What Are Our Beliefs And Why?

[Taw Tsamsiyu]

Personally I'm an Atheist. I was brought up Christian most of my life, I practically lived at the church while growing up. I think that all religions have great stories and parables but that's all. As for evidence in any belief, I would love to hear some. Just because I'm an Atheist doesn't mean that I shut out others ideas.

[Spock]

I am an Agnostic.

Why? Because I can't see even the most negligable piece of logic in religion. I am spiritual, but in other ways. That is my true feeling.

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

Also, I don't think there's a "war" between science and religion, at least when talking about science and Christianity. I think there's a conflict of evolutionism and Christianity, but not science. Though, I see you (), and respect your position. On a side-note, just wondering would you call yourself a progressive creationist (others call it "old-earth" creationism)? Because by what you described it sounds like that.

Hmm, I haven't heard that term used before but I guess that is what I subscribe to (progressive creationism). When it comes to my beliefs, I am very devout but I am open to hearing all sides. I will probably not change my position but I will have a better understanding of the other person and respect them more.

Originally Posted by Wanderling

I describe myself as a non-denominational Christian. And of course, I love Avatar, too.
I will admit, I'm a little wimpy in sharing my beliefs; there is a lot of misunderstanding and assuming that all Christians, any denomination, is going to shove it down their throats (not without reason, unfortunately ). It has been a rather strange turn of events that I find myself most comfortable talking religion with Pagans and Wiccans.
I suppose the "why" of my beliefs is because it makes sense to me and it feels right, for me. I do have my reasons; even now, though, it's very hard to share them and to talk about it. I fear being misunderstood and judged badly for it, as has happened so many times before.

Interesting that you say that . I feel the same way. I have had very fun and fascinating discussions with wiccans/pagans, etc and am able to express my beliefs with no problem. Contrast that with my mom (who is a baptist). I can't talk to her about my beliefs at all. It becomes and instant war .

[Wanderling]

Originally Posted by rapunzel77

Interesting that you say that . I feel the same way. I have had very fun and fascinating discussions with wiccans/pagans, etc and am able to express my beliefs with no problem. Contrast that with my mom (who is a baptist). I can't talk to her about my beliefs at all. It becomes and instant war .

I hear you so very clearly, Rapunzel. My mother is Lutheran, and if we talk religion at all, it always ends badly. It's very interesting to hear you've felt the same way when talking to pagans and Wiccans. Some of the best discussions I've had have been in those circles.

Originally Posted by Taw Tsamsiyu

Personally I'm an Atheist. I was brought up Christian most of my life, I practically lived at the church while growing up. I think that all religions have great stories and parables but that's all. As for evidence in any belief, I would love to hear some. Just because I'm an Atheist doesn't mean that I shut out others ideas.

It's really great to hear your perspective. Shutting out any ideas just seems like the wrong way to go about discussing any topic. I don't shut out others' ideas either.

As far as evidence goes, I think that gets a little tricky, in all honesty. What suffices as evidence for me may not be enough for someone else, and vice versa. I said in Fkeu'itan's thread that I think it eventually comes down to your take on the events of the past...what you believe happened, and what significance it held. Your opinion. I think it's hard to find concrete evidence that will be "enough" for everyone...and of course, I think it's in debating the evidence that arguments get started. That's not to say it isn't worth discussing , but I think it requires great care and respect on both sides.

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by Wanderling

It's really great to hear your perspective. Shutting out any ideas just seems like the wrong way to go about discussing any topic. I don't shut out others' ideas either.

As far as evidence goes, I think that gets a little tricky, in all honesty. What suffices as evidence for me may not be enough for someone else, and vice versa. I said in Fkeu'itan's thread that I think it eventually comes down to your take on the events of the past...what you believe happened, and what significance it held. Your opinion. I think it's hard to find concrete evidence that will be "enough" for everyone...and of course, I think it's in debating the evidence that arguments get started. That's not to say it isn't worth discussing , but I think it requires great care and respect on both sides.

I think that this is the most tricky part. I could give evidence from history, etc but if the person I'm talking to is has a completely different view on how the past is to be interpreted, etc then trying to show the person evidence remains very difficult. It ultimately comes down to faith and trust. Some people choose not to have either which is their right. There isn't much that you can do. If someone is open to hearing the evidence, etc that might work but it can lead to nasty debates and flame wars too . So, its a very fine line to navigate through.

[Unil_mi_tokx]

Very interesting discussion. Like Woodsprite, I believe in the young-Earth creation view point. I am Assemblies of God - that being Evangelic Pentecostal. I have gone to church ever since I was born. I've had rough times where I have question God for what has happened to me. There is this key difference between two types of people though. When things get bad with faith/religion, one type says, "I want proof that God exists so that he can pull me out of this situation" and the other type says "I have faith that God will take me through this."

I'm not labeling because I have been on both sides. There were times in my life that I just didn't feel God there and I began to question, "If He is so powerful, we does my life suck?"

Part of my belief is that you get back what you sew. I am not always on the receiving end. In order to get through this hard thing, or to be blessed with something, I must first give God something - like tithes, or just praise and worship Him, or just pray. That's what faith is - faith is leaning on the idea that God will hear me when I call and know that He will provide evidence that He will take care of me.

I do not agree with religion. Religion is a set-in-stone tradition. You can be a Christian with a religion, but I believe that you should have a relationship with God. Relationships are two-way things. You ask and believe, and God gives and blesses.

My two cents. I would like to hear your thoughts.

[Toshowlove]

I used to be christian. Heck, i used to teach people about Jesus through a camp i worked at.

But i'm a psychology and sociology major, and i've come to learn all about the purpose for a higher belief and my views fell. I have nothing against religion, and i believe to some people it can be the answer they are looking for, but i remain agnostic.

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by Unil_mi_tokx

Part of my belief is that you get back what you sew. I am not always on the receiving end. In order to get through this hard thing, or to be blessed with something, I must first give God something - like tithes, or just praise and worship Him, or just pray. That's what faith is - faith is leaning on the idea that God will hear me when I call and know that He will provide evidence that He will take care of me.

This is definitely part of faith. I don't know if I would characterize it simply as "if I do this than that will happen." It might not always work out the way you want them too. Faith is also doing the will of God, regardless of the outcome.

I do not agree with religion. Religion is a set-in-stone tradition. You can be a Christian with a religion, but I believe that you should have a relationship with God. Relationships are two-way things. You ask and believe, and God gives and blesses.

My two cents. I would like to hear your thoughts.

I don't find a dichotomy between them. I believe that religion and relationship go together. You need both. Religion is the means by which we practice our faith. It also helps to keep things structured. It is the language and culture of our religion and it is just as much a part of our relationship with God. It is how we relate to God. That is why I consider it to be very important. Having a relationship with God is paramount and I believe it can be done through religion. This is probably where several Catholics and Protestants differ..lol . This is probably also the case in other religions as well.

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

I used to be christian. Heck, i used to teach people about Jesus through a camp i worked at.

But i'm a psychology and sociology major, and i've come to learn all about the purpose for a higher belief and my views fell. I have nothing against religion, and i believe to some people it can be the answer they are looking for, but i remain agnostic.

I'm curious if you came to believe that religion, especially Christianity couldn't be compatible with or was in conflict with psychology/sociology? I guess I'm trying to understand why that happens to people who get into fields of that nature.

[Sonoran Na'vi]

I currently consider my beliefs to be agnostic-atheist. I don't rule out the possibility of a deity of some form existing; however, I have not been shown anything that would lead me to believe a deity exists.

[ZitaX]

Im an atheist. I don't belive that the Earth or the universe was created by a god, nor do i think that a god created humanity. I see the bible, the Qur'an and every other religious book ever written as simple fairytales wich some people choose to belive in.

Also, in a world were religious theory after religious theory has been proven wrong, i don't quite see the point in joining "the loosing side".

I guess that a lot of theese anti-religious views i got are based on some of my own life experiences (friends being abused by their fanatical religious parents for doing something that is not ok in the bible, sister being lured into wierd christian cult, me being told how im going to hell for finding members of my own sex attractive) might have something to do with it.

However! I do respect everyone who is religious who stands up for their beliefs! Im sure that it's not easy to live with your own beliefs in the world of today. Kudos to you!

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by ZitaX

However! I do respect everyone who is religious who stands up for their beliefs! Im sure that it's not easy to live with your own beliefs in the world of today. Kudos to you!

I want to thank you for this quote. Its not to often that I have heard of an atheist who respects religious people. I disagree with your assessment that I am on the "losing" side but I respect your opinion. I am sorry that you have had very bad experiences with religious people. Yes, there are many out there that gives religion a bad name . I am serious about my faith but I rather show love than hate toward other people.

As for as religious theories being "debunked", I'm not sure what you refer to. If you are talking about science then I would say that there is a very big misunderstanding between science and religion. I personally don't believe there needs to be a conflict between them at all. I know some others choose to believe that there should be which I find sad .

[ZitaX]

Originally Posted by rapunzel77

As for as religious theories being "debunked", I'm not sure what you refer to. If you are talking about science then I would say that there is a very big misunderstanding between science and religion. I personally don't believe there needs to be a conflict between them at all. I know some others choose to believe that there should be which I find sad .

Well, what i meant with that was that it seems like more and more things in the world can be explained scientificly, such as evolution, the creation of earth and so forth. It's just that i don't see a whole lot of scientific theories being debunked in favor of the religious ones.

Of course there shouldn't be any conflict between science and religion. Both the belivers and the atheists should all respect each others views (sadly, i don't see this happening any time soon with all the extremists in the world ).

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by ZitaX

Well, what i meant with that was that it seems like more and more things in the world can be explained scientificly, such as evolution, the creation of earth and so forth. It's just that i don't see a whole lot of scientific theories being debunked in favor of the religious ones.

Of course there shouldn't be any conflict between science and religion. Both the belivers and the atheists should all respect each others views (sadly, i don't see this happening any time soon with all the extremists in the world ).

I enjoy hearing about new scientific discoveries and I might be in the minority but I don't believe that these new discoveries necessarily "debunk" religion. Religious beliefs regarding creation, etc are ways to explain how things happened in a religious/theological sense. Its not meant to be scientific. So, when there is a new discovery concerning science, the origins of the earth..I interpret that as revealing to us how it physically happened. I don't find them to be incompatible. I know there are many religious people who do and it is possibly due to fear. My beliefs are strong enough to not lose it because its been proven that evolution did and still does occur.

I agree that I don't see many people respecting each other's point of view either . Its sad really. That is also why TOS is so unique. It is probably the only place on the internet that I have found that I don't get flamed for being a Catholic. We respect each other regardless if we are atheist,agnostic, Catholic, protestant, Buddhist, etc, etc. That is good and it is hopeful. I think the reason for this is that we make a conscious effort to be respectful. It does take a little work. We acknowledge each other's humanity..that we are talking to actual people and not just to a computer screen. It is how we have been able to foster a sense of community. Who knew that one movie could do this??

[neytirifanboy]

I am effectively a nature Goddess believer as I believe that the idea of "God" in it's more powerful form is female in nature.

Basically I effectively believe that the Godess makes up everything in existence. So this is consistent with a monotheistic idea of say Christianity, Isalm and Judaism. On the other hand I also feel that the Goddess as omnicsient being is irrelevant to humanity as we cannot communicate with her.

So I also believe that there are different levels of divinity, thus meaning that I am also a pantheist. I believe that we all have a little bit of the Goddess (or god) within us which which we can communicate and which may also link us together. Thus, I also tend to believe in dieties that I relate to from mytholgy such as Athena, Artemis and even Catholic female Saints like May and Jean D'Arc. If I talk to my Goddess, I will talk to an image that suits my mood.

I do not believe in the divinity of the written world. I believe the written word is a creation of man, and therefor biased, undivine fallible and sometime false. I believe that all written religious text is effectively mythology. However, this does not necessarily deny its validity in my view. In a religious text, it is the symbolic meaning of what is said that is important to me, rather than whether the stories are historical fact or not. And frankly, that can also be true for any written fictional and non-fictional work.

That also means that all religious texts are valid, but only when seen as a piece of mythology. In fact to me the Christian bible, the Koran or other tests are more meaningful as a work of mythology rather than a work of historical fact. I can respect all religious teaching as the former, but not the latter.

My view is completely in accordance with science, because the whole concept of my religious belief is that I believe in nature as it actually is (whether we understand it or not). My beliefs correspond to how I interpret scientific knowledge that I am aware off, rather than trying to warp science to my beliefs. This means that I can change my view based on changes in scientific knowledge as I understand it.

The whole religious vs science argument is irrelevant anyway. Science is not fact, it is a theory on how the world is based on observation and testing. Scientific theories are constantly changing, continuously challenged and regulalry proved to be false.

In the end, there is little difference between myself and an atheist. The only difference is that I like to believe their is spirituality in the world, while a true atheist rejects any concept of spiritualitry. I cannot be an Atheist because I want to believe in a spiritual entity and my life is better because I do believe in my Goddess.

If in the end I am wrong and the atheists are right, then I have lost nothing.

[Советский меч]

Cant wait till the large hedron collider pwns your religious beliefs.