Will you tell me about your religion?

Question

I am an atheist, myself, but not one that believes in bashing religion. I think too much time is spent on mud-slinging, rather than on listening to each other. Preferably without trying to convert me to your religion, or denouncing my lack of one, could you tell me about your faith, whatever it may be, and what drives you?

Wow, talk about an overwhelming response. It's great to hear from people from so many religions - and thanks to all of you for being so open and respectful. Too bad I can't choose more than one best answer.

Gastounet - your unexpected irreverance gave me a good laugh. Thanks. :)

Answer 1

I am a Hindu. I was not raised a Hindu, but after studying about it and other religions, I was very attracted to Hinduism, because I agree with it so much. I love the Hindu scriptures, because they contemplate on deep philosophical issues, like what is the nature of the Divine, the human soul, and the relation between God and the human, and between humans and other humans and non-humans.

I believed in reincarnation before I even read about Hinduism, so that belief in Hinduism made sense to me already. I like the Hindu belief in tolerance of other religions, in non-violence, and the recognition that different people may benefit from different approaches to the divine. So there is a way for everyone, whether you are an intellectual or not, or whether you prefer to think of God as male, female, with form, or formless, or even as not existing.

I love the Hindu worship practices because they seem so natural to me. They are like the way that I naturally chose to worship God when I was a kid, before I even knew anything about Hinduism. The practices increase my awareness of goodness in every thing in life, and increases my compassion for other people.

Answer 2

I am searching for a new religion at this point in my life. I am leaning toward Islam because the Quran is very practical in the sense that God will forgive you for sinning as long as more good comes out of the sin.

I'm also interested in Messianic Judaism, since I hear it holds similar values to Islam, but without Muhammad. However I know very little about it and I have never met a member of the religion.

Sikhism also appeals to me, since it's holy book speaks of the Bible, the Vedas and the Quran all being worthy of "meditaion" which is kind of what I believe, unity of religion.

So those are my top three, but I still ned to do a lot more research.

What drives me is finding spiritual peace once I find my true religion, and getting closer to God.

Answer 3

My religion is Islam. Islam is the religion of 1 billion people followed in the Middle east, north africa, Southeast asia and central asia. There are Muslim minorities in Europe, Australia and North America.

Islam is a monotheistic religon believing in one God (Allah). He is the only one worthy of worship. We dont have any partners to God. Also, making idols or image worship is a no no. Islam book is the Koran. The Koran is a revised version of the Old and New testament. Therefore Christians and Jews are the people of the Book. Islam accepts all the prophets of Judaism and Christianity. For Christianity, we differ in terms of Jesus. While Christian say that Jesus is the son of God and was crucifed. Our Islamic belief says that he was just a prophet and was not crucified.

There are five pillars of Islam

Belief in one God and Prophet Muhammad is the last prophet
Praying 5 times a day
Fasting in the month of Ramadan
Making pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime
Giving charity to the poor


I am a born Muslim and feel very close to the religon. One thing about my religon is that it is simple in terms. The concept of prayer. We dont need any priest, no source, no rituals to perform the prayer. THese 5 prayers can be performed any where alone or together. There is emphasis on fasting in Islam which creates self restraint. It makes you a strong person and you learn to stay away from bad things. Islam is a religon that has theories related to the Modern world. If you take a look at the koran, it has information of all the knowledge that scientists have discovered now. It is easier to understand. It has made me a better person. My personal life was a disturbed marriage and a geek who was treated like crap. Islam has managed me to recover from all these things. I used to be depressed. Islam gave me the answer. Islam taught me to be patient, and being close with God. I have learned to appreciate life now.

Answer 4

I believe in Islam, I think previous muslims who answered gave you a small summary about it's beliefs. I believe in Islam because it's simple , It states that there is only one god the creator of this universe & that Muhammad was his last prophet. We belive in Jesus as a prophet of god too. Don't listen to what the western media says about us being terrorists. There are some extremists in every religion, on the other hand there are some Muslims who are oppressed & under occupation & in such circumstances they have to fight for their freedom, but unfortunatley they have been labled as terrorists as well as the fanatics who kill innocents. Read the history you will discover that we had a great civilization in the past (& we are on our way to make another one god's willing) . Read about Saladin & his tolerance with Jews & Christians you will see the true face of Islam. That's why I strongly believe in Islam

Here is a few sites about Islam

http://www.harunyahya.com/

http://www.islam-guide.com/


P.S. I'm not trying to convert you or anything , rather I'm just giving you a simple idea about Islam

Answer 5

My religious beliefs are more defined by what I cannot believe in than what I believe. I believe in a Creator, go to sweat lodge ceremonies, and do my utmost to be respectful of others beliefs. I have been to and attended just about every mainstream religious ceremony going... and a few not so mainstream. As I said, I believe in a Creator, but am unable to accept the dogma of any one religion to define myself. I take truth as I see it, where I find it. That's as close as I can get to anwering this question!

What drives me? Learning... there's something new everyday.

Answer 6

Today in this modern world, people don't have respect for peoples religions anymore, I am a Muslim, I mean in everyones religion their are people who are good and bad but all Muslims are being looked at in a different way, it really hurts me, but here is an overview of my religion, We believe in one God, Allah and his prophet, Muhammad[p.b.u.h] and our religious book is called the Quran in which the revelations of the Quran were sent to Cave Hira to Muhammad[p.b.u.h] in the month of Ramadan which is the month where we fast for 30 days, eating before sunrise and breaking the fast after sunset. This is just a little view of our religion and I am proud to be a Muslim as everyone is proud to be what they are, we respect everyone by who they are, and the purity of my religion keeps me on the right track and a strong belief in God.

Answer 7

I am a Muslim.The religion of Islam is the acceptance of and obedience to the teachings of God which He revealed to His last prophet, Muhammad .
Some Basic Islamic Beliefs:1) Belief in God.2) Belief in the Angels.3) Belief in God’s Revealed Books.4) Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of God.5) Belief in the Day of Judgment.6) Belief in Al-Qadar.
Islam provides many benefits for the individual and the society.

Answer 8

Hi: Islam is a false religion started by Mohammed. The book "The Koran Deception" shows this.
This is an Hindu statement, "She is the best of women whose garments are pure. Therefore let him approach a woman whose garments are pure, and whose fame is pure, and address her. If she do not give in, let him, as he likes, bribe her (with presents). And if she then do not give in, let him, as he likes, beat her with a stick or with his hand, and overcome her, saying: 'With manly strength and glory I take away thy glory,' - and thus she becomes unglorious." The Upanishads, Part II, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, VI, 4, 6 & 7. In most civilized religions and societies this is called rape.
Both Islam and Hindu degrade women.
If you are serious, I suggest you look at the Old Testament. You can believe in the Lord of the Old Testament without being Jewish. The laws and salvation are there. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Answer 9

There are alot of ex-atheist and ex-sinners like me here online it`s not like we don`t know how you feel hun.This is the best way I can describe Jesus Christ.I use to go to bars and drink;party and have lot`s of sex;but I felt empty inside and lost and always in fear.One day I prayed to God and asked Him if your real do something to help me for a few months.I bumped into a christian and he led me to church.I felt the presence of God and right away I started to quit my bad habbits.I read about giving instead of just taking and I gave to the church and I had miracles beyond beleif happen.When I was a agnostic liberal;it was like driving a ford escort.Jesus is like a porsche.I have peace now and focus and true love something the world is spending millions of dollars to find.

Answer 10

Scientologist.
Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. It is a very practical religion.
All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual as pasrt of his life. It does not conflict.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from it.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is also not a messianic religion. This means there is no worship of messiahs in Scientology. There are no “beliefs” as such because a truth should be according to ones own observation and experience.
The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. and lifeAnd thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.

How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. L. Ron Hubbard researched and made new discoveries about the human spirit. He developed technology from these discoveries to apply to increase spiritual awareness and ability.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable personal estate, when he died.

He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 10 million Scientologists in more than 163 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 53 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

This is just an overview.
L. Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures. So it's not possible to give any details on this forum.

As to what drives me.
After first observing the general condition of society at a young age and then searching for some answers that made sense and would improve conditions I found Scientology.
What drives me now is achieving the aims of Scientology.

" A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights "

(Opening quote from an article called "The Aims of Scientology" written by L.Ron Hubbard in 1965)