Question for all R&S participants who claim a religion?

Question

What is your religion? What led you to the religion that you currently claim? How has it had an effect on your life? Are you happy with your religion? if you could do it all over again would you? Respectful answers please.

PaulyWog- What the hell are you talking about?

Answer 1

I am Asatru.

Because it gives me a fulfillment in life that no other religion ever could do. Being connected to the Gods who are as close to you as bloodkin, following a Lore that teaches you to be strong and independent, honoring your ancestors and the heroes of before, that is Asatru for me.

It gives me strength in daily life, it gives me hope that there are actually Gods that care, and that stand with you if times are hard.

Asatru is one of the only religions that doesn't clash with the modern day scientific view on the world, it views the world as it is, a natural place, with many Gods.

I like being Asatru because it rewards people who are academically-inclined. Really and pervasively, not just in theory.

I like being Asatru because its ethos match mine. I can be a reasonably good example of an Asatruer; I would never be anything but a marginal, footnoted, troublemaking member of any other religion. I like hanging around with people who think that an oath is an oath, for example.

I like being Asatru because it validates my inclination to bonk irritating people on the head with a Big (Rhetorical) Hammer. I am blunt; in Asatru, blunt is a good thing. "Frith" and "cooperation" are much more resonant values for me than "niceness" or "harmony".

I like Asatru because it is not a One Way kind of religion. I can disagree strongly with other Asatruers about all sorts of things and we can still be in the same religion together just fine. And I don't have to worry about sorting out all the people outside of Asatru, either.

Answer 2

Christian: non-denominational (raised episcopal and currently attending a Grace church) Old-earther

I was raised Christian, but I looked at other religions in my early twenties. I looked at Wicca (too mystic), shamanism (I still like certain aspects of it but ultimately it was too insubstantial), Buddhism (some great ideals but again it seemed nebulous), Islam (great if your a guy - I'm not), New Age (way to much relativisim happy-clappy pseudo-science), and eventually decided that I was happy with Christianity. (I even looked at atheism, but it seemed a little . . . . cold and lonely - sorry guys, that's just how it struck me.)

I'm constantly evaluating what I actually believe and if it's internally consistent. Some stuff I won't compromise on (basically summed up in the Apostle's or Nicene Creed) but there are other views I hold that are somewhat unorthodox (old earth creation, Mary not remaining a virgin after Jesus was born, among others). I haven't really decided on the issue of evolution (though if it did happen I don't see any way except through Divine guidance). I try to be compassionate and intelligent, I like to think I'm usually successful.

I would do most of it over if I could (except for high school - that sucked ;) ) There are some periods from my less thoughtful (zealot) phase that make me cringe, but I think everyone who has a 'conversion experience' gets a little frothy at the mouth (whatever your religion or lack thereof).

There's my $0.02

Answer 3

I am a Baptist, I say this because the churches I have felt the most at home in have been Baptist. My aunt introduced me to Scripture with a Trivial Pursuit game based on the Bible. We played every weekend for months. When we did not know the answer we looked it up. She allowed the Bible to speak to me (I was 12). My home life was not the best, my parents were involved with drugs and my dad worked when he wanted to. Neither had graduated from high school. My aunt was a godsend, literally. If she had not entered my life with such a profound message I have no doubts I would be drinking and doing who knows what, I had already started that path by this time. The day I was saved I was alone riding my bike along the road. I did this frequently, we lived in the country and no one in my house ever wanted to spend time with me. I prayed alot and one day I just knew I could no longer ignore the truth of what I had learned. I asked Jesus into my heart and I truly felt different. Did my pain at home end? No, but it became bearable because I never felt completely alone again. I would like to say that I have been perfect, but I have not. There is no doubt that what you grow up with affects you and I have made poor decisions from time to time. But I am lucky because when I realize I am messing up, I can apologise and ask forgiveness and know that I have it. I am very happy with my religion and I would do it again, no question. Today I am a mother and I am going to graduate with a bachelor's degree next year. Through the strength of God I have broken the cycle my family has struggled with for generations.

Answer 4

"What is your religion?"
Wicca.
"What led you to the religion that you currently claim?"
I had a personal unverifiable experience of the divine that led me there. There was no logical reason to deny that experience."
"How has it had an effect on your life?"
It brought me to my wife of 14 years, and gives me about $2000 a year. Plus the whole being completely fufilled about my religion thing.
"Are you happy with your religion?"
Yup.
"if you could do it all over again would you?"
of course.

Answer 5

Islam. I chose it unconsciously before i was born, it's like a faith. Yeah so much affect my life either good or bad. I have never had doubt that there is nothing but the truth about my religion, if there's a doubt, it's because i'm just a human and definetely need to learn more and more about it. I will always stick with my religion no matter what.

Answer 6

What is your religion?
Christianity

What led you to the religion that you currently claim?
Grandmothers church

How has it had an effect on your life?
It has had a very good and positive affect

if you could do it all over again would you?
NO.I'm happy with Jesus Christ

Answer 7

Buddhism (if you include this in "religion" definition, even though we're atheist) with Shamanic tendencies. Logic, analytical study of religions and the observable world, philosophies, psychology, etc. led me to it. It's improved my life vastly in that I'm not as easily angered and upset anymore by bigotry, mean people, hypocrisy, etc. like I used to be, it's changed my understanding of the reality of what's going on around me, etc.

The Shamanic portion of me I didn't choose, it chose me.

Would I do it all over again? YES... a very firm "yes"... the journey has been wonderful, meeting other people in other religions, teaching me empathy and understanding by walking in their shoes awhile, while figuring out what made logical sense to me and what didn't. It's what makes me able to respect other's religions/beliefs while still being Buddhist/atheist.

It's a rich world out there filled with beautiful diversity... if each of us would take the time to walk a mile in the shoes of even ONE other religion we don't understand, whether we think we "approve" of them or not... this world would be vastly different, and maybe there'd be less arrogance and antagonistic cruelty.

_()_

Answer 8

I want to keep this positive, but i was raised Catholic and went all through Catholic Schools. It left me really negative about Christianity. I later met my wife to be(baptist) and saw Christianity in a whole new perspective. To make a long story short, I'm not real happy with any denomination(organized religion), but i'm very happy with my relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't want to slam the Catholic church because maybe there were other factors involved.

Answer 9

No religion, but I do have a relationship with my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. I am a Born-again Christian. I was raised in church, but didnt fully commit my life to JC until I was 23yo.
With my God-centered upbringing, it has made me into a very moral, kind hearted & compassionate person.
Praise Jesus, I am very happy being a Christian, I wouldnt have it any other way.

Answer 10

I am a Christian, brought to it by God. No human being can claim any credit for my faith, unless it were the man who handed me a New Testament on a rainy fall day, years ago. And he never said a word, just pressed it into my hand as I passed. What I recognized there, and in myself, when I read it, made me a Christian. Nothing could now change that. Yes, I am happy with it. And very grateful, to God, and to that man who acted as His instrument that day.