Religion?

[Popper]

1. Are you guys religious? And by that I wonder if you really belive not just if you are a member of a church.

2. If you are religious, what fate do you have?


I am a strong atheist myself (I was born into to the lutheran church.. havent gotten myself around to leaving them though..)

[blue_falcon]

I'd love to see how this thread goes!

As for the answers ..........

Supposedly Papist (i.e. Catholic) but haven't seen the inside of a church for quite a while.

Religious? Uhhhhh............ no.

Do I believe? Yes, I believe in a God. Why? Why the heck not?

[Louweasel]

I'm a Christian (Church of England; Protestant) and I go to church most Sundays. I believe it too, and occasionally teach in the Sunday School.

However I understand it's not for everyone and wouldn't dream of forcing my beliefs on anyone. I like to think I am tolerant of all faiths, atheism, agnosticism etc, and believe that trying to be a good person is central to my religion.

However I'm not perfect...who is??!!

[Tireur]

I'm curious myself. What is a "strong" atheist?

One who strongly doesn't believe in anything?

[Dave]

Atheist, I envy people who can rely on religion for there answers but it has never convinced me.

[glowstix]

am i religious?? no

do i believe in GOD?? YES

am i spiritual?? yes

do i go to church?? hardly

i guess the best way to describe my current status is "psuedo-christian" since i'm not really agnostic and not 100% christian. i believe in the teachings of christ but there is also some merit in the teachings of other religions. i think in some ways, all are right and at the same time all are wrong and its meant to be that way.

i DON'T believe in eternal punishment since such a fate would not only completely contradict the idea of a loving GOD but would also just plain SUCK and would be 100% unfair. it would seem that such a place would be justifiable for murderers/rapists/etc.. but if you think long enough is it really?? its not that black and white.

couple of reasons i don't believe in hell:
1. GOD is a loving GOD.
2. why would He predispose some people for heaven and others for hell?? i mean who's been given an easier path to "heaven", a son of a priest or some poor kid born in the inner cities subject to gang and other negative influences??
3. you can't control what you believe in or what you like or dislike. these are functions of many things including environment al influences which we have no control over; i.e. we didn't put ourselves in the situations we were born into.
4. a person cannot WILL themselves to love GOD or believe in Him/Her/It.

There are others, i just can't think of them right now...

in the end, just be content with where you stand. if you an atheist, fine; if you are radically religious, fine...thats the whole point of life: VARIETY. its not meant for us all to be robots with one belief, doing the same things, liking the same things, etc...

after all thats why we have foil sabre/saber and EPEE.. we get to choose!!

[deadly lefty]

im very religuous go to church almost every sunday (sometimes god lets me out for a soccer game) i think what ever you belive in is right if you belive you will die and go to Heaven and this will happen it will same if you think it wont and something else will it will so no wrong or right religion just your ow idea i think being religious will come in handy some day and that you wont die and be like "heeey its the dalhi Lama and im a Christian...I was wrong!!!"

[KShan5[PrFC]]

Catholic, I belive in it very much so, and attend Church every week, just got my confirmation this year (16 years old). I don't understand the fate question, I guess I will go to HEavan if that is what you mean.

[D'Artag-NOT]

Are you guys religious? And by that I wonder if you really belive not just if you are a member of a church.

I guess for me the answer would be Yes. I really believe, some periods of doubt notwithstanding.

2. If you are religious, what fate do you have?

I'm assuming you meant to write "faith" rather than "fate"? I'm a Christian, and I worship in the Anglican tradition (Church of England and its daughter churches--Episcopal Church in the USA). If you did mean "fate"--well, it's in God's hands, and He is merciful, so it doesn't really worry me.

I go to church every week unless I'm really sick. On tournament weekends, most tournaments being on a Sunday, I attend the 5 PM Saturday Mass at the local Roman Catholic church. Long story short, it's only through the mercy of God that I'm able to fence at all, so I think it'd be sort of ungrateful to shine Him on for a competition.

Out of curiosity, Popper, why do you ask?

[Moonitic]

Well, you asked...& if people have a problem with the answer...too bad!

I am not religious. My relationship with Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin & died for my sins is not a religion. Just like my relationship with my husband is not a religion. John 3:16 isn't just something to paint on a sign to take to football games. It really means something profound. It's the ultimate showing of such a great love that it's overwhelming at times. It's amazing.

I have my own mind & chose this Way. I was not brainwashed. I am not stupid. I'm not "desperate." I did not grow up in it. I made a very clear choice after considering the options. I believed Jesus when He said, "I am the Way, the Truth & the Light." I believe that He is the only way to God, His Father. I agree with what he has to say. Do I always do it? No. Why? I'm human. Same as everyone else. I'm not perfect, & that's why I'm Christian...because I realize my imperfection & still want to have a relationship with my Father & my creator.

I am not any particular denomination. I do not dislike people of other denominations. I do not hate people who are different from me, whether they be a different sexual orientation, color, spiritual belief, etc. I believe we all are screw ups. I believe that only God's grace will save us in the end. It's not about me or you. It's about Jesus & HIS sacrifice. I believe in loving God, & likewise, loving my neighbor. Just because I may disagree with a person's lifestyle, it does not mean I hate the person. I might really dislike a person, but I won't hate them. After all, we are called to love even our enemies.

I'm a woman & I like being a woman. I'm not a doormat. I matter. If women didn't matter to God, He wouldn't have created us. We aren't property. We aren't "nothing."

Only sick minded people would use the Bible to do their nasty bidding. But there are nuts in every group on the planet. I'm not a Bible thumper, but I'm a Bible believer. I also acknowledge that the Holy Bible is an INCREDIBLE work of literature (no, I didn't say "fiction").

If you don't believe the same as me, fine. You're welcome to it. I won't down you for your choice. Please allow me the same benefit, though. Equality works both ways. If you don't like what I believe, don't immediately dismiss me because of stereotypes & labels. You might be surprised. If you don't want to be surprised, it's YOUR loss...not mine.

I think that about covers it. Lots of misconceptions, very little truth. Consider this your dose of truth. Any other questions?

[Popper]

Originally posted by D'Artag-NOT
I'm assuming you meant to write "faith" rather than "fate"?

Out of curiosity, Popper, why do you ask?

Yes I meant faith.. sorry for the confusion.

I ask because I am interrested in sociology (have studied it at university), so basically human behaviour (for example religion) interrests me.

[epeefencer74]

Am I religious?

Yes definately. I was Taoist in my childhood, but converted to catholicism when I 19. It was a choice I made for myself. I make it a point to go to church every Sunday, unless some other circumstance prevents me from doing so. I am actively involved in the church community. I often say a prayer before each competition and before each bout, it helps me focus.

I believe in a heaven and hell. I believe in miracles namely because many have happened to me and to the people surrounding me. The fact that I am still alive today is a miracle to me.

I believe that God is a loving God, but whether we go to heaven or hell is dependent on us and how we live our lives. God does not predispose anyone to hell, I believe if He could He would bring everyone to Heaven, but having gave His great gift of free will to man, the choice is left to us. We make the choice between heaven and hell by the quality of our lives. If we choose God and really love Him, we would want to do the things that please Him and which are naturally good. Thus heaven is our destination. If we choose to refuse God, then we choose the path to Hell. God will not rescind his gift of choice even when his people choose wrongly.

[labouche]

Well, Moonitic seems to believe at least along the same lines I do. I am a christian and belong to a non-denominational church. I attend church every week except for when a tournament falls on a sunday.
I believe exactly what the Bibal says and I refuse to change it, as to make it easier for me or other people to believe and accept.
Glowstix, I know sometimes it is hard to believe in eternal damnation for the unsaved, but the Bible is clear on it. God is a loving God. So loving He sent His only son to die one of the most painful deaths in history, knowing that He would still be scorned and mocked until His final return. God makes Himself clear everyday in almost everyway if one only stops to look.
I find everything points to a creator: Science, Philosophy, history, etc. And then if one says "okay, maybe there is a creator...but why Christianity". I ask you to take a deep look in the apolegetics of the Bible. I have personally met numerous scientists and other very learned people that became saved after taking a deep look into Christianity to find it's errors. But, when they did take a deep look they realized it answered more (all) of the world view questions than any other religion in the world (BTW, atheism is legally considered a religion).
-la bouche

[epeefencer74]

labouche, your thoughts echo mine. I've also seen the quest for the holy grail of physics, the single unifying equation, as the parallel to the search for the divine. When I studied physics in Uni, I couldn't help noticing how all things are held together by simple laws, and that all things have a pattern to them. It seemed to ordered to have occured by chance. My own conclusion was that there must be some intelligent entity that created the universe and laid down all these laws for energy and matter to follow. Being already christian at that point, the answer was easy to arrive at. Physics points to the existance of God. In fact all science is in search of truth and truth is in God. After that study took on a whole different dimension.

[KShan5[PrFC]]

labouche, I would not be so much a prclaimer in my faith if I were a heritic, much like yourself. You will not change the Bible, and will obey it, yet you skip Church to have fun, seems like you are breaking a commandment to me.

Now to quote the West Wing and President Bartlett:


"I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, and always clears the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, insists on working on the Sabbath, Exodus 35:2, clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important, 'cause we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes us unclean, Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother, John, for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you? "

Now you can either answer those questions or not be such a proclaimer while still a heretic. I believe in the Bible, and don't mind if you skip Church for a fencing tournament, as long as you do not proclaim that other people should not break the laws of the Bible while you do.

[labouche]

Originally posted by epeefencer74
labouche, your thoughts echo mine. I've also seen the quest for the holy grail of physics, the single unifying equation, as the parallel to the search for the divine. When I studied physics in Uni, I couldn't help noticing how all things are held together by simple laws, and that all things have a pattern to them. It seemed to ordered to have occured by chance. My own conclusion was that there must be some intelligent entity that created the universe and laid down all these laws for energy and matter to follow. Being already christian at that point, the answer was easy to arrive at. Physics points to the existance of God. In fact all science is in search of truth and truth is in God. After that study took on a whole different dimension.

Amen! If I may rant for a minute.... I hate the way evolution is taught to be such fact in Public school because even if you don't want to believe in God creation is still, I believe, a much more scientifically sound theory.
I personally love the study of genetics and molecular biology....especially arguing it with evolutionists.

[labouche]

Originally posted by KShan5[PrFC]
labouche, I would not be so much a prclaimer in my faith if I were a heritic, much like yourself. You will not change the Bible, and will obey it, yet you skip Church to have fun, seems like you are breaking a commandment to me.

Now to quote the West Wing and President Bartlett:


"I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, and always clears the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, insists on working on the Sabbath, Exodus 35:2, clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important, 'cause we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes us unclean, Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother, John, for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you? "

Now you can either answer those questions or not be such a proclaimer while still a heretic. I believe in the Bible, and don't mind if you skip Church for a fencing tournament, as long as you do not proclaim that other people should not break the laws of the Bible while you do.

Okay, first of all, I am very sorry if I offended anyone. I certainly did not mean to.
Secondly, much of the scipture you quoted from the Old Testament was fulfilled in the new testament by Christ.
Third, I am far from perfect and would not dream of judging anyone. Yes, maybe ultimately the best thing would be to never miss church for a tournament. But, I believe that God knows my heart. I have set a guidline for myself that I will not train on a sunday. But, most tournaments fall on Sundays and I don't feel in bondage to have to attend church every Sunday.
Well, again I am sorry if I offended you. I only ment to state what I believe.
-la bouche

[KShan5[PrFC]]

Go on Saturday night. I am not saying you should be perfect.

But:
"I believe exactly what the Bibal says and I refuse to change it, as to make it easier for me or other people to believe and accept" is a complete contradiction when you allow yourself to skip Church for fencing.

[labouche]

Originally posted by KShan5[PrFC]
Go on Saturday night. I am not saying you should be perfect.

But:
"I believe exactly what the Bibal says and I refuse to change it, as to make it easier for me or other people to believe and accept" is a complete contradiction when you allow yourself to skip Church for fencing.

I am not catholic and the church I go to does not offer saturday night services.
If you can show me in the Word that I am wrong for missing church occasionally for a tournament than maybe I will reconsider. But read: Colossians 2:16-20.
One is not saved because he attends church every Sunday. The only way one can be saved is by knowing Christ and believing He died on the Cross for you.
Also I did not say that I believe the Bible and follow it in every way making me a perfect person. I said that I refuse to change it. If I fall short in areas (which I do), I will not change the Bible so that it works around what I want to do. If I change or not I know I am wrong.
Well, I hope I have made any sense.
-la bouche

[Aestro]

I used to be Atheist but then decided I had about as little proof that there is no God as I do that there is, I went Agnostic. I believe in the possibility of a grand interconnecting force, but I don't really believe in the idea of a sentient omnipotent ruling being or anything of that nature.

I have difficulty believing in most religions because the only real justification for their correctness is that the religion states it is correct, and I really don't like circular logic.

I do normally prefer science to religion namely because science is, by default, admitting that there are things which we do not know. Furthermore, anyone who denies that evolution (I'm not speaking of man from monkey, but of the evolution of species in general) exists is simply wrong. The differences even among the same species of creature easily prove that creatures change over time. Otherwise there would be no such thing as "race", or even differences among any animals whatsoever.