Was it your family or just a family member? Perhaps a close friend or something you were raised in.
Most of my firends seemed to be Athiest expect my best friend he's not really sure what he belives. My dad was an Athiest no doubt it he conisdered those of all religions weak. My mom calls herself a Christian but talk to her & you would think she's a Pagan without a path, shes always talking about giving back to the Earth & taking care of it. I really had no influence or no one to really point me in a direction. Even these days I am pretty much on my own.
Full Version: Who influenced you?
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Unexplained Mysteries > Spirituality, Religion and Beliefs
Pop Pop The rabbi was my Hero. The Herriet Tubbman of the Jewish underground during the Hollocaust, Heavenly Father is My true hero though.
Love Omnaka
Love Omnaka
My parents of course... they instilled some good and unique values. I don't believe the same things they do (not even close), however, the faith and religion I chose supports everything they taught me growing up. Simplicity, honor, equality, respect, non-violence, deep thought, meditations, and charity.
Hmmm my parents are atheist/agnostic types. But not overtly - like if forums were around then they certainly wouldn't have taken part 
We just didn't really discuss religion, just got the basics all good parents give; be loving, generous, not cruel etc.
Probably someone who influenced the way I think about life, was one of my boyfriends friends when I was about 20. He is now some genius maths professor or something. But he elevated atheism from beyond the simple and sometimes reactionary "Don't have a belief, bah humbug Christianity" to the "Well how are you going to form a moral and ethical framework from which to live?" He could really take a razor to your beliefs (in a most polite way imaginable) and show you how they were inconsistent or hypocritical. Only if you were interested and started the ball rolling< he is no attack dog. If someone is right they are right and you just couldn't fight a lot of his logic.
Out of everyone I have chanced upon he has probably, looking back, had the most impact on me.
He is way cool
We just didn't really discuss religion, just got the basics all good parents give; be loving, generous, not cruel etc.
Probably someone who influenced the way I think about life, was one of my boyfriends friends when I was about 20. He is now some genius maths professor or something. But he elevated atheism from beyond the simple and sometimes reactionary "Don't have a belief, bah humbug Christianity" to the "Well how are you going to form a moral and ethical framework from which to live?" He could really take a razor to your beliefs (in a most polite way imaginable) and show you how they were inconsistent or hypocritical. Only if you were interested and started the ball rolling< he is no attack dog. If someone is right they are right and you just couldn't fight a lot of his logic.
Out of everyone I have chanced upon he has probably, looking back, had the most impact on me.
He is way cool
actually no one influenced me other than what ever spiritual pull I already have. I was raised Catholic and even when making my first holy communion I thought it ( christianity) was bunk although it was more feeling than thought. I was too young to put those feelings into words, once I finally broke ---------- aaahhhhhhhhh like a cold drink on a hot day. I followed my heart finally. a yoke lifted so to speak.
and it's been a peck and place belief since. nothing set in stone since it's impossible to keep God in a box and understand at the same time IMO
and it's been a peck and place belief since. nothing set in stone since it's impossible to keep God in a box and understand at the same time IMO
QUOTE (Clovis @ May 2 2008, 02:56 PM) 
It all depends. I value the wise and happy above all others. Nothing is more important than being wise and happy and they seem to go hand in hand but hey ignorance can be bliss too. If someone has individual prestige and I need to accomplish something they have then I would use them as a role model. If someone has societal status and I want some of what they have then it is time to follow their footsteps. If someone has a high educational level and I want to learn their view out of curiosity and their brilliant minds wax eloquent on any topic then I turn to them. Personal accomplishments might be last on the list here but they are almost first and foremost in my mind. My dad was a good father and husband so I want to follow his practical example. My mother always cared for what others think and feel so I want to follow her emotional example. My wife loves with all her heart and I want to learn from her how to love with all mine. Those three people have made great personal accomplishments and are my first and foremost role models above all else.
Everything and everybody ,especially Mystery Science Theatre 
My Dad taught me to respect the natural world. My Mother taught me not to take any guff from anyone and to fight for the things I believe in. My late Wife taught me to be responsible. When I was called by the Goddess a friend pointed me in the right direction. My friend who invited me to join my Pagan group has taught me many things. Most of my religious experience has been an exploration of self as Pagan religions should be. Now at fifty I notice I am starting to influence others, which scares the heck out of me.
LOL Everybody of course. Starting with my grandma and parents, through wonderful teachers and treasured friends.
For the last 35 years, my wife.
Even some of the diverse and articulate people on this forum in the last 3 years including those i dont always agree with. you often learn more from peolpe you disagree with than those you are in total agreeance with.
But underlying that, and always, from birth orally, and from the age of two through reading , the thoughts ideas and worlds encapsulated in all sorts of literaturer from comics, through books, to the knowledge of the world.
I still get a kick just from reading a dictionary and learning a few new words every day. or learning and memorising something that i never knew before.
And, never to forget, my own inner voice(s) including logic, intelligence, intuition, emotions, etc from the time my mum told me what it was sometime before i started school.
For the last 35 years, my wife.
Even some of the diverse and articulate people on this forum in the last 3 years including those i dont always agree with. you often learn more from peolpe you disagree with than those you are in total agreeance with.
But underlying that, and always, from birth orally, and from the age of two through reading , the thoughts ideas and worlds encapsulated in all sorts of literaturer from comics, through books, to the knowledge of the world.
I still get a kick just from reading a dictionary and learning a few new words every day. or learning and memorising something that i never knew before.
And, never to forget, my own inner voice(s) including logic, intelligence, intuition, emotions, etc from the time my mum told me what it was sometime before i started school.
The Pope.
No one really influenced me per se, I was always around friends and family who truly loved God, however, my decision to believe in Christ was my own personal decision, no one forced me. And ever since, life has been awesome for me! 
--Mandalore--
--Mandalore--
QUOTE (norwood1026 @ Jun 23 2008, 07:21 PM)
Was it your family or just a family member? Perhaps a close friend or something you were raised in.
Most of my firends seemed to be Athiest expect my best friend he's not really sure what he belives. My dad was an Athiest no doubt it he conisdered those of all religions weak. My mom calls herself a Christian but talk to her & you would think she's a Pagan without a path, shes always talking about giving back to the Earth & taking care of it. I really had no influence or no one to really point me in a direction. Even these days I am pretty much on my own.
Most of my firends seemed to be Athiest expect my best friend he's not really sure what he belives. My dad was an Athiest no doubt it he conisdered those of all religions weak. My mom calls herself a Christian but talk to her & you would think she's a Pagan without a path, shes always talking about giving back to the Earth & taking care of it. I really had no influence or no one to really point me in a direction. Even these days I am pretty much on my own.
I was influenced particularly by a Rabbi. However, the Rabbi only made clearer thoughts and feelings I already had. As I learn more and more I come to realize that Judaism contains beliefs that I had before going to it. It contains beliefs which even before I went to it I considered logical. As I listened to the lectures of the Rabbi, I had decided that I would have to leave christianity if I would remain devoted to Truth as I promised God I'd be. I also should point out that I probably wouldn't have left christianity if it weren't for a UM member who sent me a link to the Rabbi's website.
My Father is a alcoholic, and a free Mason, so obviously I didnt take anything he said to heart. My Mother believed the God of the bible, but after I had learned about the bible its self, I found that she really didnt know what she believed. None of my friends growing up believed the God of the bible either. But there was always somthing inside me that just believed Christ was the answer, even though I knew nothing about it at the time. Then one day (when I was about 19 years old) I was walking past this church, and decided to check it out. The pastor there took me under his wing and showed me nearly all I know about the bible. After witnessing a couple miricals (and experiancing one myself) I never looked back, and have believed since, in the truth of Christs message.
I'll have to say my philosophy teacher. I was born in a Christian family, but they weren't the best role models. -_-
My parents influenced me towards christianity for the earlier part of my life. I had just always accepted the vague answers because I had been told the beliefs were not to be questioned. Then about five years ago, perhaps 6, I just started thinking about it. From there I started asking questions in an attempt to get good answer to my questions about the existence of god. But all I ever got was the "god works in mysterious ways" and "you just have to have faith" rubbish. From there I decided that it isn't for me. I kind of went through an agnostic stage after that, but only for a few months. Then I decided that until a good, solid bit of evidence shows up for the existence of god(s) then I will not bother with it and have been an atheist since. So in answer to the OPs question, I guess my personal desire for knowledge is what influenced me to be where and who I am today.
The love I have recieved from you, My brother and sister, and the love I recieve from Father and Mother(God, Has influenced my life and Beliefs .
Love Omnaka
Love Omnaka
QUOTE (Omnaka @ Jun 24 2008, 08:17 PM)
The love I have recieved from you, My brother and sister, and the love I recieve from Father and Mother(God, Has influenced my life and Beliefs .
Love Omnaka
Love Omnaka
Somebody comes to mind when I read your posts.
I love Mike Myers
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