Topic of Religious Identity

[batnkevlar]

All my life I've been unsure where I fall when it comes to religion. Growing up, my dad was Methodist and my mom was Buddhist. I've dealt with a lot of people, and through school, dealt with both the fundamentalists and the scientists. Through the course of life, I have figured out aspects that I agree on and that I hold true, but there doesn't seem to be a name for what I believe in, or whether it's possible other people believe what I do.

Since my parents were of two religions, I went to both temple and church when i was younger, and now that I'm older, the family goes to church for Christmas Eve service and the temple on New Years Day. My dad used to be a church going type when he was younger (because of my grandma, I believe) but now we go once a year. He's not the type to own a bible, and I've asked him key points, like what he believes about Heaven and Hell, and he agrees with me that good people go to Heaven and bad people go to Hell. I don't think either one of us can agree on a justice system that sends my mother and i to hell for not being "christian".

So here's what I believe in, and it'd be nice to get some input.

1. I believe all religions (not cults) are different roads to the same destination (Heaven).

2. I believe good people go to Heaven, bad people to Hell, not Christians go to Heaven, non-Christians go to Hell.

3. I believe in God, but I don't believe he's as manipulative as the Bible says him to be because

4. I believe the Bible is meant to inspire people to be better people, not to be taken literally, primarily because of the historical context of what is in essence is a book. It's a compilation of morals and fables.

5. I believe in science and evolution, and that science and religion is not mutually exclusive.

6. I believe all the religious teachers are worthy of respect.

7. I believe god= love and progression, not hate and outdated ideals.

8. I believe in some sort of loose destiny.

9. I believe good things will happen to good people, and what goes around comes around.

So does anyone agree with me? Is there a sect of Christianity that allows the Bible to be interpreted as fables as opposed to absolute fact, and that can coexist with science?

I'm just wondering, because although I'm not lost, I'd like to know that some people have the same faith in love and hope that I do.

 

[thedeadite]

I think you have a well thought out and logical approach to your spirituality, and it's refreshing to see more people look at religion that way.
Not sure if there's any specific sect that adheres to all your beliefs, but in the end does it really matter, considering what your beliefs are?

Also, I've set the timer for this to turn into a debate on whose theistic/atheistic views are superior.

 

[Honey Vibe]

Excellent post, thedeadite.

 

[gap5ewl]

Organized religion just gets messy because different people always have different interpretations of the preachings and beliefs and then try to make it the universal code of law and principles. You don't have to be part of a religion in order to be spiritual.

 

[The Senator]

There is no sect of Christianity which allows the Bible to be taught as fiction. That notion in itself refutes the arrogance of God and His word.

 

[batnkevlar]

I mean, i don't believe it's totally fiction... I mean, it's a manual for life, not a history book, right?

I just feel sad when people preach hate from God's mouth. Hitler goes to Heaven and my mother goes to Hell? That's no possible.

 

[Bill]

I mean, i don't believe it's totally fiction... I mean, it's a manual for life, not a history book, right?

I just feel sad when people preach hate from God's mouth. Hitler goes to Heaven and my mother goes to Hell? That's no possible.

You have the benefit of over 2000 years of new knowledge, technology and changes in society that help to form your viewpoint on the Bible. There is a lot of filters that hinder you from taking into context what the Hebrews were thinking during the time that the manuscripts were written that comprise it, not to mention the years of editing that it went through to get here.

I don't suspect they thought they were writing fiction at all. I think they were writing about the world that best represented their knowledge and their people. We have come along over 2000 years later with the benefit of knowing things about the world they did not and downplay their knowledge as "metaphor" when to them it was fact as they saw it.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I mean, i don't believe it's totally fiction... I mean, it's a manual for life, not a history book, right?

I just feel sad when people preach hate from God's mouth. Hitler goes to Heaven and my mother goes to Hell? That's no possible.

Here's something to think about:

Christianity revolves around Christ. Specifically that he came to Earth (both God and man) and died for your sin and then rose again from the grave and ascended to Heaven. In order for one to call themselves a Christian you pretty much have to believe these things.

If you do believe those things then why believe anything in the bible is a "Fable". Because when you start to believe that parts of the Bible are true and parts of the Bible are false you make your Christianity a very subjective belief that is easily swayed to what you want rather than what God wants. Something tells me that you don't want a religion that can be easily changed to suit your personal needs, if you want that I vote you pick some form of Atheism specifically secular humanism. So far it's worked out for me.

 

[squeekness]

Well there are differences. The parts of the Bible I struggle with most are the OT books, many of which were written hundreds if not possibly thousands of years after the events they speak of (think Genesis). With the NT, the writers are a LOT closer to the events they speak of, some of them were even supposedly there with Christ himself or were able to talk to ones who were so I take the NT more seriously than the OT which has a lot more fantasticial stuff in it. Just my thoughts....

 

[Majic Walrus]

I can definitely see this as a possibility. But many of the OT prophecies and miracles are designed to parrallel the Christ-story as proof of his divine nature. If these stories are inaccurate or false then there's a pretty big problem.

I think that the OT needs to be true in order to prove the statements made by the NT.

 

[squeekness]

I can definitely see this as a possibility. But many of the OT prophecies and miracles are designed to parrallel the Christ-story as proof of his divine nature. If these stories are inaccurate or false then there's a pretty big problem.

I think that the OT needs to be true in order to prove the statements made by the NT.

I dunno. If one of the guys who knew Jesus personally witnessed a man who claimed to be the son of God, who did miracles and then died and came back to life as promised, what difference does the truth of Adam and Eve have to do with that? You know what I mean? The NT can stand on its own if you only want to believe in its basic claims about Jesus. For me, the OT doesn't have to exist for me to believe the NT.

 

[raybia]

I dunno. If one of the guys who knew Jesus personally witnessed a man who claimed to be the son of God, who did miracles and then died and came back to life as promised, what difference does the truth of Adam and Eve have to do with that? You know what I mean? The NT can stand on its own if you only want to believe in its basic claims about Jesus. For me, the OT doesn't have to exist for me to believe the NT.

Maybe more than what you think. I assume that you know that Jesus is called the second Adam in the Bible. ?

 

[squeekness]

Maybe more than what you think. I assume that you know that Jesus is called the second Adam in the Bible. ?

Yes, but that is irrelevant (for me personally) in my belief that he is the Christ. I focus more on who he was and what he had to say and what (I think) he wants me to do.

 

[Obi-Ron]

I dunno. If one of the guys who knew Jesus personally witnessed a man who claimed to be the son of God, who did miracles and then died and came back to life as promised, what difference does the truth of Adam and Eve have to do with that? You know what I mean? The NT can stand on its own if you only want to believe in its basic claims about Jesus. For me, the OT doesn't have to exist for me to believe the NT.

Jesus' death and resurrection were supposed to cancel out the Original Sin mankind was cursed with by Adam and Eve's actions in the garden of eden.

No Adam & Eve = no original sin = no reason we needed saving.

 

[squeekness]

Jesus' death and resurrection were supposed to cancel out the Original Sin mankind was cursed with by Adam and Eve's actions in the garden of eden.

No Adam & Eve = no original sin = no reason we needed saving.

I wouldn't say that. We've been doing a fine job making our own sins as we go along. Jesus died for me personally, he is there for my sin, not just those of ones who went before me. Jesus is eternal, in and out of time. He dies on the cross everyday and will continue to do so until we finally cut out the crap.

 

[raybia]

Yes, but that is irrelevant (for me personally) in my belief that he is the Christ. I focus more on who he was and what he had to say and what (I think) he wants me to do.

But that of course doesn't make it irrelevant in terms that Scripture is not meant for just one person. Also yours is not the position of Christian scholarship.

Certainly you are not suggesting that the following verses are irrelevant.

http://bible.crosswalk.com/Dictionaries/BakersEvangelicalDictionary/bed.cgi?number=T16

Sure what Jesus has to say is significant but also the nature of Jesus also speaks volumes which is what these verses speak on, especially when considered that there is very little of Jesus actually words in comparsion to the entire Bible.

 

[Shemtov]

All my life I've been unsure where I fall when it comes to religion. Growing up, my dad was Methodist and my mom was Buddhist. I've dealt with a lot of people, and through school, dealt with both the fundamentalists and the scientists. Through the course of life, I have figured out aspects that I agree on and that I hold true, but there doesn't seem to be a name for what I believe in, or whether it's possible other people believe what I do.

Since my parents were of two religions, I went to both temple and church when i was younger, and now that I'm older, the family goes to church for Christmas Eve service and the temple on New Years Day. My dad used to be a church going type when he was younger (because of my grandma, I believe) but now we go once a year. He's not the type to own a bible, and I've asked him key points, like what he believes about Heaven and Hell, and he agrees with me that good people go to Heaven and bad people go to Hell. I don't think either one of us can agree on a justice system that sends my mother and i to hell for not being "christian".

So here's what I believe in, and it'd be nice to get some input.

1. I believe all religions (not cults) are different roads to the same destination (Heaven).

2. I believe good people go to Heaven, bad people to Hell, not Christians go to Heaven, non-Christians go to Hell.

3. I believe in God, but I don't believe he's as manipulative as the Bible says him to be because

4. I believe the Bible is meant to inspire people to be better people, not to be taken literally, primarily because of the historical context of what is in essence is a book. It's a compilation of morals and fables.

5. I believe in science and evolution, and that science and religion is not mutually exclusive.

6. I believe all the religious teachers are worthy of respect.

7. I believe god= love and progression, not hate and outdated ideals.

8. I believe in some sort of loose destiny.

9. I believe good things will happen to good people, and what goes around comes around.

So does anyone agree with me? Is there a sect of Christianity that allows the Bible to be interpreted as fables as opposed to absolute fact, and that can coexist with science?

I'm just wondering, because although I'm not lost, I'd like to know that some people have the same faith in love and hope that I do.

start your own relegion.

 

[squeekness]

But that of course doesn't make it irrelevant in terms that Scripture is not meant for just one person. Also yours is not the position of Christian scholarship.

Certainly you are not suggesting that the following verses are irrelevant.

http://bible.crosswalk.com/Dictionaries/BakersEvangelicalDictionary/bed.cgi?number=T16

Sure what Jesus has to say is significant but also the nature of Jesus also speaks volumes which is what these verses speak on, especially when considered that there is very little of Jesus actually words in comparsion to the entire Bible.

The fact that my view differs from religious scholarship does not bother me, nor does the fact that most of what I think is contrary to many churches. We are all dealing with opinions and not facts since the vast majority of Christian belief cannot be absolutely proven. Conformity is not my goal. I read and form my own opinions. My thoughts on things are between me and God. That is why I will never say that my thoughts are the only correct ones, they are simply correct for me right now.

 

[Franklin Richards]

This is for everyone on the fence.


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[raybia]

The fact that my view differs from religious scholarship does not bother me, nor does the fact that most of what I think is contrary to many churches. We are all dealing with opinions and not facts since the vast majority of Christian belief cannot be absolutely proven. Conformity is not my goal. I read and form my own opinions. My thoughts on things are between me and God. That is why I will never say that my thoughts are the only correct ones, they are simply correct for me right now.

I have no problem with your position nor am I saying that conformity should be anyone's goal. However, your thoughts on things are no longer just between you and God once you enter into a discussion on religious beliefs on a message board.

There are very good Christians in the world who take their faith very seriously, such as yourself, who are at the same time theologians who have dedicated their lives in studying the Bible and are in fact considered experts in comparison to the laypeople who live their religious lives essentially on faith alone, so certainly we cannot just dismiss research done by people who do this for a living and their years of expertise from prestigious centers of learning by suggesting that acknowledging decades and centuries of scholarship suggests conformity. If so, then certainly we should also dismiss the opinions of any and all laypeople.

I am saying though that the connection between Adam and Jesus is undeniable as presented in the Bible and thereby relevant by any true student of the Bible and as a result of doing said research may result in a greater knowledge and understanding of Scripture of both OT and NT and thereby result in a more informed opinion by the practitioner.

 

[raybia]

All my life I've been unsure where I fall when it comes to religion. Growing up, my dad was Methodist and my mom was Buddhist. I've dealt with a lot of people, and through school, dealt with both the fundamentalists and the scientists. Through the course of life, I have figured out aspects that I agree on and that I hold true, but there doesn't seem to be a name for what I believe in, or whether it's possible other people believe what I do.

Since my parents were of two religions, I went to both temple and church when i was younger, and now that I'm older, the family goes to church for Christmas Eve service and the temple on New Years Day. My dad used to be a church going type when he was younger (because of my grandma, I believe) but now we go once a year. He's not the type to own a bible, and I've asked him key points, like what he believes about Heaven and Hell, and he agrees with me that good people go to Heaven and bad people go to Hell. I don't think either one of us can agree on a justice system that sends my mother and i to hell for not being "christian".

So here's what I believe in, and it'd be nice to get some input.

1. I believe all religions (not cults) are different roads to the same destination (Heaven).

2. I believe good people go to Heaven, bad people to Hell, not Christians go to Heaven, non-Christians go to Hell.

3. I believe in God, but I don't believe he's as manipulative as the Bible says him to be because

4. I believe the Bible is meant to inspire people to be better people, not to be taken literally, primarily because of the historical context of what is in essence is a book. It's a compilation of morals and fables.

5. I believe in science and evolution, and that science and religion is not mutually exclusive.

6. I believe all the religious teachers are worthy of respect.

7. I believe god= love and progression, not hate and outdated ideals.

8. I believe in some sort of loose destiny.

9. I believe good things will happen to good people, and what goes around comes around.

So does anyone agree with me? Is there a sect of Christianity that allows the Bible to be interpreted as fables as opposed to absolute fact, and that can coexist with science?

I'm just wondering, because although I'm not lost, I'd like to know that some people have the same faith in love and hope that I do.

I think the name of what you believe is truthseeking. You are seeking the truth and you are not letting religious dogma stand in the way of what your mind and heart is telling you about G-d and his creation.

Don't worry about where you fall in terms of organized religion. Merely try to recognize truth whenever you see it, for many religions do contain some truth. More importantly, actual live by the truth that comes your way.

There is also a greater truth within the Universe itself that is connected to the known truths so keep searching.

 

[squeekness]

I have no problem with your position nor am I saying that conformity should be anyone's goal. However, your thoughts on things are no longer just between you and God once you enter into a discussion on religious beliefs on a message board.

There are very good Christians in the world who take their faith very seriously, such as yourself, who are at the same time theologians who have dedicated their lives in studying the Bible and are in fact considered experts in comparison to the laypeople who live their religious lives essentially on faith alone, so certainly we cannot just dismiss research done by people who do this for a living and their years of expertise from prestigious centers of learning by suggesting that acknowledging decades and centuries of scholarship suggests conformity. If so, then certainly we should also dismiss the opinions of any and all laypeople.

I am saying though that the connection between Adam and Jesus is undeniable as presented in the Bible and thereby relevant by any true student of the Bible and as a result of doing said research may result in a greater knowledge and understanding of Scripture of both OT and NT and thereby result in a more informed opinion by the practitioner.

I would agree that the OT compliments what I know from the NT, but I would have believed without it. I might even have believed FASTER without it, because of all the hate and violence that they attribute to God in the OT repluses me. For me, Jesus was much too wise to ignore and it was his wisdom that finally drew me in.