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What is your religion?

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ednbarby:
Just curious as to what our demographics are here as far as religious beliefs.  For the record, I am an atheist.  I was baptised in a Methodist church at 14, mostly to placate my mother and paternal grandmother to whom baptism was very important.  But I was always an agnostic.  I've become an atheist in very recent years only because I can't understand what kind of a God would allow things like the tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Katrina, along with various and sundry genocides and hate crimes throughout history, to happen.  Really, I'm a humanist - I believe that we are more than the sum of our parts - that we are tied to one another through our very humanity, and that that common thread is in itself a higher power.

hermitdave:
 I was raised in the Pentecostal church, just like Jack. There was a lot of fire and brimstone preaching. Guilt and inner turmoil were a constant for me growing up. Since BBM I have begun to revisit my past, and hopefully deal with feelings I have kept pushed down for many years. I believe in God, but have a bg problem with organized religion. Groups of people who believe they have a God given right to control  other peoples lives are scary and dangerous. The bible says "Judge not, lest ye be judged". So many "Christians" choose to ignore that verse-in order to spread hatred, discrimination, bigotry, etc., all in the name of God. I believe God lives in the hearts of those who seek him- but couldnt be farther away from those who use his name to further their own hateful agendas. 

Toast:
I think my United Churdh of Canada background gave me a great lesson in respecting other people.  We have few rituals, and few mindless recitations of belief. which is good.
But I call myself a Christer.  (rhymes with meister)
I always ask "what would Jesus say about that?"
I never ask what his disciples or followers would say/do
I NEVER wonder what the Pope would tell me to do.
I would rather listen to someone at the bar about respect than to learn from a church group.
Organized religion is so scary.
I loved reading the DaVinci Code, but hoped for some useful ending to it.
it just died with a whimper, much to my disappointment.

If I had children, I would take them to church, but treat it as another learning experience, and not make them think that God/god approved of all that happened there, anymore than anywhere else.

Beliefs are important, even if you don't have them.

Shuggy:

--- Quote from: ednbarby on April 20, 2006, 12:20:16 pm ---I was always an agnostic.  I've become an atheist in very recent years only because I can't understand what kind of a God would allow things like the tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Katrina, along with various and sundry genocides and hate crimes throughout history, to happen.
--- End quote ---
That's an interesting reason. One answer would be, "an imperfect one". Believers have various answers to the Problem of Evil, but omnibenevolent and omnipotent are really incompatible with the world as we know it.
There are also two kinds of atheist:

* strong: "(I believe) there are no gods
* weak: "I have no belief that there are any gods"but even a strong atheist may say "- but I could be wrong". Absolute faith is the preserve of those with no evidence.


--- Quote ---  Really, I'm a humanist - I believe that we are more than the sum of our parts - that we are tied to one another through our very humanity, and that that common thread is in itself a higher power.

--- End quote ---
I like that very much. And the essence of our humanity is our ability to love each other, no?

But I still like Tom Paine's "My country is the world, and my religion is doing good."

David:
Born and raised Protestant Luthern.    But to be honest, I checked off "Agnostic".

I really question whether there is a god who lets people suffer so much.   

Don't get me wrong.   I am respectful of ALL religions.     But I think most religions were started as a reason for people to pull together in times of need.     But today, it seems that most religions are causing groups of people to separate from the rest of the world.   

Muslims hate.. well, anyone non-Muslim.

The Jews are in perpetual battle with the Palistinians and vice versa.

The Catholics don't want you to marry a Protestant.

Reverend Fred Phelps wants you to hate Fags.

You know, the more I think about it,  there is more hate in the name of religion nowadays than Love. 

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