Praise God!
18 May
I am the least religious person you’ll meet. I make a pretty good argument against religion. I don’t even believe in a god. Yet I am fascinated by people that have a strong faith in one. They thank their god for everything and leave it all in ‘his’ hands. It’s amazing. And I swear to god I’m not being snarky. Okay, just right there, I was ; )
Tell me your thoughts on this responsibility aspect of faith.
I believe in God (and find myself praying to him to keep peanut safe every night…) however, I’m not one of those religion fanatics. I believe that we choose our own destiny but that the big guy could give you a little push in one way or the other. And I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason- most of the terrible things that have happened to me in the past, I can look back on now and see why/a lesson learned.
Sometimes I secretly admire those people who don’t let anything bother them because they know God will take care of it.
And sometimes I think that if I became really religious, things will fall into place. Because overly religious people are just always so happy.
But I haven’t converted yet.
I have a strong faith in God. I think I have referenced it on many occassions that it is like a “peaceful drug” to me to pray.
Not saying I don’t have my doubts from time to time. Plus, there are sooooooooo many things I question. But that’s normal.
I get mad at God, I even get (as you say) a little “snarky” from time to time about certain aspects of religion.
But at the end of the day – it works for me. You know?
I agree with ComaGirl
I find it impossible for my brain to leave everything up to something that I don’t believe in/have faith in. The God that I believe in is more of a power or some sort of a force of nature that I’m not even sure about. Not a “man” with all of these opinions and judgements.
However, I sometimes get jealous of those who just let things roll off their back or deal with death/approaching death differently because they know things will be wonderful and taken care of because of their faith. I’ll never be that way, but I wish there was a way for agnostic/athiests to feel at peace about certain aspects of life but I think that’s just the price we pay
I am also incredibly fascinated by people who wholeheartedly believe in their religion. I’m not religious, but I can understand why people are. Everyone needs to claim responsibility for their own lives. I’m sure that the positive thinking that goes into prayer helps religious people achieve their goals, but sometimes they need to take credit for making things happen, instead of chalking it up to a higher being. I agree with Sarah, sometimes it would be nice to have the comfort/peace that some religious people enjoy because of their unfaltering faith.
As long as I can remember, I’ve never believed in god- it just isn’t logical or believable to me, and there is no argument out there that will ever change my mind. And (for me) while in theory it sounds great to have something “higher” to put my faith in, I know just as many people confused and somewhat hypocritical about their faith as I do people that truly believe and give themselves 100%. Do I envy the people who have complete, unconditional faith and can rely on it to bring them peace in certain situations? Occasionally yes, but usually I don’t think about it. I have my way of keeping my soul strong, other people have theirs.
For me, it’s all about treating people fairly and with kindness, trying to not judge, taking care of one another, and being a steward of the earth to protect it for future generations- all of which are ideas held by many organized religions as well. I sometimes joke that I’m one of the more “christian” atheists out there. (Though, on a side note: I do believe in Karma, in a way. I think that the very nature of your actions, good or bad, will naturally produce a string of related actions that reflect on your character, good or bad. I could talk for HOURS about this.)
I really only have problems with religion when people twist it to persecute others or justify their own abhorrent behavior. Otherwise, I’m fine with it and think we all can coexist together.
I’ll shut up now.
I would respond to each of you individually, but I truly agree with a little of every one of these comments. Thanks so much for for your feedback.
Your characterization of religion is largely accurate with regard to Protestant Christianity, but not to Judaism — which is not monolithic, but many of whose adherents understand themselves to have free will and to be responsible for what happens — or some forms of Buddhism, and Hinduism, which have many gods (or, in the case of Zen, no gods).
Logic is not necessarily the highest form of thought or action, and may not be the best way to determine whether or not there is a God. Best of all is to act as if there were a God who cared. It may not be true, but behaving as if it were would be good for you, good for those you love — and even those you don’t.
Mr Gobley, I have always said that I could be Jewish ; ) It seems like a far less guilt-ridden experience than the Catholic one that I had. And this: “Best of all is to act as if there were a God who cared. It may not be true, but behaving as if it were would be good for you, good for those you love — and even those you don’t.”
I like.
it is interesting.. religion.. i am kind of at a crossroads at the moment – I was raised in a very strict very conservative christian household. And I consider myself somewhat of a crazy liberal lol.
The values I was taught from infancy – don’t lie, cheat, steal, respect others – I have to say these will always stay with me. But… I guess I will never know if being a fairly decent person is just who I am, or maybe I would have been dead by now if I didn’t have my faith. (that’s kind of what i believed growing up)
It is good to have those values and to be raised with them I think, because there’s nothing wrong with being a good person and doing good for others – but the whole guilt and “hate the sin not the sinner” excuse to hate, hypocrisy and general “judgy-ness” thing is where religion and I have a problem…
it’s been an interesting ride trying to reconcile all of this
I was raised with the belief that if you ever even think about “leaving God” your life will pretty much instantly turn to crap.
It has been fascinating to find out that this is absolutely not so!