Are you religous?, And Why? Options

[*kryogenix*]

At this point, I am confused about my religion, but let me say my opinion on CCD.

The CCD classes offered here are useless and pointless. They try to get us closer to God by making us answer text books that contain questions like,

"If you were to play Hide and Seek with God, where do you think he would hide?"

or questions like

"Which favorite song of yours do you think God will like too?" (A lot of kids in my class tried to act cute by putting in sex songs or songs about drugs... my friend and I put in a song by HIM and Nirvana...)

They even made us read a whole play script thing that had Jesus as a popular boy in school . Seriously! There are BETTER ways to get the youth more interested in becoming an active Christian.

Unfortunately, some kids do not receive instruction based on the standards set by CCD in Rome. I suppose some of these are approriate for much younger kids, but asking these questions to teenagers doesn't work in my opinion. The CCD classes I attended really didn't go by the textbook we were given. Some of the best experiences were the class discussions on issues that we face today. We could ask any question about Catholicism and our teacher would give us an answer. One of my teachers even handed out his AIM screenname in case we had any questions outside of class! I was very fortunate to have good teachers, but some kids don't have this. This is where parents must step in. And if the parents fail to do their job, the godparents must step in and educate the child.

[*Blow_Don't_SUCK*]

Unfortunately, some kids do not receive instruction based on the standards set by CCD in Rome. I suppose some of these are approriate for much younger kids, but asking these questions to teenagers doesn't work in my opinion. The CCD classes I attended really didn't go by the textbook we were given. Some of the best experiences were the class discussions on issues that we face today. We could ask any question about Catholicism and our teacher would give us an answer. One of my teachers even handed out his AIM screenname in case we had any questions outside of class! I was very fortunate to have good teachers, but some kids don't have this. This is where parents must step in. And if the parents fail to do their job, the godparents must step in and educate the child.

You're very lucky. My teacher did NOT want to get into subjects that are debatable or something we can discuss. He just made us answer those stupid questions. Seriously, it makes teens ridicule God even more.

[NoSex]

My CCD teacher was such a nervous anxiety ridden poor man. Chuck was real nice though. Although, it was so fun to watch him sweat from the hard questions. He knows I'm an atheist and he still sends me personalized and signed birthday cards in the mail every year. Sweet guy.

[vash1530]

^ kinda weird...

[NoSex]

^ kinda weird...

I spent nearly two years of my life traveling to local churches and youth groups in order to learn more about the sociological and psychological phenomena which is religion and spirituality. Very interesting experience. I have had apologetic books purchased for me, Bibles sent to my house, Kent Hovind invites, and many the odd gestures of all sorts. I still get calls from the abortion booth guy from the fair. He invited me to be a business partner with him in some kind of real-estate, not realizing I was seventeen years old at the time. Heh heh. It was alot of fun and very mind-opening.

I'll never forget this Bible Study introduction course I took at a local coffee shop. I walked in one day and heard that the building had been rented out for Bible study. The pastor heard me discussing some religious issues with a few friends and invited me to stay. It was a room full of about 40 forty-something christians. Some even older, reaching their seventies. I was the only atheist, and I was sixteen at the time. Almost a sad string of events. Very very interesting though.

Almost makes me want to do it all over again.

[flc]

I am not religious.

I may not be sure in the existence of a god, but if I was, I wouldn't go about it that most Catholics I know do.

I'm not dissing anyone who goes to church, but I don't see why going to mass every Sunday would please your god. If he {or she} really loved you, wouldn't he/she understand that there are other ways of praising him/her?

I work at a Catholic retreat center, and every Friday after work I go to a doctrine class to try to really understand what Catholicism is all about before I go denying it. And really, all I hear from the girls I work with is, "You should do this because it will please God," or, "You SHOULDN'T do this because you will be sinning."

Did anyone ever think that maybe doing good deeds would be good for humanity in general, not just your ticket into heaven?

[xOpRiNcEsSpReTTy]

everybody in my family is christian. we go to church sometimes, but we like pray before meals, and before bed and everything. it bugs me. yes, i believe in God, i love him and everything, but i still do the things that i want. not like drugs and stuff, but i'm not a "goody goody," when it comes to religion. right now, at this point in my life, if i had the choice that is, i probably wouldn't go to church. i just get sick of my parents like making me go, and almost forcing the religion onto me.

[sillakilla220]

religion has never been disproven! how can you prove something like that... the only thing that is false in religion is jesus' complexion thats usually portrayed

[*kryogenix*]

Almost makes me want to do it all over again.

Why not do it again?

Just remember your manners while there

I am not religious.

I may not be sure in the existence of a god, but if I was, I wouldn't go about it that most Catholics I know do.

I'm not dissing anyone who goes to church, but I don't see why going to mass every Sunday would please your god. If he {or she} really loved you, wouldn't he/she understand that there are other ways of praising him/her?

I work at a Catholic retreat center, and every Friday after work I go to a doctrine class to try to really understand what Catholicism is all about before I go denying it. And really, all I hear from the girls I work with is, "You should do this because it will please God," or, "You SHOULDN'T do this because you will be sinning."

Did anyone ever think that maybe doing good deeds would be good for humanity in general, not just your ticket into heaven?

It pleases God because he asked us to do so. Doing things that are asked of us are usually pleasing You can't receive the Eucharist outside of mass either.

Of course there are other ways to praise God. But Mass is an obligation. It is a mortal sin to miss Mass when we are perfectly able to attend.

Straight from the Catechism:

The Sunday obligation

2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass."117 "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."118

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

2182 Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2183 "If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families."120

everybody in my family is christian. we go to church sometimes, but we like pray before meals, and before bed and everything. it bugs me. yes, i believe in God, i love him and everything, but i still do the things that i want. not like drugs and stuff, but i'm not a "goody goody," when it comes to religion. right now, at this point in my life, if i had the choice that is, i probably wouldn't go to church. i just get sick of my parents like making me go, and almost forcing the religion onto me.

If you loved God, wouldn't you do what He wants?

[*Blow_Don't_SUCK*]

My CCD teacher is sending a note to my mother about my "misbehaving". Okay this made me really doubt being Catholic. The teacher asked us if we truly love God and told us to be honest. Being honest, I told him I don't love God. God, for me, is just an old Kid-thing. Most of us just believes in him in order to go to heaven. Then when class was over he told me he cannot tolerate my behavior and decided to send a letter to my parents.

I am sure that what I said made him do that because the whole time I was taking notes (yes we take notes). He's not understanding. I thought Christians were understanding...(the priest said so)
//edit

Oyeah here's the pure bullshit. My CCD teacher says Christians are welcoming so we should we all welcome everyone. I countered him with, "Wait a minute, then how come we don't welcome homosexuals?" He told me we tolerate them but we don't tolerate their acts.

I don't see how he went with that. So he's saying homosexuals have a choice to be gay?

[blondboddol]

I dont believe in god. i used to but i lost faith when i was 10. My brother died and i felt empty. I didn't feel like there was anyone there. God is supposed to always be there guiding you right? He wasn't for me. To be honest I believe religeon is a good thing to have though, as long as it is belief not obsessive. I was happy when i was ignorant, believing there was life after and all sorts.
But that is just a view. I do not know how i would feel if i never believed in god. maybe i would be just as happy and ignorant. But i'll never know.
I don't believe in the old ways of teaching christianity however. I understand that 2000 years ago they werre acceptable. But times change and Women can be more powerful than men yet we have something to do with sin ( i don't know if we are sinful or are more prone but i know men are more forgiven). Homosexuals, Lesbians and Bisexual's are not welcome happily in heaven as it is mentioned. Sex before marriage is frowned upon, Divorce is scowled at. It just seems to be controversial.
If that is the right word to use.

[xOpRiNcEsSpReTTy]

If you loved God, wouldn't you do what He wants?

my parents basically force religion on me, and i am natural to rebel, so it just happens. but, for the most part, i do try to do what he wants.

[flc]

Of course there are other ways to praise God. But Mass is an obligation. It is a mortal sin to miss Mass when we are perfectly able to attend.

Then I guess I wouldn't be a Catholic if I was religious.

But that makes me wonder, what if there was a religion that doesn't require you to attend any sort of service? Are those people sinning their whole lives without even knowing it?

That's what I have a problem with. God giving us free will is like unlocking a gate for a dog and then wanting to punish it when it runs away.

And don't give me this, "Well, God expects us to love Him so that we WOULDN'T feel the need to run."

How can such a deity let awful things happen in the world? Are people in third-world countries being punished because they're not worshipping him EXACTLY how they're supposed to? Are they being punished because they're ignorant of his teachings?

I'm sorry but I cannot love a god who lets things like this happen and NEVER give a REAL sign that he exists. I think it's about time he gets his ass down to Earth and whack us with a two-by-four to prove his existence.

God is conceited.

I just think of God as a parent who says, "I brought you into this world, so everything you do has to be dedicated to me." Sounds crazy, right?

[*Blow_Don't_SUCK*]

^as much as I agree on you with that, I do have to say something. There are a lot of Christian organizations trying to help those 3rd World Countries, the problem is the ignorant people who don't donate enough.

[*kryogenix*]

My CCD teacher is sending a note to my mother about my "misbehaving". Okay this made me really doubt being Catholic. The teacher asked us if we truly love God and told us to be honest. Being honest, I told him I don't love God. God, for me, is just an old Kid-thing. Most of us just believes in him in order to go to heaven. Then when class was over he told me he cannot tolerate my behavior and decided to send a letter to my parents.

I am sure that what I said made him do that because the whole time I was taking notes (yes we take notes). He's not understanding. I thought Christians were understanding...(the priest said so)
//edit

You're disobeying the first (and greatest) commandment. You say that people follow rules because they just want to go to heaven (and presumably, want to avoid hell). What makes heaven such a great place? Heaven is great because God is there. Hell is terrible because God is not there.

It is our love for God that makes us want to go to Heaven.

Oyeah here's the pure bullshit. My CCD teacher says Christians are welcoming so we should we all welcome everyone. I countered him with, "Wait a minute, then how come we don't welcome homosexuals?" He told me we tolerate them but we don't tolerate their acts.

I don't see how he went with that. So he's saying homosexuals have a choice to be gay?

Homosexuals have a choice whether to have sex or not. The Church tolerates homosexuals. From the Catechism:

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,140 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."141 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

In short, hate the sin, but love the sinner.

I dont believe in god. i used to but i lost faith when i was 10. My brother died and i felt empty. I didn't feel like there was anyone there. God is supposed to always be there guiding you right? He wasn't for me. To be honest I believe religeon is a good thing to have though, as long as it is belief not obsessive. I was happy when i was ignorant, believing there was life after and all sorts.
But that is just a view. I do not know how i would feel if i never believed in god. maybe i would be just as happy and ignorant. But i'll never know.
I don't believe in the old ways of teaching christianity however. I understand that 2000 years ago they werre acceptable. But times change and Women can be more powerful than men yet we have something to do with sin ( i don't know if we are sinful or are more prone but i know men are more forgiven). Homosexuals, Lesbians and Bisexual's are not welcome happily in heaven as it is mentioned. Sex before marriage is frowned upon, Divorce is scowled at. It just seems to be controversial.
If that is the right word to use.

See my posts above.

Then I guess I wouldn't be a Catholic if I was religious.

But that makes me wonder, what if there was a religion that doesn't require you to attend any sort of service? Are those people sinning their whole lives without even knowing it?

That's what I have a problem with. God giving us free will is like unlocking a gate for a dog and then wanting to punish it when it runs away.

And don't give me this, "Well, God expects us to love Him so that we WOULDN'T feel the need to run."

Sin is going against God's will.

A child is expected to obey his parents. But when the child is old enough, his parents allow him to go off on his own, but expect him to live the same way that they raised him. Are you saying that the parents of this child aren't loving?

How can such a deity let awful things happen in the world? Are people in third-world countries being punished because they're not worshipping him EXACTLY how they're supposed to? Are they being punished because they're ignorant of his teachings?

I'm sorry but I cannot love a god who lets things like this happen and NEVER give a REAL sign that he exists. I think it's about time he gets his ass down to Earth and whack us with a two-by-four to prove his existence.

God is conceited.

I just think of God as a parent who says, "I brought you into this world, so everything you do has to be dedicated to me." Sounds crazy, right?

Many awful things happen as a result of man's actions not God's. As for other events, we don't know how God works, but that he does so for good. I have a lot of doubt of whether many people today are ignorant of Christ's teachings, as opposed to being made aware, but outright rejecting them. However, people who are "invincibly ignorant" can't be held accountable, but are expected to live according to the moral laws written on their hearts.

No signs he exists? What are miracles then? God is reaching out to us all the time. It's just that sometimes, we ignore Him or pretend it's not Him.

Crazy?

[*Blow_Don't_SUCK*]

^I just got back from bible class and CCD so I don't feel like reading all of that (I skimmed), so if it seems like I said something you already brought up, it's because I only skimmed.


So you're saying homosexuals can be gay, but they can't have intercourse with another gay person? That's like forcing a straight person to be abstinent his whole life! Taking away their right to express their love for someone, is just...it doesn't make sense

[flc]

No signs he exists? What are miracles then? God is reaching out to us all the time. It's just that sometimes, we ignore Him or pretend it's not Him.

Crazy?

Tell me, what kind of miracles have you been a witness to lately? I don't see God doing anything miraculous. He needs to realize that there are bigger fish to fry, like the 1,000 or more soldiers dying in Iraq for stupid reasons, or focus on the fact that 250,000 people in Africa die each year from AIDS.

If he is a loving, all-forgiving and all-poweful lord, he should be doing something more.

[*Blow_Don't_SUCK*]

I know it seems weird that I am on both sides but I am actually not on any side..kinda

Tell me, what kind of miracles have you been a witness to lately? I don't see God doing anything miraculous. He needs to realize that there are bigger fish to fry, like the 1,000 or more soldiers dying in Iraq for stupid reasons, or focus on the fact that 250,000 people in Africa die each year from AIDS.

If he is a loving, all-forgiving and all-poweful lord, he should be doing something more.

To you, what is a miracle? A sea parting in half? or a rock turning into bread? Do miracles have to be one of those far-fetched transformations? Can't a miracle be the fact that despite the ignorance and corruption in today's world, there are people willing to bring peace in this world? Can't a miracle be that 2000 orphans are saved anually because of the good deeds people do? Can't a miracle be the fact that endangered animals are now increasing in population because of the righteous people in the world? All those AIDS patients dying and people suffering, there are people willing to help HUNDREDS of people. Most are Christian organizations. However, they can't do it themselves. They need charity and donations.

You, a person who's been complaining about these people not getting help, have you donated anything that could be of need? So many people complain and yet they do not do anything. Who are we to say God does nothing, when we, ourselves, are doing doing nothing but live our lives selfishly.


(by the way I made up the statistics, but I remember when I studied upon those 3rd world countries, there are great amounts of people being saved)

[flc]

Can't a miracle be the fact that despite the ignorance and corruption in today's world, there are people willing to bring peace in this world?

Sure, don't get me wrong, it's truly beautiful that there are people like that, but how does people doing good deeds prove that there is a god necessarily? I mean, isn't that just an act of kindness? Anyone could try to bring peace to the world. That doesn't mean they're inspired by any deity.

[illumineering]

Sure, don't get me wrong, it's truly beautiful that there are people like that, but how does people doing good deeds prove that there is a god necessarily? I mean, isn't that just an act of kindness? Anyone could try to bring peace to the world. That doesn't mean they're inspired by any deity.

A more fundamental recognition of God exists through the gift of life. Being able to experience the gift of creation in this physical world is extraordinary. This is a place where dreams and visions (non-physical reality) can manifest into a material world. The key is to be careful what you wish for and having the courage to make your dreams a living reality.

[*kryogenix*]

^I just got back from bible class and CCD so I don't feel like reading all of that (I skimmed), so if it seems like I said something you already brought up, it's because I only skimmed.
So you're saying homosexuals can be gay, but they can't have intercourse with another gay person? That's like forcing a straight person to be abstinent his whole life! Taking away their right to express their love for someone, is just...it doesn't make sense

I have trouble with your statement for a few reasons

1) It assumes that sex is the only way to show love for someone
2) It assumes that the love for people is greater than the love we should have for Christ
3) It assumes that straight people have trouble being abstinent, when there are plenty who do so (priests, brothers nuns).
4) It assumes that homosexuals can't love someone of the opposite sex

Tell me, what kind of miracles have you been a witness to lately? I don't see God doing anything miraculous. He needs to realize that there are bigger fish to fry, like the 1,000 or more soldiers dying in Iraq for stupid reasons, or focus on the fact that 250,000 people in Africa die each year from AIDS.

If he is a loving, all-forgiving and all-poweful lord, he should be doing something more.

The wages of sin are death. This is not God's fault, it is the fault of man.

What you are missing is that God is giving us all a chance to united with him after we die. Will you accept his offer?

[*CrackedRearView*]

Tell me, what kind of miracles have you been a witness to lately? I don't see God doing anything miraculous. He needs to realize that there are bigger fish to fry, like the 1,000 or more soldiers dying in Iraq for stupid reasons, or focus on the fact that 250,000 people in Africa die each year from AIDS.

If he is a loving, all-forgiving and all-poweful lord, he should be doing something more.

So God should just fix all our problems because we're just that damn worthy? That's not how it works, my friend. A loving, all-forgiving, all-powerful Lord also respects our ability to choose. We choose to let AIDS fester, we choose to send our soldiers to Iraq, and we choose to, for lack of a better term, f**k up.

Buck up and deal with it, planet earth.

[*disco infiltrator*]

I have trouble with your statement for a few reasons

1) It assumes that sex is the only way to show love for someone
2) It assumes that the love for people is greater than the love we should have for Christ
3) It assumes that straight people have trouble being abstinent, when there are plenty who do so (priests, brothers nuns).
4) It assumes that homosexuals can't love someone of the opposite sex
The wages of sin are death. This is not God's fault, it is the fault of man.

What you are missing is that God is giving us all a chance to united with him after we die. Will you accept his offer?

1) It's not, but it's definitely something that people generally share with the person you love, and, really, one of the more "pleasureable" things to do. Denying someone the right to that pleasure that other people get to recieve isn't very all-loving.
2) People are preists and nuns for a reason. They're dedicated and determined. Not all people are so strict on themselves. You don't have to completely devote every waking moment to Christ to be a believer and follower.
3) Priests don't have trouble being abstinent? Lol...Besides, does the Bible not instruct you to stay abstinent till MARRIAGE? Why shouldn't homosexuals be entitled to the same guidelines of life?
4) THEY CAN'T. Do you know what a homosexual person IS? They love people of the same gender, and the same gender ONLY. Gay men do not like vaginas like most straight men lean towards. Lesbians do not like penises to go in their vaginas like most straight women are ecstatic about. That's how it is. A homosexual person is NOT going to like someone of the opposite sex. They do not like it, just as I do not like people who do drugs. I won't date one or love one cause I don't like it and can't stand it. Same thing.

So God should just fix all our problems because we're just that damn worthy? That's not how it works, my friend. A loving, all-forgiving, all-powerful Lord also respects our ability to choose. We choose to let AIDS fester, we choose to send our soldiers to Iraq, and we choose to, for lack of a better term, f**k up.

Buck up and deal with it, planet earth.

But isn't it part of God's plan for what we do? Didn't God know that Bobby was going to go to war in Iraq and die? Why would God do that to poor little Bobby?

[sheridan_whitesi...]

Seriously, I think I'm gonna start worshipping the sun. Not Ra or anything like that, and not like sitting in the sun to get skin cancer and a tan, but worshipping the actual celestial body, old-school pagan style. My reasons are several:
1: It's constant, and will be constant during all of human existence
2: Without the Sun, we would not have life on earth.
3: Nuclear fusion kicks ass
4: The sun is HOT, like Natalie Portman
5: Our Sun is a vengeful sun, taking revenge on idiots who want tans by smiting them wtih skin cancer.

[*kryogenix*]

1) It's not, but it's definitely something that people generally share with the person you love, and, really, one of the more "pleasureable" things to do. Denying someone the right to that pleasure that other people get to recieve isn't very all-loving.
2) People are preists and nuns for a reason. They're dedicated and determined. Not all people are so strict on themselves. You don't have to completely devote every waking moment to Christ to be a believer and follower.
3) Priests don't have trouble being abstinent? Lol...Besides, does the Bible not instruct you to stay abstinent till MARRIAGE? Why shouldn't homosexuals be entitled to the same guidelines of life?
4) THEY CAN'T. Do you know what a homosexual person IS? They love people of the same gender, and the same gender ONLY. Gay men do not like vaginas like most straight men lean towards. Lesbians do not like penises to go in their vaginas like most straight women are ecstatic about. That's how it is. A homosexual person is NOT going to like someone of the opposite sex. They do not like it, just as I do not like people who do drugs. I won't date one or love one cause I don't like it and can't stand it. Same thing.

1) A masochist receives pleasure from inflicting pain. Is it unfair for God to deny the person the right to cause pain to others?
2) People accept vocations to become priests and nuns because they are called by God. Being celibate is part of this. Having homosexual tendencies is a call to be celibate as well. You must follow God's rules to be one of his followers. Having homosexual relations doesn't exactly jive with this.
3) I'm speaking in general. We've had thousands (maybe millions?) of priests that have remained celibate. Yeah, we have some bad priests (even some bad popes) but that doesn't change the fact that they are required to be celibate. And yes, the Bible teaches that we should stay abstinent until marriage. But homosexual relationships do not constitute as a marriage, therefore, the Church does not recognize them as lawful marriages.
4) I love my father and I am straight as an arrow. Why must love always be sexual in nature? Or are we confusing love with lust?

The fact remains that homosexual relationships are contrary to the will of God. If a homosexual chooses the love for an earthly person over the love for Christ, they risk seperation from Christ.

But isn't it part of God's plan for what we do? Didn't God know that Bobby was going to go to war in Iraq and die? Why would God do that to poor little Bobby?

God did what to poor little Bobby? Bobby chose to join the army.