Relious or Not?

[chri'stina 190]

I'm an atheist, insofar as I don't believe in any God, gods, goddesses or omnipotent/omniscient/omnipresent deities. I also recognize that atheism is a belief too though -- a belief that none of those things exist. And like ALL beliefs, my belief could be wrong. I doubt I'm wrong (hence my disbelief), but I'm not dogmatic, and can't definitively say "There Is No God." I just don't think there is.

I also think there needs to be a major distinction between religion and belief in a Supreme Being. I have FAR more respect for those who simply believe in a Supreme Being than those who need the collectivism of organized religion.

If people attend church doesn't mean they need collectivism in order to believe, it may mean they just enjoy it. I actually don't attend a church at the moment, I am not anti-church nor do I believe attending church defines whether you are being a Christian or not. People who depend on churches for their beliefs will get sorely disappointed in the mistakes of fellow church goers and leaders who are not perfect. The only one I believe is perfect is God, and as a Christian I believe the most important aspect of my faith is my relationship with God, not what church I attend. And why should I put my full faith in leaders so that if they screw up they will "make me turn against God" as if I was depending on them instead of God Himself. I've heard it so many times. Attending church can be a good thing. And for some it has been a bad thing. It's not like all Christians are blind to the fact that some churches can be mean, judgmental, or worse. And some can be very helpful to their communities and to each other. There can be positive aspects as MC said.

I am searching for a religion where I don't have to tithe, get half drowned, give up smoking, drinking, and chasing wild women to join or believe the world was created in six days, but do like that seventh day of rest. One with none of that meaningless ritual stuff or one that says, God wants you to do this or that especially when you politely ask that person if they actually had a dialog with God and they answer yes. But if they do answer yes, with no wonderment if they are smoking crack.

If I find such a religion, will let you know. Please do not suggest any religions that promise virgins as a reward for blowing yourself and others to hell.

Looks like you already found it, "NickDism".

Edited February 26, 2010 by chri'stina

[one...two...tree 2,762]

She says I have to become Catholic as she is and thats that but I told her no friggin way ever will I be as that is a major sin that will doom me to hell for eternity.

Why would you go to hell for becoming a Catholic? Who told you that?

[Nina~ 431]

For the confused masses..

[luckytxn 2,264]

Why would you go to hell for becoming a Catholic? Who told you that?

They pray to Saints. They believe in the trinity. They worship craven images.

Parents and church I grew up in, mostly a evangelical Baptists.

[Peikko 1,575]

For the confused masses..

I like it.

[NickD 202]

If people attend church doesn't mean they need collectivism in order to believe, it may mean they just enjoy it. I actually don't attend a church at the moment, I am not anti-church nor do I believe attending church defines whether you are being a Christian or not. People who depend on churches for their beliefs will get sorely disappointed in the mistakes of fellow church goers and leaders who are not perfect. The only one I believe is perfect is God, and as a Christian I believe the most important aspect of my faith is my relationship with God, not what church I attend. And why should I put my full faith in leaders so that if they screw up they will "make me turn against God" as if I was depending on them instead of God Himself. I've heard it so many times. Attending church can be a good thing. And for some it has been a bad thing. It's not like all Christians are blind to the fact that some churches can be mean, judgmental, or worse. And some can be very helpful to their communities and to each other. There can be positive aspects as MC said.

Looks like you already found it, "NickDism".

What, and start yet another religion? Was typing that with tongue in cheek. But do get a kick out of a major intersection near my home. On one corner is the Corner Bar, on the opposite corner, is the Corner Church. Take your choice.

Certainly is a mystery, the first is, why do we even wonder why we are here, what is our purpose, and what is our function? Something is ingrained in us to even wonder about stuff like this, if it wasn't, we wouldn't even think about it. And can certainly wonder about life after death, yet another mystery that requires faith, but not proof. So it goes on and on, with some of us questing for the truth. Could be right in front of us and we don't see it or maybe never was revealed yet. Or maybe, this is it.

Some people have all the answers, can sure question that as well. A bit troubled about religions that put restrictions on you as to whom you can marry or not marry, can really make a very unhappy life for a person that follows those imposed restrictions.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Well I was pretty much led to believe that I would be struck dead if I go into a Catholic church too but hasn't happened yet. Even carried the wine up and my wife the wafers for the mass on the day they had the mass for her Father. That was scary.

Edited February 26, 2010 by luckytxn

[anya-D 8]

Raised Buddhist and eduated in Christian schools most of my school life, almost become christian when I was about 8 or 9 becasue I was afraid I'd go to hell for not being a christian - But my mom reassured me that only those that did bad things go to hell (and that makes more sense to me) so I become more interested in Buddhism. I believe in Karma, Nirvana, the after life, and reincarnation. I do not need to go to temple to be a good buddhist and now I'm more of a Buddhist + spiritual since they are very close anyway.

Good thought (thinking) leads to good action (doing) and good word (speaking -speech, communication) that's what I follow in day to day. Sorry for weird translation

[Calypso 464]

Well I was pretty led to believe that I would be struck dead if I go into a Catholic church too but hasn't happened yet. Even carried the wine up and my wife the wafers for the mass on the day they had the mass for her Father. That was scary.

I thought you are Superman. How could you get scared? Superman is ghey?

[luckytxn 2,264]

I thought you are Superman. How could you get scared? Superman is ghey?

God trumps superman any day of the week.

[trinket 30]

I have always been the odd one in my family, never felt close to religion and all the Hindu rituals. Thankfully my dad didn't care, he wasn't pushing me, though my grandma tried to push me into praying everyday. I just don't feel the connection.

So I am an atheist is how I would describe myself. I have respect for whatever people want to believe as long as they leave me alone and don't bother me about how I am wrong for not believing in God/Goddess.

[Peikko 1,575]

I think god is a neutral concept - I don't think it has male or female characteristics.

Whatever you feel about death, the hardest part about it is not whether or not there is an alternate reality after death but that the process of dying can be traumatic. Luckily, for most people, most of the time it is not.

What we can be sure about, is that if there is an alternate reality after death, it will bear absolutely no resemblance to the life we lead now and whatever 'feelings' we experience as humans will have no connection to alternate reality experiences. Those who wish for 'earthly sufferings' to befall the evil after death or heavenly blessings for the good are deluded completely, not happening.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This week I will be mostly worshipping... The Norse Gods.

[chri'stina 190]

I think god is a neutral concept - I don't think it has male or female characteristics.

Whatever you feel about death, the hardest part about it is not whether or not there is an alternate reality after death but that the process of dying can be traumatic. Luckily, for most people, most of the time it is not.

What we can be sure about, is that if there is an alternate reality after death, it will bear absolutely no resemblance to the life we lead now and whatever 'feelings' we experience as humans will have no connection to alternate reality experiences. Those who wish for 'earthly sufferings' to befall the evil after death or heavenly blessings for the good are deluded completely, not happening.

How can you be completely sure? I may agree with some of the points, but to say we can be sure about it is a statement of faith, it's not absolute.

[Peikko 1,575]

How can you be completely sure? I may agree with some of the points, but to say we can be sure about it is a statement of faith, it's not absolute.

I can be absolutely sure that whatever there is after I die, and it's a given that the Universe will continue for some time to come, if not 'forever' whatever that maybe, I will not have a human consciousness of it - that is fact, and one that is not that hard to grasp.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Madame Cleo