What's your Religion?

I was raised Catholic and also attended a Lutheran church on occasion.

I spent much of my young adulthood away from the church.

Currently we attend an awesome nondenominational Christian Contemporary church...that freaking ROCKS OUT!

I love Christian contemporary music and the music at this place is 2nd to none.

And the pastor is one cool dude, and a great teacher.

You can see more here: (and you can watch service live...Saturday evenings, or one of 2 Sunday services)

www.destinyworship.com

the place is not your grandfathers church. It is casual, professional, and has a coffee bar...cafe'...awesome lounge...etc. We often arrive early and have coffee and snacks prior to service. Meet friends new & old.

This church does great work in our community, as well as Missions around the world.

It is the highlight of my week. Serious!

 

I'll admit there are some angry atheists out there, but I've met plenty of Christians who can't handle the fact that people don't necessarily agree with them. Many of your questions can be directed back at Christians (with the appropriate subsittitions of course).

Highlighted my changes.


Why do so many Christians find it necessary to tell me about God, try to convince me to become Christian? Do they think I haven't heard it before? I don't care if they don't agree with me, I let it go. Not my problem. And I don't care if you say "Jesus Christ" in front of me; I have friends who pray for me, and regardless of our religious differences I thank them for their prayers, because they are expressing thier care for me in the way that fits thier beliefs. They never whine about why I'm not praying for them when I say, "You're in my thoughts, let me know if I can do anything to help." And this is true of the majority of the Christians I know. In fact, when I run into the other type, who can't afford me the same level of respect I give them, I don't befriend them.

So why would the fact that I'm an atheist offend Christians? Why when an atheist group buys a billboard reading, "Don't believe in God? Neither do we. [Contact information for a local secular/atheist group]" do the members of that group receive death threats (the billboard doesn't take exception to religion at all, it's purely aimed at people who already don't believe)? Why when Fox news publishes a story on their website about an atheist does the comment section fill up with comments like, "Atheists should all die and go to Hell where they belong." and "Atheist scum doesn't belong in our God-fearing country." In light of these things your post sounds like the pot calling the kettle black.

As for Muslims, Jews, etc. I paint all religions with the same brush: theism is not a worldview I share, I believe in things for which I have evidence. And everything, including that evidence, is always open to question. You can think I'm foolish for not believing in your religion, and I can think you're insane for denying physical evidence. I'm not worried about it. Seem like there's room for all of us here, and we can even be friends without sharing the same religious beliefs.

 

Actually, I agree with your comments almost entirely but let me say that I have never, nor do I know of any Christians that have/would post comments like that. I would never condone such comments, and just because it's a blog response does not mean it's the truth or coming from a credible source--news blog responses are generally unreliable IMO. But, you'll have to forgive me, with 56 million of us in the United States alone (not including Catholics--add another 68 million), it's hard to know everyone. I did caveat my post above appropriately above, didn't I? My personal experience. So, if you or anyone else for that matter wants to be an atheist, non-theist, etc--cool. Most Christians I know would be cool with it too. If someday you want to accept Christ, you will. If not, so be it. And I agree, we don't have to be of the same religion or of no religion at all to get along here. I was in the military for 21 years... now there is a mixed bag for ya', and that machine still works out every day.

 

Sounds like you have a church like mine. Although, we are a Baptist church, we are almost entirely independent in nature and have an incredible ministry. Certainly, unlike any Baptist church I've attended before. My family loves this church and it is also the highlight of our week. Our pastor's sermons are Spirit-filled, and the music is so uplifting.

http://leonsprings.org/

Thanks for sharing... May God continue to bless you and your church family, Larry. Keep the faith.

 

Treat people with respect and treat them the way you wish to be treated. Who needs a church for that?
I stopped believing in Santa a long time ago as well.
Religion is wonderful for those who seek it. Not so much for those who don't. More blood has been shed in the name of Jesus Christ than any other cause in human history.

 

Quakers talk the talk AND walk the walk. I definitely respect them the most.

 

I posted from my personal experience as well. As for the blog comments, to their credit, Fox actually removed the hateful comments and even death threats on the particular story, but not before it was screen captured and posted on a number of secular-oriented Facebook groups. Reliable or not, there are people out there who claim Christianity and publicly post that sort of thing.

And the numbers game cuts both ways: 1 in 5 people in the US is non-religious; hard to answer for all of them.

 

Having grown up among Quakers I say they are about average. Some really, adamantly live thier beliefs, some just show up on Sunday.

 

Fixed, the religion doesn't tell them to only go to church every other Sunday (if even that).

 

Thank you Bob. And bless you and yours as well.

 

As far as the debate is concerned...

Just remember all, that you are very fortunate to live in a free country that allows you to follow the faith of your choice (or not).

[the above assuming most here are posting from You-Ess-of-A]


Back to the debate...
I find that many/most who are not believers are militant in their position. many/most are politically left. The left in this country promotes "secularism" because it removes judgement from their lives, and allows them to justify lifestyles that they otherwise know damn well is not right (no pun intended) within their conscience. [but then we are into politics and that is a different debate for a different forum and time]

I know this because I have lived it myself...a free-for-all lifestyle of "sex...drugs...and rock & roll" (to use a cliche')

The best part of Christianity is redemption. if it is genuine in your heart. Jesus Christ died on that cross for this purpose because we are all born into this world as sinners. and many of us take the sinnin' to a "whole 'nuther level"...self included.


The ancient history of it is intriguing enough that most should at least read a modern writing (because it's easy and current)...

One more thing...
Christians do not try to convert you for themselves...they do it to try and save your mortal soul....

You do have car insurance don't you?

 

Hello to all who are reading these responses to the questions about God & religion. Well here is what I know from what my bible says; Religion is a set of rules, some of which were set up by the " religous leaders ", and God Himself even gave us the 10 commandments. We all fall short ! Therfore we ( humanity ) can never be good enough, we all have failed at some of these requirements, but thanks to God, he has made a way for us to be forgiven! My bible tells me that Jesus was in the begining of creation with God, and my bible tells me He was God. He, God, came to earth in the flesh as a human, Jesus. He came to show us the way to live. The authorities didn't believe, and had Him crucified. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world,when He said, just befor He died...." forgive them father for they don't know what they are doing. After Jesus was dead and burried He rose from the dead and many people talked with Him. Jesus told the diciples that He was going to the Father (God in heaven) and that He would leave them a helper. He was refering to the Holy Spirit who indwells the believers, thus compleating the Father, Son and Holy Spirit which represent the trinity. So, for all who accept the fact that Jesus was the Son of God, who came to earth as Jesus
Christ for the forgivness of our sins can have eternal life in Heaven with God! I hope this might help those of you who are searching for the truth, God bless you.

 

So if you will no longer exist, what are you living for? What do you look forward to? Nothing? Or just the next day. If you will no longer exist what's the purpose to life?

With this mentality, it's easy to simply live for self which leads to pride. Whether your christian or not, being self absorbed isn't a great concept.

Atheists don't believe believe in God, but they do believe. They tend to try and pull people with them with a message that you can live your life however you want. If we lived our lives how the world wanted us to and did what our 'hearts' told us (following self) we would have more murders, drugs, rapes, etc. God's plan for us is to better ourselves, and people who ACTUALLY follow his law (few christians do) benefit. Christianity brings a message of hope, love and redemption. It's nothing but good, we don't try to push it on anyone nor expect anyone to believe it.

It basically starts with hey, you're loved, God loves you and wants you to live with him eternally.

 

Leggo: Is that statement above a fact or your assumption? If it's a fact--what's the source? I just want to be able to read it for myself. I just happen to be starting a new book that states, "Islam is responsible for the murders of 270 million people across the world--more than any other religion on earth." (They Must Be Stopped by Brigitte Gabriel, 01/2010, pg 3)

I do agree with your first sentence above tho'.

 

I was going to write an actual response but why? This thread went from a lighthearted conversation where we seemed to agree that there was room for all of us to have our opinions to a debate about why atheists are drugged out hedonists with nothing to live for.

Personally, I had no idea that being a drug addict or sleeping around was a prerequisite for not believing in God. Until I read this morning's posts I didn't even know I did drugs. I guess I'm just so drunk and coked out I don't remember being a druggie hedonist. Yeah, that's it.

If you go to heaven where everything is better, what are you living for? Why would you want to remain on Earth?

Not sure that's true, because....

Thanks. Oh man, I wish I could remember how it goes... "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3. Worry about your own soul, I'll worry about mine.

So long, friendly religion thread. I think I can sum up by saying: IBTL!

 

jus sayin'

 

It's not a fact I can quote for you. I merely assume it to be true. Thinking about the crusades and all wars fought in the name of Christ over the last couple thousand years, all the conflicts that result from the spread of Christianity. All the people murdered under the corrupt popes up to WWII. I just don't here much about Muslim's, I think now they are as guilty.
Maybe it's religion in general I need to blame for the mass murders of millions throughout history.

 

Whow Beth, it's okay no need to pull up all the defenses nobody is pointing a finger at you. By the way, I never said or implied that atheists are drug addicts. I know a few and they are great people, we just divide on beliefs.

Maybe you misunderstood but I don't want to remain on earth, because frankly, it sucks here. I want to go to heaven for that exact reason, because everything is better! It will be perfect as the bible states, and I will be living for my God who created me.

I do look at my own flaws and the speck in my eye, I am not perfect, I don't saying everything correctly. I'm nothing but a sinner and a vessel for Christ. I fall, and God's grace saves me, but I do try to better myself for His glory.