I'm just curious because I had a deep conversation with a co-worker yesterday. But I put it here since it is a religion topic and it seems to be debated alot.

What are we debating? :lol

Yes, I do. He's a good friend of mine.

yes i do believe in God

Right now I consider myself Agnostic. I believe there is something out there and we aren't here just because. I know there is a purpose and some higher being. Just not sure what right now.

My husband and I don't really know what we believe in. I've explored many different belief's. I don't believe the bible is a true account, I believe it is a fictional story book written by people with great imaginations.

As far as believing in god, at this time, no.

What are we debating? :lol

Yes, I do. He's a good friend of mine.

I just know it is a heated topic to some and most of the people I have talked to in the past get into a huge debate on why he exists or not.

I picked other because as most of you know I practice Wicca and we believe in many different things.

My husband and I don't really know what we believe in. I've explored many different belief's. I don't believe the bible is a true account, I believe it is a fictional story book written by people with great imaginations.

As far as believing in god, at this time, no.

I feel the same way about the bible. It is a interesting read, but I don't believe in much that was written.

I picked other because as most of you know I practice Wicca and we believe in many different things.

Wicca believes in a lot of things but "god" is not one of them :dunno

You didn't say WHAT god, either :dunno Do you mean any god whatsoever? Or just the Christian God?

What are we debating? :lol

Yes, I do. He's a good friend of mine.
Me too. Glad to know we are part of the same clique!!!:hugs

Yes I believe in God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Wicca believes in a lot of things but "god" is not one of them :dunno

Depends on what God. Wicca believes in god, and goddess... lots of them.


I do not believe in God. I won't go into details because people get offended when I share my beliefs.

If anyone wants to talk about it further, sweet, PM me :)

In a nutshell, YES I believe in God, but I don't believe in a god that condemns people, or a god that is hateful, or a hypocritical god.
I don't think a being so high would be such awful things and the world still be an ok place...doesn't make sense.

So I usually say(when asked by blatantly religious people trying to convert me),Yeah, but not your god.

Depends on what God. Wicca believes in god, and goddess... lots of them.


I do not believe in God. I won't go into details because people get offended when I share my beliefs.

I just want you to know that I would not be offended if you shared your beliefs. You are faithful to what YOU believe, I am faithful to what I believe. There is nothing wrong with that.:hugs

If anyone wants to talk about it further, sweet, PM me :)

In a nutshell, YES I believe in God, but I don't believe in a god that condemns people, or a god that is hateful, or a hypocritical god.
I don't think a being so high would be such awful things and the world still be an ok place...doesn't make sense.

So I usually say(when asked by blatantly religious people),Yeah, but not your god.

:yes That's my God, too.

Wicca believes in a lot of things but "god" is not one of them :dunno

That is why I picked other. Not many people understand that there isn't a strict guideline you need to follow when you practice Wicca. You make it your own. Sure there is a outline of things such as certain holidays, etc but you have the choice to practice as you wish. There are "gods and goddesses" that you can worship, but it's up to you.

I just want you to know that I would not be offended if you shared your beliefs. You are faithful to what YOU believe, I am faithful to what I believe. There is nothing wrong with that.:hugs

Awww, thanks! That is incredibly sweet of you. :D :hugs :chest :giggle

You didn't say WHAT god, either :dunno Do you mean any god whatsoever? Or just the Christian God?

Just the general God, the Almighty, the creator of all things. It's just the simple question that someone asks "Do you believe in God?"

Depends on what God. Wicca believes in god, and goddess... lots of them.


I do not believe in God. I won't go into details because people get offended when I share my beliefs.


Yes but the "god" of the bible is different than that. I do know a LOT about it, I studied it for years. I know you're Wiccan.

I believe in the God of the Bible. The author of my faith.

No

I believe that there is something out there that is higher than me... I have no idea if he/she/it/they are benevolent or not. I would like to think so.

I see the work of "God" in my children and the love I feel for my husband. That's enough proof for me. :)

yes

I believe in the God of the Bible. The author of my faith.

Yes I believe in God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Same with me! :)

I believe in the Father, the son, and the holy ghost as well. :yes Im a practicing Baptist. I do not down others for their beliefs.

If anyone wants to talk about it further, sweet, PM me :)

In a nutshell, YES I believe in God, but I don't believe in a god that condemns people, or a god that is hateful, or a hypocritical god.
I don't think a being so high would be such awful things and the world still be an ok place...doesn't make sense.

So I usually say(when asked by blatantly religious people trying to convert me),Yeah, but not your god.

:agree That is the way that I have started thinking and feeling over the past few years. I don't think it is as preached in most churches ect...

Most definitely.

Yes I believe in God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

What she said

Very much so

No.

100% hands down, yes, I believe in God. There is too much evidence in my life and experiences to not.

YES! :yes

Yes, I definitely believe in God.

Nope.

I believe in God with all my heart and soul. He's the reason I am here :yes

100% hands down, yes, I believe in God. There is too much evidence in my life and experiences to not.

Me too! My issue is with organized religion and sometimes it's a particular church in a particular town, or one particular person who attends that church that can give you a bad vibe and make you turn away. But I never turn away from God. With everything that has happened in my life lately I could easily doubt his existence or his love but I see "signs" everywhere and that is what continously renews the faith in my heart.

No.

Sure do. This past Tuesday I was at Walmart and there was a guy standing outside the door from the salvation army. I've never seen someone standing out there from the salvation army so cheery. It was freeezing out out and he was just ringing his bell and saying merry christmas and have a great day. He had a wonderful spirit. When I came out I had some loose change so I stopped to put it in the little holder thing they have. Well, he starts telling me that God loves me and is proud of me. I don't know why but it really struck me and I almost started crying. Not cause I was upset but because it really touched my heart.

i do

yes I believe in God.

I voted other. I believe in a higher power/being but I don't know if it's God or something else.

No.

My husband and I don't really know what we believe in. I've explored many different belief's. I don't believe the bible is a true account, I believe it is a fictional story book written by people with great imaginations.

As far as believing in god, at this time, no.

I agree with you Sarah.

At this time, No, I don't believe in God.

yes i do

Yes, I believe in God, and in his son.

Yes

OK now don't bite my head off for my next question. I'm just curious.

What has happened in your life to make you believe there is a God? On the other hand, why don't you believe there is a God?

yes, I do

Very Very much so.
I beleive in
The Christian god

Yes I believe in God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

And I also find your quote to be offense too.

Not even a little.

OK now don't bite my head off for my next question. I'm just curious.

What has happened in your life to make you believe there is a God? On the other hand, why don't you believe there is a God?

Where do I even begin? Many things occur daily that renew my faith but they are unexplainable and not able to be described in words. Many other occurances have happened throughout my life and I can genuinely feel God's presence with me through the bad times and the good times. I guess I can try to explain some occurances, but keep in mind that most of these things are beyond earthly words.

The first thing I can remember was when I was about 6th grade. My brother (8 years older) had been going in a downward spiral since his teen years. He was doing not so good things, most of which I do not know of since I was young at the time. About the time when he was about to hit rock bottom, he met my (now) sister in law. He still continued to struggle in the next few years and we were really worrying about him (he was living in a house with a bunch of roommates at college...they were all....bad people.) Well, I was worrying about him a lot, he was the one I looked up to my whole life, so it was tearing me apart to see his life in the shape that it was. I started praying really hard for him. A few days later, out of nowhere, around midnight, the doorbell at my parents' house rang, my brother came in and said "I'm moving out of that house. I need to get out." And he did. He moved out, got his own place, started getting straight As in college, graduated, got married, got an amazing job, and now has 2 beautiful children. I could feel God in all that happened. Honestly. He was there.

The next one is the story of how I met my DH. It was my first few months at college and I hadn't "lost" my faith, but I wasn't really "into" it any more. I was more apathetic and had gradually been getting to that point throughout high school. One day, I was really struggling with myself, finding out who I was, getting along at school, fighting through depression, etc. It was a really rough time. All of a sudden, I realized that...I really needed God to be the focus of my life again. I started praying harder and more than I had done in my whole life. One day I remember praying for love. It wasn't a cheesey "God, give me a boyfriend!" prayer. It was..."God...I need some help. I need someone to help me through this, someone to love me unconditionally, someone here on earth to help me"....The next day, yes, THE next day, I met DH in a sea of 500 other Christians at a Christian praise service on campus. A series of "random" events led my best friend at the time to have met him briefly the previous week, so she "introduced" us...and the rest is history. Turns out, DH was attending Christian college, was strong in his faith, and JUST what I needed to get back on track with God--not only that, but now we're married and very happy.

Finally, I spent this last deployment praying for a miracle that DH would come home sooner than he was "supposed" to. God was with me through the whole deployment, I could never have been as strong without Him, He was/is with me every single day. I felt safe, protected, NOT alone, it was amazing. Well. DH came home 6 months early. Miracles happen.

Another amazing miracle happened just a few months ago with my grandfather, don't really want to recount the story again, but if you want to dig through my threads I'm sure you can find it.

Bottom line, I feel God always. I see God in the trees, the grass, the flowers, the sky, the birds, people. I am constantly in awe of His creations and His beauty and love.

Yes I believe in God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

And I also find your quote to be offense too.

Whos quote?

Crystal's:

"If you take a copy of the Holy Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible IS the wind and the rain" Herbalist Carol McGrath

Yes

Crystal's:

awwwww well to each their own

Thanks for showing me. I thought I had read everything

Oh geez, guys, now it's time to attack each other's religious beliefs?

Crystal's quote is no more "out of line" than a bible verse in a siggy, and we've all seen those!

I really think anyone who is taking offense to someone elses belief system should take two steps away from the computer...um, now.

I certainly believe there is something beyond us that ties all of humanity the world together but I don't use the word "God" because I don't believe 99.9% of any of the belief systems it represents.

Oh geez, guys, now it's time to attack each other's religious beliefs?

Crystal's quote is no more "out of line" than a bible verse in a siggy, and we've all seen those!

I really think anyone who is taking offense to someone elses belief system should take two steps away from the computer...um, now.

I'll second you on that one!

Oh geez, guys, now it's time to attack each other's religious beliefs?

Crystal's quote is no more "out of line" than a bible verse in a siggy, and we've all seen those!

I really think anyone who is taking offense to someone elses belief system should take two steps away from the computer...um, now.


Agreed ;)

Oh geez, guys, now it's time to attack each other's religious beliefs?

Crystal's quote is no more "out of line" than a bible verse in a siggy, and we've all seen those!

I really think anyone who is taking offense to someone elses belief system should take two steps away from the computer...um, now.

:suspect correct me if I am wrong. but where did I "attack" her. Just made a simple comment, just like she is allowed to her beliefs and opinions, so am I.

But thank you very much for stepping in :D

Yes we do very much so. I have my son in a Christian school and he loves to learn about Jesus and the Bible. My father in law is a pastor as well.

:suspect correct me if I am wrong. but where did I "attack" her. Just made a simple comment, just like she is allowed to her beliefs and opinions, so am I.

But thank you very much for stepping in :D

I was talking to more than one person, though specifically to whoever used the word "offensive/offended". If that was you, then yes, I am talking to you.

Disagreeing is what this type of post is all about, but being offended by someone elses faith is bigotry in it's simplest form and not condusive to supporting one another. At all.

If you meant to use another word, that would be different...

My husband and I don't really know what we believe in. I've explored many different belief's. I don't believe the bible is a true account, I believe it is a fictional story book written by people with great imaginations.

As far as believing in god, at this time, no.

This is how I feel, as well.

I believe Christianity was a very creative and effective way (and still is) to scare people into 'behaving' and being 'good'. I believe it gives people a comfort of feeling that their life is meaningful and that dying doesn't mean you'll go to this emtpy nothing.

I believe there is some sort of force that explains the creation of earth and evolution, but I do not believe in God in the way most people do. I believe more in reincarnation and evolution than I do in any single holy spirit.

Yes I do.

I don't believe b/c He did something amazing in my life, I still have believed even when I was at the worst points in my life. I'm not someone who thinks everything happens for a reason- thus that God makes everything happen for a reason. I believe we choose our own paths and sometimes those paths are lined w/ God's path and other times, the hard lessons we learn- we choose the other path due to our selfishness & immaturity & have to deal w/ the pain that WE bring on ourselves but God is there by your side. Some things I do believe He has a hand in...like things you can't explain- a premature baby not making it, family members coming down w/ a terminal illness, etc.

I also don't think the Bible was full of just imagination.

i put yes because i do believe in a god, but not the "christian god." i believe christianity was a good way for constantine to blend paganism and christianity way back when, and that also goes for the bible, and the concept of Jesus as more than just man, as divine. i chose wicca because i can feel a "presence" or something so much more when i am in nature, or practicing my beliefs, than i ever did sitting in church.

I did Other because I believe there is a greater force then us all. But I do not follow one religon or another. I just simply believe that when we die we will have to answer up to someone in the end.. whoever or whatever it is.... for all I know it could be Elvis!

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!

I did Other because I believe there is a greater force then us all. But I do not follow one religon or another. I just simply believe that when we die we will have to answer up to someone in the end.. whoever or whatever it is.... for all I know it could be Elvis!

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!

I could get behind Elvis worship, I think. You should see my apartment. :rofl

ROFL omg are you stalking me now Loretta? LOL

:hide

I put not sure. I'm pretty much an agnostic. I think it's possible God exists, whether it's the Christian God or something else entirely, but I sure have no idea what the truth is, and I don't really think anyone else knows for sure either. So I don't believe, but I don't have a belief that God doesn't exist either, if that makes sense.

ROFL omg are you stalking me now Loretta? LOL

:hide

:stalker

:eek

Wait why stalk... come join me and we can throw a partay! I got some Jose and Jack!

:eek

Wait why stalk... come join me and we can throw a partay! I got some Jose and Jack!

:giggle I actually just keep hitting "new posts" and yours are always on top:teehee

I've got some pint cans of PBR...yeah, I actually typed that for the world to see.
Pint cans of PBR. :rofl

End threadjack!

In a nutshell, YES I believe in God, but I don't believe in a god that condemns people, or a god that is hateful, or a hypocritical god.
I don't think a being so high would be such awful things and the world still be an ok place...doesn't make sense.

So I usually say(when asked by blatantly religious people trying to convert me),Yeah, but not your god.


:agree you put it into words i could not thank ya!

Yes, I do. His the center of my life and I could not be any happier since I let Him in my life.

Yes, I do believe in God.

I'm an atheist and DB is agnostic. Works very well for us :)

I believe in God, as in the Christian God, and no other.

well i think the quote was offensive just because it compares one religion to another which i think is meant to instigate, so i do think it's different than a bible verse, unless folks post a bible verse that discusses other religions, then i would find that to be a little offensive to some people as well... but who said sos was gonna be pc? it's sooo not pc and i love it that way, offend away!

anywho, about my beliefs, i change them alot and i'm sure a few years from now i might not believe the same things, but i've always believed that there is a god. I believe the bible is historical, but i don't believe it is free of error. I also toyed with the idea of other religions trying to interpret the same god, like the christian god is the same as the other religion's gods, but i do believe that the christian interpretation is most accurate. why? i dunno, i just do. i haven't really spent alot of time trying to figure out what i believe just for lack of time and fear that it won't be comforting. so i pray and just kinda go with what i've been taught. i hope that made sense haha

I do believe in God but unfortunatly my beliefs on alot of things in the past year have changed. I know longer think that God has an individual plan for all of us and I no longer believe in the power of prayer. I wish I did have a little more faith and belief that He is always there and listens to my prayers, but at this point unfortunatly I haven't felt it.

I believe in the Father, the son, and the holy ghost as well. :yes Im a practicing Baptist. I do not down others for their beliefs.

:yes I am Baptist also, although Ive fallen behind for awhile.

Yes.

definitely, and He always listens to my prayers

I chose other.

i believe in the possibility of a god, any god, he or she, multiple. i have made a conscious choice not to subscribe to any one specific religion because ... well.. i just CANT.

all religions teach basically the same thing. to be a good person, to have faith in good things, and to worship something. may it be God, G-d, Jesus, Zeus, Vishnu, Venus, 'The One', Isis, nature in general (trees, sun, wind, water) ... whatever.
there is something you give thanks to and rely on.

very few religions do NOT have those main components.

i choose to learn about all different religions, take the best from each one and simply live my life day by day the best way i know how.

i dont NEED a religion with answers about what happens when i die. i need to live my life
i dont NEED a religion with something specific to pray to or rely on. I just need to have faith that good things will happen so long as i am a good and kind person.

i believe religion in all forms is a WONDERFUL thing and i accept and appreciate each form. i simply can not get myself to try to decide which one i belong to. i dont feel the need to have a specific denomination.

Again, i believe in the possibility of any god being the 'right' god but i DO believe one of them IS. i went through a period of atheism... but it didnt last. i DO believe in something... it just isnt a necessity to me to find out what that something is.

i prefer to find out later and be surprised :D

What are we debating? :lol

Yes, I do. He's a good friend of mine.

:yes:agree my dh has had some moments he wasnt so sure from when his little sister died though.

Yes... and I am not even going to say what I think of this being called a "debate"... if you said yes as well, then you understand...

well it's not really a "debate" so to speak.. people are just answering the question and in some cases elaborating upon their beliefs. i don't think anybody's really "debating" people's beliefs or the reasons behind them or anything..

Yes, I sure do.

always have always will

I put "other" because we are Pagan and we don't believe in just one God, but we are religious.

I do believe in God and that belief gets stronger and stronger everyday.

100% hands down, yes, I believe in God. There is too much evidence in my life and experiences to not.


This is exactly how I feel. :D

Oh geez, guys, now it's time to attack each other's religious beliefs?

Crystal's quote is no more "out of line" than a bible verse in a siggy, and we've all seen those!

I really think anyone who is taking offense to someone elses belief system should take two steps away from the computer...um, now.

Thank you! I just got on and saw that someone said that about my quote and it made me a little sad. But thank you for sticking up for me.

with everything that i am. there's absolutely no doubt in my mind.

Yes I believe in God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

And I also find your quote to be offense too.

I'm sorry that you found my quote offensive. I have already had to change it once because someone got offended by my "My cat ate your fish" blinkie. But I don't really see how it is offensive when it is the truth.......paper will eventually disintegrate with the wind and rain, but with my religion....all things nature is our bible. I found this quote awhile ago and it touched me so I decided to share it in my siggy. But again, I am sorry it offended you....I didn't mean to offend anyone.

This is how I feel, as well.

I believe Christianity was a very creative and effective way (and still is) to scare people into 'behaving' and being 'good'. I believe it gives people a comfort of feeling that their life is meaningful and that dying doesn't mean you'll go to this emtpy nothing.

I believe there is some sort of force that explains the creation of earth and evolution, but I do not believe in God in the way most people do. I believe more in reincarnation and evolution than I do in any single holy spirit.


Tony and I believe the same.

To answer the second question... I have always felt the way I do.

Yes I firmly believe in God. Too many wonderful things have happened in my life for there not to be a God.

What affirms this even more in my eyes is that I used to not be such a big believer. I mean, I believed but I never truly accepted God or Jesus into my life. And I was going down a really bad path. Bad things kept happening to me. But once I started going to church and accepted the Lord into my life, wonderful things started happening. My life did a complete 180. I got my mom back, I met my soon to be fiance, my dad started changing his ways. And I honestly believe that is our prayers and the amazing grace of God that my fiance didn't get killed in Iraq. He had MANY close calls. And times where he really should have died but he didn't get a single scratch. The Lord has been watching over him and my family as is apparent from last night.

My husband does not believe in God. He also believes its a personal subject which he doesnt share with people. So when someone asks him if he believe in God he says " I believe the children are our future" LMAO it cracks me up everytime

yup

Sure do!

The next one is the story of how I met my DH. It was my first few months at college and I hadn't "lost" my faith, but I wasn't really "into" it any more. I was more apathetic and had gradually been getting to that point throughout high school. One day, I was really struggling with myself, finding out who I was, getting along at school, fighting through depression, etc. It was a really rough time. All of a sudden, I realized that...I really needed God to be the focus of my life again. I started praying harder and more than I had done in my whole life. One day I remember praying for love. It wasn't a cheesey "God, give me a boyfriend!" prayer. It was..."God...I need some help. I need someone to help me through this, someone to love me unconditionally, someone here on earth to help me"....The next day, yes, THE next day, I met DH in a sea of 500 other Christians at a Christian praise service on campus. A series of "random" events led my best friend at the time to have met him briefly the previous week, so she "introduced" us...and the rest is history. Turns out, DH was attending Christian college, was strong in his faith, and JUST what I needed to get back on track with God--not only that, but now we're married and very happy.


WOW! That is amazing. It renews my faith all that much more! :hugs thanks for sharing

well i think the quote was offensive just because it compares one religion to another which i think is meant to instigate, so i do think it's different than a bible verse, unless folks post a bible verse that discusses other religions, then i would find that to be a little offensive to some people as well... but who said sos was gonna be pc? it's sooo not pc and i love it that way, offend away!

anywho, about my beliefs, i change them alot and i'm sure a few years from now i might not believe the same things, but i've always believed that there is a god. I believe the bible is historical, but i don't believe it is free of error. I also toyed with the idea of other religions trying to interpret the same god, like the christian god is the same as the other religion's gods, but i do believe that the christian interpretation is most accurate. why? i dunno, i just do. i haven't really spent alot of time trying to figure out what i believe just for lack of time and fear that it won't be comforting. so i pray and just kinda go with what i've been taught. i hope that made sense haha

Aw Haley I just love you! :giggle And I agree. I think crytal's quote is much different than a quoute from the bible (unless it's how haley said, attacking other religions). It is more attacking the Christian religion than anything else.

WOW! That is amazing. It renews my faith all that much more! :hugs thanks for sharing

:) I'm so glad! Just thinking about it renews and strengthens my faith every time. :hugs

Yes I do

OK now don't bite my head off for my next question. I'm just curious.

What has happened in your life to make you believe there is a God? On the other hand, why don't you believe there is a God?

Many of my prayers have been answered, many have not been answered the way I would have liked them too, but still they were answered.
I have felt the Love of God, and I have been saved by Jesus. Its a feeling you CANNOT explain, unless you have been saved, or have felt God in your life.

What has happened in your life to make you believe there is a God? On the other hand, why don't you believe there is a God?

I don't know that there is one thing in particular. I have had my share of tragedy in life and had every reason to have my faith shaken. For example, My dad died on my 11th birthday from a cerebral hemmorrage. However, I guess I have always had that faith instilled in me that no matter what happens if life, God is there for me. That doesn't mean that he answers prayer the way that I would want it answered, but in his own way, not to mention, the answer might be "no". I think that is what faith is about. Not needing "proof". I don't need scientific evidence to show me the existence of God or that Jesus Christ died for my sins.
There are some that say that if God were "real" than he wouldn't let bad things happen, but I believe that God also gives us free-will and that many of the things that happen are a result of that free-will.
One story that really solidified my faith - Back in 1998 my grandfather was dying from cancer. He was in hospice in a hospital bed in the living room. Above the bed was a picture of one of the Catholic saints (I am not Catholic, but he was). My grandmother was lying on the bed next to him as he wavered in and out of consciousness. He hadn't been coherent in several days, but suddenly he sat up in the bed, replied to the picture as if somebody were talking to him - "I see you St. Peter, I see you Momma..." then he turned to my grandmother and said, "It will be alright Lois, I'll be waiting on you." Laid his head on her shoulder and died with a smile on his face.

Yes, I believe in God. I always have and I always will.

Many of my prayers have been answered, many have not been answered the way I would have liked them too, but still they were answered.
I have felt the Love of God, and I have been saved by Jesus. Its a feeling you CANNOT explain, unless you have been saved, or have felt God in your life.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Our family believes in God. :yes

Thank you! I just got on and saw that someone said that about my quote and it made me a little sad. But thank you for sticking up for me.

You know I love your quote too sweety!! I'll stick up for you too-any day!!

i wish i could believe strongly... i actually pray to grow in my faith.... but i still feel lost as ever?? does that make sense?

OK now don't bite my head off for my next question. I'm just curious.

What has happened in your life to make you believe there is a God? On the other hand, why don't you believe there is a God?

I won't answer this, because of comments like this...

Yes I believe in God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

And I also find your quote to be offense too.

Yes... and I am not even going to say what I think of this being called a "debate"... if you said yes as well, then you understand...

Aw Haley I just love you! :giggle And I agree. I think crytal's quote is much different than a quoute from the bible (unless it's how haley said, attacking other religions). It is more attacking the Christian religion than anything else.

anything debatable is a debate....

I believe in God. I just don't want to be associated with 99.9% of people who call themselves Christians.

I keep my faith to myself. I don't preach it.... I try to show it through my actions.

I believe in God. I just don't want to be associated with 99.9% of people who call themselves Christians.

I keep my faith to myself. I don't preach it.... I try to show it through my actions.

Ding ding ding! Thanks for saying it better than me. I just don't think God is as hateful as they make him out to be:shrug So I must be believing in a different God or something else! :lol

Also-COMPLETELY agree, Trina!!! :yes

Yes I firmly believe in God. Too many wonderful things have happened in my life for there not to be a God.

What affirms this even more in my eyes is that I used to not be such a big believer. I mean, I believed but I never truly accepted God or Jesus into my life. And I was going down a really bad path. Bad things kept happening to me. But once I started going to church and accepted the Lord into my life, wonderful things started happening. My life did a complete 180. I got my mom back, I met my soon to be fiance, my dad started changing his ways. And I honestly believe that is our prayers and the amazing grace of God that my fiance didn't get killed in Iraq. He had MANY close calls. And times where he really should have died but he didn't get a single scratch. The Lord has been watching over him and my family as is apparent from last night.

amen sister!

i wish i could believe strongly... i actually pray to grow in my faith.... but i still feel lost as ever?? does that make sense?

completely. praying for faith is a good thing. :yes

Aw Haley I just love you! :giggle And I agree. I think crytal's quote is much different than a quoute from the bible (unless it's how haley said, attacking other religions). It is more attacking the Christian religion than anything else.

I just don't see how it is attacking the Christian religion :dunno Can you explain it to me? Again....I'm just curious

Ding ding ding! Thanks for saying it better than me. I just don't think God is as hateful as they make him out to be:shrug So I must be believing in a different God or something else! :lol

Also-COMPLETELY agree, Trina!!! :yes

:yes I always thought of God as more of a friend. Approachable and friendly... with a good sense of humor.

I always thought of Jesus as a super nice guy... really chill. The kinda guy who'd wear a tuxedo t-shirt and Birkenstocks.... who'd sit around a beach bonfire and enjoy a beer or two with you. :shrug The kinda guy I'd like to hang out with!

I also imagined him as the kind of guy who loves EVERYONE, no exceptions.

:yes I always thought of God as more of a friend. Approachable and friendly... with a good sense of humor.

I always thought of Jesus as a super nice guy... really chill. The kinda guy who'd wear a tuxedo t-shirt and Birkenstocks.... who'd sit around a beach bonfire and enjoy a beer or two with you. :shrug The kinda guy I'd like to hang out with!

I also imagined him as the kind of guy who loves EVERYONE, no exceptions.

That's exactly who God and Jesus are. :)

Some of my VERY best friends are in a band, a band that talks about god in their songs.

They REFUSE to be labeled as "christian" music and won't tour with or sign to a label that has "christian" bands, because of the high and mighty attitude that goes along with it.

They show more love and compassion than anyone else I've ever known, though. They get it right.

It's sad to me, that a religion has disintegarated to the point that the few actually following the teachings should just get together and give it a new name. :sigh

I hope no one took that badly, I just think it's sad. :shrug I don't identify as christian at all and I still think it's a tragedy.

And I also find your quote to be offense too.

Why? :dunno

I'm Christian so yes I believe in God and honestly I don't think I can explain why. There is a feeling that I cannot describe with any justice. The best way attempt I can give is feeling full & happy in the presence of the Spirit. May sound corny or crazy but it's something that is hard to accurately describe. Now I feel like there is way too much intolerance and way too much condemnation with many people who call themselves Christians and that bothers me. I may not attend church but I don't think that's a requirement. My beliefs are my own and my husband doesn't share them... I love him all the same. One of my favorite quotes is "the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I am there, lift a stone... and you will find me."

I feel like her quote was not to slander one religion over another but to show that they are more similar than you may perceive them to be. :dunno

Those who "get it" refer to an indescribable feeling of serenity, clarity and comfort - not exhorbent glee. ALL emotions are perfectly balanced and a feeling of "home" is all that remains and everything is going to be taken care of. "It feels like coming home." is the singular best description I've heard.

I haven't associated that feeling with God in a very long time. I don't believe in God for a multitude of reasons, those reasons stem from my own research and life experience. I would be more than willing to share my views, but I won't be here for much longer and folks tend to think I'm attacking religion when I do.

Those who "get it" refer to an indescribable feeling of serenity, clarity and comfort - not exhorbent glee. ALL emotions are perfectly balanced and a feeling of "home" is all that remains and everything is going to be taken care of. "It feels like coming home." is the singular best description I've heard.

I haven't associated that feeling with God in a very long time. I don't believe in God for a multitude of reasons, those reasons stem from my own research and life experience. I would be more than willing to share my views, but I won't be here for much longer and folks tend to think I'm attacking religion when I do.

That's the feeling. I haven't felt it in a long while either but I also haven't sought it out and it rarely ever just comes without my seeking it. I felt it most through music when I used to sing gospel frequently in college. I'd be interested in hearing your views. I don't see debating religion as attacking because we all have our own views and there is not clear cut right and wrong since it's all subjective and open to interpretation.

I am pagan, i give praise to mother earth and father sky...i also do some energy work, could be associated with wicca, but i dont call my self wiccan...

Yes, I believe in God

I believe in God. I just don't want to be associated with 99.9% of people who call themselves Christians.

I keep my faith to myself. I don't preach it.... I try to show it through my actions.

This is exactly how I feel! I prefer to keep my faith to myself as I feel it is a deeply personal issue *for me*. I do not identify with the majority of other Christians, especially those who have tried to "save" me or "convert" me to their religion.

:yes I always thought of God as more of a friend. Approachable and friendly... with a good sense of humor.

I always thought of Jesus as a super nice guy... really chill. The kinda guy who'd wear a tuxedo t-shirt and Birkenstocks.... who'd sit around a beach bonfire and enjoy a beer or two with you. :shrug The kinda guy I'd like to hang out with!

I also imagined him as the kind of guy who loves EVERYONE, no exceptions.

That's exactly who God and Jesus are. :)

:yes

I just dont get why some people think that because you believe in God and go to church that "they" generalized, think that God is mean or hateful. I dont think that at all, and I have believed in God my whole life. AND, I am baptist.

Those who "get it" refer to an indescribable feeling of serenity, clarity and comfort - not exhorbent glee. ALL emotions are perfectly balanced and a feeling of "home" is all that remains and everything is going to be taken care of. "It feels like coming home." is the singular best description I've heard.

I haven't associated that feeling with God in a very long time. I don't believe in God for a multitude of reasons, those reasons stem from my own research and life experience. I would be more than willing to share my views, but I won't be here for much longer and folks tend to think I'm attacking religion when I do.

That's exactly why I haven't been answering questions about my beliefs in detail either. :yes

And, my beliefs, they feel like coming home to me. :tu

I believe in God :)

Most of my elementary education was spent in private schools of various denominations of Christianity... I've been to Luthern, Catholic, Baptist, some fundamentalist groups.... whatever... and the only thing that I actually took from there is that there is a God... other than that... you got me.... All the schools taught that their way was the right way, and the only right way... So many "right" ways yet they accuse others of being wrong, so how can that be right?? I just pray to God and I believe in reincarnation and that there is life after death... as I can attest to this personally... (long story)

I am Agnostic. I do believe in spirituality however, I have a hard time with the whole single all power god concept as well as the bible. What I find a bit disappointing is how people who are religious look down on others based on there religious beliefs or disbelieves, if they truly are a believer of god than all that should matter about a person is whether they are good or bad in the soul. Obviously this is my opinion but please don't think it is an uneducated opinion I was raised Lutheran in a church environment and do know the bible well as well as have taken several classes on various religions so that I could form a more educated opinion. ;)

I'm not sure. Right now, I'm on the fence.

That's exactly why I haven't been answering questions about my beliefs in detail either. :yes

And, my beliefs, they feel like coming home to me. :tu

I've been kind of chewing on this all afternoon, trying find a way to put how I saw the bible as a child and how I see it now, and all I can come up with is simply perspective. When I read the bible as a child (King James is a TOUGH cookie for a 10 yr old), I latched on to the stories of morality - do the right thing, and everything will work out. As I've grown older, my perspective has changed dramatically. When I read the bible now, I only see the manipulations and schemes of the church and that God is prone to "throwing fits" when something doesn't work out. Only a human author can make a supreme, all knowing entity to be bipolar.

Again, this is merely how my life experiences and research have shaped my views on the bible. I've been called the spectrum between Doubting Thomas to the Antichrist for as long as I've been able to raise my hand and ask "Why?"

I just don't see how it is attacking the Christian religion :dunno Can you explain it to me? Again....I'm just curious

Ok first I just want to say that I am not trying to attack you in anyway, I think you are a really nice person and it's just the quote that kind of rubs me the wrong way a little. I wasn't going to even say anything about it but since someone else brought it up I was just going to point out that I kind of agreed. Well how I see it, that quote is comparing the two religions and saying that one is better than the other. That it's going to stand the test of time while ours can not. Again just my opinion and I am not saying that everyone should think like me at all. I just don't think a quote is appropriate in a siggy if it's comparing two faiths.

Yup I do believe in God.

Ok first I just want to say that I am not trying to attack you in anyway, I think you are a really nice person and it's just the quote that kind of rubs me the wrong way a little. I wasn't going to even say anything about it but since someone else brought it up I was just going to point out that I kind of agreed. Well how I see it, that quote is comparing the two religions and saying that one is better than the other. That it's going to stand the test of time while ours can not. Again just my opinion and I am not saying that everyone should think like me at all. I just don't think a quote is appropriate in a siggy if it's comparing two faiths.

Hey, Brittany?

While I do not agree with you, I think that was a really mature and positive way to get your feelings across. I really respect your views and you make it easy by being so upfront and honest. :hugs

I believe in God, and what he is I don't know. I also believe everyone believes in something, even if it's nothing.

I believe in a "higher power". My husband and I were both raised Roman Catholic and I honestly don't know what MY stance on Jesus really is, or what my husbands stance is. I do know that we are not tied to the church strongly enough for us to actually bother to be married by a priest, so..
I talked to my mother-in-law about it the other night and she was saying that she believes life just happens and that God is just there and helps you through it and gives you hope. To me, everything happens for a reason and I am supposed to learn something from all of it. I also view a higher power as perhaps just being LIFE. the spirit aspect of everything living and the spirit/essence we all originate from and will go back to.
I believe that if you decide in your mind that you want to do a certain thing and you stay positive- you are inviting that sort of energy and opportunity into your life. I believe that God/destiny/higher power gives you signs and opportunities that you can follow..
I believe prayer is another way to enforce whatever it is you wish to have come into your life and also a way in which to send good energy/help to others.
I think I believe in angels/spirits too. I really believe my grandma has been helping me out and looking over me since she died when I was 3.

That's just what I believe. I really live my life according to it.. and I have to say that the whole 'power of intention' has been REALLY true for me.

Wicca believes in a lot of things but "god" is not one of them :dunno

Actually.. Wiccans have a god and a goddess. and they also can pray to whatever deities they wish to pray to.

I don't care what people choose to call God. To me God means "higher power"-- something greater than ourselves that is spiritual in nature and from which we originate.

OK now don't bite my head off for my next question. I'm just curious.

What has happened in your life to make you believe there is a God? On the other hand, why don't you believe there is a God?


It's really strange.. but I started researching religion when I was about 12 years old. I was really unhappy with what they were trying to tell me at my Roman Catholic Sunday School. I was a really strange child who thought she could feel different energies in rocks, trees, everything. I didn't realize I was weird til I went to school and asked some other kid about it.. I think I was just weird now.. but I guess I thought I felt something around me that couldnt be seen and the explanation offered to me about a creator when I went to church just wasn't cutting it.

I know I just sound weird now. lol.. well.. Once I got cancer when I was 15, that sort of just led me down a path of learning how to be positive.. It gets to be a battle sometimes, but I believe what I believe after reading tons of different books on spirituality and also after realizing that the universe really is open to helping you out when you look.. To me, its God.. not good luck.

I'm sorry that you found my quote offensive. I have already had to change it once because someone got offended by my "My cat ate your fish" blinkie. But I don't really see how it is offensive when it is the truth.......paper will eventually disintegrate with the wind and rain, but with my religion....all things nature is our bible. I found this quote awhile ago and it touched me so I decided to share it in my siggy. But again, I am sorry it offended you....I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Hmm not sure why a cat eating a fish is offensive :lmao but whatever.

As for your quote I just do. Maybe not rude so much but more offensive. But hey that's just me and my Bible Thumping thinking. It's a free world to think and believe and say what we will. Just as you have the right to have the quote, I find it offensive. I am not attacking, and if I did then I apologize but I truly didn't. Just stating a personal opinion.

Hey, Brittany?

While I do not agree with you, I think that was a really mature and positive way to get your feelings across. I really respect your views and you make it easy by being so upfront and honest. :hugs

Thanks Loretta. We are all entitled to our own opinions. And I still (L) ya even if we don't agree. :D

Hmm not sure why a cat eating a fish is offensive :lmao but whatever.

As for your quote I just do. Maybe not rude so much but more offensive. But hey that's just me and my Bible Thumping thinking. It's a free world to think and believe and say what we will. Just as you have the right to have the quote, I find it offensive. I am not attacking, and if I did then I apologize but I truly didn't. Just stating a personal opinion.

Here is the blinkie (just in case you were wondering): http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e317/Crystal520/catfish.jpg

I find a lot of things in a lot of religions offensive, but I don't point it out. That's why I choose not to share my religious beliefs in detail. Maybe I should rethink that position though. I just hope that if I do people are as civil about disagreeing with me as they have been in this thread.

I find a lot of things in a lot of religions offensive, but I don't point it out. That's why I choose not to share my religious beliefs in detail. Maybe I should rethink that position though. I just hope that if I do people are as civil about disagreeing with me as they have been in this thread.

If people don't agree with your religious beliefs then that's their problem Trina. You are so intelligent, so insightful, I love to hear your perspective on things. People are entitled to believe in whatever religion they choose, and you are entitled to NOT believe.

I openly admit to not believing in God, and if people have a problem with that, then that's just tough.

Yes I believe in God.

Here is the blinkie (just in case you were wondering): http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e317/Crystal520/catfish.jpg

While I am not a fan of the sign on the kitty. I find the quote to be hilarious.

While I am not a fan of the sign on the kitty. I find the quote to be hilarious.

:rofl Why aren't you a fan of the sign? Do you think it is demonic or something?

:rofl Why aren't you a fan of the sign? Do you think it is demonic or something?

Never said that. just said I'm not a fan. I am ALLOWED to my thoughts, opinions, and feelings. But thank you for laughing at me when I wasn't being rude or attacking.

Never said that. just said I'm not a fan. I am ALLOWED to my thoughts, opinions, and feelings. But thank you for laughing at me when I wasn't being rude or attacking.

I am just laughing because you are all for the confederate flag and made the statement that anyone who doesn't like it is "poorly misinformed and need to go take another history class". But, someone posts a religious symbol from their religion and you are quick to point out that you don't like it. It seems silly to me. You want people to accept your "symbols", but you are quick to dismiss others.

I am not trying to be mean, and I probably shouldn't have laughed. I wasn't doing it to be a bitch, it just struck me as silly. I am seriously being lighthearted. I am apologize if I hurt your feelings. I really mean that.

well..i belive in A god :giggle.
i dont know what god yet.but i do belive in a god that much i do know :shock

seriously..i just dont belive the christian god is the one true god.and yet i havent really gotten any connections to a "god"figure yet..however i do know who my goddess is...

sorry i rambled o-o im hyper..

I don't believe in god and never have. Once I was old enough to feel comfortable living this, I have done so. Every bit of research and experience I have had has told me I am right.


I have another question that is going to open a whole new can of worms. I have heard people in this thread talk about their belief in god and how their prayer caused positive outcomes. Survival of disease, trauma, and loved one coming home from war. Do you see how that could be offensive to family members who have done the same as you, but not had the same positive outcome? By saying the strength of your faith caused this is pretty much saying their faith was not strong enough and they did something wrong. I KNOW everyone will come in here and say it isn't what they meant, but it IS what you are saying.

I don't believe in god and never have. Once I was old enough to feel comfortable living this, I have done so. Every bit of research and experience I have had has told me I am right.


I have another question that is going to open a whole new can of worms. I have heard people in this thread talk about their belief in god and how their prayer caused positive outcomes. Survival of disease, trauma, and loved one coming home from war. Do you see how that could be offensive to family members who have done the same as you, but not had the same positive outcome? By saying the strength of your faith caused this is pretty much saying their faith was not strong enough and they did something wrong. I KNOW everyone will come in here and say it isn't what they meant, but it IS what you are saying.

Nope. There are many prayers that haven't been answered in the way that I WANT THEM to be answered. However, even these "unanswered" prayers turn out to be gifts and blessings to me. Deaths, diseases, hardships, trials, everything is a blessing and God uses each and every thing to better my life ultimately. It's hard to see it at the time, but in the end it's obvious that He knows what he's doing in my life! Just because prayers may not be answered in the way you wish them to be does not mean your faith is any less or any more lacking. Sometimes I'll have a prayer answered in the most inconvenient way FOR ME, but in the end, it turns out to be the most amazing thing.

Nope. There are many prayers that haven't been answered in the way that I WANT THEM to be answered. However, even these "unanswered" prayers turn out to be gifts and blessings to me. Deaths, diseases, hardships, trials, everything is a blessing and God uses each and every thing to better my life ultimately. It's hard to see it at the time, but in the end it's obvious that He knows what he's doing in my life! Just because prayers may not be answered in the way you wish them to be does not mean your faith is any less or any more lacking. Sometimes I'll have a prayer answered in the most inconvenient way FOR ME, but in the end, it turns out to be the most amazing thing.

I'm sure you won't receive smiles if you tell the wife of a deceased Marine that his death is a blessing. I understand what you are saying and I think you mean it with good intent, I'm just saying it might not be taken as such.

I'm sure you won't receive smiles if you tell the wife of a deceased Marine that his death is a blessing. I understand what you are saying and I think you mean it with good intent, I'm just saying it might not be taken as such.

I would never tell someone that. :shrug Realizing your blessings sometimes takes a long time and I'm not one to force that on anyone.

I would never tell someone that. :shrug Realizing your blessings sometimes takes a long time and I'm not one to force that on anyone.

I know you would never say it. All I am saying is, if you are telling people, random strangers, that your SO came home from Iraq becauseyou prayed for him and god listened, maybe one of those strangers lost someone and you would really hurt them by saying that. Not even meaning to.

I know you would never say it. All I am saying is, if you are telling people, random strangers, that your SO came home from Iraq becauseyou prayed for him and god listened, maybe one of those strangers lost someone and you would really hurt them by saying that. Not even meaning to.

Obviously that is not my intent. The ONLY reason I posted my stories is because it was asked WHY we believe. I believe very strongly and have many reasons and experiences as to why I believe apart from the things I shared. I also am not going to walk on eggshells with my beliefs in order to not offend people. I have walked on eggshells around here far too long and now realize that not everyone will always be happy and that I should just be myself and not second guess every single thing I post. However, I would never ever say anything like that in the context of a tragedy. And I will never ever post anything like that again unless a question comes up concerning my faith. When it comes to "defending" my faith, I feel very strongly about that and will use personal examples in that situation because that is part of why I believe. I cannot leave those things out. Sometimes my stories HELP people or help them understand, so if I don't post them maybe someone could be at a loss for NOT hearing them, who knows? Anyways. I do get your point, but I also want to make it completely clear that this is the only situation and context a story like this would ever be posted and if it offends people then I'm sorry because that is the opposite of my intentions.

I know, I am just kind of playing devil's advocate, trying to get you to see how it can be taken, because we all know people can take words different ways.

I know, I am just kind of playing devil's advocate, trying to get you to see how it can be taken, because we all know people can take words different ways.

I understand :)

I don't believe in god and never have. Once I was old enough to feel comfortable living this, I have done so. Every bit of research and experience I have had has told me I am right.


I have another question that is going to open a whole new can of worms. I have heard people in this thread talk about their belief in god and how their prayer caused positive outcomes. Survival of disease, trauma, and loved one coming home from war. Do you see how that could be offensive to family members who have done the same as you, but not had the same positive outcome? By saying the strength of your faith caused this is pretty much saying their faith was not strong enough and they did something wrong. I KNOW everyone will come in here and say it isn't what they meant, but it IS what you are saying.


I agree with all that you just said.. and I agree with what you said about never bringing it up in a tragedy and it just being what you believe in your own life.. I feel the same.

Many of my prayers have been answered, many have not been answered the way I would have liked them too, but still they were answered.
I have felt the Love of God, and I have been saved by Jesus. Its a feeling you CANNOT explain, unless you have been saved, or have felt God in your life.


:yes This is exactly how I feel. I couldn't have said it any better.

I know, I am just kind of playing devil's advocate, trying to get you to see how it can be taken, because we all know people can take words different ways.

I think you are right, and you bring up a very good point that NO ONE has ever been able to explain to me. Not my old Sunday school teachers, not any priest, not any religion.

yes i believe in god... what i cant stand is people being petty and ugly toward each other

I know this is an old thread but I voted so I figure I will leave a post too. I do not believe in any god, or anything supernatural. Neither does my husband. We are both Atheists. With that said, we both respect the beliefs of others and never try to push our lack of beliefs on anyone, and assume they will show us the same respect. :D

I believe in something bigger than myself, and I believe that God (in whatever form HE has chosen) does not want us "defining" Him... if that makes any sense...

I don't believe in the Biblical God. I am consider myself kind of a very casual Unitarian Universalist (as if there were other kinds :teehee)

Crystal, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your quote. The nature aspect of paganism is very intriguing to me but I don't know much about the religion. Any tips for someone who has in the past few years started to feel a very strong connection to nature?

I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

I'm honestly not sure now. Especially with all the custody stuff that has happened. I'm just not sure that I believe in Him. I prayed and prayed that God would put Tori where he thought was best for her. Obviously he doesn't think I'm a good enough mom either. I'm losing a lot of faith in Him. So, I guess my answer is I don't know.

I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I truly feel that He has called me in my life. Not saying that horrible, crummy things have not happened in my life, but I know they happened for a reason (I know cliche`). If some of these, at the time, misfortunes did not happen in my life, I would never have met my husband or had my two beautiful children.

What are we debating? :lol

Yes, I do. He's a good friend of mine.

Aww you couldnt of said it better

I don't believe in the Biblical God. I am consider myself kind of a very casual Unitarian Universalist (as if there were other kinds :teehee)

Crystal, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your quote. The nature aspect of paganism is very intriguing to me but I don't know much about the religion. Any tips for someone who has in the past few years started to feel a very strong connection to nature?

Thank you! All I can say is if you want to know more about Wicca....READ!!! There are sooo many helpful books out there that can get you started. Also listen to how nature makes your body and senses feel. Touch a tree and see how it makes you feel. The more in tune you are with yourself and nature, the better understanding you'll have. Good Luck and if you need any more guidence or just want to chat, PM me.