Different People-Types and Why

[Fluffnut]

This is a thread on religion and lifestyles and the reasons behind them. (No insults, bad language, or other impolite posts allowed!) Feel free to contribute! I am just curious about all of the different worldviews on BYC, and why people hold these views, et cetera., and would love to hear your viewpoint, and your questions for other people. Also feel free to chime in with philosophers and theologians and scientists you admire, 'specially if it helps you to say what you're trying to Thanks!

 

[CluckerFamily]

I am born and baptized Catholic. I don’t agree with everything about Catholicism but I do believe in a higher power, God. Most religions have this in common: a higher power. I was raised on morals and I still find morals important. I choose not to go to church because I believe God is around me at all time and I can talk to him any time. I also believe that “church” is technically any time people are having a conversation about God or religion. I do pray and thank God for the family and things I am blessed to have, for the good memories, for family, and to help those that believe in him and those that don’t. I have many stories of family members and close friends who have passed away and their last moments alive brought peace to their families when the loved one talked/had a conversation with God.

 

[Fluffnut]

That’s really interesting- I was raised to believe that church isn’t the talking to God, it’s when God’s people (the church body) come together to discuss and support one another, and that the prayer was a separate thing, to be done privately or with others (in church, for instance). But I think I get what you mean, because one of the church’s responsibilities, in my opinion, is to discuss God’s word and share it with others, right? Thanks so much for sharing! And I agree with you- I think God is around us all the time. What precepts do Catholicism do you not agree with, may I ask? I’m just curious if we have the same issues with it.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

I was raised Catholic, was baptized, went to catechism, did the Eucharist and Confirmation. I knew I didn’t believe in any sort of god or higher power when I was 11 but still had to participate in these by my parents. Now I’m just an atheist, I don’t know the exact type but I just don’t believe there’s any sort of gods or god. I have nothing against religion just as long as it isn’t thrown in my face or I’m asked to convert. Other than that my life is perfectly normal without a practicing religion. I’d say my mindset is more free without having to worry about it.

 

[CluckerFamily]

That’s really interesting- I was raised to believe that church isn’t the talking to God, it’s when God’s people (the church body) come together to discuss and support one another, and that the prayer was a separate thing, to be done privately or with others (in church, for instance). But I think I get what you mean, because one of the church’s responsibilities, in my opinion, is to discuss God’s word and share it with others, right? Thanks so much for sharing! And I agree with you- I think God is around us all the time. What precepts do Catholicism do you not agree with, may I ask? I’m just curious if we have the same issues with it.

My disagreement may lie more with a specific church than with Catholicism itself, but we tend to get Priests that believe and follow the same expectations. And maybe with the members themselves also.
Here are some:
Catholics must marry Catholics.
If you are not married to a Catholic, your child can not be baptized under the church.
Godparents must be Catholic.
For the community members, they feel it is okay to eavesdrop, talk bad about people, etc. as long as you ask for forgiveness.
Priests aren’t able to marry.
Only a devoted Catholic can receive bread during church.

 

[Fluffnut]

I was raised Catholic, was baptized, went to catechism, did the Eucharist and Confirmation. I knew I didn’t believe in any sort of god or higher power when I was 11 but still had to participate in these by my parents. Now I’m just an atheist, I don’t know the exact type but I just don’t believe there’s any sort of gods or god. I have nothing against religion just as long as it isn’t thrown in my face or I’m asked to convert. Other than that my life is perfectly normal without a practicing religion. I’d say my mindset is more free without having to worry about it.

From what I just Googled I’d say you are a positive atheist?
So since you don’t have, of course, any “pre-ordained”, I guess, morals, how do you decide right and wrong? Like, what are your principles? I don’t mean to be offensive or imply that you don’t have any, just wondering how you define them.
Also, I think if one feels positive in one’s beliefs it is more freeing for them to have a foundation, but it makes sense, if you were practicing something you didn’t believe in, it’s really hard to be comfortable with it! Thanks for contributing!

 

[Fluffnut]

My disagreement may lie more with a specific church than with Catholicism itself, but we tend to get Priests that believe and follow the same expectations. And maybe with the members themselves also.
Here are some:
Catholics must marry Catholics.
If you are not married to a Catholic, your child can not be baptized under the church.
Godparents must be Catholic.
For the community members, they feel it is okay to eavesdrop, talk bad about people, etc. as long as you ask for forgiveness.
Priests aren’t able to marry.
Only a devoted Catholic can receive bread during church.

I wasn’t aware of several of these; I didn’t quite realize how exclusive the Church is. But I do see why you wouldn’t’ve stayed- it happens sometimes in the Baptist denomination too, where people will “repent” and use it as an excuse to behave very poorly.
So if you have/were to have children and wanted them baptized, would you be able to get them baptized elsewhere, officially? I don’t personally believe in christening, but if someone wants their kid baptized it’s strange that they wouldn’t do so, at the very least it could be a way to expand the church.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

From what I just Googled I’d say you are a positive atheist?
So since you don’t have, of course, any “pre-ordained”, I guess, morals, how do you decide right and wrong? Like, what are your principles? I don’t mean to be offensive or imply that you don’t have any, just wondering how you define them.
Also, I think if one feels positive in one’s beliefs it is more freeing for them to have a foundation, but it makes sense, if you were practicing something you didn’t believe in, it’s really hard to be comfortable with it! Thanks for contributing!

No no no I’m not offended at all, I see where you’re coming from. It’s all really just basic human decency, learning morals though living and seeing. Just living my life and learning from mistakes. Such as if I see someone being hurtful (say commiting violent acts) I know that’s obviously bad. Then by talking and getting to know people that come from different backgrounds than myself helps me learn different moral perspectives. I hope that answered your question.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I wasn’t aware of several of these; I didn’t quite realize how exclusive the Church is. But I do see why you wouldn’t’ve stayed- it happens sometimes in the Baptist denomination too, where people will “repent” and use it as an excuse to behave very poorly.
So if you have/were to have children and wanted them baptized, would you be able to get them baptized elsewhere, officially? I don’t personally believe in christening, but if someone wants their kid baptized it’s strange that they wouldn’t do so, at the very least it could be a way to expand the church.

Almost all other religions in our area will baptize your child without being a member of the church.

 

[chickentrains]

I was raised loosely christian. We went to church sometimes. I am atheist now and I don't believe there is any sort of god.

I think my life is rather normal