Question for anyone with an opinion?

Question

What are your religious beliefs, if any and why are they your beliefs?
What influenced your decision, or was it just ingrained as you were growing up?
I really am interested, and it goes both ways, so I will tell about mine first:
I am a Christian (pentacostal) (don't know if I spelled that right...ha ha. I grew up with the religion, but decided on my own behalf when I was 16. Not a very typical age to find myself, but that was it. I love the approach taken because it is loud and outspoken without shame. The attitudes I have encountered with others are all positive and never judging and I like that instant rapport and the feeling I get when I am around them, and I like to think I contribute to that.

P.S
If you don't know what a pentacostal is, just think of the scenes from movies with the SOUL in the church. Not sitting around, but actually participating and making church what it should be. It is usually considered a 'black' church if these characteristics are found...

I am very much white, though it should not matter...I only used the reference to blacks because of the stereotypical church settings depicted in movies...

Answer 1

Currently my religious beliefs are that there is no god. I am an atheist. This doesn't mean I don't have religious feelings. It just means that I don't believe in a higher power or force. I came to this belief because I cannot buy that there is a power or force directing all things. Things happen following laws of our universe as it is. And the universe, with us, are just here, as we are. It has always been here, and it will always be here after we're gone. We will pass on, just like others, to oblivion after a certain period of time. There is no life after death, just death.
This doesn't make me maudlin. Actually, I celebrate life quite happily. I know how transient it is - how fleeting.
How did I get to be an atheist? I was raised Presbyterian. I explored other religious practices, including Native American, earlier in my life. I felt much connected to the Native American viewpoint, and I think they have some very good ideas and philosophies. But, I no longer subscribe to their belief of a "Great Spirit," or "Creator."
I was influenced by rational thought and ideas from people I've read and spoken to that fit into my inherent belief of common sense and fair play. My family didn't insist on religious loyalty. I was free to choose whatever church I wanted.
I chose none.

Answer 2

I grew up in a freewill pentacostal church, where the preachers preached hell fire and brimstone. Many of my values were gotten there from the scriptures and because I was young and impressionable. At the time, I did not realize that all of the congregation was either hypocrites or setting themselves up for failure by boxing themselves in with impossible constrictions. They talked against televisions, high heel shoes, makeup, a woman cutting her hair, etc. There were many more things they talked against than for. In addition to that, most of the married men were hitting on other women or teenage girls. I did not like how they called out people to come up to the altar and embarrassed them if they were not compliant. Something else that I could not feel good about was the speaking in tongues. I just could not believe it was all for real. The girls are taught to wear long hair and dresses and generally look different, which sets them apart from society and gives them a distinct social disadvantage. I feel that I got my basic belief system from that church, but that was before I knew what was really going on. I do not mean to diss all of the teachings, but I just did not feel good about the church. The most important thing is to live by the spirit of the laws in the scriptures, not just the letter. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, if you are and you live by his teachings, that is wonderful! Best of luck and stay happy.

Answer 3

I was raised Baptist introduced to religion against my will. I was made to attend Sunday school no matter how much I said I did not want to.

The day I left home I started my quest to find belief in religion. I read so many different books pro religion but my hunger for knowledge we not satisfied. I started to test the confines of my religious teaching. I cursed God and nothing happened. I used his name in vain and nothing happened. I asked for God to stand before and show me he existed and there we no response. After trying to have a relationship with a God with no communication I decided maybe he did not exist.

After years of reading and searching I have found so much dated that would bring any reasonable man to the understanding there is no such existence of a god. I also learn there is not reason when it comes to the belief in a God. It takes time and effort to educate your mind beyond the indoctrination that poisoned your belief system with the God construct. Most people stop growing and are very satisfied with was offered to them from childhood. Only a few of us really take the time to question our existence while most are to afraid to challenge God.

Modern man has to wake up and discover his own power that lives within. The love a God is misplaced and put above those that are most important to your happiness. God does not exist so there is not reason to fear this idea of a mythical charater. The is no Satan or demons or boggie men. There will be not judgement that will land you in hell.

You are free if you would just use your intelligence over your fear.

Answer 4

I am Christian. And I have all the beliefs that go with it. I understand your statement about "black churches" and I'm all for that because I believe a relationship with God needs to be on a "family enjoyment" basis.

I was in 7th grade (so I was 12ish) when I gave my life to Christ, but I never followed through with it after I went into high school due to my family wasn't supportive. I officially became Christ-devoted when my parents started attending church (I was the first in my family since my great-grandmother to actually be religious). I was baptized my junior year. I've been (i guess you can say) officially Christian for 3 years now.

Answer 5

Bravo for your question!

I was born and raised in a Christian based household. At birth my family was Presbyterian but then moved to First Christian as my Mother was looking for her faith she brought us little ones with her.
It was in that Church where my Christian faith was founded. I was a Southern Baptist for a time but left when the Minister told me that I was going to burn in hell for divorcing my abusive husband and shunned me from the Church.
I made the choice later in my life to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) (LDS) which I still am.
I am learning about other faiths currently and am reading the Koran and Studying Buddhism.

I believe that by knowing about the different faiths in the world today It just might make be a better Christian with an open mind of understanding and love. I do my best to not criticize any faith or religion nor judge them.

I support the rights of all and believe that all will ascend to Heaven in time. I believe that Hell is Judgment that we will all go to but shall be freed with a pure and repentant heart.

I fight for my faith as a Christian. I believe that Organized Religion is just that Organized and Manage and believe in the Spirit of Choice of individuality. (Causes some conflict in my Church) LOL.

I believe that everyone has the right to believe in whatever they choose even in those that choose not to believe in anything at all.

My upbringing and travel throughout my search has brought me to the realization that a Christlike life of loving and accepting all is the life for me.

Answer 6

I chose the Episcopal Church as an adult. I was not raised in any faith, but if anyone had ever asked I think my parents would have said that they were Christian, but they never went to church.

I like the mystical parts of the high church ritual. I like the rational ideas in theology and open minded ideas about women. It all works for me.

At one time I was an Atheist. Then I had an experience that showed me that God existed and that is when I was baptized into the Episcopal church.

Answer 7

I'm sixteen and Buddhist. The rest of my family is Methodist. I like Buddhism because there is not a lot of dogma associated with it. I also liked meditating after I did it the first time so i decided to see what else Buddhism was all about.

Answer 8

I was raised a Methodist, am now an atheist, because that's the only belief that can be backed by reasonable inquiry. I came to that belief primarily as the result of my philosophy classes for my BA minor.
There is a good deal of freedom in not being concerned about heaven and hell, seeing and loving the world as a thing in and of itself, and loving my neighbors because we are all one family, not because God has told me I must do it.

Answer 9

I believe God is all of us, living and dead, working together. Our souls unite creating a certain "energy". When you die, you add to it, good or bad. It's very hard to explain, but after many years of soul searching, this is what I believe to be the truth. I don't consider myself to be any religion, but if I'm asked I say Agnostic. I wasn't raised in any religion. My parents were both raised Catholic and they decided to let us decide for ourselves.

Answer 10

Pentecostal not the denomination

Independent full gospel of Jesus

Grew up Church of God
Then Baptist

That wasn't enough, something missing

I found it!The Holy Ghost at an Independent full gospel church

I believe in an alive church with music and dancing and singing and all the gift's in operation......................

Glory to God in the Highest and on earth Peace good will to men......................