Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[redux]

I find that people who truly and humbly embrace their relgions tend to be really wonderful people.

The ones who wear religion like a shield are another story for another thread.

 

[babylady4]

Quote:

A first for me today!

 

[redux]

Quote:

A first for me today!

Glad to help

 

[Emzyyy]

For quite a while I decided there wasn't a God. I guess I consider myself Agnostic now. I just ask too many questions that can't be answered or are answered but in a way that it just makes me ask even more questions. Sorta odd you posted this today...first time I attended church in a very long time. Caleb my boyfriend is Christian and wanted me to try it out. He's not pushy about it either, thats one thing I adore about him. He doesn't mind what I believe. He thinks that is my buisness. I don't know maybe someday I'll change my mind. Things change. I don't know I think it would sorta be fun to just travel and study all the different sorts of religons. I do agree they all tell the same basic story. How we were created. I believe in evolution. If there is a God he could of made evolution happen...It doesn't have to be one or the other.

 

[duckyfromoz]

HHMMM... Yes a topic that could easily get out of hand if those you post do not abide by the rules... I think it is important for us all to respect each others beliefs. Without learning about what others believe- we close ourselves off to the possibilty of futher enriching our own lives.

Personally... I grew up going to church at times with my mother. But have not attended apart from weddings and funerals from the last 20 years.

I actually dont believe in one God who created the earth - But feel there is enough proof other than the Bible to suggest that Jesus- son of Mary and Joseph the carpenter did in fact walk this earth just over 2000 years ago. Kind of contradictory I know... As how could I believe in Jesus if he was not the Son of God??

I believe that yes..Man did create religion to explain God- And this happened long beofre Jesus was born. Scientific research into the history of our earth has proven that some historical natural events spoken off in the Bible did actually happen.

I believe that there is reason to live a life as absent from sin as possible- not for fear that I may not go to heaven- but feel that I will be a better person who lives a more fulfilling life that someone who has few morals or no respect for others who share this earth.

 

[jojo54]

redux -

I consider myself spiritual, not religious. I believe that God created man, and man created religion to help explain God.
I just have the personal opinion that God spoke to mankind and different people interpreted it in different ways. That is why I think all the contradictory religions are equally valid. I find it impossible to believe in a God that would single out one small group for salvation and burn the rest of the population in hell.

I totally agree with what you are saying here!

PotterWatch -

He doesn't identify with any one religion but does believe that there is probably a higher power of some sort. We both agree that all religions are trying to tell the same basic story, just in different ways and that they can all be just as vaild. My husband is fond of saying "I don't care if you think a milk carton is God. As long as it motivates you to be a good person, that is all that matters."

You and your DH have hit the nail on the head as well!

redux -

To me, morality is based on respect. Respect for one's self, one's fellows, animals, the planet, etc. We all stumble at times, religious or not; but I think people instinctively need a code to live by; whether it is imposed from within, or externally motivated.

Respect is all important!

SilverPhoenix -

That's a wonderful way of putting it! I agree, we're all searching for our own ways to become better people, and whatever helps us on that path is a beautiful thing. (So long as we respect others as well, and so on.)

Becoming better people is the way to live!

I agree with all you guys. I find it interesting to compare peoples beliefs and find that often they say the same thing in a slightly different way. I believe in being the best I can be, to be kind, loving and helpful. Follow the Golden Rule and look after each other. Do not harm the Earth or its inhabitants (both man and beast). Leave the world a better place because we were here.​

 

[austinhart123]

i respect all religions and beliefs as long as they do not associate with or agree with bashing or intolerance, or anytype of harm to anything or anyone. i personally disagree with aot of religion and especally have a problem with the way people follow their religions. the only thing that bugs me more than intolerance and injustice is hypocrisy. for example, someone who beleives that they must discriminate against homosexuals because it is a sin, yet they have no problem eating shellfish (which is also considered a sin according to their religion) simply because they do not think it is as important of a sin. if you want to be religious you cannot pick and choose which rules to follow, this is why i do not agree with organized religion. I beleive in peace and harmony and letting people do whatever they want with their own lives as long as it has no negative affect on anything or anybody else other than them if they choose it.

i also beleive that if there was a great and loving god, he would not be selfish and full of rage and send people to hell simply for not bowing down to him!


i am not trying to push my beleif on anyone and incourage you to follow whatever religion you want if your decision is to follow a religion at all. Just please be respectful to people who do not agree with your religion or choose a different lifesyle, knowing you would want them to be respectful of yours as well.

 

[redux]

Thanks everyone for keeping this thread going in the spirit of open discussion, not debate. Kudos.

I find everyone's input interesting.

 

[AngieChick]

I was agnostic since the age of 12. At that point, I was still expected to attend church and didn't actually discuss it with my family until 10 years ago or so. That was about the time that I realized that I was an atheist. They are evangelical and I knew that it would be painful for them, so unless directly asked I skirted the subject.

I'm not going to get into what the "awakening" for me was on the board. It's so hard to explain without inadvertently stepping on someone else's toes, which I refuse to do. On another note, I will say that when we eat at my parents' house we always join hands and bow our heads with them when they pray (out of respect). When they came up for Thanksgiving and ate at my house, they didn't ask us to all join hands to pray. It was a beautiful, meaningful way for them to show that they respect my beliefs as I respect theirs. Of course they did bow their heads in quiet prayer and we waited quietly for them to finish before we ate. It doesn't mean that they are happy about it, but they have come to some kind of peace with it.

 

[Mahonri]

Interesting thread... and of course, you all know where I stand.