What's Your Religion/Spiritual Beliefs?

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#1

We’ve had topics here where people have stated or alluded to their religious/spiritual beliefs, but I’m really interested in what everyone’s beliefs are.

For me, the best way to describe my religious beliefs would be agnostic. True, no higher power has ever been proven, but even if I don’t believe in a god, I do believe in angels and an afterlife. I can’t say I refer to any religion or moral guidance from a religion to help me in this life, though. I don’t attend any church service or anything. I was loosely raised as a Christian and I attended a Catholic primary school, but during my late teens I came to the conclusion that Christianity, or the form that I was used to, was irrelevant today. I also think Christianity has a lot to answer for with their history of denying others rights, so that turns me right off.

I’m sitting on the fence to whether I think society needs religion at all. As seen during times of crisis, people have it inside them to be giving, without the need to be religious or without the help of religious organisations, so I think it’s the kind people within those religions that help, not the religion itself. But I also understand that some people need to be fulfilled or need more guidance than others, and that’s where religion comes in for them, whether in other people it would come in the form of a hobby or other support network.

I actually like the organised nature of the Catholic service. Some describe it as ‘stuffy’ but it appeals to the nostalgic part of me where you didn’t talk during church and went up for wine and bread, heheh. If I were going to attend a Catholic service in the future, I’d have to go to one of those progressive churches where they accept gay people and let women become priests and put the focus back on self-improvement rather than really generic messages.

#2

I’m a Pastafarian. That is, I believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster and His Noodley Appendage.

I highly recommend The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Great read.

#3

¡RAmen! Pastafarism rules.

I’m an atheist.

#4

I was born and raised Catholic. Went to a Catholic grade school, but switched to public schools for junior high and high school. Now that I am away at college, I don’t go to church as much as I used to, but my faith is still important to me.

#5

Christian. However, I usually don’t use the Bible too much because you can never tell when what you are reading is really God’s word or if a stuffy old priest added it. (They took out an entire book, Mary, because “women are inferior”) Thus, I don’t oppose homosexuality (In fact, my sister is on a road trip with a gay guy friend of hers to Florida XD) or the marriage of it.

#6

I’m agnostic, leaning to toward atheism.

#7

born Catholic, but I don’t think religion is important. If the guy I believe in is truly what we all think, we’re all going up.

#8

I’m touchy about talking in these threads, but this is all I’m going to say; since the sole purpose of this thread was for others to learn about other member’s religions. :wink: (Which is kinda cool, in my opinion. :slight_smile: )

I’m a non-denominational Christian. I believe that Jesus was the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and rose again three days later. I believe the entire Bible was inspired directly from God and written by people he trusted. I firmly advocate the sanctity of life (that is, I am pro-life) and oppose gay marriage. I also strongly believe that heaven and hell exist; a touchy subject for many people.

Prayer is very important to me. I believe that prayer is essential to Christianity; no matter the denomination. If you want to understand who God is, talking to him is key; just like we talk to friends to get to know them better.

I believe that people should do what they want with their lives, but they should take responsibility for their actions at the same time, and know that in every decision there is a consequence. God did not make us puppets to do exactly what he wants us to do; that is completely up to us.

This is simply a brief outline of my views. I would get into more detail, similar to what rachelcakes1985 did, but for the sake of past issues I would rather not. :wink:

I would appreciate it if no one quoted/picked apart my post. I did not quote/pick apart anyone elses’; and as far as I’m concerned, the Golden Rule (treat others the way you would like to be treated) can be applied universally, whether you follow a religion or not. :slight_smile:

little chef

#9

According to the Pastafarians, I’m “spagnostic”. lol

#10

I don’t believe in god or heaven or anything like that, so I guess that makes me atheist.

#11

Personally, I’m Agnostic leaning towards Atheism. Although i’ve always found the idea of religion to be interesting, not really as beliefs but…i’ve always found the stories interesting. (Don’t take offense to that)

I suppose my code of morals have been sculpted by superman more than most religions, but that’s just me :laughing:

#12

I’m christian, but I’m going through a rough patch right now. I was raised christian, but I’ve never seen or felt any real reason to believe there’s a god(s). Also, if the christian faith believes in equality for everyone, why is it that throughout history they’ve been forcing their beliefs on people? I don’t know what to believe right now and I’m always scared that I’m gonna go to hell, which brings up another good point, what’s the point of even trying?

#13

Plain and simple, I am a Christian. NOthing more or less. I am not a strong Christian like my mom is. For instance, I don’t like to go to church every sunday, but I do believe in Jesus Christ and everything in the bible.

#14

Well I have stated here I’m a Catholic, and happy to be one, although I guess I’m not what you’d call a practicing Catholic, and certainly not a conservative one. (I recently found a book of Catholic humor, you know, like Jewish humor, which was one of the funniest things ever)Most of what I think about God, Jesus, and morality though, is based on me forming my own opinions. Incidentally, I think one of the reasons I love JCS so much is because it spoke to me more than 13 years of Catholic school ever did.

On a related note, in terms of geneology, I am a little part Jewish, on my mother’s side, which I find pretty cool.

#15

I know how you feel. I go to church in the summer and pray every time I remember too though.

#16

I’m atheist. I don’t dislike religion- on the contrary, I think it’s fascinating. Just the other day I was stopped whilst walking in town by two men wearing pristine suits as they asked me the question, ‘how would you feel if you had a second chance?’

Of course, they expect people to either walk right on by, or, if they do manage to get a reply, it would probably be something along the lines of, ‘yes, I’d like that’, but I argued against them saying that knowing you have a second chance in everything means that really, are you going to be that bothered about doing your best in the first place and being the best person you can be, if all you have to do is say you’re sorry (and mean it) and it all goes away?

So anyway, we had quite an interesting discussion. They were from the Churst of Latter Day Saints or something like that, and they were following the Book of Mormon. They described this as the real basis for their religion, saying that it was like another testament in Jesus’ life and that it outlined the story of a normal, average Joe who came across God one day.

It was all really interesting, and they were lovely guys. Admittedly, they seemed a little offended when I asked, ‘would you be bothered if, whilst walking in town, an athiest walked up to you and started talking to you about their faith (or lack of it)?’ :laughing: But yeah, they didn’t seem to mind the fact that they wouldn’t be able to ‘convert’ me, since they seemed to just be enjoying the discussion in the first place.

When it started drifting to the, ‘but why don’t you come along to one of our congregations and experience it for yourself?’ type things, and considering that they both had spent possibly a bit too much time reciting massive sections of text from this Book of Mormon, I figured that was time to go.

Religion in itself does make the world a much more interesting place. The fact that other people are able to have such spirituality is something I am sometimes jealous of- it must be nice to have that comfort of knowing that there’s something out there, and whatever it is depending on whatever religion you are, it’s mainly looking out for you. But I have to follow my own ideas about religion, and I can’t genuinely believe the stuff that most religions are based on. When these guys who were talking about the Book of Mormon mentioned something about the man who experienced this revelation, they seemed utterly convinced that, upon hearing about this remarkable thing, I’d suddenly go, ‘yes! I believe!’ But when they asked, ‘what did you think of that?’ my first reply was to question whether this guy had some psychological issues. It’s how different people view the world in different ways, I guess.

Anyway, I’m done rambling. Basically, I’m atheist but I respect and am interested in other religions. I have to admit, the slogan that was put on the side of some London buses a while ago describes my view quite well- ‘There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.’

#17

Raised Catholic. Currently an Agnostic Atheist. (Don’t believe there is a god but can’t prove there isn’t)

#18

lizardgirl my point of view is exactly like yours.

mo, although I don’t know what should be the right christian morals for this, I think religion is there to make people happier, not to make people worry.

#19

Nice to see so many atheists/atheist-leaners here! I’m another. I’m about as atheist as they come. I might be what you could call “aspiritual”, as well. Meanwhile, I very much enjoy philosophical discussion and existential thought.

#20

I’m an anglican Christian but I’m kinda anti-realistic in my beliefs; it’s not what other people think which is important, it’s what I think which matter to me. I see the world the way I want to and that’s the way it stays.