What's your religion?

[PeterPanfan]

Proud Chritsian;Roman Cathcolic!

[Prudence]

I am a Christian, Roman Catholic specifically. While some may consider it a stretch to believe in a creator, I find it just as much a stretch (more, really) to believe that our intellect and consciousness evolved from the Big Bang.

Also, most religions teach peace and love as core values. Many problems in the world today have to do with people not following their religions properly, not with the religions themselves. I can assure you that God is disappointed with many of his "followers" and does not endorse their activities, particularly acts of violence committed in His name.

I agree with the saying "I don't have enough faith to be an atheist." It doesn't seem possible for the entire universe to not have been created by a being higher than humans.

[Simba3]

Great poll question PapiBear, though I didn't see my answer there. I usually consider myself agnostic. I believe in Jesus Christ, but not necessarily in all the ways that many people do.

Care to elaborate on that?

I can try to elaborate a little, but part of the basis of being agnostic is acknowlegding that you don't believe there is enough evidence out there to prove creationism over evolution (or vice versa). I believe in Jesus Christ - I believe that he existed, but I don't necessarily believe in ALL the stories of the Bible, nor do I believe that the words of the Bible should be interpreted so literally.

[jeremy88]

I am a non-denominational Christian. Basically meaning I believe in Jesus, and yeah, go to church every Sunday, it's all really basic actually.

[disneyfreak90]

i'm not really part of any religous group since i don't believe in the christain god although i do believe there is a jesus and a devil. but i do believe in other gods like the greek gods, the egytian gods, and others.
my family is mostly part of a sub-christian group but don't attend church. i did go to church once but found it a little dull. an aunt of mine, actually my mom's aunt, collects native american stuff including the rare black pottery but she isn't a part of a NA culture.
Siren what native group are you part of? i know a person at my school who is cherokee and her sons are cherokee/nepalese?.

[Siren]

disneyfreak> Caddo Nation, Ouachita Tribe

[Dottie]

I'm an agnostic Christian. I believe in a creator/God, although sometimes I question the certainty of the Bible (considering it was ultimately written by men, not by God). And, personally, I usually don't agree with the idea of Church, because I feel that every individual has to decide for themselves what is righteous (either from the Bible or personal experience). In the end, I think love of others is the ultimate rule, regardless of religion.

What does "agnostic" mean?

I'm pretty sure it means that you don't deny the possibility of a creator/superior being, but you don't deny the fact that there's no evidence to support it either. At least, that's what I've always held it to mean.

1.

a. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
b. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.

2. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/agnostic

Thanks for the explanation! After reading this I could be described as agnostic.

[Siren]

Now I do believe in evolution. That doesn't mean there isn't a spiritual guide behind it. For me....Life is like a ball of clay. It can always be molded and remolded into different forms, shapes, etc. Constantly changing at the God and Goddess' will. One cell creatures became multiple cell creatures, thus in turn bringing about insects, amphibians, dinosaurs, mammal, birds, etc. Life is ever changing. Each day you can see some animal changing in some way. Evolution starts in the womb. Two cells come together to create a multi-cell embryo, the embryo evolves into the fetus, and finally the fetus evolves into a baby. For me evolution is there. But so is God and Goddess. Make no mistake, I never believe my religion is right for everyone. It's right for ME. And I am happy with that.

I am going to post something that I always keep saved. Because religion eventually comes up in a forum at one time or another:

Not all religions claim to be the one and only religion that is right. Many people practice religions that aren't as mainstream as Christiniatity and Judaisim and these religions are more on reflecting on one's self, rather than recruiting new members everyday. And some people in mainstream don't believe their religion is right for everyone. I certainly don't believe my religion is right for everyone. I tend to compare religions as a whole to Santa Claus.
Let me explain...
When you were a kid your parents told you about Santa Claus. A merry fat elf who had elves working for him that made toys for ALL the boys and girls of the ENTIRE world. Some of you may have questioned how, but that didn't mean you didn't believe in him. You might have wondered how Santa made it all around the world in one night. Your parents probably told you "magic" or "his reindeer are very fast". Certainly a lot of Christmas movies each have their own take on how Santa does all he does. That's all you ever really needed. And when you went to school and the older kids would tell you there was no Santa and explain why there could never be a Santa, you probably called them bad names and ran off. Because NO ONE could tell you there was no Santa. It didn't matter that very little of it made sense, you knew in your heart, there was a Santa Claus.

Religion is like that. People might tell you, "Its scientifically impossible to create a planet and everything on it in 7 days." They might tell you, "A man cannot walk on water.", they might tell you, "The earth cannot in itself be a living being.". They might even tell you, "Religion is a tool to explain the unexplainble in the past, but science now proves there was nothing magical or miracle about it."
But do you care? Do you sit there and change your mind all of a sudden because someone told you its impossible? Why? Why don't you listen? Because in your HEART you know the TRUTH. It doesn't matter if you believe in one God or dozens, no one can tell you otherwise. It doesn't matter science can say we came from one celled creatures who eventually evolved into fish, and then into mammals, and then into us. You don't need that. You don't have to believe it, because to believe it, may just break your heart. For some, they believe it, and you know what? That's all right too. Because no matter what, whether you believe in Creationisim or Evolution, you still have to BELIEVE in it.
And on which religion is the right one? IMO, EVERY religion is the RIGHT religion....for SOMEONE. I tried to be a good Christian, Christianity and I never seemed to fit together. For 18 long years, I tried. I finally found who I am. I am Wiccan. Wicca was always in me. In my heart. From the time I was 4 years old, I have no outside stimuli to Wicca. I never knew of a "goddess", probably never heard that word, and yet, I felt and talked about her, as someone talks about God. I thank my parents for being understanding about it. And when I finally found Wicca, accepting me regardless. Such is life. I have no problem with other religions. I don't advertise mine as the best and only solution. Its the best solution for me. But not for everyone. Perhaps if more people were more accepting of other religions, rather than continue to stereotype and persecute other religions, this world would be a better place. Some people may dislike or even hate me for being what I am. I am disheartened about that, but I don't let it bother me. I don't let people change me and I won't try and change anyone else. That's how religious wars, online and off start. Because people are out to convert someone. The people who want to convert will come to you. Its okay to talk about your religion to others who may not share your beliefs, but don't expect them to say, "Gee! I want to be that!". Respect their beliefs. They will respect your's. I have Christiain, Buddist, Jewish, Athiest, Agnostic, Wiccan, and Native American Spirituality friends. Some of us even get together for a movie, dinner, or theme park now and then. We sometimes discuss religion, but never in the sense of, "My religion is better.". And that's how we remain such good friends. I know this has been a long rant/post, but I hope someone read this and takes something good from it and applies it to their life.

[Ting Ting]

I'm a non-denominational Christian and proud of it, baby! Whoo!

While we're on the subject, I'm going to tell all of you to read 1 Samuel 16:7. It is, without a doubt, my favorite verse!

[disneyfreak90]

i believe in evolution too Siren since there had to be something before it to be there instead of some great being just makeing something just appear out of thin air.

[AwallaceUNC]

I am a Christian and do not belong to any particular denomination.

-Aaron

[PapiBear]

I can try to elaborate a little, but part of the basis of being agnostic is acknowlegding that you don't believe there is enough evidence out there to prove creationism over evolution (or vice versa). I believe in Jesus Christ - I believe that he existed, but I don't necessarily believe in ALL the stories of the Bible, nor do I believe that the words of the Bible should be interpreted so literally.

Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

[PapiBear]

I was baptized as a Roman Catholic. I believe or maybe I don't in a higher being, but I do not believe in the Catholic Church.

Well, actually, that's good, because God doesn't want you to believe in or put your faith in the Catholic Church (even if you're a Catholic), He wants you to believe in and put your faith in HIM.

Sometimes I wonder if I am an Atheist, but then I pray when I want to and feel the need for it.

Well, an atheist would probably not pray to God (or at least admit it in public), and still be considered an atheist. So I'd say it's pretty safe to say that you're not an atheist.

I might believe in God, but not as the God from the Bible, but God as a higher being who loves us and to a certain extent leads us.

Well, actually, uh, that IS the God from the Bible. And He can lead you in every way if you let Him.

I guess I didn't actually state it before, but in case you hadn't figured it out yet, I'm also a Christian.

[PapiBear]

I'm a non-denominational Christian and proud of it, baby! Whoo!

While we're on the subject, I'm going to tell all of you to read 1 Samuel 16:7. It is, without a doubt, my favorite verse!

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

Good passage, man!

[Simba3]

I can try to elaborate a little, but part of the basis of being agnostic is acknowlegding that you don't believe there is enough evidence out there to prove creationism over evolution (or vice versa). I believe in Jesus Christ - I believe that he existed, but I don't necessarily believe in ALL the stories of the Bible, nor do I believe that the words of the Bible should be interpreted so literally.

Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

That is where the agnostic would kick in, because the only way I can answer that question is with an: I don't know.

[PapiBear]

Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

That is where the agnostic would kick in, because the only way I can answer that question is with an: I don't know.

OK, that's fair. So then you believe that Jesus Christ was a genuine historical figure, but as far as His divinity, your jury's still out.

I was that way for a long, long, long time. Eventually I got sick and tired of not knowing and not being sure, and sought Him out. Didn't always like everything I heard, but I kept coming back to Him again and again. During a dark time in my life, when I had no one else to turn to, I turned to Him, and I had a moment of truth - I'd been fighting Him and resisting Him for years, decades. I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed Him. I realized, and said out loud, that I can't do this by myself. I threw in the towel, finally, and surrendered to Him. Whew. Best thing I've ever done in my entire life, EVER. It's like the other shoe finally dropped, and there's a peace inside that wasn't there before. And man, I'll tell ya....He takes care of me. Even when I think my prayers might be answered late - He is ALWAYS right there on time, giving me just what I need. I have been truly amazed by what He does in my life, and it just deepens my faith in Him, which is, honestly, what I want.

[Ting Ting]

And man, I'll tell ya....He takes care of me. Even when I think my prayers might be answered late - He is ALWAYS right there on time, giving me just what I need. I have been truly amazed by what He does in my life, and it just deepens my faith in Him, which is, honestly, what I want.

AMEN!

I definitely consider myself a happy person, but I don't think I would be near as happy as I am without my faith in Jesus. Without Him, life as I know it would be a waste of time. I believe that the time we, as humans, spend on Earth is merely a small vapor when compared to the rest of our lives (that being an eternity with Jesus Christ).

[indianajdp]

I was born-and-raised Catholic, but broke away from the church during my HS years. I was active in Youth For Christ/Campus Life programs at that time, but I was so utterly disgusted with the many hypocrises within the doctrines of Catholocism and actions of some of its fervent followers, that I could not bring myself to practice that faith anymore. The last straw for me was when my grandmother, a lifelong Catholic, dying of Alzheimer's in a Catholic nursing home, was denied communion. The reason? She was not of the right mind to receive the body of Christ.

Anyway, I drifted for awhile until I met my angel, mrsindianajdp, in college at Indiana University. She brought me back to religion, and to the methodist religion, and the rest is history. Although I will say that it was not easy telling my Italian Godmother that not only would I be married in a Protestant church, but a woman would be "officiating"! She took it well, though.

[Prudence]

The last straw for me was when my grandmother, a lifelong Catholic, dying of Alzheimer's in a Catholic nursing home, was denied communion. The reason? She was not of the right mind to receive the body of Christ.

My word, I would be furious about that as well. I know a great many Catholics, and you're right about the hypocrisy.

[Ting Ting]

The last straw for me was when my grandmother, a lifelong Catholic, dying of Alzheimer's in a Catholic nursing home, was denied communion. The reason? She was not of the right mind to receive the body of Christ.

That has got to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I would have had a cow! Jesus died to save <b>everybody</b> for their sins, no matter who they are, regardless of their age, race, sexual orientation, AND mental state. Ugh! I don't even know those people and they tick me off!