What are your religions?

[zelkats]

scythe
I mean, agnostic is, really, the only intellectually honest position to take on where a god exists, regardless if you're a believer or not.

That makes a lot of sense to me.

I'm a Catholic, but my beliefs have become quite agnostic lately. I mean, what do we know? The universe is vast and we don't know everything about it.

Despite what Christian teachings tell me, I'm actually open to ideas and possibilities like life in outer space, parallel universes, the afterlife (that isn't strictly heaven and hell), the supernatural (#@$% me, Southeast Asia is quite a scary place for it), reincarnation, something that connects each and every person spiritually that isn't necessarily The Big Guy, etc.

To me, not being able to see it doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist (No proof that it exists, and no proof otherwise either kind of thing). Strange things have happened and will continue to happen. I don't dismiss them fully. I just keep wondering and thinking as long as my mind allows me to. It's kinda hard to put a full-stop on anything.

[keac]

I thought most of you atheists are gonna judge or criticize me for being a Christian, I guess you aren't bad after all

[zelkats]

I understand the fear and worry. But people here are generally civil, thank God ^^;

There are decent atheists and militant atheists (a friend of mine calls them anti-religionists). The latter isn't uncommon and they can make discussions regarding religion on the internet rather unpleasant . No one should be judgemental or hostile to anyone no matter what their beliefs are.

[WarkDatch]

Don't worry, some atheists will respect you as long as you respect them too.

[keac]

I saw this from a website about good atheists
You may read it as you can:

"But atheists who care about their fellow human beings and the good of humanity, and who honestly believe that a lack of belief in God leads to a better, more enlightened, and more just world, are not even atheists by the Biblical definition. That’s because even though they do not say “Lord, Lord,” they actually do the will of our Father in heaven by working to make the world a better place for everyone in it.

In short, to fully accept the Bible’s teachings about who goes to heaven, and specifically about whether atheists go to heaven, we must broaden our definition of God, and of belief in God."

Do you believe, relieved, not believe, deny?
We cannot please everyone.

To read full article, here's the link:

Do Atheists Go to Heaven?

Me as a Christian, I was relieved! Hmm... Just read it open-mindedly but this article didn't offend atheists at all.

[AnnaLandin]

I'll respect your beliefs, @keac, as long as you respect mine - or my lack thereof. : ) I know and get along well with people of various religions, and I don't question their beliefs, and they don't try to evangelise to me.

It should be pointed out, though, that you (and the article-writers) might step on a few toes by saying that good atheists are not atheists by the Bible's definition; as a group, we do not believe in what the Bible says, and so labelling us with words from it is a bit iffy. Doing so denies us our right to self-definition, which can be upsetting. Saying that because "good atheists" do good things, they are doing the work of God, and will therefore go to Heaven - well, it is a bit like saying that because you as a good Christian are doing good things, you are therefore doing the work of Allah, and will therefore pass into the Muslim idea of the afterlife once you die.

I'm not looking to get into a debate on the merits of various religions or lack thereof, just pointing out that discussing the fate of an atheist's soul is completely irrelevant from an atheist point of view.

[keac]

It sucks...
A lot of "Christian Beliefs" that millions of other Christians believe are not even written in the Bible:
Some Christians take a Bible verse too literally these days. But they don't even analyze it.
But even if I'm Christian, some of my other Christian friends are messed up, mate.

But let's just share it with one another rather than making a debate, you're right

[Doubtcent]

I'm a die hard born again Christian. No denomination. Just a Christian who believes in the word.

[rosette]

Im not a fighter just a lover. I'm a christian

[ghostnxs]

This is probably the most chill thread about religion I've ever seen on the internet . Its cool to see what other people think and believe.

[WarkDatch]

Also ill just point out that religion is a very sensitive topic, and one wrong step could escalate quickly, so be careful.

[VermillionWorks]

This is probably the most chill thread about religion I've ever seen on the internet . Its cool to see what other people think and believe.

I know, right?! O_o

Also ill just point out that religion is a very sensitive topic, and one wrong step could escalate quickly, so be careful.

I'm also very worried about this still though, too. XD As long as we keep it "say what you believe but be cool with others' beliefs" as it's been going, then it's all good.

[Doubtcent]

That's all we should ever ask for.

As long as we keep it "say what you believe but be cool with others' beliefs" as it's been going, then it's all good.

[JigokuNeko]

Agnostic. Even thought I'm totally disinterested in participating in any sort of organized religion I've found Wicca's tenet of "If it harms none, do what you will" fits the philosophy of how I live my life. So...I dunno, Agnostic Wiccan if that makes sense? Basically, for me, the universe is so vast that even if there are supreme beings, they a) either don't care what a dust mite like me (in the grand scheme of things) does with her life or b) they have already written my life and I would have as much luck influencing them as a character in the Sims has to influence their player. I don't much care which scenario is real, both are equally liberating to me in their own way.

[bmacbride]

I'm a practicing Roman Catholic lol. I'm also queer, pro-choice, sex positive, I love studying other religions and the occult, am friends with Satanists, read the bible exegetically, and I don't believe that the very sun shines out the pope's ass. I don't think it's fair to say "I'm a Christian so I don't read this, this, this, or this" because any member of any faith is also an individual, and every person of religion has a different relationship and experience with their faith.

[SpavVy]

It's really nice to not see heated debates about who's write or wrong.

[VermillionWorks]

I think all of us came in here with the intent of treading very lightly. We knew this could get ugly. XP

Heated religious debates on the internet (or even elsewhere) are, in my opinion, the worst exercise in futility. An Athiest calling a religious person an idiot or a religious person calling an Athiest an idiot goes nowhere real fast, and raarreelly, if ever, do these arguments lead to an actual conversion, so why bother other than just to argue pointlessly?

I think a person's beliefs are all up to the person, in the end. If they question something that leads them to changing their beliefs, or they may stay thinking one thing their entire life, either is fine to me. The one thing we should all agree to believe in is being a good person.

Believing or disbelieving, there is no valid reason to be a d*ck about this, I have seen Athiests who can be just as cold as a religious fanatic. IE "You're a ignorant fool for believing in God and will die believing in a fantasy" or "You're a sinner who's going to Hell for not believing" are both terrible things to say or assume. No ifs, ands or buts.

I genuinely believe some people need religion or at least some level of spirituality, and others don't. I'm not going to tease a Christian for their beliefs when, for all I know, they may need it in their life.

Everyone's different, that goes for their beliefs as well. I think we should be more accepting of this.

[AnnaLandin]

Believing or disbelieving, there is no valid reason to be a d*ck about this, I have seen Athiests who can be just as cold as a religious fanatic.

Hatred and cruelty has no religious affiliation; there are plenty of horrible people who are atheists, the same way there are plenty of horrible people who are adherents of various religions. We're not here to debate the moral rights and wrongs of of those religions or lack thereof. : )

Tapastic is a nice, friendly corner of the internet - let's do our best to keep it that way!

[williamjbowles]

I guess "unconventional Christian" would be a good way to describe myself.
I believe in God and Jesus, but many of my personal beliefs are a bit different than those of more mainstream Christians.

Personally, I value faith (personal belief and philosophy, and one's own relationship with the spiritual (if one is so inclined)) much more than religion (a physical organization)-- the latter's main value, if you ask me, is in creating a general guideline and organized faith-structure, and a starting point for people to find their way in life, as well as creating a community of like-minded people (a social element, if you will). And that's important, too (for people of faith), but it's different than faith itself.

My personal philosophy is that how you live your life and treat others is more important than what belief system or organization you associate with.

[williamjbowles]

I'm not entirely sure that's how I'd put it. Agnostic is a position on the belief spectrum you can have.
Here's an example of how I see it:

The Christian says: "I believe in God."
The Atheist says: "I don't believe in God."
The Agnostic says: "I don't know if there is a God or not."

Even though I believe in God, I also understand that it is possible that I could be wrong. I am not an agnostic, but I am willing to accept the fact that I could possibly be wrong. And that's different than if I said "I'm not sure if there is a God or not, but I think that probably there is."

Does that make sense at all? Sorry if I'm not clear.
I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes here, I just want to explain how I see the differentiation.
Then again, I could be wrong : )