The reason I posted this thread in this section, as opposed to the regular religion, is to also get responses from skeptics, as well as to maybe settle some debates. This is my opinion and not the opinion of the masses, or at least I think so. This I would like to hear about from skeptics as well as believers about.

This being... Religion is what I tell others to believe in, Faith is what I tell others I believe in. Faith whether it is in a God, multiple Gods, no God, the Universe, Science, whatever it is, that is my Faith. When I try to make others follow, bow to, or live by my Faith then it is a religion.

This being said, I have never found justification for Religion in the Bible, or other "Holy Books", just the justification of Faith. That we should live by example. Lead a good life. When someone comes and asks why your life is so blessed, or prosperous, then you can tell them why you believe what you believe. Then you tell them why what, or who, you have Faith in causes your life to be so rich, and good.

If the majority of people of faith lived by this, then I believe that a large number of skeptics, especially the ones that aren't really non-believers, but are more turned off from that particular Faith because of the examples of their followers...ie Osama Bin Laden for Islam, certain Popes for Christianity, and so on. How many skeptics are there that are not turned off by the message, but by the messengers of today?

I would love to hear any thoughts on this. I am a Christian, without a specific Church. I have sometimes had problems with the way others act as Christians just not enough to kill my faith in Christ. How many others out there, especially skeptics and atheists have had any hope of faith in any God killed by the actions of religious people, acting as the Faithful.

Welcome to the board, and I hear you very loud and clear

Thanks for the welcome Sunni.

I hope I don't sound preachie, which I try never to do. I guess we'll see by the way people respond to this post, if anyone does, we'll see!

After reading some of the posts in this section I was astounded at the number of skeptics that seemed to really, I don't want to say hate, but were very turned off by the people of Faith not the Faith itself. My grandfather was a preacher all of his life following WWII. He was the one that gave me this point of view. It always seemed right for any instance. Just wanted to see what the skeptics/believers thought about the the representation of people's Faith, and how it affected their belief/non-belief in any kind of spiritual Faith.

I've always thought that everyone is entitled to an opinion, and that no opinion is wrong, but it was only right to give your opinion when asked for. This goes for politics, Faith, family, anything. When someone asks you why you have so much money then you can tell them how to invest, and in what stocks. When someone asks why you are so happy then you can tell them what you Faith is... and so on. I guess its the basic golden rule do unto others as you want them to do unto you.

I've always thought that it wasn't the message but the bad messengers that turn people off from a Faith in God! Maybe I'll be proven wrong. Whether I am right or wrong at least I learned something new today, I guess!

I like that..well said

This is WHY I dont believe there is a one true way for all............

I believe that there is a true way for each person that holds a faith....to them, its the ONE true way..and by rights, so it should be

Faith is meant to be a personal thing IMO....so saying that, it should remain personal (again only IMO)



I love how you state - IF someone asks you --> Why is your life so blessed, why are you so happy............then you state all about the love you have for your faith, this is what keeps you going.......then you have spread the word of God and gave the best answer you could

Christians all follow christ...but every last christian, each have their OWN lil way ..what is personal to them...and each christian believes that their way of following Jesus is the true way <----this is how faith should be...its the whole point in having faith as a christian....to make it personal for you, how you see fit


The same with me...I dont follow Jesus...but I follow God in heaven...I believe in Gods guardian angles...I make up my own prayers and they work wonders for me..........but I dont wish to tell people what and how I do it..unless i am asked..............I love my faith, I love how it works for me, I love how my prayers are answered...and I will always love God and how he granted me my lil girl...

BTW...

WELCOME to the Spirituality Boards

Excellent post. I very much agree with it.

And welcome to the boards! Be prepared to be smashed down however because faith being a "personal thing" is something that is not accepted in these parts.

Good post but I would like to say that religion isn't just about spreading your faith. It is a religion if you have a group of like minded people discussing and participating in the same faith.

Probably a lot. Though it's more widely used now these days in atheist circles about the actions of god himself rather then just his followers. From all the horrible things the bible claims god himself did, I can really see how that can turn people off as well as the actions of followers of the said religion and dismiss it as real or truth.

Yes people don't discount a religion based on the actions of its followers. That is usually used as a secondary reason. The primary reason why people will discount a religion is because of the teachings, principles, scriptures, etc.

For example if all christians where the coolest, nicest, and most spectacular people on earth it wouldn't effect anything for me...because I still have problems with the core philosophies of the religion.

this is misleading . People of great faith have had horrible lives. and people who have had no faith have had ones that were rich and good.

this statement seems to suggest that by faith we will be happier on a material level. that isn't so. Faith is not rewarded by a dollar sign or easy living. Faith is greater when we can hold onto it when everything else is falling apart.

but there is no test or reward outside of ourselves. plenty of people who hold the same amount of faith and in just as much need don't end up both rewarded. is this saying 'God' is unfair? no. God has nothing to do with it. It's just life. ( I believe it has to do with fate, purpose ..... laid out ahead of time)

I think alot of people are turned off by religion ( as I am) because thoughout history it has been a common cause of strife for the world. Being too busy claiming to be the 'right ' one or 'truth' and not seeing how screwed up and wrong those arguements are. That religion has made God a small thing that is all too human and limited.

I would think if God were God then God could encompass all faiths , no faiths , all beliefs and no beliefs. And all people - the 'good' , the 'bad' and the inbetween.

spiritual beings having a human experience - that's what we are and my belief.

I rejected all revealed religions based upon the fact that they're revealed, illogical, etc. I didn't actually give any consideration to the way people who belonged to those religions behaved until much much later.

This is how it works with most people. I doubt there are many people who meet a religious person and don't like them so they discount the religion before they even study it. People study the religion...find that they don't like it and uses the behavior of that religion's followers to add more fuel to the fire.

faith is following something knowing very well there is no evidence what so ever that it is there..
thats why its called faith.
every religion .. besides Buddhism i believe, requires faith.

Its apparent that perhaps many look at the Christian teachings and automatically get the impression that any Christian could possibly be perfect. In acknowledging our imperfections, we share a common trait with each other. In this, we can comfortably draw near to each other and trust each other; knowing that none of us are good enough alone, but are made perfect in Christ.
I've been under the impression that the Gospel hasn't be preached these days in a way that many understand. And thus they get the wrong impression of Jesus, Church, and religion.

Religion isn't supposed to be an enforced practice, but a practice from the heart of each individual.


As you see, the Bible strongly supports that religion is an individual's effort from the heart to love others and remain undefiled by sinful influence. This doesn't say that people are perfect and don't err. This is saying that pure religion is from the heart and not from the tongue. Its a matter of love, not a legalistic matter.