what religion are you?

**studmuffin** · 12-16-2014, 01:57 AM

I am Methodist and a firm believer in God, Jesus and the Holy spirit. I am by far a saint! I see a lot of good in the church and out of the church but I was givin the most important thing in my life through church, my wife. I have had some experiences that have givin 100% faith in God. I have worked in 2 churches as building manager and have seen things that to me are super natural. I do not judge and I like to hear others beliefs and experiences I feel if you are not open minded that you will miss out on something. I get to lead a bible study that I attend on Wed morning and I am uncomfortable doing it. I am the youngest in the group and these guys are bible theologians and I am just learning. But if I pray about it just before we meet I know things will go well.

**zenstyle** · 12-16-2014, 02:27 AM

I was one of those people who knocked on your door different days during the week...especially on saturdays. It was a very high control type group. I've experienced things growing up in that religion that made me question the belief i was raised with [having to endure child sex abuse by certain elders in my congregation, disfellowshipping people for stupid things, ostracizing of family members (choosing belief over blood)]. All this from people saying they have the one true religion etc, etc. After awhile, you find out that most religions say the same exact thing, god is directing them by holy spirit...stuff like that. I guess I would say that how you view god and religion has a lot to do with how you experienced it. Some have bad experiences and others have good. Some were converted and some were born-in. Others feel deep inside that none of it makes sense but you live that life to keep family ties or its tradition. Perhaps when it comes right down to it, faith (belief) is simply a choice. I choose to believe in myself...but i can no longer choose to believe in a god without proof. Maybe one day their will be some proof that will change the way I feel...who knows. In the meantime, I am here and now...and I love it. Being a POSSIBILIAN is pretty much a good title that describes me, or more to the laymen...a taoist. Not the religious taoism, but the philisophical kind. It works for me.

**studmuffin** · 12-16-2014, 03:09 AM

I am glad we all have something in us that feels right and empowering ourselves to believe in things that give us happiness and comfort.

**animal87** · 12-16-2014, 04:17 AM

I have my own belifs and everyone should be able to have theirs. The only one I cant support is islam, I'm sorry I can't justify worshiping a child molester.

**Discobiky** · 12-16-2014, 11:08 AM

My thinking of our understanding of the universe is very similar to the german shepherd i once loved and his understanding of the world around him meaning we arent even close we havnt got the capacity to understand it all so yes maybe oneday with science we might be able to make ourselves smarter even then i doubt we will get close that probably sounds like a weird perception to have but i see the planet we live in and all the magnifcent creatures we share it with we then put ourselves on a pedastool thinking we are so superior when we are just the same as all the other millions of creatures staring up at the stars thinking theirs is the only existence

Sry that maybe off the topic of what religion i beleive in but then again its my belief

**deathstar** · 12-16-2014, 03:52 PM

I see this starting alot of drama... I've noticed that people that don't believe in God try bashing everyone else's beliefs

**Hatefactory** · 12-16-2014, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by deathstar

I see this starting alot of drama... I've noticed that people that don't believe in God try bashing everyone else's beliefs

I think so far everyone has been very respectful of one another's belief system.

That's what's great about the BOP. A lot of strong minds but none are intrusive of others beliefs

**Thirsty** · 12-16-2014, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by Hatefactory

I think so far everyone has been very respectful of one another's belief system.

That's what's great about the BOP. A lot of strong minds but none are intrusive of others beliefs

Agreed. Really great group of guys, much respect and understanding in this thread, one that would go completely off the rails on every other board out there.

I was raised Lutheran in the small town I grew up in, was really forced into it by my very religiously enthusiastic parents. As any headstrong teenage boy does, I resented being pressured into believing something. I figured my parents were controlling everything else in my life, the one thing they couldn't force was what I thought and believed. Exploring other religion was one of the many new things I ventured into going to college in "the big city" One of the things that struck me was the commonality among religions, very similar core concepts, and guidance as to what is good and bad. Most even share the same stories, the great flood for example, shows up in one way or another in almost all religious texts. I think religion has been grossly misused over the centuries, as a control mechanism, as a reason for war, and for personal gain.

My current "religion" is a grab bag from life experience as much as getting to know the beliefs of others. Aspects of Hindu, Buddhism, Christianity, and Atheism all carry equal weight and importance to me. I don't think there is such thing as a religion, person, or experience than you cannot learn from, and come away a better person.

**preacher** · 12-16-2014, 05:21 PM

I think HT and Thirsty hit it right on, it's the tremendous respect that we hold for each other that sets bop apart..this thread proves that, we've shared, discussed, agreed and disagreed but never debated or bashed..this is why it is a brotherhood..