What's yours?

[arwcuw]

I wondered about the distribution of religions in this forum. What's your religious orientation, if any?

I, myself, am a Unitarian Universalist Eclectic Neopagan. A long name for a complicated concept. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

[Silke]

erm...yeah!! Please explain!! ;)

[maddie]

Lutheran upbringing, though my parents had the sense to allow me to decide if I wanted to go to church or not. Theirs had made them, and they learned from that.

I went faithfully for years, then realized that knowing the liturgy by heart meant I wasn't paying attention to it and not thinking about it. That and some church politics led to me leaving the church. Haven't gone regularly since then, and that's before we got married in the early '90s.

Now, I tend to identify myself as Lutheran with Quaker tendencies. I'm comfortable with the Lutheran catechism, but I like that the Quakers encourage followers to explore a variety of belief systems and don't dictate what you should believe.

[arwcuw]

Okay. Unitiarianism and Universalism used to be two liberal Christian denominations, but they eventually departed from the rest of Christianity because they didn't require that their members believe in Christ, or pretty much anything. Then they realized that their two organizations were pretty much alike, so they joined forces to create the Unitarian Universalist Association, or UUA. While UUs can pretty much believe whatever they think is best, there are certain principles that we uphold collectively: the inherent worth and dignity of all people, the individual search for truth, the democratic process, and respect for the interdependant web of life. We're united as a community for fellowship and service, if not because we all believe the same thing.

As for the Eclectic Neopagan part, since UUs are encouraged to follow whatever religious beliefs and practices they feel the most drawn to, I've chosen to follow an animistic and polytheistic path that is most often referred to as "Pagan" or "Neopagan"; Eclectic because my beliefs and practices come from several sources.

[Silke]

Thank you for adding some flesh to the bone, arwcuw. I'll be back with more questions once I've digested this one and have a little more time on my hands. Very interesting, indeed...:)

[Ozme52]

Frisbeetarian... I believe that when we die, our souls are thrown up on the roof...

[cariad]

Frisbeetarian... I believe that when we die, our souls are thrown up on the roof...


I guess that is 'other' then.

[Goldear]

I am in that " other " category. Raised Roman Catholic, somewhat strict, heated arguements in our house when I was a young teen.
I believe in a supreme being, the galactic gardner, planting seeds across the universe. For lack of a better word I call him God. I tend to stay way clear of religions and disagree with most of their tenents. I view them as lines in the sand, them and us, put simply.
I always like that line in the old John Lennon song.."Imagine" .".imagine no reglions..i wonder if you can. "
My beliefs, I feel, are also science based since the first time I pointed a telescope upwards, in that, I do believe in life elsewhere.
Not trying to open a debate, I rarely debate beliefs with anyone.:)

[vistana]

I was raised atheist, and have never seen a reason to change. My great-grandfather was from Ireland and after growing up in poverty and seeing them take what little his family had in the name of God, saying that if they didn't give they'd go to hell he immigrated to Canada and turned his back on organized religion entirely.

So that's my religious background. I've attended a regular church service twice in my life, one was Catholic on Palm sunday and I can't remember which church the other was. One wedding thrown in there, and that's my sum direct experience with organized religious ceremony. Didn't much like it either.

[submissivewife]

Frisbeetarian... I believe that when we die, our souls are thrown up on the roof...

Damn Oz, you are so funny! I loved that one! ;)

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

Frisbeetarian... I believe that when we die, our souls are thrown up on the roof...
I love this one!!!!

Ok I'm a non church going Holy Roller. Find church and religion offensive. Love Jesus with all my heart. Get a high that can't be matched when worshiping. Yes I was one of those crazy ladies who danced in church. Giggle.

[Warbaby1943]

I love this one!!!!

Ok I'm a non church going Holy Roller. Find church and religion offensive.
Saw an actual Holy Roller service once from outside looking in. Interesting to say the least.

Raised and still a practicing Catholic.

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

Saw an actual Holy Roller service once from outside looking in. Interesting to say the least.

Raised and still a practicing Catholic.

Was raised Catholic myself.:)

[Warbaby1943]

Was raised Catholic myself.:)
You know the secret hand shake then, don't you?:dont:

[the_wanlorn]

I checked Pagan and Other, because I have a homebrew (to use a gaming terminology) faith that most closely aligns with paganism.

[Ozme52]

You know the secret hand shake then, don't you?:dont:



"First you get down on your knees,
Fiddle with your rosaries,
Bow your head in great respect,
And genuflect, genuflect, genuflect!"

----Tom Lehrer

[Warbaby1943]

"First you get down on your knees,
Fiddle with your rosaries,
Bow your head in great respect,
And genuflect, genuflect, genuflect!"

----Tom Lehrer
That's close. I wonder how the secret leaked out.

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

"First you get down on your knees,
Fiddle with your rosaries,
Bow your head in great respect,
And genuflect, genuflect, genuflect!"

----Tom Lehrer
How can a Frisbeetarian know that? :eek: Did you tell Warbaby? I know I didn't.

[Warbaby1943]

How can a Frisbeetarian know that? :eek: Did you tell Warbaby? I know I didn't.
No StillBehindBlueEyes I never breathed a word of it. I also wondered how the secret got out.

[arwcuw]

I'm a little surprised at how many of us are Christian. I don't come into contact with many Christians in my everyday life; I still sometimes catch myself thinking they're a bunch of sexually repressed conservatives, though I know that isn't true. And this poll is proof.

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

No StillBehindBlueEyes I never breathed a word of it. I also wondered how the secret got out.
Never can tell with those Frisbeetarian, maybe he climbed up on the roof to visit someone and heard?
Hummmmm

[Warbaby1943]

Never can tell with those Frisbeetarian, maybe he climbed up on the roof to visit someone and heard?
Hummmmm
Now I have to contact the Pope and tell him we have been compromised. Maybe he'll come up with a new secret hand shake.:wave:

[Ozme52]

Lol

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

Giggle, hummmm Warbaby, I think Oz is listening again.

[Warbaby1943]

Giggle, hummmm Warbaby, I think Oz is listening again.
Yeah. We'll have to start whispering. Problem is, Oz probably has better hearing than I do. Huh?

[cariad]

He probably has a bugged Frisbee sitting on your roofs

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

Oh that's what that thump was?
Smiles

[vistana]

Having proclaimed my staunch atheism, i feel I must add that I do feel a certain reverence towards the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
I have been touched by His Noodly Appendage

[Ozme52]

Thump

[Warbaby1943]

Thump
Hope you didn't get hurt.

[rosember]

I ring in on the Pagan side here. Eclectic, combining mostly Celtic and Native American (Crow). First degree priestess of the correllian tradition, studying for 2nd degree. But I am also a huge fan of the quote out of Robert Heinlein's Notebooks of Lazarus Long - ""God split himself into a myriad parts that he might have friends" this may not be true, but it sounds good - and is no sillier than any other theology" I was a religion major in college, and love to study all kinds of different religions.

[_ID_]

I checked other. I believe in a higher power, though I don't know about an after life, or life on other planets. I don't base my beliefs on anything other than gut feeling. I have issues with organized religion, as I feel that nearly every war in human earth history was due to religion in whole or in part. I grew up mormon, and they taught that there was a war over religion even in heaven (sounded out there to me at the time even then). I don't debate religion with people if for any other reason than to just get em in a fit, I find it fun more than anything else, as I always take the opposing side to whatever they say.

I respect other choices of religion, and don't tell them they are wrong or misled or anything else. To me Faith is what brings peace to your soul. So believe in what brings you peace.

V/R
ID

[Alex Bragi]

I respect other choices of religion, and don't tell them they are wrong or misled or anything else. To me Faith is what brings peace to your soul. So believe in what brings you peace.

V/R
ID

Absolutely! I concur!

I'm an agnostic. That is to say, I'm really not sure what I believe. :)

Some people might rather unfairly call me a 'fence sitter', that is, someone who's hedging her bets with no real commitment or conviction. I like to think of myself in less harsh terms-- some one who's honest enough to freely admit that, "I just don't know". I'm simply ignorant about whether, or not God, or a higher being exists. I'm a true 'non-believer'. I really am.

It's really just an accident of birth that determines how we become initially indoctrinated. Just as where and when we're born will determine our education and general social behaviours. It's just a matter of time, who we socialise with and come in contact with throughout life that determines whether or not we alter our ideas and believes. I think perhaps it's even a little conceited to say that we make up our own minds on the issue of religion.

And, isn't it just a bit ironic that fundamentally what theists have in common with atheists is that neither can possibly be certain of their own beliefs?

Wouldn't life be so much easier if we just knew for sure? Perhaps some day science, or even 'God' himself, will provide us with the answer? Until then, I suppose, it will remain infinitely intriguing and a fully debateable conundrum. :)

[cheeseburger]

Although I was raised by Jewish parents, I consider myself agnostic.

I'm not atheist, that is I don't firmly believe there is no god. In a sense thats really the same as believing there is a god. Either way, you are forced to 'believe' in something.

As long as no one tries to force-feed their belief to anyone else, its fine by me.

[wistan]

I am a "weak atheist". And in case you don't know, that does NOT mean I'm not very convinced of my atheism!

I agree with the statement "I lack belief in god", but definitely not with the statement "I believe god does not exist".

For me, it is all about the evidence (ha, I'm Grissom off CSI!). I am incapable of faith in this matter, and indeed in most matters. I have spent an enormous amount of time over the last 20+ years thinking about religion and discussing it with believers of all kinds, and have come to the conclusion that there is simply no credible evidence that god exists; therefore I lack belief in him/her/it.

[MsUther]

A firm non beliver of gods.
They can excist for all i care,
but i do not belive in them.

[Uzukasai]

I am an agnostic but not in the sense that I don't know, I just believe that you can never provide proof for or against the belief in a god, it can never been fully proven and therefore....I don't care.

[bluebutterfly]

I am a Christian. I was raised in Methodist and Protestant churches. I believe in God, but I don't go to church now.

[Asia]

*Again, just my humble opinion*


I am repeating myself but I have a Pa raised as a Muslim (he is now agnostic) and a Ma who was raised as a Catholic (she still practices), two of my uncles are Roman Catholic priests in Paris. However my scientific and linear mind has led me to the more rational ideologies (if not the practicalities) of the Communist Manifesto (Karl Marx). As such, I'm a hypocrite. I have active religious fetishes (I would have loved to have fucked Christ and am a shameless hussy in the company of the Clergy of all demoninations) but I wish all those who believe in their chosen faiths well but organised religion to me is ultimately a zeitgeist related form of propaganda. The proletariat were fed these marvellous mind-controlling stories of Heaven, Hell, Angels, Saints, Redemption, Holy judgements, etc as an early form of social control, law and order by the Bourgeois.

As Marx said: Religion is the opiate of the masses


~Sorry if this offends, this was not my intention~
Asia
xxx

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

*Again, just my humble opinion*


I am repeating myself but I have a Pa raised as a Muslim (he is now agnostic) and a Ma who was raised as a Catholic (she still practices), two of my uncles are Roman Catholic priests in Paris. However my scientific and linear mind has led me to the more rational ideologies (if not the practicalities) of the Communist Manifesto (Karl Marx). As such, I'm a hypocrite. I have active religious fetishes (I would have loved to have fucked Christ and am a shameless hussy in the company of the Clergy of all demoninations) but I wish all those who believe in their chosen faiths well but organised religion to me is ultimately a zeitgeist related form of propaganda. The proletariat were fed these marvellous mind-controlling stories of Heaven, Hell, Angels, Saints, Redemption, Holy judgements, etc as an early form of social control, law and order by the Bourgeois.

As Marx said: Religion is the opiate of the masses


~Sorry if this offends, this was not my intention~
Asia
xxx

Giggle now sbbe heads for the big dictionary in the hall closet. Then she will look up the big words and see if she can get it all worked out in her head. :)

[Asia]

*Smiles with sbbe*

I'm sorry - I kinda feel passionate about this!
Zeitgeist:
Proletariat:
Bourgeois:
Opiate:

Asia
xxx
Defintions removed to make things interesting for sbbe - sorry!

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

Thanks Asia
But I love my dictionary. I'm one of those people who open one and look up half an hour later and say. Oh no what was I looking for? Giggle

[Asia]

Thanks Asia
But I love my dictionary. I'm one of those people who open one and look up half an hour later and say. Oh no what was I looking for? Giggle



*whoops*
I'll edit and delete the definitions - sorry!
~Kiss~
Asia
xxx

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

*whoops*
I'll edit and delete the definitions - sorry!
~Kiss~
Asia
xxx
No whoops at all, smiles.
Just wanted to tell you thank you. :)

[Timberwolf]

I believe that no matter what I believe has no effect on the actual answer of "is there a God". That is after all, how reality does function. Believeing or not believing something doesn't make it true. I'll know the answer soon enough, life isn't that long a ride.

I guess that makes me an "other".

[Asia]

I believe that no matter what I believe has no effect on the actual answer of "is there a God". That is after all, how reality does function. Believeing or not believing something doesn't make it true. I'll know the answer soon enough, life isn't that long a ride.

I guess that makes me an "other".


But Wolf, if we didn't think about and explore these questions, place them in context with past and present knowledge, wouldn't we still think the Earth was still flat? Life is long enough for us to ponder upon these questions - or am I becoming the thing I fear the most - a preacher *smiles*
I feel we owe it to the next generation to explain that there is no 'heaven' and 'hell' and that thunder is not 'God' when he's shouting - or is that what thunder is? *looks worried and runs*
Asia
xxx

[Timberwolf]

We all ponder it. It's human nature.

But like most genuinely philosophical questions, we know full well we can't answer it with 100% certainty. At least, not in this case while we're alive. I have far more pressing concerns, that I perhaps *can* answer. I shall focus on those and leave that which is out of my hands.

I'd honestly be far more concerned if the answer to "is there a God" turns out to be "yes". He/she/it must be one seriously mad scientist.

As for organized religion itself, I find very little in any of them that appeals to me in any way, but it does make a good example of the "if everyone else jumped off a bidge, would you do it too?" scenario.

[Asia]

But Wolfie, maybe it isn't a philosopical or theological question - simply a scientific question? I am more than willing to be proven wrong and punished accordingly (burning eternally in hell apparently) - in the mean time, I'll search for evidence while absorbing the words of the Conflict Theorists while sliding down my dancing pole (another sin apparently) *smiles*

[Timberwolf]

If "God" exists as some sort of life, then yes he would have to fit within the scientific definition of being "alive" so it is also a scientific question, yes. But in order for God to be proven to exist, in the scientific sense, would require a pretty seemingly unlikely set of circumstances.

I'm prepared to accept either outcome, there is a God or there is not a God, as the truth. But I hope to wait about 100 more years (give or take) to find out the answer!

I'd much rather discuss/observe that dancing pole sometime. Though if one comes with the other... what an interesting date that would be.

[Asia]

You could play God and I could play your pole dancing devil - I'm sure that would prove to be a lively debate. *smiles*

[Shaded]

For the record, I was raised Christian in small town America. A couple of years ago, I saw the light (metaphorically speaking) in that most Christians, and indeed most of Christianity (in my opinion, mind) was a hypocracy, and very little of it was what Christ taught. (Historically speaking.) From there, I went soul searching.. and found my current religion. Buddhism. I did my research, and its jsut right for me. But just to make things interesting, I do believe firmly in the teachings of Fredrich Nietzche, and Niccolo Machiavelli. Makes for an interesting, if complicated system. But it works.

[Dundee]

Asia, Shaded, I agree with you both but I'm converting to Islam because Asia has told me I can have a hareem, and looking at Asia and her sisters ....enuff said
:)

[Asia]

Dundee!
And you a good Orange proddy from the Kirk of Scotland - watch it, your blue nose will fall off *laughs*
Asia
~kiss~
xxx

[Uzukasai]

Asia, Shaded, I agree with you both but I'm converting to Islam because Asia has told me I can have a hareem, and looking at Asia and her sisters ....enuff said
:)

Well think about this, I have heard two that in Islam when you die, in heaven you are greeted by seventy two virgins but I assume that in order for virgins to get into heaven they would have to die virgins so lyou would probaly denie seventy-one of those seventy-two. :icon176:

Also, I agree with Timberwolf, I believe that the existance of a god or gods can never be proven with 100% accuracy so it should just be unimportant to human life. However I am gaining some interest in Buddhism but I would never go as far as to join it I think becuase joining a religion means you accept it as 100% truth and I could never be swayed to do that.

[Gr1m'sGirl]

I wasn't raised with any type of religion. My father had wanted to raise me Catholic, but my Mom said, "Well, you'll be the one bringing her to Church."

He changed his mind pretty fast. :P

I started exploring religions at the age of 12. I was always interested in anything Nature based, and anything out of the ordinary, and now consider myself an Eclectic Pagan with Egyptian tendencies. :]

<3Fae

[Lillypad]

Born and raised Jewish, but I'm more of an atheist now.

[poetic_justice]

Wiccan.

Voted as Pagan, closest thing to it on the poll :)
I enjoyed reading the many responses here.

[~hellish one~]

Voted as Pagan also...

I was born and raised Southern Baptist for 15 years. I went to church like a good little girl on Sundays and even on Wednesdays. I was baptized and saved because it was what we were supposed to do. Little did I know that once I turned 16 I would realize that none of it meant anything to me. I began to read and explore all different kinds of faith at that point. Christianity isn't the religion for me, but that isn't to say it can't be the right religion for someone else.

I have no particular pagan beliefs (ie: Wicca) but do believe in Gods and Goddesses...oh and reincarnation. I am currently studying Celtic Druidism. My daughter is 7 and so far I've tried to expose her to all different kinds of religions. She knows about Christianity and Wicca and Buddhism and Islam. She knows what I believe and I told her that once she is old enough, she can decide what faith works for her. I DO NOT believe there is only one true religion and all others will rot in hell. Take Buddhism for example. How can a faith that began nearly 6 centuries before the birth of Jesus be false? And comically speaking, How can over 700 million Buddhists worldwide be wrong? LOL

Actually I should correct myself...I do believe there is one true faith...I just happen to believe that it can be found in all the different types of religion in the world. The right religion is the one that works for you. It's what you need it to be. :)

[riverwindsong]

Technically, I'm a pagan. I believe in the Goddess and Her consort, and follow the Threefold Law. Other than that, my basic tenet is this: play nicely, don't pee in the sandbox and have warm cookies and cold milk before naptime, and we'll all get along just fine. In other words - I don't judge you, you don't judge me, and we'll be friends. Life's too short to argue about what happens to us when we die.

[Smoke's-Slut]

I was raised Mormon, converted Southern Baptist. I have found organized religion is not for me, I have beliefs that don't fit into one religions teachings.

[Confessor_Ed]

Asia, Shaded, I agree with you both but I'm converting to Islam because Asia has told me I can have a hareem, and looking at Asia and her sisters ....enuff said
:)

So when do we get to hear and see your friend, Asia the Revoultionary Islamic Athiest Catholic again? :confused:
And did you say SISTERS? :)
Ed the Muslim Convertee

[scabrat]

Okay. Unitiarianism and Universalism used to be two liberal Christian denominations, but they eventually departed from the rest of Christianity because they didn't require that their members believe in Christ, or pretty much anything. Then they realized that their two organizations were pretty much alike, so they joined forces to create the Unitarian Universalist Association, or UUA. While UUs can pretty much believe whatever they think is best, there are certain principles that we uphold collectively: the inherent worth and dignity of all people, the individual search for truth, the democratic process, and respect for the interdependant web of life. We're united as a community for fellowship and service, if not because we all believe the same thing.

As for the Eclectic Neopagan part, since UUs are encouraged to follow whatever religious beliefs and practices they feel the most drawn to, I've chosen to follow an animistic and polytheistic path that is most often referred to as "Pagan" or "Neopagan"; Eclectic because my beliefs and practices come from several sources.

Well I used to athiest, but this is so close to the way i think, I might have been converted.:confused:

[OttifantSir]

Interesting to see what people believe in here, but one thing I think is universal of all the replies here, are that all have said something towards: "My belief is ----- , and that works for me. But I do not belive that it's the ULTIMATE proof or way of believing. If it's wrong for you, then it's fine with me. Religion is what makes you comfortable with your situation of life."

After having read the posts here, I believe this community should gather up and expose their teachings to the fanatics of the world. I believe we could make a difference if we went all the way. We could maybe even stop alot of the wars and troubles of the world if we got everyone to realise that religion should be an including way of life, not excluding.

Myself, I'm a firm believer in Night Magick. The general idea isn't too far from Christianity, Judaism and Islam, in that there are two forces of Nature: Good and Evil. But what makes it true for me, is that the Night Dragon (Good) made the world and the plants and the animals, but he didn't make humans. He made a world free of hate and conflict. But the Day Dragon (Evil) became jealous of this perfect world and made humans as mind-less slaves to destroy the work of the Night Dragon. Instead of fighting the Day Dragon, which would have been futile considering they were both gods and immortal, the Night Dragon embodied himself within all humans and freed our mind from slavery. He gave us free will. And thus, the battle continues today.

I do not believe that everyone should follow my belief. It would of course make me happy to find another believer, but I truly believe that religion is a personal matter, not for the community. I believe everyone should be allowed to explain their belief, but unless asked about it, noone should ever proclaim it, thus being a preacher.

[fuktoimaso]

Raised methodist (thank mom), lutheran (thanks dad) and fundamentalist Christian (thanks grams). Since adulthood, I have been agnostic, studied Buddhism, Pagan, Naturalism, etc... Joined UUA church about a year ago because I get to keep on studying without converting to anything. For me, my higher power is the sun shining on my eyelids, watching a meteor shower, and the colors changing with the seasons. Corny, I know... I have never seen a god, or heard one whisper, but I do see the miracles of the universe everyday, and enjoy the show. Whether its Mother Nature, Zephyrus and Khloris, or the Christian god is not for me to say.
For now, I'll take the Dalai Llama's (sp?) advice...The meaning of life is to seek happiness.

[ElectricBadger]

Heh. Dalai Lama.

I was raised atheist, but have softened my view over the years, realizing that there is nothing to prove god doesn't exist, and lots of things to indicate he does. That said, no religions feel at all right and if god cares about my worship he hasn't let on, so I'm content to go on as I have been with the concept of Be a Good Person.

[Slave_Debbie]

i was raised chirstian(Baptist to be exact) but i did not feel right. i am now Wiccan and have been for awhile. i don't currently belong to a coven, so i am a lone witch ;)

[slaveangel{HM}]

Orthodox...which falls under the umbrella of Christianity.

The form of orthodoxy, i do not want to let on, at this point, as it will reveal too much about my background and culture. xx

[Msub44f]

Catholic with loads of guilt.

[Lee Boudine]

What is "religion" ? I have discovered it to be a personal relationship with the eternal God of the universe. This relationship has been taught by many Prophets in different cultures.

The prophet; son of God, Jesus Christ; has changed my life: caused me to be born again if you will. Because I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ I live in a state of Grace.

Religion is the faith that comforts in times of uncertainty. Praise God always.

[master 327-834-200]

I have a very close friend who is a minister. He has often said that I would make an excellent addition to the clergy, it is just a shame I don't believe in a god.

I do however find myself seeking a spiritual element in my life and found that practicing a particular martial art (Aikido) fulfilled this for me. Unfortunately I now live miles from the nearest dojo.

Does anyone think that the BDSMLibrary forum counts as a religion?

[RickBulow74]

When I was in Chicago, I was a practicing Catholic, then when I moved to Florida, I was a Baptist, Non-Denominational, Swedenborgian, Jevovah's Witness (yes I was one of them for about a year), and Mormon. Now I consider myself to be spiritual. I read the Bible and pray, but I do not consider myself to be of any one particular faith or anything

[TomOfSweden]

Heh. Dalai Lama.

I was raised atheist, but have softened my view over the years, realizing that there is nothing to prove god doesn't exist, and lots of things to indicate he does. That said, no religions feel at all right and if god cares about my worship he hasn't let on, so I'm content to go on as I have been with the concept of Be a Good Person.

According to Richard Dawkins just openly believing in the supernatural, (ie being religious) means that you're making the world an evil place, no matter how kind your actions are. After reading his books it's hard not to agree.

[Mishka]

I was a born-again Christian for a little over a dozen years. I was very zealous and embraced teachings that included Watchman Nee, and taking it too far, the innhilation of self.

I started reading and studying (Walk Away from Christianity and Infidel dot org) and finally walked away. I then enjoyed studying philosophy and comparative religions, the work of Joseph Campbell, and embraced my free-thinking.

I searched to find something that more clearly defined my spirituality. I just don't fit in a box or a label. Deist comes the closest.

[DrkRvn]

I was raise presbyterian, but found problems with the bible and people in the religion. Ever since I was a little girl I had felt a connection with the earth and done certain things that I later discovered where very similar to things that you do in wiccan practices. Afterr a long inner struggle with what to do I chose wicca and have found my life to be happier and more prosperous.

[Guest 91108]

I call my path Eclectic Shaman. a very broad mix of Wicca, Druid, Lutheran from my youth...actually most anything that i've found universal truth in.
But i lean most heavily on NAI beliefs. simple really.
They all tie together if you're open to understanding and relating terminology and phrases... that is the difference in all religions.

[rce]

I am a Lutheran Christian.

I believe in God Almighty. As Anselm of Canterbury stated: I can think that than which a greater cannot be thought. Now, if that than which a greater cannot be thought existed only in the intellect, it would not be that than which a greater cannot be thought, since it can be thought to exist in reality which is greater. It follows, then, that than which a greater cannot be thought exists in reality.

[collapseduniverse{S}]

I was raised christian by my grandmother and for a long time, accepted it as the only religion that really existed. My mother wouldn't allow me to be baptised until I was old enough to decide for myself. I considered myself a very devout christian. I went to church twice, sometimes three times a week, both here and occasionally in another city, where my grandmother lived. I sang in the church choir, led worship at my youth group, went to bible study. At about age 16, sitting at church, it occured to me that I really didn't agree with anything the pastor was saying. I had studied countless other offsprings of religion, and while he was saying that christianity was the one true religion, I found that impossibly hard to believe. I left my church that day and have not been back since.

Now, I am a pastafarian and think that the flying spaghetti monster has blessed me, by touching me with his noodly appendage.

Now seriously, put very basicly, the religous path I follow lies in the general area of pagan. I prefer to worship nature, the earth, and all the good things I can see, as opposed to a supposed god, whom I don't know. I believe their is a higher power out there, as our world is too perfect to be accidental, and while I thank said "god" for helping us get started, it is not who I choose to worship.

[Havensov]

I have the George Carlin + "Contact" theory of religion.

[Uncertain_Curiosity]

I was raised as a Mormon until I was 9 and told my step father his church was stupid. He then introduced me to other religions. I settled in a small Lutheran church.

[Rhabbi]

I was raised atheist, and have never seen a reason to change.

Never seen a reason to change. It makes me wonder, have you looked. Organized religion has doen some despicable things, or at least men have done them in its name, but I daresay that God feels the same about it as you do.

[Rhabbi]

Ok I'm a non church going Holy Roller. Find church and religion offensive. Love Jesus with all my heart. Get a high that can't be matched when worshiping. Yes I was one of those crazy ladies who danced in church. Giggle.

Great, I am one of those crazy guys who did the samr thing.

[Rhabbi]

I have commented on a coouple of the posts here that I thought were interesting, and now it is my turn to put myself out there to commented on.

I am a Christian.

lol
Actually, and this is a bit hard for me to say here, I am a Jehovah's Witness.

Yes, I am one of those guys who come knocking at your door to tell you about the Kingdom of Heaven. But I know that I also belong here becuase I need to learn more about the sexula nature that I have.

[himind]

I'm a hindu,and seem to be in a minority here,though the world has more of us than it can comfortably handle! lol

[Amberxiao]

I thought I had replied to this, but I guess not.

I'm pagan. Of a rather dark variety. It tends to encourage the BDSM rather than anything else.

[firewoman]

my father is catholic and my mum is church of England so we three kids we're not Christened..which was a big deal for others when l was growing up . l was actually stopped from being my best friend's first borns godmother because l hadn't been christened. All of us were free to chose whatever religion we wished...my sister headed towards catholocism for a few years , while my brother and l headed towards pagan...where l stayed .

l found for me personally , that it just felt "right"...l found l identified with a lot of the ideologies and practices . l have some inate abilities that don't "fit" into any organised religion...in fact a couple of hundred years ago they would have had me burnt at the stake ( as apparently l was in a past life )...l have had too many uncanny experiences in life to not be a believer.....tho l prefer to talk to the universe and it's energies for guidance...l guess you could call that talking to the Gods..

interestingly , my bloke is a lapsed catholic who is quite at home with my belief system....he's studied many religions and philosophies and finds mine the most humane and accepting..the only issue that may raise its head is having our kids christened.....l have no problem if they are baptised catholic..as long as there is some type of pagan rite performed as well and they kids are allowed to follow their own religious path , whatever that may be

sorry about the long thread...l do tent to ramble on sometimes :-)

[nk_lion]

unless i missed someone, im the first muslim to be posting on this topic.
not that religious, but i do agree with most (not all) stuff about islam, meaning i have never had even a sip of alchohol, or eat pork, but not restrictive on sexuality because i don't know how its harmful to a society.
just to let you all know that the main goal in a muslim life is not to blow themselves up, somehow or the other though, a lot of idiots have made it into a monster religion that resembles something of the stone age.

[seriouslynosn]

I'm an atheist, although I like anti-theist just because it is outrrrrrrrrrrrageous!

I am officially banning me from the religion topics. If it is possible to do so officially you may want to do so. I tend to say things like religions are primitive explanations of things not explainable by known science and comfort for those afraid of death.

:dont: <---that's for me

[isabeau6]

i was raised Lutheran but don't go now to any church...i don't need a church to believe

[His_pita]

Ok I'm a non church going Holy Roller. Find church and religion offensive. Love Jesus with all my heart. Get a high that can't be matched when worshiping. Yes I was one of those crazy ladies who danced in church. Giggle.

I read the three pages of this thread and this answer from StillBehindBlueEyes is the closest fit to what I believe in. :)

I would dearly love to find a church that accepted me with Christian love. However, I don't think that will happen anytime soon and I don't plan to conform to what they think makes a good follower of Christ.

[BeautifulOblivion]

I was raised in a not very religious household. I went to church with my Granny when I was little. I don't attend regularly any more, but I'd like to start. I'm a christian, and I believe I float more on the baptist side of the equation.

[Requiem]

not an atheist, and only somewhat an agnostic....mix in a bit of Buddhist philosophies and a whole lot of reality and knowledge about people (street smarts) and you get me.

Frankly I live in the here and now...to be completely honest I never have been able to picture myself as "old" or "older". My future is blank when I think about it. I've always had this odd feeling I'll not live very long, not suicidal just a weird feeling that I'm not going to live to be 50 or 60 or whatever. Turning 20 this year is a shock to me....I was shocked I made it to 18, let alone 19.

[nia25]

I have been raised in a Missionary Baptist church and have continued my beliefs in adulthood. I have read everyone's post and see how some can think that churchgoers are hypocrits. But I feel that we are all in the same boat. Just because I go to church and believe in God does not mean that I am perfect, nor that I try to be. I worship Him and do my best to live my life the way He wants. Not because I am afraid of hell; but because I feel that it is right. That is all that matters, right? I also think it's really cool that everyone can believe so differently and still get along.

[rach]

I was raised an atheist,and find organised religion quite horrifying, but i'm still not sure what I indivdually believe. I like to think there is something better than this, but maybe more in hope than actual expectation. I like the idea of Karma but whether I believe it I'm not certain... so um agnostic?

LOL