Religion and God

Star · 10-28-2004, 08:39 AM

What are your views about Religion and God?

I was born into a catholic family so religion was a big part of my life. My kids are also catholic and go to catholic school.

I've pondered the idea of "religion" most of my life and came to this personal conclusion.

I believe in God and God only. I don't believe in religion itself. I believe that religion are man made rules and i don't care to abide by those rules. I don't believe that a child who doesn't get baptized shortly after birth with go to hell if he/she dies. I don't believe that church is the only place god hears you and you should be there once a week to prove you have faith. I don't believe in a lot of things that do with the catholic religion.

I do believe in God. I believe God hears me no matter where i am or what i'm doing. I believe we are all born innocent and pure. Religion has nothing to do with it, God does.

JMHO

Merika · 10-28-2004, 08:48 AM

I believe much the same way Star.

Religion has a tendency to put God/Jesus in a box.....much the same way the Sanhedren did in the Old Testament. Many are man made rules and views.

When I was married my husband (sounds nauseating calling him that!) used to be a preacher (even more nauseating!). Anyway, he was a visiting preacher at a Church of God. One of the ladies there told me that women shouldn't wear makeup....I did and do!

I told her I don't think Jesus died on the cross for mankind's sins to kick me out cause I was wearing mascara and lipstick! It seems kinda foolish in the scope of things!

Jesus remains a big part of my life though. Had I not had the relationship with him that I did....I couldn't have made it through the sham of a marriage I was stuck in.....much less the past few years raising the kids by myself.

Duke · 10-28-2004, 07:08 PM

I'm not exactly sure what I believe in. I do believe in a higher power but is it God, I have no idea?

Merika · 10-29-2004, 12:31 AM

You can call Him Tulip....just as long as you recognize who He is! All He cares about is that you know He's there and He cares. That's the way I see it!

Duke · 10-29-2004, 09:57 PM

I was gonna make a twolips joke but it was way too easy. :roll:

Merika · 10-29-2004, 10:20 PM

Well....aren't YOU just the cat pouncing on the blonde mouse! I've GOT to quit setting myself up like that!

Duke · 10-29-2004, 10:35 PM

I can't help it. I took a verbal bashing at the bar tonite so now I have to take it out on someone. I may as well paint a bulls eye on my forehead.

Merika · 10-29-2004, 10:36 PM

Did you somehow deserve this?

Duke · 10-29-2004, 10:38 PM

Nah, I'm completely innocent :hurt:

Merika · 10-29-2004, 10:57 PM

Sorry....sometimes life sux!

Duke · 10-30-2004, 01:50 AM

I'll likely go to Church sometime over the Holidays (Sundays suck simply because my daughter now is in soccer). I've seen a few close by and will be checking one of them out sooner or later.

Ayla · 11-05-2004, 09:49 PM

Lately I've been questioning the extistance of a higher power and the purpose of religion all together. I mean, I'm sure that the ancient Greeks and Romans were just as adamant about their religion as modern day bible beaters are. Are they then going to burn in hell because the didn't know about our God? They used their gods as excuses for things they couldn't explain, do we really do any different? My husband and I recently went thru a finacial hardship, does that mean that God caused that? So in turn, God wanted me to be frustrated and upset on a daily basis?

This is the first time I've voiced this to anyone, and I feel like a bit of a blasphemer because I'm going against everything that's been engrained into me since I was a small child. I can't control the way my brain thinks though. I've tried the "it's the devil putting it into my head" thing and I actually laugh at myself. I dunno....

Merika · 11-05-2004, 10:35 PM

I think it's totally fair for anyone of any religion to have times they question it. I wouldn't feel quilty for that....nor do I think it makes you a heathen.

I know how important your faith is to you though Ayla. I think you should find some time to get alone....pray...and follow where your heart leads you. The longer you wait...the harder it gets. I know from experience.

I'm glad you got it off your chest. It's a heavy burden to carry around. Just because something made perfect sense when you first accepted it....doesn't mean you don't have to re-evaluate it at different points of your life.

I wouldn't look at it as a bad thing....I would look at it like a good thing. You'll either end up confirming what you originally believed or find a new path.

Duke · 11-06-2004, 01:38 AM

I have a problem with the idea that God arranges what happens to us. I do not believe in the concept, nor do I believe in predestination. The idea that our life is playing off of some big script is ludicrous.

I think it's natural for faith to take a beating when things go bad. I wouldn't beat yourself up about it.