Personal Jesus?

Question

I guess to a certain point, each individual has a personal conception of the deity he/she believes in.

I used to be Catholic. Now I'm an atheist. But I'm respectful of other peoples beliefs.

1. Could someone explain to me where lies the validity of the beliefs of people who do not accept in full, the doctrines of the churches/sacred texts? I've met a lot of people who seem to live by a very PERSONAL interpretation of the Bible.

2. Aren't separatist groups, by definition, less worthy of recognition?

Thanks in advance.

John_S. Actually I was introduced to Catholicism because my parents placed me in Catholic schools all through high school. I wasn't dissapointed. I just never believed. I will always be this way, because my convictions have nothing to do with emotions, it's rationality. I remember being 8 years old and looking around at my classmates with their eyes clothes and praying, and going: what the hell?. I live by Ethics, and it's always been in my nature to help others out. I don't claim a god doesn't exist, because I don't have proof. I just don't feel his presence, too much tragedies happens, so religion is irrelevant to me.

Answer 1

I was raised Catholic but i don't believe in the Bible. I think the ten commandments are great rules to live by but I don't take the bible literally. Although i do believe in a God. My belief in God is simply a feeling i have in my heart. It feels like I'm on the verge of understanding something wonderful and to live my life may be what i need to do to discover more about this feeling. Maybe it means nothing but I don't care because the way it feels makes me feel good. I don't think of God in the image i was raised to believe. I think the concept of God is bigger and more magnificent then humans can comprehend. If separatist groups are less worthy of recognition it doesn't bother me.

Answer 2

It is very possible that you got a bad start. Have you seriously looked at the Baptist, or Independants. You may really have the wrong idea about other christian churches, some are very good. Looks like you gave up on catholicism. Many people do. Just because you did not believe in the catholic system does not mean that God is not real. Don't give up-try different churches. God loves you and He will meet you if you are serious.

Answer 3

While the Bible is the main source for many religious beliefs, it was written by people and, over the years, has been translated, interpreted, watered down, and summarized by many more people. To rely purely on those interpretations or summaries is to believe without question. Unfortunately, I was always one to question. I've read a lot of books on spirituality and religion and, in the end, I have to go with what I know in my own heart. It's a combination of the bible, other books, life experiences, and my personal relationship with God. I believe there is only one God who loves us all unconditionally. He loves us no matter what we call him, what rituals we follow, or what we believe. He wants only good things for us and wants us to live a good life that involves giving, loving, and learning. He will always be there for us. Everything else is just details.

Answer 4

In God, I look for a deeper spiritual meaning to life, existence and myself. God is the manifestation of knowledge and wisdom. I believe that the Bible is great for certain things, but it should not be held on a pedastal. Experience in religion gives us deeper meaning in life than sitting in a sermon, listening the old tales of the Bible, that do not help us understand life as it is NOW. Don't get me wrong, I think the Bible is lyrical, but THAT IS ALL.

Answer 5

congrads to you for joining the athiest club the one true way to be.
how people follow a book made by people that we would consider to be skitzo and lock them up .
my brother had a friend that thought he was god but once they got him on medication he is no longer god.
the bible has some good qualitys on how we should treat each other but to follw the story as truth is to live in a make belive world
and its a pitty that most of them dont do as the books say if they did we would have a much better world.
a woman joined a church got to know everybody there and was enjoying the new friends she had found untill one day she had a fall in her backyard and rang one of her new friends for help on a mobile phone .
the new friend said /thats not my job and hung up on her.
heard this story on talk back radio