here is another one....religion

I'm always having to explain Christian concepts to DH as he has honestly had very little exposure to the religion. I enjoy introducing these new concepts to him, whether it's a religious perspective on a holiday, or a biblical reference. So I had him read Drwahoo's 'witnessing' post to get his response.

"We're all sinners?!"

"I can see a religion claiming someone died for the cause, but then there's that wierd part about coming back to life.. (and oh yea, now he's a zombie and you have to believe that too...)"

I'm not poking fun, it just made me realize how strange a belief system it really is unless you've been born into it or completely immersed in it (as I was). I never thought of it like that, but honestly, from a modern-day objective point of view, it is a strange concept...

There. I've added my post, and I'm rather proud of my diplomacy. But please, put me on the 'do not pray for' list. In light of everything I've gone through and learned, I just want out. Life is so much easier and enjoyable when you can think for yourself.

Jodi

"We're all sinners?!"

"I can see a religion claiming someone died for the cause, but then there's that wierd part about coming back to life.. (and oh yea, now he's a zombie and you have to believe that too...)"

Jodi

I had a similar encounter when dh was describing some of the stories in the Bagvagita (totally incorrectly spelled -- didn't even give it a good try), which is the Hindu Bible-type book. He lost me at the story with the flying monkeys that protect the God. I tried to convince him he'd mixed up the story with the Wizard of Oz, but he insisted I was mistaken.

I believe in a higher power than myself (b/c please - let there be SOMETHING), but don't buy into the Christ as a diety thing. I try to take what I like from many different religions - as well as many different things in life - and work that into my belief system and what I teach my children. At the end of the day, it always goes back to "Treat others how you want to be treated / What you put out to the universe comes back to you / Karma" kind of concept. I don't / can't / won't believe in a God that would condemn people to any kind of Hell just for not singing the right hymns, or going to the right building on whatever day ends up being the sabbath (practicing the "right" religion). I don't believe in Heaven or Hell anyway.

I have no problem with folks who want to pray for me, send me prayers, save my soul after I'm dead (as my Mormon friend informed me they planned to do). I think of prayers as "good thoughts" and who can't use more of those?? If you're praying to "save my soul" b/c I'm so mislead -- well, I can think of better uses of your time, but who am I to judge?

So religion? Not a fan. But I don't think I should tell anyone else what to do.

[Stella]

I had a similar encounter when dh was describing some of the stories in the Bagvagita (totally incorrectly spelled -- didn't even give it a good try), which is the Hindu Bible-type book. He lost me at the story with the flying monkeys that protect the God. I tried to convince him he'd mixed up the story with the Wizard of Oz, but he insisted I was mistaken.

I try to take what I like from many different religions - as well as many different things in life - and work that into my belief system and what I teach my children. At the end of the day, it always goes back to "Treat others how you want to be treated / What you put out to the universe comes back to you / Karma" kind of concept.

I think of prayers as "good thoughts" and who can't use more of those?? If you're praying to "save my soul" b/c I'm so mislead -- well, I can think of better uses of your time, but who am I to judge?

Well said, Jenn. I think it is very important to take things from other religions. They all seem to have so much in common! I am very interested in researching different religions and have definitely found interest in many different aspects of them. As I said before, I think the most important part of religion is that it teaches you core values.

I feel "unsettled" by Christians who never question their beliefs. SO's ex-girlfriend was this way and it was incredibly annoying. She even bought his mom "The Prayers of Jabez" and told her it could save her if she wanted it to. FMIL is still pissed about that as she's been a gnostic Christian for a very long time.

I have nothing but respect for those who feel strongly tied to their religious beliefs, but even my priest growing up told me that you don't truly find God until you question him. I think you must truly know what you are buying into, if you will.

Also, if we followed the "saved" ideology, what happens to all the third-world people who have never even heard of Jesus?? They just go straight to Hell?? I just can't swallow that. God is supposed to be loving and accepting. Or let me rephrase that, MY God is.

I feel "unsettled" by Christians who never question their beliefs. .....

I have nothing but respect for those who feel strongly tied to their religious beliefs, but even my priest growing up told me that you don't truly find God until you question him. I think you must truly know what you are buying into, if you will.

That's how I feel. And it's not just Christians - people of other faiths as well. If I ask a person how they feel about a subject and they tell me what the church says - I don't like it. If a person looks at what the church says, evaluates it on their own (which, of course, is likely to include a lot of the same idealogies), and decides they agree -- okey dokey! I just want to know it's how YOU feel, not something that was swallowed part and parcel b/c that is what the church said.

Of course - no one needs to justify their belief system to me. It's just further clarification on the background of my "I don't like organized religion." stance.

Here it is ya'll - a quiz that matches your beliefs with a religion.

I am Roman Catholic, however my beliefs most parallel those that the Sikhs follow. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that we used to live next door to a Sikh church - I wonder if some sort of waves permeated our house

Sorry, it would help if I included the link.

http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=10907

[SuzySunshine]

I hate my company's firewall I'll have to try that quiz when I get home!

I started taking that quiz but had a hard time with the disagree=N/A selection. I gave up when I hit "Men and Women are equal in the eyes of god." To me that's an N/A selection, as I don't believe in a god. But choosing N/A could also be interpreted as 'disagree' which are completely different responses. Am I over-analyzing this? Help! I want to find my chosen people.

Jodi

[Stella]

Grasshopper, that quiz was interesting.

My highest score was Christianity 83% followed equally by Agnosticism (75%) and Buddhism (75%). I'm not surprised by that really. I think it reflects my basic belief and understanding of Christianity that is often questioned and my belief in karma and responsibility.

Jodi, you crack me up. I had a lot of the "but what about this" first reactions but just went with the "best answer" and I think mine was pretty accurate. Give it a try.

You scored as atheism.

You are... an atheist, though you probably already knew this. Also, you probably have several people praying daily for your soul. Instead of simply being "nonreligious," atheists strongly believe in the lack of existence of a higher being, or God.

atheism: 71%
agnosticism: 71%
Paganism: 63%
Buddhism: 63%
Hinduism: 54%
Satanism: 54%
Judaism: 25%
Islam: 25%
Christianity: 13%

Hm-m-m I think I'm more agnostic. I believe there's SOMETHING else out there, we just can't / don't know what it is.

Jodi

[Auspicious]

All life organisms alive today were created through random processes.

Is that a trick question? Creation people believe in a Creator, and evolution people freak out if you say "random," so everyone would answer "disagree" to this, no?

[Auspicious]

I've also repeatedly seen this one from Beliefnet, if anyone wants a second opinion:

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

Roman Catholic (100%)
Eastern Orthodox (100%)
Orthodox Judaism (91%)

I could understand on the "conservative" side of things, but I'm guessing there is no "Is Jesus Christ the Son of God and your Saviour?" kind of question, 'cause that should knock out the Judiasm part ...

I'll have to go look at it.

[DCJenn]

I came up with 100% atheist (shocking, no?)

Jenn

I guess this means it's really a good thing that I don't believe in organized religion!

Satanism

92%
Buddhism

63%
agnosticism

58%
atheism

58%
Hinduism

54%
Paganism

50%
Islam

42%
Judaism

33%
Christianity

17%