Your religious beliefs?

I don't view Greek and Norse mythology as the same type of thing as Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, etc. They are more collections of fables than a body of philosophical thought and historical tradition and interpretation of historical experience. They would be more in the category of animists and tribal cultures.

Oberon said:

I don't view Greek and Norse mythology as the same type of thing as Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, etc. They are more collections of fables than a body of philosophical thought and historical tradition and interpretation of historical experience. They would be more in the category of animists and tribal cultures.

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I don't know much about those religions, but I think technically they are as much religions as any. I think of religions as more of a doctrine or way of life, and no doubt those people had some kind of doctrine attached to their belief in those gods. Remember the Catholic Church worked hard to get those people away from their religion and convert over. The RCC even commandeered their holidays.

ElCid said:

I am a Roman Catholic, and I will pay any price to defend the Roman Catholic Church.

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Emphasis on "any price". Scary.

[Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him] Qur'an
This is my belief.

I believe religion is a personal matter. So I am none of the above, but if I had to have a label (I hate those), I would say Christian Pagan. Or Pagan Christian. More of pagan than christian.
I think. Not sure yet. Still seeking knowledge.

I believe in something. Not really sure of the name and I can't put a face on it. But I cherish my moments alone praying to my God, wherever or whomever it should be. I follow christian traditions as that is the culture I was brought up in and I profess Jesus as is suggested in Romans 10:9, but, I have yet to arrive at that place where I can make myself swallow the myths and legends and superstitions, often borrowed from older religions, the churches and various doctrines profess as facts of the impossible.

None are exempt from absolute craziness and defiance of every law of physics, reality and beyond the dictates of subjective reason. So, for the most part, religion to me is just grown up pretending kind of like a Santa Claus thing. I do not believe that all who profess a belief actually believe. Each may have their reasons. Family, society, peer pressure, may drive their dogma, piety and the needed appearance of piety. But, whatever gets you through the night. It's not for me to judge so understand my thoughts are just thoughts and opinions. Not Gospel.

But a logical, thinking man, with average human intelligence couldn't not possibly say they believe that water turned into wine, seas parted or sticks turning into snakes, 70 virgins, Allah and Mohammad (and their rediculous religious yoke,) and pass a polygraph test. I do understand to profess disbelief is a death sentence in some parts of the world. And even here in a free country it could get you kicked out of a compound, church, school and have your own flesh and blood admonish you.

I also fear religion. Look at what Islam is turning into. The christians have their past as well. I am sure my God abhorrs your religions. But then again..... maybe not.

You'll have to ask Him yourself.

I am a canellist.

Pastifarianism... the 1 true faith

I'm technically a member of the Methodist church. I was raised Methodist, but went to a Catholic elementary school. Most of my extended family is either Baptist or Catholic (I have an Uncle who has been a Baptist minister for over 55 years and 2 cousins who are nuns). Over the years, I have moved away from organized religion. I found it far too constricting at best, at worst it has caused divisions between family members and friends. The teachings of the different religions are sound cornerstones of basic morality, however some go too far.

I believe in God, but God is present in everything. I believe in an afterlife, but I haven't decided if you stay there (in heaven/hell) or get reborn over and over until you get it right.

That said, being the best person that I can be is the most important thing. I try to always have compassion and "put the shoe on the other foot", that's not always been possible for me if emotions are running high. Being raised in an ultra-conservative, super religious family has good points and bad points. I definitely knew the difference between right and wrong, but some demands made were far too much for a child. I despise hypocrisy and have seen alot of it in organized religions as well as my own hyper-religious family. I still play the game (by saying nothing) when around the family, primarily to keep the peace. Praying (in my case only) brings no comfort, since I only do it when desperate and then immediately feel guilty and hypocritical.

So, my religious beliefs are just a confused mix. I either agree with something or I don't.

I am a pantheistic Taoist with some Buddhist leanings. I am a member of the American Taoist and Buddhist Association in NYC (The only Taoist temple in North America recognized as a legal temple).
I believe in reincarnation and infinity realities.I practice tai chi and meditate daily.
I am a firm believer of the Taoist concept of wu-wei (action through non action,i.e allowing things to take their natural course with as little unnecessary interference as possible) which has helped me immensely over the years in my health,marriage,business,and my relationship with my daughter.
My Taoist beliefs have no problems with science whatsoever.

My personal religious belief is that you don't need a Deity to make the right decisions and to be morally upright. Our minds are the only things that we can confirm to exist. Therefore you should worship yourself and the actions that you take in this "reality" should be from your own personal instincts of what your mind tells you is right. Not what some Deity or some priest or book tells you to do. Your actions should come from within not from an outside force.

Fleshofthegods said:

My personal religious belief is that you don't need a Deity to make the right decisions and to be morally upright. Our minds are the only things that we can confirm to exist. Therefore you should worship yourself and the actions that you take in this "reality" should be from your own personal instincts of what your mind tells you is right. Not what some Deity or some priest or book tells you to do. Your actions should come from within not from an outside force.

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You sound like a Buddhist to me and that is not a bad thing.

Risky Thicket said:

You sound like a Buddhist to me and that is not a bad thing.

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You have a really messed up perception of Buddhism if you think it is "self worship".

This sounds more to me like secular humanism.

It is humanism, the belief that human love and compassion can overcome without the need of a deity or a book to lead them in that direction.

I'm only 15 years of age, many challenge me on my views, but i support a Marxist "religious theory" that Religion is simply a burden on life, it controls people it makes people calm ect. But as we all know throughout history Religion has been used to control people, to give Psychological help. For example the Roman Empire had state Gods to prevent people from breaking the law and to work with better results? natives pray to sprites to cleanse them? when really they only have a headache. Religion has caused many wars to.

Thomas McNally said:

I'm only 15 years of age, many challenge me on my views, but i support a Marxist "religious theory" that Religion is simply a burden on life, it controls people it makes people calm ect. But as we all know throughout history Religion has been used to control people, to give Psychological help. For example the Roman Empire had state Gods to prevent people from breaking the law and to work with better results? natives pray to sprites to cleanse them? when really they only have a headache. Religion has caused many wars to.

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I know people are going to hate me for this but the Roman Catholic church has killed more people than the Nazis have.

Fleshofthegods said:

I know people are going to hate me for this but the Roman Catholic church has killed more people than the Nazis have.

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how so? 123456789

Yes, but the population of the world in those times was a lot less than 20th century. You're also not considering how many Native Americans that the conquistadors and settlers in the New World killed for not believing in Christ. You're also forgetting about the Crusades, and the Roman Empire. There is no real way to determine exactly how many people were killed in the name of Christ if we weren't even alive to know.

Used to be Catolic. But deconverted.

Some of the teachings are still with me, and I still have respect for the Cathlic Church. Consider myself a deist now.

My religious beliefs....


Kinda odd, really...

I'm not sure I have any.

I was raised in a Christian household. My parents, grandparents, along with a portion of my other relatives, belong to a fairly small church which calls itself Reformed Mennonite. From what I understand, it started in the USA sometime in the late 1600s (I think) when a group of Mennonites who had immigrated here (specifically to Pennsylvania, I think, as I if I recall correctly, some of my ancestors from that time period were also members of the same church) split off from the main body because they disagreed with it in several ways.

However, I’ve never had much real interest, and have not become a member of said church.

My personal views are probably agnostic. I don’t disbelieve, but at the same time I can’t bring myself to believe (this may in part be due to the extent which I have seen my parent’s beliefs and religion dictate their actions, to an extent which I currently see no reason to emulate).

A shorter version? I usually just don’t think about it. Avoiding the subject, I suppose…

Meh.

Proud Agnostic, I will fight for my non-beliefs to the end!

Christian - hands off your beliefs type. I don't believe in attempting to make laws based solely on Biblical edicts nor do I believe in using the teaching as a weapon toward non-believers. Christ lived in a society similar to ours (lots of drinking, orgies and gays back then too) and under a government that taxed the people heavily. There is not one indication in the Bible that he attempted to change any of that or encouraged his follower to do so.

Dav said:

Proud Agnostic, I will fight for my non-beliefs to the end!

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Isn't that a contradiction in terms? :2razz:

i believe in god and also regard that all people have a right to believe in god in the way they want..

Hi, not picking on anyone in particular, and you don't have to answer the questions at the bottom of the OP, but I'd be cool if people write more than a couple sentences when they describe their belefs.

"I'm Catholic."
versus
"I was baptized as a Roman Catholic. I continued to be one throughout my teens where I learned the details about other denominations. Some of what I read was cause for serious inspection, but Catholicism continues to make more sense and I always feel more deeply spiritual at Catholic Mass than at other services.