<p>To be honest, I don’t find myself as devoted to my religion as when I was younger. I don’t know if school was a factor, although that sounds like a poor excuse, but I’m definitely more detached now (and I hate myself for that lol).</p>
<p>However, I do believe in a higher power out there, but I’m simply cynical of man’s organization of religion as being “the way.”</p>
<p>I do hold religious beliefs but I am not religious…if that makes an ounce of sense. Probably not. </p>
<p>I haven’t been to church in 10+ years. I actually would like to attend but I can’t seem to find a church that: </p>
<p>1) Holds services after 3pm but before 6pm.
2) Does not force hugging or singing.
3) Is willing to admit that the mouth of Hell is actually located in Times Square.
4) Knows that Lady Gaga is a prophet.
5) Will not get angry at me for occasionally mixing up “apostle” with “Aeropostale.”
Frankly, I think my way sounds better.</p>
<p>Until then…</p>
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<p>Ugh. Made me want to gouge my eyes out. For quasi-existentialists, I would rather go for Kierkegaard - who coincidentally was quite religious. But I’m more of a fan of guys like Bertrand Russell. Baudrillard, Foucault, and that group were also pretty cool, as were the Greeks and the Kantians. Even Hegel was ok, even though Russell owned him.</p>
<p>But anyway, as I mentioned earlier, I’m a Jain. And I’m done name-dropping.</p>
<p>I realized it only matters to me when I’m feeling really bad. Otherwise, my mind tells me that religion is blasphemy. idk really, it makes me feel like such a hypocrite. But I can’t believe in it. The concept of some higher being. It all seems like some sort of ploy. The way some people blindly assume “faith” just confuses me.</p>
<p>I kinda bought into religion when I was younger and read the Left Behind books, and even went to church for a couple years. </p>
<p>Now I see it just as some type of social lubricant or government propaganda.</p>
<p>I don’t do religion. I do like Jesus. The way he doesn’t judge the woman caught in the very act of adultery was amazing. He asked the religious men “You who are without sin. You throw the first stone (to stone the chic)”. Then all of them dropped their stone and left. Sweet! Whenever I watch “Jesus of Nazareth” I get tears. I love hanging out with others who really want to be like Jesus. They aren’t religious. They are so loving and kind, not a mean bone in their body. I love my friends who want to live a clean life to honor Jesus. I know this sounds weird. But it feels so pure, wise, and right.</p>
<p>This thread hasn’t turned into a theism vs atheism flame war yet, I’m proud of you guys. </p>
<p>To answer the question, I grew up in a hardcore Catholic family but I fell away from Christianity due to my pessimism. It just isn’t compatible with the universalist and optimistic views of my church. I do however, believe in God. Still, if I were asked to state my religion, I’d say that I don’t have one.</p>
<p>^ There were some inflammatory comments… but we managed to be mature and avoid it :).</p>
<p>^ Yes indeed, but at least it isn’t like the Christopher Hitchens vs. Jerry Falwell debate I expected to run into.</p>
<p>^ I think we’ve just beaten that dead horse 150 too many times… lol</p>
<p>What is life without religion? Whats the point to live if there is nothing to look forward to. Did you guys ever think about that?</p>
<p>^ We could actually live life to the fullest? If you think there’s nothing after this then you tend to take more risks and live life to the absolute fullest :). </p>
<p>Personally, I’d rather go through life thinking there was nothing and then be surprised when there WAS something rather than going through life and thinking there was something and then having wasted my life when I realized there WASN’T something. </p>
<p>Obviously, both extremes, but you get my point :)</p>
<p>^^Are you a missionary Rahul? LOL. ■■■■.
Until I get into an Ivy, god doesn’t exist. I’m a reform jew, that’s all. I look forward to living a good life and dying a painless death.
I agree with Romani. :]</p>
<p>^^ As for me, I’d rather go through life beliving there’s something. If there isn’t, I’ll never know I was wrong, so what harm would it do me?</p>
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<p>Hahaha, you have a few of my concerns. When I go to church, I either go to Saturday Catholic mass at 5PM, perfect time. No hugging, but a little singing and some handshaking. Or, I go to Greek Orthodox church, which is way too early and won’t let me take communion unless I convert, but has absolutely no singing and has a delicious breakfast after.</p>
<p>^Lol to all that. My church is a pretty good one, though they are occasionally guilty of hugging…</p>
<p>^ RC churches tend to have a lot of what my dad and I like to call “traveling violations” i.e. one is not ment to move their pivot foot during “the peace” (or whenever else you move to greet someone)</p>
<p>^At my church usually people scatter and talk… And get back to their seats about halfway through the next song.</p>
<p>Religion is poison to the the rational mind.</p>
<p>Im very proud of being Catholic.</p>