Religious affilition, what do you believe?

[justintempler]

Well, I think that's mainly because, many do not like what they were raised as, and not interested enough to pursue a personal study of it.

Personal study of what though?
A philosophical outlook on life or the belief in a God.

Many people claiming faith here in the states haven't conducted personal study either. Buddhism from what I can gather is more of a philosophy of life than it is about belief in a god.

[snusjus]

Well, I think that's mainly because, many do not like what they were raised as, and not interested enough to pursue a personal study of it.

Personal study of what though?
A philosophical outlook on life or the belief in a God.

Many people claiming faith here in the states haven't conducted personal study either. Buddhism from what I can gather is more of a philosophy of life than it is about belief in a god.

I know sooo many buffet Christians in the USA. They believe one thing about the Bible but dismiss all the "bad" parts. As well, most just say they're "Christian" to be in the social norm.

[lxskllr]

As well, most just say they're "Christian" to be in the social norm.

It was very liberating to not call myself a Christian when people asked. I was raised Catholic, and went to a Catholic school K-8. After I got out of that I took a year of CCD classes, but dropped out due to not believing any of it. I had long questioned the whole premise of Christianity, but went along with it, because that's what you do. I didn't see the point in getting confirmed if I didn't buy the line, so I quit. It was still years after that, that I would say I was a Christian if someone asked. It then dawned on that the dishonesty was ridiculous, and I was supporting a faith I didn't believe in out of complacency. Saying I'm not a Christian is much more honest, and I'm not giving tacit support by going along with the charade :^)

[Jason]

Buddhism from what I can gather is more of a philosophy of life than it is about belief in a god.

This is true. My roomates are asian buddhists; they don't go to the temples like some of the more "religious" ones, but they follow all of the customs. There are some sects of buddhists that consider the buddha as a deity, but for most he is primarily a guide to enlightenment for others. It is a very interesting and positive religion, to be sure...

[tom502]

Well, the thing about Buddha, is he was an oridinary person, who attained enlightenment, and taught that everyone can do this, and everyone has this Buddanature in themselves.

Justin- I meant, in my experience from what I hear, and how I deduct it, say Joey was raised Mormon, he later grows up, finds himself to disagree with it, thinks it's crap and BS, call himself an atheist. That's fine, but his capping off his possible spiritual evolution is based on a reactionary decision based on his limited experience. I mean, he didn't say, this Mormonism just isn't for me, but I wonder what it's all about, and not just limited to Mormonism. And then seeks a personal study of the world religious systems, and either from that most agree with one, or takes from those into himself to form his own. I know such a thing is not for everyone, we are all different, and this topic hold more importance for some than others.

[justintempler]

But what if the pink elephants were invisible? And what if their invisibility also made them invisible to radar? :^D

Silly, if something is invisible it doesn't have a color.

[justintempler]

I know sooo many buffet Christians in the USA. They believe one thing about the Bible but dismiss all the "bad" parts. As well, most just say they're "Christian" to be in the social norm.

Agreed.
Beliefs are not truths.
Truths are not multiple choice.

[mlkramer]

8 years of Lutheran school taught me that if organized religion is what God had in mind....he has one hell of a sense of humor. I'm of the Higher Power and follow your heart and it's hard to go wrong camp. Read quite a bit and find a bit of useful wisdom from just about every religion out there.

[shikitohno]

Bumped at Roo's request.

And since the idea of God is unprovable one way or another, I act as if God doesn't exist. I try to be the best person I can. If there is a God and he's so petty as to damn an otherwise good person for not worshipping him all the time, he's not the sort of God I'd want to worship anyway. If there isn't one, I haven't lost anything. I suppose it's an atheist's version of Pascal's wager, only without the stupid bit in it about tricking God into thinking you believe in him in order to get into heaven.

[Langdell]

Presbyterian

[LaZeR]

Christian.

and it's not a religion - rather a relationship with God our creator and his son, Jesus Christ, our savior.

....and yes, I have a lot of work to do on myself...

[sgreger1]

Bumped at Roo's request.

And since the idea of God is unprovable one way or another, I act as if God doesn't exist. I try to be the best person I can. If there is a God and he's so petty as to damn an otherwise good person for not worshipping him all the time, he's not the sort of God I'd want to worship anyway. If there isn't one, I haven't lost anything. I suppose it's an atheist's version of Pascal's wager, only without the stupid bit in it about tricking God into thinking you believe in him in order to get into heaven.

Again, stole the words right out of my mouth Shikitohno. If God only offers heaven to one religion, than send me to hell where I can mingle with normal people, if he doesn't exist than it'll all fade to black so who cares. And if God chooses to save those that attend church every once in a while "just in case he's real", but not save me, well I plan on kicking him in the nuts for being such a dick to us other good folck.


You cannot lose with this, any just god or civil society will see the good in these actions: Try to be a good person, be charitable, be of good character and high moral standing, do your best at everything you do, and be honest.

If any God created me that doesn't like me living my life like that, than he should be obliged to hit the undo button on me at any time.

[sgreger1]

Christian.

and it's not a religion - rather a relationship with God our creator and his son, Jesus Christ, our savior.

....and yes, I have a lot of work to do on myself...

Christianity is in fact a religion by definition. It has an established dogma or set of rules for worship and requires that you at least go through the motions to be saved. Every religion tries to say they aren't a religion but instead a personal relationship with god. A personal relationship with God does not require reading any 1 book, singing any 1 song, or showing up to a certain place on Sunday.

Also, if I had a personal relationship with someone who created the universe, and he didn't give me this weeks lottery numbers, than he is a dick. lololol <--- that one was pure humor and in no way against religion or God, I too believe in a god and try to figure out what he wants from me, though I have yet to hear a reply.

[GoVegan]

I believe that all religions come from the same God and each has it's own purpose. You will be whatever religion you need to be in this life to progress spiritually and the all lead to the same source. I follow Christianity and normally go to Catholic Church but I find Paramhansa Yoganandas work to be the most inspiring to me personally. I could not put his book " Autobiography of a Yogi" down after starting it and loved every page. I have also had the pleasure of visiting Ananda Village in Grass Valley, California and fell in love with the place and the people living there. For non secular works, I really like the stuff Dan Millman has written. His book "Way of a Peaceful Warrior" is a must read for sure.

[redsfan1005]

Interesting respones.... I am a realist. I do appreciate the philosophy of many religions. Christianity, Buddhism, Shintoism. They all tell great moral stories.