is there anyone who can talk to me logically and open minded about religion?

Question

i dont believe in god, but im not totally pushing out the idea of there being something along those lines
i just want to have a logical conversation without some ignorant christian calling me 'satans child' ahah
i have a feeling i wont be swayed because is my SPIRITUAL belief that there isnt a god
at least the ones who are known about
and what does that catorigize me as? agnostic? atheist? ect

Answer 1

Sure, find a philosophy student taking a Metaphysics class.

Answer 2

Well, I think SALLY M is being a bit harsh. There are indeed people here who are quite capable of talking sensibly about the topic. The problem is if you're aiming to ask questions, you'll need to sort the wheat from the chaff!

I can't say I believe in god myself, though I'm not entirely without a 'spiritual' side. I generally class myself as atheist since I don't hold with a 'personal' god. I have however 'dabbled' with Zen Buddhism and Taoism, both generally accepted as religions.

If I can I try to avoid labels. Particularly since I feel that the more you look at religions, the more similarities you find. Quite how one can be more correct than another is therefore something that confuses me.

I'm happy enough to answer questions. Though whether anything I say is 'correct' you'll have to decide for yourself!

.

Answer 3

Webster defines an agnostic as, "person regarding the existence of God as unknowable." I also heard it defined as believing ultimate cause to be unknowable. So do you believe that this defines you?

The other day I, an agnostic/Buddhist, had what you might call a religious-or scratch that-lets call it a spiritual experience, when I was looking through the January edition of Scientific American. One article is called, "The Power of Riboswitches." And I just dug it out and have it on my lap. It explains DNA. You see a polymerase enzyme moving across the DNA molecule. Then we see the gene code create the RNA which produces a string of amino acids. I found myself asking, "why is it doing that?" I don't ask how." The thing itself is the how. Creation is the chain of hows. So it is really a bit senseless to ask how creation is there. But again, I was asking why. I thought about an adage that matter tends to go from organized to unorganized. You know-build a house and it eventually deterierates and crumbles. But in the creation of life, just the opposite is true. I though of the DNA molacule as a super computer. It seems to use digital information to create life. I have to ask why is all of this energy spent for this process. I don't have the answer. But it is the kind of thing that creats a God in our soul. I mean something awesome and majestic is going on. I don't think it is any God that we have created in our own image. It is just stuff that sort of blows me away.

Answer 4

I wish I could talk to you logically, but it seems religion isn't logical at all. I know what I see in life, that I can't explain. I worked in a police department, and part of my job was delivering death notifications. I hated giving that sad news to a family who didn't believe in God. They screamed and hollowed and cussed and fell on the floor, kicking and yelling. They had no hope. But to go to a Christian family and say "I am sorry, but your husband/wife/child...was killed in a car crash tonight" was so much easier. Of course, there were tears. They held hands. They prayed. They knew that the person they loved had simply entered another area of life, and they would be together again. They had hope. And faith. Even the early American Indians believed in a higher power - a great spirit. They didn't have a Bible to read, or missionaries telling them about God, but they believed in His existance. I am not the greatest Christian, and I do make many mistakes. I don't pray as often as I should. But I know that there are times in my life when I am so far down, I can't even go left or right, and my prayers consist of "Please, God, help me," things change. I am glad that you are considering the existance of a Great Spirit, a Higher Power, God, and I wish you the very best in you quest. And the next time life knocks the breath out of you, try prayer - ask God to help you. Then you will have your own proof. Good luck. By the way, I don't catorigize you as anything except a fellow human who faces the same challenges as I do. We walk on this earth together and each of us will contribute to the continuance of life, regardless of our beliefs. Yet, when you say "ignorant christian" you are calling me ignorant, and I don't deserve that.

Answer 5

I feel for you. While I align myself with Christian beliefs, it drives me crazy when so called believers in God ostricize and put down those that are seeking or who don't believe. I am searching for what I truly believe about God and for real Truth, and like to keep an open mind to many things. I have found myself inspired by the practices and beliefs of many religions. Kudos for being open to the idea of a "god" and not bashing those who do. I hate catagories, so I would say that you are curious or interested. Why do we have to label people, labels just cause hate, which is totally what most religions are not about. You should explore many different ideas, and go with how you feel spiritually. Perhaps your beliefs will change over time, or perhaps they will remain the same. You can email if you have any thoughts or questions you'd like to discuss. Good luck with all your spiritual journies.

Answer 6

An agnostic doesn't know for certain that God exists or not, and for the most part, continues examining the notiion of sprituality. That seems to be the position you're in just now, if you don't mind my saying so.

There are some marvelous books about the idea of belief, etc. One is Karen Armstrong's "The History of God." I would also recommend Andrew Newberg's works, especially "Why God Won't Go Away," and "Why We Believe What We Believe."

These books are very informative and can lead you to further reading.

Best of luck.

Answer 7

Spiritual belief, so you believe in something, you just cant put your finger on it. You understand that it is a concept worthily of your belief, but you just can gasp it.

One can believe that the universe and all that is in it has a spiritual factor and idealism that is worthy of acknowledgment and still be in accord with believing in a divine plan. You need not be of a religious group or non. You will find your way. And that way is all that matters right now. You need not lay claim to agnostic, atheist either, sometimes when one is searching for the truth it is best to let the truth lead the way than that of others shouting and yelling their way.

Answer 8

You're classified as an agnostic. And (I know I'll get a thumbs down for this, but, what do I care?) I doubt you'll find anyone on Yahoo answers in the Religion and Spirituality section that will do much to answer your questions. Seek out someone truly spiritual; who has no opinion one way or the other. As an atheist myself, I have a very enlightened (though, not Christian) friend who helps me along. Good luck.

Answer 9

Stever In my opinion religion is the biggest downfall to gods plan for us. I am a Christian but I am far from being religious. Confused yet?? let me explain! I don't believe in being Catholic or Baptist or Pentecost or JW , ect. ect. I believe in Jesus.He was here before any of those religions and didn't endorse any specific one. I like to think I have a faith. Faith in god and in Gods word. I read my Bible and keep a personal relationship with God but I don't endorse any religion.I ask myself. What would Jesus do? I don't think you or anyone else is a child of Satan. I do think Satan has deceived a lot of people and I'm really glad you are taking the time to search things out. You are on the right track. I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for but please don't let religion get in the way.I think you would be categorized as a lost sheep who wants to come home and is trying to find it's way.

Answer 10

I would say you're leaning more towards being agnostic - willing to consider there MAY be some higher power, but not committing to it. There are indeed Christians out here who won't call you Satan's child, and who will happy to answer any questions you may have: we're just not the most vocal Christians so many people don't know we're here. I would be happy to try and answer any questions you have if you want to email me. I do NOT know everything, though I would certainly try my best. It's nice that you're polite about it, and it's good you're asking questions. Good luck with your search no matter where it takes you!

Answer 11

Before going to atheist as myself try pantheism as Albert Einstein is said to have been although I belive Eisntein may have his own nitch in the world of theists belief systems. I just think of the metaphorical use only as the rest is too obviously full of bovine fecal matter . Even if there was an outside chance of a supreme supernatural being it would be so far removed from anything i've ever heard as to be for all intents and purposes more trouble than it could ever be worth and most likely beyond human understanding and beyond human relationship. So why fool ourselves with human speculations of no worth and manmade imaginations of pernicious value.
Smart is to just deal with what we know we have and have not yet come to terms with . lets control what is obvious and real first