Deserves an every page bump. This is a good outlook. If you believe the teachings of Jesus, they are not reflected by the people that expound them today.
I believe in God and have a relationship with God but I refuse to participate in organized religion because of the people involved. I went to a baptist service for Christmas a couple years ago with my in-laws and told My wife I would never go back. She hasn’t pushed the issue. She understand my viewpoint now. Especially with all that’s happened with society recently. Religious people, at least in the south bc that’s the only frame of reference I have, are the worst people and they don’t even realize it.
No. Raised Protestant, went to Sunday school/church as a kid with my grandmother. I remember asking my dad why he never went when I was 8/9 and still chuckle at his “Oh, I just watch Robert Schuller/The Hour of Power instead”. Would pocket the offering my dad gave me and buy baseball cards. As an adult I just had/have trouble squaring what is “source”? God always was and always has been? Everything comes from something though? To that point I can’t really wrap my head around the Big Bang either - what created the elements, the conditions, etc.? Beyond that, doctrinal belief systems, modern Christianity, it just seems logical that it was all created to maintain order, self preservation, keep the strong from subjugating, exploiting, killing the weak. There’s some smart people on here who answered yes, I’d be really curious how they square all these unanswered, obvious questions/holes?
Hello still an active practicing Catholic, never questioned my faith, and never been a shit TMB poster AMA.
I’m not religious. One of the best parts of growing up in Canada vs. the USA is it overall being way less religious. I even went to a catholic school (part of the public school system here) and I’m not sure I could even name one kid growing up that was very religious. TMB was actually a big eye opener into just how religious some American upbringings are.
First_Council_of_Nicaea From my very rudimentary understanding, the modern Biblical stories were largely created as a way to unify a large swath of people. Very much political in its origins.
Right, so I guess my question for people who follow/adhere to religions, or believe in their version of a higher power, yet acknowledge this truth - how do you square it? Doesn’t that make it all suspect/highly unlikely?
I'm sure a lot of people are in this same boat: I'm agnostic and don't claim to have any definitive knowledge of afterlife, etc. However, my girl gets continual positivity from her adherence to her religion so I'm by no means going to say anything negative towards her life enjoyment and fufilment. And.... if she's wrong it won't matter anyway since we'll both be deceased. She's signifigantly smarter than me - but still have to pretend santa claus exists for our loved ones.
A couple main beefs about religion: 1) Everyone believe their religion is right, but logically this is impossible to be true. So billions of people are and have wasted their lives believing in things that aren't true, but the cruel thing is you won't know the answer until you die 2) Using the external motivation of eternal salvation for why you're a good person actually means you're a pretty shitty person instead
I was raised Catholic. Never able to ask questions, etc. was always a problem for me. I was also smacked with rulers by nuns, which didn’t make much sense to me either as a child. I guess it was a few years ago but I went to mass with my wife, mother-in-law and wife’s aunt. Father Dipshit who was 300 years old doing mass went on a 10-minute rant on the terrors of homosexuality and followed that up with outright soliciting extra money from everyone because “we’ve got this beautiful new building to pay for.” The aunt that was there has a daughter that’s married to another woman. They’re both Dr’s, wife’s cousin being a leading neuro surgeon in NYC. She’s been around the world helping to teach, treat and assist with serious medical issues. She’s been on the frontlines of covid and has been interviewed on TV about once a month. As I sat there listening realizing this lady next to me is listening to this man (or leader of this house of god) ridicule her child for being a lesbian, I was fuming. Especially when she’s done and will continue to do more for people than this mother fucker ever will. I was out. I’d had it. I believe in a higher power, whether their name is Jesus or not doesn’t matter to me.
My parents (hardcore Presbyterian) meeting my fiancé who also had a girlfriend at the time was quite the dinner discussion.
This isn't even close to being true. I don't hate homosexuals. Do I think homosexuality is a sin? Yes. Just like many other things. That doesn't mean I hate homosexuals. This is why I hardly ever talk about my beliefs here is because they get misconstrued. People will assume things and put words in my mouth based on their real life interaction with other "Christians".
Baptized and confirmed Catholic. Received by the episcopal church a couple of years ago. In both of these faiths I have encountered people who are radically socially progressive, sometimes in an overtly political way, sometimes in an apolitical way. Becoming more involved as an adult—in the episcopal church in particular—has undoubtedly moved me to the “left” on many issues. It was a catholic priest’s homily that caused me to change my mind about capital punishment. Being active in my faith serves as a constant reminder and motivation to go out of my way to treat others with more respect, kindness, and dignity than I might have otherwise done. Religion (certainly not just Christianity) has and is used and abused by some to do wicked things and hurt people. My personal experience has been very different. I do admit feeing a lot of contempt and disdain for the stereotypical southern US Christian evangelicals (and those like them) because I believe they completely and totally miss the mark in Christ’s teachings and do more harm than good. So, I understand why people have a negative view of Christianity, even if I disagree.
I would agree with this. I'm a southern baptist but my faith is more personal to me. I tend not to take sermons at face value and allow myself to ask questions about my faith which I explore through prayer, scripture and meditation. I've gotten into arguments with other Southern Baptist Church's in the past through my work and it seems to be a lot of the elderly and boomers that are hung up on teachings of the church and not Christ. Seems to be shifting away from that with our younger generation that really believe in loving and serving others.
I've always thought it interesting that a lot of hardcore Baptists can read all about what Jesus said and see his interactions with the Pharisees who basically used religion as a tool to feel above certain people and have zero self reflection. Way too many damn Pharisees. From the outside looking in, I also think it's interesting how a lot of Christians whether consciously or not spend a lot more time dwelling on things Paul said than things Jesus said.
I was the head of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the New Orleans Metro when I was in high school - I'm now a polygamist that sells alcohol for a living. This is the type of poor decision making that gets Trump elected guys.
I've had many conversations with a bunch of things Paul taught that I can't wrap my head around. I don't think anyones faith should ever be closed. My faith has also been shaped by AA and being around addicts and alcholics. I've spent time in jail, homeless, and have used government programs to build my life back. I think everyone needs a community to grow and thrive but people not being teachable, willing to accept their faults, and their inability to grow prevent people from finding true peace in faith. They then build walls around their religion and act holier than everyone else. Some people in this thread mentioned how Christians act better than everyone else. I don't think that's a true tenet of Christ as he taught us we are all extremely broken and flawed. I'm a fuck up just like everyone else but have found a peace and hope that works for me and I truly hope others can find that somewhere through something in their life's journey.
Definitely a theist, but more agnostic than certain. I absolutely understand and find it completely acceptable that the universe may not have any deities, but I personally believe in God.
Grew up a Jehovahs Witness and was quite zealous up until I was about 15. Drifted away navigating standard teenage issues (there’s really no place for an asshole inside that religion) but went on believing in god without wavering up until I had children. Was always taught that god was the father, to love and fear him as such. When I became I father I couldn’t comprehend how he’d allow such pain and suffering on his children because it took me about 5 minutes with my daughter in my arms to know I’d die if it meant she’d never hurt. That basically started me questioning everything and not being able to make any logical sense of it all. I certainly wish I could believe again because with the way the world is that comfort would be truly welcomed. I just can’t. I certainly don’t hold it against anyone who does.
since you said we could ask you anything... how do you get past the systematic molestation of children and the covering up of said molestation and continued endangerment of other children by just assigning known pedo priests to other parishes?
Yes I’m religious Yes I understand why people aren’t Yes I understand I don’t always act religious because I’m a flawed person, but I’m not a self-righteous asshole who condemns others I’m not a “preach from mountain top” guy but I’ll gladly share my faith if asked. A lot of zealots and horrible people have given religion a bad name, I can’t defend that I think a lot of people get jammed up between the Letter of the Law & the Spirit of the Law. I can’t quote bible verses, My 21st century intellect refuses to believe in every single thing the Bible says. That being said, I believe in the “message” of the New Testament. I believe in grace, humility, forgiveness, second chances and whatnot. not trying to write some epiphany level post or change anyone’s mind. There are days I’m better at being religious than others but that’s on me
I believe we're just a bunch of sentient primates living on a rock that's hurtling through space at 60,000 mph, and there ain't nothing waiting for us when the lights go out. Eat Arbys.
my dad who went to catholic school all the way through with nuns the whole thing and almost went to become a catholic priest when he finished HS left the church with this being the breaking point his story isn't a rare one either according to him
I voted yes. I was in middle school when we started attending church so didn’t really grow up with it. Was married in a Catholic Church, my wife grew up Catholic. We did not have a full mass, that was something I told her I absolutely didn’t want but then the church told us that wasn’t an option anyway since I wasn’t Catholic so that worked. I haven’t been a regular church attendee in some time but I still believe in a higher power/God and still consider myself a non denominational Christian. I also question a lot of things and have issues with organized religion. I had a lot more typed out but it became a rambling mess about my issues and questions
My dad was Episcopalian, my mom RC. He switched to RC for her and I spent my first 10 years in that church. They realized women/gays/etc. have no role in the RC, so in ‘84 we went Episcopalian. About a decade later my dad retired from the USAF and got his Masters in Theology and became an Episcopal priest.
Grew up Catholic and think it’s a scam. It makes no sense to me that a child rapist in his last moments of life can accept God and Jesus and will be granted entry to heaven, while a righteous person who doesn’t believe is doomed to a eternity of damnation. I’m not sure if there is a higher power and what I’m doing in life isn’t trying to gain its respect. I try to live a life where I do good and if that isn’t enough when my time comes, then kiss my ass.
If somehow Christianity is right and Peter tells me I can’t come to heaven because I didn’t believe and spread the word, I’ll most certainly tell him to fuck off and laugh at the hypocrisy while taking the escalator to hell
I hate religious zealots and want to punch any motherfucker that pushes their religion onto others unless they been asked by that other person. I am also a huge fan of Separation of Church and State, that said I come from a long line of Catholicism from both sides of my family (Irish and Mexican) very loosely consider myself Catholic still .........basically modified it to fit my own beliefs
I truly feel like “God” is a means of control. The concept of an all-powerful being who oversees and judges everything is a great way to get people to fall in line with minimal effort from the establishment — especially in primitive times where education and resources were nonexistent. I also feel as if “God’s will” is an easy way to dismiss or overlook things that happen and move about your day instead of having to think about them and ask questions. That’s why hypocrisy is so rampant — there’s no disconnect in the contradiction if it’s the wish of “God” because “God” can do whatever he wants due to that whole “being all-powerful” thing.
Living in the south I often forget how many people are catholic or grew up catholic. Just not as common down here even though it’s the most common faith.
People are allowed to make mistakes, learn from them, and become better people. Pretty long transition period from college to your 30s for anything to happen “suddenly”.
I think you could classify the large majority of people as agnostic. They are decidedly uninterested in the topic or discussing it and potentially being in a confrontation they don’t care about. I would think probably most of the users who see this thread title and don’t bother to click on it are agnostic.
Grew up Greek Orthodox but have been to church maybe 2 times since I graduated high school outside of weddings/baptisms. I guess I’m agnostic nowadays but still do feel a cultural connection to the church. I’d like to get married in the church one day but I don’t know if that’s a feeling of guilt towards my mom or what We didn’t go every week but went at least 1-2 times per month.
Been to Catholic Mass weddings. Everyone can and should have the wedding they want. No one has to attend the ceremony. Saying that they’re long and half way you’re looking at your watch constantly.
I did say you could ask me anything! I'm comfortable having stood for a long time in the growing number of laity that demand accountability and justice for those who have had these terrible things happen to them and refuse to accept priests getting a free pass for doing terrible things. The diocese I just moved to just had to deal with this in a manner where I'm sure 25 years ago they would have tried to sweep a priest into a new parish without much fanfare, but the laity demanded transparency and refused to accept the priest into any parish unless there was an independent review of the case and subsequent charges filed in the event that wrongdoing was found, and needless to say that priest isn't around anymore. What I'm pleased with is the reaction wasn't "Ok, good." by the laity, rather "No, we're not done with this. This needs to be transparently reviewed and prosecuted if needed, regardless of where this guy is going." So to answer your question, I'm not satisfied with how the church all the way up to the Pope is handling it, and I demand better, and it's going to take more parishioners from inside to continue to get the transparency that people on the outside presume should come. More and more people are doing the same, which is good. I think the demand has to come from internally to have the church look at itself in the mirror and truly provide transparency and accountability, and I don't believe this is just a sex scandal thing - this should be how LBGTQ+ are looked at, how antiquated societal or religious views are looked at, and as the world evolves, so should religion. I myself aren't aligned with everything the Catholic Church says I should be, because I'm not a fucking sheep. I enjoy that there is freedom within the bounds of my faith to think for myself, I like being challenged on those beliefs, and I think people who follow something blindly are playing with fire (unless you have a gambling guy on Twitter who is really good). I worked in many areas of the church as a youth and had nothing but completely appropriate experiences with priests. It pisses me off to no end that others did not have the same experience, and every priest who acted in that manner should be in fucking jail. I don't care if you are 80 and did it 50 years ago. Go rot. As it relates to present time, priests are also in short supply now, so I think eventually the church is going to have to look at a structure where they can marry, which candidly I believe solves a lot of this (Will there still be shitty humans walking around as priests? Obviously), though I don't believe I'll see it in my lifetime. Fair response?