For people who claim they'll do they're own research and come to their own conlcusions about religion...

Question

Do you? How much effort have you put into it? What research have you done? What are your resources? WHat conclusions have you come up with? Based on what?

Joe: why do assume that History Channel is unbiased? And why does atheism equate to modern science? Atheism is a religion. You have to "believe" there is no God. Science only substantiates the Bible and doesn't contradict it.

Firefox: By saying that there are no right or wrong religions, you say that any religion that claims it is right must then logically be wrong. Your statement doesn't stand.

Mournyngwolf: Your answer is best so far since you actually answered the question I asked. I still disagree with you, though. ;)

friendship: thanks for reminding me that we in fact don't worship the same God.

Mash: Wow. We're all God, huh? And just which one of us created the universe out of nothing? Which one of us can create a blade of grass? Which one of us set the planets in motion?

Hey. How about you go borrow a bible from the library (since apparently you don't own one) and read Job 38-42. Peace.

Answer 1

I'm of the christian faith. I live in the bible belt of the United States, though I've rarely been inside a church.... I put effort into my religion every day, every second of every day, and have done so since I was 4 or 5, am not even sure of my age when I began to seek God....since that time I've read and studied my bible( nearly every home in the bible belt has several bibles at the least); however, since gaining internet access 4 years ago, I've extended my research to studying the origins of christianity (which originates in Judaism; big DUH but the statement make s my line of thought flow more smoothly:)... and have found the books of the Bible ( especially the new testament) to be the best documented piece of ancient literature yet found and Judaism to be non polluted/diluted by other ancient religions...the Bible was penned by 40 different authors from many different social backgrounds and over 1500 years worth of writing; and all of those writings don't conflict in any way.. the bible can be argued with ( though all arguments so far can be traced to mistranslation of original language or ignorance of cultural context) but not proven false.... in a nutshell,there is no physical/scientific evidence to disprove either Judaism or its culmination,Christianity... Shalom v'shalom

Answer 2

"Closet theologian"...Pretty much in my Bible everyday...finding new attributes all the time. I don't believe now that I could ever come to the end of being taught. The Word of God is not just single faceted but has so many layers, yet its still so simple and full of promise. I would never depend on any person, faith system or pulpit preacher to tell me what the Word of God says. I simply believe the Word of God will tell me. I've come up with conclusion that the Bible is infallable even with the very few historical copiest errors, that it is accurate, true and cohesive from beginning in Genesis through to Revelation...I've also come to the conclusion after much study that mainstream christianity as tought in the Churches has passed down much doctrine that is found no where in the Bible. These are just a few misunderstandings or misinterpretations.

1. Jesus's true name is not Jesus.
2. While the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are the Godhead..they are not a trinity of three persons but ONE being.
3. Jesus wasn't crucified on a Friday, born in a barn and there weren't 3 wisemen/kings.
4. Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute.
5. The 10 commandments or mosaical laws are fulfilled through Christ not abolished...the Levitical priesthood laws are now abolished but we are still under the laws..the 10 respectively.
6. The Sabbath (the Lord's Day) was never changed to Sunday.
8. Hell is not a place where God will torture sinners for eternity in a pit of fire and brimstone..sinners who have not chosen God will be destroyed along with all sin, wickedness and death itself.
9. We each as human beings do not have an immortal soul..when we die we no longer exist until we are called up at the time of Judgement.
10. Jesus (Yeshua) is God and His name has power.

There are many more but that should be enough for now. The search continues... Love in Christ, ~J~ <><

Answer 3

To answer your questions in chronological order. I hope I answered your questions regarding myself.

I do.

I put in some effort into it when I am curious and want to learn something about a specific issue within a religion, or if I feel I might have the wrong idea about a religion.

Not serious in-depth research (the type that one does to convert to it), but enough to know and understand the basics of the religion. Resources are below that I like personally.

Conclusions I have come up with is I glean some personal truths from several religions, but not enough for me to convert to any specific religion. I have what one might call a "cafeteria spirituality", but without a "god/afterlife" belief.

Based largely on my personal research, on some of the questions I asked here and to private individuals away from Yahoo Answers, and rarely from asking a few people off-line too.

Answer 4

I've read The Search for God at Harvard, The Source, Does God Exist? and some others that escape me right now, and many many science books. The science books are enlightening and factual. They encourage independent investigation and verification of the things they state. No theology book would ever do that: the religion books are vague and based on someone's beliefs and independent thinking is anathema. I've concluded that a creative force may exist but religion is, as Marx said, the opiate of the people. How else to explain the madness? As someone said, for a skeptic no proof is enough and for a believer none is required. But mostly just look around you for your answer.

Answer 5

Look at your questions carefully and long enough. You already appear so prejudiced against those who conclude on their own that you may need to step out of your Ego's and predispositions to understand what i am saying but i will try.

- There is no effort needed to feel God as God is in everyone, each one of us is God. You link effort to reaching God becuase you think that God is a destination and can be reached by travelling on some path. It also gives out your belief that the more efforts you put , the quicker you will reach got. In fact you dont need to aquire a new skill set to reach God but you have to drop your adult thought processes, your ego's and your self to feel the vibrant sensation of God within you.
- You dont need any resources like a bible, or church or some scriptures. You have God in you but you cant look at him becuase the mirror through which you look at yourself is covered with opaqueness acuired through borrowed and researched concepts. A child is closest to God becuase he is not yet spoilt by the concepts and researches. Do you see anyone so happy and contended as a young child? well thats a proof ( human mind needs proofs and logics so be it)
- Your conclusions are solely based on your introspection. Just because a Bible or a Quaran says that you are happy will not make you happy.There are millions following the well documented and well researched scriptures but are still living in so much miseries and pain.

Answer 6

I read about the main world religions at http://en.wikipedia.org/ , and in other encyclopedias, I studied a bit of christianism (I'm actually baptised and took the communion, or whatever you call it in english), and based on my own knowledge, faith, ethics and opinions, I decided on which belief system suited more my own beliefs and ideas.
Therefore, I rationally decided I am an agnostic with shades of "naturalistic pantheist".

The truth is that there are no right or wrong choices in religion. Since no religion can be factually proven, all research into it proves nothing.
Still, I find it better when people can fundament their beliefs, and not simply claim to follow them because "that's what their parents taught them". That's called sheep mentality.

Info about the two "belief systems" I find more compatible with my ideas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalistic_pantheism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism

Answer 7

I was raised by 2 sets of parents. My Mother and Stepfather were Catholics and My Father and Stepmother are Baptist. I have recently done some research on the differences between these 2 faiths. The common demoniator between these two faiths is they both Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The other Beliefs are doctrinal differences that I can choose to believe in or not to believe in. The Big Picture is Jesus Christ. And both these faiths have Him.

Answer 8

I've changed my beliefs several times in my life. They are now very different from what my parents raised me on. It's not like I decided to study religion and find the one that's right for me, it's just that as I got older, I met people who influenced me in different ways, and had experiences that changed my views on things. I lived in several countries, experienced several cultures, and every person and culture I came across taught me something new. It wasn't always directly linked to religion, but it might have changed my mind about things like life and God and love.
My beliefs now are the sum of all those experiences. I have no doubt that I in the future I will meet more people who will have an effect on me and my beliefs. I try to stay open and listen to what they have to say, knowing that every person in this world can teach me something.

Answer 9

I do not believe in religion. Period.
That is why I am not even gonna bother myself with any research. I will not go to church I will not pray I will NOT. Why? Because religion is something that men created to gain power, money or whatever else was their goal.

I was raised catholic I do believe in something up there (you might call it God) but I do not need a church or a priest to help me get connected. It is what I believe in. People who need guidance are weak. People that go to churches so they can be closer to God are weak and foolish. Their faith should be enough.

That is my opinion. I am not trying to insult anyone, I am just expressing my feelings

Answer 10

My research for religions not deemed as "mythology" is watching unbiased shows on channels like The History Channel as well as reading the Bible for Christianity. For mythology I use online things like Wikipedia and other extensive cites like that. For atheism, I read articles about it online and in real life as well as keeping up to date on modern science.