for what so far He has done." - Chabad Morovhokachad 156:91
I'm Catholic and I believe that all religions just worship God. Isn't that basically all?
I am a hindu, and a keralite, from India.
Goodness's sake, you are a Keralite? I was fairly surprised to find many Indians here, but I didnt think I would meet another Keralite. From which district in Kerala are you?
| swapnalokam wrote: |
| Iam HINDU and a pure dravidian as same as you mega star.. but not from andra... Iam from kerala... |
Goodness's sake, you are a Keralite? I was fairly surprised to find many Indians here, but I didnt think I would meet another Keralite. From which district in Kerala are you?
| varun_dodla wrote: |
| I'm a HINDU but I really don have any hard feelings for religion and caste. I respect ppl as individuals and except others to reciprocate in a similar way. |
Actually that is the characteristic of every hindu.
I am also a hindu and I believe in contemplative religion rather than ceremonial religion. I think religion is a relationship between individual and god and no one has any right to dectate any terms related to this.
I'm Catholic.
well i was born and raised Baptist (Christian) but I couldn't really tell you what I am now... It's kinda complicated.
i am a christian, a southern baptist. less conservative than other baptists secs in our country (Pilipinas).
Jesus is my saved me form my sins! i praise and love him for that.
just a thought...
this system we call religion... well.. centuries had passed since a lot of it(religion) were founded/born... don't you think it has gone through a lot of changes and is not genuine to be called belief? i mean, for political purposes, for example, religion has been used and its foundations(such as documents and historical facts) changed.
correct me if i am wrong please
Jesus is my saved me form my sins! i praise and love him for that.
just a thought...
this system we call religion... well.. centuries had passed since a lot of it(religion) were founded/born... don't you think it has gone through a lot of changes and is not genuine to be called belief? i mean, for political purposes, for example, religion has been used and its foundations(such as documents and historical facts) changed.
correct me if i am wrong please
Agnostic. I deny evolution, I think its just a crack job. But the concept of God/Gods/Godesses I believe. Because, I believe that we can only hold a certain amount of information. That our truth is way over our heads and if we knew the truth we would corrupt from the massive amount of information. But I believe in some form of God.
| nothingXelse wrote: |
| Agnostic. I deny evolution, I think its just a crack job. But the concept of God/Gods/Godesses I believe. Because, I believe that we can only hold a certain amount of information. That our truth is way over our heads and if we knew the truth we would corrupt from the massive amount of information. But I believe in some form of God. |
Do you 'deny' gravity as well ? Unfortunately neither gravity nor evolution will be much changed by your denial in the same way that the 14th belief that the world was flat didn't really make it so...
Regards
Chris
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
Do you 'deny' gravity as well ? Unfortunately neither gravity nor evolution will be much changed by your denial in the same way that the 14th belief that the world was flat didn't really make it so... Regards Chris |
No, because I can feel it and it's been proved. Evolution is just stupid actually. Theres no way to know ecactly if things actually evolved just by their skeletons. It could actually be an entirely different animal. PLus with religion there actually might be a connection with a god or godess, thats why I'm agnostic. Not sure what religion is actually telling the truth. I believe more in faith than evolution.
| nothingXelse wrote: |
|
No, because I can feel it and it's been proved. Evolution is just stupid actually. Theres no way to know ecactly if things actually evolved just by their skeletons. It could actually be an entirely different animal. PLus with religion there actually might be a connection with a god or godess, thats why I'm agnostic. Not sure what religion is actually telling the truth. I believe more in faith than evolution. |
Evolution is stupid ? Hmmm...methinks you have a different view of stupidity to me. To most scientists it is logical, almost obvious, as well as being very well tested (the entire fossil record has not produced a single specimen which would contradict natural selection, for example).
If you believe that evolution is stupid then you obviously come at the issue from a non-science viewpoint, which is, of course, your priviledge.
To believe in faith per se rather than hold a specific faith is a rather odd stance and I'm not sure how I can approach it since it is almost entirely opposite to my own position which is that belief in general is bad since it removes the requirement to evaluate and test for yourself.
Chris.
I will agree with Bikerman that evolution is a stupid idea.
I have heard an interestng thing this weekend that says something to the effect of: we can continue to refine lies until they look like truth.
This doesn't mean that lies are truth, cause they can't, but we have to be able to figure out what the lie is and what the truth is if we are to know what to believe with absolute certainty. I do not consider faith to be retricted in a religious sense or as a noun, but rather to be an action word. I would say that faith is an assurance of the things we believe. If we do not know what to believe then it is impossible to have this sort of faith. So faith and belief go hand and hand.
I have seen lies which are made to look like the truth, and a lot of them is on television in the form of advertisments (not all though), and some even saddly in politics. The Judical system is set up in a way to justify (make right) the law and settle matters in a way that extract the truth of the matter. Of course even this is not perfect.
____________________
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
I have heard an interestng thing this weekend that says something to the effect of: we can continue to refine lies until they look like truth.
This doesn't mean that lies are truth, cause they can't, but we have to be able to figure out what the lie is and what the truth is if we are to know what to believe with absolute certainty. I do not consider faith to be retricted in a religious sense or as a noun, but rather to be an action word. I would say that faith is an assurance of the things we believe. If we do not know what to believe then it is impossible to have this sort of faith. So faith and belief go hand and hand.
I have seen lies which are made to look like the truth, and a lot of them is on television in the form of advertisments (not all though), and some even saddly in politics. The Judical system is set up in a way to justify (make right) the law and settle matters in a way that extract the truth of the matter. Of course even this is not perfect.
____________________
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| I will agree with Bikerman that evolution is a stupid idea.
|
Suggest you read my post again......I was saying the opposite.
As for faith and belief....in this context surely the two mean the same ?
Chris
I know.
faith and belief?
hmm you could believe in something yet have no faith in it.
it seems to me they are not the same.
hmm you could believe in something yet have no faith in it.
it seems to me they are not the same.
| androjuni wrote: |
| faith and belief?
hmm you could believe in something yet have no faith in it. it seems to me they are not the same. |
Really ? Believe in something but without having faith in it ? To me the two things mean the same in this context, so I cannot see how you can believe in something without having faith in it...the two are interchangable....
Perhaps my English is worse than I thought, but I'm not sure it is.....
Chris.
When I study this topic, I remembered John Lennon, the beatles.
He wrote a song Imagine.
Personally I don't think the song is anti-religious. It is just hopes for a more peaceful world.
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
He wrote a song Imagine.
Personally I don't think the song is anti-religious. It is just hopes for a more peaceful world.
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Atheist!
Although I´m baptised in christian church... but I was just a baby then, so I didnt really have much of a choice
I beleave in science.
Although I´m baptised in christian church... but I was just a baby then, so I didnt really have much of a choice
I beleave in science.
I agree with you about Science but what about Metaphysics? Do you have some opinions about that??
I am Christian. This is a major subliminal message. Please email me if you find it as I think it is really cool. My email address is the-master@supanet.com Anyway Congratulations if you found this as I really did think that no one would ever find it and it would be one of those things on the Internet that no one will ever find like one of those free sites that no one ever visits. Not like ones made on this site they are cool!!! I love this site and thanks for it.
I proudly present my religion: Science
My god is: Einstein and all of the other great thinkers.
My god is: Einstein and all of the other great thinkers.
I AM A REFORMED PROTESTANT!
Despite the moderator's view, Atheism is NOT a kind of religion and trying to assert that it is, is both incorrect and also a typical ploy of the religious when debating with atheists.
Just because Animal asserts that I follow a religion does not make it so and I would be interested to see some support for the position as I can happily profide counter evidence and refutation of the statement. A blithe statement of belief is no substitute for reasoned debate so please support the assertion if you can, otherwise withdraw it.
Regards
Chris
Just because Animal asserts that I follow a religion does not make it so and I would be interested to see some support for the position as I can happily profide counter evidence and refutation of the statement. A blithe statement of belief is no substitute for reasoned debate so please support the assertion if you can, otherwise withdraw it.
Regards
Chris
| Quote: |
| Despite the moderator's view, Atheism is NOT a kind of religion and trying to assert that it is, is both incorrect and also a typical ploy of the religious when debating with atheists. |
Completely True.
With Religion comes belief.
With Atheism comes lack of belief.
-Being Atheist does not mean you believe in Evolution or even Gravity.
-Being Atheist does not mean you believe in Science or Math.
-Being Atheist does not mean that you deny of the existance of god.
-Being Atheist means that you have lack of belief in a god(s).
-Atheism is a default state of mind and everybody is one until they develop the belief in a god(s).
Religion: None
Why: I'd rather search for the truth than believing what my parents told me to believe.
About Evolution: Well heres one form of evolution. Genetics. Mutations in the genes happen all the time. Some people die at birth, some don't even enzymes to digest milk, etc.. Some Gene mutations are very good, some are extremely bad. These genes can pass onto offspring. Eventually this gene could spread throughout the entire population or create it's own population seperate from the rest. This could be considered a form of evolution. We see evolution in bacteria all the time. Sometimes things evolve because of there predatory\prey.
Evolution does not deny the existance of god(s) either. It would make god(s) seem smarter. To me evolution seems obvious.
Although I was raised Christian and baptised. Overall though.. Christians are complete idiots in following there own religion. I mean no offense to anyone but face the facts:
In the new testament Jesus tells you he did not abolish the old testament but rather was enforcing htem.
By following old testament you should have killed 2/3 of the world for not being Christian and you will be punished by God when you die for not doing so.
Of course there are quotes in the bible telling you not to kill. However the Bible states that anyone who goes against the word of god or jesus they are a false prophets. Therefor anyone telling you not to kill someone from another religion is a false prophet and should not be worshiped.
I am a born again Christian. I am a creationist who thinks of God as the creator and redemer of the universe. I have found in my own life he is merciful and kind. And because Christianity solves all the problems of the world. I am so looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face and being welcomed into his presence.
Athiest, but I love going along with the Tenri folks. How can you help but love Tenrikyou? XD
I am a Lutheranism s sheep,but I believe in the ecumenicalism, and somethimes I find some answers in the religions of the East. I think all religions are a part of all.
If we can understand this, i think we will find the peace between us
If we can understand this, i think we will find the peace between us
I have my own religion.
I do not have a name for it, but here's a short text to describe it.
My religion is simple. I do not believe in miracles on earth such as walking on water, or healing with hands. I do not believe in religions telling me how god or gods look like, what they do or what they are.
What I believe in is that there is something greater than man, that created man. Nothing more. I don't believe that this person has ever been on earth or has some "son" on earth.
I do not understand how this person created The Universe, Earth and Mankind, but I feel no need to understand. I know there's something greater than me that created me and that is watching me. That's enough for me to believe in.
So these two lines summarize all my religion:
"I believe that I am not the greatest."
"I believe I do not fully understand what's greater than me."
I do not have a name for it, but here's a short text to describe it.
My religion is simple. I do not believe in miracles on earth such as walking on water, or healing with hands. I do not believe in religions telling me how god or gods look like, what they do or what they are.
What I believe in is that there is something greater than man, that created man. Nothing more. I don't believe that this person has ever been on earth or has some "son" on earth.
I do not understand how this person created The Universe, Earth and Mankind, but I feel no need to understand. I know there's something greater than me that created me and that is watching me. That's enough for me to believe in.
So these two lines summarize all my religion:
"I believe that I am not the greatest."
"I believe I do not fully understand what's greater than me."
| oscerl wrote: |
|
What I believe in is that there is something greater than man, that created man. Nothing more. I don't believe that this person has ever been on earth or has some "son" on earth. |
Did this entity create man as he is or simply create the evolutionary chain which led to man ? ie do you think that evolution is wrong ?
Regards
Chris
I'm an atheist, and do not follow any religion. I'm shocked to read in this thread that someone is an agnostic, but thinks the idea of evolution is "stupid". The only reason not to believe that life evolved is if you're a dogmatic, fundamentalist follower of certain religions where the scriptures seems to contradict evolution. Evolution makes so much sense, is so obvious, it is stunning that anyone otherwise could doubt it (let alone call it stupid). Maybe they should try reading Richard Dawkin's "Blind Watchmaker". Actually, if they read the original paper on the theory of evolution written by Alfred Russell Wallace (who was religious, btw), it should be enough to convince them.
| BruceThePainter wrote: |
| I'm an atheist, and do not follow any religion. I'm shocked to read in this thread that someone is an agnostic, but thinks the idea of evolution is "stupid". The only reason not to believe that life evolved is if you're a dogmatic, fundamentalist follower of certain religions where the scriptures seems to contradict evolution. Evolution makes so much sense, is so obvious, it is stunning that anyone otherwise could doubt it (let alone call it stupid). Maybe they should try reading Richard Dawkin's "Blind Watchmaker". Actually, if they read the original paper on the theory of evolution written by Alfred Russell Wallace (who was religious, btw), it should be enough to convince them. |
A very good book (Blind Watchmaker).
Here's a link to a paper Richard wrote some time ago on the subject of memes and religion, and a paper on the improbability of God.
These may irritate/offend the devote so my advice would be to pass them by if you think that describes you......
http://camres.frih.net/resources/biology/Dawkins-Viruses.htm
http://camres.frih.net/resources/biology/Dawkins-ImprobabilityOfGod.htm
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
Do you 'deny' gravity as well ? Unfortunately neither gravity nor evolution will be much changed by your denial in the same way that the 14th belief that the world was flat didn't really make it so... Regards Chris |
Are you implying that evolution is the true theory? As you know, there are many theories of Creation, but only one can be true. As no human can possibly confirm the absolute truth of any of those, we choose to do our best by believing what seems right to us as individuals.
NOTE: I'm a Christian, Mennonite Brethren (different from Mennnonite)
| misswynne wrote: |
|
Are you implying that evolution is the true theory? As you know, there are many theories of Creation, but only one can be true. As no human can possibly confirm the absolute truth of any of those, we choose to do our best by believing what seems right to us as individuals. |
True is a word avoided in science as it implies final and unchangable position. I am certainly implying that evolution is extremely solid and reliable as scientific theories go. I would put it on a par with, for example, gravity and Newton's laws of motion. It is logical, it fits in with other data, it has never been refuted by any fossil discovery and it explains the phenomena better than any other theory. Whilst I would never say that a theory is 'true' in the way you mean, that is more a choice of expression than any indication that I have doubts about it. In short, yes, I am saying that evolution is how we got here! What you believe is your choice. What actually happened is not.
Regards
Chris
I'm an atheist with a belief in science. I believe science can explain the things we do not know today.
I'm agnostic, meaning that, although I respect all religions, I do not believe that man can prove through science that God exists. Man must find his own way to find his own God and to achieve realization that karma exists. Obviously, as you can see, I have yet to find karma.
On an ironic note, I was agnostic while going to a private Lutheran middle school. I bet no one knew, though.
Honestly, though, I do share a certain amount of distaste for religions, though, mostly because it has become a source of so many of today's modern problems. Whenever I see stuff on the media concerning church scandals, I kind of get irritated, not because of why the church is doing this, but that the church is giving the media the excuse to report this kind of useless and irritating crap.
Still, I do have a healthy respect for all religions, and I don't have any sort of religious bias that would be reflected in the way I treat people.
On an ironic note, I was agnostic while going to a private Lutheran middle school. I bet no one knew, though.
Honestly, though, I do share a certain amount of distaste for religions, though, mostly because it has become a source of so many of today's modern problems. Whenever I see stuff on the media concerning church scandals, I kind of get irritated, not because of why the church is doing this, but that the church is giving the media the excuse to report this kind of useless and irritating crap.
Still, I do have a healthy respect for all religions, and I don't have any sort of religious bias that would be reflected in the way I treat people.
I was born as Muslim..and till now still Muslim
i am hindu and from rajasthan and now a student in jammu & kashmir
If I had to pick any religion it would be Buddhism.
Why?
It's the only religion that I know of that is nonviolent.
Why?
It's the only religion that I know of that is nonviolent.
Christian!!!!!!
Muslim And Proud
Hello! This topic it seems to be intresting, so I will answer to your question. I am a muslim and I believe that theres only one god. Yes, I am also an arab, but I am pretty sad, as many people has a lot of predicujes at my "civilization and nationality". I know, that there has been a lot of terrorist attacks, but I can say for you, that no-one, who is saying, that he is muslim and doing terrorism, is really a muslim. Those people, who are doing that, are mad and they are not muslims, as the most biggest sheiqs (they are like priests for christian) has said, that killing a people, which haven't done anything it is not allowed in islam. I really would like to be proud of my religion and I am, but after those idiots I can't say, that it is very nice to tell, that you are a muslim.
I believe in a God/Greater Being .. whatever you would like to call it but have no desire to associate myself with most religions which I see as the root of most of the problems in the world ..
I am pagan, personally.
I am a druid, though not a follower of 'druidism'. Let me explain...
Druid was a title and never was an -ism. The druids were the warriors and scholars of a given tradition. The ovates were the herbalists and scryers, and the bards were the record keepers (verbal).
I am a druid of a grove based in the North Midwestern region of the United states.
Overall, I find all theologies interesting and try to make a point of studying as much as I can. Theologies are the only aspects of life that people can believe so truly and yet no one can prove. To me, that is a very interesting place of study.
I am a druid, though not a follower of 'druidism'. Let me explain...
Druid was a title and never was an -ism. The druids were the warriors and scholars of a given tradition. The ovates were the herbalists and scryers, and the bards were the record keepers (verbal).
I am a druid of a grove based in the North Midwestern region of the United states.
Overall, I find all theologies interesting and try to make a point of studying as much as I can. Theologies are the only aspects of life that people can believe so truly and yet no one can prove. To me, that is a very interesting place of study.
MUSLIM!
ALLAHUAKBAR!
well, i donot only have a religion, i have a system, a guide to life =D u can get whatever u wish for as long as u sincerely make prayers to Allah (SWT)
ALLAHUAKBAR!
well, i donot only have a religion, i have a system, a guide to life =D u can get whatever u wish for as long as u sincerely make prayers to Allah (SWT)
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, who said, "No one comes unto the father except thru me." He also said things like, "The first shall be last, and the last shall be first," and that those who were considered outsiders will enter the Kingdom of Heaven before those who think they belong to the Kingdom.
I believe that all people will eventually have to answer to Jesus, as "there is no other name by which men shall be saved." Nevertheless, I believe He will judge the state of a person's heart (their deepest desires), not on appearances or on what knowledge a person has.
I believe that all people will eventually have to answer to Jesus, as "there is no other name by which men shall be saved." Nevertheless, I believe He will judge the state of a person's heart (their deepest desires), not on appearances or on what knowledge a person has.
I am jewish
To make things simple, i'll say Christian. I attend a Christian church, try to live by Christian values, and believe in God, yet my religious ideas are so much different from any other person in the Church. Most Christians annoy me because of their ignorance and close-mindedness to other ideas. I mean I like the people there, but most Christians are ignorant and give us all a bad name.
i'm nothing because i don't belive in Religion 
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(aka Mormon)
No, we do NOT support polygamy. You get excommunicated for that.
(aka Mormon)
No, we do NOT support polygamy. You get excommunicated for that.
| TymonBlueSword wrote: |
| I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(aka Mormon) No, we do NOT support polygamy. You get excommunicated for that. |
wow, I'm new and I thought that I would be the only person that was mormon... and also remember that people who are from Utah do not have horns. I have no idea where people come up with this stuff, but people still ask
| .Locke wrote: | ||
wow, I'm new and I thought that I would be the only person that was mormon... and also remember that people who are from Utah do not have horns. I have no idea where people come up with this stuff, but people still ask |
Horns? hehe.. Never would have thought that. I think of Utah and I think of salt and fun driving.
Christian, protestant.
Well i dont really believe in denominations, but im an Apostle and Pastor in a non denom church. I just love Jesus and want to serve people and the community.
I'm a Muslim .
.
I was born an Indian Hindu, but over the years i've stopped following my religion or any other for that matter, which i have reasons for. I simply believe that there is a higher power.
I was born and raised Anglican. However, I started questioning many of the rituals and beliefs of the Church, and I started reading the Bible. I desired to go back to the simple teachings of the early church as they were revealed in the Gospel (New Testament). Later, I met a group of like minded undenominational Christians who had the same plea and desire, so i became a Non denominational Christian.
I worship with a "Church of Christ" which practices and believes in simple New testament Christianity, Believes only in the Gospel (new testament) as the only rule of faith and belief, and which is not part of an overall hierarchy or central denomination.
I call myself a member of the "church of Christ" or "church of God", not because those names reflect a denomination, but because they were names used in the New testament. It is God who automatically and spiritually makes us members of his church when we put our faith and trust in him through his son Jesus Christ.
I worship with a "Church of Christ" which practices and believes in simple New testament Christianity, Believes only in the Gospel (new testament) as the only rule of faith and belief, and which is not part of an overall hierarchy or central denomination.
I call myself a member of the "church of Christ" or "church of God", not because those names reflect a denomination, but because they were names used in the New testament. It is God who automatically and spiritually makes us members of his church when we put our faith and trust in him through his son Jesus Christ.
Discover Islam - The Fastest Growing Religion in the World!
All praise is due to Allah, Sustainer of the Universe, Who informs us that:
“Those who believe in GOD, and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into mercy from Him, and grace, and will guide them to Him in a straight path.”
[Glorious Quran 4:175]
-For the millions of years humans have lived, some of them always believe in GOD. Yet some do not, what makes these disbelievers refuse to believe? What makes the believers believe?
-Many people have come and gone trying to explain GOD and failing.
-Surely something must keep the believers clinging on to truth?
While religions such as Christianity demand blind faith and say: “Don't think, pray”. Although this results in high spirituality, it closes off the urge to seek for Truth.
Atheism says: “Don't pray, think”. Although this results in a great thirst for knowledge, it closes off spirituality.
Islam says “pray and think”. Which is a perfect combination. If Islam disagrees with correct proven science, one tiny bit, then there is instant conflict. Only an All-Knowing Being could create a religion that fits perfectly with science. Islam agrees perfectly with science. See http://www.thedaughterofthenile.com/.
The aim of this website, my brothers and sisters: To find TRUTH. May GOD lead us to truth.
Thank you. May God bless you.
All praise is due to Allah, Sustainer of the Universe, Who informs us that:
“Those who believe in GOD, and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into mercy from Him, and grace, and will guide them to Him in a straight path.”
[Glorious Quran 4:175]
-For the millions of years humans have lived, some of them always believe in GOD. Yet some do not, what makes these disbelievers refuse to believe? What makes the believers believe?
-Many people have come and gone trying to explain GOD and failing.
-Surely something must keep the believers clinging on to truth?
While religions such as Christianity demand blind faith and say: “Don't think, pray”. Although this results in high spirituality, it closes off the urge to seek for Truth.
Atheism says: “Don't pray, think”. Although this results in a great thirst for knowledge, it closes off spirituality.
Islam says “pray and think”. Which is a perfect combination. If Islam disagrees with correct proven science, one tiny bit, then there is instant conflict. Only an All-Knowing Being could create a religion that fits perfectly with science. Islam agrees perfectly with science. See http://www.thedaughterofthenile.com/.
The aim of this website, my brothers and sisters: To find TRUTH. May GOD lead us to truth.
Thank you. May God bless you.
I am A Muslim and i am proud of it, thanks to god i am a muslim!
earth, water, sun, air
*blink* Thanks for the sermon. I was starting to feel unoppressed.
| Muslim4life wrote: |
| Discover Islam - The Fastest Growing Religion in the World!
All praise is due to Allah, Sustainer of the Universe, Who informs us that: “Those who believe in GOD, and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into mercy from Him, and grace, and will guide them to Him in a straight path.” [Glorious Quran 4:175] -For the millions of years humans have lived, some of them always believe in GOD. Yet some do not, what makes these disbelievers refuse to believe? What makes the believers believe? -Many people have come and gone trying to explain GOD and failing. -Surely something must keep the believers clinging on to truth? While religions such as Christianity demand blind faith and say: “Don't think, pray”. Although this results in high spirituality, it closes off the urge to seek for Truth. Atheism says: “Don't pray, think”. Although this results in a great thirst for knowledge, it closes off spirituality. Islam says “pray and think”. Which is a perfect combination. If Islam disagrees with correct proven science, one tiny bit, then there is instant conflict. Only an All-Knowing Being could create a religion that fits perfectly with science. Islam agrees perfectly with science. See http://www.thedaughterofthenile.com/. The aim of this website, my brothers and sisters: To find TRUTH. May GOD lead us to truth. Thank you. May God bless you. |
hi im new. I'm christain and more susificly - can't spell - church of England but I go to a Chatolic shcool so have to sit through the really long masses. I find that the Church of England branch of Christianity is allot more layed back and welcoming that others for example women are allow to become preists and servises are more "fun".
i am a buddist. i love being a buddist
Gee, is Athiesm a religion? It is certainly my spiritual viewpoint.
| leslewis wrote: |
| Gee, is Athiesm a religion? It is certainly my spiritual viewpoint. |
No it is not a religion.
Chris.
| leslewis wrote: |
| Gee, is Athiesm a religion? It is certainly my spiritual viewpoint. |
A religion? No. A faith? yes.
It could even be argued to be called a spirituality of sorts.
Im Buddish...
Im member of the Church of Jesus christ of later day saints. [mormon]
I am ortodox, but in this muslim country it is better to be a member of any Iesus Chorch to emmigrate (I am from Kyrgyzstan)
I am Sikh and I am proud if it! Long live sikhism!
I'm Atheist. Some people seem to think that means I worship Satan or that I don't have any morals. This is untrue. It means I don't worship anything... except maybe chocolate, and I do have morals. In fact, I am more polite than many people I have met in the past.
I also get the whole "You're going to Hell!!" thing a lot. It's funny how strangers condemn me to a fate I don't even believe in.
I also get the whole "You're going to Hell!!" thing a lot. It's funny how strangers condemn me to a fate I don't even believe in.
I am a hindu..learning to be a buddhist.
Certain ideas in buddism like..There does not exist a god, who controls the entire universe..
are more aligned with my scientific beliefs...
Think the world would have been a better place...if all where buddhist.
again i am not a buddhist!
Certain ideas in buddism like..There does not exist a god, who controls the entire universe..
are more aligned with my scientific beliefs...
Think the world would have been a better place...if all where buddhist.
again i am not a buddhist!
I am a Muslim. Muslims are the followers of Islam. So My religion is Islam. Our Holy book is Quran. Islam mean Peace as Islam teaches how to maintain peace on earth. Islam teaches the rights of women and men. As we are created we must obey the creator. The creator is the God and god is no one but Allah.
I am agnostic. One who doesn't believe in the existence of a God. There IS a difference between agnostic and atheism. Atheism, is more like a person who doesn't care or believes in a god but doesn't follow any religion.
| chastise wrote: |
| I am agnostic. One who doesn't believe in the existence of a God. There IS a difference between agnostic and atheism. Atheism, is more like a person who doesn't care or believes in a god but doesn't follow any religion. |
Err,,I think you have it the wrong way around.
Atheist - one who does not accept the existence of a Deity or Divinity
Agnostic - a. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
b. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
Regards
Chris
101% MUSLIM! any questions about islam? pls do not hesitate! and message me!
New Christian all the way and couldn't be happier about it. :>
Atheist here...
Christian.
| chastise wrote: |
| I am agnostic. One who doesn't believe in the existence of a God. There IS a difference between agnostic and atheism. Atheism, is more like a person who doesn't care or believes in a god but doesn't follow any religion. |
yeah. ya kinda got that backwards.
Why people always afraid about others religions?
For me i think that every human bean should love each together!
For me i think that every human bean should love each together!
I'm an atheist. Or, more likely, not religious.
That's something I find hard to agree. I don't hate people because of the things they were born with, I'm not racist, homophobic, antisemite, anything... But still, I don't understand why should I love everyone. I don't expect everyone to love me, because I know that I have many flaws.
As everyone.
There are people I can't realte to at all. Maybe I just don't agree with them on some points. This doesn't mean that I want to hurt them.
Loving someone is too special to spread it out to everyone.
| Quote: |
| For me i think that every human bean should love each together! |
That's something I find hard to agree. I don't hate people because of the things they were born with, I'm not racist, homophobic, antisemite, anything... But still, I don't understand why should I love everyone. I don't expect everyone to love me, because I know that I have many flaws.
As everyone.
There are people I can't realte to at all. Maybe I just don't agree with them on some points. This doesn't mean that I want to hurt them.
Loving someone is too special to spread it out to everyone.
| Dr Carruthers wrote: | ||
I'm an atheist. Or, more likely, not religious.
That's something I find hard to agree. I don't hate people because of the things they were born with, I'm not racist, homophobic, antisemite, anything... But still, I don't understand why should I love everyone. I don't expect everyone to love me, because I know that I have many flaws. As everyone. There are people I can't realte to at all. Maybe I just don't agree with them on some points. This doesn't mean that I want to hurt them. Loving someone is too special to spread it out to everyone. |
I agree with your statement whole-heartedly. I understand completely where you're coming from here and I, too, feel the same way. In regards to the previous poster's comment, I also see where s/he was coming from. I think it was more a question of respecting everyone. Not on an individual basis, perhaps, but on a social level. Don't judge others because of the paths they've chosen, basically. That, I also agree with... if that was the initial intent of the post.
Pagan, in good standing. If you can be in good standing as a Pagan.
Christian, protestant.
I'm Agnostic. No religion, but yet, not atheistic.
I believe that there is a 50% chance that God does or doesn't exist, so i'd rather to respect everyones opinion only if they do as well.
I think that choose the Agnostic way is smarter than choosing Atheism, beacause at the moment there is no way to assure that God doesn't exist. No ofense to atheistic people of course.
I believe that there is a 50% chance that God does or doesn't exist, so i'd rather to respect everyones opinion only if they do as well.
I think that choose the Agnostic way is smarter than choosing Atheism, beacause at the moment there is no way to assure that God doesn't exist. No ofense to atheistic people of course.
Im guessing I am church of England and go to a Catholic Sixthform. Although I have a tiny interest in muslim ideals.
I don't practice it much. But there are some good morals in the bible.
I don't practice it much. But there are some good morals in the bible.
I'm a Moslim.
Southern Baptist
i'm a moslem
i proud to be a moslem person
i proud to be a moslem person
i have no religion. I follow what beliefs i choose to follow and live my life without rules and restrictions. There are times i am tempted to join a religion but it short lived. If i had to join a religion i would join buddism because it uses the mind and trains it to try and reach its full potential. I have many things in common with buddists.
I am Hindu from Nepal..
| jlg421 wrote: |
| Pagan, in good standing. If you can be in good standing as a Pagan. |
I hope you can... otherwise, everyone is wasting their time professing their religions and we may as well have a global theo-war until there is one religion standing. Which would be really embarrassing if at the end of time, the "winner" finds out they were wrong.
I'm an atheist...
I am Christian, and belong to a United Church. I wouldn't go so far to say that I have a denomination that I belong to, because I believe in God, not the politics behind him.
I am a christian but I think nowadays, your religion matters less than your job. Nobody can really discriminate you for which god you believe in, nobody really practicies religion amongst young western people, and you are more likely to be discriminated for your race or social status.
That is why I was wondering what difference it makes to ask what religion people are from. Are we not all human ? Arenn't money and globalization the modern time gods ?
That is why I was wondering what difference it makes to ask what religion people are from. Are we not all human ? Arenn't money and globalization the modern time gods ?
hmm.. i dont believe there is a God but i am spiritualistic and i believe in a mind-body-soul connection.
I'm a nonreligion atheist. Believes in the existence of God, but never in any of the Prophets. Have been to temple and church, but I think Christians are much better in my point of view.
Hindu.....but it really doesnt matter.
I am good for myself, and i am happy
I am good for myself, and i am happy
atheist here.
and please, i know i'm going to hell. noone needs to remind me.
and please, i know i'm going to hell. noone needs to remind me.
Quaker/Pagan
I've got you all beat.
I've got you all beat.
I'm a Modern Satanist who holds lectures in my local area.
Atleast I get involved lol.
Atleast I get involved lol.
Hi, I'm a Buddhist and I love its philosophy very much...I feel lucky that I can meet with Buddhism...
I am Catholic.
| megastar wrote: |
| I AM HINDU
[mod-edit]007: titlefix + could you please turn off caps lock?[/mod-edit] |
I am Orthodox Chrisitan
I was baptised Catholic, but not very religious.
I am Christian catholic.
I'm Christian - Church of England. 
| roxawannable wrote: |
| Christian...but was raised catholic...didn't agree with lots of things there...so now consider myself Christian |
Yeah, I know what you mean
I am a Roman Catholic too but I like to regard myself as a Christian I am a protestant Christian. I know God exists. That simple statement bamboozled me when I was an atheist. I was sure you could never be sure that God exists. Then He entered my life like He hit me over the head with a sledgehammer. I know He exists.
Then I started reading up on the issue, and realised that actually you can be sure intellectually as well as spiritually that Jesus did rise from the dead, and existed.
Amazing.
Then I started reading up on the issue, and realised that actually you can be sure intellectually as well as spiritually that Jesus did rise from the dead, and existed.
Amazing.
YAY IM AGNOSTIC!!!
wait, that means i have none.
oh snap.
wait, that means i have none.
oh snap.
Raised southern baptist... now am agnostic. I'm not going to pretend I know anything about what happens after we die or that I know who created the universe (obviously, I'm actually a big believer in evolution). I'm also not closed-minded enough to say any particular religion is absolutely wrong when it comes to their ... philosophies. When it comes to their actions, though, many religions have been wrong.
My religion is my quest through life(to find my ultimate self) -and since my religion is life itself, it covers great many things, everything good.
I am a protestant Christian from Brazil.
| doeshereallyloveme wrote: |
| I am a protestant Christian. I know God exists. That simple statement bamboozled me when I was an atheist. I was sure you could never be sure that God exists. Then He entered my life like He hit me over the head with a sledgehammer. I know He exists.
Then I started reading up on the issue, and realised that actually you can be sure intellectually as well as spiritually that Jesus did rise from the dead, and existed. Amazing. |
So many atheists and agnostics who have studied the evidence have become convinced of God's existance and the reliability of the Bible. Of course, many will not believe because it is not in their heart or they do not persue the study far enough.
For example, some find one "mistake" in the Bible, and are willing to throw the whole thing out. While believers generally have confidence that there is truth in every part, rules of evidence say that if you can test a sample for consistency and historical accuracy, then you ought to withhold judgment and give some credibility to the rest. An example of a "mistake" often pointed to in the past is that Pontius Pilate was believed to have the wrong title in the book of Luke. Recent finds show that Luke's term is very likely correct.
That Jesus existed, was executed, and His body was missing from the grave appears very likely, based only on non-Christian historical sources. Of course, the resurrection itself cannot be substantiated easily, although the claim that he resurrected can. The best historical evidence I know of for the resurrection is the fact that nearly all His closest followers willingly went to the grave proclaiming His resurrection as a fact.
Agnostic!
The religion test, http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=10907
Agnosticism 67%
Buddhism 54%
Atheism 46%
Paganism 46%
Satanism 46%
Islam 38%
Judaism 38%
Hinduism 33%
Christianity 25%
The religion test, http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=10907
Agnosticism 67%
Buddhism 54%
Atheism 46%
Paganism 46%
Satanism 46%
Islam 38%
Judaism 38%
Hinduism 33%
Christianity 25%
I'm... uhh, agnostic eclectig paganistic, in a way...
| Mordane wrote: |
| Agnostic!
The religion test, http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=10907 Agnosticism 67% Buddhism 54% Atheism 46% Paganism 46% Satanism 46% Islam 38% Judaism 38% Hinduism 33% Christianity 25% |
Wtf... you got to be kidding.
Satanism 100%
agnosticism 83%
Buddhism 50%
atheism 33%
Christianity 25%
Islam 17%
Paganism 17%
Hinduism 0%
Judaism 0%
I find myself as an Agnostic, if not, then I'm Atheist....but satanism come on.
I am a Christian (orthodox, calvinist, reformed, presbyterian), I enjoy a solidly trusting faith that God loves me, that through his son Jesus Christ there is salvation for me (regrettably dayly I do and think things that really are not in accordance with God - but thanks to Jesus who died at the cross now I am nevertheless 100% one of his beloved and longed-for children). So now I believe also that the world is a great place to be, that it is wonderful to be surrounded by people (even if we regularly disappoint each other). And that it will be amazingly better - of course I mean: after this life, in the new world.
# Een vast vertrouwend geloof, dat God van mij houdt, dat er door zijn zoon Jezus Christus redding voor mij is (ik doe en denk helaas dagelijks dingen die op die manier helemaal niet zo bij God passen – maar dankzij de kruisdood van Jezus hoor ik er voor God helemaal bij!). En nu dus ook dat de wereld een prima plek is om te zijn, dat het heerlijk is mensen om je heen te hebben (ook al stellen we elkaar wel nogal eens teleur). En dat het nog onbeschrijfelijk veel gaver gaat worden (natuurlijk bedoel ik hier: na dit leven)
# Ik ben Christen, ik ben actief lid van de kerk ‘gereformeerd vrijgemaakt’ in Leusden (1000 leden).
# Een vast vertrouwend geloof, dat God van mij houdt, dat er door zijn zoon Jezus Christus redding voor mij is (ik doe en denk helaas dagelijks dingen die op die manier helemaal niet zo bij God passen – maar dankzij de kruisdood van Jezus hoor ik er voor God helemaal bij!). En nu dus ook dat de wereld een prima plek is om te zijn, dat het heerlijk is mensen om je heen te hebben (ook al stellen we elkaar wel nogal eens teleur). En dat het nog onbeschrijfelijk veel gaver gaat worden (natuurlijk bedoel ik hier: na dit leven)
# Ik ben Christen, ik ben actief lid van de kerk ‘gereformeerd vrijgemaakt’ in Leusden (1000 leden).
I do not believe in religion
in my opinion i find the whole idea of worshipping a diety who we have no proof really exists is quite comical, and i have some pity for the people who dedicate themselves so wholely to their religion
i do not have to explain my existance through the act of some greater inteligence, i have an ut-most belief in science and evolution, and i take pride in the fact that i am a product of thousands of years of evolution to become the perfect adaptive organism to take hold of a whole planet over all other species.
being made by a god and stuck on this planet.. i find it simply offensive to my existance
survival of the fittest boys and girls, what are you made of?
jamo
sonofmorris
++ Edit ++ instead of posting again...
satanism: 96%
atheism: 83%
judaism: 50%
agnosticism: 50%
buddhism: 38%
Paganism: 33%
Christianity: 4%
Hinduism: 0%
Islam: 0%
stanistic tendancies apparently, did soem research, sounds really like me actually, which suprises me
jamo
sonofmorris
in my opinion i find the whole idea of worshipping a diety who we have no proof really exists is quite comical, and i have some pity for the people who dedicate themselves so wholely to their religion
i do not have to explain my existance through the act of some greater inteligence, i have an ut-most belief in science and evolution, and i take pride in the fact that i am a product of thousands of years of evolution to become the perfect adaptive organism to take hold of a whole planet over all other species.
being made by a god and stuck on this planet.. i find it simply offensive to my existance
survival of the fittest boys and girls, what are you made of?
jamo
sonofmorris
++ Edit ++ instead of posting again...
satanism: 96%
atheism: 83%
judaism: 50%
agnosticism: 50%
buddhism: 38%
Paganism: 33%
Christianity: 4%
Hinduism: 0%
Islam: 0%
stanistic tendancies apparently, did soem research, sounds really like me actually, which suprises me
jamo
sonofmorris
| sonofmorris wrote: |
|
stanistic tendancies apparently |
I blame that Eminem chap for this. Until he used that Dido sample and made that record the tendency towards Stanism was under control, but since the record many people are reporting outbreaks of Stanism and it seems like we may be on the brink of a significant epidemic. My advice would be to inoculate.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
I blame that Eminem chap for this. Until he used that Dido sample and made that record the tendency towards Stanism was under control, but since the record many people are reporting outbreaks of Stanism and it seems like we may be on the brink of a significant epidemic. My advice would be to inoculate. |
Read it 1 time... confused... read it a second time... still confused... the third time:
ROTFLOL
(+5 funny)
| MrBlueSky wrote: |
|
ROTFLOL
(+5 funny) |
I wondered if it would be picked-up
My religion is my own. No title; no classification. My beliefs are all mixed up and half backwards a quarter sideways, and out of thin air... GO figure, no wonder I'm such a nut.
Moslem..
Christian. Jesus is the bomb!!!!
Im general Pagan with strong Catholic and Wiccan roots.
My patron dieties are Anubis and Athena. My patron saint is St. Jude and I believe in the powers of witchcraft and the Mother Earth.
Mostly Im very eclectic but I really don't believe in all the fluffy bunny B.S. that is associated with Wicca, Hence why I claim myself Pagan.
My patron dieties are Anubis and Athena. My patron saint is St. Jude and I believe in the powers of witchcraft and the Mother Earth.
Mostly Im very eclectic but I really don't believe in all the fluffy bunny B.S. that is associated with Wicca, Hence why I claim myself Pagan.
Only one Religion.
Loka Samatha Sukhino Bhavanthu
Loka Samatha Sukhino Bhavanthu
I'm a Muslim, but i've got british culture in my veins so, i think i'm called a British Muslim!
Atheist,
I seek the divine inside everyone, both Evil and Good, EVIL is represented in the deeds u do that require courage Good, requires wisdome to see that u are doing the right thing.
I seek the divine inside everyone, both Evil and Good, EVIL is represented in the deeds u do that require courage Good, requires wisdome to see that u are doing the right thing.
I have my faith in Christ Jesus. Also known as Yeshua!
I am NOT religious because religion and ritual can't compensate for my sins or grant me access to Heaven.
A lot of people who call themselves
Christians need to learn that well.
I am NOT religious because religion and ritual can't compensate for my sins or grant me access to Heaven.
A lot of people who call themselves
Christians need to learn that well.
| Mr_CEO wrote: |
| I have my faith in Christ Jesus. Also known as Yeshua!
I am NOT religious because religion and ritual can't compensate for my sins or grant me access to Heaven. A lot of people who call themselves Christians need to learn that well. |
Well, there are 3 definitions of religious that might be relevant here:
- 1. Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.
- 2. Of, concerned with, or teaching religion: a religious text.
- 3. Extremely scrupulous or conscientious: religious devotion to duty.
I presume that you are saying that the third is the one which does not apply because of your sins ? As far as access to heaven, I guess that depends on which branch of Christianity you favour. For Catholics a sincere act of contrition before death would, I believe, do the job....
Secular humanist. No supernatural all-powerful multidimensional space aliens creating universes for me thanks. That just sounds a little bit silly.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
Well, there are 3 definitions of religious that might be relevant here:
I presume that you are saying that the third is the one which does not apply because of your sins ? As far as access to heaven, I guess that depends on which branch of Christianity you favour. For Catholics a sincere act of contrition before death would, I believe, do the job.... |
Well, in actuality, religion is the "ceremony" and "repetition" of a faith and/or spirituality.
That's why ecclectics drive me nuts when they call it a religion. Actually, it's a spirituality. Religion is the practice of the dogma. Spirituality is the practice of the beliefs themselves.
Simple, quick reference:
Spirituality = faith
religion = mundane
i'm atheist and i hope everybody will be atheist soon
I'm Jainist! It's like a branch of hinduism.
I consider myself agnostic, and the test seemed to agree with me. Religion is extremely interesting to me, and I love to learn about the beliefs associated with all of them, even though I don't choose to follow any of them explicitly. It usually makes for interesting conversation with other open-minded people, whether they are religious or not. Though it does cause some problems when you come across the hard-headed religious person... I mean, I understand and respect your religion, why can't you understand or respect why I don't completely agree with it? Fortunately, I don't run into too many of those kind of people. Plus, it's been interesting reading people's beliefs in this topic. ^-^
The name of the religion I subscribe to is called Thelema. That means that I accept the Law of Thelema, which is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." This does not mean do whatever you want, like a hedonist, but do what you intended to do all along. It would take a long time to explain how so many average people haven't misunderstood Aleister Crowley, the first of this religion, but it wouldn't hurt to look into it.
Taoism. a Chinese religion.
I am human who believe in self to the last breathe then to some one who I don/t know
| Manus et Therion wrote: |
| The name of the religion I subscribe to is called Thelema. That means that I accept the Law of Thelema, which is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." This does not mean do whatever you want, like a hedonist, but do what you intended to do all along. It would take a long time to explain how so many average people haven't misunderstood Aleister Crowley, the first of this religion, but it wouldn't hurt to look into it. |
Studied Thelema for some time. Not for me, but that's not a judgemental statement at all. I am just not a Crowley fan... but you have to respect him, really. It isn't necessarily too dark for me, as many people claim... it just has too many holes for me which, ironically, is a bit hypocritical since I am Celtic traditionalist (pre-Christian). Talk about holes... research on actual traditions is a lot of fun, let me tell ya. *sniff sniff* Smell that? That's sarcasm.
First and formost, I am a Christian. Second, I am a Southern Baptist who believes the Bible is the inerrant word of God, that Jesus Christ was God/man and died to save me from my sins. I believe that the only way to Heaven is through accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour (which I have done and I have peace and confidence where I will spend eternity).
joyfulheart
joyfulheart
| megastar wrote: |
| I AM HINDU
[mod-edit]007: titlefix + could you please turn off caps lock?[/mod-edit] |
I don't have any religion...does that mean I can't play?...it hit me one day when I was around fifteen how empty organized religion is...it hit me how violent they all are, how they dumb down the mind/brain...and i thought to myself I don't want to be part of anything that is a cause of violence or conflict...
I know lots of people just couldn't even conceive of living without being a member of some organized cult...like the world would fall from under their feet, heaven forbid, if they ever stopped 'believing'...
and it's all fine and good with everyone 'tolerating' everyone else's choices about what to believe...we should have classes in grade school about tolerance and what it is and why it's necessary...I think in a 'sane' world tolerance, the word and idea, wouldn't exist...
but that's me...i just can't see myself as part of any of these religious groups...none of them make any sense to me...seems like far too narrow a road to travel...life is short...i'd not consent to brainwashing of this sort voluntarily...good luck to the rest of you...
M
I have studied many of the world's religions, especially the mainstream ones. I do not 'belong' to any of them. I have my own beliefs and 'calling' in life and I try to follow a path that does no harm to others, and I am continually learning.
I have learnt many things about life and I have already 'died' once. Personally, I don't remember the experience. I look forward to living my 'second' life in a way that is beneficial to me and others, and I intend to have fun and enjoy myself while doing it.
I have learnt many things about life and I have already 'died' once. Personally, I don't remember the experience. I look forward to living my 'second' life in a way that is beneficial to me and others, and I intend to have fun and enjoy myself while doing it.
moworks...
If you don't want to be a part of anything that causes violence, etc. you had best resign from the human race!!
You are profiling people by the acts of a few in comparison to how many Christian's there have been/are. I do this myself sometimes, I am afraid, and have to beware less I fall into a deep hole of discrimination. (I win this battle by trying to look at people as Christ does).
You will be in my prayers.
ajoyfulheart
http://ajoyfulheart.net
If you don't want to be a part of anything that causes violence, etc. you had best resign from the human race!!
You are profiling people by the acts of a few in comparison to how many Christian's there have been/are. I do this myself sometimes, I am afraid, and have to beware less I fall into a deep hole of discrimination. (I win this battle by trying to look at people as Christ does).
You will be in my prayers.
ajoyfulheart
http://ajoyfulheart.net
I'm an atheist. If you call that religion. To me, it makes the most sense, but I do realize what a powerful, and usually positive, factor religion can be.
To me, it makes the most sense, but I do realize what a powerful, and usually positive, factor religion can be.| joyfulheart wrote: |
| moworks...
If you don't want to be a part of anything that causes violence, etc. you had best resign from the human race!!
You are profiling people by the acts of a few in comparison to how many Christian's there have been/are. I do this myself sometimes, I am afraid, and have to beware less I fall into a deep hole of discrimination. (I win this battle by trying to look at people as Christ does). You will be in my prayers. ajoyfulheart http://ajoyfulheart.net |
Are you suggesting suicide or a monastery? Like organized religion, they are a convenient place to hide. And suicide, no, that's not an option.
I'm not profiling anyone. It's clear that religious groups create/are the cause of conflict. The same can be said of political groups. This incessant call to 'join us' only creates 'them and us'...I guess I'm living 'we'. You choose to live how you want.
I wonder why you have to see things like some man who has been dead for 2000 years. Does joyful heart have any view of his own?
And talk about discrimination. Who do you think you are that you can pray for me? You assume you know what is right and wrong and so pray for my lost soul? I think it's people that are lost and confused that search out organized religions.
Honest, all you've got is 2000 years of propaganda and a boring imagination. Geez, heaven and hell is so passé.
The religious mind is crippled by 2000 years of authority imposed upon it by those who are afraid to stand alone. All these centuries of gods and idols and blessings and miracles and saints and buddha's and the holy and where has it gotten us?
Have you looked around lately? Have you seen what the world has become? I'm living in it. I live it every day. I wonder where the religious live. No really, i do wonder. Don't waste your time praying for me, I'm just a handle and some words in cyberspace.
M
| thpn wrote: |
My Labels:
|
I don't have a religion but im labeled
Emo--->Gothic---->English
James
I am sorry if I offend people by saying this but I think religion is just dumb
It causes millions of wars and you have to follow commandments, in all honesty you only have one life (even though some religions proise after lives but i'd rather not take my chances in believing a book which lacks evidence) and I think you should live it to your potential, religion is probably something thrown in by the government to lower crime rate
It causes millions of wars and you have to follow commandments, in all honesty you only have one life (even though some religions proise after lives but i'd rather not take my chances in believing a book which lacks evidence) and I think you should live it to your potential, religion is probably something thrown in by the government to lower crime rate
I am a Hindu, but I am against the idol worship of our 1000+ gods and goddesses....lol
and yes, i absolutely agree with allhopedeleted.
and yes, i absolutely agree with allhopedeleted.
| dez_trukshun wrote: |
| I am a Hindu, but I am against the idol worship of our 1000+ gods and goddesses....lol
and yes, i absolutely agree with allhopedeleted. |
I seriously never thought i'd hear those words :p
are you Hindu by family or by choice?
I am an atheist and will verbally battle for my right to be it.
Too often in my school do atheists sit in silence when religious topics are risen due to the fact that people actually find ways to ridicule atheists. I'm tired of it, and I often know more about religion than any religious zealot in my school.
It's ridiculous for us to be afraid to voice our opinion and be 'bashed' for being 'lazy' or 'a lsot soul' (that one really pisses me off).
Too often in my school do atheists sit in silence when religious topics are risen due to the fact that people actually find ways to ridicule atheists. I'm tired of it, and I often know more about religion than any religious zealot in my school.
It's ridiculous for us to be afraid to voice our opinion and be 'bashed' for being 'lazy' or 'a lsot soul' (that one really pisses me off).
I'm Greatfuric. Basically its just Atheist except booze is my god. but seriously, atheist. although my mind is still open
I am a Christian. I believe in God but I don't go to the church, I think God sees you wherever you are not only in the church!
I am a Christian
I believe in one God and that either our souls are condemned to Hell or if we believe in God and that Jesus died for our sins and live for Him then our souls will sit with God and be with Him for ever and ever.
I believe in one God and that either our souls are condemned to Hell or if we believe in God and that Jesus died for our sins and live for Him then our souls will sit with God and be with Him for ever and ever.
My religion is People... well.. I believe in people, no set creed or anything of the like, I just believe in mankind...
I know it's called Humanism, but that rejects spiritual beings, I don't deny a higher plane of existence, I deny the existence of the impossible, that being anything that would be illogical science wise, not the unexplained, rather the theory of creationism, one being that created all, rather than one unexplained phenomenon....
I know it's called Humanism, but that rejects spiritual beings, I don't deny a higher plane of existence, I deny the existence of the impossible, that being anything that would be illogical science wise, not the unexplained, rather the theory of creationism, one being that created all, rather than one unexplained phenomenon....
I am a Latter Day Saint. also known as LDS, though the slang term is "Mormon". Yes I am Christian, believe in Jesus Christ, do not worship Joseph Smith or Mormon, and polygamy(being married to multiple wives) was outlawed over a century ago. Thank you
hindu... n i'm pround of it ...y??? weeds r allow ma friend...infact encouraged if you want to devote urself to the supreme god(shiva)!!!
i believe in myself, in my higher self. thats my religion.
So many discussions have been locked by Admins & Moderators, But I am not at all getting why these persons are encouraging this type of discussions.
Its a stubborn topic on which people fight & leads to become so cruel.
As a human, be as a Human and donot mess-up the religion into this.
There's only one religin ie.., Humanity.
Donot prove your foolishness by these things.
Thanks one and all..
Its a stubborn topic on which people fight & leads to become so cruel.
As a human, be as a Human and donot mess-up the religion into this.
There's only one religin ie.., Humanity.
Donot prove your foolishness by these things.
Thanks one and all..
I'm Christ Follower. Christian then...
I am hindu ... but I am
a bit indifferent towards
religion. Its not that I am
against it, religion is a great
discipline in self-cultivation.
Having a fundamental belief
such as this could strengthen
a person. But I cannot just
approve of it, cause ... ,no
offense, the building blocks
of most religions, mine included,
are based on beliefs that are
entirely assumed and got from
ancestors. While it is very
important to respect all these
centuries of development ... it
is also equally necessary to
justify things with hard facts and
the rules of reality.
This is just my view, me who has
the same potential as you ... as
everyone else. It's up to you to
think and reason ...
But I wont forget that I am a
human being ... after all, religions
along with all their unique values
teach you that you are human and
you must be kind to others ... things
like that ...
a bit indifferent towards
religion. Its not that I am
against it, religion is a great
discipline in self-cultivation.
Having a fundamental belief
such as this could strengthen
a person. But I cannot just
approve of it, cause ... ,no
offense, the building blocks
of most religions, mine included,
are based on beliefs that are
entirely assumed and got from
ancestors. While it is very
important to respect all these
centuries of development ... it
is also equally necessary to
justify things with hard facts and
the rules of reality.
This is just my view, me who has
the same potential as you ... as
everyone else. It's up to you to
think and reason ...
But I wont forget that I am a
human being ... after all, religions
along with all their unique values
teach you that you are human and
you must be kind to others ... things
like that ...
Hi
Don't know what I am from a religious way of thinking. Just have a sort of nice fuzzy feeling about the world. Was brung up as a sort of Christian, but lapsed years ago. Been lurking silently for weeks, so thought I would join the party...
Don't know what I am from a religious way of thinking. Just have a sort of nice fuzzy feeling about the world. Was brung up as a sort of Christian, but lapsed years ago. Been lurking silently for weeks, so thought I would join the party...
I am baptised Roman Catholic, but I am not practising my religion and I find myself almost believing in nothing. I will keep reading and learning and maybe one day I will find my spirtiual self.
| Edas wrote: |
| I am baptised Roman Catholic, but I am not practising my religion and I find myself almost believing in nothing. I will keep reading and learning and maybe one day I will find my spirtiual self. |
This is exactly my line of thought.
It is good to identify with someone
that thinks and reasons like you.
My belief is that we are very potent.
But it is when you achieve self
actualization that you ll start to
find your spiritual self. Its when
you ll get your answers ... answers
to the age old questions.
It may develop in due course
of learning.
Its just better to leave things as
they are. If you are indeed fit
to handle truth ... it will come
to you ... and then there will
be a definite closure
| moworks2 wrote: | ||
I don't have any religion...does that mean I can't play?...it hit me one day when I was around fifteen how empty organized religion is...it hit me how violent they all are, how they dumb down the mind/brain...and i thought to myself I don't want to be part of anything that is a cause of violence or conflict... |
Doesn't mean you can't play at all... quite the contrary. A belief is belief, whether it's focused on deity, self, or science.
| Quote: |
|
I know lots of people just couldn't even conceive of living without being a member of some organized cult...like the world would fall from under their feet, heaven forbid, if they ever stopped 'believing'... |
I do think you calling all religions "cults" is a little disrespectful, though. And remember, not all religions started wars or went on mad slaughtering sprees. Those are just the ones we hear about in the history books.
| Quote: |
|
and it's all fine and good with everyone 'tolerating' everyone else's choices about what to believe...we should have classes in grade school about tolerance and what it is and why it's necessary...I think in a 'sane' world tolerance, the word and idea, wouldn't exist... |
Interesting concept... and probably true.
| Quote: |
|
but that's me...i just can't see myself as part of any of these religious groups...none of them make any sense to me...seems like far too narrow a road to travel...life is short...i'd not consent to brainwashing of this sort voluntarily...good luck to the rest of you... M |
Then one of two things will happen... you'll find one that does make sense to you and will begin to follow it, or you won't. Either way, it really shouldn't affect your view on the world.
An analogy I try to use is that you see a mountain before you. On the top of that mountain is an altar. There are many paths going up that mountain and some of them intersect at places and some don't. It doesn't matter which one you walk, the result's the same... you get to the altar. The only difference is the scenery on the way.
Of course, some people just hop in a helicopter.
well, i posted a response on this awhile ago, and came back to see what else some people had posted, i really am interested in the way people think about religion... it's one of the things that is great to think about, because it opens your mind up.
one thing i've noticed is that people do get really frustrated when religion is pushed on to them, when they really aren't too sure that it's what they want to believe, or when they just know that it doesn't agree with who they are. i'm pretty sure it's an obvious thing to say, but thought i'd state it for the record.
another thing is that people tend to flock to others that hold the same beliefs that they do. now, i'm really not trying to be offensive at all. but christians stick with christians, roman catholics with same, etc. i've been kind of thinking about why that is, if maybe the idea that someone else holds the same belief as you makes it more real, makes it seem to be something more believable. people feel justified in their beliefs, and it makes others seem to be wrong when they don't agree. which is one of the reasons i don't like to associate myself with a religion, because it categorizes me, and separates me from the beliefs of other things.
in some ways i think the world would be better off without organized religion, because there would be no prosecution of those that didn't hold the beliefs of that religion. an example: gay marriage. now, i don't really have any feelings about it, in the sense that it doesn't bother me or make me feel much of anything at all, standing alone. but many religions say it's wrong, the most predominant one being Christianity. but why is it wrong? exactly why? love is love, it is different for everyone... and why should we deny someone something that makes them feel good? why limit what they can have at all? why limit what any group can have based on the fact that they are "wrong" according to your religion?
of course, you have to look at the other side of the coin. if there were no organized religion at all, then life would be a lot more... hectic, shall we say. for some people the only thing keeping them in line is their belief in a higher being and the idea that they will be rewarded in the end for their good deeds in this lifetime. it is a somewhat cynical idea, possibly, but without religion there would probably be a lot more terrible things going on in the world, though quite a few go on despite of it, or maybe due to it... i really just don't know. but the fact does remain that some people feed on their religion to keep themselves in line.
i don't know if anything i wrote made much sense, but it is a somewhat condensed idea of what i think about when it comes to religion...
one thing i've noticed is that people do get really frustrated when religion is pushed on to them, when they really aren't too sure that it's what they want to believe, or when they just know that it doesn't agree with who they are. i'm pretty sure it's an obvious thing to say, but thought i'd state it for the record.
another thing is that people tend to flock to others that hold the same beliefs that they do. now, i'm really not trying to be offensive at all. but christians stick with christians, roman catholics with same, etc. i've been kind of thinking about why that is, if maybe the idea that someone else holds the same belief as you makes it more real, makes it seem to be something more believable. people feel justified in their beliefs, and it makes others seem to be wrong when they don't agree. which is one of the reasons i don't like to associate myself with a religion, because it categorizes me, and separates me from the beliefs of other things.
in some ways i think the world would be better off without organized religion, because there would be no prosecution of those that didn't hold the beliefs of that religion. an example: gay marriage. now, i don't really have any feelings about it, in the sense that it doesn't bother me or make me feel much of anything at all, standing alone. but many religions say it's wrong, the most predominant one being Christianity. but why is it wrong? exactly why? love is love, it is different for everyone... and why should we deny someone something that makes them feel good? why limit what they can have at all? why limit what any group can have based on the fact that they are "wrong" according to your religion?
of course, you have to look at the other side of the coin. if there were no organized religion at all, then life would be a lot more... hectic, shall we say. for some people the only thing keeping them in line is their belief in a higher being and the idea that they will be rewarded in the end for their good deeds in this lifetime. it is a somewhat cynical idea, possibly, but without religion there would probably be a lot more terrible things going on in the world, though quite a few go on despite of it, or maybe due to it... i really just don't know. but the fact does remain that some people feed on their religion to keep themselves in line.
i don't know if anything i wrote made much sense, but it is a somewhat condensed idea of what i think about when it comes to religion...
Im christian, but well, because we are as free as we are, then it barely matters, i care for persons personality, not their relegion in such matters that it's more importent then them self... i dont think i have to mention it...
i dont know what happends after death, i can hope it wont be booring black, but well, none have told me so far
i dont know what happends after death, i can hope it wont be booring black, but well, none have told me so far
| mina wrote: |
| of course, you have to look at the other side of the coin. if there were no organized religion at all, then life would be a lot more... hectic, shall we say. for some people the only thing keeping them in line is their belief in a higher being and the idea that they will be rewarded in the end for their good deeds in this lifetime. it is a somewhat cynical idea, possibly, but without religion there would probably be a lot more terrible things going on in the world, though quite a few go on despite of it, or maybe due to it... i really just don't know. but the fact does remain that some people feed on their religion to keep themselves in line. |
Basically it shows an inhibiting factor - ie religiosity does tend to lessen delinquent behaviour as one might think. The scale of the effect, though, is fairly small - much lower than, for example, the influence of gender.
The result are in line with similar work in this field.
So, yes, religion (or rather religiosity which is not quite the same) does seem to have a positive effect on delinquent behaviour. The level is fairly small, but it is statistically significant.
http://www.pfmb.uni-mb.si/sociologija/reli.htm
That's amzing scientific explanation and its greek for common man..
Hindu.. its often refferred as Way of Life rather than Religion.
I consider Religion as just another belief more than practice.
Its like the color of the shirt we were wearing and We were humans( afterall )
Hindu.. its often refferred as Way of Life rather than Religion.
I consider Religion as just another belief more than practice.
Its like the color of the shirt we were wearing and We were humans( afterall )
Lutheran (Protestant Christian)
I could say I am Gnostic. This does not mean anything but I am doing an inner work, and I have experienced the nature of the inner work myself, with the aim of a certain toolset, a truly powerful one.
Meditation, physical and psychological practices, and a certain theoretic model to express the abilities of the tools and practices, are the ways one can work with to start to know what is happening inside us.
In my personal experience, I have seen absolutely ANY truly spiritual person is almost the same... ALL the religions tell about something quite similar... and, this makes sense... because all of us have got a mind, a body and a spirit. And this is to be experienced by oneself... any other approach is not valid.
Then, with love in my heart, please let me send you all a strong hug and the wish to encourage all of you in whichever you are to endeavour. Go ahead with love.
Cheers,
Meditation, physical and psychological practices, and a certain theoretic model to express the abilities of the tools and practices, are the ways one can work with to start to know what is happening inside us.
In my personal experience, I have seen absolutely ANY truly spiritual person is almost the same... ALL the religions tell about something quite similar... and, this makes sense... because all of us have got a mind, a body and a spirit. And this is to be experienced by oneself... any other approach is not valid.
Then, with love in my heart, please let me send you all a strong hug and the wish to encourage all of you in whichever you are to endeavour. Go ahead with love.
Cheers,
Me the first person saying it freely...
Spiritual SATANIST!
Spiritual SATANIST!
My religion is christianism i am from poland
I don't believe in any organized religion, but there are some things that science doesn't explain (like what came before the Big Bang), so I think a higher being of some kind might exist. I'm kind of in between atheism and deism I guess.
I believe in the teapot orbiting the earth.
(The ones who saw the documentary will know what I mean.)
(The ones who saw the documentary will know what I mean.)
| EdgeHawk wrote: |
| I believe in the teapot orbiting the earth.
(The ones who saw the documentary will know what I mean.) |
I've never seen the documentary, but I've heard the idea before somewhere else.
| Dalv87 wrote: | ||
I've never seen the documentary, but I've heard the idea before somewhere else. |
To anyone who hates this documentary.
I have absolutely no intention to demotivate people to practice there religion. I have respect for every religious person who has respect for other religions or non believers. If you are religious and you are happy with it, that's fine with me. But at least try watching this documentary as objective as possible. And Think twice before you reply.
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-330281245697942053&q=The.God.Delusion
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-8210522903232438954&q=The+Virus+of+Faith
I was sexula, but I am now Messianic Nazarene.
My web adress here: http://www.eliyah.com
My web adress here: http://www.eliyah.com
Egotheism.
| Dalv87 wrote: |
| I've never seen the documentary, but I've heard the idea before somewhere else. |
The idea originates with Bertrand Russell...
| Quote: |
| If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun in an elliptical orbit, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by our most powerful telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is an intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time. |
PS - Post edited to correct spelling mistake.
Last edited by Bikerman on Sun May 27, 2007 6:14 am; edited 1 time in total
| psydevil wrote: |
| i believe in myself, in my higher self. thats my religion. |
God is all of us. Each and every one that makes it too salvation.
| Bikerman wrote: |
| The idea originates with Bertram Russell...
|
(General point of information)
Russell certainly did NOT commission Kuhn's 'Structure of Scientific Revolutions'.
Russell certainly did NOT commission Kuhn's 'Structure of Scientific Revolutions'.
I believe that there is almost no black and almost no white in our world. Everything is made up of shades of grey. Nothing is completely good, and nothing is completely evil. Granted, some things are darker or lighter than others, but it's still all grey. I believe we should do the best we can with the information we are given in this life, and the afterlife will work itself out. That's the "my religion in a nutshell" speech.
Im an atheist.
| Edas wrote: |
| I believe that there is almost no black and almost no white in our world. Everything is made up of shades of grey. Nothing is completely good, and nothing is completely evil. Granted, some things are darker or lighter than others, but it's still all grey. I believe we should do the best we can with the information we are given in this life, and the afterlife will work itself out. That's the "my religion in a nutshell" speech. |
Isn't grey a little too depressing? I see it more like; between black and white there is a rainbow of colours side by side who seamlessly blend together.
my religions are:
Buddhism, Taoism, and more...
are there any one else believes in more than one religions?
Buddhism, Taoism, and more...
are there any one else believes in more than one religions?
i am proud to be a christian.a roman catholic...
Last edited by nivinjoy on Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:13 am; edited 1 time in total
Last edited by nivinjoy on Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:13 am; edited 1 time in total
Proud Muslim. I thank God to raise me in a Muslim family..
Proud to be muslim too. I think that were are one God for all of us (all monoteist religions) but we say it in difirent ways only. I say Alah - and it is the same as God.
past,present.future always moslem
ATEA
I'm a Missouri Synod Lutheran.
"Naturalist" the human ethos is often governed by his surroundings
I am a Submitter to the Will of the One God........Muslim.
I am a Hindu by birth and what i believe is in humanity which is is far above all relegions
I am Christian - catholic.
I deeply respect everyone's opinion, but if you think about it, there is not such thing as religion. Religion is just culture and traditions. Evey one needs these in order to associate and create his identity. When you really start to know god, you find out that there is just one god and there is not religions. Therefore it is important to get to know him. More questions email me betagalvan@gmail.com
I'm a Roman Catholic. Based on what I've learned and in my understanding, I believe in my religion.
Jesus Christ is my Savior.
Jesus Christ is my Savior.
haha, this thread looks like a joke. I can't believe people are meaning this XD
I'm atheist.
I'm atheist.
i am hindu
I am atheist. I choose atheist rather than agnostic because agnostic always sounds a bit wishy-washy to me.
I do not believe there are any gods. If I'm wrong, so be it, I'll worry about it when I find out. For now I'm going to act on the assumption that there is no deity to order me around and I'll bet no harm will come to me as a result.
I do not believe there are any gods. If I'm wrong, so be it, I'll worry about it when I find out. For now I'm going to act on the assumption that there is no deity to order me around and I'll bet no harm will come to me as a result.
I would say i'm more of an "atheist". But maybe someday my view will change
Roman Catholic 4 life w00t
I'm an atheist or an agnostic. I don't really know it. It's a fact, that I don't believe in god. But praying can help sometimes.
I'm atheist.
Muslim
i am a Born Again Christian and im proud about it...
jah blez!
jah blez!
the moust common religion around me is christian but I can't say I one of them.
Atheist here.
hm, hm, hm, hm, I am in the statechurch as the most Swedes (or paying good taxes for the great service it has ) but not folded into a common religion as they are not up to standards....
I'm a polyteist in a way, n thats my natural answer to all who asks
But I guess I'm already in the future 'religion' that shall come here... It will be 'mentally formed' this century I guess.
I'm a polyteist in a way, n thats my natural answer to all who asks
But I guess I'm already in the future 'religion' that shall come here... It will be 'mentally formed' this century I guess.
Hmm. I don't think it has a main stream name. Agnostic / Animist would work good i suppose. I believe all religions are in essence true because they are just different interpretations of the same thing. But some religions are definitely less healthy for our planet and humanity. Religion's that say their way is the only way, or the planet was made for man alone so we can exhaust and damage it as much as we like and god will some how make it right, or that humans are somehow all flawed and need salvation, or that god is in some far off place and not with us right now.
Unfortunately that is all the monotheistic religions and they dominate the globe. I think religion has a much stronger impact on our way of living then most people give credit. And our way of living is going to make this planet a really crappy place for our children. So i think its time we challenge some of these ideas. But i do see how raping the planet and abusing humanity can be fun so monotheism cant be all bad.
Unfortunately that is all the monotheistic religions and they dominate the globe. I think religion has a much stronger impact on our way of living then most people give credit. And our way of living is going to make this planet a really crappy place for our children. So i think its time we challenge some of these ideas. But i do see how raping the planet and abusing humanity can be fun so monotheism cant be all bad.
To sum up what I believe based on previous religions I am an Agnostic Deist, but I don't abide by those terms completely, so I'm also a freethought.
| {name here} wrote: |
| To sum up what I believe based on previous religions I am an Agnostic Deist, but I don't abide by those terms completely, so I'm also a freethought. |
Are the terms 'agnostic' and 'Deist' not exclusive? In my understanding an Agnostic is one who believes it is impossible to prove the existence of a deity; and a Deist - one who believes in a Deity that started the universe but which then left it alone to develop according to 'natural' laws and further believes that reason alone demonstrates the existence of a Deity.
If those definitions are correct then they are exclusive and you cannot be both.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
Are the terms 'agnostic' and 'Deist' not exclusive? In my understanding an Agnostic is one who believes it is impossible to prove the existence of a deity; and a Deist - one who believes in a Deity that started the universe but which then left it alone to develop according to 'natural' laws and further believes that reason alone demonstrates the existence of a Deity. If those definitions are correct then they are exclusive and you cannot be both. |
Not really. You can believe that a god exist and at the same time believe that its imposable to prove that a god exists or not. You just acknowledge the fact that it is imposable to prove a god exists but choose to believe in a god.
Deism works very well with agnostic theism. You can't prove God cause God dose not involve him self in the universe.
| The Conspirator wrote: | ||||
Not really. You can believe that a god exist and at the same time believe that its imposable to prove that a god exists or not. You just acknowledge the fact that it is imposable to prove a god exists but choose to believe in a god. Deism works very well with agnostic theism. You can't prove God cause God dose not involve him self in the universe. |
You missed the italicised part, which is critical.
There is no reason when it comes to belief in any god(s). One could choose to believe something even though they know there is no evidence for it.
| The Conspirator wrote: |
| There is no reason when it comes to belief in any god(s). One could choose to believe something even though they know there is no evidence for it. |
| Wikki wrote: |
| Deists typically reject supernatural events (prophecy, miracles) and divine revelation prominent in organized religion, along with holy books and revealed religions that assert the existence of such things. Instead, Deists hold that religious beliefs must be founded on human reason and observed features of the natural world, and that these sources reveal the existence of one God or supreme being. |
If this definition is accepted then, I repeat, it is exclusive to agnosticism.
i am christian, 100% Puero rican.
Muslim, But not following the rules. 
I prefer not to associate myself with any label... religious, political or otherwise. I do however find meaning and truth in every religion I have studied. So, I guess you would say I am a little bit of everything, but nothing at the same time. It seems society teaches us that we need to belong to a larger group to validate our ideas, but I dont think its necessary. I am a part of the world and that is enough for me.
I would like to post in this forum. I have no religion. I am a Christian. I follow God and do his work here on Earth. I will go to heaven some day. I don't force God or Jesus on people I just approach them about it and let them decide. I love you guys. Have a great day God Bless.
P.S
If you have any questions you can PM me. I am happy to talk to people about my beliefs.
Have a great day God Bless.
P.S
If you have any questions you can PM me. I am happy to talk to people about my beliefs.
| skipz wrote: |
| I would like to post in this forum. I have no religion. I am a Christian. I follow God and do his work here on Earth. I will go to heaven some day. I don't force God or Jesus on people I just approach them about it and let them decide. I love you guys. Have a great day God Bless.
P.S If you have any questions you can PM me. I am happy to talk to people about my beliefs. |
You have no religion but you are a Christian ?
Shurely Shome Mishtake?
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
You have no religion but you are a Christian ? Shurely Shome Mishtake? |
Mmm... As a believer in Christ Jesus, I guess that makes me a Christian. However, Christianity is not a religion. It is common to call Christianity a religion. If you really knew what Christianity is all about, then you would see what is really is. It is a relationship with God and a relationship with one another. There are now rules that tell me that I must pray everyday or that reading the Bible is requirement, or helping the poor is mandatory. all these are good things to do, but when you must understand why these are done. Doing good deeds is not for the outward appearance of the matter, but it's about looking after your fellow neighbor as they do the same. As far as Bible reading, it is only to understand the the nature God and understand what living is about. Bible reading could be better put as Bible study.
If you really want to see who far this rabbit hole goes, you have to get into it.
Love God, love people, drink coffee
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| Mmm... As a believer in Christ Jesus, I guess that makes me a Christian. However, Christianity is not a religion. It is common to call Christianity a religion. If you really knew what Christianity is all about, then you would see what is really is. It is a relationship with God and a relationship with one another. There are now rules that tell me that I must pray everyday or that reading the Bible is requirement, or helping the poor is mandatory. all these are good things to do, but when you must understand why these are done. Doing good deeds is not for the outward appearance of the matter, but it's about looking after your fellow neighbor as they do the same. As far as Bible reading, it is only to understand the the nature God and understand what living is about. Bible reading could be better put as Bible study.
If you really want to see who far this rabbit hole goes, you have to get into it. |
Once again, thanks for the advice, but Ithink I have, perhaps, already been as deep into it as I would ever wish to do (I was ediucated by the Salesian Monks in a strict Roman Catholic upbringing from the age of 5 - 18yrs, in single sex clerically run and taught schools. That is as much religion as anyoneneeds and certainly entitles me to speak with some knowledge and experience about religion per se.
You will seem uncleat whata religion is and is not. Let me tell you quite clearly and authorirively - Christianity IS a religion.
A religion is a faith in a higher power or being, normally accompanied by other things (ritual, dogma, group worsjip etc - but not always). Since you believe in a God then you are religious - QED, You may wish to call it something else but if it looks like a fish, smells like a fish, swims underwater all day and tastes good on toast with bechamel sauce, then I say it is a fish - you can insist it is a cow all you like......
I refer to Christianity as being separate from Catholicism. my beliefs would follow those of Martin Luther who help give birth to the Protestant Reformation. I'm not Catholic nor do I claim to be, but I am more protestant in theology.
Hope this helps in understanding my view of what Christianity is.
Love God, love people, drink coffee.
Hope this helps in understanding my view of what Christianity is.
Love God, love people, drink coffee.
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| I refer to Christianity as being separate from Catholicism. my beliefs would follow those of Martin Luther who help give birth to the Protestant Reformation. I'm not Catholic nor do I claim to be, but I am more protestant in theology.
Hope this helps in understanding my view of what Christianity is. Love God, love people, drink coffee. |
I made no assumptions about your 'brand' I merely pointed out thatI have some knowledge of Christianinty in general. The point I made (and still make) is that it is still a religion, just as MLK would have described his own faith as a religion...to say it is not is simply untrue...
I think socialoutcast was referring to Martin Luther, not Martin Luther King. According to whom faith in Jesus Christ - not mediation through church, or "religion" - is required for salvation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther
| nopaniers wrote: |
| I think socialoutcast was referring to Martin Luther, not Martin Luther King. According to whom faith in Jesus Christ - not mediation through church, or "religion" - is required for salvation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther |
How stupid of me not to see that - after he said he was protestant as well....dumbass.
OK...I still say the point is mine because Luther was rebelling specifically against a corrupt and ungodly catholic system at the time and even he would not have claimed to be non-reeligious -0 justthe opposite. He just wantd to distinguish himself from the corrupt church at the time.....
Martin Luther through his studies of the Bible, yes "rebelled" against the Catholic church, to point out the inerrantancies in Catholic theology. This is why He issued his 95 theses to Catholics which began the protestant reformation.
In short, what makes Christianity different then Catholicism is that the Christian church only requires two "sacraments", if you want to call them that, communion and baptism.
Translation:
to be a Christian, all you have to do is believe/accept that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we can pray directly to God the father without the need of priest. Number 2 is to be baptized to be identified with Christ. This a profession of faith. But some people say that faith isn't necessary and this is why they fail to understand.
Love God, love people, drink coffee
In short, what makes Christianity different then Catholicism is that the Christian church only requires two "sacraments", if you want to call them that, communion and baptism.
Translation:
to be a Christian, all you have to do is believe/accept that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we can pray directly to God the father without the need of priest. Number 2 is to be baptized to be identified with Christ. This a profession of faith. But some people say that faith isn't necessary and this is why they fail to understand.
Love God, love people, drink coffee
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| Martin Luther through his studies of the Bible, yes "rebelled" against the Catholic church, to point out the inerrantancies in Catholic theology. This is why He issued his 95 theses to Catholics which began the protestant reformation.
In short, what makes Christianity different then Catholicism is that the Christian church only requires two "sacraments", if you want to call them that, communion and baptism. Translation: to be a Christian, all you have to do is believe/accept that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we can pray directly to God the father without the need of priest. Number 2 is to be baptized to be identified with Christ. This a profession of faith. But some people say that faith isn't necessary and this is why they fail to understand. Love God, love people, drink coffee |
You are still confused over terminology.
A Christian is one who follows the teachings of Christ, in the simplest sense. Tp some extent that would make me a Christian, but I reject all of the 'extra' stuff about son of God etc because I am also an atheist. Now I think you would agree that because I am an atheist I am therefore not religious? This is because Christianity means more than philosophy - it means acceptance of a traditional concept of a Deity that is rooted in Judaism. Catholics ARE Christians, just as protestants are. There is NO difference between Christianity and Catholicism because the question is wrongly conceived. There are many branches of Christianity, Catholicism is one, Protestantism is several others...All of them are RELIGIONS, unless you want to agree that I am an atheist religious?
Bikerman,
I am not convinced that you really know the difference between Catholicism and Christianity. So instead of cut-and-pasting text in this post, i'll just do links.
First up to bat, just one quote on what religion is with some else's words that I though was cool:
What Martin Luther was getting at in his debate with the Catholic church is that man can not earn his way to salvation. Jesus has already done what was required on the cross.
I think this point is important enough to note:
Bikerman, you say that you were raised Catholic then turned away to atheism and now say that anything have to with God or the idea of god or the church is religion. I can understand your decision from a catholic mindset. This is why Martin Luther has done what he did and received much opposition, to correct to the dogma of catholic doctrine. First lesson, learn your history. Christianity came before the institutionalized Catholic church. The Catholic church wasn't declared until sometime at the end of the roman empire.
A brief summery of church history can be found here:
http://www.acts1711.com/rcc_bbl.htm
Christianity, as I said before, is not a religion it's a relationship with Jesus Christ. (read the article linked above)
I found an over-simplified comparison chart between Catholicism and Christianity here"
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/catholic_protestant.htm
Also read, "Why Catholicism is not Christianity." (it's short)
http://www.biblebc.com/Roman%20Catholicism/roman_cath_main.htm
This just very briefly summarizes the differences in major theological doctrines. Over here in the western hemisphere, the word dogma is usually used with connect to the Catholic church not protestant.
Just for fun if you fell like it, here is a google search on Christianity versus Catholicism:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=christianity+versus+catholicism&spell=1
Finally, for anyone who would like to know more about what is means to be a Christian, here is a cool
link:
http://www.surfinthespirit.com/advice/what-does-it-mean.shtml
Love God, love people, drink coffee.
I am not convinced that you really know the difference between Catholicism and Christianity. So instead of cut-and-pasting text in this post, i'll just do links.
First up to bat, just one quote on what religion is with some else's words that I though was cool:
| Quote: |
| "... Christianity is not a religion. Religion is when human beings try to work their way to God through good works [like Catholicism]; Christianity is God coming to men and women through Jesus Christ to offer a relationship with himself."
http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/josh/josh2.html |
What Martin Luther was getting at in his debate with the Catholic church is that man can not earn his way to salvation. Jesus has already done what was required on the cross.
I think this point is important enough to note:
| Quote: |
| "Although Luther faced much opposition he continued to stand on two convictions: First, salvation was by faith in Christ alone, and second, the Scriptures, not popes or councils, are the standard for Christian faith and behavior." |
Bikerman, you say that you were raised Catholic then turned away to atheism and now say that anything have to with God or the idea of god or the church is religion. I can understand your decision from a catholic mindset. This is why Martin Luther has done what he did and received much opposition, to correct to the dogma of catholic doctrine. First lesson, learn your history. Christianity came before the institutionalized Catholic church. The Catholic church wasn't declared until sometime at the end of the roman empire.
A brief summery of church history can be found here:
http://www.acts1711.com/rcc_bbl.htm
Christianity, as I said before, is not a religion it's a relationship with Jesus Christ. (read the article linked above)
I found an over-simplified comparison chart between Catholicism and Christianity here"
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/catholic_protestant.htm
Also read, "Why Catholicism is not Christianity." (it's short)
http://www.biblebc.com/Roman%20Catholicism/roman_cath_main.htm
This just very briefly summarizes the differences in major theological doctrines. Over here in the western hemisphere, the word dogma is usually used with connect to the Catholic church not protestant.
Just for fun if you fell like it, here is a google search on Christianity versus Catholicism:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=christianity+versus+catholicism&spell=1
Finally, for anyone who would like to know more about what is means to be a Christian, here is a cool
link:
http://www.surfinthespirit.com/advice/what-does-it-mean.shtml
Love God, love people, drink coffee.
i was raised aetheist. i always knew that wasn't quite the way the world worked...when i was little, i went to christian preschool. everyone would go around and declare their faith in jesus christ. i would declare my faith in My Little Ponies.
the closest i have read of that i could get into would have to be chaos magic. grant morrison (author of the invisibles & many others) is a practitioner.
read more!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_magic
the closest i have read of that i could get into would have to be chaos magic. grant morrison (author of the invisibles & many others) is a practitioner.
read more!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_magic
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| Bikerman,
I am not convinced that you really know the difference between Catholicism and Christianity. So instead of cut-and-pasting text in this post, i'll just do links. |
Just get it through your head that Catholicism is a form of Christianity before you start explaining matters of theology to me....
| Quote: | ||
First up to bat, just one quote on what religion is with some else's words that I though was cool:
|
| Quote: |
| Bikerman, you say that you were raised Catholic then turned away to atheism |
| Quote: |
| and now say that anything have to with God or the idea of god or the church is religion. |
| Quote: |
| I can understand your decision from a catholic mindset. |
| Quote: |
| This is why Martin Luther has done what he did and received much opposition, to correct to the dogma of catholic doctrine. First lesson, learn your history. Christianity came before the institutionalized Catholic church. The Catholic church wasn't declared until sometime at the end of the roman empire. |
| Quote: |
| A brief summery of church history can be found here:
http://www.acts1711.com/rcc_bbl.htm |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity#Early_Christianity_.28.7E33.E2.80.93325.29
| Quote: |
| Christianity, as I said before, is not a religion it's a relationship with Jesus Christ. (read the article linked above) |
| Quote: |
| I found an over-simplified comparison chart between Catholicism and Christianity here"
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/catholic_protestant.htm |
| Quote: |
| Also read, "Why Catholicism is not Christianity." (it's short)
http://www.biblebc.com/Roman%20Catholicism/roman_cath_main.htm This just very briefly summarizes the differences in major theological doctrines. Over here in the western hemisphere, the word dogma is usually used with connect to the Catholic church not protestant. |
Sounds like the correct word to me.
I Do not like to label myself with any one religion, preferably I would wish to be looked at as somebody who studies all religions for just the sake of knowladge. Ive spent many years studying both mainstream religions and some of those.. not so mainstream types. (such as discordism etc etc)
but I guess in a more comical sense I could label myself a following of the church of gaming(alt+ctrl+del) lol
but I guess in a more comical sense I could label myself a following of the church of gaming(alt+ctrl+del) lol
| Deias wrote: |
| I Do not like to label myself with any one religion, preferably I would wish to be looked at as somebody who studies all religions for just the sake of knowladge. Ive spent many years studying both mainstream religions and some of those.. not so mainstream types. (such as discordism etc etc)
|
And what, then, have you concluded in your study?
| Quote: |
|
And what, then, have you concluded in your study? |
Well honestly I could go off for ever on a topic, which I happily do when I'm hired to give talks or sessions at different religious study groups on a religion. hopefully by teaching others of different systems of beliefs it'll help stop some of the hypocrisy and prejudice found in some people.
But your question is rather broad in scope what do you mean concluded in your study?
If you are speaking of my general overview of religion(as it groups of people of the same faith) I think its useless form of mass hysteria. Almost every faith Ive learned about have borrowed tid bits from other faiths, Christians took from Judaism, Judaism borrowed from Babylon,Greek, and Roman and a large chunk for Egyptian culture. if I had the space here to publish a full paper I would so I'm going to stick to generalities unless asked to go more in depth at a later time.
Religion is a creation of man and there for in the hands of greed and corruption.
Spirituality is the real message of the Gods,God,Goddess,Flying anus monkeys or whomever you believe in and that should be what you place your soul and heart in, not the congregation of masses. I do not know if Spirituality is actually sent to us from on high, or if its just some place in our minds but regardless it is beautiful, just wish it wasn't warped by different factions.
There really is only one faith that Ive had to laugh at, and that was discordanism but then again its goal is to be laughed at, there tag line is "A religion that is a joke, and a joke that is a religion"
but then again when your principle deity has flying monkeys sprouting out of her ass and denies her followers hot dog buns on Fridays... who wouldn't get a chuckle out of that?
I'm used to getting Flamed for what I say so if you have one fire away I'm not going to take offense.
Last edited by Deias on Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:24 am; edited 1 time in total
On a completely different note. Christianity is not technically a religion, it is a system of loose ethics and beliefs in a Figure of Christ. Christianity is a philosophy, the branches that took that philosophy are the religions. of course now in our time that line is fuzzed because of non denominational sermons and gatherings which of course would force that overall philosophy to become a religion.
I will have to completely agree with Bikerman and say that Catholicism is a form of Christianity because the bases of the philosophy of Christianity is that salvation is through Christ. Christ is a part of the "God Head"(holy spirit, Christ, God) there for, and even though there Dogma has separated them greatly from other forms of Christianity, there are still Christan
And Im sorry for the Double post but I left that part out on mistake
I will have to completely agree with Bikerman and say that Catholicism is a form of Christianity because the bases of the philosophy of Christianity is that salvation is through Christ. Christ is a part of the "God Head"(holy spirit, Christ, God) there for, and even though there Dogma has separated them greatly from other forms of Christianity, there are still Christan
And Im sorry for the Double post but I left that part out on mistake
Bah, I'm sorry but heavy belif is religion, and so on.
The belife in an afterlife is rather religous...
But I don't want to discuss that, I don't want anyone to suffer, that says a bit about my religion
I try to fold the eight-fold path, but I are not member of any Sangha so I aren't a real Buddhist. But thats the religion that is closest to me.
The belife in an afterlife is rather religous...
But I don't want to discuss that, I don't want anyone to suffer, that says a bit about my religion
I try to fold the eight-fold path, but I are not member of any Sangha so I aren't a real Buddhist. But thats the religion that is closest to me.
| Deias wrote: |
| On a completely different note. Christianity is not technically a religion, it is a system of loose ethics and beliefs in a Figure of Christ. Christianity is a philosophy, the branches that took that philosophy are the religions. of course now in our time that line is fuzzed because of non denominational sermons and gatherings which of course would force that overall philosophy to become a religion. |
| Quote: |
| a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior. |
That last point is, I think, key. Without it, I agree, Christianity could be regarded, at least in some interpretations, as a philosophical stance or ethical system. With it, however, you introduce the metaphysical and mystical; at which point, I suggest, you move onto the territory of a religion.
Well Bikerman after reading your post and quickly and almost automaticly heading over to http://www.sacred-texts.com to do a few hours of heavy reading. I have to say I see your point and will succumb to it lol
I am a Wiccan/Neopagan with a Scottish Celtic background. I was raised as nothing my family let me choose my own path.
I am a Hindu, but I like to take the good things from all religions
Druid Agnostic -
reverence for nature and seeks progress through technology based in nature and various social developments. adapting beliefs depending on truthful data, like nature, I change according to my environment and what I've come to know. belief in cyclic entropic systems, and that there is a higher power than human beings, though no possible way of knowing in what ways. I just wanted to clarify that because I'm sure most of you will bug out and accuse me of being a witch or some other childish thing.
reverence for nature and seeks progress through technology based in nature and various social developments. adapting beliefs depending on truthful data, like nature, I change according to my environment and what I've come to know. belief in cyclic entropic systems, and that there is a higher power than human beings, though no possible way of knowing in what ways. I just wanted to clarify that because I'm sure most of you will bug out and accuse me of being a witch or some other childish thing.
Roman Catholic...or not? what religion is Matrix?
| cornga56 wrote: |
| Druid Agnostic -
reverence for nature and seeks progress through technology based in nature and various social developments. adapting beliefs depending on truthful data, like nature, I change according to my environment and what I've come to know. belief in cyclic entropic systems, and that there is a higher power than human beings, though no possible way of knowing in what ways. I just wanted to clarify that because I'm sure most of you will bug out and accuse me of being a witch or some other childish thing. |
Most of the members at this site would probably not assume witchcraft was a part of your belief system unless you said so. I'm not too sure what about your belief system is Druidic, though. I do not know many specifics about the historical beliefs of the Druid peoples, but I expect they were nature worshippers. You do not seem to worship nature, though you have a good healthy respect for it. I'm not too clear how your beliefs are related to the historic Druids.
I would consider you a very open-minded agnostic based on what you have told us about your beliefs.
| Quote: |
| a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior.
|
A vague and weak definition. This hardly defines what true Christianity is apart from similar "religions" or counterfeit off-shoots. (I'm using the term religion loosely here.) This may be good enough who never experienced Christianity and Catholicism doesn't count here.
If you what to find what Christianity is about go back to where is started, back before Catholicism and its deviations but after Judaism. Christianity begins with Christ, No Pope, no Biships and a miracle of the virgin birth of Jesus. If you want to learn what the church is about, I encourage you to start reading the books of Acts and also the letters of the Paul.
Just curious, are all catholics or ex-catholics bitter about protestants and what happened during the protestant reformation? I see why the catholic church is considered dogma, but protestant churches encourage its believers to look up its doctrine for themselves and see what the Word of God really says.
Love God, love people, drink coffee
socialoutcast
I am Christian who is pursuing to be in Christ likeness (in character, attitude and in relationships)
I am Hindu- which, by the way is not a "Faith". It tells you more about the region I come from. Anyway, my faith is - to accept all the manifestations of Divine - all that have come in the past, and all those who may come in future. Since a loving father will forgive not once, ten times or a thousand times- but times without number. Hence, I like to accept and respect all the prophets, God (like) men, Incarnations and manifestations of purity, kindness, love. The manifestations may be different according the context- but the substance is one and same. Hence no need to prove that one is greater than the rest. How did I reach this understanding? By reading the life of Sri RamaKrishna Paramhamsa, a 19th Century Indian Mystic.
I am an Indian.. and I belong to ......... religion
But, I don't why this question arises?? My policy is "We all belong to a religion called Human beings"
But, I don't why this question arises?? My policy is "We all belong to a religion called Human beings"
satksri, I'm glad to hear from you. I have read books by swami Vivekananda, Sri RamaKrishna Paramhamsa's disciple, although I know almost nothing about RamaKrishna personally. I find much to ponder about in studying India's spiritual ideas.
I have officially denounced structured religion because it is too political and has become a tool for politicians. I now say that I am just a Christian and don't follow any of the groupings like Mormon or Presbyterian. I still go to church it is just that I don't follow those standards I follow my own.
I'm a Roman Catholic. Most of us Filipinos are Catholic.
born christian but by now know im not beliving but knowing
i am an IGLESIA NI CRISTO member
I'm a non-theist. Though the idea of a creator is appealing, earth dogma is unappealing in the extreme.
I'm Christian
I belong to a religion where in there is no compulsion to worship one particular GOD or to believe in one particular philosophy. In fact my religion permitts me not to believe in anything either.
I belong to a religion , adherence to which does not force me to believe that other religions are not true or other gods are not true etc.
I am proud to be part of a religion which has tremendous diversity in it and at the same time allows me completely to respect and adore other religions as well.
Its a religion that is OLDEST. It was never spread with the help of Sword.
To be part of that religion you need not do anything... No baptism no formal ceremony nothing....
Can you guess my religion? Yeah exactly ..
I belong to a religion , adherence to which does not force me to believe that other religions are not true or other gods are not true etc.
I am proud to be part of a religion which has tremendous diversity in it and at the same time allows me completely to respect and adore other religions as well.
Its a religion that is OLDEST. It was never spread with the help of Sword.
To be part of that religion you need not do anything... No baptism no formal ceremony nothing....
Can you guess my religion? Yeah exactly ..
I guess you can say that I really don't have a religion, seeing as how I don't really agree with any particular one of them. Although I still maintain a strong belief in God (probably not the Christian version of God, but a god nonetheless). So I guess you could best describe me as a theist.
Is there something like an angelican belief? Belief in the angels, but not necessarily God's?
protestant
im catholich
I am a scientist
You know some call science a religion
You know some call science a religion
I'm a Philosophical Satanist for the past 10 years or so.
Atheist
Last edited by JessieF on Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:34 am; edited 2 times in total
Last edited by JessieF on Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:34 am; edited 2 times in total
I believe in life after death of the body....I believe in reincarnation of the spirit into another body to continue evolution of the spirit.... I cannot say that there is ONE religion that I profess though.
Hindu by birth. Atheist otherwise. I think this God business has very narrow political ends that are used to control people and nations alike.
I hate to be controlled.
I hate to be controlled.
sanatan dharma - the oldest religion on this planet
approx. 2.4 million years old.
Believe it man.....No kiddin
now will u stop that smile
approx. 2.4 million years old.
Believe it man.....No kiddin
now will u stop that smile
| amicalindia wrote: |
| sanatan dharma - the oldest religion on this planet
approx. 2.4 million years old. Believe it man.....No kiddin now will u stop that smile |
One correction/clarification....
2.4 million years on 'THIS PLANET'......
| PawelDabkus wrote: |
| I'm Christian |
So do you follow the ten commanments?
Did thou never covet thy neighbors wife?
I am muslim 4 life!!!
Islam the religion of all religions
Islam the religion of all religions
| megastar wrote: |
| I AM HINDU
[mod-edit]007: titlefix + could you please turn off caps lock?[/mod-edit] |
Religion is not a philosophy but is is that path on which our life goes.I searched many religions but and i come to know that ISLAM is the best religion among all .It is that religion that practically shows the solutions of the matter of life.Although almost all religion teaches us best things but ISLAM has the solutions for all the problems .
if you want to know the true guidelines the i suggest u to visit these websites
www.irf.net
www.islamcity.com
hindu!!!!!!
I'am a christian, i love read bible, i try not doing sin, sin make God anggry, you don't want to make Him anggry.
i'am in Indonesia, Call me if you are indonesian 98548605
To me religion is a path to attain tht which u aspire in in life.
I'd like to an atheist. A perfect atheist. By a "perfect atheist" , i mean one who doesnt believe in god; one who does not need god. If there is to be anyone who foes not need god, then he must be a perfect being who is in control of his life and is able to handle all that life throws at him and emerge on top . Am i someone who is in control? the truth is , i am not in control of life. More often than not, i find myself utterrin short prayers askin for deliverance; asking for strength and wisdom. since i'm not able to resist prayin to "the almighty"(whoever that is), i am not perfectly an atheist.
there must be some other religion that i follow or find most appealing. If not an atheist i'd like to be a hindu. I'd like to follow the hinduism as interpreted by swami vivekanand. My hinduism is a plural religion. it has a multitude of gods and goddesses. has anyone wondered why hinduism has a multitude of gods and goddesses? after 900 bc, as hinduism as a religion began to take shape it began spreading into all parts of india.. and as the races that initially followed hinduism began spreading into the continent they came across many tribes and settlements in the intereiors of the sub continent. these races wanted to find a way to integrate the other aboriginal races into their community. the solution was not anything like wat the inquistodors set out to do in modern india. their solution was not anything like wat the spanish occupants did to aboriginal south american cultures. the solution that early followers of hinduism was to incorporate the local tribal gods into their own hindu myths. in this manner hindu mythology expanded to include a multitude of local gods and goddesses. these tribal god's were incorporated as sons of trimurthis(the three omnipotent gods above all others).
Hinduism in this manner was able to accomadate all other races and beliefs of the indian sub continent into itslef. did u know that there are tribal gods to whom meat and alchohol is offered? that is the greatness of hinduism. its tolerance and flexibility. there is no one set way to live life, similarly there is no one set way to reach god. Budha began a new sect primarily because he was disgusted with the hinduism of his days that was corrupted by the priestly classes and ridden with dogma and customs and rituals. today hinduism has reformed itself and people now say that budha was also an incarnate of vishnu(one of the trimurthis)! jesus, krishna, prophet muhammad, budha are all said to be incarnations of vishnu. ofcourse it is debatable, that is agreed readily by me. but, wat i'd like to bring attention to here is that hinduism is not just a religion , but a philosophy. religion is rigid, but, philosophy is dynamic and living. philosophy is organic and breathes and grows.
to conclude, i'd like to be an atheist or a hindu.
I'd like to an atheist. A perfect atheist. By a "perfect atheist" , i mean one who doesnt believe in god; one who does not need god. If there is to be anyone who foes not need god, then he must be a perfect being who is in control of his life and is able to handle all that life throws at him and emerge on top . Am i someone who is in control? the truth is , i am not in control of life. More often than not, i find myself utterrin short prayers askin for deliverance; asking for strength and wisdom. since i'm not able to resist prayin to "the almighty"(whoever that is), i am not perfectly an atheist.
there must be some other religion that i follow or find most appealing. If not an atheist i'd like to be a hindu. I'd like to follow the hinduism as interpreted by swami vivekanand. My hinduism is a plural religion. it has a multitude of gods and goddesses. has anyone wondered why hinduism has a multitude of gods and goddesses? after 900 bc, as hinduism as a religion began to take shape it began spreading into all parts of india.. and as the races that initially followed hinduism began spreading into the continent they came across many tribes and settlements in the intereiors of the sub continent. these races wanted to find a way to integrate the other aboriginal races into their community. the solution was not anything like wat the inquistodors set out to do in modern india. their solution was not anything like wat the spanish occupants did to aboriginal south american cultures. the solution that early followers of hinduism was to incorporate the local tribal gods into their own hindu myths. in this manner hindu mythology expanded to include a multitude of local gods and goddesses. these tribal god's were incorporated as sons of trimurthis(the three omnipotent gods above all others).
Hinduism in this manner was able to accomadate all other races and beliefs of the indian sub continent into itslef. did u know that there are tribal gods to whom meat and alchohol is offered? that is the greatness of hinduism. its tolerance and flexibility. there is no one set way to live life, similarly there is no one set way to reach god. Budha began a new sect primarily because he was disgusted with the hinduism of his days that was corrupted by the priestly classes and ridden with dogma and customs and rituals. today hinduism has reformed itself and people now say that budha was also an incarnate of vishnu(one of the trimurthis)! jesus, krishna, prophet muhammad, budha are all said to be incarnations of vishnu. ofcourse it is debatable, that is agreed readily by me. but, wat i'd like to bring attention to here is that hinduism is not just a religion , but a philosophy. religion is rigid, but, philosophy is dynamic and living. philosophy is organic and breathes and grows.
to conclude, i'd like to be an atheist or a hindu.
I don´t believe, I cannot believe. It´s impossible for me, but I´m trying to understand people who believe in someone or something.
| megastar wrote: |
| I AM HINDU
[mod-edit]007: titlefix + could you please turn off caps lock?[/mod-edit] |
I'm a Jehovah's Witness
human
does that count?
cheers
does that count?
cheers
I am buddhism...
I am an atheïst. Might not be a religion you say. It is in my eyes. My disbelief is my belief and can be called some sort of religion.
| Coen wrote: |
| I am an atheïst. Might not be a religion you say. It is in my eyes. My disbelief is my belief and can be called some sort of religion. |
Careful. Atheists are not necessarily believers.
Do you believe that God does not exist? If so then, yes, that is a belief.
Alternatively, do you not believe in God, but not affirm that God does not exist? If so then that is not a belief. It is possible to not believe in God without making the statement that he does not exist.
It may sound confusing but there is a very real difference. The first is sometimes known as 'strong atheism' and the second 'weak atheism'. Strong atheism is a belief, weak atheism is not.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
Careful. Atheists are not necessarily believers. Do you believe that God does not exist? If so then, yes, that is a belief. Alternatively, do you not believe in God, but not affirm that God does not exist? If so then that is not a belief. It is possible to not believe in God without making the statement that he does not exist. It may sound confusing but there is a very real difference. The first is sometimes known as 'strong atheism' and the second 'weak atheism'. Strong atheism is a belief, weak atheism is not. |
In my eyes, there is no such thing as weak or strong atheïsm. Atheïsm means that you do not believe in the excistence of a god or any higher entetity. If you are not sure you're agnostic.
Everyone has a belief. Even those who say they haven't. Think about it, they're not believing in something is a belief too.
| Coen wrote: |
| In my eyes, there is no such thing as weak or strong atheïsm. Atheïsm means that you do not believe in the excistence of a god or any higher entetity. If you are not sure you're agnostic.
Everyone has a belief. Even those who say they haven't. Think about it, they're not believing in something is a belief too. |
Well, that's why I asked. The problem is that you don't understand what the terms mean. Let me try to explain.
An Agnostic is NOT someone who is unsure about God. An Agnostic is someone who is SURE that the existence of God cannot be proved one way or the other. It is possible, therefore, to be a religious agnostic or an atheist agnostic.
An atheist agnostic, for example, would be someone who does not believe that the existence of God can be proved, and does not personally believe in God. A religious agnostic would be one who does not think the existence of God can be proved but DOES believe in God.
Do you see the difference?
Disbelief is NOT a belief. To use a simple example, I don't think there is a small teapot in orbit around Jupiter. I do not, however, state that there is not such a teapot, because I haven't enough evidence either way to be sure. I just personally do not think there is. If I were, on the other-hand to say 'There is NO small teapot in orbit around Jupiter' then that would be a belief. Finally if I had sufficient evidence to prove one way or another whether there was such a teapot then I wouldn't need to believe at all....
I'm a Roman Catholic, I'm only believe in one God & the Holy Catholic church
Me --- Struggling Christian
Well, that's why I asked. The problem is that you don't understand what the terms mean. Let me try to explain.
An Agnostic is NOT someone who is unsure about God. An Agnostic is someone who is SURE that the existence of God cannot be proved one way or the other. It is possible, therefore, to be a religious agnostic or an atheist agnostic.
An atheist agnostic, for example, would be someone who does not believe that the existence of God can be proved, and does not personally believe in God. A religious agnostic would be one who does not think the existence of God can be proved but DOES believe in God.
Do you see the difference?
Disbelief is NOT a belief. To use a simple example, I don't think there is a small teapot in orbit around Jupiter. I do not, however, state that there is not such a teapot, because I haven't enough evidence either way to be sure. I just personally do not think there is. If I were, on the other-hand to say 'There is NO small teapot in orbit around Jupiter' then that would be a belief. Finally if I had sufficient evidence to prove one way or another whether there was such a teapot then I wouldn't need to believe at all....[/quote]
That is nonsense. An agnost is someone who believes the excistence of a god cannot be proven and thus is not entirely sure what to believe. They do not acknowledge nor deny the excistence of a god thus an atheistic agnost cannot excist, as an atheist, per defenition, denies the excistense of a god (or gods).
And by disbelief I mean my disbelief in the excistence of a god and that is a belief. I really believe there is no god; meaning that I believe my own disbelief.
An Agnostic is NOT someone who is unsure about God. An Agnostic is someone who is SURE that the existence of God cannot be proved one way or the other. It is possible, therefore, to be a religious agnostic or an atheist agnostic.
An atheist agnostic, for example, would be someone who does not believe that the existence of God can be proved, and does not personally believe in God. A religious agnostic would be one who does not think the existence of God can be proved but DOES believe in God.
Do you see the difference?
Disbelief is NOT a belief. To use a simple example, I don't think there is a small teapot in orbit around Jupiter. I do not, however, state that there is not such a teapot, because I haven't enough evidence either way to be sure. I just personally do not think there is. If I were, on the other-hand to say 'There is NO small teapot in orbit around Jupiter' then that would be a belief. Finally if I had sufficient evidence to prove one way or another whether there was such a teapot then I wouldn't need to believe at all....[/quote]
That is nonsense. An agnost is someone who believes the excistence of a god cannot be proven and thus is not entirely sure what to believe. They do not acknowledge nor deny the excistence of a god thus an atheistic agnost cannot excist, as an atheist, per defenition, denies the excistense of a god (or gods).
And by disbelief I mean my disbelief in the excistence of a god and that is a belief. I really believe there is no god; meaning that I believe my own disbelief.
| Coen wrote: |
| That is nonsense. An agnost is someone who believes the excistence of a god cannot be proven and thus is not entirely sure what to believe. They do not acknowledge nor deny the excistence of a god thus an atheistic agnost cannot excist, as an atheist, per defenition, denies the excistense of a god (or gods).
|
An agnostic is, as you say, someone who believes the existence of God cannot be proven. Regardless of whether it can be proven or not, it is possible (indeed necessary) to 'believe' in or 'disbelieve' in God. Thus it is perfectly consistent to describe myself as an agnostic atheist because I don't believe God's existence can be proved, and I don't personally believe in him.
| Quote: |
| And by disbelief I mean my disbelief in the excistence of a god and that is a belief. I really believe there is no god; meaning that I believe my own disbelief. |
| Bikerman wrote: |
| Yes, that is a common misperception. Even Richard Dawkins makes the same mistake in his writings. You do not have to believe that something can be proved to believe in it. In fact that is the very nature of belief - you do not believe in things that can be demonstrated, you simply know them.
An agnostic is, as you say, someone who believes the existence of God cannot be proven. Regardless of whether it can be proven or not, it is possible (indeed necessary) to 'believe' in or 'disbelieve' in God. Thus it is perfectly consistent to describe myself as an agnostic atheist because I don't believe God's existence can be proved, and I don't personally believe in him. |
I was mostly implying to the fact that an atheïst denies the excistence of a god while an agnost doesn't know whether or not there is a god. That is the defenition you will find on every site you see so I would hardly call that a misperception.
| Quote: |
| And by disbelief I mean my disbelief in the excistence of a god and that is a belief. I really believe there is no god; meaning that I believe my own disbelief. |
Yes, for myself I can perfectly prove that God does not excist. Those reasons, however, are personal and might not be sufficiant to others. For me, they are good enough as are they shared by some of my friends. For the outside world I mostly use the phrase: "Abensence of evidence is evidence of abscence."
My main reasons, however, are personal and are not sure to convince anyone. Although if I do look at everything that is going wrong in the world I cannot believe a god would let such a thing happen if he was "almighty". Then that god would surely be some prick. Which he isn't according to the religions.
| Coen wrote: |
| I was mostly implying to the fact that an atheïst denies the excistence of a god while an agnost doesn't know whether or not there is a god. That is the defenition you will find on every site you see so I would hardly call that a misperception. |
Web Free Dictionary:One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
Wiki: Agnostics claim either that it is not possible to have absolute or certain knowledge of the existence or nonexistence of God or gods; or, alternatively, that while individual certainty may be possible, they personally have no knowledge.
Answers.com : The doctrine that certainty about first principles or absolute truth is unattainable and that only perceptual phenomena are objects of exact knowledge. The belief that there can be no proof either that God exists or that God does not exist.
Those are the first three sites that came up on google when I queried the meaning....They all seem to agree with my definition I think, although the wiki alternative definition is closer to yours.
| Quote: |
| Yes, for myself I can perfectly prove that God does not excist. Those reasons, however, are personal and might not be sufficiant to others. For me, they are good enough as are they shared by some of my friends. For the outside world I mostly use the phrase: "Abensence of evidence is evidence of abscence."
My main reasons, however, are personal and are not sure to convince anyone. Although if I do look at everything that is going wrong in the world I cannot believe a god would let such a thing happen if he was "almighty". Then that god would surely be some prick. Which he isn't according to the religions. |
I have a feeling you still don't get my point. An agnost believes it cannot be proven there is no god, thus he can say: OK, I think there is no god. While an atheist does not believe in god.
By being agnostic you say that there is no evidence for excistance of gods but there might be a small chance there are thus, in my eyes, you cannot be a real atheist as they do not believe in the excistance of a god.
| Quote: |
| Wiki: Atheism, as a philosophical view, is the position that either affirms the nonexistence of gods or rejects theism. |
By being agnostic you say that there is no evidence for excistance of gods but there might be a small chance there are thus, in my eyes, you cannot be a real atheist as they do not believe in the excistance of a god.
| Coen wrote: | ||
I have a feeling you still don't get my point. An agnost believes it cannot be proven there is no god, thus he can say: OK, I think there is no god. While an atheist does not believe in god.
By being agnostic you say that there is no evidence for excistance of gods but there might be a small chance there are thus, in my eyes, you cannot be a real atheist as they do not believe in the excistance of a god. |
I get your point, I just think you are wrong. It is perfectly possible to believe in a God whilst also believing it is impossible to prove that there is a God. Likewise it is perfectly possible to believe that the existence of God cannot be disproven, and yet personally not believe in such a God.
You make the mistake of adding a 'thus' to your statement. There does not need to be a 'thus'. So the statement that you make ; "An agnostic believes it cannot be proven there is no God THUS he can say....." is going beyond what an agnostic is. If you stop before the 'THUS' then you have the definition of an agnostic. What the agnostic chooses to do as a result of that stance may or may not be to believe in a God.
hindu
| death_dealer wrote: |
| MUSLIM!!!!!!!! |
Thats pretty scary dude! From here in the USA. I would not be advertising that too much if I were you.
| poet wrote: |
| or in my view beleaving in ones self,... Do i feel there is a higher spirit, of courseis... |
Thats a pretty arrogant statement. Especially when you go on to state that you believe in a "higher spirit". That spells big trouble dude!
The key word here is 'Eternity.' Where will you be without Jesus? "If you are right and I am wrong, then what do I lose? Nothing! I believed in Nothing, so no harm-no foul. BUT, If I am right and YOU are wrong, then you will be wrong for Eternity., eternity without God."
[img]http://www.flyfamilyguy.webs.com/title.gif/[/img]
[img]http://www.flyfamilyguy.webs.com/title.gif/[/img]
I am a proud muslim
| flyfamilyguy wrote: | ||
Thats pretty scary dude! From here in the USA. I would not be advertising that too much if I were you. |
what maked you think its scary.... i mean being a muslim or saying that i am a muslim. I will never fear to say anything.... whoever be it... bcozim not wrong... not islam is... well whats ur religion.
| flyfamilyguy wrote: | ||
Thats pretty scary dude! From here in the USA. I would not be advertising that too much if I were you. |
Really. Why? You think all Muslims are terrorists?
| HalfBloodPrince wrote: | ||||
Really. Why? You think all Muslims are terrorists? |
I have to agree with you on this one. I wouldn't make a secret out of hiding my faith. What's wrong with muslims except for those very few how like blowing up themselves and others.
On a side note, all those people are said not to be true muslims by the ones with sense (which would be most of the other muslims except for the terrorists).
M'hm. I'm a Muslim. Islam is built on the same basis as Christianity and Judaism since they came from one source.
Hindu Vaishnava
I am baptist but not an advid one. I am breaking away from what I read in the Christian bible because to me it doesn't make that much sense. From reading the bible I adopt the ideas (such not to steal, not kill, love one another, etc). But As I have gotten older and more knowledge, I have come to the conclusion that people use religion like a crutch rather than a tool to enrich their lives and people around them (this is not an absolute). I believe in the higher power, because science can explain but so much. God does exist, just some people choose not to accept the signs in everyday life. I am very leary on the idea of the Christians' version of heaven and hell. I feel that would be a whole new topic.
i am musulam
I'm an Apathetic Agnostic.
http://apatheticagnostic.org/
I don't know, and I don't care.
I think that religion in general has caused a lot of pain and grief, and guilt in our world, and even though most religions talk about dealing with others with tolerance (and even love) I have found most very religious people to be intolerant and argumentative.
I have had people trying to convert me to one religion or another since I was about 6 or 7. It never made sense to me. A big invisible being in the sky who created everything, and he'll send you to hell, unless you believe in him, BUT he loves you... And he needs money... Lots and lots of money. (apologies to Mr. Carlin).
Ultimately, all the holy writings I have seen preach being good. The fear of a higher authority (divine being) is the influencer of the good behavior. Well, personally, I have no use for it. I try to treat people well. I have low tolerance for people with avid beliefs (fundamentalists, conservatives, zealots, or whatever you want to call them) who try to convert or tell me I'm living my life wrong because I don't have a belief in a higher divine creator. Basically, it doesn't matter. We're all going to die, and we'll all find out one way or another. Having a belief in what happens to you when you die has little to do with how you should treat people.
You should treat your fellows with the best of intentions and in the way that you would like to be treated. Many people, of various religious backgrounds, do not do this, and hatred is the end result over the years, decades, centuries, and on...
We are all of one people. One planet. Take care of what we do have. Use your brains. Recycle and appreciate the planet. Appreciate the differences we have, because that is beautiful too. Let us be fascinated with each other instead of fearful of the differences we have. Variety is a wonderful thing, and we have a diverse population. Religion (and MTV, and Wal-Mart) have diminished our diversity. We need more people banding together, not pulling apart.
Religion is a bad influence on our world today, and probably has been for millennium. People want to bring it into schools more, and into government more, and into the bloody workplace more. I won't stand for it without being heard! Love your family, and friends, and pray to your gods, whomever they may be, but leave others to their own. Preach within the family, and go to the house of worship that your family, or culture enjoys, but treat people with common decency and common sense regardless of their religion.
One other thing all you people of religion... The world is well populated now, you can stop with all the thriving. Let's not have more children than we should. Yes, every child is a joyful thing to be loved and brought up with fine ideas, but one per parent should be plenty. Pregnancy is not a competitive sport! Use family planning in an intelligent way. I don't believe in abstinence, but if that's what it takes! We need some common sense. We are already the most successful species on the face of the planet, but we are going to be the victims of our own success without some thought to the future.
Take up the fervor that you waste on religion and bring it to your government. Make them stop catering to the big businesses who are all lobbying for bettering their companies revenues and not making things better for the people who live in the country. Put common sense in front of corporate profits in government. (I'm in the US, so this may be a little slanted for those of you out of the US). If you were to spend half as much time on writing to your congressmen and less on praying for betterment, you might just find that your prayer get answered more often.
Conviction to your belief is fine, but don't let it run your life. It's meant to guide your action, not make all the calls for you.
All it would take to destroy any religion on this planet would be for us to discover (or more likely be discovered by) and alien culture. Although, I guess it would be a big push for the Flying Spaghetti Monster Religion.
http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/
Imagine,
~Brian Elliott
http://apatheticagnostic.org/
I don't know, and I don't care.
I think that religion in general has caused a lot of pain and grief, and guilt in our world, and even though most religions talk about dealing with others with tolerance (and even love) I have found most very religious people to be intolerant and argumentative.
I have had people trying to convert me to one religion or another since I was about 6 or 7. It never made sense to me. A big invisible being in the sky who created everything, and he'll send you to hell, unless you believe in him, BUT he loves you... And he needs money... Lots and lots of money. (apologies to Mr. Carlin).
Ultimately, all the holy writings I have seen preach being good. The fear of a higher authority (divine being) is the influencer of the good behavior. Well, personally, I have no use for it. I try to treat people well. I have low tolerance for people with avid beliefs (fundamentalists, conservatives, zealots, or whatever you want to call them) who try to convert or tell me I'm living my life wrong because I don't have a belief in a higher divine creator. Basically, it doesn't matter. We're all going to die, and we'll all find out one way or another. Having a belief in what happens to you when you die has little to do with how you should treat people.
You should treat your fellows with the best of intentions and in the way that you would like to be treated. Many people, of various religious backgrounds, do not do this, and hatred is the end result over the years, decades, centuries, and on...
We are all of one people. One planet. Take care of what we do have. Use your brains. Recycle and appreciate the planet. Appreciate the differences we have, because that is beautiful too. Let us be fascinated with each other instead of fearful of the differences we have. Variety is a wonderful thing, and we have a diverse population. Religion (and MTV, and Wal-Mart) have diminished our diversity. We need more people banding together, not pulling apart.
Religion is a bad influence on our world today, and probably has been for millennium. People want to bring it into schools more, and into government more, and into the bloody workplace more. I won't stand for it without being heard! Love your family, and friends, and pray to your gods, whomever they may be, but leave others to their own. Preach within the family, and go to the house of worship that your family, or culture enjoys, but treat people with common decency and common sense regardless of their religion.
One other thing all you people of religion... The world is well populated now, you can stop with all the thriving. Let's not have more children than we should. Yes, every child is a joyful thing to be loved and brought up with fine ideas, but one per parent should be plenty. Pregnancy is not a competitive sport! Use family planning in an intelligent way. I don't believe in abstinence, but if that's what it takes! We need some common sense. We are already the most successful species on the face of the planet, but we are going to be the victims of our own success without some thought to the future.
Take up the fervor that you waste on religion and bring it to your government. Make them stop catering to the big businesses who are all lobbying for bettering their companies revenues and not making things better for the people who live in the country. Put common sense in front of corporate profits in government. (I'm in the US, so this may be a little slanted for those of you out of the US). If you were to spend half as much time on writing to your congressmen and less on praying for betterment, you might just find that your prayer get answered more often.
Conviction to your belief is fine, but don't let it run your life. It's meant to guide your action, not make all the calls for you.
All it would take to destroy any religion on this planet would be for us to discover (or more likely be discovered by) and alien culture. Although, I guess it would be a big push for the Flying Spaghetti Monster Religion.
http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/
Imagine,
~Brian Elliott
On my papers it reads lutheran. For me religion is tradition and should not be more because faith is dangerous.
I think this is the best way i define my religion.
Pagan
Specifically a Shaman of Native American influence.
Peace
Lv
Specifically a Shaman of Native American influence.
Peace
Lv
I am Christian.
I am a Veron. Follower of Veronity.
I am Jedi!
Roman Catholic
Deists don't get no respect. It's a bloody shame. Oh well, I know plenty of Deists where I live, so it's all good. I'm not alone.
| The-Ron-Man wrote: |
| Deists don't get no respect. It's a bloody shame. Oh well, I know plenty of Deists where I live, so it's all good. I'm not alone. |
Does the fact that you are not alone change this?
I am Hindu- one of the most mis-understood faiths. In a sense good. If you understand it, you tend to go around teaching and converting others. So, basically, Hinduism says- that everyone has his / her special path back to her/his Godhood (perfection). No need to imitate anyone else- however ancient / modern.
I'm a Muslim, worshipping God using the Islamic teachings...
Baptized ortodox christian, agnostic by beliefs.
i m HINDU....
i m muslim,
I am Hindu- but it is difficult to define that word..
In a nutshell- it means accepting all paths as true paths to God- but realising that one path may not be the path for everyone. Accepting differences in people's approach to Godhood..
sachin
In a nutshell- it means accepting all paths as true paths to God- but realising that one path may not be the path for everyone. Accepting differences in people's approach to Godhood..
sachin
I'm a Mahayana Buddhist. However, I take it to be more a state of mind in approaching things in life than actual religion.
I'm of a belief that you don't have to be believe in God to be a good person.
I'm of a belief that you don't have to be believe in God to be a good person.
I am a convinced muslim and a world citizen.
But I would never have thought that would get to read things like:
Christian catholic --> ... tiger --> crusader???!!!
In what for a world do we live in??? Are you people nuts? The guy just asked for your religions? He didn't ask you if you wanted to kill the rest of the world??! mann... you guys are nuts...
But I would never have thought that would get to read things like:
Christian catholic --> ... tiger --> crusader???!!!
In what for a world do we live in??? Are you people nuts? The guy just asked for your religions? He didn't ask you if you wanted to kill the rest of the world??! mann... you guys are nuts...
I am a Chassidic Jew. I love the topic of religion and while Jews don't try to "sell" their religion, I am fascinated by the many flavors of belief. Atheism seems to offer more questions than answers, and the "mainstream" religion offers much confusion. For instance: What (or who) is a "real" christian? It depends on who you ask. The answers are all over the place.
Okay, I'm bracing myself for the avalanche!
Okay, I'm bracing myself for the avalanche!
ORTHODOX here , but religion shouldn't separate us...
Christian - Blood bought saint of Jehovah God
Christian - Blood bought saint of Jehovah God
....even though He's not a religion. It's about a relationship.
Church was never a big part of my life. I was a real hateful kid, hating pretty much everyone around me (including my friends). I was depressed, and had attempted suicide.
My friends invited me to a Christian Concert, and it was the first place I heard about Jesus, heard about how He died to rescue me from my sins.
Things changed. I decided to live for Jesus, and noticed an incredible, instant change in my actions and attitudes toward people!
Sorry to go off...just thought it's important for you to hear.
Church was never a big part of my life. I was a real hateful kid, hating pretty much everyone around me (including my friends). I was depressed, and had attempted suicide.
My friends invited me to a Christian Concert, and it was the first place I heard about Jesus, heard about how He died to rescue me from my sins.
Things changed. I decided to live for Jesus, and noticed an incredible, instant change in my actions and attitudes toward people!
Sorry to go off...just thought it's important for you to hear.
muslim
i'm an atheist, but with a strong sympathy for religions. I love reading about those religions but more as a fiction novel
I am a Roman Catholic. We are obliged to hear mass on Sundays and its only 1 hour. It is so shameful to say that I can't go to attend mass on Sunday even if it is just a few steps near in my house. I felt so guilty. I can hear them singing. I can only go there once in a while in a prayer room and if I am in need of help. I just hope I will change myself. I hope God won't punished me for not giving him a time to visit him every Sunday. I hope that God won't forsake me.
I'm a Wiccan. Never really felt right following any other beliefs.
I'm currently an atheist, and relatively confident that I'll stay one. If you have evidence that you think will persuade me to change my mind (please, don't quote the Bible at me), please get in touch.
You Probably Don't Know What Your Religion Really IS! This test will ask you about your beliefs and then tell you what religion you have the most in common with. For example, you might think you believe in the Jewish religion but your beliefs correspond to Buddhism! Or you might think you're an agnostic but you really are a Quaker! It also tells you what religion you have the LEAST in common with. Try it, it's fun at the very least. I turned out to be a PAGAN!
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html
PS somebody please vote on my posts, I need to set up a webhosting account!!!!
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html
PS somebody please vote on my posts, I need to set up a webhosting account!!!!
Well, I am actually Catholic and live in Argentina. Our community is built on Christian bases but more or less you can find a lot of different religions going on. For example, I live in a place that particularly has a lot of Jew temples, so I have many neighbours and friends of that religion.
Gonzalo.
Gonzalo.
Christian Orthodox, its real religion..
| Pensive-Koala wrote: |
| I'm currently an atheist, and relatively confident that I'll stay one. If you have evidence that you think will persuade me to change my mind (please, don't quote the Bible at me), please get in touch. |
I'm Christian, Evangelical Lutheran.
I have no actual evidence. But the scientists have. In fact, for example archeologists have found more evidence about Jesus than about any other well-known persons combined. And when the lifestory of Alexander the Great was written approx 400 years after his death, first documents about the Jesus Christ were written only 2 years after his death, while his whole life in gospels were written by the people living beside Jesus. Matthew and John were disciples of the Jesus himself and Mark was a disciple of the St.Peter. Their testimonys were "fresh". It is proved that gospel according to Mark, the first gospel, was written only less than 30 years after the death of Jesus.
Also Jesus is mentioned by dozens of Mediterranean historywriters who have nothing to do with Jews (and the early Christians). They have mostly written about kings and noble. It would be crazy that a poor carpenter would get in their important writings, if he wouldn't be someone exceptional.
And also I have to mention that you all must have heard about the Big Bang, I suppose. It was originally discovered by catholic church, as a proof of existence of God. Today scientist still cannot explain how the mass of everything, the point of singularity, had been born from nothing. If it wasn't created, how can it in any means exist?
Have you got any evidence for these astounding claims. I think you are labouring under some illusions here.
It is well known that the New Testament Gospels were written well after the time of 'Christ'. (45CE - 140CE).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament
What archaeological evidence are you talking about - I know of non.
What history writers are you talking about? Certainly not contemporaries.
It is certainly true that Lemaître proposed the BB theory and he was a Roman Catholic priest but it was not 'discovered' by the Catholic Church and it was not 'proof of God'.
It is well known that the New Testament Gospels were written well after the time of 'Christ'. (45CE - 140CE).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament
What archaeological evidence are you talking about - I know of non.
What history writers are you talking about? Certainly not contemporaries.
It is certainly true that Lemaître proposed the BB theory and he was a Roman Catholic priest but it was not 'discovered' by the Catholic Church and it was not 'proof of God'.
Wikipedia has the answers to everything, huh?
I recommend the book Jesus and the Gospels by dr. Craig L. Blomberg, the leading writer and researcher what comes to the Gospels, in the US. I don't know who wrote the stuff in wikipedia, but I sure know it wasn't the Blomberg. I could spend hours while writing you all the proofs, but I stay short.
Luke was the disciple and doctor of Paul, he wrote the Gospel according to Luke as well as the Pauline Epistles. The Pauline Epistles ends suddenly when the Paul is in house arrest in Rome. What happened to the leading character of the book? Pauline Epistles doesn't explain it, because it was written before the execution of Paul which happened in the year 62. Gospel according to Luke was written before his second writingproject, the Pauline Epistles, before year 62.
Last edited by Tutor on Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:29 am; edited 1 time in total
I recommend the book Jesus and the Gospels by dr. Craig L. Blomberg, the leading writer and researcher what comes to the Gospels, in the US. I don't know who wrote the stuff in wikipedia, but I sure know it wasn't the Blomberg. I could spend hours while writing you all the proofs, but I stay short.
Luke was the disciple and doctor of Paul, he wrote the Gospel according to Luke as well as the Pauline Epistles. The Pauline Epistles ends suddenly when the Paul is in house arrest in Rome. What happened to the leading character of the book? Pauline Epistles doesn't explain it, because it was written before the execution of Paul which happened in the year 62. Gospel according to Luke was written before his second writingproject, the Pauline Epistles, before year 62.
Last edited by Tutor on Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:29 am; edited 1 time in total
| Bikerman wrote: |
|
It is certainly true that Lemaître proposed the BB theory and he was a Roman Catholic priest but it was not 'discovered' by the Catholic Church and it was not 'proof of God'. |
Yes, Lemaître was the discoverer and catholic church was only the institute. Just like today the science-centers publish in their name the acchievements of their researchers. And Church DID claim it as the proof of God, so I don't understand your argument they did not.
| Bikerman wrote: |
|
What archaeological evidence are you talking about - I know of non. |
I'm just talking about over 24 000 found documents about the events of New Testament. I hope you're not a reseacher if you don't know none of them.
| Tutor wrote: |
| Wikipedia has the answers to everything, huh? |
| Quote: |
| I recommend the book Jesus and the Gospels by dr. Craig L. Blomberg, the leading writer and researcher what comes to the Gospels, in the US. I don't know who wrote the stuff in wikipedia, but I sure know it wasn't the Blomberg. I could spend hours while writing you all the proofs, but I stay short.
Luke was the disciple and doctor of Paul, he wrote the Gospel according to Luke as well as the Pauline Epistles. The Pauline Epistles ends suddenly when the Paul is in house arrest in Rome. What happened to the leading character of the book? Pauline Epistles doesn't explain it, because it was written before the execution of Paul which happened in the year 62. Gospel according to Luke was written before his second writingproject, the Pauline Epistles, before year 62. |
That is one theory. There are many others. For example, it is perfectly reasonable to believe that the Gospel of Luke was based on Josephus since both accounts contain many similarities and parallels.
If this is correct then Luke cannot have been written before 94CE.
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/lukeandjosephus.html
Other bible scholars put it somewhere between 59 and 90CE. How accurate do you think such an account would be after such a time lag? Try writing down in detail what happened last year. Then try it for 30 years ago...
I'm still waiting for this archaeological evidence you spoke of, and the list of mediterranean historical accounts.
Last edited by Bikerman on Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:13 am; edited 1 time in total
| Tutor wrote: | ||
Yes, Lemaître was the discoverer and catholic church was only the institute. Just like today the science-centers publish in their name the acchievements of their researchers. And Church DID claim it as the proof of God, so I don't understand your argument they did not. |
Lemaître himself was very clear that the theory was a physical theory with no religious significance, but Pope Pious XII saw that is allowed a 'first cause' explanation and pushed it, even before it was widely accepted.
| Quote: | ||
I'm just talking about over 24 000 found documents about the events of New Testament. I hope you're not a reseacher if you don't know none of them. |
You claim that we have a document from 2 years after Jesus...what is this document?
You claim that Mark was written less than 30 years after the death of Jesus. Most bible scholars put the earliest possible date for the gospel after the destruction of the second Temple of Jerusalem (70CE).
| Bikerman wrote: |
|
That is one theory. There are many others. For example, it is perfectly reasonable to believe that the Gospel of Luke was based on Josephus since both accounts contain many similarities and parallels. If this is correct then Luke cannot have been written before 94CE. http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/lukeandjosephus.html |
It is perfectly reasonable to believe but not perfectly reasonable to assume. You know how some theories are just bigger, better, faster and stronger depending on the proofs and support of the sciencecommunity. Theory I mentioned is one of that kind of theories.
Gospels according to Luke and Matthew base on the Gospel according to Mark. And that's not even suprise if you take a look at the gospels. They look VERY similar. I believe even your precious wikipedia gives you that answer.
| Bikerman wrote: |
| Other bible scholars put it somewhere between 59 and 90CE. How accurate do you think such an account would be after such a time lag? Try writing down in detail what happened last year. Then try it for 30 years ago... |
First I have to mention that the majority of researchers see earlier mentioned lifestory of Alexander the Great as very accurate and see no reason why it wouldn't have happened as it did. No matter if it was written 400years after his death.
It would take me ages to tell all the reasons why 30 years is nothing but I try to cut corners a bit and give you the mainpoints.
1. Gospels include references where is mentioned that they write with honest hearts and accurately as possible. Example Gospel according to Luke starts with such a statement. And then Gospel according to John 20:31 has such an statement.
2. You have to remember the culture where they (the early christians) lived in. They had taught the teachings of the prorhets for centuries and did rehearse the events all over and over again. And remember this wasn't some old children's game where you put one sentence to go through a circle whispered. We are talking about very accurate people who would have said "excuse me, tell me louder" and "could you repeat that? Go again" and "ok so this is how I understand what you said, is it correct?".
| Bikerman wrote: |
|
You claim that we have a document from 2 years after Jesus...what is this document? |
Document is an early Confession also found in the Bible (1. Corinthians, chapter 15). If crusifixion happened around year 30, turning of the Paul was around 32 after which he was taken to Damaskos to christian Ananias. Paul's first meeting with the Jerusalem's christians happened in the year 35 by latests approximation, when he was handed that Confession. As it was already been modified to have the core of christianity it has been written 2-5years after the events.
| Tutor wrote: |
| It is perfectly reasonable to believe but not perfectly reasonable to assume. You know how some theories are just bigger, better, faster and stronger depending on the proofs and support of the sciencecommunity. Theory I mentioned is one of that kind of theories. |
| Quote: |
| Gospels according to Luke and Matthew base on the Gospel according to Mark. And that's not even suprise if you take a look at the gospels. They look VERY similar. I believe even your precious wikipedia gives you that answer. |
There is a great deal of controversy over the dates and authorship of the gospel accounts and to suggest there is a clear consensus theory is simply wrong - there isn't. To suggest that the science community supports a particular viewpoint is also entirely spurious - it doesn't.
As wiki says
| Quote: |
| To summarize, the only books for which there are solid authorship consensuses among modern critical scholars are the Pauline epistiles mentioned above, which are universally regarded as authentic, and Hebrews, which is nearly always rejected. The remaining nineteen books remain in dispute, some holding to the traditional view, and others regarding them as anonymous or pseudonymic. |
| Quote: | ||
First I have to mention that the majority of researchers see earlier mentioned lifestory of Alexander the Great as very accurate and see no reason why it wouldn't have happened as it did. No matter if it was written 400years after his death. |
| Quote: |
| It would take me ages to tell all the reasons why 30 years is nothing but I try to cut corners a bit and give you the mainpoints.
1. Gospels include references where is mentioned that they write with honest hearts and accurately as possible. Example Gospel according to Luke starts with such a statement. And then Gospel according to John 20:31 has such an statement. |
| Quote: |
| 2. You have to remember the culture where they (the early christians) lived in. They had taught the teachings of the prorhets for centuries and did rehearse the events all over and over again. And remember this wasn't some old children's game where you put one sentence to go through a circle whispered. We are talking about very accurate people who would have said "excuse me, tell me louder" and "could you repeat that? Go again" and "ok so this is how I understand what you said, is it correct?". |
| Quote: | ||
|
If, on the other hand, you are saying that 1 Corinthians includes an account which is supposed to have happened in 32-35CE then whoopie do...what does that prove? As you well know, 1 Corinthians was written about 55CE - 25 years after the events, not 2 years after the events - a slight difference I submit. Nor do we have any original papyrus of this epistle - the earliest papyrus containing 1 Corinthians (papyrus 15) dates from about 250CE.
I do actually know what you are referring to, but you refer to it in a dishonest manner which discredits your point. What you actually MEAN is that there is a creed in 1 Corinithians which can be reliably dated back before the actual writings. In the case of 1 Corinthians the creed in question is
| Quote: |
| "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." |
My local library has about 50 books on Robin Hood - some of which give great detail about his life and times. That doesn't mean he really existed though, does it? If we had a document from a historian who was contemporaneous with Robin Hood (even 2 years after his death would be fine) then we might be more inclined to believe he existed. We don't. The same applies to Jesus.
For what it's worth I do think, on balance of probabilities, that Jesus DID exist as a historical character. I don't, of course, think that the Gospel accounts are an accurate summary of his life and nor do I believe that he was 'divine' - but that is a matter of faith. The problem I have with you is that you blithely state that science and historians are all in support of the notion of Jesus as a historical character. Historians certainly do not agree and science has little or nothing to say on the matter. I am certainly no historian and neither am I a biblical scholar (but I would suggest that neither are you). My training and inclination is more in the realms of science and technology than history and biblical scholarship. That does not mean, however, that I am completely unknowledgable in this area. I have several years of 'religious education' and a couple of years of theology under my belt. I do largely rely on summaries and commentaries by others for my view of this era, since studying the original literature is the work of several lifetimes, and mine is spent largely on other things. The literature that I do read, however, leads me to the conclusion that Jesus probably existed as a historical character and, beyond that, we know next to nothing.
Last edited by Bikerman on Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:45 am; edited 1 time in total
I am pagan with humanistic tendencies!
I am Christian with anarchistic tendencies!
| Libby wrote: |
| I am Christian with anarchistic tendencies!
|
Interesting combination. How do the two gel together?
Islam but I'm The DeviL
but I'm The DeviL | deanhills wrote: | ||
Interesting combination. How do the two gel together? |
Surprisingly well! It's just instead of "No Gods No Masters!" it's "One God, the Only Master". So no earthly authority. Works for me.
One Cast, one Religion, one God----For Human
| Bikerman wrote: | ||||
Yes it does. It still doesn't say, however, that the Gospels were written when you claim. Neither does it say they were written by WHO you claim. |
You must be suprised but there never has been a real conversation among the researchers whether they were or weren't written by these people. There just isn't a reason why the Gospels wouldn't be the people they claim they are. Wouldn't there rather be Gospel according to Jesus, or Gospel according to Peter?
| Bikerman wrote: |
| But that is because there are a variety of secondary texts from which it is possible to build an accurate timeline of events involving Alexander. Many of his accomplishments are a matter of historical record so it is quite possible to verify both his existence and his chronology with a high degree of certainty. Many scholars have spent their life correlating historical documents/events and the current understanding of Alexander is the result of this work - involving thousands of secondary sources, contemporaneous accounts and archaeological evidence. The same cannot be said for Jesus. |
BWAHHAH, you cannot be serious?! Titus Flavius Iosephus and Gaius Cornelius Tacitus have a lot of references to Jesus in their text as does the Gaius Plinius Secundus have references to christianity.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
|
Yes, I am very serious. It was a custom a the time that the historywriters always began with such statements. It was necessary.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
|
Better start laughing, because "Chinese whisper syndrome" cannot be taken in account because of the tradition how Jews passed their knowledge on. I'm sure it's hard to believe if you are slave of the present. You cannot be serious that researchers shouldn't take in account the tradition old thousands of years.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
If, on the other hand, you are saying that 1 Corinthians includes an account which is supposed to have happened in 32-35CE then whoopie do...what does that prove? As you well know, 1 Corinthians was written about 55CE - 25 years after the events, not 2 years after the events - a slight difference I submit. Nor do we have any original papyrus of this epistle - the earliest papyrus containing 1 Corinthians (papyrus 15) dates from about 250CE. |
You're right, it has not lasted such a period of time. That makes it a failure, oh wait a minute. It still exists in every bible in the world. It has been copied to the various texts, most known the 1.Corinthians. But how can it prove it was written 32-35CE? Like I said, it was handed to Paul while he visited the christians of Jerusalem. And he visited there approx. 35CE, so it cannot be written after this.
| Bikerman wrote: |
| I do actually know what you are referring to, but you refer to it in a dishonest manner which discredits your point. |
| Bikerman wrote: |
| My local library has about 50 books on Robin Hood - some of which give great detail about his life and times. That doesn't mean he really existed though, does it? If we had a document from a historian who was contemporaneous with Robin Hood (even 2 years after his death would be fine) then we might be more inclined to believe he existed. We don't. The same applies to Jesus. |
| Bikerman wrote: |
| For what it's worth I do think, on balance of probabilities, that Jesus DID exist as a historical character. I don't, of course, think that the Gospel accounts are an accurate summary of his life and nor do I believe that he was 'divine' - but that is a matter of faith. The problem I have with you is that you blithely state that science and historians are all in support of the notion of Jesus as a historical character. Historians certainly do not agree and science has little or nothing to say on the matter. I am certainly no historian and neither am I a biblical scholar (but I would suggest that neither are you). My training and inclination is more in the realms of science and technology than history and biblical scholarship. That does not mean, however, that I am completely unknowledgable in this area. I have several years of 'religious education' and a couple of years of theology under my belt. I do largely rely on summaries and commentaries by others for my view of this era, since studying the original literature is the work of several lifetimes, and mine is spent largely on other things. The literature that I do read, however, leads me to the conclusion that Jesus probably existed as a historical character and, beyond that, we know next to nothing. |
So you believe in science, not God. That's not the point. The point is do you believe in history? Do you believe that events of Jesus which have more historical evidence and found documents than any other person or event, are not real.
Now I name my resources which you should check out:
Craig Blomberg
Bruce Metzger
Edwin Yamauchi
John McRay (sorry, cannot be found on wikipedia)
Gregory Boyd
J.P. Moreland
Lee Strobel
| Tutor wrote: |
| So you believe in science, not God. That's not the point. The point is do you believe in history? Do you believe that events of Jesus which have more historical evidence and found documents than any other person or event... |
Meh, if you want to talk about prophets I would say there is more evidence on the existence of prophet Muhammed. Hey, as a Muslim I believe in Jesus too (but not as the "son of God" or any such nonsense) but I don't need any historical documents to believe in him. I believe everything about him that is in the Quran, and that's just about enough for me.
| Quote: |
| I don't like your tone, better clean your mouth or this conversation seems a groundfight, not an actual conversation. |
Ha! I'm still the only theist who has not yet gotten pissed off and said that
| Tutor wrote: |
| You must be suprised but there never has been a real conversation among the researchers whether they were or weren't written by these people. There just isn't a reason why the Gospels wouldn't be the people they claim they are. Wouldn't there rather be Gospel according to Jesus, or Gospel according to Peter? |
| Quote: |
| BWAHHAH, you cannot be serious?! Titus Flavius Iosephus and Gaius Cornelius Tacitus have a lot of references to Jesus in their text as does the Gaius Plinius Secundus have references to christianity. |
Gaius Cornelius Tacitus = Tacitus. Tacitus mentions 'Christos' - Jesus - in ONE reference to the great fire in Rome where he talks about the Christians in the context that Nero blamed them for the fire. This is written 86 years after the event.
Gaius Plinius Secundus = Pliny the Elder. I am unaware of any reference to Jesus in Pliny's writings - perhaps you can tell me where such references occur? Perhaps you mean Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (Pliny the Younger - 112CE)? In which case the only reference I know of is : "a hymn to Christ as to a god." Hardly a historical reference to Jesus, is it? This is written 82 years after the event.
You say these authors have 'a lot of references' - please supply your sources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus_on_Jesus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacitus_on_Jesus
The fact remains that the only accounts we have of Jesus are anecdotal and after the events. Most are simply retelling previous accounts and stories they have heard. You may wish to believe that these accounts are accurate - that is a matter of faith, not historical fact. Let's be honest here - we don't even know the very basics about Jesus - where was he born? Bethlehem? Nazareth? What was his occupation? Carpenter? Stone-mason? We know almost nothing about these questions.
| Quote: |
| Yes, I am very serious. It was a custom a the time that the historywriters always began with such statements. It was necessary. |
| Quote: |
| Better start laughing, because "Chinese whisper syndrome" cannot be taken in account because of the tradition how Jews passed their knowledge on. I'm sure it's hard to believe if you are slave of the present. You cannot be serious that researchers shouldn't take in account the tradition old thousands of years. |
| Quote: |
| You're right, it has not lasted such a period of time. That makes it a failure, oh wait a minute. It still exists in every bible in the world. It has been copied to the various texts, most known the 1.Corinthians. But how can it prove it was written 32-35CE? Like I said, it was handed to Paul while he visited the christians of Jerusalem. And he visited there approx. 35CE, so it cannot be written after this. |
| Quote: |
| I don't like your tone, better clean your mouth or this conversation seems a groundfight, not an actual conversation. |
| Quote: |
| Again, watch it. We are not just talking about existence of certain events but also important parts of some peoples lives. Such an abuse and insult is not tolerated. I don't have to compare Robin Hood and Jesus Christ, no researchers do, no intelligent people do. Do you belong among these people? |
| Quote: |
| So you believe in science, not God. That's not the point. The point is do you believe in history? Do you believe that events of Jesus which have more historical evidence and found documents than any other person or event, are not real. |
I don't necessarily agree with Gauvin when he says that Jesus almost certainly did not exist - but he has some interesting arguments:
http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/marshall_gauvin/did_jesus_really_live.html
I have said that, on the balance of probabilities, I think Jesus existed as a historical character. I think this is about as much as anyone can honestly say. It is not beyond doubt - it is probable.
The accuracy of the gospel accounts depend on which gospels you read, and which you BELIEVE is accurate (if any). Personally I don't think any of them are accurate and there is no historical evidence to support an alternative view.
PS - on your sources; I will have to come back on that when I have read more.
Last edited by Bikerman on Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:06 pm; edited 1 time in total
I am a very proud methodist
iam an Muslim
I'm not in religion. =O
Jewish, Conservative.
Im an atheist, but the idea of the IPU and FSM amuses me...
Pastafari!
Im a buddhist-theravada
Im happy that im a buddhist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im happy that im a buddhist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'm a christian but respect all other religions
| songsalways wrote: |
| I am Hindu.
But the main concept behind religion is what u feel from inside and what you feel towards others. Our main motto is "Live and Let Live". |
Well I believe our motto is even batter. "Live and help other to live batter".
| pmehta51 wrote: |
| Well I believe our motto is even batter. "Live and help other to live batter". |
Sounds like the motto of a fish and chip shop
Im a believer of Yeshua Ha'Machia and his father JHWH.
Im not a "religious" person, because i truly believe in everlasting creator JHWH.
ITS DIFFERENT TO REALLY BELIEVE, THAN JUST BE "RELIGIOUS" PERSON.
Im not a "religious" person, because i truly believe in everlasting creator JHWH.
ITS DIFFERENT TO REALLY BELIEVE, THAN JUST BE "RELIGIOUS" PERSON.
Hindu, but not exactly the way this world is used commonly nowadays. Vedantin (considers Vedas as authentic) could be a better term...
I am Buddhist. What religion are you?
I am Christian, Conservative (though not a neo-conservative), and an advocate for Christians in Toronto schools.
Christian, Protestant, Moderate, Democrat.
Amen. =)
| neartimeprophecy wrote: |
| Im a believer of Yeshua Ha'Machia and his father JHWH.
Im not a "religious" person, because i truly believe in everlasting creator JHWH. ITS DIFFERENT TO REALLY BELIEVE, THAN JUST BE "RELIGIOUS" PERSON. |
Amen. =)
I belong to the Catholic Church,
and I'm proud to be
and I'm proud to be
| GiocoDigitale wrote: |
|
Odd choice of Emoticons. Not sure what you're getting to there.
Christian > Evangelical
I am a buddhist.
Catholic
That's relevant? Anyway, i dont have a religion... but I believe in God, i think
Muslim.
Christian, im not hard standing in it
Hindu, by birth. I'm think I'm an atheist though.
I am follower of spiritism
I am a free thinker, but also I believe we are not able to determine our capacity of living entirely free.
I am a Seventh day Adventist.
| kevbailey wrote: | ||
Odd choice of Emoticons. Not sure what you're getting to there. |
Amen to that I dont believe in religion its what carrys on in the soul
Got to admit to being a rare church goer... but I believe I am a good christian (with a small c ) anyway. Having said I don't often go to church, come to think of it I go quite a lot as I work for a charity and often give talks in churches!
I am a catholic, what religion are you? (use poll)
What religion are you? Well I'm not a religion. But if you're referring to what religion I follow and practice, then none. I do not follow any religion nor do I believe in any deity.
There's no poll on the sticky, but I really can't see a use for two threads on this exact topic.
| alchs_dragon wrote: |
| what religion are you? (use poll) |
ur question should be like this :
What is your religion?
not :
| alchs_dragon wrote: |
| what religion are you? (use poll) |
And by the way, why u didnt put 'Islam' in your poll? it also had many followers isnt?
im muslim,
yep, islam
yep, islam
I'm Christian, but don't really care about it much. I was just grown up with it.
| joostvane wrote: |
| I'm Christian, but don't really care about it much. I was just grown up with it. |
Then can you really even consider yourself a "Christian?" That doesn't really seem like a Christian to me.
I'm catholic and I guess people tend to have the religion of his/her parents.
| edwinl wrote: |
| I'm catholic and I guess people tend to have the religion of his/her parents. |
A lot of people actually think for themselves when they reach a certain age.
I am catholic, but I am not very religious, it's just a family of catholic inheritance.
Christian!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!
Glad to see I'm not all alone!!!!
Glad to see I'm not all alone!!!!
| DJonDemand wrote: |
| I am catholic, but I am not very religious, it's just a family of catholic inheritance. |
I think the same but i'm more spiritual, good actions, good values, and God is the owner of truth.
Doesn't seem like many people here are atheist. I've always thought of myself as Atheist. If I had to pick though, I would say I lean most towards Christianity. I love learning about new religions though. Hinduism has to be my favorite to study.
| moyyom wrote: |
| Doesn't seem like many people here are atheist. I've always thought of myself as Atheist. If I had to pick though, I would say I lean most towards Christianity. I love learning about new religions though. Hinduism has to be my favorite to study. |
Christian now,back then, and forever.
Hindu with major Atheist/Agnostic beliefs currently.
Needs to be an atheist/agnostic option...
| Insanity wrote: |
| Needs to be an atheist/agnostic option... |
Peace.
I see there's already a sticky topic called "What is your religion?", but I suppose it's good to have a fresh empty one.
I would call myself Muslim, but that doesn't seem to be an option here...So i guess i'm "other".
Hmm...it seems that having 1.5 billion followers isn't enough to make it on to the poll. I wonder what criteria was used to choose which religion to put on the poll. :p
Lol joking
I see there's already a sticky topic called "What is your religion?", but I suppose it's good to have a fresh empty one.
I would call myself Muslim, but that doesn't seem to be an option here...So i guess i'm "other".
Hmm...it seems that having 1.5 billion followers isn't enough to make it on to the poll. I wonder what criteria was used to choose which religion to put on the poll. :p
Lol joking
@ deanhills
Atheism/agnosticism would be the none of the above/not applicable option. It would make the poll more all inclusive.
That said, given the lack of "Muslim" option it's pretty lacking as it is anyway.
Personally, I'd fall under agnostic/atheist.
Atheism/agnosticism would be the none of the above/not applicable option. It would make the poll more all inclusive.
That said, given the lack of "Muslim" option it's pretty lacking as it is anyway.
Personally, I'd fall under agnostic/atheist.
I dont' have a religion... or maybe i do (because not believing in god is a religion i think.)
| Zombie wrote: |
| I dont' have a religion... or maybe i do (because not believing in god is a religion i think.) |
There have been thousands of religions over the course of human history, and there are still hundreds active today. That is a pretty big amount of religions you crowded into the "other" category.
Secular Humanist. For those of you who don't know...
Secular Humanism
Secular Humanism
| achowles wrote: |
| That said, given the lack of "Muslim" option it's pretty lacking as it is anyway. |
Christian. Undoubtedly and unwaveringly. I explored so many religions and beliefs. In high school I was very interested in everything from wicca to many middle eastern belief systems. I even considered myself an atheist at one point, shunning anything spiritual. I always came back to this and this is where I shall stay.
i was born a catholic, now i'm just someone that believe in GOD
This raises a question {in me} Is atheism also a religion today?
I voted "Other" because I am a Christian, not Catholic.
Born Hindu so die Hindu .... Life maybe spent as an atheist
i have not a religion sory guyzz no god no mesiah i was born in a muslim country and i think no god in the universe
sory guyzz no god no mesiah i was born in a muslim country and i think no god in the universe But are you the religion you think you are? Take this test http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx . Your opinions might correspond to a different religion than the one you claim for your own or the one you were brought up in. Try it.
Undecided, open-minded, agnostic, and quite satisfied with my non-belief system at the moment.
I am a Christian
I was never christened, so I guess I'm a heathen.
But I never will be, I believe the buddhist religion most though, probably because it's more a way of life than a religion. But generally I think religion is a crock
But I never will be, I believe the buddhist religion most though, probably because it's more a way of life than a religion. But generally I think religion is a crock
| handfleisch wrote: |
| But are you the religion you think you are? Take this test http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx . Your opinions might correspond to a different religion than the one you claim for your own or the one you were brought up in. Try it. |
| Quote: |
| 1. Secular Humanism (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (91%) 3. Liberal Quakers (80%) 4. Theravada Buddhism (77%) 5. Nontheist (77%) 6. Neo-Pagan (63%) 7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (57%) 8. Taoism (53%) 9. Orthodox Quaker (47%) 10. New Age (46%) 11. Mahayana Buddhism (44%) 12. Jainism (43%) 13. Baha'i Faith (39%) 14. Reform Judaism (39%) 15. Seventh Day Adventist (33%) 16. Hinduism (32%) 17. Sikhism (26%) 18. Scientology (25%) 19. New Thought (22%) 20. Eastern Orthodox (21%) 21. Islam (21%) 22. Orthodox Judaism (21%) 23. Roman Catholic (21%) 24. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (19%) 25. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (18%) 26. Jehovah's Witness (17%) 27. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (16%) |
Wow... I'm 16% Christian science, 21% Islam, 19% Mormon, and only 77% atheist. I was under the impression that I was 0% Christian/any religion and 100% atheist... go figure...
| handfleisch wrote: |
| But are you the religion you think you are? Take this test http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx . Your opinions might correspond to a different religion than the one you claim for your own or the one you were brought up in. Try it. |
Well I took the quiz and it pegged me dead on. I identify as secular humanist.
| Quote: |
| 1. Secular Humanism (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (90%) 3. Nontheist (76%) 4. Liberal Quakers (72%) 5. Theravada Buddhism (69%) 6. Neo-Pagan (60%) 7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (57%) 8. New Age (44%) 9. Taoism (43%) 10. Reform Judaism (39%) 11. Orthodox Quaker (37%) 12. Mahayana Buddhism (36%) 13. Sikhism (30%) 14. Scientology (28%) 15. New Thought (26%) 16. Baha'i Faith (25%) 17. Jainism (24%) 18. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (23%) 19. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (22%) 20. Hinduism (20%) 21. Seventh Day Adventist (20%) 22. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (18%) 23. Eastern Orthodox (16%) 24. Islam (16%) 25. Orthodox Judaism (16%) 26. Roman Catholic (16%) 27. Jehovah's Witness (13%) |
| Noremac wrote: |
| I was never christened, so I guess I'm a heathen.
But I never will be, I believe the buddhist religion most though, probably because it's more a way of life than a religion. But generally I think religion is a crock |
"Heathen" is a very emotionally loaded word. In common use, it is usually seen as negative and suggesting the speaker, who generally considers him/her self to be non-heathen, is in some way superior to the one disdainfully called "heathen". Followers of Christ should probably avoid the word, and in any case must avoid the pride the word often encourages.
The distinction (the pure denotation of the word "heathen") is not, in my view, a matter of whether you have been through a specific ceremony, but is a matter of belief. The kind of belief referred to here is not mere lip service nor agreement on the basis of reason, but one that rocks your very inner world.
The Buddhist religion has excellent principles to live by, and is worthy of a careful study. I would disagree with some of the principles, such as reincarnation and the fatalistic view of "karma", which I understand as moral cause and effect. Nevertheless karma is a reasonable approach to understanding our position in the Universe, and the four noble truths are a reasonable way of looking at the world as we face it without considering God's grace.
Even with God's grace we will face some of the results of our mistakes in a similar way to what Buddhism teaches. For another look at life, similar to a Buddhist viewpoint, you can read Ecclesiastes in the Bible, You will find strong echoes of karma and the Four Noble Truths there, but mitigated by the fact that God is ultimately in control.
I am a long time hindu from my birth. And i see my religion as a guidance, a way of life.
None.
I assume we are specifically talking about the Abrahamic religions of the Middle East, ie. Judaeo-Islamic-Christian... ism.. ity... or whatever.
Religion preys upon weakness. That's why it's so rife with guilt and stories of how we are all sinners before birth and we need to spend our lives apologizing for some ancient act of... whatever. If you need a god or a church or a political leader to give you comfort or solidarity in your life, then you are weak. Period. Religion, as far as I'm concerned, is pathetic.
Can anyone tell me of another Stone Age tradition that we cling to as vehemently as we do religion? It's a brutal system of social control, that plays on peoples' shame and insecurities, and when that fails, it plays on peoples mob mentality and turns violent. Religion and warfare are so inextricably intertwined throughout history that you almost can't have one without the other. All the while, the mouthpieces of these groups are calling themselves "religions of peace".
As far as the existence of God? Who gives a s**t? There is absolutely no way to prove it one way or the other, so why bother trying? When someone asks you what your religion is, just think very carefully about the people you are associating yourself with when you answer.
Religion - According to Merriam-Webster
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back. From 13th century.
Cult - According to Merriam-Webster
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate. From 1617.
I wonder how many religious folks would consider themselves members of a religion if they had to wear that definition on their shirt.
I assume we are specifically talking about the Abrahamic religions of the Middle East, ie. Judaeo-Islamic-Christian... ism.. ity... or whatever.
Religion preys upon weakness. That's why it's so rife with guilt and stories of how we are all sinners before birth and we need to spend our lives apologizing for some ancient act of... whatever. If you need a god or a church or a political leader to give you comfort or solidarity in your life, then you are weak. Period. Religion, as far as I'm concerned, is pathetic.
Can anyone tell me of another Stone Age tradition that we cling to as vehemently as we do religion? It's a brutal system of social control, that plays on peoples' shame and insecurities, and when that fails, it plays on peoples mob mentality and turns violent. Religion and warfare are so inextricably intertwined throughout history that you almost can't have one without the other. All the while, the mouthpieces of these groups are calling themselves "religions of peace".
As far as the existence of God? Who gives a s**t? There is absolutely no way to prove it one way or the other, so why bother trying? When someone asks you what your religion is, just think very carefully about the people you are associating yourself with when you answer.
Religion - According to Merriam-Webster
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back. From 13th century.
Cult - According to Merriam-Webster
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate. From 1617.
I wonder how many religious folks would consider themselves members of a religion if they had to wear that definition on their shirt.
| Solon_Poledourus wrote: |
| None.
I assume we are specifically talking about the Abrahamic religions of the Middle East, ie. Judaeo-Islamic-Christian... ism.. ity... or whatever. Religion preys upon weakness. That's why it's so rife with guilt and stories of how we are all sinners before birth and we need to spend our lives apologizing for some ancient act of... whatever. If you need a god or a church or a political leader to give you comfort or solidarity in your life, then you are weak. Period. Religion, as far as I'm concerned, is pathetic. Can anyone tell me of another Stone Age tradition that we cling to as vehemently as we do religion? It's a brutal system of social control, that plays on peoples' shame and insecurities, and when that fails, it plays on peoples mob mentality and turns violent. Religion and warfare are so inextricably intertwined throughout history that you almost can't have one without the other. All the while, the mouthpieces of these groups are calling themselves "religions of peace". As far as the existence of God? Who gives a s**t? There is absolutely no way to prove it one way or the other, so why bother trying? When someone asks you what your religion is, just think very carefully about the people you are associating yourself with when you answer. Religion - According to Merriam-Webster Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back. From 13th century. Cult - According to Merriam-Webster Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate. From 1617. I wonder how many religious folks would consider themselves members of a religion if they had to wear that definition on their shirt. |
I also do not agree that religion necessarily makes you weak or is a "weak sign" of character. For those who do it mindlessly, I would say definitely "yes", and there must be millions of those in the world. But then again there are devout followers of religion who do it with pure hearts, sincerity and conviction. When one has a very strong faith in something, like religion, you can only be strong. Sort of fires people up and I think history is a good example of that. Especially when people have been persecuted for their religion.
I sometimes think that people who take a position contra to religion, are also religious in a way. Through being opposite. Sort of a claim to being enlightened rather than from "the dark ages". That is also a conviction of sorts and can make that person strong as well. Except when he/she has doubts. I am convinced that faith in anything, and it does not necessarily have to be religion, strenghtens us, whereas doubt initially anyway, makes us weaker. If the doubt works its way to something better that we believe in, of course it can make us stronger too. I admire people like that as well. Those who struggle to figure things out away from religion. Always make for interesting people to communicate with.
| deanhills wrote: |
| Another excellent posting! I'm not sure that I completely agree with everything in it though, just really liked the way you set and argued all of it out. |
Thanks. If one is to debate or argue a point, it's worth being concise.
| deanhills wrote: |
| For starters some people are genuinely religious from the heart, and they do it quietly and with reverence, i.e. they do not stand on street corners nor wear t-shirts with slogans on them. I admire and respect them, and am to a certain extent envious of their total faith and conviction in something. |
Having a belief or faith is not the same as religion. Mainly, I was talking about religion as an institution, not so much as a philosophy.
| deanhills wrote: |
| I also do not agree that religion necessarily makes you weak or is a "weak sign" of character. For those who do it mindlessly, I would say definitely "yes", and there must be millions of those in the world. But then again there are devout followers of religion who do it with pure hearts, sincerity and conviction. When one has a very strong faith in something, like religion, you can only be strong. Sort of fires people up and I think history is a good example of that. Especially when people have been persecuted for their religion. |
I don't think having a belief makes a person weak. I think that needing an institution, such as an organized religion, is a sign of weakness. Much like people who need to constantly be in a romantic relationship, no matter how adversely it affects them, it makes them very dependant upon outside influence in order to feel "complete". It's weakness.
| deanhills wrote: |
| I sometimes think that people who take a position contra to religion, are also religious in a way. Through being opposite. Sort of a claim to being enlightened rather than from "the dark ages". That is also a conviction of sorts and can make that person strong as well. Except when he/she has doubts. I am convinced that faith in anything, and it does not necessarily have to be religion, strenghtens us, whereas doubt initially anyway, makes us weaker. If the doubt works its way to something better that we believe in, of course it can make us stronger too. I admire people like that as well. Those who struggle to figure things out away from religion. Always make for interesting people to communicate with. |
To be clear, when I say "religion", I don't mean the philosophical belief system. I am talking about the structured organization of that system. As far as faith goes, I just can't subscribe to it, I'm not built that way. As a "child of science", I rely on emperical evidence to support any theory. Which makes the belief in any sort of metaphysical existence not possible for me at present. Not to say that I am not open to the idea, it just needs to be presented with more evidence for me to make that step in belief, otherwise it doesn't make sense. That's where I see the weakness in people; their fear of death leads to a belief in something beyond death, a belief which is irrational and contradicts logic at every turn. Those types of beliefs are built on fear(of death) and hope(for an afterlife).
| Solon_Poledourus wrote: |
| Having a belief or faith is not the same as religion. Mainly, I was talking about religion as an institution, not so much as a philosophy. |
Darn! You're so much on the mark. I'm more of a philosopher than religious. I'm looking at religion philosophically. Now that is a nice insight for the day.
| Solon_Poledourus wrote: |
| I don't think having a belief makes a person weak. I think that needing an institution, such as an organized religion, is a sign of weakness. Much like people who need to constantly be in a romantic relationship, no matter how adversely it affects them, it makes them very dependant upon outside influence in order to feel "complete". It's weakness. |
Hmmm .... have to think about this one. I would say that those in charge of that institution would be strong, as they would be controlling those who would be weak, in other words are following a "creed".
| Solon_Poledourus wrote: |
| To be clear, when I say "religion", I don't mean the philosophical belief system. I am talking about the structured organization of that system. As far as faith goes, I just can't subscribe to it, I'm not built that way. As a "child of science", I rely on emperical evidence to support any theory. Which makes the belief in any sort of metaphysical existence not possible for me at present. Not to say that I am not open to the idea, it just needs to be presented with more evidence for me to make that step in belief, otherwise it doesn't make sense. That's where I see the weakness in people; their fear of death leads to a belief in something beyond death, a belief which is irrational and contradicts logic at every turn. Those types of beliefs are built on fear(of death) and hope(for an afterlife). |
I´m Seventh Day Adventist, i don´t agree with the way some members of my church act, but I believe in what my religion tell about GOD.
I am a Muslim and i am proud. Islam gives me peace of mind. It governs every action of my life so that i may not harm others. Its the best religion and its the religion of peace
I am a Christian... a follower of Jesus; a believer in the words of the Bible, trying to apply the words of the Bible, who has recognized that this is impossible without the God of the Bible, so am asking Him daily for His help; one who has searched and found nothing worthy in himself, but whose sins have been forgiven because of a merciful Savior to whom he is eternally indebted; Protestant (though I'm done protesting); Continuationist (God hasn't stopped working in the ways He worked in the early church); Reformed (most logical place to end up when one believes the very words of the Bible); humbled daily by my Savior's great sacrifice and the many benefits I have received from it.
Where is christians, muslims, buddhists, hindus...?
I'm a Catholic.
Why wasn't muslim included in the poll. We recently surpassed catholics in number...
MUSLIM.
MUSLIM.
| ProfessorY91 wrote: |
| Why wasn't Muslim included in the poll. We recently surpassed Catholics in number...
MUSLIM. |
then break the muslin religion into all the sects it has....(like Christianity has different version too so does Islam) and you are not that big...
if you want statistics...
Christianity: 2.1 billion
Islam: 1.5 billion
i am a christian and i am proud to be one. i believe in Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. the beginning and the end. for without him life is just a heap of misery! i love him so much.
Jewish
| Bannik wrote: |
| then break the muslin religion into all the sects it has....(like Christianity has different version too so does Islam) and you are not that big...
if you want statistics... Christianity: 2.1 billion Islam: 1.5 billion |
Where I went to school 1.5 billion is a pretty big number no matter how you look at it.
As for my religion...I'm still open to suggestions.
I seek truth in every philosophy or belief I come across, but I don't really follow any set belief system or creed. I think the closest fit to my outlook would be "agnostic" but I don't think even that fits because I believe there is something out there...
Sometimes I think I'm a secular humanist. Other times a Buddhist. Sometimes I cling to the teachings of Jesus, but not the teachings of his followers. I truly don't know, nor do I believe I have been given what I need to truly know...
And I'm happy with that. I love life, and I respect the living. I try to do my best to make the world a better place with my presence. That's all I can do.
Sometimes I think I'm a secular humanist. Other times a Buddhist. Sometimes I cling to the teachings of Jesus, but not the teachings of his followers. I truly don't know, nor do I believe I have been given what I need to truly know...
And I'm happy with that. I love life, and I respect the living. I try to do my best to make the world a better place with my presence. That's all I can do.
MUSLIM!!!!!!!!
muslim
I am just a regular christian and i dont understand why people get offended over others religion its what you believe not what they believe that counts right?
I see that Satanists and Luciferian’s really have no place here. Amusing, the number of religions I could list that people usually forget about is quite long. I however can safely state I have no Religion, I have Faith however in what I believe to be wrong and right within myself and that is all there is for me.
I was raised as Orthodox Christian.
I often think that now my religion should be Theoretical Computer Science since I seem to worship this stuff a bit too much.
I often think that now my religion should be Theoretical Computer Science since I seem to worship this stuff a bit too much.
| Stanley9811 wrote: |
| I see that Satanists and Luciferian’s really have no place here. Amusing, the number of religions I could list that people usually forget about is quite long. I however can safely state I have no Religion, I have Faith however in what I believe to be wrong and right within myself and that is all there is for me. |
Well I used to consider myself to be a Satanist. I did that because I wanted to be more of a rebel towards my family's strong Christian beliefs. Actually, many Satanists are atheists, like myself, who are simply against the church's dogmatic and ridiculous beliefs. This was also around the time that I began listening to Slayer, Behemoth, and many other heavy metal bands that promote Satanism.
I have since given up Satanism (although I do still find it quite fascinating and I still listen to and see in concert many bands like Slayer and Behemoth that promote Satanism). My reasoning is that I do not agree with many of the moral philosophies that Satanism promotes. After reading a lot of Satanism literature, I learned that Satanism promotes ideas such as "Love your friends, but hate your enemies." As much as I hate to admit it, I much prefer Jesus' philosophy of "Love your enemies." I find that Christianity often shares more of the morals that I agree with.
Although, that does not mean that I agree with what Christianity has to say, that I like Christianity, that I promote Christianity, or that we should get our morals from Christianity. That simply means that what I happen to believe in often overlaps with Christianity and often disagrees with what Satanism says.
Personally I am wiccan, a branch of paganism
I'm a humanist, does that count as a 'religion'? By philosophy I am Christian, that is I admire and seek to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (but fail miserably 
) even though I do not believe the literal truth of the God stuff.
) even though I do not believe the literal truth of the God stuff.| pytrash wrote: |
| I'm a humanist, does that count as a 'religion'? By philosophy I am Christian, that is I admire and seek to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (but fail miserably ) even though I do not believe the literal truth of the God stuff. |
+1
There is a sticky asking What Religion are You?
How can I be a religion for that matter can anybody be a religion?
Unfortunately I am not a native Eng speaker
Please some one correct me if I am rong!
How can I be a religion for that matter can anybody be a religion?
Unfortunately I am not a native Eng speaker
Please some one correct me if I am rong!
The question means "What religion do you follow or believe in?"
Sometimes English phrases like this do get confusing for non-native speakers, so I understand your confusion. Though your question really should have been posted in that particular thread, and will probably be moved there, or locked.
Sometimes English phrases like this do get confusing for non-native speakers, so I understand your confusion. Though your question really should have been posted in that particular thread, and will probably be moved there, or locked.
| Ophois wrote: |
| The question means "What religion do you follow or believe in?"
S |
But I can believe in a religion and still not follow it and in fact I can believe in many religions cant I? and follow just one
| yagnyavalkya wrote: |
| But I can believe in a religion and still not follow it and in fact I can believe in many religions cant I? and follow just one |
| Ophois wrote: | ||
|
emmm... strictly speaking that´s not true. If you are a christian, of any denomination, you definitely cant follow this religion and some other, too. look at the ten commandments. and btw, thats true for jews and muslims. there *are* some religions which are non-exclusive, so to speak, but not those...
| Kopernikus wrote: |
| emmm... strictly speaking that´s not true. If you are a christian, of any denomination, you definitely cant follow this religion and some other, too. look at the ten commandments. and btw, thats true for jews and muslims. there *are* some religions which are non-exclusive, so to speak, but not those... |
The church is exclusive, but anyone can believe in as little or as much of any religion they want. After all, there are even different kinds of Jews. The Hasidic Jews are very orthodox, having very strict codes of dress, prayer and behavior, etc. Then there are Jews like Jon Stewart, who is not orthodox at all, but he is no less a Jew, just because he doesn't follow each and every Jewish Law. Christians are the same, and Muslims as well. If any of these groups were totally exclusive, they would be uniform, but there are groups within groups that differ radically. If someone wants to be a Christian-Jew-Muslim, I say go for it. Just don't expect to go to any of their temples for worship any time soon.
| Ophois wrote: |
| I say go for it. Just don't expect to go to any of their temples for worship any time soon. |
| deanhills wrote: |
| Depends how seriously people are into their particular religion. The deeper they are into their religion, probably the less possible it would be to "diversify" into other religions simultaneously. It would be seen to be almost be the equivalent of fraternization. |
As a very devout Atheist, the idea of God is silly to me.
But I have to say, if I were God, all these divisions would seem extremely petty to me. I would think God would actually show preference to a person for believing in many religions, as it shows more of a devotion to him, rather than a church, and more of an open mind.
| Ophois wrote: |
| Christians do it all the time. There is a new Christian sect popping up every day, with a new name, and a new way to worship, and a new translation of the bible. Just in my city I can name probably 10 different denominations of Christianity. Which one is the right one? Does it matter? If not, then it doesn't matter if a person is also Muslim or Jewish.
As a very devout Atheist, the idea of God is silly to me. But I have to say, if I were God, all these divisions would seem extremely petty to me. I would think God would actually show preference to a person for believing in many religions, as it shows more of a devotion to him, rather than a church, and more of an open mind. |
How can one be a devout atheist? I thought that one of the unique traits of an atheist would be to be dispassionate about any belief systems. Could it be that instead of a "devout" atheist, you are a passionate anti-theist?
| Quote: |
| Anti-theism means simply that one is against any form of religion as a concept and institution. It should be distinguished from agnosticism and atheism that are respectively undecided or indifferent. Those who are anti-religious are generally so because of being brought up in a relgion-free environment or because of a rejection of the abuses of religion. |
Source: http://www.freebase.com/view/en/anti_theist
[MOD - I have merged another thread of the same title into this one.
Bikerman]
Bikerman]
I am deist, I prefer that religion, because I believe if you have to go to one place to talk to god, it's not all that believable, I believe everyone else has a right to their own religion and well ya, shouldnt push it on others.
I have been a Christian all my life 
athiest but wish i was born christian
| keppryy wrote: |
| athiest but wish i was born christian |
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