Which religion did you choose and how did you come to it?

Question

I chose Atheism, which is not a religion, rather it is a lack of religion as I am sure that all of you know. I was born into a Christian home and was a Christian. I began to question my faith in junior high when I started noticing holes in the Bible. This questioning turned to doubt in college when I began to see contradictions in the Bible and when I realized that the Bible was at odds with modern science. I then looked to history and saw that Christianity is not a religion of peace but rather a religion of continuous violence. I then started to research other religions. I saw much of the same, an unrealistic stories, hypocrisy and violence. After that I began a deep soul searching, I realized while looking to myself, that I am incapable of faith. To me faith means nothing. I need actual proof. After more thought I realized that religion is a tool used to control people.

Losing my religion was a long and painful but well thought out decision that I have never regretted.

Answer 1

I started out Catholic, but then went wandering.

I tried a bunch of different denominations and finally stayed with the Quakers (Friends) for a while. But through it all, no other church besides the Catholic church had everything I was looking for: acceptance of intelligence; encouragement to think for myself, wise leaders (I know a lot of them have gotten in trouble lately, but there are still a lot of wise and loving men in the church), incredibly profound theology.

Other churches (not the Quakers) tried telling me that there were no contradictions in the bible and they believe everything in it was literal. When I asked questions like, "Then why don't you still stone women to death when they're caught cheating?" they would give these long and senseless explanations that amounted to "I dunno. Just shut up and accept it."

You're 100% right, man. A lot of violence and hypocrisy comes out of organized religion, but that only means that the church isn't perfect. Catholics all freely admit that --with they latest outbreak of abusive priests, they pretty much have to.

But the church isn't the priests. the church is the people who go to mass. It isn't perfect, but Jesus is helping it limp lamely closer and closer to perfection.

Answer 2

Unitarian Universalism

I was born into a Baptist family and started separating myself from that in high school when I realized that there were other religions out there and I came to the decision that the people they said were evil really weren't.

Thus, the educating began. I've been learning about various religions for a long time and only fairly recently realized that I really do hold value in all of them and there is no way I could consider myself just one of them.

So now I consider myself a part of the Unitarian Universalism religion (my beliefs actually fit almost perfectly with the direct translation of the religion name) and I really could not be happier, even if it does cause diagreements here and there amongst my family and friends.

Answer 3

I am a Roman Catholic, and was born into it. My mother was devoutly religious, and I've attended Mass since earliest infancy. When I was growing up, other religions were simply not to be discussed. But my parents died when I was in my teens, and I began a process that I'm still undergoing of studying other religions and philosophies. I've attended many services outside of my own faith, and have spent a good deal of time with non-Christians, including atheists. I am open to learning about all beliefs, and all points of view. However, I have chosen to remain Catholic, because I haven't yet found another religion that is as personally meaningful to me.

Answer 4

Scientology.

I was looking for solutions to situation in my life. I came across Scientology and it had ideas and techniques that ALLOWED ME to solve these problems.

My first encounter with Scientology was a guy on the street offering personality tests. I went with him to what he explained to be the test centre in the Church of Scientology. On doing the test and seeing the results, I could see there was something in it.

On leaving that day I took two booklets with me, one of them I could not confront the other made sense.

After a few calls from the Church and a bit more reading I went in and started a course. This course again allowed me to see what I could do to improve a situation, so I applied it, it worked.

From them to now I have been on staff, been a student and even not been at the Church for a 6 month span when I was working 6 days a week and creating my business.

One of the most interesting things I found about Scientology is the expanse of the data, covering so many areas of life. Anything from how to learn a new subject to finding out your true nature.

For me Scientology gives me tools to understand any area of my life and more.

Answer 5

I find it rather sad to read all of the answers here that say "I am a and was born into it"

MY OPINION:

NO ONE is born into ANY religion... We are born into a family that PRACTICES a specific religion and are therefore expected to believe the same way. So in essence we are RAISED a NOT BORN a

We all possess free will and can make the CHOICE as to what we want to believe in and what religion we want to practice. If we were BORN into any specific religion, we would then not have free will.

Just thought I'd point that out.

ELISE

Answer 6

I never "got" religion. The only brand available in my day and area of the country was christian. I knew before I was eight years old I did not want any of that. I am an atheist.

AEN

Answer 7

I was born into a staunchly Episcopalian family, and I am still Episcopalian. I enjoy learning about other religions, but have stayed in the Episcopal Church because I love its beautiful rites, theological openness, charity, tolerance, and inclusiveness. It is a forward-thinking church that doesn't insult my intelligence. It doesn't command me to discriminate against others or to practice intolerance in the name of Christ.

Answer 8

I stopped looking for "religion" when I found it was more about formal rules (hence, the root word having the same meaning as ligature - to bind).

I started seeking "Relationship". But first, needed to be reconcilled and come to understand, I can't earn His love, can't work my way into His presence.

Started when I took an intellectual honest look at the resurrection. (try Lee Strobel's "Case for Christ").

Just couldn't refute it anymore. He came back from the tomb. And that says a lot to me.

Answer 9

Its sad that you are confusing religion with a creator. I could worship YOU and say all kinds of things about YOU and kill sheep for YOU> Would that have anything to do with YOU> Should people judge YOU because IM killing sheep in your name. Religion has nothing to do with GOD.
Before you close your mind complety read the Works of Joseph Campbell and comparative religions.
Read his works It expalins religion in a differant lite. Not that he beleived in a God But you should read the stuff it may open your mind to the trancendent that has been so badly described by others.

Answer 10

i was born babtist and have found all my answers in the bible and dont know how i would get through the day without praying, e mail me and tell me where the holes are [e-mail]