Religion

brandyleighxx · September 2013

Is it too early in the week to start a discussion on religion?

I am not religious. At all. I am interested in it, however.

I was born into a southern baptist family. I went to church with my family for many years. Around 8 or 9 or so, my parents stopped going but I kept going with other family members or church members until I was about 12. I'm not sure why I quit, just kind of grew out of it I guess.. parents weren't going, school friends didn't go, etc.

I went again when I was around 16 to a baptist church with a friend and didn't like the sermon given. I completely disagreed with the preacher's views on abortion and politics.

I haven't been back since. I have a hard time believing there's some man in the sky that takes care of everything. I believe you make your own destiny and you're responsible for yourself. I also don't believe you can pray your problems away. I don't believe God has a bigger plan for people that die.. like children with cancern or lives taken too soon. KWIM?

But I'm interested in learning more about religion. A lot of my family members are religious and seem much happier and peaceful. I also want to give DS the choice and he might be a little biased if he never steps foot in a church.

Talk to me about your choice to be religious... or not be religious... especially if you found religion later in life.

Mrs. Rohde · September 2013

This is always an interesting topic for me because I think I'm a spiritual floater. I do believe in God and Heaven and that we are on earth to be good people and our ultimate goal is to end up in Heaven. But that's pretty much where the hard core believing stops.
I was raised Catholic and went to mass every week until high school. Mostly because I was in a private catholic school through 8th grade. My maternal grandma is super old school catholic and doesn't believe my marriage is real since I wasn't married in a church. I call BS on that.
I started going to non denominational Christian churches during high school and college and found that I fit in more there than with the strict (IMO) Catholic Church. Grandma thinks that if you don't go to church each week you're not talking to god and you'll go to hell. I call BS on that too. There's just so much I don't agree with that I can't go to mass anymore because I would feel hypocritical sitting there.

I even sometimes feel that way with the church we currently attend. I love it. I love the pastors, most sermons, the worship and the fellowship. But there is a lot I don't agree with so I feel that I will never find a place that believes in everything I do or at the very least agrees to disagree.
We have introduced C to religion and she knows the general gist of things. I don't want to influence her decisions later in life so I think that we have done well so far exposing her to what we believe in and answering all the questions she has. The good thing about kids is that they're super inquisitive and take things very literally so you don't need to sugar coat at all. I tell her exactly what we think and she says ok and ponders it over for a bit and then maybe a few days later she'll tell me the same thing I told her but in her own words. That tells me she really gets it. Does she believe it? I don't know. Does it bother me? Nope. She has the rest of her life to figure out what she believes.
We've set up a good base for her and I think the best we can do is to nurture it and let it grow. If she chooses her own path down the line then that's fine by me. Chances are I'll be choosing something different too.

Mrs. Rohde · September 2013

Dude my response was long and I don't even think I answered the question. Basically I need to build my own church if I am ever going to feel completely 100% connected to the physical place. Emotionally I think I'm set since I know where I stand. And IMHO you don't need an actual place or religion to be a spiritual person. I hope that makes sense.

RNbock2 · September 2013

I was raised Catholic. I don't know what religious affiliation I belong to exactly, but in the end, I don't necessarily think it matters what you label yourself

I think that I had the hardest time with believing in God for the longest time, because I was a very factual, black and white person with religion and thoughts. When I was finally able to let that go, and realize that some aspects of religion are too big for my earthly brain, I had a better time. I think that some things, we can just be in awe over, and don't necessarily need to explain. This might not make sense, but I try and take the best that I can out of every sermon, and apply it to my life, and leave what I don't agree with. In the end, I am trying to make myself a better person, and I try and focus on that. I try and remember, that sermons were created BY human people, and so there can sometimes be flaws, and that's ok.

rp-chicago-mom · September 2013

I'm a lost Catholic. I love the ritual. I live the hymns. I love the socialist aspect. I love that you aren't supposed to think only of you as yourself but as a part of a larger union. Other religions I've looked into seem too focused on the individual for my personal taste, not that there's anything wrong with that if that's what works for someone else.

I really did not like Pope Benedict and he did things that made me want to leave the church. But now I really like Pope Francis. St. Francis is my favorite Saint (hence Howell's middle name) and I think he embodies the best qualities of the church. I love that Pope Francis is a radical. I love that he's saying the church is too obsessed with abortion and homosexuality. I love that he is taking the sex abuse scandals seriously and doing his best to stop the coverups. I love that he's humble and takes public transportation when he's in cities. I think he's doing really great things and I feel like the Church is undergoing a major revolution.

I realize I'm basically talking about politics here. I like the values of the modern church. I like the culture of being Catholic. I do believe in God but I don't take the Bible to be word for word truth. I think a lot of the stories are meant to teach lessons. We've decided we want to raise Howell Catholic. I like the way they handle life's events. If he chooses to go another direction, that's fine. It's his choice. You can't force someone to believe anything. Free will and all that.

smile50208 · September 2013

I am Jewish. My parents took me to temple as required growing up but I continued to go and be very involved now on my own. They now follow my religious lead.
Part of what I love about the religion isn't just the spiritual aspect but the history and traditions. I love all the holidays and the meanings behind each one. Last night I ate in a Sukkah for the holiday Sukkot. This was actually the first time I have ever done this outside of when I was a kid in school. It was really cool to share this with my son.
I agree - I have a hard time accepting word for word what the ultra religious believe. I think there is a middle ground - in all religions. If a religion can't adapt to current times, then what use is it? Isn't part of the point of religion to help guide people spiritually? You can't alienate those who need the guidance.
I read the other day that the pope said to stop obsessing over abortion and gay rights. Not to start a debate but he may be right. I have read on here many times that people are turned away from the church due to these issues. The church needs to find a way to bring these people back to the religion.
IMO - a religious experience is what you make of it. Whether it is on your own or in a physical establishment, it is a personal connection to something greater.

SJandVA · September 2013

There is a lot to say and I don't have the energy today to type it out.
I'm Catholic and collectively all pp stated everything I feel. So I took the lazy way out and just loved it. Haha.

WhtRssnGrl · September 2013

I am Catholic and was raised in a Catholic household. That being said, I don't agree with the Bible and a lot of the "rules" of the Catholic church because we all know those are man made. I don't practice my Catholicism, but I love the feeling of being in church. I love the sense of community and I love most sermons. I would like to find a church (that isn't necessarily Catholic) where I feel more comfortable.

PaisleyRuth · September 2013

I am a Christian. I accepted Christ when I was in 7th grade. Basically, I believe that all humans are separated from God by sin, and He sent Jesus to pay the penalty we deserve so that we could be reconciled to Him. It's not about keeping rules or going to church or being exclusive. I go to church because I want to worship God for who He is and what He has done for me. I believe the Bible is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, so I read it to know Him better. I don't believe there is anything I did to be saved or that I am "better" than non-Christians.

If you listen to Tim Keller, from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, speak, he is right on with what I believe.

MoFree · September 2013

Religion is very important to me and how I live my life. I believe in god as a source of strength, of humility, of appreciation and of perspective. I do not believe in the popular belief that god micromanages people's lives and is the reason why bad things happen to people.

austenfan919 · September 2013

PaisleyRuth said:

I am a Christian. I accepted Christ when I was in 7th grade. Basically, I believe that all humans are separated from God by sin, and He sent Jesus to pay the penalty we deserve so that we could be reconciled to Him. It's not about keeping rules or going to church or being exclusive. I go to church because I want to worship God for who He is and what He has done for me. I believe the Bible is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, so I read it to know Him better. I don't believe there is anything I did to be saved or that I am "better" than non-Christians.

If you listen to Tim Keller, from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, speak, he is right on with what I believe.

Well put, @PaisleyRuth. This is what I believe, too. I grew up Catholic, but accepted Christ when I was a freshman in college. I had always believed He existed, but it wasn't very personal until then. I go to a nondenominational Christian church now.

RNbock2 · September 2013

Humans are the ones to created the different "denominations" of religion. I try and remind myself that when I get swept up in it all. I love the history behind it. I don't think that the bible needs to be taken "at word". It is so hard, because you need to look at the historical significance of what was going on at that time. It had a lot to do with why certain rules and laws were put into place. But, that doesn't mean that we can't apply it to our lives to a certain extent. I think that sometimes it can be easy to take verses out of context as well.

AmySmolos · September 2013

austenfan919 said:

PaisleyRuth said:

I am a Christian. I accepted Christ when I was in 7th grade. Basically, I believe that all humans are separated from God by sin, and He sent Jesus to pay the penalty we deserve so that we could be reconciled to Him. It's not about keeping rules or going to church or being exclusive. I go to church because I want to worship God for who He is and what He has done for me. I believe the Bible is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, so I read it to know Him better. I don't believe there is anything I did to be saved or that I am "better" than non-Christians.

If you listen to Tim Keller, from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, speak, he is right on with what I believe.

Well put, @PaisleyRuth. This is what I believe, too. I grew up Catholic, but accepted Christ when I was a freshman in college. I had always believed He existed, but it wasn't very personal until then. I go to a nondenominational Christian church now.

Same here. Grew up in the church and accepted God as my savior at a young age. Since I've fallen, gotten up and repeated those steps multiple times. I go to a nondenominational church and I do my best to be an example to those around me as to what I believe.

AggieDaner · September 2013

For the record, I very seriously considered converting to Judaism before I finally realized it was more honest to just admit I was an atheist. Of all the religions, it makes the most sense to me, and I am highly impressed by all of my Jewish friends. The fact that the religion values education and fair-mindedness so highly speaks volumes to me.

twoitalians · September 2013

I'll try to make this a short answer because I'm not religious. Basically I was a Catholic until I was 14. When I was a sophomore in HS I took a church history class (catholic HS) and did not like how history went down somewhere around the Spanish Inquisition. Because I was also a rebel and a little bitter for not being given a real explanation from my parents for why we were catholic or given a choice for what religion I wanted to follow, I stopped believing. The next year I took a religions of the world class and loved the explanation of religion and how a lot of the origins of religion were meant to ease human's minds and give them explanations for things they didn't yet have the means to explain. I loved the simplicity it seemed of Native American religions... what a lot of people consider folk tales are actually the religious stories and beliefs of Native tribes.

Fast forward to now, I'm spiritual, but not religious. I have invested too much time in biology and evolution to fall back into the creation story beliefs that I had when I was a child. The way I see it, there are 60 million years of human evolution to prove that the earth is way older than the 6000-10000 years old that creatists believe.

But then again, as I learned in my college evolution vs. creationism class, what exactly is this definition of time (years, etc.)???

Hope that didn't confuse you. You asked why we aren't religious if we aren't, so there you have it

I hope you can find what you are looking for.

jodegaard · September 2013

PaisleyRuth said:
I am a Christian. I accepted Christ when I was in 7th grade. Basically, I believe that all humans are separated from God by sin, and He sent Jesus to pay the penalty we deserve so that we could be reconciled to Him. It's not about keeping rules or going to church or being exclusive. I go to church because I want to worship God for who He is and what He has done for me. I believe the Bible is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, so I read it to know Him better. I don't believe there is anything I did to be saved or that I am "better" than non-Christians.

If you listen to Tim Keller, from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, speak, he is right on with what I believe.

@PaisleyRuth put it exactly how I would have.

lady_tytah · September 2013

I'm pagan. I grew up in the Church. Went to a Southern Baptist school which had chapel every Wed till I was in 5th gr. In Middle school I went to church almost every day of the week, youth church, sat choir rehearsal, women's ministry, youth usher board, it all. I realized around 14ish my heat wasn't in it. I had grown away from The Church and the Christian identity of god. I started finding it pout on my own and have just come to consider myself pagan. I practice lots of different non Abraham faiths, Buddist, witchcraft, kemetic, ect. I believe their us duality and that there us no way a man can singularly make the world so beautiful when half the time we're bitching about then not doing or seeing our pain. I feel no man can no about a women's pain but a woman. Anywho.....I have had my kids christened but I also believe going to the actual church ifs not necessary. Morality isn't deemed by a book written hundreds of years ago by a man. Competent humans know lying, cheating and stealing or wrong. My daughter the other day asked me about going to church and I told her flat out contrary to belief (her Meme and Grandad) going to church isn't the end all be all. It's the parent job to teach the child what they need in life. Going to s building to be preached about how we are all sinners and will go to hell if we don't tithe, pray, and dress a certain way us not a necessary part of childhood.
But that just my humbler opinion.

gollywollypog · September 2013

I'm with @paisleyRuth. Very well said!

latnprincess · September 2013

I am apostolic-pentecostal. I believe in one God: Jesus. I believe in salvation and in order to be saved you have to speak in tongues and be baptized in Jesus name as it says in the Bible (Acts 2:38). I believe Jesus died for my sins and I am saved by grace, not by my works (ie, nothing I can do can save me). But that doesn't mean I can't do good for others. Its of utmost importance to treat others well. I fully believe in everything the Bible says because I fully believe it is the inspired word of God. This is what I was raised in and I have been in church my whole life and married a man who is also apostolic-pentecostal. He's actually 5th generation. I love it. I love my church. I love what and in who I believe. God gives me peace like no other.

acire86 · September 2013

I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools for my entire education which turned me away from the church. I had it all shoved down my throat for so long that i needed a step back. When i did, and started thinking for myself, I saw that I dont believe anything the catholics do. I believe that we as humans make our own choices for morality. Ex- you as a person choose to break a law or not. I dont think there is a man in the sky watching over my every move. I also believe in Mother Earth. If any of that makes sense.

RNbock2 · September 2013

latnprincess said:

I am apostolic-pentecostal. I believe in one God: Jesus. I believe in salvation and in order to be saved you have to speak in tongues and be baptized in Jesus name as it says in the Bible (Acts 2:38). I believe Jesus died for my sins and I am saved by grace, not by my works (ie, nothing I can do can save me). But that doesn't mean I can't do good for others. Its of utmost importance to treat others well. I fully believe in everything the Bible says because I fully believe it is the inspired word of God. This is what I was raised in and I have been in church my whole life and married a man who is also apostolic-pentecostal. He's actually 5th generation. I love it. I love my church. I love what and in who I believe. God gives me peace like no other.

I am asking, because I am truly curious, what does it mean to speak in tongues? What if it never happens to you? Does that mean that you cannot be granted salvation?

latnprincess · September 2013

RNbock2 said:

latnprincess said:

I am apostolic-pentecostal. I believe in one God: Jesus. I believe in salvation and in order to be saved you have to speak in tongues and be baptized in Jesus name as it says in the Bible (Acts 2:38). I believe Jesus died for my sins and I am saved by grace, not by my works (ie, nothing I can do can save me). But that doesn't mean I can't do good for others. Its of utmost importance to treat others well. I fully believe in everything the Bible says because I fully believe it is the inspired word of God. This is what I was raised in and I have been in church my whole life and married a man who is also apostolic-pentecostal. He's actually 5th generation. I love it. I love my church. I love what and in who I believe. God gives me peace like no other.

I am asking, because I am truly curious, what does it mean to speak in tongues? What if it never happens to you? Does that mean that you cannot be granted salvation?

Speaking in tongues is when the holy spirit takes over and you are no longer in control of what you say while in the Spirit. Your eyes don't roll back and its not scary at all. In fact its peaceful and beautiful. Salvation is for everyone and so is the gift of speaking in tongues. Anyone who seeks after it will get it. This is why you see Christians who are born again so adamantly trying to talk about God and salvation because the only way to know about it is through hearing about it. God's plan of salvation was meant for all. Here is a great explanation of speaking in tongues. https://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/g/speakingtongues.htm

RNbock2 · September 2013

Latnprincess- I am not trying to start an argument at all. I have always just been a curious person in regards to religion. In your religion, do other Christian religions not receive salvation if they do not ask to/ speak in tongues? Also, (this might be an ignorant question) do you and other aplostolic pentacostal women chose to only wear skirts and dresses?

latnprincess · September 2013

RNbock2 said:

Latnprincess- I am not trying to start an argument at all. I have always just been a curious person in regards to religion. In your religion, do other Christian religions not receive salvation if they do not ask to/ speak in tongues? Also, (this might be an ignorant question) do you and other aplostolic pentacostal women chose to only wear skirts and dresses?

I don't take offense, I get these questions all the time. My honest answer is no. The only way to be saved is to receive the holy ghost by the evidence of speaking in other tongues and by being baptized in Jesus name because this is what the Bible says. Everyone has their personal beliefs and this is what I follow.

lady_tytah · September 2013

Southern Baptist, Apostolic & New Holiness Pentecostal and COGIC (church if god in christ) all believe the same. Only evidence of true salvation is speaking in tongues and water baptism (full body). They all also follow the rule of no women shall wear the clothing if a man, meaning no pants/shorts. To also add no cutting of hair, jewelery outside of one ear piercing and wedding band, and no/minimal makeup. In my mother's church, they are New Holiness Pentecostal, they believe in the covering of the woman's head while in the Temple/Church, so a dolly our hat must be worn by all young adult (late teens, mothers, ect. Depending on the mixture above, they also don't believe in women holding a ministry without the ” helping” of a man (because men are the leaders), women can't stand on the stage, (again variant) they can't be a minister/paster, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few other rules.

gollywollypog · September 2013

latnprincess said:

RNbock2 said:

Latnprincess- I am not trying to start an argument at all. I have always just been a curious person in regards to religion. In your religion, do other Christian religions not receive salvation if they do not ask to/ speak in tongues? Also, (this might be an ignorant question) do you and other aplostolic pentacostal women chose to only wear skirts and dresses?
I don't take offense, I get these questions all the time. My honest answer is no. The only way to be saved is to receive the holy ghost by the evidence of speaking in other tongues and by being baptized in Jesus name because this is what the Bible says. Everyone has their personal beliefs and this is what I follow.

@latnprincess, I am a believer and what I believe is to all who received Him and all who believed in His name He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

Believe and Receive.

Confess that He is Lord and believe God sent Him and raised him from the dead.

I don't understand where you are getting speaking in tounges is necessary to be saved? It is a gift from God, one of many. But it is not the ultimate gift, the one that is equal to none and that stands alone. Jesus alone saves, not our works, not our spiritual gifts.

latnprincess · September 2013

@gollywollypog I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I was trying to find the scripture where I've read about speaking in tongues as evidence of the Holy Ghost. On the day of pentecost in the upper room is where you'll find the scripture. "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:4

latnprincess · September 2013

And I totally agree we are not saved by works. I don't see speaking in tongues as "works". Works to me is doing good deeds type thing. I should have tied Acts 2:4 into Acts 2:38 where the plan if salvation is given.

gollywollypog · September 2013

@latnprincess. There are lots of scripture that prove that the holy spirit works in amazing and mysterious ways. Speaking in tounges is one of those. But no where does it imply that speaking in tounges is a prerequisite to being saved and redeemed. Acts 2:28 says to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ of the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the holy spirit. The holy spirit has many gifts, tounges is one of many and God doesn't give all the spiritual gifts to all people.

See 1 Corinthians 12: ⁴There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit^H)'> distributes them. ⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone^I)'> it is the same God^J)'> at work.

⁷Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.^K)'> ⁸To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,^L)'> to another a message of knowledge^M)'> by means of the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith^N)'> by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing^O)'> by that one Spirit, ¹⁰to another miraculous powers,^P)'> to another prophecy,^Q)'> to another distinguishing between spirits,^R)'> to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^a]'>[a]^S)'> and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^b]'>[b] ¹¹All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^T)'> and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

I won't clog the board anymore with this, but @latnprincess, pm me if you want to talk more. I always like hearing the opinions and interpretations of fellow believers.

RNbock2 · September 2013

I too am interested. I am curious of all religions and beliefs, specifically Christianity.

PaisleyRuth · September 2013

@latnprincess @gollywollypog I thought this John Piper article was good (which I found through clicking on the link latnprincess posted above & clicking on a couple more links). It articulates the point of view that speaking in tongues is not necessary for salvation, but in a very fair way I think. Just in case you want to read it...

https://christianity.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=christianity&cdn=religion&tm=12&f=20&tt=8&bt=0&bts=7&zu=http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/how-to-receive-the-gift-of-the-holy-spirit

latnprincess · September 2013

@gollywollypog @paisleyruth there are the gifts of the spirit and there is the gift of the holy spirit. The gifts of the spirit aren't given to everyone (tongues/interpretation, prophecy, etc) and they are used for the edification of the church. The gift of the holy spirit or holy ghost IS for everyone (salvation) and its for self-edification and personal relationship with God. They're 2 different gifts for 2 different reasons.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Corinthians 14&version=ESV

latnprincess · September 2013

lady_tytah said:

Southern Baptist, Apostolic & New Holiness Pentecostal and COGIC (church if god in christ) all believe the same. Only evidence of true salvation is speaking in tongues and water baptism (full body). They all also follow the rule of no women shall wear the clothing if a man, meaning no pants/shorts. To also add no cutting of hair, jewelery outside of one ear piercing and wedding band, and no/minimal makeup. In my mother's church, they are New Holiness Pentecostal, they believe in the covering of the woman's head while in the Temple/Church, so a dolly our hat must be worn by all young adult (late teens, mothers, ect. Depending on the mixture above, they also don't believe in women holding a ministry without the ” helping” of a man (because men are the leaders), women can't stand on the stage, (again variant) they can't be a minister/paster, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few other rules.

@lady_tytah you're right. We follow pretty much most of that. Except the no woman can hold a ministry part. We have plenty of women preachers/teachers. Also we don't wear jewelry at all except for our wedding rings. The hair veil is something we also don't follow because we don't cut our hair so that is what we believe is our "covering". My husband grew up in the Apostolic Assembly and they don't wear wedding rings ever. The women cannot preach and also have to wear the veil. But the main teachings, such as the plan of salvation, are all the same.

alake · September 2013

I am Mormon. I am raising my kids in the church.
I found the church after high school. I was raised in an extremely spiritual family, but we were also religious. I attended the United Church and also the Catholic Church.

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