Is there anyone struggling with their religion?

[Logan's Runt]

sounds as if the universe is self-aware in a way,but what isour funtion in the universe tho?

That's pretty much the idea I'm on right now, is that "god" is the same as the "universe" sort of. All encompassing. In my idea, our function within and as part of said universe would be to better it, whether that be by living a full life with no regrets or pulling a Mother Theresa, whichever is the path we choose. Jewish belief systems have an idea that their purpose is to repair the world, and that once its been repaired the messianic time will come. Its a neat idea.

Mostly I just try to do what I can to retain my humanity in a world that wants to take it away, and respect reality around me.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

That's pretty much the idea I'm on right now, is that "god" is the same as the "universe" sort of. All encompassing. In my idea, our function within and as part of said universe would be to better it, whether that be by living a full life with no regrets or pulling a Mother Theresa, whichever is the path we choose. Jewish belief systems have an idea that their purpose is to repair the world, and that once its been repaired the messianic time will come. Its a neat idea.

Mostly I just try to do what I can to retain my humanity in a world that wants to take it away, and respect reality around me.

word to live by. i think religion takes some of that away, at least it does to me. i always feel at odds with it. i want to be a better person, i try to taht as best as i can, but when it comes to fitting into a particular religion i egt frustrated with its beliefs.

 

[Ring Deacon]

The last church service that I attended wouldn't let people that weren't paying members participate in communion.

Evidentely the body, & blood of Christ now comes with fee.

I don't want to say this but to me this sounds like a lie. I have never been to any church that makes you pay before you can particiipate in communion. Some do however want you to be a regular member of the church. Membership is free you just have to give your tesimony to join. If you are telling the truth then you are going to the wrong church. Even the bible says God's word is free.

The last one I attended you would get looks if you didn't put money in the plate when it was passed to you. There was actually a guy that got kicked out of church for taking money out of the plate when it was passed to him.

And you have a problem with this because? he was steeling from the needy. Do you really think that money is for the pastor? The money the church takes in goes to various charitable groups. In fact the pastor never touches it. The Deacon's of the church handle the money and make sure it goes where needed.

And I have no clue where you go to church but if you think they gave you a dirty look for not putting money in maybe you are just feel overly guilty for not putting any in. At my church there are many times when people don't put money in the plate but offer their time to help others as their offering.

 

[Superhobo]

General thought is that one who is poor is allowed to take money out of the plate. Because "that's who the money is for."

 

[ServantofAllah]

I think you should research your religion and try to find more about it, and also see how other religions are and what their teachings are, and compare the religions to see which one your drawn to most.

 

[Logan's Runt]

I think you should research your religion and try to find more about it, and also see how other religions are and what their teachings are, and compare the religions to see which one your drawn to most.

Helped me a lot.

 

[The Chairman]

I'll admit that I myself have been struggling with my faith lately.

I was raised Catholic, and now consider myself a non-denominationalist Christian. I'm also very liberal in my belief in The Bible. I interpret most of the stories as metaphorical rather than literal (I believe in evolution and support gay marriage), and I do not believe that only Christians gain entry into Heaven.

Up until a few months ago, I was verys ecure with my newfound beliefs.

Now, I have a friend. He's Protestant, and he's extremely conservative in his beliefs. He interprets everything literal, and spends his days endlessly researching Christian websites. He has little tolerance for my liberal beliefs and was constantly sending e-mails with links to evidence trying to say what I believed was wrong and that the world was going to end.

This all made me feel very uncomfortable, and after some time I told him to stop. He stopped sending me links, but he stilll brought it up all the time in school. He mentioned that I should not listen to rock and roll as much as I do, nor should I feel an attraction towards a beautiful woman, things I had done in the past that never seemed to have any affect on my relationship with God.

Because of this, I now have to question every single thing I do because I'm deathly afraid of going to Hell. I haven't been able to listen to Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath because of their Satanic links (again, something I always did in the past that never seemed to bother me), and even when I look at Hayden Panettiere or any woman I find attractive, I alway feel uncomfortable.

I now feel my relationship is based out of fear then love (though I do love God with all my heart), and it has nothing to do with God wanting me to fear him, but my friend trying to make me fear God. I find myself now reading The Bible out of fear, and having to forgiveness for things I never felt uncomfortable doing before, and it's really having an affect on me.

 

[Logan's Runt]

I'll admit that I myself have been struggling with my faith lately.

I was raised Catholic, and now consider myself a non-denominationalist Christian. I'm also very liberal in my belief in The Bible. I interpret most of the stories as metaphorical rather than literal (I believe in evolution and support gay marriage), and I do not believe that only Christians gain entry into Heaven.

Up until a few months ago, I was verys ecure with my newfound beliefs.

Now, I have a friend. He's Protestant, and he's extremely conservative in his beliefs. He interprets everything literal, and spends his days endlessly researching Christian websites. He has little tolerance for my liberal beliefs and was constantly sending e-mails with links to evidence trying to say what I believed was wrong and that the world was going to end.

This all made me feel very uncomfortable, and after some time I told him to stop. He stopped sending me links, but he stilll brought it up all the time in school. He mentioned that I should not listen to rock and roll as much as I do, nor should I feel an attraction towards a beautiful woman, things I had done in the past that never seemed to have any affect on my relationship with God.

Because of this, I now have to question every single thing I do because I'm deathly afraid of going to Hell. I haven't been able to listen to Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath because of their Satanic links (again, something I always did in the past that never seemed to bother me), and even when I look at Hayden Panettiere or any woman I find attractive, I alway feel uncomfortable.

I now feel my relationship is based out of fear then love (though I do love God with all my heart), and it has nothing to do with God wanting me to fear him, but my friend trying to make me fear God. I find myself now reading The Bible out of fear, and having to forgiveness for things I never felt uncomfortable doing before, and it's really having an affect on me.

I was there for years. Its easy to live in fear of the 'what if's' and waste an entire life.

I came to the conclusion that a loving god would not want any human to love him/it out of fear and therefore would not condone the concept of hell because of its inherent role as a fear icon. But that's just my idea. I hope you find peace somewhere.

 

[The Chairman]

I believe in Hell. But I believe Hell is for people like Hitler and Stalin. Truly immoral people who went there regardless of what they believed in, and not just because they weren't Christian.

I often wonder why I'm afaid of those things, because I did them in the past and my relationship with God didn't seem to be affected by it. It wasn't until my freaky friend came into the picture that I started questioning everything.

I still try and keep a free mind. I will always have faith in God and Christ, but I don't let every single little thing in my life be influenced by religion. When we do that, I think, we become the robots God intended for us not to become, thus he gave us Free Will.

In the end, I believe that a loving God would not care what music you listen to, what movies you watch, how many women you think are hot, or whatever religion you are. Those things are far too trivial. I believe that the attributes God caers most about are how you treat yourself as well as others, and how you live your actual life. In other words, he looks for what's in our hearts rather than our heads.

 

[Ghostvirus]

I don't want to say this but to me this sounds like a lie. I have never been to any church that makes you pay before you can particiipate in communion. Some do however want you to be a regular member of the church. Membership is free you just have to give your tesimony to join. If you are telling the truth then you are going to the wrong church. Even the bible says God's word is free.

I would have rebutted this, but calling me a liar automatically makes un-worthy of a rebutt.

And you have a problem with this because? he was steeling from the needy. Do you really think that money is for the pastor? The money the church takes in goes to various charitable groups. In fact the pastor never touches it. The Deacon's of the church handle the money and make sure it goes where needed.

And I have no clue where you go to church but if you think they gave you a dirty look for not putting money in maybe you are just feel overly guilty for not putting any in. At my church there are many times when people don't put money in the plate but offer their time to help others as their offering.

HAHAHA!!! PASTORS DON'T GET ANY OF THE MONEY...HAHAA!!! Your such a cute kid.

 

[Ghostvirus]

I'll admit that I myself have been struggling with my faith lately.

I was raised Catholic, and now consider myself a non-denominationalist Christian. I'm also very liberal in my belief in The Bible. I interpret most of the stories as metaphorical rather than literal (I believe in evolution and support gay marriage), and I do not believe that only Christians gain entry into Heaven.

Up until a few months ago, I was verys ecure with my newfound beliefs.

Now, I have a friend. He's Protestant, and he's extremely conservative in his beliefs. He interprets everything literal, and spends his days endlessly researching Christian websites. He has little tolerance for my liberal beliefs and was constantly sending e-mails with links to evidence trying to say what I believed was wrong and that the world was going to end.

This all made me feel very uncomfortable, and after some time I told him to stop. He stopped sending me links, but he stilll brought it up all the time in school. He mentioned that I should not listen to rock and roll as much as I do, nor should I feel an attraction towards a beautiful woman, things I had done in the past that never seemed to have any affect on my relationship with God.

Because of this, I now have to question every single thing I do because I'm deathly afraid of going to Hell. I haven't been able to listen to Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath because of their Satanic links (again, something I always did in the past that never seemed to bother me), and even when I look at Hayden Panettiere or any woman I find attractive, I alway feel uncomfortable.

I now feel my relationship is based out of fear then love (though I do love God with all my heart), and it has nothing to do with God wanting me to fear him, but my friend trying to make me fear God. I find myself now reading The Bible out of fear, and having to forgiveness for things I never felt uncomfortable doing before, and it's really having an affect on me.

I believe in Hell. But I believe Hell is for people like Hitler and Stalin. Truly immoral people who went there regardless of what they believed in, and not just because they weren't Christian.

I often wonder why I'm afaid of those things, because I did them in the past and my relationship with God didn't seem to be affected by it. It wasn't until my freaky friend came into the picture that I started questioning everything.

I still try and keep a free mind. I will always have faith in God and Christ, but I don't let every single little thing in my life be influenced by religion. When we do that, I think, we become the robots God intended for us not to become, thus he gave us Free Will.

In the end, I believe that a loving God would not care what music you listen to, what movies you watch, how many women you think are hot, or whatever religion you are. Those things are far too trivial. I believe that the attributes God caers most about are how you treat yourself as well as others, and how you live your actual life. In other words, he looks for what's in our hearts rather than our heads.

A person who can't accept your beliefs, & tries to manipulate you into seeing things their way. Is not a friend. Drop that dude like a bad habit, & move on with your life. Seriously doesn't sound like a healthy friend.

 

[Logan's Runt]

A person who can't accept your beliefs, & tries to manipulate you into seeing things their way. Is not a friend. Drop that dude like a bad habit, & move on with your life. Seriously doesn't sound like a healthy friend.

Life isn't about guilt.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

HA! No. In fact hell no!

Want to hear my religion and beliefs?

1. Worship thy self.
2. Love thy self, if need be multiple times daily.
3. Have sex before the age of 18.
4. Have unprotected sex before the age of 21.
5. At least once before the age of 18, get belligerently drunk, puke, pass out, wake up, drink some more, then black out.
6. Repeat #5 often.
7. Combine #s 3-6 regularly.
8. Meditate.
9. Be free
10. Follow your own rules.
11. Do at least one completely unselfish, good thing with your life for no real purpose other than to do it.
12. Smile, a lot.
13. Laugh even more.
14. Love.
15. Lose.
16. Get in a fight.
17. Stop a fight.
18. Give someone the bird.
19. Say phuck, a lot.
20. Go to the beach and swim in the ocean.
21. Educate yourself.
22. Exercise often.
23. Eat healthy.
24. Eat unhealthy.
25. Follow your own path and think for yourself, don't suscribe to what society, the government or religion tells you to. Think for yourself and believe in what you believe in. The God or Diety that you believe in created you or us to enjoy life and live it freely. Not to live our life by set rules that must be followed. "Life is a gift to be enjoyed every minute, every second, life is not infinite." ~Mr. Lif

 

[Logan's Runt]

HA! No. In fact hell no!

Want to hear my religion and beliefs?

1. Worship thy self.
2. Love thy self, if need be multiple times daily.
3. Have sex before the age of 18.
4. Have unprotected sex before the age of 21.
5. At least once before the age of 18, get belligerently drunk, puke, pass out, wake up, drink some more, then black out.
6. Repeat #5 often.
7. Combine #s 3-6 regularly.
8. Meditate.
9. Be free
10. Follow your own rules.
11. Do at least one completely unselfish, good thing with your life for no real purpose other than to do it.
12. Smile, a lot.
13. Laugh even more.
14. Love.
15. Lose.
16. Get in a fight.
17. Stop a fight.
18. Give someone the bird.
19. Say phuck, a lot.
20. Go to the beach and swim in the ocean.
21. Educate yourself.
22. Exercise often.
23. Eat healthy.
24. Eat unhealthy.
25. Follow your own path and think for yourself, don't subscribe to what society, the government or religion tells you to. Think for yourself and believe in what you believe in. The God or Deity that you believe in created you or us to enjoy life and live it freely. Not to live our life by set rules that must be followed. "Life is a gift to be enjoyed every minute, every second, life is not infinite." ~Mr. Lif

That's a good summary.

Your ideas are intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

That's a good summary.

Your ideas are intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Great, first I will need an e-mail address, a home telephone number, a work phone number, a cell phone number, a social secruity number, a credit card number, home address, a blood sample and your soul.

Just sign on the dotted line all for the low low intoructory price of $49.95, with reaccuring monthly payments.

 

[Logan's Runt]

Great, first I will need an e-mail address, a home telephone number, a work phone number, a cell phone number, a social secruity number, a credit card number, home address, a blood sample and your soul.

Just sign on the dotted line all for the low low intoructory price of $49.95, with reaccuring monthly payments.

I'd be a fool to pass up this opportunity! I wasn't using my soul anyway! t:

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Because of this, I now have to question every single thing I do because I'm deathly afraid of going to Hell. I haven't been able to listen to Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath because of their Satanic links (again, something I always did in the past that never seemed to bother me), and even when I look at Hayden Panettiere or any woman I find attractive, I alway feel uncomfortable.

I now feel my relationship is based out of fear then love (though I do love God with all my heart), and it has nothing to do with God wanting me to fear him, but my friend trying to make me fear God. I find myself now reading The Bible out of fear, and having to forgiveness for things I never felt uncomfortable doing before, and it's really having an affect on me.

uhhh...just stop.
what makes this friend such an authority? let him live in fear and unhappy ( and to a certain extent in constant pride over how special he is)
that doesn't have to be you.

 

[Addendum]

The "satanic links" of Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath were created by a person that had no musical talent whatsoever and whose contribution to song writing consisted of...

Praise praise praise praise jesus
(repeat 14)
praise praise praise praise praise praise
jeee-eeeeee-eeeee-sus!

 

[Kritish]

The "satanic links" of Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath were created by a person that had no musical talent whatsoever and whose contribution to song writing consisted of...

Praise praise praise praise jesus
(repeat 14)
praise praise praise praise praise praise
jeee-eeeeee-eeeee-sus!

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I'd be a fool to pass up this opportunity! I wasn't using my soul anyway! t:

Of course you can't, the word of God compells you my child. Hurry before the scientologist get to you.

 

[Logan's Runt]

Of course you can't, the word of God compells you my child. Hurry before the scientologist get to you.

Save me!

 

[Honey Vibe]

A person who can't accept your beliefs, & tries to manipulate you into seeing things their way. Is not a friend. Drop that dude like a bad habit, & move on with your life. Seriously doesn't sound like a healthy friend.

The two boys probably connect in other ways, but their spiritual perspectives are totally opposite. He shouldn't "drop him like a bad habit"; sometimes, yes, you have to know when to get away from toxic people, but other times it takes your own charitable spirit to solute a constricted, limited one. Real friends don't badger, but then, real friends don't abandon. -- Life is full of balancing poles like that.

Anthonynasti, there are many thoughts out there -- abstaining from meat, negative messages/imagery, abstaining from sex, etc. that are essentially theses on purity. While your friend is just plain out of line to frame it as fear factor, you may want to take this time to discover which theses ring true to you, and adopt them. You may be overdue in time, to answer these questions for yourself. Keep in mind that its all about establishing balance: you may be able to handle rock 'n' roll perfectly well, you'll never be the kid in court claiming a Judas Priest song told you to kill someone. In other ways you may conduct yourself poorly, and could use a religious edict to bolster sound, healthy judgment. Good luck.

 

[Kritish]

Isn’t it amusing that the godless, baby-eating atheists and agnostics are being the most open minded in this thread? It’s the theists that are giving their sob stories about suicide and convincing the doubting Thomas to fast…

 

[Ghostvirus]

The "satanic links" of Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath were created by a person that had no musical talent whatsoever and whose contribution to song writing consisted of...

Praise praise praise praise jesus
(repeat 14)
praise praise praise praise praise praise
jeee-eeeeee-eeeee-sus!

Didn't Jimmy Paige buy Allister Crawley's house? I am not saying that makes him a devil worshipper, but it doesn't help his rep.

 

[Kritish]

Didn't Jimmy Paige buy Allister Crawley's house? I am not saying that makes him a devil worshipper, but it doesn't help his rep.

Jimmy Paige was interested in the paranormal, that doesn't make him a Satanist...