Undecided, taking a stand on organized religion Options

[*islandgirl4eva*]

Hmmmm, how do I start this off? Lemme see...

I myself, was born a Catholic. I went to church, was baptized, but that's about it. The majority of my family is highly religious, but I am not, in the sense that I don't feel the need to go to church and strictly follow how I am told to live. I live my life in a way that lets me experience the most of it. It's not sinful, per say, but I'm no saint.

Anyway, I have my own ideas to what religion means to me. A lot of people that I know don't like that. They try to preach to me that I should "turn back to the Lord." I have God...they just don't see that though. I don't care though, they can judge if they want to. That's on them.

Do you have your own ideas about what religion is? Have people treated you differently because of it? What do you think of people who do have their own ideas?

[angel-roh]

Ahh this topic is gona be deleted? okay dokie

[gelionie]

huh? :confused:
Did a mod delete the original post or something?

[*islandgirl4eva*]

No, I had deleted it. I read it and it didn't sound right, but I was too tired to edit it. I fixed it today.

[Nicolatofu]

I have my own opinion about religion...but i guess everyone does to an extent. My grandma always tries to preach to me lol but i don't really alter my opinion for someone elses...

[sporadic]

I live in North Dakota. It's not exactly the liberal capital of the United States, so religious ideas different from the norm are rather taboo. I don't get treated differently for having my own thoughts about God, but the topic doesn't come up a lot in conversation anyway. Besides, I go to a small school and no one really cares. At my brother's school it's a lot bigger and a few kids have told him he's going to Hell. But, yeah, no problems with me.

[Saeglopur]

Religion is what keeps people going. I don't know why. I'm semireligious. *shrugs* I'm not really opinionated..

[sammehmyst]

You can follow whatever religion or beliefs you want.

[sammi rules you]

yea. my friend's started looking at me differently and talking to me less when they found out i was atheist. most everyone here believes the same thing about religion (as also a large majority are highly christian) so any other view is almost absurd.

i'm so lonely here. i need to move..

[hi-C]

I think everyone reaches a point where they don't know what they believe in or question their faith. I'm kinda at the same point. I asked my mother if I became a Muslim (cuz I have been thinking about it, but I didn't tell her that) if she would buy me Christmas presents. She basically asked if I was joining a cult. Crazy woman.

[avalon*]

i don't think organized religions are necessarily good because they get labeled. i'm a christian, and many people think of the label that that's where people believe in God and they go to church, but it's much more than that, and i choose to believe that it's more than what it seems to other people. i wish people wouldn't force religions on others or be hostile to others because they have different religions..it makes me so sad

[*islandgirl4eva*]

You know, I respect the concept of organized religion, but I also think about think.

Since the beginning of time, wasn't organized religion the cause of a lot of major wars?

Example: The Crusades...The war on Terrorism (delusional people whho claim it to be in the name of Allah)

I don't know, my teacher and I were discussing it in AP Psychology (he's a Tibeten Buddhist, so he doesn't believe in God). When we came to that thought, we both could only shrug. Didn't wanna take it any further for fear of offending someone.

[iheartsimba]

poeple don't really know about what i think abotu religion. i sort of keep my ideas to myself. i dont read the bible...i sort of have my own ideas on things i guess. i feel like the bible is not something people should get obsessed over...only because god didn't write those words himself..=/

[*stephinika*]

i don't even know what i think about religion anymore...i'm a baptized catholic as well and i even go to a catholic school but right now, i don't know what i believe in.

[WhiteLadyOfRohan]

omg religon heh yeah

I was brought us as a Baptist Christian. Since I was liek 6 or 7 though I always though about it and could never really grasp the whole concept of it. I myself don't belivein god or jesus and what not. My parents hate me for it and will try to make me go to church every once in a while. I tried wicca for a while but decided that was kinda gay too. Currently I am agnostic. Meaning: I belive it is impossible to prove that there is or isnt a god. So not atheist but not christian either, just undecided. Ive always been interested in Buddah and Taoism/Daoism though.

[WhiteLadyOfRohan]

I also think of the bible liek the greek myths. Maybe Jesus was real.........people just like made extremes out of him. And well used it as a story to make people have good morals and stuff. Give people a reason to live

[HongKongDong]

I was baptized and taught to follow christianity but heres my views...

Religion is for weak-minded people who need something to rely to get through life, rather than muster the strength to do it themselves. I don't need a contradictory storybook to tell me how to live.

Some people in this world shouldn't even be religious. They use it as an excuse for invading other peoples' lands, with grandiose illusions of an afterlife that can't be proven. They also use religion as a device for shielding their own ignorance and mental instability. What good are confessions when one can commit the same crime and repent several times over?

-----
Denisaurus Rex >=]

[*islandgirl4eva*]

I was baptized and taught to follow christianity but heres my views...

Religion is for weak-minded people who need something to rely to get through life, rather than muster the strength to do it themselves. I don't need a contradictory storybook to tell me how to live.

Some people in this world shouldn't even be religious. They use it as an excuse for invading other peoples' lands, with grandiose illusions of an afterlife that can't be proven. They also use religion as a device for shielding their own ignorance and mental instability. What good are confessions when one can commit the same crime and repent several times over?

-----
Denisaurus Rex >=]

Niiice. I've been thinking that for a while. Just never had the balls to say it.

[WhiteLotus*]

Hmmmm, how do I start this off? Lemme see...

I myself, was born a Catholic. I went to church, was baptized, but that's about it. The majority of my family is highly religious, but I am not, in the sense that I don't feel the need to go to church and strictly follow how I am told to live. I live my life in a way that lets me experience the most of it. It's not sinful, per say, but I'm no saint.

Anyway, I have my own ideas to what religion means to me. A lot of people that I know don't like that. They try to preach to me that I should "turn back to the Lord." I have God...they just don't see that though. I don't care though, they can judge if they want to. That's on them. 

Do you have your own ideas about what religion is? Have people treated you differently because of it? What do you think of people who do have their own ideas?

That is exactly me right there.

Gosh, I thought I was the only...

[Tung]

Well, I use to be a total hater on religion. I was 100% Athiest. but now, as i look at people's religions and such, i became an unitarian. I dont believe in all that god and stuff like that, but it doesnt mean i dont respect people's beliefs.

[xxruinedsoulxx]

i follow the beliefs of my religion

[misoshiru]

yeah i have my own opinions on religion. i'm only semi-religious.

[angel-roh]

Oh cool this topic was supposed to be deleted, but now it came back like it came back from our bury ground

anyways... i guess everyone always have their own opinions on religion, right? i mean i have my own opinions on religion.

I have few mormoms friend and they look at me like I have a bad religion. I'm Christian and they just like "Susan, being a Christian doesn't mean you will get closer to God. You're just pressuring yourself too much just to be like Jesus. And that's bad" .................. I was like wtf? get away with me!! hehe... but yeah believe what you believe in! you don't always have to believe someone else's belief. what ever comforts you, then believe and follow it!

[xGlovex]

Well, i just do what im told. i am catholic though.
I have some jewish friends and i treat them like everyone else.
i think religion shouldnt matter. its personality basicly and how you treat people.

[*islandgirl4eva*]

Well, i just do what im told. i am catholic though.
I have some jewish friends and i treat them like everyone else.
i think religion shouldnt matter. its personality basicly and how you treat people.

I've always thought that myself. Why can't other people see that?

[Spirited Away]

Oh cool this topic was supposed to be deleted, but now it came back like it came back from our bury ground

And why do you think it should have been deleted Miss Roh?

Anyway, many people seem to think they need religion and I can respect that so long as they don't think that I need it just because they do. For me, I've been completely religion free since two years ago when I came out of my "undecided" stage in life. Before that time, I questioned everything. I knew my choices and I knew the consequences of my choices and I'm not afraid to face them.

My conclusion was: organized religion isn't for me; however, morality and trying to be a better person than I am the day before is something I can be faithful to.

Today, logic wills me.

[SFoT_Freak]

I was born as a mormon, so i have been a mormon my whole life.

Have people treated you differently because of it? well, most people don't know what kind of religion mormon is, but some people know what it is. when they are so against it and found out i'm a mormon, they decided to not be friends anymore or they still treat me the same.

[iwannalosemybrea...]

I myself don't have much faith in the bible...or whatever other religious guide there is out there. People devote themselves to God in church, but then when they get back out on the streets they go back to theor "sinful" ways? What the hell is that? I say, live your life by how you feel...what your conscience tells you, not by what other people say you should do. Let them do whatever they want, and leave you be!

[Just_Dream]

I knew my choices and I knew the consequences of my choices and I'm not afraid to face them.

My conclusion was: organized religion isn't for me; however, morality and trying to be a better person than I am the day before is something I can be faithful to.

Today, logic wills me.

I feel the same way too, but I just couldn't find the right words to say it.


I agree with you, Naomi, when you said "I live my life in a way that lets me experience the most of it." I also live and judge my life by my own morale, not by anyone else's nor by religion. Maybe there are certain things that I also believe in as well, since my mother is Buddhist and tries to get me to go to the temple with her and learn. I don't want religion to control my life. I have faith, hope, prayer, spirit, etc. but not the kind that deals with religion. I am somewhat of an athiest... Does that make sense? lol.

It just really depends. I don't want religion to control my life-I control MY life... I used to believe in a heaven and a hell.. But now I'm not even sure anymore.

[*islandgirl4eva*]

That makes sense Christina. I mean, I wonder myself if I'm "somewhat" Atheist, but then again, I don't really know if there if a term that I'd like to use to describe what I am. I just have my own ideas and I'll live my life the best way I can, without someone else telling me how to do it.

[azn_r4pf4n]

thank goodness we don't have established religion.

I'm actually glad I'm a Christian though. There's just lots of strange things sometimes that goes on in religion. I read this article on wikipedia about this evangilistic Christian named Fred Phelps (i think) in Kansas who runs this Baptist Church in Kansas. His acts r pretty shocking. Seems like he's anti-Catholic, and strongly hates homosexuality, which brung up lots of criticism.

Well... Christians should love one another no matter their sexual orientation. But some evangilists don't even respect homosexuals... *sighs*

[racoons > you]

religion is different for each individual. if it is forced on some one, they can never gain the true benefits of that religion

i believe in reincarnation, but not god. thats really odd to most people, but not to a select few, who get me.

i do believe in spirits and ghosts, and in plant-souls, and that the spirit of a living being is such a potent think that it can force its way into another life with out any help from a god

[OriskybusinessO]

Lemme tell you a story... i dont believe in god, and in las vegas that fine because i supposed people are moer oppened minded there. Then i moved to south carolina. i am hated by many people and they wont even talk to me and they are shoving their shit in my face all the time. And i am not a 'devil worshipper' or whatever, i think its fine that others believe in what they want. I love that, thats what makes us america people!! I wish they would stop lecturing me about all this stuff and shove it up their ass!!! Because i am not going to change!!!!

[Shattered_Hope]

I, myself, like everyone, have a different viewpoint on what religion is...how they view it...how they live it...how they believe in it.

[demolished]

That isnt really nice, they're too obess w/ the bible. i think you should do your things on your way becuase your already Catholic and you dont need to be like everyone else. Just be yourself and if someone is trying to get you be more religious, dont listen to them. just said your Catholic and your a true beliver.

people these days need to stop pressuring others.

[sheepy]

well my parents are buddist. i grew up in a catholic school. and right now im a christian. i think we all have the right to choose whatever religion we want to follow.
i don't really think having a relationship with God is by going to church 24/7 cus altho you get to kno Him. you don't really know him personally. yeah.. i don't really know right now. i guess i just gotta spend more time with Him.

[racoons > you]

i have no objection to toehr people's religion, as long as they dont try to force it on me. thats just rude

[Just_Dream]

religion is different for each individual. if it is forced on some one, they can never gain the true benefits of that religion

i believe in reincarnation, but not god. thats really odd to most people, but not to a select few, who get me.

i do believe in spirits and ghosts, and in plant-souls, and that the spirit of a living being is such a potent think that it can force its way into another life with out any help from a god

That's exactly how I feel. I've believe in reincarnation since I was very little.. I never truly believed in a heaven or hell. What you said is somewhat of a belief of Buddhism. That's about the only thing I agree and believe in... Although I would never truly call myself a Buddhist.

[sunissed14127]

Maybe this should be in debate??
Anyways, I understand what you mean. I'm a Catholic, too, but I'm not highly religious. I dont even go to church....I belive in god though. I dont really like talking about religion to my friends though, because once we get into the topic about church, they freak out when I tell them I dont got to church....They are always like " why not?!? do you not belive in god?" and I just always tell them you don't have to go to church to belive in god. you can be at home to pray...you dont have to be at church to pray and study god.

[*islandgirl4eva*]

Maybe this should be in debate??
Anyways, I understand what you mean. I'm a Catholic, too, but I'm not highly religious. I dont even go to church....I belive in god though. I  dont really like talking about religion to my friends though, because once we get into the topic about church, they freak out when I tell them I dont got to church....They are always like " why not?!? do you not belive in god?" and I just always tell them you don't have to go to church to belive in god. you can be at home to pray...you dont have to be at church to pray and study god.

I'm with you on this one. I don't believe that you have to go to church to "praise" God. I get so tired of people who keep telling me I have to go. No, I don't. What I want to say is..."Maybe YOU need to go. I saw you with 'so-and-so' yesterday and I don't think that what you were doing would be considered Christian-like. GET OFF MY BACK!"

[*islandgirl4eva*]

OH MY EFFING GOD! I'm so furious right now. I almost got in a fight with a Christian woman today. It was NOT pretty.

I was standing in line to buy something at the mall and my rosary was hanging out. All of a sudden this lady comes up to me and says, "Here child, come to this and your soul will be saved."

I said, "No thank you, I've already been saved."

But she kept going! She wouldn't give it up! She kept telling me about how Catholic were heathens and how the priests keep molesting the children. She grabbed my shoulder and told me to release the Devil from my soul. I don't like it when people touch me. So I turned around and said "DO NOT TOUCH ME. I don't care about what you think about my religion. I'm not the one touching those little boys and the men who are are sick. If you touch me again..." and I just stopped, because I was going to cuss out a nice Christian lady.

This woman is a very stubborn person.

She pulled me around by my shoulder and told me that I was going to burn in Hell for not accepting God into my life and turning my back on him. I grabbed her hand, removed it from me, and walked away. She then took the opportunity to scream out in front of the entire mall "You bitch! You'll burn in Hell!"

I hate hypocritical, condescending, judgemental people.

[juliar]

Eh, I'm agnostic, and no one really cares. In New York City, or at least in the people I know, no one really cares about your religion very much.

[to-devastate]

I don't know. Well. I can say I'm Christian. But I also believe in more stuff too. I don't get treated differently. I think everyone should just look beyond their religion.. and just base people on personality. Other people can't see that because either they're stupid or just jealous. Lol. I have no clue.

[*lolita kitty*]

hm, im confuzed
i guess i uh... ok.... i have my own ideas?
i dunno. dosent come to my mind much.

[lolthissiteisfun...]

I was born as a mormon, so i have been a mormon my whole life.

Have people treated you differently because of it? well, most people don't know what kind of religion mormon is, but some people know what it is. when they are so against it and found out i'm a mormon, they decided to not be friends anymore or they still treat me the same.

I'm a Christian, so I guess our religions kind of conflict. So though I believe in organized religion, and in my religion, I have muslim friends, mormon friends, and tons of other religions. I don't really think religion should be a factor in friendship, and I don't think a religion should be forced on you. I mean it's YOUR beliefs, whether you want them or not.

[souldreamers]

Yea I have my own beliefs I guess. What I believe in is based on years of things that I've learned and experienced. But mainly what I feel in my heart that's right for me. I'm very spiritual.. not very religious. I strongly believe in God. Hope, faith, miracles.. the power of prayer. Karma, reincarnation, past lives, destiny, fate, Astrology, astral realm, old souls, meditation, nirvana.. and many other things.

I also believe that everyone is meant to be exactly the way they are. And everything that happens is meant to happen. In other words, I believe that God has our whole lives written already and we just merely act it out. Strange. I know.

Ahh to keep to the topic here. Religion, hmmm, it's just one method God uses to get you to try to connect with him. It doesn't work for many. But I believe God knows that. And it's no biggie, it's just not you're time. Maybe it's not your "mission" in this lifetime to focus on religion/spirituality.

People haven't really treated me differently about my beliefs because I usually don't talk about it in depth with ppl. Although my bf's family wishes that I get baptized and become Christian. Which I don't have a big problem doing.. but I'd rather wait a while...

I'm perfectly fine with people who have their own beliefs. It doesn't bother me what people believe in, as long as it's not something hateful. All I care about is if they're decent ppl. I always think that people should strive to better themselves and be tolerant of other's beliefs.

btw I was born Buddhist but my parents aren't really religious nor any of my siblings. But in my heart I always believed in God all my life so my curiosity and thirst for knowledge led me to a "spiritual quest". I think I was in my mid-teens.. and during that time I was really drawn to Astrology so I started reading up on that and it's relation to God and all this Astrological history. And that's what got me into believing the things I do now.