Interest Poll: what is your religious background?

I was raised Catholic. I always believed in God and Jesus; but not so much the organized catholic religion. After my parents divorce during my teen years and the annulment they were granted I really began searching else where. I just couldn't understand how the "church" wiped away my parents marriage as if it never had existed. What about me and my sister...what were we???

Anyway, I went to the bible for answers and found them. I consider myself a christian who believes in a God who so very much loves this world and sent His Son to die for our sins.

I now am married with two children who I raise with these beliefs. I love the simple faith that children have. I have love listening to my children talk to God. It's beautiful, so simple and pure; whatever is on their mind they just talk to God.

Anyway, living now up in Vermont and I am far from the bible belt of any kind...LOL
And I am far from perfect by any standards: don't attend church on a regular basis, wrong music, indulge in a glass of wine or two, f word has been known to fly out of my mouth a time or two... but I know I am a child of God and I would be totally lost without Him or the peace that surpasses all understanding that He brings and has brought to my life.

Michelle
 
I am Jewish. I belong to a Reform congregation with the inscription over the door "My house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples". Our congregation opens its door to anyone who wants to worship and learn. :)

Valerie
 
Both of my parents are Jewish by birth, though my father is an aetheist--or at least agnostic, as he believes in a creator or a "prime mover" if you will, but not in organized religion. I have to agree with him--I feel that the universe on both a micro and macro level is so complex and fascinating that there must be something behind it all. Yet I don't feel that organized religion speaks to me. Interestingly, my BF is Protestant and he comes from a long line of preachers. We get along because he respects my right, as an adult, to decide what is right for me in this very personal decision. I also have a very good friend who is an Orthodox Jew. I have been to services with her a number of times, but it just isn't right for me--I could never follow all of those rules and would just rebel against it all.

I am currently reading the "Jewish Study Bible" ("currently" meaning over the past year and still going) because I find it fascinating from a historical perspective (there's incredible commentary in the book) and because I feel I have huge gaps in my knowledge of Judaism. My BF just bought the same for his preacher dad to read, and he is finding it interesting, too.
 
For those who feel "saddened" that there are people who don't believe in God, please don't feel this way! Do you think we're unhappy, depressed people who have no direction in life and feel there is no purpose? Speaking for myself, I am not like that at all. I'm optimistic about my life in general and am very content with what I have. I'm confident my life will be very fulfilling.

However, if you're just "saddened" because you feel we're "damned," like this one poster:

>Out of fear and knowing that it also says in Revelation 20th chapter >verse 15, and whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was >cast into a lake of fire... I know there will be no athiest there, >because at that point every soul shall believe in the mighty God, and >wish for one more chance to believe in God.

Well, all I can say is, thanks for the concern (and the tolerance).
 
Elaineyue,

Are you worried about not being tolerated by another poster, Penny M I think? Well, if you read her post again you will see she is tolerating you just fine. She is quoting something she herself did not write.

Or are you worried that you are not being tolerated by the writer of the book? Don't worry- he loves everybody. He made a very clear gesture. And he gave you the freedom to not love him if you don't want to.

So stop worrying about not being tolerated. No one is forcing you to love him back. You can say you don't believe he exists.

Anyway I'm just trying to get you to look deeper behind what you wrote. All the best to you.

-Just another hypocrite
 
Interesting that we have such a cross-section of views. For me, Jesus has shown me such great love that I feel that my only response to Him can be YES, I believe and Yes, I want to do what He asks of me.
 
"as he believes in a creator or a "prime mover" if you will, but not in organized religion. I have to agree with him--I feel that the universe on both a micro and macro level is so complex and fascinating that there must be something behind it all. Yet I don't feel that organized religion speaks to me."

I guess that makes me an agnostic. DH feels the same way. Wow, never knew my belief had a "title". Thanks, Bunbun.
 
>Interesting that we have such a cross-section of views. For
>me, Jesus has shown me such great love that I feel that my
>only response to Him can be YES, I believe and Yes, I want to
>do what He asks of me.

That got me all teary eyed Amy. I feel it too. (((HUGS)))
 
I was raised Lutheran, and have always believed God exists. I wenth through the motions, but my knowledge of God was in my head, not my heart.

Now, though, it's personal. I love Jesus, and I know He's here.

When I first caught a personal glimpse of God in my own life, it was stunning. Like time stopped for a moment. I know this sounds goofy to some -- and I might've thought the same years ago if I heard somone else say the same thing.

It wasn't a life-threatening situation, or anything so dramatic as that. It was an answer to my prayers about my dh -- and I KNEW for certainty at that moment God was personally involved in my life. No doubts whatsoever. It was that clear.

I thank God for that moment, because He showed me how personal he is. He is real. He is alive. Awesome.

Marla
 
Marla,

I had similiar experiences too that only God could make happen like when driving home from the Blizzard of 93? Forget what year, but was in Delaware. Our car slid to the left just as a big tractor trailer came by. Seems like we missed hitting him by centimeters. Really. My daughter and son were in the car with me. My daughter was 6 and my son 4. Anyhow, at that moment of not knowing if we hit or not, my daughter yells out, "Mommy, look at all the angels, do you see them"? Before we even left to venture out, a coworker of mine asked if she could pray for us. She said that God told her to pray for us and she did. I got home and called her up to thank her. God sent his angels for us that day. After that time had pass, my daughter still seen angels once or twice.

Charlotte~~
 
Well, my normal answer that I think of when I hear this sort of question is that I am a born again Jesus Freak:) , hee-hee, but I never quite say it that way. That is just what I think in my head most times, but the explaination never seems actually be so simple.

I was almost nervous to keep reading down the thread because it surely had to go bad and some point and yet it hasn't! It has remained interesting all the way to the bottom, or at least to the place where I am the current bottom. This makes me happy because you are all so interesting anyway and this just adds another layer.

We go to Calvary Chapel which is a non denominational church. We do attend regularly and do bring our kids. As they have gotten old enough to make their own choice about their faith, I am happy they seem to still want to go to church. My boys are old enough and they know that if they don't want to go, they don't have to. Faith in Christ is a personal relationship that we each choose or don't choose. I can't choose this for them.

One last thing, I am very involved with our highschool youth group. I have spent many years working with teens in a variety of ways both in and out of a church setting. My whole heart is to love each and every person whether or not they ever come to a faith in Christ or not. I live my life that way. It's not that I don't care what someone believes, but it is still their choice to believe it and it is God's job to look at each of us how He chooses. It is my job just to care about the people placed in my path.

I love you all and think you are just as facinating as ever!
 
!

>As for the Bible being another book, It says in 2nd Timothy
>chapter 3 verse 16, All scripture is given by inspiration of
>GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
>instruction in, righteousness, it also says that holy men of
>God were moved on by the spririt of God to write the things
>that are in the Bible..
>
So the Bible says that the Bible is the word of God.

The Bible can also be seen as a collection of teaching and of lessons on how to live a good life. But also as a way of controlling a rather savage population (which people were back in those days) and keep them from killing each other and causing total havoc(though that didn't stop the Church during the Inquisition) by making them believe that if they "sinned" (ie: didn't obey the laws) they would be punished. It may be a rather effective deterrent for many people. But some people don't need the fear of the wrath of what is portrayed as an anthropomorphic male "God" to live a good life and believe in the Golden rule, be kind to others, respect life and live in a positive way.
 
What an amazing group of people you are! I feel priveleged to be able to learn about each and every one of you. I have really, truly enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks so much everyone. :)




"you miss 100% of the shots you never take"

Debbie
 
Aila,

Not meant to distract the topic here. But I love your pictures, especially the one you took in Mt. Pocono. That reminds me of my old house. I used to leave Tamiment for 2 yrs. So many trees, hills, and Delware River...

I moved to Chicago 2 years ago.

Thanks for sharing the pictures

WantFit

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ddw98/my_photos
 
Nancy,

I was not attacking anyone's beliefs. Everyone is free to choose to believe in whatever they want. I was mearly expressing my beliefs. Mine.
By saying that Jesus was born from two people who created him is not saying anything other than my opinion. In fact, it is impossible to have a baby by any other means. This is not my belief, this, as far as i'm aware, is fact.
 
RE: !

THe Bible also prophesies of things to come, and things that have already happened, if you have an understanding of the book, you would know, Alexander the great was prophesied about in the book of Daniel, the slaughter of the Jews by Hitler was prophesied about too, Jesus and all his sufferings were prophesied about in different places by different prophet's, long before it ever happened... there are many things that were prophesied about that has already been fulfilled... People read it and they don't understand the words of the prophets, it is a mystery, they wrote it in mysteries, and it takes GOD to open your understanding.. sadly the end is also prophesied about, and there will be so many people that have cast GOD'S word aside as if it were another book, when it is the truth and tells us how to prepare our soul for the end, when GOd will return for his people and take vengeance on the ungodly... he will destroy this world with fire, every man and woman shall stand before GOD and be judged of the deeds done, wether good or bad...

It is so hard to fit it all in in this thread, I could go on for hours and show you many things to prove GODS word is true... I do have a fear of GOD, I know it is he who holds my breath in his hand, and it is he that can save me or cast me into Hell forever...

I just wish I could help everyone to see, It is so amazing when GOD let's you see it, and to feel his spirit, there is nothing like it in the whole world, GODS love is just the most incredible thing, there are no words to describe it, I wish I could let everyone have a taste of what it feels like...

there is no book in this world that descibes events from the begining to the end, that fits so perfectly together... as for evil, there has always been evil people, and there always will be, the bible says because wickedness doth abound the hearts of men are set on evil continually, it also says we were born in sin and alltogether shapen in iniquity, the sin of Adam and eve and their transgression brought this upon us all, that's why GOD made the two covenants, the old, sacrifices and offerings for sins, which wasn't perfect, so he made the new through Jesus Christ his son, who became the perfect sacrifice, he died and shed his blood, acsended up into heaven and sent back the comforter. wich is the Holy Ghost, and that we through redemption might have forgiveness of our sins, and we can go to GOD for ourselves and not through a priest, like the old covenant, we can repent and be made worthy to enter heaven... no unclean thing will be in heaven, you have to be born again, you have to be made a new creature in Christ, old things pass away and behold all things are made new...

GODS word is beautiful, I could just go on and on, remember this, the bible also says, that the ways of a man are right in his own eyes, but the end of those ways are death... Pride keeps people from GOD, he wants to offer you eternal life, in exchange for you life... To love the lord thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might, this is the first commandment...

THe Bible is about the past, which is types and shadows for us, the present, how to be saved and live our lives, and the future, things to come and then eternity... I beg you to please reconsider your beliefs, or lack thereof, read the bible with an open mind and heart and ask GOD to open your understanding, if you truly have a desire to learn about the truth, he will show you... It is not his will that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth...
 
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