'What religion are you?' poll discussion

Soubrette

I choose atheist although I am happy to admit that there is no scientific proof for or against generalised supreme being (the more you define your god, the more problematic it becomes to maintain that there is no proof either way imo though).

Personally I believe that if we all try to put in a little bit more than we take out, admire the better people and choose the path of least harm then society wouldn't even need religion.

I was brought up in a non religious household (I had no idea of my parents religion or beliefs but whatever they were they were personal rather than church led) and have never yet come across an argument that persuades me of the validity of a god figure.

tony_ryder

religion / philosophy

i considered the religions i'd so far come in contact with
the following seems, to me, to be a better alternative
its based on three tenets ( and only three )

no priests
no garments
no books
no hymns
no prayers
no obligations
no buildings
no money
no pictures
no statues
no candles!
no meetings
no laws
no pilgrimages
no monasteries
just the following guide

assume that each of us is an eternal spirit,!
in a temporary body, on test, here on earth

expect that when the body dies,!
we realise all the harm we’ve done,!
and that we suffer disconsolation,!
in proportion to the total harm done

don’t harm ! ( help? )!
that is, don’t harm other people, animals, birds,!
fish, insects, plants, the environment!
or even ourselves

August 1997

Kings Norton ! B30 2EX August 1997
England

tony_ryder

michael kalopoulos wrote "biblical religion, the great lie" -
it seems to him that most of the first 5 books of the bible are taken from older greek fiction -

maytaurus

My beliefs are far too complex to use a tick box!!

I am very interested in theology and like others have studied the bible
I have however also looked in some depth at many other 'religions' and have always enjoyed discussing spiritual matters, with people of all belief systems who were open minded enough to be able to discuss and debate these mattersI have friends of all colours, races and creeds and there is much to share.As long as

I was christened etc etc, but I had too many questions that weren't answered and didn't want to look for explanations within a blinkered group and after all Christianity is a fairly 'new religion' in the scheme of things
Regarding the Vatican ... a surviving patriarchal hierarchy ... with vast wealth and opulence ... in a world full of people dying for lack of a handful of grain to eat or water to drink

Life itself, in all forms is the most important thing and I wish that there was respect for all living things

How many atrocities have been committed, occurring solely on the command of church authorities or committed in the name of Christianity (without even mentioning any other 'religion' or patriarchal group?) by evil human beings hiding behind their man made 'rules/religions', when they were (and still are) simply groups of people who wanted the other groups of people to agree with them and if not then they and there way of of life have to be eliminated! (no change there then!)
It's quite amazing actually,if you ask people why they are christians or what being a christian involves they are quite often unable to give you to tell you
I would suggest that christians look again at the things said by Jesus ..

'Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother etc, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor'
(not being a christian does not necessarily mean that you don't believe he existed)
How does this equate with the reality of the majority of 'christians' and particularly the 'good' religious leaders living in places like the Vatican
As it says in the book of Mark
'And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death'
it seems these men have never followed anything except their own agenda for power and wealth
I only can only hope that more people will open their eyes!

I believe that while there are groups of blinkered people insisting that they are 'right' and everyone else is 'wrong', there will never be any peace or fairness in the world and that 'Primum non nocere' should be the mantra of all human beings

stevemcol

In every other area of science, where a theory or belief is developed, experiments are set up to prove or disprove the notion.
Why then, in religion, do we just have this blind faith. It baffles me and is completely irrational on every level.

Also, the devout members of each persuasion are adamant their religion is the correct one (though I know many share the same god). WHAT ARE THE ODDS that you were borne into the CORRECT religion. Why should your religion be the correct one and to develop the thought, why then should any religion be the correct one. So why have any?

I'm sorry for the shouting but this subject really does get me going. Most religions were conceived when we had no explanations for any of nature's phenomena; simply put, we needed something to hang our hats on. There can't be any rational justification for religious beliefs in the modern world. It's just bizarre that we still fall back on them.

:A

money_honey

I'm D - Christian (other). Mostly evangelical I guess as I was brought up in that kind of environment (still haven't found a church I'm happy with where I live now yet), I find that some anglican churches etc can have a bit of an 'old' congregation, just in my experience.

However I think every person is entitled to believe what they want, and I find it annoying when others slag off beliefs. Live and let live please! There are plenty of things we all disagree on and at the end of the day NOBODY can prove it one way or another, and you won't know for certain until you die. Mini rant over!

adrian_clark

money_honey wrote: »

I'm D - Christian (other). Mostly evangelical I guess as I was brought up in that kind of environment (still haven't found a church I'm happy with where I live now yet), I find that some anglican churches etc can have a bit of an 'old' congregation, just in my experience.

However I think every person is entitled to believe what they want, and I find it annoying when others slag off beliefs. Live and let live please! There are plenty of things we all disagree on and at the end of the day NOBODY can prove it one way or another, and you won't know for certain until you die. Mini rant over!

However, you cannot ignore that you are an image bearer of your creator who came into human history as the man Jesus Christ in humility, to love and serve all humanity and conquered sin, death and hell. He now rules and reigns King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He makes an exclusive claim that He is the only God and 'nobody' comes to the father but through Him. There is no middle ground, you either turn from rebellion and grasp the truth He offers or live separated from your father in heaven and eventually your will will be done and you will live separated from God in the conscience, eternal torments of Hell. This is not myth, fable or folklore but history, faithfully recorded by God's people and corroborated by secular historians. You have to pick a team, your life, your hope for joy, your understanding of love and its very nature depends on it.

meher

I come from a family belonging to two religions but I practise none.

thank you for your interest

Mobeer

Is the poll missing multiple selection - for example how do you select Buddhist and Shinto (other) together? I can't check this now I've voted.

snowmaid

I was born Catholic, attended various Churches, was never quite 'at home', but am now a Latter Day Saint member since 1995.

My son completed his 2 year Mission in January and is now studying Civil Engineering. My daughter is non practising. My youngest boy loves attending Church.