Are you religious?

[RagnarLothbrok]

Just curious about what the board thinks on religion and God.

Me, personally, I was raised Lutheran but my parents weren’t too serious about it. Now, I’m kinda like whatever. I honestly go back and forth on whether religion has done more harm than good. The Bible is full of insane, unbelievable shit. And I think it’s created a lot of dumb, problematic people who interpret everything literally.

For those who are religious, not trying to start a fight per se, but I am curious about your rationale and reason for believing what you do.

 

[ironside1]

Should this be a poll?

I am not religious.

 

[QChawks]

On a scale between 1-10 we are probably a 8

go to church about 50-60% of the time, kids go to a Christian school and prayer is a regular part of our daily lives

 

[SigMaintHawk]

Nope

 

[rfgiowa]

 

[DirtyJohns97]

No, I wasn't buying it even as a little kid.

 

[LuteHawk]

As a Christian I believe that we are part of God's creation
in this world. He has created the universe and everything
in it. We are not biological accidents, rather we are part
of the miracle of human life. He created the sun, moon
and stars, the four seasons, day and night. He made the
animals, birds, fish, mountains, fields, oceans, lakes.

 

[spiderland]

 

[mattymoknows]

 

[millah_22]

no

 

[wilson reborn]

Religious and spiritual are different. I believe in God. Religions are inventions of men. Often to make money.

 

[BrianNole777]

I'm an ex-atheist.

The only purpose to life I can think of is to attain the Beatific Vision (Heaven) through sanctification (becoming a saint) after death as Thomas Aquinas taught.

America has never been as atheistic and unchurched as today and we see the decline.

U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time

For the first time in Gallup's polling history, less than half of U.S. adults report belonging to a church, synagogue or mosque.

news.gallup.com

IMHO.

 

[GOHOX69]

Religious and spiritual are different. I believe in God. Religions are inventions of men. Often to make money.

This is where I am. Great post.

 

[WrigleyHawkeye20]

Nope. Not religious anymore. Grew up Presbyterian and went to Church/Sunday School weekly through about 6th grade.

At some point, just stopped buying into it. I now focus on trying to be a good person (as much as I can) and have no regrets about not being “religious”.

I do send my kids to Catholic school (for non-religious reasons). So church and religion is a part of our lives and I’m ok with that. But just don’t bother making it a priority outside of that at this point.

 

[BrianNole777]

Nope. Not religious anymore. Grew up Presbyterian and went to Church/Sunday School weekly through about 6th grade.

At some point, just stopped buying into it. I now focus on trying to be a good person (as much as I can) and have no regrets about not being “religious”.

I do send my kids to Catholic school (for non-religious reasons). So church and religion is a part of our lives and I’m ok with that. But just don’t bother making it a priority outside of that at this point.

When you were Presbyterian, did you believe in predestination?

 

[Jimmy McGill]

I was until I went to Iraq. People killing each other in the name of religion made me agnostic. I want to believe, but I can't.

I felt bad being a godfather for relatives. I was lying when I said I would encourage their faith

 

[Moral]

My username is Moral so of course I'm not.

 

[Ray Kinsella]

It varies for me. I am a practicing Catholic but certainly have my doubts. Some days my faith is weaker than others.

The biggest point for me in believing in a higher power is the question, "Why isn't there nothing?"

Severely religious people turn me off, BTW. They never seem to question their faith, so I don't think they've truly thought about it.

 

[10kHawk]

I became a Christian when I was married 25 years ago, couple years ago Wife, I and all the grown kids left due to the politicization and hypocrisy

 

[sadiehawkins]

Religion is for the weak of
mind. Except the factwhen ya get the dead ya gone. No heaven no BS you are fart in the wind. Nobody will think about you after one generatiomn.

 

[BrianNole777]

It varies for me. I am a practicing Catholic but certainly have my doubts. Some days my faith is weaker than others.

The biggest point for me in believing in a higher power is the question, "Why isn't there nothing?"

Severely religious people turn me off, BTW. They never seem to question their faith, so I don't think they've truly thought about it.

And there's Jesus.

 

[BrianNole777]

I was until I went to Iraq. People killing each other in the name of religion made me agnostic. I want to believe, but I can't.

I felt bad being a godfather for relatives. I was lying when I said I would encourage their faith

Those are just Muslim extremists.

Most religions don't encourage that.

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

Nope. I’m a recovering catholic. When I die, I’ll become food for our planet just like every other carbon based life form on earth.

 

[BrianNole777]

Nope. I’m a recovering catholic. When I die, I’ll become food for our planet just like every other carbon based life form on earth.

I wouldn't bet your eternity on that, my friend.

If humans live forever and our fate is sealed at death and we spend FOREVER either in Heaven or Hell based on these 70, 80 years here...that's serious business.

Nothing else really matters in the final analysis.

 

[blhawk]

I'm an ex-atheist.

The only purpose to life I can think of is to attain the Beatific Vision (Heaven) through sanctification (becoming a saint) after death as Thomas Aquinas taught.

America has never been as atheistic and unchurched as today and we see the decline.

U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time

For the first time in Gallup's polling history, less than half of U.S. adults report belonging to a church, synagogue or mosque.

news.gallup.com

IMHO.

Lots of variables besides religion impacting why things are what they are now but at least the religious based Klu Klux Klan isn't nearly the force it was from the end of the Civil War through much of last century or "the good old days" as many consider it.

I was raised catholic and still believe in a lot of Jesus' message from a historical context but organized religion, its followers, and the Bible I want nothing to do with. I think Jesus the man would be really sad as to what has become of much of his teachings. The Bible is a big cilprit IMO

 

[wilson reborn]

I wouldn't bet your eternity on that, my friend.

If humans live forever and our fate is sealed at death and we spend FOREVER either in Heaven or Hell based on these 70, 80 years here...that's serious business.

Nothing else really matters in the final analysis.

You still longing to knock off hookers?

 

[goldmom]

Irish Catholic here, with all the baggage that carries. Irish guilt being a genetic burden.
I don’t go to Mass but I do believe in God and I say my prayers at night.
Lots of mixed feelings about churches and denominations and the blind followers who use religion to judge others.

 

[Gimmered]

Life after death is exactly like life before birth. Nothing. There is no such thing as sin. Both of these things were invented by man to control people.

The belief in everlasting life was to help people who are mourning. ~100 years isn't enough.

 

[BrianNole777]

Lots of variables besides religion impacting why things are what they are now but at least the religious based Klu Klux Klan isn't nearly the force it was from the end of the Civil War through much of last century or "the good old days" as many consider it.

I was raised catholic and still believe in a lot of Jesus' message from a historical context but organized religion, its followers, and the Bible I want nothing to do with. I think Jesus the man would be really sad as to what has become of much of his teachings. The Bible is a big cilprit IMO

I understand that.

Jesus instituted the sacraments still. The Eucharist is licit.

People see Churches as a social club, which is a mistake. Some people in Church are saints and some are serial killers with everything in between.

Most of my friends are Jewish. I don't go to Church to make friends (although fellowship is great.)

I go for the sacraments and to hopefully attain the Beatific Vision in a few decades when my heart stops.

@goldmom

Masstimes.org

 

[mattymoknows]

Wow, couldn't have seen this type of thread going this direction.

 

[BrianNole777]

Wow, couldn't have seen this type of thread going this direction.

I think it's good so far!

Everyone is free to have their own beliefs. Debating/arguing doesn't work.

We do live in an atheist country now so I understand most Americans are unchurched.

 

[pink shizzle]

Atheist.

Raised Lutheran but once I moved out that shifted.

 

[SolarHawk]

I still believe in God, but I would not consider myself religious. I’ve slowly crept more into agnosticism. If you’re being honest with yourself, there is no way of knowing either way for certainty.

 

[MR BEEBS]

I can’t stand hypocrisy, so my tolerance for religion and modern politics has shrunk to near zero. I understand and generally respect that religion is the most important thing in many people’s lives. The messages from whatever “good book” you choose have been lost in self righteousness in the name of fear, control and power. Jesus loved prostitutes, fed the hungry and turned water to wine. He didn’t hate or discriminate, but most of Iowa’s elected majority who are self-proclaimed Christians totally hate and discriminate through their legislation. Makes me ill.

 

[BrianNole777]

I can’t stand hypocrisy, so my tolerance for religion and modern politics has shrunk to near zero. I understand and generally respect that religion is the most important thing in many people’s lives. The messages from whatever “good book” you choose have been lost in self righteousness in the name of fear, control and power. Jesus loved prostitutes, fed the hungry and turned water to wine. He didn’t hate or discriminate, but most of Iowa’s elected majority who are self-proclaimed Christians totally hate and discriminate through their legislation. Makes me ill.

I agree.

You don't need to leave Jesus because of Judas, though.

 

[BrianNole777]

I still believe in God, but I would not consider myself religious. I’ve slowly crept more into agnosticism. If you’re being honest with yourself, there is no way of knowing either way for certainty.

There's no way to know for certain what's going to happen tomorrow, either.

 

[SolarHawk]

There's no way to know for certain what's going to happen tomorrow, either.

Agreed…..

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Those are just Muslim extremists.

Most religions don't encourage that.

I kindly call BS. Ever heard of the crusades?

 

[BrianNole777]

I kindly call BS. Ever heard of the crusades?

Yep.

That was like a thousand years ago in response to Muslim attacks in the Middle East.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

There are too many Gods on this planet to pretend one is the right one