What is your birth religion and current religious status?

[Carrolb2]

My parents are Christian, but we never went to church and religion was never really an issue. Currently, I draw from a lot of Eastern influences (Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism, etc), but mostly I'm just agnostic (and a bit apathetic).

[Lynne Fees]

Well, yeah - but as I have no investment in their views, I don't mind so much.

Whereas ill-informed atheists just make life difficult for the more intellectually rigorous of us.

I do have an investment in their views. This is due to the fact that I am a Christian, and, as has been brought out in this thread, some ill-informed people calling themselves "Christians" can make us all look bad!
Ill-informed atheists don't bother me a bit. I know that, once they decide to become informed, they will investigate and see that the Bible really is true. The ones who refuse to investigate are the only ill-informed ones.

[MarkBastable]

I know that, once they decide to become informed, they will investigate and see that the Bible really is true.

I hate to disappoint you, but it didn't work for me, and I know the Bible better than most Christians.

[Lynne Fees]

I hate to disappoint you, but it didn't work for me, and I know the Bible better than most Christians.

Have you ever read Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell? It has some interesting historical truths about the Bible. This investigation would have to entail more than just reading the Bible, not to say I don't read the Bible...

[jakobmuller]

thread's for stating our current religion and birth status. lets not forget :D

[BienvenuJDC]

I don't think i am hearing this the right way, but could someone please help me to get this?

I don't get it when people try to say that the bible is true just because there are some historically true facts in there from the era.

I could write a book right now, that says all sorts of ridiculous silly things, such as: I have thirteen green ears, it rained jars of Vienna Sausage last Tuesday, and my dog can fly. Also, thrown in there are some true facts about my time period, like the fact that there is a fire hydrant on the corner of my street, about X number of people live in a certain city right now, and Italy is currently shaped like a boot.
Does the fact that some parts of the story are obviously correct make the entire thing automatically true, and should be obeyed unquestioningly by millions of people around the world for thousands of years to come?

I don't get why it's so amazing that the people who wrote the bible were alive when they wrote it, and had eyes to observe the world around them. I can think of about....6 billion people who fit those qualifications at the moment.

I don't believe that questioning the Bible is the purpose of this thread. If you what to be skeptical of the Bible...start another thread.


Catholic/atheist (although the idea that one can have a religion at birth is ridiculous).

I agree. One cannot have a religion until one is able to understand...at least the basic concepts involved. Although in the early Hebrew religion was based on ethnic origin. One's belief in God...or their god, requires their own belief...belief required at least some minimal understanding.

[MarkBastable]

I was raised by a She Wolf in an Idaho cave. Religion, unknown.

I think you'll find that most She Wolves are Episcopalians, though there's a cultural tendency to keep it a personal thing and not to proselytise.

All other canine species, curiously, are Orthodox Russian.

[Lynne Fees]

thread's for stating our current religion and birth status. lets not forget :D

I don't have "religion," I have faith, so it is much harder to put into words and requires a bit more discussion. Threads by nature weave in and out a little; you don't mind that, do you?


I don't believe that questioning the Bible is the purpose of this thread. If you what to be skeptical of the Bible...start another thread.

I think questioning the Bible is fine. It has to do with people's religion. Why do we need to curtail what people want to say? Unless it's totally off topic, of course.

[Niamh]

Roman Catholic -> Spiritualist

[pagebypage]

Roman Catholic---> agnostic

[West]

Born to Muslim parents, so by default my birth religion is Islam. And I am still a muslim. Never had issues with Islam as a faith. Ethnically Somali.

[meh!]

Born as an atheist (as were you all, by definition), still an atheist. Never been a reason to change.

I don't really know what my 'racial makeup' is either...i'm scottish? my dad's english?

[Don Quixote Jr]

What is your birth religion and current religious status? Also, racial makeup...

Birth Religion: Jewish
Current religous status: Atheist
Racial makeup: Paternal grandparents came from Russia (prior to 1917 I think)
Maternal grandparents came from Palestine, definitely before the creation of Israel in 1948

[Mr Endon]

I was raised Roman Catholic, but my parents didn't brainwash me. With this I mean that I don't recall either of them ever mentioning "Jesus" or "God" outside religious debates with grown ups.

Was an apathetic atheist, now am a passionate agnostic.

[billyjack]

born atheist. raised agnostic. practiced bokonism for a week (cat's cradle anyone). now anti-theist and a militant one at that

[Homers_child]

Born: Christian. (I guess, I was never baptised but it was my family's religion.)
Now: Deist.
Racial Make-Up: Irish and German heritage.

:D

[La Amistad]

Birth Religion: Islam
Current religous status: Muslim

[JuniperWoolf]

When I was born, my parents decided to baptize me protestant. As of today, I don't have a religion. I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist or agnostic. I think I'm a humanist.

I'm Canadian, but like most Canadians I'm a hodgepodge of lots of things. The only true part of me that's Canadian is that my great grandfather was native. The rest of me is Irish and Scottish.

[backline]

I was born into a Protestant family, but I sure didn't "get it."

By the time I was 11 or 12 years old I apathetically left Christianity (as I understood it then) behind consciously, although my values were certainly fixed in place. Growing up the Western European Judeo-Christian ethic seemed the tacitly endorsed civil religion of the United States, culturally. I had many Catholic and Jewish friends. I'm not sure how many, if any, of us "got it."

Nowadays, I see spirituality as unattached from religion.

Spirit, to me, is like water. It takes the shape of the constraints it's subjected to. Religions are like vessels trying to hold or direct the water.

Some days I suppose I'm a practicing Christian, as an interface. Other days I may be immersed in Buddhism, or atheism.

Sometimes I'm just an oil slick on the surface of a huge ocean of water: not too deep, but can be colorful if the light's right.

[Stargazer86]

Born, baptized, and rigorously raised Roman Catholic. I am an ex alter server/catholic school girl for 10 years. I'm agnostic/deist.
Nationality wise, I'm American. Ethnically, I'm a total mutt. Mostly Irish. On my dad's side I'm Scotch-Irish and English. On my mom's side, I'm Irish, Egyptian (a great grandparent was Jewish Egyptian, family was in Alexandria for ages), and Portuguese (another great grandparent). The Portuguese and Egyptian are 1/8th. I have quite a bit of Irish on both sides and family still there and all family here in the US closely identifies with the Irish parts so that's my main ethnicity.
Interesting comparison, backline, very interesting to think about indeed...

[a_little_wisp]

I was raised a Quaker (yes, I like oatmeal, no, I never made my own clothes), for a year and a half I studied Wicca (from 5th to 6th grade), and since 7th grade I have been an atheist.

On my mom's side I'm Scots-Irish, on my Dad's side Scandinavian.

[librarius_qui]

[QUOTE=librarius_qui;631683
I'll stick to "What's your birth religion and current religious status?"

I was raised as an atheist.
After that, I stumbled on the bible. Got at awe with Solomon. Began believing in Jacob's god, was taught in the teaching of his son, and baptized. Until this day, I'm part of a flock in the Carioca* church.

librarius
klicky


__________

*"Carioca" is the name of people who were born or consider themselves from Rio de Janeiro, for living here awhile

/QUOTE]

(... before I forget I answered this.)

Let me say it again, in other words .. :rolleyes:
even considering that it has nothing to do with literature as this forum would supposedly be :crash: ...

I was born an atheist, then I confirmed it, when I was a young guy. Then I stumbled on(to) a god, and, I've spoken about this, already.

lq~
Tim to the friends

[billyjack]

Spirit, to me, is like water. It takes the shape of the constraints it's subjected to. Religions are like vessels trying to hold or direct the water.

Sometimes I'm just an oil slick on the surface of a huge ocean of water: not too deep, but can be colorful if the light's right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ijCSu87I9k&feature=related

[backline]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ijCSu87I9k&feature=related


Far out.
I must be channeling Bruce Lee.

Or maybe it's Gary Larson's 33,000 year old gibbon ape named Gus.:wave:

[Hagah]

I was and I am a baptist man.

[lichtrausch]

I worship Zeus.

[MissTwain]

I was born Catholic and am now not quite agnostic, but more ambiguous... Its so hard to make up my mind with so many options and not enough proof... Though I'd like to just forget about proofs but its difficult to stray from science.

I am open minded to anything, I just want a form of faith that suits me... any suggestions?

[lichtrausch]

I am open minded to anything, I just want a form of faith that suits me... any suggestions?

Searching around for some kind of faith is self-mutilating. Study the universe and the spirit of man and philosophy. You won't even need faith in order to believe what you learn.

[MissTwain]

Searching around for some kind of faith is self-mutilating. Study the universe and the spirit of man and philosophy. You won't even need faith in order to believe what you learn.

Thats a good point. But I find its often hard to believe things that are always contradicted... I suppose thats a big part of the self-mutilating process :P its almost as if theres no real point if you can never trust anything to be true or not. I suppose perhaps we could all live for ourselves and do what our guts tell us... ah the identity search is often something we all never really come to an agreement upon, even with ourselves. I had an English professor once that claimed that all fiction surrounded an identity search of some sort. Do people agree?


I worship Zeus.

And Zeus is pretty badass

[lichtrausch]

But I find its often hard to believe things that are always contradicted...

What contradictions are you speaking of?

[MissTwain]

What contradictions are you speaking of?

Well if I try to put my faith in science, its only theories that are consistently being changed or even contradicted, and there are many faiths that are contradictory, however, I do admit that most contradictions are due to the faults of man. That and knowledge is consistently contradicting itself, even different Christian denominations claim Jesus to be one way and another denomination will claim that he is something else (for example: I believe one denomination claims that Jesus is from space). And although some seem more far fetched than some, it is still difficult to wholly put my faith under one system of doctrine because I could turn around and get a completely different response that seems just as valid as the first...

Frustration? yes.

[Virgil]

I was born Catholic and am now not quite agnostic, but more ambiguous... Its so hard to make up my mind with so many options and not enough proof... Though I'd like to just forget about proofs but its difficult to stray from science.

I am open minded to anything, I just want a form of faith that suits me... any suggestions?

Roman Catholic. :) There will never be proof. It is faith and the power of the sacrements, especially holy communion, is what makes Catholicism (or Eastern Orthodox, philosophically they are the same) special. It is a path that doesn't lead one astray, if you ask me.

[I'm not getting into a theological discussion with anyone. ]

[lichtrausch]

Well if I try to put my faith in science, its only theories that are consistently being changed or even contradicted

Let's compare the records of Science and Religion.

Science: started from nothing, we continually learned more and more, always willing to admit that there is more to learn and that science is imperfect but yet always getting better and better at explaining the world we live in.

Religion (Judeo-Christian): always claims to have the absolute truth, at times claiming that the earth is flat, everything revolves around the earth, that earth was created 10,000? years ago (i forget the number), that evolution never happened. Only admit they are wrong after first trying their hardest to defame anyone supporting the scientific theories that contradict what they say, and only give in after every idiot can see that they are wrong. Still claim to have the absolute truth in matters which they can't possibly know.


Which one is more honest? more curious? more interested in truth? more productive for the advancement of mankind?

[MissTwain]

You make very good points, and I do believe it is science that has me doubting any faith in the first place. I think, however, that I'll always feel as if I'm betraying that part of me (as childish and needy as it seems at times) that has the hope for a life beyond mortality if I were to put my whole proverbial heart into science.

I know that in University I've come across professors and students that will laugh arrogantly at you if you claim to believe in a higher power than man, but I think people should believe whatever gets them through the day when times are rough, and often science does not do that for me although it does make me calmer about everyday living and thriving.

But again, I'm still ambiguous and it really just has to do with a certain ambivalence as well. I don't think I should decide where I should put my faith until I decide my own identity as a human first... and I don't think science or religion will deny me that quest.

But I agree that science has done so much for mankind today and I hope it continues to thrive and does not become a scarce resource :D

[Virgil]

I know that in University I've come across professors and students that will laugh arrogantly at you if you claim to believe in a higher power than man, but I think people should believe whatever gets them through the day when times are rough, and often science does not do that for me although it does make me calmer about everyday living and thriving.


It's professors like that that should be kicked out on their keyster. How dare they laugh at other's religious beliefs. It makes my blood boil.

Science does not violate religion unless you believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. I don't. The Bible is a work that reveals our relationship to God. It is humanly written but Godly inspired. Science is God's handiwork and what science reveals is God in His manifestation. God is science. [Of course these are my beliefs.]

[backline]

...even different Christian denominations claim Jesus to be one way and another denomination will claim that he is something else...


There can be some leeway in unimportant things, but I find quite a bit of consistency in the basic ideas of the Christian faith.

Maps of the territory (descriptions of "reality") are only maps, they are not the territory.

Using Biblical truths to try and map out geography or things that science delves into may seem inaccurate.

Many persons describe an "inner" journey of values and belief systems. I find the Bible full of all sorts of wisdom about these states, and so prefer it as a map of that territory.
There are others, including psychology, which is an art, or psychiatry, which claims to be science based.

I still prefer the wisdom of the ancients generally, when sojourning in such locales.

[lichtrausch]

It's professors like that that should be kicked out on their keyster. How dare they laugh at other's religious beliefs. It makes my blood boil.

Science does not violate religion unless you believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. I don't. The Bible is a work that reveals our relationship to God. It is humanly written but Godly inspired. Science is God's handiwork and what science reveals is God in His manifestation. God is science. [Of course these are my beliefs.]

It's quite understandable actually. By definition an Atheist sees believers as believing in a made-up entity. For them God is as real as Snow White or Zeus. If someone told you in dead earnest that they believed in Zeus would you be able to take them seriously?

Note: I'm not expressing my own views, just trying to understand the reasoning of Atheists.

[JuniperWoolf]

Even a simple survey-style thread becomes a stupid, seemingly never-ending debate. Arguing about religion is pointless. What does this conversation have to do with religous texts?

[lichtrausch]

Even a simple survey-style thread becomes a stupid, seemingly never-ending debate. Arguing about religion is pointless.


You may be intimately familiar with the topic of this debate and therefore find it pointless but I'm sure others are being introduced to some new ideas and interpretations and are profiting from the thread.



What does this conversation have to do with religous texts?

Many of the ideas being espoused in this conversation originated from or are influenced by religious texts.

[MissTwain]

Many persons describe an "inner" journey of values and belief systems. I find the Bible full of all sorts of wisdom about these states, and so prefer it as a map of that territory.
There are others, including psychology, which is an art, or psychiatry, which claims to be science based.

I still prefer the wisdom of the ancients generally, when sojourning in such locales.

I completely agree, I hope it didn't seem like I took the bible literally... But yes, the way I write my own moral code is much like what Jesus taught.

I bring up these things because sometimes I feel so lost in making up decisions about my spiritual identity that it gets frustrating for me and I never know what to settle on... so far you all bring up really interesting points and thanks... feel free to message me if you have any suggestions of books or doctrines you think would be useful :D I love knowledge

[Bark]

This is my first post here, I'm just gonna kind of go with the title. My father is a Sunni Muslim who immigrated to the US. My mother was the daughter of a Southern Baptist Preacherman. Before I die, I will prove that the three books of the monotheists are Godyallahweh's true religion.

[backline]

...I will prove that the three books of the monotheists are Godyallahweh's true religion.


This should be good (pulls up chair, gets popcorn).:)

[Bark]

It is easy. a society is built upon a multitude of factors, economic, social, legal, the three books give the total, one alone does not.

[grotto]

That’s great! A simple question asked turns into another debate over how my ism is better than yours by folks who need to validate their uncertainty.

[Bark]

I guess your right. The suffix ism means basically a school of thought, some people learn at school. some are home educated.

[VenusInFurs]

For how I was raised it's a little hard to say. My mom tried on a few religious 'hats' when I was growing up. We went to an Anglican church for a while but then she sort of lost interest and became more spiritual, and left the rest up to us to figure out for ourselves. My parents are still married, but I don't really consider my dad an influence on my religious life because he's not a spiritual person at all. Basically, at the end of the day I was left with good values and manners but no religion so to speak. I was interested in Eastern religions for a while, then decided to sit on the fence before I became Neo-Pagan.

As for my ethnic makeup, I grew up in Canada, and my mom is German and my dad is Irish-Canadian (well, he had a grandmother from Scotland). Pretty standard North American haha.

[Dr. Hill]

Catholic, atheist.

[TurquoiseSunset]

Christian (Reformed), Christian (non-denominational)

[amarna]

Parents protestant, me irreligious.

[blazeofglory]

I have no religion but not irreligious.

[La Amistad]

By seeing so many people with so many different belief systems, and to see the diversity is knowledge itself, how people follow their intution.

Makes me wanna' Love the mankind.

Peace.!

[Scheherazade]

Makes me wanna' Love the mankind.
"I love humanity. It's people I can't stand."
~ Linus

[La Amistad]

"I love humanity. It's people I can't stand."
~ Linus

haha thats so true!

[Buh4Bee]

i'll second that one!


It's quite understandable actually. By definition an Atheist sees believers as believing in a made-up entity. For them God is as real as Snow White or Zeus. If someone told you in dead earnest that they believed in Zeus would you be able to take them seriously?

Note: I'm not expressing my own views, just trying to understand the reasoning of Atheists.

So where does this view come from, if it is not your own?

I am also fascinated in understanding how an atheist thinks. I would disagree with you to a point about your question: If someone told you in dead earnest that they believed in Zeus would you be able to take them seriously? Most atheists think of God as made-up, as you mentioned, but what is confusing is how can so many other people believe in God? It is hard to compare God to Zeus in this case, because some many people do believe and this leaves room to question the existence of this entity. We know that Zeus is a myth.

[MarkBastable]

We know that Zeus is a myth.

Well, we do this year. A few years back we didn't - and it's possible that a few years hence we won't again.

Maybe it's just Yahweh's turn to be believed in at the moment.

[just mercedes]

Does the belief make the subject real?

[angel92]

My birth religion is Catholic but right now I really dont believe or have faith in it. I still go to church but that is because I dont want to make my parents feel like they failed trying to make me believe in what they believe.

[trueromantic]

< Catholstant

[SolidSnakeEyes]

Pentecostal Christian for me. Still am. I'm no hater, I just don't see how the world happened on accident. I don't know, but hey, look at it this way: If I'm wrong, so what? But if God is real, and I'm not a believer, I burn in hell. For eternity. That's not risk I'm willing to take.

15/32 Scottish
15/32 German
1/32 Choctaw Native American
1/32 African American

[Heath]

I'm Irish and I was a born Catholic. As for what I believe in now... well, I'm not an atheist, but what I believe in doesn't fit into any given religion or belief. I do believe in some 'higher' power, but I wouldn't describe it as God. If I were to choose one certain after life that would seem the most likely to me it would be to be reborn again after you died in another body.

[haraf_ish]

I was baptized in a Christian church. My religion? what is religion in the first place?

[Helga]

I was raised in a christian family, well my mom is but my dad was more of an atheist and today I am an atheist. I'm from Iceland..... and I regularly have a debate with my mom about how to raise my son,she thinks he should learn about God and then choose when he is older but I don't want to tell my son to believe in something I don't think is true...