What is your religion?

[SilverxBlue]

Upon searching the meaning of Agnostic on Wikipedia. I guess that's what I am. But I do actually believe that there is a God, though I just don't like going to church. I tend to think that more than 50% of church-goers are a bunch of hypocrites that just want to show other people that they are "religious". (Believe me, if you get to meet and live with my stepmother, you'll think that way too.)

I'm not trying to bash the frequent church-goers here or anything like that, so please don't flame me. ;_;

[Wright1000]

Upon searching the meaning of Agnostic on Wikipedia. I guess that's what I am, but I do actually believe that there is a God, though I just don't like going to church. I tend to think that more than 50% of church-goers are a bunch of hypocrites that just want to show other people that they are "religious". (Believe me, if you get to meet and live with my stepmother, you'll think that way too.)

I agree with that 100%.

The following is my opinion.
It's not any kind of blasphemy or anything, so I hope anyone doesn't get the wrong idea.

People who really love God should care for others. He who loves God's creations loves God.
As for me, I was a born Hindu, but I've seen with my own eyes how corrupt some (only some) so-called Hindus have become.
I was shocked when I saw what kind of nonsense was going on temples.
So, instead of wasting my time going to the temple, my choice is to serve God as an animal rights activist by working for God's creatures.
I've not visited Mosques, but I have visited Churches. I myself have got proof that people who were speaking about God, and praying to Him could tell such obvious lies. But, as I already believe that going to Church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
God will not judge you by how many times you visit the Church. He will judge you by how many of his creations have you cared for, to how many have you shown compassion, how many have you helped and so on.
Even though I am a Hindu, the religion I respect the most is Buddhism. But to be frank, there is no such thing as a 'good' religion. It depends completely on you. Whether you follow your religion or not is up to you, so never judge a religion by a follower and never judge someone by his/her religion.
Philosophically, there is only one religion and that is humanity.
People hate me for saying things like that. It's because the truth can make them feel ashamed of themselves and what they are doing. But I don't care. I always do and will stand for the truth no matter what.

[Zylinder]

@Zylinder: Well, even though I'm a strong Catholic, I don't really want to give "It's against God's commandments" as a reason why you shouldn't do faults. It's not just that. We can give lots more reason why we shouldn't do "the bad things", and not just because of our faith.

Nah, that's not what I dislike. Bad things are bad whether you worship God or a teacup. My beef is with extremist/people who use religion as an excuse to do bad things. Like, "What you're doing is wrong in our religion. I will now skewer you with this coal poker."

[Gear]

I used to be a Christian (or at least that was how I was raised), but I am currently an atheist.

[sake-bento]

Just popping in here before anything bad does start. We have a lot of different views on God, morality, and the world in here. Remember to respect others.

[JDarryl]

I'm kind of against any religion that spreads or has spread by means of violence. Lecturing people to live as a good person and then killing whoever's not believing in your god is about as hypocritical as it gets. No offence to those keeping it to themselves and in peace, but how the Christians have behaved in history during the crusades, and Charlemagne's deeds in the year 782 for example are nothing to be proud of, and hardly connected to living good to get into heaven.

If I would write write a book that has 4500 beheadings (including women and children) and a trail of murder and theft from western europe towards the middle east because on it's name, and claim that it is to spread good, and to free the holy land, people would think I've gone mad and definitely not worship me.

That's how I see it.

[sake-bento]

People use all sorts of excuses to do what they want to, but that doesn't mean the religion itself is evil. One bomber screaming "death to the infidels" doesn't actually mean that all Muslims are fanatics, and Jeffery Dahmer's extremist actions don't mean that all atheists are morally devoid serial killers. In the same way, an already warlike nation that uses the name of God to spread fear and violence doesn't actually mean that Christianity is a super evil force. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a modern Christian who thinks the crusades were a good idea.

In the end, following a religion is more about personal responsibility than telling everyone else what they're doing wrong.

[Fawn]

Religion is a very emotional subject... Having an answer for what happens after death, the rewards of heaven/paradise and the definitions of "good" and "bad" can easily be twisted for a person's agenda (especially a person in power such as a king or other leader), but, in many cases these days it can improve people's lives and give them hope. People just have to think through their actions and see what's really right or wrong; though that can be hard if they're threatened by eternal hell or another awful demise.

I'm an atheist. I've never felt drawn to religion, I find more peace thinking that this life is all I have and I should make the best of it. I admire people who find peace and happiness through religion, however.

[AlexisPius]

I'm kind of against any religion that spreads or has spread by means of violence. Lecturing people to live as a good person and then killing whoever's not believing in your god is about as hypocritical as it gets

I could not have put it better myself.

I have no problem with religion, to me they are just another type of organization. It's some of the specific beliefs that I oppose. And the main belief that I think is perhaps the most dangerous belief to ever face mankind is the belief that your way of thinking is the ONLY appropriate way to think, and you have the RIGHT and the OBLIGATION to convert others to your beliefs.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but two religions that are most guilty are these charges are most of the sects of Christianity and Islam. In my mind, those two organizations have caused more destruction throughout history that any other organization.

From my experience, most other major world religions are largely pluralistic. They are either an ethnic religion like Hinduism or Judaism, non-doctrinal folk beliefs like Vodoun and Shintoism, or a philosophical religion like Buddhism or Confucianism. None of these types actively try to convert others.

And I would actually say that some atheists fall into this negative definition. I've certainly encountered atheists who believe that their way of thinking is the ONLY appropriate way to think, and that they have the RIGHT and the OBLIGATION to convert others to their beliefs.

[Wright1000]

I'm kind of against any religion that spreads or has spread by means of violence.

I disagree with that. There is no religion that supports violence. Just because Osama Bin Laden was a terrorist does not mean that Islam is a terrorist religion. If you read the biography of Prophet Muhammad, you'll know what I mean.
And, then, people have killed one another in the name of Christianity too, but what did Jesus Christ say? Thou shall not kill.
There are many people who will say stupid things like "Jesus loves you, so be a Christian or I'll kill you." But that doesn't mean all Christians are evil. I'm familiar with a Christian organization whose beliefs are same as mine. http://www.all-creatures.org/cva/default.htm
There is no such thing as a "good" or "bad" religion. If someone wants to kill somebody, they can always find a good excuse. This reminds me of the story of the wolf and the lamb.

[AlexisPius]

If you read the biography of Prophet Muhammad, you'll know what I mean.

Let me preface what I am about to say by again stressing that I have no problem with religion in general. But I do believe that immoral deeds must be condemned, no matter who perpetrated them. And to that end, I must ask -

What part of the biography of Muhammad exactly is not offensive? Because I found the part where he waged wars of aggression against pagans and Jews who refused to convert to his faith, taking many slaves for himself and his followers upon defeating them quite reprehensible.

[Wright1000]

What part of the biography of Muhammad exactly is not offensive? Because I found the part where he waged wars of aggression against pagans and Jews who refused to convert to his faith, taking many slaves for himself and his followers upon defeating them quite reprehensible.

Maybe the book you read wasn't the original one. Muhammad was not that kind of person, as far as my knowledge goes.
I haven't read the Quran, but as far as I know, his life was kind of similar to Jesus Christ. Don't forget that people used to spread rumors about Christ too.

[Enigma]

I'm a non-denominational Christian who belives strongly in God, I just don't belive what anyone tells me about God without looking at the Bible myself first. I like comparing what people interperet scriptures as, and then reading through the Bible again and forming my own theory.

Also, about Religions that spread or have spread through violence, it has nothing to do with religion, it has to do with people. There are bad people who CLAIM to follow every religion, but that doesn't change what the religion teaches, which is why you have to look at the religion yourself.

[GratuitousMoonspeak]

Also, about Religions that spread or have spread through violence, it has nothing to do with religion, it has to do with people. There are bad people who CLAIM to follow every religion, but that doesn't change what the religion teaches, which is why you have to look at the religion yourself.

^ This. So much.

Anyway, I was raised Catholic but my mother is Baptist. It's thanks to her rather apathetic view of church-going that I think contributed to my own disinterest it (I am thinking of attending soon, but it's hard to find Catholic churches where I live).

So, I identify as Catholic. In any case, it's been a rather interesting experience since most of my friends are Baptist (and I was pretty much raised surrounded by Baptists), with one or two Methodists in the mix. I was also friends with a Mormon girl last year, but I've unfortunately lost contact with her.

[MoPark]

Funny there's all this talk on the Prophet, given how I'm Muslim.
I find AlexisPius' comments pretty funny overall though. To be frank, that's really the only comment I have on that matter.