Religious affiliation

[Kojote]

Cognitive: Nihilist
Religious: Anti-Religious
Philosophcal: Well ...

I don't 'believe'. I am searching for facts.
I dislike almost any religion for they tend to relieve people from their personal responsibilities. And even if they bring much god things they also bring much bad things.
Personal faith is another matter. But institutionalized religions (especially the big ones) cause more problems than they cure.
And philosohically ...
I found out that I fancy with so called 'philosophical satanism' a bit.
It's as much 'being against the church' as it is due to the common sense I found in the basics of it.
I'm not member in any church or what, but I found myself stating that if what we can see as the results of 'real christians' living their beliefs I sure want to go straight to hell instead of going to some kind of paradise and meet this guys.

But the whole thing is aimed at particular groups around here and the roman-catholic church.
I don't believe in god, satan, santa or any other creature of myth.
I believe in personal responsibility, the importance of this life and altruism.

 

[marieR19]

When pressed, I'm a Christian. Yunno, if I have to label it.

In practice, I believe in some things, like God and Jesus and Judgement Day, but I do not take every word of the Bible as God's word. I've had the whole "homosexuality is a sin!" thing thrown in my face too many times to believe that, because I do *not* believe that I'm going to hell because of who I love.

I keep getting burned when it comes to "organized" religion. Namely, churches. Most recently, my mom's Pastor spending an hour lecturing me on the many reasons why I'm not really a lesbian, and how it's all the devil's doing and I can't give into the "homosexual agenda". For that reason, I simply don't try to go to church anymore. But I do believe.

 

[Stella_Omega]

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” ~ Albert Einstein

As always, there is more to the aphorism when you read in it situ;
http://www.sacred-texts.com/aor/einstein/einsci.htm

 

[graceanne]

Christian. (I know - who'd have guessed?)

 

[graceanne]

When pressed, I'm a Christian. Yunno, if I have to label it.

In practice, I believe in some things, like God and Jesus and Judgement Day, but I do not take every word of the Bible as God's word. I've had the whole "homosexuality is a sin!" thing thrown in my face too many times to believe that, because I do *not* believe that I'm going to hell because of who I love.

*grr* I told myself I wouldn't go on a rant, but here we go.

There is no place in the Bible that says that there are no unforgivable sins. Next time someone goes off on you as a 'sinner' ask them when's the last time they gossiped or lied or coveted. Not to put two fine a point on it, but homosexuality is only mentioned something like three times in the bible whereas the above three are mentioned more times than I can count and are IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! Not to mention being so normal in church life that most people don't even notice them. The awesome thing about Christianity is that we're forgiven, not sinless.

You're right, you won't go to hell for who you love.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

*grr* I told myself I wouldn't go on a rant, but here we go.

There is no place in the Bible that says that there are no unforgivable sins. Next time someone goes off on you as a 'sinner' ask them when's the last time they gossiped or lied or coveted. Not to put two fine a point on it, but homosexuality is only mentioned something like three times in the bible whereas the above three are mentioned more times than I can count and are IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! Not to mention being so normal in church life that most people don't even notice them. The awesome thing about Christianity is that we're forgiven, not sinless.

You're right, you won't go to hell for who you love.

I get what you're saying. And not all Christians or Christian groups believe the same thing. But why does homosexuality have to be tantamount to *any* sin, even a small one? To me it's like taking one of the "types" on your personality thread and designating, say, ENFPs as sinful.

I don't get why, say, the lesbian couple I am going to a party with tonight, could be considered by anyone as sinful for their relationship. They have been together for ten years. They just bought a house. They would get married if they could. Even with all the trappings of middle class respectability, who they are is considered sinful by most of official Christendom.

You know, from what I hear Jesus was a pretty cool and forgiving guy, but I doubt that with him being a carpenter of 30 years that he could have condoned anything but real wood for porch sittin either. Important work you are doing, thank you...

Yes, that's true. I remember that time when Satan whisked Jesus to the exterior sidewalk of the Galilee Lowes, and tempted him with an EZ-care $12 deck chair. Jesus was strong, baby!

 

[Chiara_searches]

*grr* I told myself I wouldn't go on a rant, but here we go.

There is no place in the Bible that says that there are no unforgivable sins. Next time someone goes off on you as a 'sinner' ask them when's the last time they gossiped or lied or coveted. Not to put two fine a point on it, but homosexuality is only mentioned something like three times in the bible whereas the above three are mentioned more times than I can count and are IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! Not to mention being so normal in church life that most people don't even notice them. The awesome thing about Christianity is that we're forgiven, not sinless.

You're right, you won't go to hell for who you love.

Thank you for going on this rant. It's a good articulation of one of the problems I have with religion and reminds me of comments recently made on another thread about "curing" homosexuals: it seems a more heinous sin to drive a person to suicide by "curing" him or her than it would be to simply "love thy neighbor." If we want to be religious about it, we are all god's children, each and every one of us. It's simply sad that so called "experts" on the bible forget this and the point you make above.

 

[teknight]

Yes, that's true. I remember that time when Satan whisked Jesus to the exterior sidewalk of the Galilee Lowes, and tempted him with an EZ-care $12 deck chair. Jesus was strong, baby!

I'd say he was business savvy. I mean, if a carpenter is buying someone else's wood work... what kind of message does that send?

And my copy of the (Wood working) Bible has that event taking place outside of Home Depot of Nazareth. You Apostate!

 

[Keroin]

What's that religion called? You know, the one where you drink martini's and bathe in melted chocolate, while watching movies with kung fu and car chases and things that explode?

Anyway, that's the one I believe in.

 

[teknight]

What's that religion called? You know, the one where you drink martini's and bathe in melted chocolate, while watching movies with kung fu and car chases and things that explode?

Anyway, that's the one I believe in.

The church of Keroin?

Crap. Have I paid my dues? Are there fines?

 

[Avellan13]

Ok.. I think this thread was originally created only to for people to pos what religious affiliation their part of.

So we should have another thread devoted entirely to arguments towards whether religion or science is better instead of posting them here. Just a thought. I`ll create the thread personally and call it Science vs Religion.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Yes, this thread was meant for simple declarations-- or complex ones, if necessary.

I think a lot of folk are whacky for believing what they do, but that's what belief is all about! As long as their beliefs do not include forcing me to behave the way they think is right, or forcing their beliefs on me...

Yesterday, a couple of nice gentlemen showed up at my door, to invite me to read the bible. Unlike the times when I've spat at their feet, (because even I don't spit in faces) I gave them my biggest smile and said; "Oh, no thank you!"

They looked so confused!

 

[rekane]

What's that religion called? You know, the one where you drink martini's and bathe in melted chocolate, while watching movies with kung fu and car chases and things that explode?

Anyway, that's the one I believe in.

That's not a religion...that's Nirvana!
Or my house on some evenings.

 

[Chiara_searches]

Ok.. I think this thread was originally created only to for people to pos what religious affiliation their part of.

So we should have another thread devoted entirely to arguments towards whether religion or science is better instead of posting them here. Just a thought. I`ll create the thread personally and call it Science vs Religion.

This thread was originally created simply so I could learn others' opinions on the topic. I welcome any and all discussions here. I feel firmly about my belief system; yet I know I'm not the smartest person in the world, nor even here on Lit. I like learning. On Lit I get to learn for free without paying tuition, so I was interested to see other people's thought processes and to learn. A couple of posts actually had me saying "hmmm, hadn't thought about it from that POV." Expanding my horizons makes me smile.

But I see another thread has been started for the science vs. religion debate and that makes me smile, too, knowing that discussions are expanded on the board.

 

[Chiara_searches]

Yes, this thread was meant for simple declarations-- or complex ones, if necessary.

I think a lot of folk are whacky for believing what they do, but that's what belief is all about! As long as their beliefs do not include forcing me to behave the way they think is right, or forcing their beliefs on me...

Yesterday, a couple of nice gentlemen showed up at my door, to invite me to read the bible. Unlike the times when I've spat at their feet, (because even I don't spit in faces) I gave them my biggest smile and said; "Oh, no thank you!"

They looked so confused!

When I was in college, a young gentleman proselytizing on campus during his mission, invited me to come and read his version of the holy book. When I answered that I disagreed firmly with the patriarchal structure of his religion and the hypocrisy heaped on women, he was dumbfounded. Weeks later, another sect came to my door and I used the same line. This time, a smart woman there started discussing (I think) Rachel (this was years ago). She almost, almost got me to read her pamphlet. I came to my senses, though, and realized she was just being a good advocate for her point of view, which objectively I admired.

But I agree with Stella about forcing views. Ever since college, and probably before, I get really bothered when someone wants to shove their views down my throat. I don't mind having a rational discussion as long as we can both respect the other, even when we think the other is wrong.

 

[teknight]

When I was in college, a young gentleman proselytizing on campus during his mission, invited me to come and read his version of the holy book. When I answered that I disagreed firmly with the patriarchal structure of his religion and the hypocrisy heaped on women, he was dumbfounded. Weeks later, another sect came to my door and I used the same line. This time, a smart woman there started discussing (I think) Rachel (this was years ago). She almost, almost got me to read her pamphlet. I came to my senses, though, and realized she was just being a good advocate for her point of view, which objectively I admired.

But I agree with Stella about forcing views. Ever since college, and probably before, I get really bothered when someone wants to shove their views down my throat. I don't mind having a rational discussion as long as we can both respect the other, even when we think the other is wrong.

I'm curious- what was Rachel's spiel?

 

[Chiara_searches]

I'm curious- what was Rachel's spiel?

Sadly, it was too long ago (nearly 18-19 years) to remember exactly and I would not do the speaker justice by trying. It could also be that she quoted something about another strong woman in the Bible. I remember more my reaction to her knowing her belief system well enough to respond to me, compared to the young man, and she did not appear to be that much older than he.

 

[teknight]

Sadly, it was too long ago (nearly 18-19 years) to remember exactly and I would not do the speaker justice by trying. It could also be that she quoted something about another strong woman in the Bible. I remember more my reaction to her knowing her belief system well enough to respond to me, compared to the young man, and she did not appear to be that much older than he.

Maybe that's my problem. All the (manic) street preachers I've ever met were unable to articulate a clear position. Then again, whenever they try to peddle their wears, I tear them down. The dumb ones just make it easier.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

I'd say he was business savvy. I mean, if a carpenter is buying someone else's wood work... what kind of message does that send?

Some people say his greatest temptations were during the wanderings in the Ikea.

And my copy of the (Wood working) Bible has that event taking place outside of Home Depot of Nazareth. You Apostate!

Go back to the Greek. The translation is clear.

And my apostate was recently examined, and deemed amazingly healthy.

What's that religion called? You know, the one where you drink martini's and bathe in melted chocolate, while watching movies with kung fu and car chases and things that explode?

Anyway, that's the one I believe in.

I wish I had a time machine and could go back and evangelize this to the Puritans.

 

[teknight]

And my apostate was recently examined, and deemed amazingly healthy.

Where were the doctor's hands for the duration of this procedure? Were they on your shoulders?

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

Where were the doctor's hands for the duration of this procedure? Were they on your shoulders?

She is an extraordinarily hot doc.

 

[teknight]

She is an extraordinarily hot doc.

...with a penis?! by prevailing attitudes on gender and sex.

 

[Stella_Omega]

...with a penis?! by prevailing attitudes on gender and sex.

With fingers.

 

[teknight]

With fingers.

Damn it. I liked my perverted and biased version better. Killjoy! (was here)

 

[shy slave]

I am a Spiritualist. Part of the United Spiritualist Church.
Not easy to find a Church so also attend the Greater World Spiritualist Church and National Spiritual Union Church depending on where I am on which day of the week.

I was brought up Catholic and find the two religions sit reasonably well together.

I have a deep seated belief that was not shaken by the death of my son. Something I know can try any faith.

I don't preach, nor look for converts, it's an entirely private choice which I talk of in the same way as any other subject.

Spiritualist beliefs suit me, and keep me sane when life becomes slightly insane