[Fr_Chuck]

Attacking is attacking, after it goes to a point, discussion groups get a little more freedom than the religion forum, but only to a point,

I will be watching this thread very very closely

[JoeCanada76]

I think your over reacting Fr.Chuck.

You can watch it as closely as you want but have not seen any amount of attacking at all on this thread. Hmmm.

[binx44]

I agree completely, The original poster has every right to post and state and tell about his reasons for not belonging to a certain religion or denomination. There is no attack in this question and be fair to all sides, it does always seem to be one sided most of the time. Has every right to make a thread like this like a lot of other people make threads about their religion and why it is so right for them and everyone else. Yuck..

Thank you, its nice to see I'm not the only one who sees it that way. Its not bashing. Nor should fr_chuck feel he should watch this thread "very very closely" as no one is bashing or insulting anyone. No offence, and I hope none is taken but you do seem a bit extreme. Calm down and count how many threads there are on why people are what religion they are.. versus why people are not any specific religion. Once you do you may see the understanding as to why this discussion topic was posted

[JoeT777]

I was reading though the tread and these questions came to mind:

So, you’re not Catholic; you can list the reasons. How do you know to be Baptist, Methodist, Evangelist, or a non-denominational Christian? How do you DISCERN which one ‘feels’ good, which one is good, which one is the will of God? Does it matter? How do you discriminate from the right from the wrong? What authority is to be relied on to determine which of the thousands of different denominations to choose from?

I won’t respond, I’m just curious what kind of answer I might get.

JoeT

[binx44]

Ahh there we go. A good question. Some of us do know what it is like. Some of us don't. I think mostly it is a matter of opinion, how your family raised you and viewpoints of the society you are in. Personally I think these factors and possibly more determine which religion "feels" right to some but not to others. But that is just my guess

[NeedKarma]

Born an atheist (as is every single person), was indoctrinated as a Catholic, then in my early twenties, started to realize that Catholicism and pretty much any concept of a deity, makes no logical sense, so back to being an atheist. You have to be taught to believe in a deity. Through that teaching you may become convinced and stay that way, or like me, it starts to fall away with logical thought.

[JoeCanada76]

There is so many different beliefs. Everybody has there own reasons for believing or not believing etc... we need more people speaking up to the reason why they do not. It should not be about one side winning or one side being right. It should be we all have our own beliefs or non beliefs and we should respect each other for it.

Your Right Needkarma. I was born in a family of Roman Catholics. If I was living in India I would have been born into the belief of Hinduism or depending on where you grew up and what you were taught. Although many people grow and learn and change their beliefs or whatever it may be as they change and investigate or learn about other religions denominations etc..

Or as you just completely become atheist.

[NeedKarma]

For me, as a rule, fanatics on all sides are the problem. I really don't care what one believes just enjoy it as a personal part of your life. No need to convert the world or get your religion as a basis for morals in a political forum.

[JoeCanada76]

I agree, there seems to be a lot of people who do try to convert. There is danger in that. Many people push their beliefs and literally try to force people to believe the same as them and that actually I find pushes people away from them and their beliefs. Part of the problem with Catholics and other denominations is that certain people do not realize that they are defeating their purpose by pushing their beliefs on others and that is why so many people get turned off religion , etc..

I have a very strong belief in God, but my approach to telling people about it are completely different. I also respect every-bodies own beliefs or even being atheist because I do not believe we have a right to force my beliefs on somebody else.

Your absolutely right, fanatics on all sides. Maybe I am one and do not even know it. Lol

[NeedKarma]

Nah you're not, I can tell by the civil discussion we are having. :) From my experience a belief is a god does not make one a better person, one's actions and deeds are the best example and that transcend religious belief. I see very vocal religious people on this forum say the most hateful bigoted things in other forums in AMHD. I have friends of various religious beliefs simply because they are nice people... well I think they have various beliefs, it very rarely is a topic of conversation, must be a Canadian thing.

[JoeCanada76]

That is the thing many people think they are better then others.

The way one behaves, actions and the way the person lives their daily lives is very important.

Same here, have friends from many different religious beliefs or people who simply do not believe.

Yes, would say it is a Canadian thing (; Rarely a topic, except for here on these forums.

[Alty]

I wasn't going to come back to the religious forum, it just gets too ugly and brings out the worst in me. But this is a good question, so I'll post and run, hope that Chuck doesn't put me in a corner. ;)

I was born and raised Lutheran. My father was Catholic, my mother Lutheran. They married in the Lutheran church because my dads church wouldn't allow the marriage unless my mother converted to Catholicism. She refused so the married in the Lutheran church.

I was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran religion but went to Catholic school. Ya, talk about confusing.

After 10 years in Catholic school, attending Catholic ceremonies, I decided that Catholicism was definitely not for me.

I married in the Lutheran church, my son was baptized in the Lutheran church, then I found a way that suits me better, is closer to my beliefs.

I am now a Deist but open to learning more about any religion that I have yet to explore.

My kids are taught all aspects of religion. I never push my beliefs on them. I want them to make up their own minds. So far Jared believes in God, a God that intervenes with humans. He has expressed a desire to go to church with his friend down the street. They have agreed to take him, so he'll be going soon.

Sydney doesn't know what she believes. She wants to believe in God, the bible, the whole kit and kaboodle, but she questions things. Whatever questions she has I answer. She's still little, they both are. Plenty of time to decide what works best for them.

I'm still a work in progress. I'm a Deist, for now. If something better comes along then I may change my mind. No, that's not an invitation to tell me about your religion. Trust me, if I want to know, I'll ask. ;)

[JudyKayTee]

politics and religion two things I don't discuss ,no winner.

Then why are you in the religious discussion portion of AMHD?

[JoeCanada76]

then why are you in the religious discussion portion of amhd?

Ouch lol. But so true. I agree.

[Fr_Chuck]

Lutheran and Catholic are very similar ( even if they don't admit it) in fact the book used for comfirmation was only two words different from each back in the 60's and 70's

Of course wars are fought for 2 words