[Love-Life]

I, as an idividual do not believe in any religion. Sometimes it angers me when people get offended that I do not believe in God, its my personal choice. I just think that religions start a lot of conflict and don't make any sense. Am I wrong to feel this way?

[EIFS EXPERT]

Hey don't take it personal. You are not the only one. What do you dislike most about religion?

[Love-Life]

Mainly the control religions attempt to create. Morally righteous people allow religion to effect everything they do. I think people can be good people, and do the right things in life, without believing in a God.

[EIFS EXPERT]

I think the governments created religion to control the masses but over time people started believing in it. I think it started in Rome.
I find it fascinating that people pray to the sun and don't know it.
Do you think that's why church is on Sunday?

[peggyhill]

I think that people should be respectful of other's choices. I know a lady who means very well, but she pushes her religion on people so much that it scares them off. I think anything that encourages people to live better lives is a good thing, but to each his own. I'm not anti-religion, but I think that religion has been used to manipulate people a lot and that is really sad. People can take a good thing and turn it all around to suit their agenda, and that is wrong.

[DaBaAd]

Interesting how the work "religion" is equated with a necessary believe in a deity. Merriam-Webster's dictionary states that the word religion is "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"

It could involve aspects from all areas of life such as philosophical, theological, anthropological and sociological.

Therefore you need to define religion for yourself, God or no God.

[EIFS EXPERT]

Peggy,

I know exactly what you mean, I have a friend who is absolutely sick with religion. Her and her sister. They would go on and on and basically call me or anyone who disagreed with them evil. It's almost like a mental illness.

[Wondergirl]

Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. There's nothing wrong with religion. The problem lies with the "believers" and how they interpret the doctrines in that religion.

In other words, the people, not the religion, are too often the problem and the reason others get turned off.

[peggyhill]

I can relate EIFS EXPERT! The woman I know even started going off on all her relatives when their mom died. She was telling them all how their mom went to heaven and they were all going to hell. She started it up while the family was still at the hospital. It was just so out of line and she went about it totally the wrong way. I could see if she had told them, ' hey, this is what I believe and I want to share it because it makes me feel better', but she went for the whole fire-and-brimstone thing while the family was still in shock.

She called her minister to come to the hospital and when he showed up and realized what she was doing, he told her to back off and be considerate. I was really glad to hear that he tried to get her back in line, even though it didn't really help.

[EIFS EXPERT]

Peggy,

Yeah I know, I've gotten into debates with fanatics and they always seemed to get really pissed off at one point or another.

[inthebox]

I don't believe in religion either.

I believe in Jesus Christ. :)

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, you are wrong in the fact that you are allowing the actions of some, to stand in the way of your own personal relastonship with God.

[jillianleab]

wondergirl, I had to spread the love, but you are so right. Not being religious myself I can still see where there are good things about religion, good things religious organizations do, etc; but I also see the bad things religion has done, and the bad things people do and use their religion as an excuse.

Love-Life there will always be people who challenge your belief or lack of belief. Don't worry about them, do what is best for you, not them.

[Love-Life]

I don't believe in religion either.

I believe in Jesus Christ. :)

Isn't the belief in Christ Christianity?
Which is a religion?

[Love-Life]

Yes, you are wrong in the fact that you are allowing the actions of some, to stand in the way of your own personal relastonship with God.

No no no. I am trying to say that people get angry that I don't believe in God or have a religion. Me not believing in a higher power is my own choice, having nothing to do with other people. Other people's actions don't really influence my non-beleiving.

[letmetellu]

If you don't believe in religion what do you believe in.

[NeedKarma]

I don't believe in religion either, I believe in my kids, I believe in myself, I believe in the good of other people, I believe that some people are toxic and I should keep clear of them, I believe a good game of hockey makes me feel great, I believe that napping is underrated, etc.

[simoneaugie]

Right you are, everyone. We are all one. Ours is not a better way, just a different way. And, since we are all one, part of a whole, we are God. God is a good nap or your kids or Jesus.

So, can we all quit arguing with ourself now?

[NeedKarma]

So, can we all quit arguing with ourself now?

It'd be a lot easier once the fanatical religious types stop preaching, damning others to hell and telling those who are not like them that they are wrong. :)

[MOWERMAN2468]

Well that is your own personal choice. One day when you are burning in hell, perhaps you will believe in hell then.