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Date: 4/13/2001 9:09:00 AM
I am 21, have been raised by my grandmother who is a STRICT baptist. I now have a two year old son and I know I would never make him be religiious or mold him into the perfect follower. Growing up as a young christian girl going to church and church meetings almost the whole week long, I always had a sense of unhealthy shame that lingered over my head for alot of things including and above all; being human because my grandmother had drilled the thought that everyone sins and everyone is bad and there is nothing you can do about it but pray that god might take mercy on you for being born. The constant guilt I felt was very depressing and in my younger teenage years it got so bad that I believed that there was something wrong with me and I did not deserve to even be alive and so I would try to take my own life. Thankfully it didn't go as well as planned and now years later here I am with so many joys in my life. Sometimes I still feel guilty mabey because subconciously I feel like I do not deserve all the joy I have been handed, but deep down I know I do. But I do agree strongly with your point. Long after my grandmother is gone I know her guilt ridden voice will still haunt me but everyday I get stronger and try to keep in mind that she thought she was trying to raise me right so I forgive her yet I do not attend church with her anymore. I am not saying that I am an athiest now or anything because in my purest of times I did feel a strong god-like presence. Everyone but the athiests around the world believe in some type of god, be it evil or pure. But everyone is fighting about all the details of a god they have never met. They refuse to take a step back and realize that the one thing all these religious groups have in commen is the fact that they believe in some sort of higher power. I think people should just skip the details and all band together to just believe in 1 GOD. And know that God loves. All these preachers I've preach "GOD'S WORD" all they do is instill fear in you, fear of sinning (which leads to the fear of living your life with enjoyment) and the fear of god. If it's one thing I know god would not want us to fear him, just to believe and love, and to live in peace, which like the religious groups you mentioned in other countries are not doing. I have my own religion, it is not an occult, I do not want followers. I think people should do their own thing instead of being followers wether it be the military, a church, or some sort of occult. These things are for people who either do not want to or cannot think for themselves, they need to follow and listen to others. mabey someday they will learn. thank you. LORI HAMILTON |
Date: 4/13/2001 10:10:00 AM
From Authorid: 31673
Anonymous Author Lori - I'm 27 years old and VERY devout in my religion and it's NOT because I can't think for myself!!! Making up your own religion does not make you wise! Author 17248 - There are people out there who have had bad experiences with organized religion, but that doesn't mean all religion is bad! Your example of the catholic church's teachings against the use of contraceptives is flawed. I'm not Catholic, but I think that the Catholic church teaches against contraceptives because the expectation is that people should only be having sex when they are in a committed marriage, and if they are married, they shouldn't delay starting their families. If the population would abstain until they are married, there'd be a significant decrease in the spread of AIDS and other STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Imagine the world without religion! We'd all run around doing whatever we want, whenever we want, with no consequences for our actions (well, people are already doing that, and look where it's gotten us). You don't think that STDs, AIDS and unwanted pregnancies would exist in a world devoid of religious values? That there would be no bloodshed, sadness and fighting? I assure you, there would be! In fact, it is the lack of values and the increasing moral decay of society that is causing a rise in abortions, AIDS, violence, hatred, etc. If people would truly embrace their religion instead of simply picking and choosing what they will believe in, most of the problems in the world wouldn't exist! Religion teaches to love unconditionally, be responsible for our actions, and provides a moral compus to guide our lives. It's people making up their own bliefs and doing whatever they want with no fear of consequences that is causing all the problems! ~Melodious  |
Date: 4/13/2001 10:12:00 AM
From Authorid: 3125
I do believe you are right in saying that many different beliefs causes wars,deaths,division, etc..I do believe that all that turmoil is and always have been very unnecessary..God teaches against all of this..God teaches unity in the matter of religion..He teaches that we all are to believe,speak,and teach the same things,with Him having the sole authority..There are many out there who have their own manmade religions and opinions and this is where all the disageements come from..If all would turn to God and let Him speak as to what is pleasing or displeasing to Him,then there would be unity instead of wars, killings,etc..If all sought to do as God says and all agreed to what God says,then all would be great..People should teach God and His will not man and their will and opinions..As for why we need God..We all need our Creator..He is our entire being..Sincerely Rusure  |
Date: 4/13/2001 10:36:00 AM
From Authorid: 23610
Hiya GlowBuggie. I agree with much of what you have said here. All religions are man made...and man is flawed...thus there are flaws in all religions. I think that if man could understand this and that....no one knows exactly who God is...and that all are searching for the answers and have to be true to their own hearts instead of following organized religions blindly....there might be the possibility of peace in the world. The only thing we know of God is that he is love and that love is the most important thing to focus on. Now...there are some who believe in no God at all...and yet they are able to be loving, kind people...religion is just not that important...If it were, Jesus would have started his own church. Instead, he spent his time here teaching others to love one another. Man later came along and made an organization out of his teachings...many times for their to achieve their own agendas....and what has it caused but dissension and even killing. I think everyone should have the right to believe whatever is in their heart without fear of ridicule or persecution. -Lady Nyx  |
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Date: 4/13/2001 11:07:00 AM
From Authorid: 31673
Well, my religion is VERY important to me, and it brings me great peace and joy and I don't follow blindly! Just because I don't go off and make up my own religion doesn't mean I can't think for myself or that I am a blind follower. If I remember correctly, Jesus DID establish a religion - Christianity!! AND he called 12 Apostles, whom he instructed and directed, to be at its head. Yes, man has twisted it, broken off and formed their own version of the church Jesus Christ established, but that doesn't mean organized religion lacks truth! And it doesn't mean there's no absolute truth. That nobody really knows anything about God, so we should just do and believe whatever we want. People say Christians are judgmental, yet it seems we are the most stereo typed and "judged" people on earth. I say I'm Christian, and automatically everyone assumes I go around "witnessing" (I don't even know what that means!) to everyone, and that I'm a blind follower who can't think for myself! That's simply NOT TRUE! And completely unfair! ~Melodious |
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Date: 4/13/2001 11:13:00 AM
From Authorid: 23610
LOL...Melodious...once again, I am not talking about you. It's okay. -Lady Nyx |
Date: 4/13/2001 11:24:00 AM
From Authorid: 31673
I know you're not talking about me! I just don't think it's fair to say that someone who participates in organized religion is a blind follower. Some people may be blind followers, but that's not the fault of organized religion. I also disagree that religion is not that important! Maybe it's not to you, but to millions of people in this world, it IS! And Jesus DID establish a religion, so there is a purpose for it, and different groups interpret his teachings differently, but the general principles are not man made. That's all I'm trying to get across! Have a happy day!  Melodious |
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Date: 4/13/2001 1:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 24924
WHY is it that Christians THINK/BELIEVE that in order for someone to have good, high moral standards, have honesty & integrity, that they MUST have religion or believe in some god!!?? They do not hold a manoply on such things! They rant and rave about "godliness" and make such riduculous statements as: "The commies are taking over the world!" and blame everything on the lack of "god"! The present chaotic stage of humanity is NOT, as some wishfully maintain, caused by lack of faith but by too much UNREASONING, UNBENDING, RIGIDITY, and too many conflicting faiths within these boundaries where such faith should have no place. The chaos is one that ONLY RESPONSIBLE human KNOWLEDGE can reduce to order. Man has choice and responsibility. He must choose and NOT blame the devil, or god, or ANYOTHER thing. To those who say they do not follow blindly, well, you just might be an exception, but it has been my many years of experince that I had within the christian faith/church, as as a christian, THAT the following blindly thing was and is exactly that. I've seen more stubborn, bullheaded, rigid, manipulating religious freaks, it boggles the mind! I've run up against MANY (not all!) who are so dogged, with ears nailed shut, who , if their god himself came down and told them that , say, for example: "Atheism is not a religion", they STILL would say "But..but..but I still think it is!" and refuse to open eyes and ears to that which does not jive with their rigid , dyed in the wool, way of thinking, no matter what evidential facts are presented. I'ts taken me many years, and is STILL an ongoing process, to peel away, and rid myself of all that religious guilt, suppression, fanaticism, tunnel vision, blind acceptance, etc...heaped upon me for so many years. Talk about being RE-BORN!! We have religion because people NEED, WANT and will always NEED, and WANT something to lean on, something to blame things on, something to use as an explanation of sorts, and because it is easier to just "give to the lord" instead of relying on their own mind, and their own strengths. The Thinker  |
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Date: 4/13/2001 2:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 31673
Hi Thinker! I get what you're saying and I agree that there are many bullheaded and stubborn people out there. But is that the fault of the religion, or the person? I know I have been bullheaded, and set in my ways at times, but I take full responsibility for my behavior. I DO NOT blame them on religion, God, the Devil, or anyone else. I still have a lot to learn about what it truly means to be "Christlike" and to have unconditional love for all . . . that's why I go to church; to study the life and example of Jesus Christ so I can learn to exemplify that. True belief in God and Jesus Christ requires unconditional love, charity, patience, kindness, service to others, etc. I admit, I still have a lot to learn. But that's MY shortcoming, not Organized Religion's. (P.S. I know that debate the other day got heated. You made good points and I'm sorry if I offended you! Like I said, I still have A LOT to learn!!) Melodious |
Date: 4/13/2001 3:50:00 PM
From Authorid: 11528
It's all about mind and behaviour control as far as Im concerned. You dont need god to be a good and kind person. Bye for now. Enki  |
Date: 7/11/2001 8:27:00 AM
From Authorid: 10915
Well, what about those who don't have God in there lives and yet still kill for the thrill of it? The only thing that I can say to this is to check into your face and read the deep history of it and see if it is to you liking. But at the same time, many have to see if their faith preaches the truth and if it is in harmony with God's purpose and if it is based on biblical beliefs. Not man made. Are they doing what Jesus did, or do they take it upon themselves to play God? I agree with you on the fact of the bloodshed that so-called Christians has done in the name of God, but look at who they are and why they did. That is not to say not to say that everyone who claims to represent God is God-fearing or a real Christian and follower of Christ.  |
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Date: 7/11/2001 8:28:00 AM
From Authorid: 10915
Forgive the errors in my comment. I meant faith and anything eles u see as a mistake, forgive me. |
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17248 Category:(Discussion) Created:(4/13/2001 6:11:00 AM)