Lets respectfully discuss your faith, no condemning!

[L107ANGEL]

I saw on another thread that many of us have different views, opinions, beliefs, etc.
Thats a good thing!
Lets discuss them here. I am intersted and I hope there is no fighting!

 

[JoyG]

I posted this link in the other thread, but I thought it might be useful here. It is a comparison of Catholics and Conservative Protestants. If you dig around on the site you can see comparisons of other religions. Although I'm a conservative protestant and don't necessarily agree with the sites statement of beliefs I think they did a good job of depicting exactly what I believe.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_capr.htm

 

[disneynutt1225]

I think the site caught the general idea of Catholicism. I don't necessarily agree with all of it, but you get the jist.

 

[TheBellhop]

I'm not sure what I am. I'm growing up in a Catholic family, but I don't agree with the religion on alot of things. I believe in God, though.

 

[Puffy2]

I have some questions for those of the Muslim faith. Anyone out there?

I'm perplexed by the recent events in Afganistan with the man who says he is now Christain who is on trial. Many clerics in Afganistan have claimed that he should be put to death. Is this what all Muslims believe? Can someone (only people of that faith, please) explain. How are we to think of Islam as the religion of "peace" when we have this as Islam's example? I think I was most surprised by the number of clerics in Afganistan who agree that he should be put to death.

 

[Aidensmom]

That is a really interesting site. I was raised Catholic, and chose to go to a Protestant church as an adult. My beliefs are actually compromised of a little of both sets of beliefs.

 

[L107ANGEL]

That is very interesting! Thank you!

 

[FreshTressa]

I believe in love and kindness.

I pray, and God answers my prayers. I feel God's presence.

But...I have had some bad experiences with church/religion, so i'm not a huge fan of organized religion. Nor do I take the Bible literally.

It creeps me out how many wars have been fought under the name of God. I would not believe...except I just know it and feel it, if that makes any sense.

 

[TheBellhop]

I believe in love and kindness.

I pray, and God answers my prayers. I feel God's presence.

But...I have had some bad experiences with church/religion, so i'm not a huge fan of organized religion. Nor do I take the Bible literally.

It creeps me out how many wars have been fought under the name of God. I would not believe...except I just know it and feel it, if that makes any sense.

Yes, exactly. This is how I feel.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Here is a site:

http://www.beliefnet.org/

that asks you questions about what you believe, and then it matches you to a religion closest to those beliefs. It's interesting.

 

[beckmrk04]

I have been struggling to find a place to call home as far as religion is concerned. I believe in God. I pray. I am not baptised, so I am not Christian, but the more soul searching I do, I realize that Christianity (exclusively) is not my path. I'm married to a Catholic.

I'm interested in Unitarian Universalists' experiences, because I think that they are closest to what I am looking for. I want to raise my children with a respect for all faiths, and to be able to see the wisdom in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.

I mostly try to be a good person. I try to help people who need help, and stick up for those whose voices aren't heard. I want my children to do the same. I believe love should be respected and cherished when found. I believe in not judging books by their covers and not throwing rocks because my house is made of glass. And kindness and politeness go a long way.

 

[luvmydogs]

I was born and raised a Catholic, but due to dogmatic disagreements, no longer practice. I consider myself a non-denominational Christian, and don't feel comfortable in a group worship setting.

I believe in The Bible as a lovely set of metaphoric parables, but not the Word of God.

I believe in Theist Evolution.

I respect people's various religious practices and belief systems, including those of athiests and agnostics.

I pray to God and believe I have a good relationship with Him and Jesus.

I have a fascination with The Virgin Mary, and Mary Magdalene as women of great historical/religious/feminist significance, and try to read what I can about each.

I sin, and fail myself more often than I'd like to admit, but sincerely believe in the power of God's forgiveness.

I don't believe the Power that we call "Our Father" tests us or sends us the good or the bad in our lives. I believe He is there as our spiritual rock--giving comfort in whatever circumstances we may face.

I do believe that every human being, regardless of race, color, creed and sexual orientation is my brother and sister, as we are all children of God.

Above all, I believe in love and infinite kindness as it extends to all of God's creatures.

 

[L107ANGEL]

I was born and raised a Catholic, but due to dogmatic disagreements, no longer practice. I consider myself a non-denominational Christian, and don't feel comfortable in a group worship setting.

I believe in The Bible as a lovely set of metaphoric parables, but not the Word of God.

I believe in Theist Evolution.

I respect people's various religious practices and belief systems, including those of athiests and agnostics.

I pray to God and believe I have a good relationship with Him and Jesus.

I have a fascination with The Virgin Mary, and Mary Magdalene as women of great historical/religious/feminist significance, and try to read what I can about each.

I sin, and fail myself more often than I'd like to admit, but sincerely believe in the power of God's forgiveness.

I don't believe the Power that we call "Our Father" tests us or sends us the good or the bad in our lives. I believe He is there as our spiritual rock--giving comfort in whatever circumstances we may face.

I do believe that every human being, regardless of race, color, creed and sexual orientation is my brother and sister, as we are all children of God.

Above all, I believe in love and infinite kindness as it extends to all of God's creatures.

This was nothing short of brilliant!!!!!

 

[tw1nsmom]

I was raised Catholic, but by father was Jewish. Last year my children and I joined the Unitarian Universalist church. I want my children to be encouraged to question and learn about and from all religions. While I believe in God, I'm still searching for my truth. The Unitarian Universalist church allows each person to seek their own religious beliefs/philosophy. It does so in the context of fellowship and a commitment to service, community, spirituality, and moral teachings.

 

[beckmrk04]

I was raised Catholic, but by father was Jewish. Last year my children and I joined the Unitarian Universalist church. I want my children to be encouraged to question and learn about and from all religions. While I believe in God, I'm still searching for my truth. The Unitarian Universalist church allows each person to seek their own religious beliefs/philosophy. It does so in the context of fellowship and a commitment to service, community, spirituality, and moral teachings.

Thanks for responding!!! It sounds like you have had good experiences, then, with your church?

I would like a place that DH and I can both go and feel comfortable- I go to Catholic church with him, and while I don't feel "uncomfortable" necessarily, I just know it's not for me.

 

[beckmrk04]

This was nothing short of brilliant!!!!!

ITA!!!

 

[tw1nsmom]

Thanks for responding!!! It sounds like you have had good experiences, then, with your church?

I would like a place that DH and I can both go and feel comfortable- I go to Catholic church with him, and while I don't feel "uncomfortable" necessarily, I just know it's not for me.

I've met some wonderful people and I'm becoming more comfortable as time goes on. I have to admit, it is sometimes difficult for me. I'm used to being in a church where you're told what to believe and everyone else believes the same. It's a lot easier to be told what to believe than to find your path yourself. Approximately 45% of UU's nationally are humanist (athiest), and while the religion was originally based in judeo-christian principles, they aren't emphasized now. I'm not sure that a devout Catholic would feel comfortable. Most UU's believe strongly in freedom of choice for women. They are less than open to the concept that Jesus is the one and only savior (that's not to say that some or even many don't believe in Jesus at least as teacher or prophet and some may even believe he's their personal savior). And, you are just as likely to have a visiting Buddhist give the Sunday sermon as any other topic.

 

[MoniqueU]

I don't have a faith, I don't have a religion. I am happy being and happy believing in life on earth. The end. I don't need anyone preaching to me.

 

[beckmrk04]

I've met some wonderful people and I'm becoming more comfortable as time goes on. I have to admit, it is sometimes difficult for me. I'm used to being in a church where you're told what to believe and everyone else believes the same. It's a lot easier to be told what to believe than to find your path yourself. Approximately 45% of UU's nationally are humanist (athiest), and while the religion was originally based in judeo-christian principles, they aren't emphasized now. I'm not sure that a devout Catholic would feel comfortable. Most UU's believe strongly in freedom of choice for women. They are less than open to the concept that Jesus is the one and only savior (that's not to say that some or even many don't believe in Jesus at least as teacher or prophet and some may even believe he's their personal savior). And, you are just as likely to have a visiting Buddhist give the Sunday sermon as any other topic.

This kinda made me giggle. Dh is anything but devout. He's more Catholic by birth and habit, I guess you could say. But, he's not entirely sure he'd be willing to convert to something else (I think his Grandma would have a heart attack). We are both pro-choice, pro-gay/lesbian marriage, and open to new ideas, so we were thinking about checking it out, because it's by far the most liberal organized congregation I have learned about in my searching.

I really appreciate the information and hearing about your experience!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Above all, I believe in love and infinite kindness as it extends to all of God's creatures.

This includes penguins, I assume?