Questions for people of ANY religion?

Question

I'm not judging or making assumptions about your religion etc. I am just doing some 'soul searching' and trying to work something out. Your answering the following questions would greatly help me. If you don't have a lot of time, a simple answer is fine.

1.) What is your religion?

2.)When someone in your religion, whether it be someone in a position of power or just a member of the religion, is accused of some form of sexual misconduct, what is your reaction? "How terrible", "This can't be true" etc etc.

3.)How do you feel about those who leave your religion?

4.)If you meet someone, in person or on line claiming to be of you religion, are you suspicous or friendly?

5.) If you encounter someone who says they were once a member of you religion, do you listen objectively to what they have to say or dismiss what they say as evil lies?

Feel free to answer any or all of these questions. Thank you so much!!

Graize...you have no idea what it is I am trying to work out...so please don't be judgemental.

Sincerest thanks for all great answers so far

Sincerest thanks for all great answers so far

The reason I ask, is that I left a religion several years ago and I am trying to work out if it was normal compared to other religions in various ways, or if it was somewhat sinister.

Answer 1

1. None, now.
2. Denial is what happened at my (former) church.
3. We were taught to ignore them...and I was treated that way once I left by most.
4. Friendly, at least I was...but then, I left for good at about 15.
5. Never happened to me.

Answer 2

1. Bible believing Christian, non denominational.

2. My usual reaction is to ask if the accusation has been verified by an objective investigation. This is because I've seen many godly people be falsely accused. If is has been proven true, then my reaction is "How horrible, let's make sure he or she has no more ability to abuse again."

3. There is a difference between leaving a denomination verse leaving Jesus. I feel sad for those who leave Jesus. Changing denominations is no big deal. If they tell me they are about to join some false cult, I'll do my best to talk them out of it.

4. I'm friendly to everyone, except to those who claim to be Satans servants.

5. I listen objectively. I've been hurt before by a few Pastors and so have my children. I have not been hurt by Jesus. There is a difference.

I've never left Jesus but I've changed denominations a couple of times. I still have good relations with many of the people from my former denominations.

Obviously there are some rude and obnoxious people around and those people were rude and obnoxious while I was part of the same denomination as well.

Pastor Art

Answer 3

1) My religion is Christianity. However I was brought up from birth into a Jehovah's Witness family but left that denomination when in my mid twenties (after realising they were false prophets). I then became a Baptist (11 years ago) but am not a member of any specific Christian denomination at the moment. I am still a Christian and thank God every day for answering my prayers and for meeting with me when I was in a spiritual wilderness and lost.

2) Any organisation that turns a blind eye to sexual misconduct (fornication, adultery, abuse etc) is NOT Christian and should be exposed. There is no place for sexual abuse EVER and those practising it should be thrown out. Anyone who tries to cover it up should also be thrown out.

3) It's still a free country, isn't it? We still get to practise freedom of worship, don't we? Unless, of course, you're trying to leave the JW's in which case you will be shunned.

4) Why, friendly, of course! Assume the best and trust people to be telling the truth and continue to do so unless their actions prove otherwise.

5) Oh, I listen very, very carefully and remember how I used to feel - what I used to believe - how passionately I used to defend my position. Then I pray for them (is that objective?) and I pray that I will be able to show Christlike love and compassion so that I can witness to the TRUE gospel message. I remember they have been deceived - and no, I would never dismiss what they said as evil lies. No-one has the right to judge another - that's God's unique priviledge. As Christians it's our business to love one another - and forgive.

Answer 4

1.) Born again Christian

2.) For those in power, take him out of authority until the facts are sorted out. If a fellow member, the issue must be confronted and looked in to. Much depends on the facts and attitude. It's hard to say with such a hypothetical.

3.) Sometimes such is necessary either to realize what they had, or perhaps they never had in the first place. It's all about faith and free will.

4.) I usually greet with joy. However, much can be gleaned from just a few key questions.

5.) Again, it is a free will choice. If someone walks away from Jesus, that is their choice.

1 Samuel 16:7
"..the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Answer 5

1) Christian

2) I would think how terrible and wonder if it is true. I would hope that it isn't true but would try not to listen to gossip.

3). It would depend on why! I know that some leave because they do not believe what is being taught 0r agree with it. Those usually go else where to church. There are those that leave because they lose their faith. And others that don't like the fact that being a Christian requires a commitement--more than saying that you are a christian. There is a commitment--when becoming a christian you made a covenant with God/Jesus. Think of it as being similar to the commitement/covenant you made with your spouse.

4). I listen to what they say and watch their actions. Just saying that you are a member of a church doesn't mean alot to me. Goes back to the commentment I menitioned ealier.

5). I listen and try to discuss it with them--in a manner that is non threatening.

Answer 6

1.) What is your religion?

Christian (Pentecostal)

2.)When someone in your religion, whether it be someone in a position of power or just a member of the religion, is accused of some form of sexual misconduct, what is your reaction? "How terrible", "This can't be true" etc etc.

I may be skeptical considering the source (i.e. Ted Haggard), but if it does turn out to be true, I feel bad for them/their family members and pray for them (again, i.e. Ted Haggard). I expect them to face any legal or church consequences for their actions, but I won't kick them when they're down. But for God's grace, it could have been me.

3.)How do you feel about those who leave your religion?

Sorry and I pray they'll come back.

4.)If you meet someone, in person or on line claiming to be of you religion, are you suspicous or friendly?

I'm friendly with most anyone, but I may not believe they're Christians without hearing more about what they believe.

5.) If you encounter someone who says they were once a member of you religion, do you listen objectively to what they have to say or dismiss what they say as evil lies?

Listen objectively, I know people have left my faith for various reasons, some of whom are and were really good friends as well as family members. It happens.

Answer 7

1. What is your religion?

Answer: ISLAM


2. When someone in your religion is accused of some form of sexual misconduct, what is your reaction?

Answer: We hear it very rare, though it is not that such harassments are not done by our clergies. We found that these tendencies are prevalent among specific region of the world. However, one or two incidents those got media coverage too saw that these people were excused after some sort of 'punishment' like striping him of the position of being the Imam or the Teacher or whatever post he was holding and sometimes with public humiliation too.


3. How do you feel about those who leave your religion?

Answer: I have come across only two people who left Islam and got into Christianity. I saw them as good as anybody else with a belief in any one of the following Book, Torah, Ingil (Bible) and Quraan. However, if he/she follows Idols then it goes against what we are taught, and that becomes a bit uneasy for me personally due to my upbringing. In fine, it is looked down on people who leave Islam for any other religion.

4. If you meet someone, in person or on line claiming to be of your religion, are you suspicious or friendly?

Answer: I was not suspicious before joining Yahoo! Answers a year ago, more particularly, before venturing into this R&S of Y!A. Here there are so many counterfeiter of Islam that they pose as being follower of Islam and ask or answer questions mocking the Muslims and their religion. So, yes if anybody wants to be friendly with me by declaring that he is Muslim then I have reasons here to take him with a grain of salt (lol).


5. If you encounter someone who says they were once a member of you religion, do you listen objectively to what they have to say or dismiss what they say as evil lies?

Answer: The answer to this is like; I would be more 'objective' than 'subjective' while listening to their views.

Answer 8

1. Christian.
2. What kind of sexual misconduct? Pre-marital sex, adultery or a crime? I don't believe people in power should stay in power if they are abusive or hypocritical and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law if a crime has been committed.
3. People are free to make their own decisions.
4. I am suspicious of all people online so I'm usually friendly but cautious.
5. I guess it depends on what they say and how they present their opinions. Some people do tell lies, others have different interpretations of things. Still I am a strong believer in freedom of speech and religion so they are entitled to their beliefs or lack of one.

God Bless.

Answer 9

Dear Tash,

I see some excellent answers.

1. I am a born again Christian and have attended / belong to a Non-denominational church for the past 2 years.

I do have to distinguish between man-made religion and Relationship with Almighty God. There are nearly as many religions as there are people on the face of the earth. Though they may have some good points about them they CANNOT save their followers from hell.

My dad raised me in a Congregational church which became part of the United Church of Christ. My mom became a Watchtower Witness before I was born so I was exposed to 2 extremes.

2. I have not seen or heard of any instances of sexual misconduct within my church.

3. I focus on people coming INTO a right relationship with God rather than paying attention to people leaving. My church (little c) does not matter as much as the Church (big C) does.

I realize that we are human beings and we each have different comfort zones. Some people like big churches and others like little churches or something in between.

4. Being IN Christ is what is important.

5. It seems that you may have been part of a pseudo-Christian religion or what some people call a cult to ask a question like this.

I can only give you an example of my jws relatives who have been very antagonistic against a cousin of mine who disassociated herself a few years ago. They were willing to speak to me since I never was part of the organization but they didn't want to have anything to do with her at all.

I'm going to give you the link for The Father's Love Letter just to make your day.

http://www.fathersloveletter.com

For His glory,
JOYfilled

Answer 10

If anything I believe in Wicca and the One God. I'm not in a coven, I am a solitary practicing witch. The beliefs from this that I try to uphold, is #1 love unconditionally. With that, I don't think I can do much that's wrong. Another important tenent is, "Do what you will, but harm no one." So with those two items, there's no one with more power than me, except the God I follow. I totally accept if this isn't for anyone else, really I put it together with a lot of different religions. Who said I couldn't invent one? I try to believe the best of others until I'm proven wrong.

blessed be

Answer 11

1. Christian-Baptist

2. No, the reaction isn't to judge and say, "How terrible," the reaction is to pray for that person and hope they do not do it again. Sure everyone in every religion is going to think to themselves that isn't right but we should not judge. It says in the bible not to judge lest ye be judged by that same standard.

3. I don't feel any particular way. It is their decision and they'll have to deal with God if they make bad decisions or right decisions.

4. Suspicious, because you do not know if anyone online is who they claim to be. I would be that way no matter what religion, race, age, sexuality, etc. they claim to be.

5. I listen to what they have to say and see if I think any of it is plausible. If it totally contradicts my religion and beliefs I usually dismiss it but not as evil lies. I dismiss it as the fact that they are mislead.