I posted this poll to be anonymous so that those who do not wish to post can still participate. Please note you can choose more than one option in the second category.

Also I'd like to add that no one can "make you feel" any way, it was just simpler to write that.


What say you?

I guess it all depends which group one is exposed to. I cannot relate to the extremist groups who boycott the funerals of troups killed in action because they think it is God's judgement, to me they are lower than whale dung. However, I have great admiration for those who spend their time and money doing great things like digging wells for the African people. It comes down to actions speaking louder than words rather than arguing over how many angles can dance on the head of a pin.

I don't care what others believe. If they want to fake out their belief system and hypocrites that is their problem not mine. In Paganism they are easy to spot because the religion is so complex. I remember I talking to a guy and him telling me he was a Wiccan. He seemed like a bullsh**er so I started asking him questions. It wasn't long before I had him. When he told me he was a warlock, I knew I had him. A real male witch would never call himself a warlock. What other people do with their religion is no matter to me. I know they are missing out on and I pity them. I see many politicians riding on the religious right band wagon, now that turns me off. I don't vote based on religion, I vote based on intelligence.

Even if all believers were completely kind and caring, I still wouldn't be a Christian. I don't believe in God, Jesus or the bible. I will admit, though I do not have the same system of beliefs as them, those Christians who actually try and make the world a better place have earned my respect. But my respect is all they have earned, because that is still not enough to blindly follow in that religion.

In my view, Christianity has two kinds of followers; those who show hate and ignorance, and those who actually practice what their relgion tells them.

I reject a religion based on the religion itself, not the people who follow it. I don't reject Christianity or Islam or whatever simply because I have encountered some nasty Christians or Jews. The religions are illogical to me. The behaviour of believers is interesting... but nothing more.

I get really turned off by how believers act. Especially towards homosexuals.

I have to agree wtih shadow hill....i almost answered "yes" but re-reading the 1st question, the "might otherwise beleive in" made me pause and read some responses. Shadow pretty much summed it up.

Believers don't cause me to dislike a religion. The contradictions, or outright hatred, inherent in their scriptures takes care of that all by itself. Believers, for the most part, are just sheep bleating after the shepherd. No reason to hate them, pity is a more adequate response.

How true.

Only sheep need a shepherd

all of it saddens me. to grow spiritually and realize all religions/faiths and even lack thereof lead to God and watch people argue about who is right and the rest wrong is just sad.

I think the limits people put on God are sad. If one truly believes God is all powerful, that God knows everything and that everything has a purpose then no one under any circumstance,action or belief is kept from God. You can't have it one way then say another. it's hypocritical.

we are just spiritual beings having a human experience.

there is no check list to get into 'heaven' no score card, no rule book . no advanced reservation. nor does it fill up. All are welcome and are.

That is why I am a spiritual sceptic

I don't let others dictate to me who,what,where to believe in.

But "being inspired" is something entirely different.

It can be a piece of music,a beautiful sunset a wise comforting word or thought.

Being good is my religion. I know what is right and wrong.

Joseph Campbell writes of "following your bliss" which is a nice way of putting it.

Ill check it out !

So do you believe there is another way of understanding what the Bible says about homosexuals, Truethat? Do you believe the Bible uses the word in the same way as other words are used in a negative way, but without meaning it literally?

Wow, I did vote...

I'm actually super surprised at these results. Nice poll TrueThat! Very well thought out.

I think that Homosexuals are put up higher as sinners than others and THAT is against Christianity and what it teaches. We are all sinners, no more no less.

To me personally, when it comes to the homosexual issue that's when I see light...This issue tells me in some sense whether the person sees with their spiritual light or not. I may be wrong by doing it, but it's (TO ME) the tell tale factor. Especially with my other brother and sisters in Christ- & not whether they say that homosexuality is wrong, but how they view homosexuals as people, God's children in general.

Right on Lt.

what ones religion is or isnt' has no bearing on what I would or wouldn't choose also as S...
its the core values of the religion itself, its observable how its been implemented and the effects/ outcome of it... any construct is taken on its own merits for me ...


i enjoy people immensley other then for one finding us close enough to want to share thier journey of spirit with me I would have no reason to ask nor consder it as important (only in the rarest of cases for clarity to help me relate better )..... the theoritical structures on which i create my visions are based on observation , critical thinking, exeprince and intuition and application....not anything else....... by nature i look for the most effective ideas , apply them and decide what they mean to me...

Sunni IMO it seems to be an idea that is taught. in error ( the bible beig taken literally possibly) l ...for me to call one sinful for loving one of the same sex idea itself in its implementation by some is lack of knowing better.... as I know plenty of folks who call themselves christian and would never ever call a brother or sister sinful or use a book to jsutify harming another in any way...i do feel that compared to 10 yearrs ago mankind has come along way in understanding and raising awareness, one day it will be absurd to ever think one hated another for being gay.....i have hope my freind and quite frankly i observe this alot .........

I am a believer and i am turned off by other believers in a lot of cases. My wife and I have been through some bad times with my health. After things resolved we just felt like we had lost all common ground with people. The ultra happy hyper rejoiceful people at church seemed very foreign. Though honestly I can't spend more than an hour at a party without similar feelings.

Well now, I've got to admit to you that the word "sin" in my opinion is as senseless as the word "righteousness". I understand what you mean though.

See ya around, girl

I have to agree it's gotten somewhat better than it used to be (or, I'd like to think so). I think maybe we're finally getting the idea that there's more to homosexuality than some "fad." As what I've seen said many times-- I think, as spiritual beings, once we discern our taught beliefs, from our spiritual connection with people then do we understand what being spiritually aware really means, is.

sunni , Wow, exactly you touched on a really great point, once we let go of the 'conditonings' ( limits) we just see the unity in all and that there is really only one of us interpreted in a myriad of ways we see our spirits shining ...... again my beloved freind we are very similar in understandings..a delight to read your profound wise posts((HUGS))))