Religion

*This is not intended to create big debate about religion and whose religion is better, etc. This is purely for a type of "conversation" if you will about different religions and to learn new things about other worldviews or the lack thereof for subscribing to a worldview.*


So, I'm converting. I know what religion I am converting to and the reasons why. I'm pretty firm in my beliefs but after taking a World Religions class at college, I've become incredibly interested in other people's religions. Case in point: I *was* Roman Catholic. Baptized, confirmed, the whole schpiel. Therefore, now that I am converting, my parents are threatening to disown me. Heh, c'est la vie huh? lol. My dad thinks it's a phase and my mom thinks she didn't set a good Catholic example. My extended family told me that they are *supportive* [whatever that means] but that they wouldn't feel comfortable attending gatherings such as weddings, etc. that focused on some aspect of my new religion and its customs. Basically, I'm getting kicked out of my family.

Now, I'm doing this for myself and because of what I believe in. I've studied my new religion for quite a long time and I can truthfully say I love its messages, its customs, and its spiritual path. My problem is that to be happy with myself, I will have to sadden, enrage, and [in some cases] disgust my family to do what *I* think is right for myself.

That's what religion is all about, no? It should be about how you feel about spirituality in general and how you feel about deities and creation, etc. So tell me, DREAMers, what is it about your religion [and if you are a convert or thinking of converting, what is it about your new religion that you find comforting or *right*] or lack thereof that you have come to embrace and cherish? Also, [and some of the answers may piss me off lol but feel free to answer] what is your opinion towards religious converters? Do you think they are just confused or do you think that only people that are born into a certain religion should be recognized as "true believers"?

Lots of philosophical and spiritual questions, as you can see. .

Also, I met a girl in my class that was Wiccan and loved hearing her religious viewpoints and what not. If you're from a non-traditional religion or if you just flat-out hate religion and embrace some other kind of worldview, come on in and state your feelings. The only thing I will REALLY get pissed off about is if you start insulting others for their views [basically, no anti-Semitism, anti-Islamic, or anti-ANYTHING comments will be tolerated. If you don't have anything nice to say, STFU and move along].

Okay, I'm done. Post away .

Ok so I've got the Chili Peppers on and I'll try not to make this too long lol. So a bit of background: I'm Nigerian as some of you know, a country which is half-Christian and half-Muslim. My family is Muslim, and my close family, including my mom and dad, are practising Muslims, and push me to be the same. When I first came here I was young and spent about two years w/o my parents so I lost what little I identified against Islam.

My mom has always pushed me to become more active etc etc, and I tried to embrace the religion and delve into it, and did not agree with many of Islam's core ideas and principles, though I have respect for Muslims. I decided, in my own mind, because I'd be disowned like Hopeful if I ever voiced any of this lol, that Islam was not for me and began exploring other religions, secretly.

Freshman year last year was hard for me because of our immi stuff, and I really longed for something spiritual to turn to and embraced Chrisitianity, got baptized in Middle of nowhere, Texas, went to prayer meetings, the whole shebang. I found so much love with the people there, and they got me through a very difficult second semester. In Chrisitianity I found a lot of the unconditional love I had found lacking in Islam, but there were many aspects of the religion that I still questioned. During the summer, away from Christians on Campus and other religious influences, I explored my belief system and found I had turned to Christianity because I needed something to help me through and it seemed perfect, but there were core principles of the religion I just couldn't believe in.

So here I was, and still am, religionless, though the one thing I still hold on to is my belief in God. Personally, my problem with Christianity was the division in the religion , and certain things you were "supposed" to take as fact. I feel more comfortable not having to succumb to an organized belief system, but I'm not exactly spiritually content. The status quo seems to embrace those who at least identify with a religion, and look down on those who proclaim no religion, at least in my opinion. So I find myself wanting to be a part of a religion, but happiest when I am not. So I am still on a spiritual hunt, so to speak. Meanwhile I'm left with the unfortunate task of having to "break up" with Christians on Campus, sometime before school starts in a week.

As for my opinion on religious converters, I respect them as much as anyone else. I don't believe that being born into a religion makes it the right religion for you, and that those people are true believers. I mean think about monarchies and the controversy around them, though that's a whole nother thread lol. I don't believe one should be a slave of their birth situation is all.

First of all, when I was 12 years old, a SUV pull me for several feet. I almost die. Since then, there is not a week when I realize that I will die. Look for spiritualism, some details are too embarrasing to comment. Religion in general left me very empty. When I see deeply religious people is when I doubt the existence of a God. I do not mean people who go to church everyday. You know, Osama Bin Laden, anti-abortion, anti-gay, KKK, all those people who believe that God is on their side, thus they have the right to be evil.
Only the kindness of extrangers towards myself and one another had recue me from totally abandon belief. I do not believe in religions though. I think that God will like me more if I am kind and forgive even those who hate me -Alipacers I know you are around and you are forgiven, just not forgot- than to be part of one particular church. I also regect the idea that God is a white, old guy who is always piss off at everything. Someone with the wit to create us as we are cannot be that uptight. Still, I respect other religions and attend to mass out of respect for my Roman Catholic parents. My brother more or less has the same ideas so here is what pisses off all my family:
1)Don't rub your new religion on their faces. Don't tell them is better or nicer or that they are going to hell because they are not following your steps.
2)You can still join your family for celebrations because you are part of that family.
3)Go slowly, do not rush. Even if you are just in a phase is your life and you have the right to expant your spiritual self.
4)Sorry if I have offended anyone. Although, if you are an Alipacer you are offended by my whole persona, thus remember love thy neighbor.

So ummm what's your new religion?

I can't think straight! I don't know whats wrong with me, its like im drawing a blank.

I am not a psychologist but hopefully it is only temporary. Just take things easy, sleep your hours and eat only good things, skip caffeinate drinks and sugars, because they affect your mood. Just remember that people care for you and that it worries us if something negative affects you. Take Care

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.

You asked for our opinion on religious converters. Here's mine: Go ahead if it makes you happy and if you find something you truly believe in. Many of us start in one religion because that's all we know, but then as we get older we learn about the numerous other religions out there that we can be a part of, or if you realize you don't believe in any of them, hey that's fine too. I respect people's beliefs, though I may not believe in them myself. I think there's an interesting aspect of everyone's religion and I embrace that, because it makes us different and it opens up avenues of conversation like this thread

im into Scientology

please tell me that was a joke.....

I'm converting to Judaism. I actually just attended my 5th Sabbath at the temple by my house this morning when I was supposedly to be at a friend's house helping her move into her new apartment. I really wish I didn't have to lie to my parents about where I am but, hey, if that's how it's gotta be, then so be it.

The only reason I told my parents I wanted to convert was because I wanted them to be there for me when the entire process was taking place. Also, I'm pretty close to my dad so I felt I should tell him before I did anything this life-altering. I didn't want to shove it in their faces or anything; I knew they [and by they I mean my immediate and extended family] would find out eventually so I figured that now is the best time since I'm planning on undergoing the conversion process later this year.

Thanks for the replies guys!