Agnostics... C'mon down off the fence!

[grinningghost]

not to mention, there are innumerable Christians waiting for the next grilled cheese sandwich with the Virgin Mary's figure to show up so they have another reason to cry... 'miracle'.

I'm chuckling because I just ate a grilled cheese sandwich.

No Virgin Mary sightings - but maybe in tonight's spaghetti.

 

[goofygirl]

In some cases, I don't have to see it to believe it. I have not seen a god or a spiritual being, but I think that it, or something like it exists.

I have also never seen a UFO or alien, but I believe they exist too.

I understand the agnostics' and athiests' point of view because I've been there.

BTW I grew up as a non-practicing Jew who celebrated Xmas. I called myself an athiest, then an agnostic. I now attend an Episcopal church. It has been an interesting journey, lol.

 

[MosMom]

Funny thing is, out of the 3 of us daughters, I became Catholic, my older sister became more of an Evangelical Christian and my younger sister just took her initial vows to become a nun in a conservative order. My father is NOT happy with this outcome. Maybe when you grow up without faith, the result is the opposite of so many "pastor's children" you hear about who stray.

Or perhaps because it wasn't "shoved down your throat" you were all able to make up your own mind instead of being brainwashed. Just like anything else with children, if you drill it in...it most likely will stick. Not always of course, but most of the time.

I understand your point about feeling bad if you didn't teach your children your religion though. That is why in the end, it is a personal decision and just like with all other decisions in parenting...we do what we think is best and save for the therapy bills later on.

 

[chris1gill]

Umm, okay... Well here's the thing... I would love to be able to go to church and meet people, but here's the problem... I don't believe in any one god... I don't mean I'm on the fence over it, I mean I truly 200% do not believe there is any one god...

However, having said that, I believe that god exists in all of us, and that the world is made up of all positive and negative ion's.... I'm sort of thinking that there is a portion of hinduism to my thoughts and beliefs, but I don't believe all that either....

I think that whatever god is and wherever god is, it is beyond the human comprehension... I don't know what that makes me

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'm not hopeful at all, that's where belief rears it's ugly head.

I can honestly go outside and look up into the sky at night and look at the vastness of the universe and admit 'I don't know'. there's no side of the fence.

fossil proof on this planet and daily scientific findings continue to prove to me Christianity and the Bible are a waste of time and energy. what's wrong with being humble, yet strong enough to admit that no one knows if there's a God or not? IMO, it takes more guts than jumping onboard with a religion you were forced on from birth.

Ya know, I wasn't insulting anybody. Y'all ARE a resolute bunch who aren't going to believe either way without proof. Nothing wrong with that. Very academic and scientific. I'm like that too, in most things. While I happen TO believe, I can understand people who don't have faith wanting proof. And would never suggest that someone is doomed to hellfire for NOT believing.

Fossils have nothing to do with faith. You can believe in God AND evolution. They taught us religion and Science in the Catholic schools. Here's what God did, here's how he did it. That's our take.

I agree that nobody KNOWS there is a God. Belief without proof is the cornerstone of faith. You have faith or you don't. Different strokes for different folks.

But I heartily disagree that agnostics are somehow more courageous than believers. I don't think either side requires a great deal of courage. Maybe I'm not getting what you're talking about.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

not to mention, there are innumerable Christians waiting for the next grilled cheese sandwich with the Virgin Mary's figure to show up so they have another reason to cry... 'miracle'.

Yes, that's exactly what I do. Only it isn't the grilled cheese sandwich that was my miracle...it was the potato chip! It is exactly the shape of our Virgin Mother! And the brown parts outlined her hair and facial features!

I've neatly packaged it and sent it to the Pope, and am awaiting his declaration of my Mary-Chip Miracle! (joke.) As if.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Well, I certainly wasn't raised as an agnostic, but that's where I find myself today... I was raised in a Lutheran household -- you all know the type -- it was like a Prairie Home Companion but with a few less Church pot luck meals and more stops for Krispie Kreams on the way home. Looking back, I must say that I was never that comfortable with the whole "God made this, god made that" sort of thing, but I didn't feel that the absolute negative of atheism was the answer either.

I finally understood - or was able to name my feelings one night when I happened to be watching an episode of Barney Miller (a great TV show from days gone by). In this particular episode the character of Deitrich, played by Steve Landesburg tells someone he was an agnostic and explained what being an agnostic was. At last, I had a name for what it was I was feeling! I was not alone!!!

I have had more than a few "foxhole moments" as a previous poster has mentioned. (I believe the actual quote is: "There are no athiests in foxholes." -- the quote attributed to William T. Cummings). While during those stressful times I briefly considered praying to a higher power, the realist in me quickly realized that would overtly hypocritical. I am comforted to know that most studies currently indicate that praying to anything seems to have the same "success rate." Whether you pray to God, Allah, Budda, or if you're a Druid - praying to that nice Oak tree out back, the "success" seems to come more from the calming action of prayer/meditation than the interaction of an outside force. Mind over Matter...

 

[goofygirl]

Umm, okay... Well here's the thing... I would love to be able to go to church and meet people, but here's the problem... I don't believe in any one god... I don't mean I'm on the fence over it, I mean I truly 200% do not believe there is any one god...

However, having said that, I believe that god exists in all of us, and that the world is made up of all positive and negative ion's.... I'm sort of thinking that there is a portion of hinduism to my thoughts and beliefs, but I don't believe all that either....

I think that whatever god is and wherever god is, it is beyond the human comprehension... I don't know what that makes me

Go to Beliefnet.com and take the Belief-O-Matic quiz! It tells you what religion suits you best!

 

[BillSears]

I would love to be able to go to church and meet people, but here's the problem...

See I have a similar problem. I'd love to join a church for the social aspect. They church just down the street from me does some nice things and has some great people in it. But I'm an agnostic and really would feel like a hypocite going to church.

I guess I'd like to believe but I don't. My life, my values and my logic all lead to me not believing in God. On the other hand I have no proof for his nonexistence. So in the end I'm agnostic.

 

[hentob]

See I have a similar problem. I'd love to join a church for the social aspect. They church just down the street from me does some nice things and has some great people in it. But I'm an agnostic and really would feel like a hypocite going to church.

Well--Hold on to your socks...I am heading down the Agnostic Trail as I get older, but I continue to teach Sunday School. I don't feel hypocritical in the least bit.

I love the people that go to this particular church. I like the cute little Bible Stories and the cute little songs. I love many of the lessons.

I love religion. All religions. I think that they are fascinating. My children go to Bible School too. They love the projects and songs. They can decide for themselves when they get older. I was raised to go to church/Sunday School every Sunday. And although my belief in a higher power is fading, the lessons that I learned in church will always be with me.

Plus, I can answer many-a-Jeopardy question with my Bible Knowledge

Yes, Alex..I'll take Women In the Old Testament for $200

 

[JadenLayne]

I believe 100 percent that we have one and only ONE God. How do I believe that? Because my God died for me and told me to believe through childlike faith, and I do. However the more I talk to my God and the more I read his word the more I hear him talking to me. Okay don't get the straight jackets out just yet!

For example we have had some major school problems. I prayed and prayed one night in bed. Just laying there talking to God and a verse in Jeremiah just popped into my head. Now I'm definitely not one that studies the Bible or even reads it everyday. I do not know the Bible to have had a clue what the verse said. Well the next day I looked it up and it was exaclty what I needed to read. I have no doubt it was God and only God showing me what I needed to see.

I find that if I shut up and let HIM lead me that my life is so much better, more peaceful, happier etc. Now when I open my big mouth (and believe me I have a BIG Mouth) things turn around. So I try (don't always succeed but try) to let God and his ways lead my life.

Oh and I don't try to push it down anyone's throat. I am very active with our church's youth ministry and there are so many children out there looking for something. When they come to church looking I will tell them about God. I take great joy in telling them about Him. But I don't push it down their throats, its for them to look at and decide.

Oh and if I made a grilled cheese with Jesus on it I would crack up and show my DH and DS right before I ate it!!!!

 

[BillSears]

Well--Hold on to your socks...I am heading down the Agnostic Trail as I get older, but I continue to teach Sunday School. I don't feel hypocritical in the least bit.

I love the people that go to this particular church. I like the cute little Bible Stories and the cute little songs. I love many of the lessons.

I love religion. All religions. I think that they are fascinating. My children go to Bible School too. They love the projects and songs. They can decide for themselves when they get older. I was raised to go to church/Sunday School every Sunday. And although my belief in a higher power is fading, the lessons that I learned in church will always be with me.

I can see your point. There are many good lessons to be learned at church. Also there are alot of good people in most churches. You may be losing some of your faith but you believe the institution is worth serving. At least that's the feeling I get from your post.

But for me I'd still feel it was wrong. I just can't picture myself praying, singing hymns and listening to sermons when I don't believe in God.

 

[DisFlan]

I'm a classic agnostic - "one who believes that there can be no proof of the existence of God but does not deny the possibility that God exists" (American Heritage Dictionary).

I grew up in a religious household, but not one that was overboard about it. It just didn't "take" with me. I've been in a few "foxholes", but they didn't make a believer out of me. I find nothing wrong with anyone having "faith". Or not having it. I'm fine with the way I am and I wish others well with whatever diety they believe in.

DisFlan

 

[grinningghost]

Here's my biggest personal issue, the one that keeps me on the fence - probably forever.

The faithful believe that God created the universe and all that's in it. OK, but...

What/Who created GOD? Everything must have a beginning. If God is some invisible force, even He must have been created by something. And that something had to be created by something else, and it goes on and on and on and never stops.

That will drive me nuts until the day I die. Maybe that day, I'll get my answers.

 

[hentob]

I can see your point. There are many good lessons to be learned at church. Also there are alot of good people in most churches. You may be losing some of your faith but you believe the institution is worth serving. At least that's the feeling I get from your post.

But for me I'd still feel it was wrong. I just can't picture myself praying, singing hymns and listening to sermons when I don't believe in God.

I can see your points. I don't pray any more. Weird. You just made me realize that.

But hymns?!!? I could be a devil worshiper and I would still LOVE hymns. The Old Rugged Cross! How Great Thou Art! It is Well With My Soul! Ahhhhh....I will always love hymns.

I'm a freak

 

[mytwotinks]

See I have a similar problem. I'd love to join a church for the social aspect. They church just down the street from me does some nice things and has some great people in it. But I'm an agnostic and really would feel like a hypocite going to church.

I guess I'd like to believe but I don't. My life, my values and my logic all lead to me not believing in God. On the other hand I have no proof for his nonexistence. So in the end I'm agnostic.

I am sure that the church down the street from you would welcome you! If the only people in church were those who believed totally and 100% w/out question the churches would be pretty empty! I pray every day for forgiveness for my disbeleif. I think that it is only human to have doubts from time to time. It is all so above our understanding. I don't think that there would be anything hypocrytical about going and learning about something that you think may exist.

As for faith vs. proof, I beleive that my faith is a gift from God and being agnostic and saying that you think that there may be a God just may be the begining of faith for you!

 

[paigevz]

Here's my biggest personal issue, the one that keeps me on the fence - probably forever.

The faithful believe that God created the universe and all that's in it. OK, but...

What/Who created GOD? Everything must have a beginning. If God is some invisible force, even He must have been created by something. And that something had to be created by something else, and it goes on and on and on and never stops.

That will drive me nuts until the day I die. Maybe that day, I'll get my answers.

Yes, but if "everything must have a beginning".............then what? It's a huge giant circle? After all, at one point SOMETHING came into being that started the whole process, right? It didn't just start by itself, so you say, so when/where/what did it start? Chicken and the egg question..................

Just edited to say, I am a person of faith, but I have no problem with anyone's point of view, just found this bit intriguing....................

 

[TheBellhop]

Pick a side. What is holding you up? Will you decide if you are in a near death situation? ( Ya know the old saying.... "Everybody believes in God while in a fox hole" )

What can make you pick a side?

BTW, this IS NOT a condemnation of agnostics. I'm just curious. I am not affiliated with any organized religion ATM, and in fact, used to be Catholic. But I certainly believe in "God" or a "higher power".

Pick a side? I'm not quite sure what you mean. I believe that there is something up there. I don't know what it is, but I believe in it. It has to exist, for me, because how would this complex earth be created without an equally complex creator? However, I believe in alot of things in this Earth. I can look at a religion's beliefs and ideals, and I can say, "Oh, you know, that makes sense!" but I might not believe in all of their ideals. That is what makes me an Agnostic. I don't believe in a set religion. There are so many truths to almost ever religion that people profess themselves to. But to sit down and say, "This is the right religion, and we know it is because (etc)" (I had that shoved in my face when I was a Catholic), I mean, that's not right. You can't say that your religion is the right one out of the hundreds, just because your god (s) says it is.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Here's my biggest personal issue, the one that keeps me on the fence - probably forever.

The faithful believe that God created the universe and all that's in it. OK, but...

What/Who created GOD? Everything must have a beginning. If God is some invisible force, even He must have been created by something. And that something had to be created by something else, and it goes on and on and on and never stops.

That will drive me nuts until the day I die. Maybe that day, I'll get my answers.

the way they explained it to us as kids is that God in infinite and eternal. Infinite like the number line, has no beginning and no end. You can always subtract or add one, and it just keeps going.

 

[jimmiej]

Here's my biggest personal issue, the one that keeps me on the fence - probably forever.

The faithful believe that God created the universe and all that's in it. OK, but...

What/Who created GOD? Everything must have a beginning. If God is some invisible force, even He must have been created by something. And that something had to be created by something else, and it goes on and on and on and never stops.

That will drive me nuts until the day I die. Maybe that day, I'll get my answers.

You're thinking of God in "human" terms. If God is who He says He is, anything is possible, including God having no beginning.