Perhaps one of the most dangerous, loaded questions to ask. How cool could you possibly be if you tell people you are deeply religious, have moral and ethical convictions, go to church regularly, believe in something so old school as God, Jesus Christ. Or that you are Muslim--in this day and age?

Sure you think a lot of people would have educated themselves and found out more about the religion and how terrorists are in a tiny minority practicing a cult version of a ancient religion. Most religions actively practice non-violence and peace.  Many recognize some are called to become warriors, but none condone acts of terrorism, and cruelty.  None.   Those who believe otherwise are mis-informed.

 Is it more fashionable to be a Budhist these days? What if you have true conviction, have been 'called'.... are people wondering how 'sincere' you are about the religion of your choice?

 And what of being Jewish in these times? There are people out there who deny the holocaust, who won't consider the persecution and suffering several generations of Jews suffered because they did not have a homeland, because they held onto their beliefs and religion and were resented by the Nazis who felt so threatened they tried to destroy a religion and its people.  Politics and military actions of a country's governments don't necessarily reflect on the religion.  The mistakes Israel makes as a nation, just as the mistakes the United States makes as a nation do not reflect on Jews and Catholics and Protestant and Hindus and Budhists etc. etc.

Understanding faith and religion is important. Our country (U.S.) was created by people who risked their lives to escape religious persecution and the fathers of our country demanded that people of all faiths (ammended to also mean people of no faith--which is fair too) have equal rights. When religious tolerance is out of balance, problems occur. Sometimes the fault is the institution that is not being tolerant of others, not practicing what they preach, not having a balance; and at other times it is gross prejudice, bigotry, mis-understanding toward a particular religion or religious institution that foster dis-trust and hatred. Yes I am religious.

There is a proven, unexplainable goodness and love within people of all races and culture throughout the world. People have an otherwordly faith in the good of mankind. The miracles of life, of everyday living, can not all be explained simply. When you have faith in something, life works better. Sometimes perhaps it 'seems' to work better; but there are times when it just does work better.

 I have had little faith, and strong faith in my lifetime. I have questioned the basis for most of the major religions and looked closely at new age religions and beliefs. My views have certainly changed throughout my lifetime but they have created a circle of sorts. Faith in a system that rewards good behavior and punishes bad is necessary for a successful civilization--but atheists can practice that without believing in God and most do. I remain skeptical towards most religious institutions,but I also realize a stubborness to commit and be completely accountable is part of that skepticism and recently I have become much more involved in my faith.

More later....

Nope, not at all.  It's not something that was stressed in my house growing up.  Well it sort of was but there was no education or anything to back it up so there was no real religious foundation.

As I got older I became curious about faith and religion so I sought out some information, joined a church, and even went on a mission trip. It was all very interesting and I learned a lot, but in the end I realized that faith and religion is something I need or is important to me.  So no, I'm not religious, I don't believe in gods of any sort.  I am intrigued by Eastern philosophies though and tend to identify with forces of earth, water, air, things like that.  Maybe it's because of my Native American background.  Not sure.

I was raised in Church and have gone between being pretty religious to not at all religious. The one thing that remains constant to me is that I do believe in a higher power, and for lack of imagination (and due to my upbringing) I call that power God. But religion as practiced by man holds no real interest to me. The violence done in the name of religion leaves me cold.

Yes! I grew up in the church, then experimented for awhile. I finally made the Christian faith my own, not something I was taught. When the Holy Spirit gets hold of you, you're never the same.

No, I gave it up becasue it server no purpose in my life.

Not in a "religious" sense but very spiritual.  I grew up Southern Baptist so I had alot to overcome.  My mother is now and has been an Athiest ever since my step-sister died.  I am of Pagan persuasion.  I consider my spirituality within nature & animals....the wind, the sky...there is something bigger than me, that's all I know.  My mother does not believe any of that.  I tell her to look up, but she denies anything spiritual.  I respect her anyway, and she respects me.  I sometimes attend a non-denominational church called Unity.  Although I'm not Unitarian. 

I'm not sure what religion my father was.  I know that after he was killed, we were whatever religion the boyfriends of my mother were.  For awhile we were Lutheran, Methodist, etc.  We never tried Catholic, which I wish we would have.  Then she married again and the Baptist part came into it.  Not knocking any religion.  My view is, if it helps ONE person, it's worth it.  No matter the name of the religion, I just respect whatever helps another human. 

I'm a deist I guess. Science hasn't explained to me how all of these random particles know what they're supposed to do when they get together. But I don't believe that God spares some lives and takes others. I don't think He inteferes. And I don't think Jesus pulls favors in sporting events. When someone thanks Jesus after winning an athletic competition I think that's taking it al little far.

Faith should be believable afterall.

I also see a place still for pagan beliefs and spirituality. I've always felt the sun is the greatest influence on my daily existence. And the native American worship of the earth and the elements appeals to me. When I'm in Taos in the winter and it's covered in snow and the smell of pinon is everywhere, I feel the spirit of the land as it was in the days of the indians. I get it completley and I hope it never goes away. That's my America..

These days I like yoga, meditation and New Age music over church but I still consider myself religious. Eventually we will have to redefine what religion is and get away from sect-based worship if we hope to overcome human conflict. Violently arguing over whose God is really up in the sky is counterproductive to why we were put here. You'd think we'd all see that but it's proven tough.

yes

I have always cycled between being religious (which I am defining as taking an active part in my church), to still believing in things but not necessarily taking part in church activities (including Sunday worship).

I am spiritual, and I am a Christian and not religious right now. I think it's really great when spirituality of any kind, or a belief in something bigger than themselves gets people through a crisis, or enables them to hang on for another day.

I never cared for athletes thanking God for a win. My personal belief says He's not really invested in that kind of thing. I would really hope there are bigger fish to fry.

Nope, haven't been inside a church (other than weddings and funerals) since 1977 and I'm a happy man.

I would consider myself a religious person. I was active in a non-denominational church for a considerable amount of time growing up. My views of religion, however, have changed considerably over the years. I believe that is the result of being an inquisitive person, and some of the views of the church on abortion, homosexuality, etc. led me to stop participating in organized religion.

Nevertheless, I believe that my religious views tend to be more Buddhist now. I'm a firm believer in Karma and reincarnation. Definitely a change from Christianity, but those are my beliefs. I'm always open to hearing others explain their religious beliefs as long as they can tolerate mine. 

When I was a kid I went to church with my grandparents every Sunday. They were permanent fixtures in the AME church, very down to earth, and never crammed religion down our throats. Later, during a time when life didn't seem fair to me, I thought religion would make things better, but it didn't do anything for me. I believe what really matters is what's in your heart and your actions.

pitcherday said…

I have always cycled between being religious (which I am defining as taking an active part in my church), to still believing in things but not necessarily taking part in church activities (including Sunday worship).

I am spiritual, and I am a Christian and not religious right now. I think it's really great when spirituality of any kind, or a belief in something bigger than themselves gets people through a crisis, or enables them to hang on for another day.

I never cared for athletes thanking God for a win. My personal belief says He's not really invested in that kind of thing. I would really hope there are bigger fish to fry.

---

This defines me as well. I definitely have faith and I do believe in a higher power. I do pray to God. I don't go to church all the time or follow everything that was taught or is taught. But, I know I have had some help through some major crises and I believe that help came from above.

I feel somewhat bad for people who absolutely don't believe there is anything but what we have on earth. My father was agnostic (to say the least) and he basically hated anyone who was religious or who tried to talk to him about God. While he did make some valid points, my mother's religious nature overrode those things and I chose to believe. I wasn't pushed to. With a father thisclose to atheism and a mother who was a fairly strict Catholic, I really saw both sides.

I did a lot of soul searching when I was young and looked into religions and such and I just came to my own conclusions. I saw the strength my mother gained from her beliefs and the loneliness that my father endured believing there was just nothing else but what he had on this earth. In his dying days, he prayed. I know God heard and my father is with my mother now.

I never preach to anyone, don't want to be preached to, and keep my views to myself in general. I do gain a lot of comfort though in believing that there is a power higher than me and that there is more after this life. If not, well, I won't know it. If so, then I look forward to seeing my loved ones again someday.

I have been and I haven't been. At one time in my life,  I went to church, cell groups, studied my bible, but I felt no differance than before I did all that, and I believed, I wasn't just doing it. Then all these hardships kept hitting me, and I got angry with God. No, I'm not sure where I stand, I believe in God, I pray to him, but I don't go to church or anything like that. So many "christians" go to church on sunday and the minute they step out the door they are cursing their neighbors, I just don't get that.

PattyTherre said…

I did a lot of soul searching when I was young and looked into religions and such and I just came to my own conclusions. I saw the strength my mother gained from her beliefs and the loneliness that my father endured believing there was just nothing else but what he had on this earth. In his dying days, he prayed. I know God heard and my father is with my mother now.

Life is so confusing. Our real selves emerge as we prepare to leave. That's all that matters.

Or as I tell my mother that old saying, "There are no atheists on their deathbed".  But I suppose there could be. 

Even Darwin converted near the end of his life.

If it turns out you've been praying to yourself... at least your covered.

Wow, the ultimate and most personal of explosive topics!  I'm a Christian and I believe that Jesus came to earth, became a man and sacrificed himself for our sins.  I believe that without Him we are all doomed to eternal separation from our creator and we are all lost because of original sin. Only faith in God can save us.

I'm not a very good Christian, but I am one.  Having said that I also dislike most organized religion.  A whole lot of their rules are man-made and don't reflect the values Jesus and the Bible teach us. (Example- you have to go to church every time the doors are open to be a good Christian.  And that's one of the mild ones)  Men have committed a lot of heinous acts in the name of God.  That doesn't mean God approved.  And, those acts are not a valid reason to reject God.  Son of Sam said God told him to kill those young people.  Of course He did not.

I think a lot of folks are driven away from God for the wrong reasons and/or they point to misuse of God's name by unreasonable people who purportedly act in the name of God as reason for them to not embrace Him.  Of course, an examination of that argument reveals it to be an invalid one.  Besides, evaluating Christianity by looking at humans is to use the wrong standard.  Humans are gonna screw up.  It's our nature.

Okay, I also believe we all have the right to believe whatever we want.  I'm sure not better or smarter than anyone else.  In fact, there are a lot of folks smarter than me.  In any case, what any of us believe is only as valid as whatever turns out to be TRUE.  There is a truth out there and any thing that contridicts it cannot be true.  What that truth is, is the source of all our disagreements.

Of course I think my core belief is the one truth.  If I didn't, why would I believe it?  That would be silly.  Jesus said HE is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by him. If what he said is true, then there IS only one way to God.  If not, then he was one of the worlds colassal liars and we can't believe anything He said.

I respect everyone and your right to your beliefs.  I think we tend to make God (or in the case of the athiests here, no God) in our own image.  A lot of folks tend to believe whatever allows them to live life as the want.  We humans tend to think that because we believe something that makes it true.  A whole lot of us are going to be wrong about that.

I could go on all day about this but no one is going to want to read that long, so I won't .  Religion is a river that runs deep, mostly, but in some folks is nothing but a mud puddle.

All I can say is assuming something is true just because we believe it is folly.  And arrogant.  But, we all have the right, and that's what makes this a great country. 

It seems that even church-goers feel the need to apologize for organized religion. If you think that churches are full of hypocrites and are worthless... you are attending the wrong church!

Our church is filled with people with the same goal: to know God and His will better. I've met some of my best friends at church. It's such a joy to fellowship with people who have so much in common.

There are two extremes of churches: those that concentrate on the Bible and theology (I call them 'head' churches) vs. those that concentrate on feelings and relationships ('heart' churches'). God has revealed in His Word that he is a God of judgement ('head') and a God of love and relationship ('heart'), and it is so good and freeing to find a church that is balanced between truth and love!

Church is a hospital for sinners who want to improve. Don't expect to find perfect people there!

Do I believe in a Creator?  Yes.  But do I believe he/she/it is paying attention?  No.  I think he/she/it created and moved on to other projects.  I do try to live an ethical life however.

Theirs a small chance that the Creator returned briefly and created the Internet, just to mess with us.

I could be wrong.

It's interesting to see what everyone thinks.

It IS interesting to read what people think and to see who shares their thoughts and how they share their feelings.

Here is why I am in conflict.

I do think that there is a central truth and a core of respect your neighbors, not killing and the like. I try to respect other people and I am always willing to help those in need, I also respect the earth and animals-- for the record.

But, what I struggle with is the intersection of faith and science (logic).

Lets take the Bible for instance. It is widely accepted by the faithful as the word of God. But how can that be so? It was written over years, and versions that we have today have been translated over and over again. So (assuming for this posting that it is the word of God) how can we be sure that the words are still accurate? None of the gospels are first person accounts of Jesus life and the decision of what writings to include in the book was made long after Jesus died by a group of men. They did not include the accounting of Jesus and his life that contradicted their world view. They created a fiction that denied the serious role of women in religion. Some even believe that Jesus was married and had kids. Which for the times he lived in is a pretty reasonable assumption or belief.

The other issue I struggle with is that one religion is the true religion. If God is a god of love, then how can she condemn people who don't believe in one certain form of religion. The members of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths are all waiting for a Messiah, how do we know that we are not all waiting for the same Messiah? If we are then isn't it problematic for Jews and Muslims to hate each other if we are all to be saved by the same saviour?

There is a religion that pre-dates Christianity that has a very similar god came to life was crucified and rose again story to Christianity. If that is the case then who was Jesus, was his story a remake of a previous (pagan) religion?

If God is a God of love why would anyone want to harm another in his name? And if God is all powerful then why cant she make them stop hurting others in her name?

Then I wonder about religious teachings that fly in the face of logic and scientific discovery. Creationists vs people who believe in evolution. Its all so confusing.

So I remain a believer in a creator of the majesty that we call life, but I am not sure about the human manifestations and celebrations of this belief.

So many questions! But it's good you're thinking about them.

Firstly, it's the theory of evolution - it doesn't answer all the questions either. Science is always changing the "facts" as they discover new things. Some say it takes more faith to believe in evolution than in creation!

As for the Bible being true... that's one reason why the Dead Sea scrolls were so important. They proved that their "old" versions of the Old Testament were the same as the current ones we use! The Bible wasn't written by men, per se (else it would have all different styles), but by men writing what they heard God saying.

You said that 'none of the gospels are first person accounts,' but John and Matthew were disciples.

God is a God of love, but He also gave us free-will. You love your boy even if he hits another child with a stick. Similarly, God loves us even if we choose to war against another country, another color skin, or whatever.

Now, I don't want to cause any rifts if someone doesn't believe the same way. I'm just explaining what I believe. God bless your search, TaraLee

I read Chris' response but I'm 1/2 way out the door. Just my 2 cents. Like other topics religion is irrational for one thing so there of course is no right or wrong. I was raised Jewish and yes anti-semitism is alive - more than alive actually. I think the fact it is alive makes me more into my heritage. I don't know what religious means. I don't go to services very often on Friday; I don't observe the Sabbath or keep Kosher. My son in law asked me if I believe in G-d and the answer is not in the sense many think of G-d.

I have recently gotten more involved with a Jewish organization and hope to go to Israel in May. My husband and I are getting married in the Jewish religion in November having had a J of the P 25 years ago.

I became a Bat Mitzvah because I believe my parents thought I should not because they held any real unobservant feelings though my father would never buy a German car and my mom still thinks if we aren't served right away in a restaurant it is because she/he knows we are Jewish. All our kids became a Bar and Bat Mitvah and 2 out of 3 (the 3rd isn't married) are married to non Jews which I thought would never bother me. It only bothers me now because, for ex. if Rob were Jewish he would have come to our house for the High Holidays but my daughter came alone. Rob isn't any religion (he would say he is spiritual/Buddhist - yes it is cool) but sitting through services would be too much for him though sitting in silence for 19 days isn't. (Sorry Rob - I know you aren't reading this but it is the truth.)

My house has a mezuzah on the door which is a sign we are Jewish. I would never hid it though my daughter went to college in Atlanta and often drove down. She always in the past wore a star of David but in some areas of the country on the way south she took it off. Sad - isn't it or not given what is happening in Darfur and a million other places. Sorry to go off on a tangent. My computer  was one step away from the morgue so I have not been on in days.

Over and out. Jo

Tara Lee,  good luck with your search.  Let me suggest that when you have time and if you have interest you dig a bit deeper.  Many of the things you have read and adopted as 'truths'  are NOT.    There is a lot of speculation regarding parts of the bible and how accurate it is..just like there is debate about how someone believes the words in the bible, how they were translated, (from Greek and Aramic and several other languages too).

There are people who believe in various ways and they have insisted their belief is the right and only belief.  Passion is good but obviously when someone believes the way they believe is the ONLY way to believe.. there is a problem.  Many of the churches offer guidance.. it may seem like more than that, depending on who is in the church...but that's all it is supposed to be.   There are not only many religions and churches and types of churches.. but the groups of people that worship in any given church have their own unique group dynamic (as was written earlier).

Where you wind up, what you believe, why you believe it.. is a very personal journey and full of rich rewards.  You must work at your spiritual develoment as you do your physical and mental development.  It changes for a whole variety of reasons.  Don't let anyone tell you.... how you are going about discovering things is wrong or 'bad'--  it is not.   

enjoy the journey.

HEY JO!!!!

Onway and Chris think you for your kind posts (and for remainig civil-- that says  more about you than what ever titles you may use).

Although I am searching, I was raised in the Christian church and I can recognise people of faith.

It's only the religious who claim atheists always convert on their death beds and such nonsense. I've known several atheists who died happily atheist. Oh, and the whole Darwin conversion thing? Wrong:

"The "Lady Hope Story", published in 1915, claimed that Darwin had reverted back to Christianity on his sickbed. The claims were refuted by Darwin's children and have been dismissed as false by historians. His last words were to his family, telling Emma "I am not the least afraid of death - Remember what a good wife you have been to me - Tell all my children to remember how good they have been to me", then as she laid down for a rest, he repeatedly told Henrietta and Francis "It's almost worth while to be sick to be nursed by you"."