As I read some of the posts there are some people who are so sure that their religion is right and everyone else's is wrong that they seem to have stopped looking for answers and instead just take everything as god's will or god's work or what ever so my question is why do you choose the religion that you do? why makes you so sure that your choice is the right one? there are more then one version of the bible so again what makes yours the correct one? and how can you be so sure of your own correct judgement that you can say for sure that you are right and others who don't follow your way are wrong?

Most people didn't choose their religion, But instead were raised into it. Others change religions.
I was raised a Catholic, But left to be an atheist, when isn't a faith or religion.

yeah that's my point there small, you choose to leave so the question is why? what makes YOU so sure there is nothing? Its an opinion question nothing more

I was a Catholic and I didn't have any choice of it. For 20 years of my life. Now I don't have any choice.>I'm happy enough now that I am educated enough not to impose a religion on anyone, just because they were born into it.

When isn't a faith or religion?

I'm not an atheist completely, I have faith, but no religious beliefs.

*I'm trying to work out "Christian Science", but I have trouble with the 'science' part.*

What makes a person athiest is not to leave behind something you thought you were taught, when you have to start all over again (reboot the system) and be aware of certain scientific facts that don't link to 'Christianity'. I'm not exactly there yet, but I can understand that frustration. Like being torn in half, when you leave to be an athiest and end up having to start over like you were being punished. 'Big Catholic Guilt' *obscure reference- hardcore techno-industrial group name*

I don't think being born into a religion is an excuse for believing in it........As an adult a person should come up with their own ideas and conclusions I think a lot of people here have done just that. That is what I'd like to know and even if you were born into it as you say there must be a reason why you stay..........why?

I've always been a curious person. When I looked at the stars at night, Or wondered how exactly we were created. When I watched my dogs play and wondered if it was actually happening. If she were actually existant, Or am I living a lifely dream? I know that may sound like the Matrix, But I always thought about these things.

When I began to really look at the Bible at the age of 12. I didn't buy it. I'd read through it, And although I wanted to believe, I couldn't. They're stories written by humans. They're boundries to keep us out of insanity, To keep us believing that there is life after death, instead of an endless dreamless sleep.

When I was younger. If I had a stomach ache or if I felt really sick. I'd pray to god to help me. In the end I would feel better in minutes. At the time I was only 9-10 years old. I thought it was God that helped me, But as I got older, I realized I was just calming myself down. Not being helped from a greater god.

I have come to realize that life is an amazing thing. Intelligent life in particular. It's rare in the universe, but not one of a kind. We're rare, Thats for sure. But that doesn't mean we're superior.

---------------

And to really answer your one question, I'm not sure. I don't know what is out there. Just the thought of the universes creation can be mind boggling to anyone. It just isn't logical enough from what know on this earth.

Though it cannot be explainable yet, It doesn't mean you should blame its creation on a superior being that watches over us all.



If their family is religious enough, going to church every Sunday and reading the bible can be a tradition or ah, I'm out of words. =\

I agree with tradition and being part of a religious family becomes almost.......well habit...but when a person grows up they choose to stay that religion or look out into the world to find out if it is really what's right for them. Some people just take a religion and put all thier hope into the idea that someday some great invisible god will make everything better if they just have enough faith. And others have faith in themselves I as a curious person like to know on which side people stand and why I don't think being born into something is an excuse for a faith that you build your life around and don't question

As children and young adults you usuallly don't go searching for God. A person who is looking for love from someone or something may search for any god or thing for comfort. So maybe as children who are loved enough at home will not have to search for any religion of sorts even if they come from an atheist family,pagan,or christian family. I on the other hand always known christianity and was brought up as a christian. I did not know of other religions. Only those seen on tv- cartoons with magic. I was not allowed to watch those because it was inappropiate at my age. So I never questioned my mother or father why I couldn't watch them. Just why magic was bad. Magic was bad because it was used by evil doers in the cartoons. So magic was prtrayed as evil. It wasn't a bad thing but a portrayl of evil. If I wanted to I could seek other religions or rely on what I know. I choose to stick with what I know because it aides me in time of need. Providing me with comfrt. If I choose to seek another religion I would be giveing up in what I believe in. Ionly think people leave a religion when it isn't right to them. But Christinaity is right for me.

from what you wrote 101 the only religion you know is christianity so how can you say that nothing would be better suited for you? You are no longer a child as a matter a fact you have one of your own so perhaps it's time that you stopped thinking that you have to do as your mom and dad say and do something for yourself and not just what you are told. You didn't choose christianity it was given to you and you have never questioned it you just follow blindly, what's the point in that?

I've tried out just about every religion known to man (except a cult). Even then, I almost joined one (unknowingly at the time, of course). Back to my point, I found that I am much happier without any religion. I used to feel so stressed out if I didn't do this or that according to whatever rules I was trying to follow. I was trying to find myself through religion, and that wasn't right for me. Since I've, I guess one could say, become agnostic, I also have found myself. I can honestly say that I am happy now, where as I could never say that before and mean it. Religion just isn't meant for everyone.

why do you always gotta be a mean person. I wrote what I thought and said what I feel. I don't say mean remarks to you. Good day.

By the way, Bacca, you're avatar is wicked cute! I'm just imagining that there's a kitty on the other end of that computer. (yea, that was a bit off topic and childish in the word usage, but, ....meh )

I don't think it is a fact of there is no excuse as an adult to think for yourself when you get older on your own ideas of religous views. If you have beliefs pounded into you for years on end, it is kind of hard not to think a certain way. I married into a specific religion, thinking I could conform to it, then finding out I could not. I am a religous person, I believe in God. But I could not conform to what the church wanted me to.

But, when you are taught one way from birth, it can be difficult. My husband grew up in a pretty religous household and still holds onto a lot of the ways in which he grew up. For example, after we had children, it took him a long time to be able to freely run up, grab one of his kids, hug and kiss them and say "I love you". It was not because he did not love them, he loves them more than anything. It is because he grew up in a household where this just was not done. It was foreign to him. Now, of course, it is like second nature for him to be able to do this and it is because he knows kids need this. It is breaking a cycle.

But, religion is a lot the same way. He grew up believing this was the way and even though I may bring something up and point out it is untrue, he will have a hard time letting go. Sometimes I think it is a sense of guilt.

Did I make sense in any of this post??? I'm not sure I expressed what I intended to.

My religion is right for me because of a miracle i encoutered that i told people here about and the skeptics basically called me "crazy" and someone that "hallucinates". Basically when i was lost in religion a cross appeared on my right hand from absolutely nothing while sitting on the bus. It was the perfect shape of a cross and i had my hands on my lap. People say i imagined it- did i imagine the tiny scars on each tip that was there days later? Some were even ridiculous enough to call my encounter a "dream". To those that were lost and confused as i was , trust me... miracles happen!

you make sense amy and I agree that it's hard and some people can never change from how they were raised. but I don't consider the inability to change a choice, do you know what i mean?

Stormi the cat usually is sitting with me as she is right now so your image isn't all wrong

and 101 I wasn't being mean only honest. You made your statements and I wrote back, or was I not supposed to do that? I said what I think as did you if you don't want to know what I have to say then skip my posts because I do have the right to reply with my opinion to something that you write.

I believe you Ramster. I have had to many people encounter such things like yourself to not believe you. sometimes signs are needed and sometimes they aren't.

bacca the fact is you only seem to question why one thinks Christianity is the right one. I am an adult and I do have a child. But once a person feels a things is right. Why fix something if it ain't broke?

It was the best thing that ever happened to me honestly. It really set me straight and clear. I still love and respect all religions. Yet God gave me a sign for what my destiny shall be. It's way better being a Christian than a lost case- of which i was. Coming from a Islamic Dad and Christian mother and not growing up religious at all- God really helped me out. Im a great person with a good heart and God see's these things, if you really seek him- you either accept the signs or blindly refuse them. I accepted mine and Thank Him daily for it!

Yup, yup! I know exactly what you mean Bacca. So, I gues the answer for my hubby would be he was born in it, no choice. I guess I was trying to explain why for some there is no choice. We have actually been inactive for quite some time, mainly because I don't want to go. Sometimes I feel deep down inside he may be questioning, but then there is always that guilt of letting go of the familiar. So, I respect it. He is a good person, never has an unkind word about anyone else's belief system. I would suppose from his point of view, he is questioning why I question things so much!

no 101 it was a question to every religion of why it was chosen but I was speaking to you now it really wouldn't be smart to talk to you about being a buddist now would it? when making direct comments to you I have to use the religion that you are which is christian. And again as I said you wouldn't know if something else fit right because you've never tried so you really didn't choose to be a christian you just are one. It's no different then being given a shirt and saying you it was your choice...because it wasn't it was just given to you so you wear it. So again you wouldn't know if it's broke because you've never looked...........but that's just my opinion

Why does one have to search for God when you aleady know and love him?

People grow accustomed to what is familiar to them.

I know many people were were born and raised in certain faiths, and they have never sought to question those beliefs.

Does this make them 'wrong' somehow? I do not think it does. Their beliefs fulfill a need in them, and they do not have to seek other paths.

I also know many people who would appear to be members of the "Religion of the Month" club. They have yet to find a faith that suits them. Does this somehow make them "righter" than those who are satified with what they have? Again, I think not.

Religion, moreso than any other subject, is a completely subjective, and personal experience.

As I am fond of saying: As long as your religion/faith brings you comfort, then it is right for YOU. It is not necessarily right for ME, however.


And, because this just occurred to me, What is your stand Bacca? You asked the question, its only fair that you answer it as well.



good journey

how do you know and love him? don't you think you should find him for yourself rather then take the word of everyone around you and believe what they do just becuase they told you as a child that that was the right way? Haven't you ever wondered if perhaps there was something different out there that may suit you better? and if you go back to where you started fine but what if? you've never looked how do you know?

My faith is me and in the spirit. No one god that watches and does nothing, no great creator. I have that faith because of things that I have seen, done, felt and honestly searched for

I don't think it was a question of searching for God. It was just a question of why you are in the relgion you are in, whatever that may be.

And, it was a good point. I believe most people are born into their religion. I don't think it is a personal attack and it doesn't mean it is wrong to be born into it.

Although, to be truly of your faith, should you not question it? If you never question it, you never ask questions and if you never ask questions, you never learn....

Why push someone on their beliefs? If it fits them, they have no need to search.

PARABLE:
If your shoes cause you pain, you try to fix them. If they still cause you pain, you look for another pair.

BUT, if your shoes fit, are presentable, and you enjoy them, you do not need to fix, or replace them.


Now, just substitute "religion" for "shoes", and you'll get my point.



good journey

There might be something that suits this person better? How do you know what would "suit" a person you dont even know? Maybe Christianity fits just right for this person? Just maybe?

JMPD:

I love your posts. They are always very thoughtful and eloquently put! We need more of that in today's world!

I did not mean you should push someone in their religion, I just meant it is always good to question. I believe it is how we learn. We ask, we get answers. There is always something new and undiscovered in every religion to learn.

Merci, Amy.

I try my best.

see your missing my point here. I don't know what suits anyone here but I also think that someone should have a reason other then I was born into it when they follow something so whole heartdly that their life revolves around it. Yes that is my opinion and no you don't have to agree with it. But just because you are born into an abusive lying house hold and it you are used to it doesn't mean that it is good for you.

Yeah on that basis i agree with you indeed. Many people convert to something else as they reach adulthood- yet some people are comfortable with what they believe in. If it feels right it most likely is right. We have free will- and some people freely chose to stay in the faith they were raised in- everyone has the option and choice to change- some do...some dont. Who cares? Christians can be really sweet, everyone knows that. So let this 101 be. 101 isn't being ignorant by not "Seeking" something else- 101 seems truely happy and why risk taking the joy away?

JMPD and Ramster put it best.

But to tell you the truth I have talked to others about their religion. I just don't find it appealing. Why buy some shoes that I do not think will become me?

basically because this isn't about 101 it was a question that she answered a responded to and now seems to be revolving around her. she wants to stay in the same place she was raised so woo hoo for her.....I've heard it enough times already






So how about everyone else what makes you choose the way you do?

Because the religion I was raised in "didn't fit" me.

I now have one that suits me to a tee.

(just to continue the habadashery imagery)

Your responses enlighten me so.

Im a Zorastrian, Zerdust for short. I didnt choose the religion but Im glad that I am a Zorastrian, cuz it is the first religion in the world and got good rules with alot of freedom. And I think freedom is very important especcially when it comes down to religions. I think Zerdust is like the most freeldomfull religion in the world. And besides in my religion you can accept other religions aswell. So no problems there.

In the area of Acient Persian Empire, everyone has two kinds of religions, one your a Muslims and second your a Zorastrian. The Muslims and Zorastrian are enemies, they have opposite ideas, and because the goverment (Mullahs) dont like Zorastrians, the people choose Muslim to be the primair religion. But the people always celebrate the Zorastrian holidays, festivals, etc aswell.
My dad is like the most anti Muslim person I have ever seen because the Mullahs destroyed his country and banned him from Iran. So I didnt wanna upset and dishonour my father and I didnt choose Muslim to be my religion instead I choose Zerdust. Later on I understanded that Zerdust is actually a much better religion and is well fit for me. Thats my reason why.

In Zerdust mankind must learn to relay on himself, so you cant blame God for anything, God made only a few rules to give humans more freedom. And there is only one version of the Zerdust religion, the original one.

well then good for you baku well put

I never heard of Zerdust religion before. Is it active here in the states?

Baku:

I've never heard of Zorastrian Zerdust before?? I am intrigued! I'm going to have to look it up and learn a little something about it.... How do you know it was the first religion? If you don't mind me asking you.

Amy

Because there was nothing to suggest there is something else (afterlife, heaven, hell etc..)
Im not perfectly 100% sure that there is nothing, but after looking and question and weighing in the evidence for and against, I personally come to the conclusion that god is unlikely based upon what I had learned as I grew up. Similar to the way I grew out of santa and the tooth fairy. I come to understand more about reality and the world. Education is what may turn you away from believing in god. It was for me. Not education that challenges god directly, but general education that lets me see a more clearer picture of the world and then I could look at the religion/god question and be able to come up with an educated opinion rather than an un-educated guess.

no need to be rude.



besides, that's what some people do. don't ask a question if you won't like the answer. i, for one, was "born into" the religion i follow, have checked out other ones, but disagree with them. so i stay where i'm at.

Well because I readed books that said it was the first religion and by that I mean books written by western sienticst. And besides the Zerdust calander is now in the year 7800. It is written pretty much on all the internet, I thought you guys knew

One of our original symbols is the swastika, but Hitler stole it and gave is a bad name. The swastika actually is supposed to be horizontal. We dont use that symbol anymore cuz it gets people confused.

The symbol represent the four elements of nature; water, fire, earth and air. Just check out the link for more info.

LINK

I wasn't rude. I was stating a point that this wasn't started to talk about 101 or her situation but rather to see what everyone thought and why they made their decision. However I agree that you shouldn't post something if you can't handle the comments back to you and continually have to complain that others are being rude because they don't agree with you. I am just making a matter of fact statement that I would like to see about everyone and not dwell on one.

Huh! Thanks Baku. That is way intersting. I'm going to have to check it out and the link to. I am relatively new to the boards, that is probably why I did not already know.

To answer Bacca's question, I chose my religion because of my husband. (Okay, I know that is not always the best reason, but we are a perfect match, been together 15 years. We have learned to agree to disagree and respect each other's belief systems.)

I later realized this was not the best reason to choose a religion, as I could not conform to it. I do believe in God, it was the specific church I had problems with.

So, I guess you could say I am still searching......

That is interesting Baku. Thank you for sharing. It is awful how people always assume the bad out of everything.

All religions offer guidance and advice about morality, spiritual paths, how to treat others ect.
However the unique thing about Christian believe is that the Creator Himself realized that mankind was unable too fully comprehend the results of his flaws/sins against Him. And provided a just sentence off DEATH upon all sinners.
This sentence was than served by Himself (through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ) God himself became 100% human to accomplish this feat. And through Faith and faith alone (NOT WORKS OR SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTMENTS) provided a way for us too return to our Fathers house.
This fact sets Christianity aside from all world religions

hey no problem thank you guys for reading it

Every religion I've looked at, except Christianity, has basically been a set of rules or morals or guides on how to "get right" with God, or achieve enlightenment, to reach a higher state, or just to be happy.

The problem I've always had about this is we never know how much is enough. Have we meditated enough to reach Nirvana? Have we given enough money to the poor to be considered right with God? Have we been good enough?

Christianity is different because it's not about what I have to do to, but what God has already done for us.

To me, this is the major difference between Christianity (which I don't consider a "religion" but a way of life) and other faiths/worldviews. As I've said before, Christianity just makes sense.

Regards, PA

Every bodies going to be upset with me, because I am going to change the topic in my post just for a few lines, then I'll get back on track.







I love ya , but how is 1200BC the start of the first religion? Might be the start of patriarchal-monotheistic-good-vs-evil, but not the first religion. We are missing about 30,000 years of human history.
Ok I got that off my chest.

My religion came to me. I have had these beliefs all my life. I just didn't have a system for them. I tried Christianity and Buddhism, but they were the wrong fit. Christianity, because that was what I was told to do as a child by Christians. (Not my Parents by the way.) Buddhism, because I was searching. It wasn't until middle age I started to hear the call of the Goddess. At first it was confusing, but she pointed me at the right person, and I was told I was a Pagan and there are lots of them. My first thought was "I am NOT insane. There ARE people like me."