A Rather Religious Debate

[Esther]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]Hey fellow Otaku's. It's Esther here, with yet another stimulating religion-based discussion! Yahoo! Hehe.

With the constant flow of new OtakuBoards members, there will be new people thus new beliefs. A thread like this is going to be popping up all the time, and I just thought I'd be the host this time around.

So, maybe this can be organized with a couple discussion questions hmm?:

[B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/B]

[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B]

[B]3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?[/B]

[B]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [I]one true religion?[/I] If so provide evidence.[/B]

** [B]I have to get going somewhere, so I'll post back to this when I get back. Hope y'all have fun with this now![/B] **[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Ellerby]

[COLOR=DimGray][FONT=Tahoma][B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following?[/B]

[INDENT]I am and always will be Christian. Maybe not always Pentecostal, but any type of Christianity for sure.[/INDENT]

[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B]

[INDENT]Well, I originally just grew up as a Christian so the only reason I went to church was because I was forced to.

But in the last few years I've become old enough to really understand everything I'm still trying to wrap my head around Christianity, though) and I've [i]really[/i] become Christian. [/INDENT]
[B]
3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?[/B]

[INDENT]Every once in a while the kids at my lunch table will get into a political debate (or a "let's make fun of so and so for no apparent reason" argument, actually) and sometimes religion will pop up. Not often is Christianity brought up but it does happen.

The only time that I personally have been criticized for being Christian is when I was going out with my ex-girlfriend (she didn't have a problem with it, but sometimes she slipped and said things she probably shouldn't have, lol) and the way my best friend used to treat Christianity (which has now changed).[/INDENT]

[B]4. Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.[/B]

[indent]If I didn't then I wouldn't believe in it. lol[/indent][/FONT][/COLOR]

[DeadSeraphim]

[COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial]You're just a sucker for punishment, aren't you kid? lol

[B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/B]
I'm Christian, though I don't identify with any major churches. I'm pretty sure Gavin would spit roast me for that, but meh. I believe sincerely that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that he keeps acting my life today, so that's basically all I need.

[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B]
Personal reasons.

[B]3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?[/B]
Sometimes. My mother isn't especially supportive, and I have athiest friends who scoff, but it's usually pretty cruisey.

[B]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [I]one true religion?[/I] If so provide evidence.[/B]
I do, but I don't have evidence. If I had evidence it wouldn't be religion, lol, cause religion revolves around the concept of faith - faith that your beliefs are right even when you can' corroborate it.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/B]
[INDENT]None. I was born and raised in the LDS/Mormon religion but last year I decided I wanted nothing to do with it. [/INDENT]
[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B]
[INDENT]Perhaps in my case a better question would be why did I chose to not follow it. And that would be because my parents and people around me were expecting me to. And it bothered me that my questions were brushed off as if I lacked faith, instead them taking them seriously. So I choose to leave and maybe later I?ll join something else, but right now I have no interest in religion.[/INDENT]
[B]3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?[/B]
[INDENT]Sure they do, they think I?m some stupid little teenager who needs to be disciplined by my Mom. And by they I mean the adults. It took my Mom a while to accept it, but the others see it as a failure on her part to keep me grounded in religion. Where I see it as my right to explore and find out for myself what I believe in.
[/INDENT][B]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [I]one true religion?[/I] If so provide evidence.[/B]
[INDENT]Well obviously I don?t or I wouldn?t have insisted on leaving it. And like others have mentioned, even if they believe it is the one true religion, it?s a matter of faith and not something that you can provide evidence for.[/INDENT] [/COLOR]

[Albert Flasher]

[COLOR=Sienna]
1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?
[B]
I am an athiest to the Nth degree... that is to say, I'm an Anti-Thiest (I probably made that up.). I don't hate any religion in particular, nor do I hate people who follow religions, but I absolutely despise organised religion.
[/B]
2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[B]

Personal reasons. I was never raised in a religious or areligious environment, it very rarley came up. I guess my upbringing leaned more towards Christianity then anything, but when I got older and became educated in the history of organised religions and their absurdaties I ditched the whole concept.[/B]

3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?
[B]
I get the ocasional 'You're, like, an athiest? ***.' from the typical sheep, but I'm pretty secure in my lack of beliefs so it doesn't phase me. [/B]

4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.
[B]
I believe that the point of what you believe in is, in the end, to be happy. Everyone has a different path to this happiness. Some people chose to believe that some all-powerful, infallable diety is watching over you; it's easy and simple, very cut-and try, an answer to all the questions you could possibly ask. Me, I could never be happy functioning within a system that I consider hypocritical and intolerant and generally wrong. But that's just me... Er, in short, there is no one true path, just do what makes you happy...[/B]

Anywhoo, I love religious debates, especially when they get dirty and emotional... so lets get this thing started![/COLOR]

[2010DigitalBoy]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][B]1[/B]. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?

I follow no 'real' religion. I have my own beliefs that need not run course with anyone else.

[B]2[/B]. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?

I follow my religion because I don't care about religion and I wish people weren't so uptight about it.

[B]3[/B]. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?

HELL yes.

[B]4[/B]. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.

I could say any number of things here, but there's honestly nothing I can say to prove anything. I respect every religion and believe that any of them could be true. The only time I becaome entangled in religious affairs is if they encroach on MY happiness.[/COLOR]

[Veritas]

[color=dimgray][size=1][b]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?
[/b]Right now, I guess you could say I'm just spiritual. I haven't found a faith that I can believe in fully, so right now I'm just doing personal research on them, and trying to find something that I believe.[/size][/color]
[b]
[b][size=1][color=dimgray]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/color][/size][/b][/b]
[size=1][color=dimgray]My family is extrememly LDS/Mormom, much like Aaryanna's. But some people just seem to follow the faith blindly and they just repeat what's been told to them, that they never question them. [/color][/size]
[size=1][color=dimgray][/color][/size]
[size=1][color=dimgray]There are some other reasons why I consider myself just spiritual, but those are very controversial, and it would take awhile to explain, but I will say this, I kinda believe in a little bit of everything, and it works for me.[/color][/size]

[color=dimgray][size=1][b]3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?[/b]
Yes and no, majority of the time I just tell people I'm agnostic or spiritual, and most of the time here they leave it at that. Normally I don't get into the entirety of my beliefs with people I don't know. I do think people would critisize me alot though if I was more forthcoming about it, especially where I live.[/size][/color]
[size=1][color=dimgray][/color][/size]
[size=1][color=dimgray]But the basis of my beliefs is just being kind to people, so I don't encounter much heat from the people I do tell.[/color][/size]

[b][size=1][color=dimgray]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [i]one true religion?[/i] If so provide evidence.[/color][/size][/b]
[b][size=1][color=dimgray][/color][/size][/b]
[size=1][color=dimgray]I personally don't believe it is possible to have one "true religion". In my oppinion one religion isn't going to be right for everyone in the world, although it may be right for certain people. And if that religion can keep them spiritually satisfied and happy, then by all means go for it. I personally think there is just one god and he has many faces. It's kinda like parenting, a parent can't act the same way for every kid because they are all different, they like different things, and get motivated in different ways.[/color][/size]

[TheShinje]

[font=Verdana][size=1][b]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?
[/b][color=crimson] I'm a Christian. I currently identify with a local Baptist
Church but I can feel comfortable in any denmination's service. Exception being Westboro and other haters.[/color]
[b]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?
[/b][color=crimson] Personal, I was brought up Catholic by my parents, but formed my own opinions and beleifs and ended up identifying more with the protestant-leaning churches, where I am tody.[/color]
[b]3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?
[/b][color=crimson] Sometimes, I try and counter-act that criticism though, because alot of it is hearsay and unfounded. I like to get people into the Jesus I know.[/color]
[b]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [i]one true religion?[/i] If so provide evidence.
[/b][color=crimson] Yes I do. But like Alan above, I don't have any proof to supplement that beleif.

Though I find strength in my faith by looking at the awesomenss of nature and pondering how anything so magnificent could be accidental.[/color]

[/size][/font]

[Retribution]

[size=1][b]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/b]
I'm agnostic right now. Recently converted from Protestant Christianity.

[b]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/b]
Mostly because I disagree with huge pillars of Christianity... and I have trouble placing faith in things I can't see. Call me doubting Thomas, I know, I know.

[b]3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?[/b]
Not really. My mom maintains that non-religious people go to hell, so she's sort of tough to deal with, but my dad's been pretty tolerant.

[b]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.[/b]
I think that all religions are pretty much equal. They all have truths, and they all have flaws. And why would God create people who He knew would never have contact with Christianity (or whatever), and then condemn them to Hell? Just doesn't sound like a just and righteous God... I have more faith in the big guy.[/size]

[Sangome]

[size=1]1. [b]What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/b]

I'm currently a Christian, in an Assemblies of God church, which my parents basically call a Pentecostal church. Yet, unlike most of them, they don't require women to wear skirts, have long hair in ponytails, they allow jewlery and make-up...eh, I'll just say Christian and that's that, haha.

2. [b]Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/b]

Parents have alot to do with it (i.e. forcing), but then again if I didn't really want to be in my faith, I would have nodded out of it a long time ago, yes?

3. [b]Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?[/b]

Actually, no, not really. I have a few atheist friends who often poke fun at it (they usually just forget and don't intend to hurt my feelings, I don't preach it anyway, haha), and it hasn't stopped other people from befriending me, so...yeah.

4. [b]This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.[/b]

That's the thing, I have no evidence. As others have stated, religon is about [i]faith[/i], not whether you have proof of it or not. I mean, it goes that way for any belief. Do I have proof that God exists? No. Do atheists (not trying to single anyone out) have proof that He DOESN'T exist? No. But what DO we all have? Faith. We have faith what we believe in is true, whether it really IS true or not. I suppose the only way we can find out is when we die, to put it morbidly, haha.[/size]

[Esther]

[SIZE=1]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as I have been since the age of 8 ( like most members ).

2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?

Well, I guess I would have to give kudos to my great-great-great-great-great (and so on for how many generations..) grand parents. They were the ones who joined Joseph Smith, on my fathers side at least, when he "popped" out of the woods. They're the cause of who I am now, and I thank them for that.

But I choose to continue following my faith mostly because of personal reasons. I really love the feeling of knowning that I am always walking hand-in-hand with Him, and I will never be alone regardless of where I am and who I'm with. It's just a really great feeling to walk into a Church meeting, and recieve the sacrament and just feel.. refreshed. I also expect my future family to be as devout as I am..

3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?

My answer is simple, yes. I grew up in Arizona, and at the time there weren't as many Mormons as there are now. So when someone would bring up the subject of Mormonism, it was usually to say negative things. I usually found myself defending my religion all the time, sometimes my friends would back me up hehe.

Also, when I lived in Singapore for work it was.. awkward. Almost no one knew what a Mormon was, usually people would ask "Who is Mormon?" or "Isn't Mormon a place?". But, I guess it wasn't their fault.. there just isn't a large Mormon population there.

4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.

I wouldn't exactly say that we are the one true religion, but simply we have a little bit more knoweledge than other religions. I feel that most Mormons are comfortable within the religion, rather than the next person in another religion. The fact that we have more than one testimony of Jesus Christ is lone evidence.

[quote name='Aaryanna'] And that would be because my parents and people around me were expecting me to. And it bothered me that my questions were brushed off as if I lacked faith, instead them taking them seriously.[/quote]

Honey, we want the best for our youth. We want to guide them into a better LDS member lifestyle, but today's generation seems to goof around way too much. Perhaps that's why you're overseer's didn't take your questions as serious as they should have? And if you don't mind me asking, which questions were these exactly?

[quote name='HedonismBot']I believe that the point of what you believe in is, in the end, to be happy.[/quote]

Wow, I've come across an athiest whose goal isn't to prove me wrong.. hmm.

[quote name='Veritas']I personally don't believe it is possible to have one "true religion". In my oppinion one religion isn't going to be right for everyone in the world, although it may be right for certain people. And if that religion can keep them spiritually satisfied and happy, then by all means go for it. I personally think there is just one god and he has many faces. It's kinda like parenting, a parent can't act the same way for every kid because they are all different, they like different things, and get motivated in different ways.[/quote]

I'm sort of confused, if you don't believe there is a one true religion then do you not believe in a Heaven or Hell? Or any sort of life beyond death? If you believe that God has many faces, then are we all going to the same place when we die?[/SIZE]

[YoukaiAlchemist]

[B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/B]I'm following Christianity and Shinto, with a Taoist/ onmyouji philosophy.

[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B]It feels...right to me.

[B]3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?[/B]Nope. No one really cares. XD

[B]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [I]one true religion?[/I] If so provide evidence.[/B] Nope. there is no 1 TRUE religion, since man changes tiney things in almost all religion, thus making it less true. >.> also, I think God made most of the religions of the world just to laugh and seew what would happen.

[Retribution]

[quote name='Esther][SIZE=1']Honey, we want the best for our youth. We want to guide them into a better LDS member lifestyle, but today's generation seems to goof around way too much. Perhaps that's why you're overseer's didn't take your questions as serious as they should have? And if you don't mind me asking, which questions were these exactly?[/SIZE][/quote]
[size=1]My friend's (an atheist) parents brushed aside his non-belief as a teenage phase. I guess I can see where the adult would see non-belief as teenage rebellion/angst, but on some level, you've got to take the kid seriously.

[QUOTE][SIZE=1]Wow, I've come across an athiest whose goal isn't to prove me wrong.. hmm.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
My experience with them is that they generally scoff at religion. Rarely do they dive into the long and tedious battle of disproving a religion.

[QUOTE][SIZE=1]I'm sort of confused, if you don't believe there is a one true religion then do you not believe in a Heaven or Hell? Or any sort of life beyond death? If you believe that God has many faces, then are we all going to the same place when we die?[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
It's simple, really. Whatever deity you believe in will [in theory] let you go to the generic happy good fun place after death if you've been good in respect to your religion, and to a pain dark bad place after death if you've been bad in respect to your religion. Wait... that leaves my argument full of holes. Meh. But yes, I think Veritas is saying we're all going to one place or another when we die -- be it heaven and hell, we don't know.[/size]

[YoukaiAlchemist]

[QUOTE=Esther][SIZE=1]
I wouldn't exactly say that we are the one true religion, but simply we have a little bit more knoweledge than other religions. I feel that most Mormons are comfortable within the religion, rather than the next person in another religion. The fact that we have more than one testimony of Jesus Christ is lone evidence.



[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
O.o hmmm...Do you mean ALL Other religions or most other? depenedign on what you mean I may or may not agree with you. ^_^ also, don't knock the knowledge of other religions. everything has its own lesson that is quite important.

[Albert Flasher]

[COLOR=Sienna]Hmm... no, no, this just won't do... far to civil, far to tame... methinks it's time to get things a-goin...
[/COLOR]
[QUOTE]Wow, I've come across an athiest whose goal isn't to prove me wrong.. hmm.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Sienna]
Eh, I've tangled enough to know that you can't use logic or common sense or proof when dealing with matters of faith... besides, I don't need to prove you wrong to know that I'm right. :P[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]My experience with them is that they generally scoff at religion. Rarely do they dive into the long and tedious battle of disproving a religion.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Sienna]
You should see two athiests discussing it... we may not bring it up around religious-types as much, but that's because we know that nothing we say will have any effect on their opinion... when two athiests get together (and I mean serious athiests, not just people who are areligious) we'll ramble on for hours about the holes that poxmark religion. It's quite entertaining, really, so long as you're into tedious and endless debates...
[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]I'm following Christianity and Shinto, with a Taoist/ onmyouji philosophy.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Sienna]
*sorry Gavin, I know you would have wanted a crack at this...*

You know, by the time you've thrown all those Shinto/Taoist/Asian philosophies into Christianity... it's not really Christianity anymore. Two Abrahamic philosophies, maybe, but those are just two completely different cultures you're throwing together... Eh, whatever feels right...[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]Also, when I lived in Singapore for work it was.. awkward. Almost no one knew what a Mormon was, usually people would ask "Who is Mormon?" or "Isn't Mormon a place?". But, I guess it wasn't their fault.. there just isn't a large Mormon population there.[/QUOTE] [COLOR=Sienna]

If no one knew what a Mormon was, how did it come up...? Trying to convert them pagans?[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]The fact that we have more than one testimony of Jesus Christ is lone evidence.[/QUOTE][COLOR=Sienna]

I own the 5th Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy book, but my friend only has the first 4 books of the Trilogy... Despite the fact that the 5th book sucked, I have more of the Testement of Douglas then he does, therefore I > Him... right?[/COLOR]

[QUOTE] Whatever deity you believe in will [in theory] let you go to the generic happy good fun place after death if you've been good in respect to your religion, and to a pain dark bad place after death if you've been bad in respect to your religion.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Sienna]
Of course, because that's the point of religion; do what Mr. Bigshot wants or you'll be severly punished. Mr. Bigshot has, throughout history, ranged from the Pope and the Clergy (Catholic Church, especially during the Dark Ages) to Kings (Egypt) to Druids and Medicine Men (Norse, Amerindian, African, etc etc). All religions originated as ways for the few to control the many; with the notable exception of Buddhism, which is because Buddah never intended it to be a religion, just a way of living your life... it was his followers who elevated him to Diety Status and made it a religion.

That's enough for one post... lets see if we can get something heated going in here![/COLOR]

[Morpheus]

[QUOTE=HedonismBot][COLOR=Sienna]
You should see two athiests discussing it... we may not bring it up around religious-types as much, but that's because we know that nothing we say will have any effect on their opinion... when two athiests get together (and I mean serious athiests, not just people who are areligious) we'll ramble on for hours about the holes that poxmark religion. It's quite entertaining, really, so long as you're into tedious and endless debates...
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
I find it hard to debate with most religious people, so having a best friend that shares my basic beliefs is great. EWTN is the funniest, most absurd network ever by the way.

On to the questions:


1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?

I don't follow one because I was thankfully not brought up in a strong religious background.

2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?

Definitely personal reasons. What most religious people seem to fail to realize is that people like me exist because we can't really prove anything. And with thousands of religions claiming that they are right, there is no real way to determine that one is right and the rest are wrong.

3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?

Not that often, but there are always those that do. I'm lucky in the fact that I have one highly religious friend that I can truly no holds barred debate with and actually accepts my beliefs.

4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.

I believe that we will never know what is the one true religion, if such a thing exists, until the day we die, and there really is no point in attempting to find proof.

One mans leftover toast is another mans proof that the Virgin Mary is attempting to contact Catholics via food.

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][quote name='Esther][SIZE=1]Honey, we want the best for our youth. We want to guide them into a better LDS member lifestyle, but today's generation seems to goof around way too much. [/SIZE][/QUOTE]But how do you know if guiding the youth into a LDS member lifestyle is what?s truly best for them? You?ve made the general assumption that if a youth doesn?t want that lifestyle then they are goofing around too much. [QUOTE=Esther][SIZE=1']Perhaps that's why you're overseer's didn't take your questions as serious as they should have?[/SIZE][/quote]To anyone who knows me, I am not the type to goof around when it comes to being curious about religion and stuff. And the people I was asking knew this. Instead I was told I was being disrespectful and that I needed to work on being more faithful.

Oh and by the way, other than my mom I don?t consider these people or the leaders of the church my ?overseer? so to speak. [quote name='Esther][SIZE=1'] And if you don't mind me asking, which questions were these exactly?[/SIZE][/quote]Sure. For starters one of my classes was talking about tithing and how important it is to pay it. My question was if my father was paying tithing on the money he makes, then why was my mom also paying tithing on the same money? You see my parents are divorced and she gets child support for me. So I wanted to know why they were having her essentially pay tithing on money that had already been tithed? It made no sense to me as it was like they were paying taxes twice. The money she gets for me is after my father has already paid tithing. The answer was first silence, and then, a lecture on it?s a matter of faith. Which of course made no sense to me whatsoever. It still seems dishonest to have members paying tithing twice, first when my dad gets it and then again when he gives her the child support check.

Another question had to do with one of my teachers telling us that being LDS/Mormon meant everyone was equal and that we all had the same opportunities. Which of course is not true. I asked that if we were really an equal opportunity religion, then why can?t women have the priesthood or hold positions like the guys do in church? I?m sure you can imagine the uproar that created. They kept arguing that it was equal and I kept telling them that equal means just that! Equal! It wouldn?t have bothered me so much if they could just admit that it?s pretty much a male dominated religion. But instead I was given a lecture about being disrespectful.

Which would in turn lead to my next question. Why did they encourage only the guys to work and not the women? With the way the economy is I would have thought that a family would work together to provide for their family and that it didn?t matter if the person staying home was the dad or the mom. I have friends who do that, (one because her husband has back problems) and even though they do a good job of taking care of their kids, people in the ward are rude to them as if their father is a bad person. He happens to be very good and cooking, caring for the kids and doing odd jobs that his heath allows.

So the whole woman at home and guy at work thing just seemed stupid to me, as if you were overlooking all of the possible ways to make ends meet and take care of your family. Over something as trivial as gender no less!

So thus the never-ending cycle of if I had more faith I would understand or I was being disrespectful for having questions. And after a while I got sick of it. So I decided that I wasn?t going to go anymore and find out for myself what I really wanted to believe.

Oh and one other question, which by the way I wasn?t trying to be a smart aleck, but they sure thought so. Anyway, I wanted to know how Adam and Eve were supposedly responsible for the entire human race. After all if there were only two humans to start with, I would have imagined that there would have been all sorts of genetic inbreeding and other issues. So I wondered if that story was even true. They thought I was being rude, but I was serious. >_< It just doesn?t make sense to me.

Anyway, I?ve had lots of questions over the years, but those are the most recent, and the ones that got me into trouble. Though to be honest, I?m much happier now that I don?t have to go. I hated it since I felt like I was being forced to be part of an organization that on some level is dishonest. (at least I feel that they are)[quote name='Retribution][size=1']My friend's (an atheist) parents brushed aside his non-belief as a teenage phase. I guess I can see where the adult would see non-belief as teenage rebellion/angst, but on some level, you've got to take the kid seriously.[/size][/quote]Exactly. And my mom finally saw it in that light. She wasn't happy about it, but she realized that eventually it's my choice to make and not hers. She can guide and give examples of what she feels is best, but in the end I have to make the choice for myself. And right now that choice is no religion at all. [/COLOR]

[Horendithas]

[COLOR=DarkRed][B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/B]

None. Why? Because I don?t really believe in it and I tend to not follow things I don?t believe in.

[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B]

Why don?t I follow a religion? Because I don?t really believe in it, and my parents were never highly religious either. I?ve had plenty of times where different religions were introduced to me and I never felt any connection or that it was something I wanted to be a part of.

[B]3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?[/B]

Now there?s a loaded question, and since I believe you are LDS/Mormon I?ll leave it alone as the worse offenders who criticize me for my lack of beliefs have been followers of the faith you belong to. I say I?ll leave it alone because on the other side I?ve also met people in the same faith who aren?t rude like that. So I?m inclined to believe it?s more a problem with the rude people than the religion as a whole.

[B]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [I]one true religion?[/I] If so provide evidence.[/B]

Even if I had a religion I would not believe that it was the one true religion. I don?t think you can prove that one is in fact ?the one true religion? For the simple reason that these things are suppose to be based off of faith not evidence. And honestly those who think that their religion is the only true one are in my opinion, arrogant. There are a lot of religions out there and I find it hard to believe that only one is correct. But then I don?t believe in it at all so perhaps that?s to be expected. ;)[/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following?[/B]

[color=crimson]I follow Discordianism half seriously. Then again the entire thing is half serious so it works out into a pretty cool fraction of seriousness.

Neat, huh.[/color]

[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B]

[color=crimson]I want to so I do.[/color]

[B]3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?[/B]

[color=crimson]That's okay since their choice in faith is easy to criticize as well.

Haha, Christianity. Lolz indeed.[/color]

[B]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [I]one true religion?[/I] If so provide evidence.[/B]

[color=crimson]Nope. Truth is relative to the viewer/viewers especially with matters of mysticism.

There is no one true religion to me. Just scattered viewpoints and bickering children.[/color]

[quote name='Esther][SIZE=1']I also expect my future family to be as devout as I am..[/quote][/size]

[color=crimson]Boy it's going to suck when in generations into the future Mormonism will be kaput and passed into history's pages.

I bet He will be pretty bummed too huh.[/color]

[QUOTE=HedonismBot][COLOR=Sienna]
Eh, I've tangled enough to know that you can't use logic or common sense or proof when dealing with matters of faith... besides, I don't need to prove you wrong to know that I'm right. :P[/COLOR][/quote]

[color=crimson]Cool! You [i]know[/i] you're right, that must be an awesome feeling. Man, it would be really easy to confuse you with a ignorant religious person right now.

Good thing I know better though.[/color]

[quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkOrchid']I would have imagined that there would have been all sorts of genetic inbreeding and other issues. [/COLOR][/quote]

[color=crimson]Perhaps humanity is kooky for a reason.[/color]

[only1specialed]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=3][FONT=Georgia]
[B]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/B] Im Agnostic. Born and raised Catholic. Once in school though when they started talking about evolution and all that stuff and dinosaurs. I was like "wait a minute. that dont make sense with what the bible says." Since then i stop going to church but i still feel like there might be an all mighty being up there.

[B]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/B] Cause of school and personal reasons. I always hated my aunt when she would visit cause she was so deeply devoted to christinity. She would always force it onto me and my brothers and we just got tired of it. Then theres the whole evolution theory. The dots just werent connecting.

[B]3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?[/B] No, i live in california. People here dont care too much about religion or trying to force onto others.

[B]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the [I]one true religion?[/I] If so provide evidence.[/B] of course... not. there is no such thing and there will never be one. unless God almighty gave the sermons himself. till then im just gonna wander the globe looking at people live their daily lives.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Boo]

[size=1] [b]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following?[/b]

Christianity. I don?t like the idea of putting myself in one of the churches within a certain religion too much, but then I guess I?m protestant.

Though I thought that I had my very own ideas about things regarding my religion, I learned later that they were very much alike the ideas of the brothers in Taizé, France.

[b] 2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/b]

Personal reasons. I?m brought up as a Christian, but I?ve had time enough to think about my religion and figured out that I truly am a Christian.

[b] 3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?[/b]

Nope.

[b] 4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.[/b]

Obviously, or I would not call myself a Christian. I wouldn?t be much of a believer if I said otherwise.[/size]

[TheShinje]

[size=1][QUOTE=only1specialed][/size][size=1][color=DarkRed][font=Georgia]
[b]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/b] Im Agnostic. Born and raised Catholic. Once in school though when they started talking about evolution and all that stuff and dinosaurs. I was like "wait a minute. that dont make sense with what the bible says." Since then i stop going to church but i still feel like there might be an all mighty being up there.
[/font][/color][/size][size=1][/QUOTE][size=2][color=crimson]
Don't count the bible out just yet. Check out some of this stuff and see what you think first....[[url="http://www.carm.org/evolution.htm"]here[/url]]

On a related note, the Big Bang theory, isn't the Big Bang kind of how the Bible says things came into being?

God spoke and then BANG, it happened.
"Let theire be light", BANG!, it's there...[/color]
[/size][/size]

[Chiyasha]

Alrighty, then!

1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following?

Islam

2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?

I guess it's from my parents and the country where I was born.

3. Do you ever feel that people often critisize you because of these beliefs?

Errm... not really. Other people won't care much really. We're becoming the Generation Y people (individualism).

4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.

I say NO. I believe religion is just a "special" group. I believe God is everywhere. God needs no "special" rituals, prayers and other things that are believed to be "special" and should not be broken. God accepts everybody's prayers, regardless of each person's nature. The religion I am following at the moment is just a load of unreasonable beliefs, especially about women should wear their headscarves to keep their faith to our God. If that belief is disobeyed, the female will be thrown into Hell and have her hair scorched by brimstone. I say that's a load of rubbish. Jihad is also another thing: It's an act of matyrdom for NOTHING. Why would God wants these "followers" to kill themselves to prove their faith to Him? I think He is truly disgraced of humanity, regardless of history. Back to the q, Islam is not the one true religion for me.

[Boo]

[size=1]The person above me is cool. Just out of curiousity: if you were to [i]live[/i]/[i]move to[/i] somewhere on your own, would you change your religion?

[b]Edit:[/b] (If question) [i]If[/i] you live on your own already, why don't you change religion?[/size]

[Chiyasha]

[quote name='Boo][size=1]Just out of curiousity: if you were to [i]live[/i]/[i]move to[/i'] somewhere on your own, would you change your religion? [/size][/quote]

Ooh, good question. I guess it's still not safe for me to change religion even if I want to live on my own... but I think the best answer is I rather ditch my religion and follow my common sense for life. Like I said, religion is a "special" group.

What I mean by "special", it's a cult group. 'Cult' is derived from the word 'cultivate', therefore it has a purpose of cultivating people's minds with whatever beliefs and so forth.

Guess that's all I can give.