Phew, quite the topic.

For my part, I follow the traditional beliefs and whatnot of the Mohawk people - the same customs and beliefs of my ancestors. Even so, I don't attend the longhouse monthly ceremonies (even when I lived in an area that had one). As a teen, I grew interested in Wicca, and my mother (even then traditional) allowed me to discuss the core beliefs of it, and then supported me in my descision to be Wiccan. Wicca was/is very close to traditional Mohawk veiw the world, and she encouraged me to research and learn and experiment with all religions.

As an adult, I've come back to the traditions of my people, it feels right. It feeds me in a way that no other belief system even comes close to. Even so, I have my own spin on it. *shrugs*

I believe however, that all religions are simply different facets of the same Truth. I don't think that one is 'more' true than the others, just, perhaps, more right for me than for you. At some point, all religions, whereever they started across the globe, were started by different people in different societies trying to explain and interpret the same events, the same truth. Creater, God, Allah, Budda, Zeus or Insert Title Here - it's all the same idea, just from different societies at differing times.

Exactly. It's just a way to deal with people's fear of death. They don't want to think that they'll just rot away after dying, so you have this whole idea of heaven and such. And there's so many inconsistencies with that idea itself when you really think about it. But it's just too good to give up for people. Which I guess is understandable, I mean you can believe in whatever the hell you want if it makes you feel better. You can believe that pink elaphants will take you away to never never land where you'll frolic happily for all eternity, that doesn't bother me. The thing I hate is when religious people try to influence everyone else by forcing their opinions on them, like by limiting stem cell research for example. Or trying to stop teachers from talking about evolution and creating their own bs theories.
I hate to see religion get in the way of science.

Maybe people who dont believe and hate religion is just a way for them to live their lives without accountability to anyone. The funny thing about atheists too is that they look down upon religious people especially christians and think they are fools or stupid. For example atheist thinking anything apart from evolution is B.S, they claim christians are intolerant yet they themselves are very intolerant.

I am atheist right now but was raised as a Catholic. I don't think your'e confused for switching religions. A better word is enlightened. I have a lot of Jewish friends and they saved my life so good luck with your quest.

I'm what many would consider a devout Catholic and heavily involved in church choir music--English Masses, Filipino Masses, Latin Masses, and the occasional Spanish Mass--singing, assisting in conducting, arranging/composing choral music, etc. Sadly, it becomes too easy get caught up in the music and get distracted from the spirituality that is supposed to make it come alive. I've come across all sorts of characters, many who become embittered with all the work they do for God and the people they deal with that they lack joy. But in these people, I also see a spiritual struggle, and that they are trying there best to remain faithful and find their calling and make sense of the crazy things that come their way. Religion is not for the apathetic or cynical. These people care and do something about it.

Having been ridiculed myself for my beliefs, I also came to the realization that if I can believe that God became human and now gives himself to us under the appearance of bread and wine and people will get their bodies back in heaven, then a Scientologist is free to believe all he or she wants about Xenu. Like many have said here, any belief system--be it religious, political, philosophical--becomes problematic when it asks people to ridicule or hurt others who don't share those beliefs, and pretty much everyone is guilty of that, albeit in different degrees.

And it's not as though I don't have doubts. Like my first post on these forums said: "The opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear." Even though I try to be committed to my faith's specific beliefs, I know that God is bigger than all that. Truth is not a set of beliefs that anyone owns, but a Person. God is Love and God is Truth. God is also in you and in other people. So as long as you trust that you are not faced with more than you can handle, remain calm and fearless, work hard, help others and show them some love, you're already ahead of the game.

I feel religionless, though the one thing I still hold on to is my belief in God. That won't ever change.

I have been raised Catholic... and still am a Catholic. I like my religion, but I disagree with some of the things dealing with it. I haven't found another religion, but that's because I haven't been looking. All I've gotten is a look at a variety of religions. Interesting, but too confusing. I hate the feeling I get of not being certain of whats right and whats not. sigh...too much for me.

"Maybe people who dont believe and hate religion is just a way for them to live their lives without accountability to anyone. The funny thing about atheists too is that they look down upon religious people especially christians and think they are fools or stupid. For example atheist thinking anything apart from evolution is B.S, they claim christians are intolerant yet they themselves are very intolerant." - lilbawler2001

(Haven't figured out how to properly quote yet, give me time :P)

But you're generalizing here. There are intolerant people in all sides of the religious vs science or which religion is RIGHT arguements. There are also incredibly warm, compassionate people. As always, it's the obnoxious, loud people who get the attention.

Which is unfortunate.

okay i was refering to the guy who said apart from the evolution theory everything else is B.S, next time to quote another member just click the quote button lol. :lol:

This is exactly how I feel! Except instead I was born Muslim, converted to Chrisitianity, and now I don't even know what I am anymore lol...and that's ok with me for now :)

its true though