<p>I was baptised Greek Orthodox, and spent a few summers at a christian-type camp (which was actually more about the horseback riding than the God stuff, for me anyways). I don't go to church very often (Christmas and Easter mostly), but I do believe in something. I guess I'm a bit more than agnostic, but I'm still trying to figure it all out, especially within the context of the philosophy-type classes I'm taking, as well as politics, etc. I definetly don't have the stereotypical hardcore religious political views... I'm liberal, pro-choice, etc. </p>
<p>Oh, and I dislike Richard Dawkins. Not because of his beliefs, but his writing style - read him this year in class and he's just really pretentious. I mean, if you've read "The Selfish Gene", tell me what you think of "memes"... that's some stretch.</p>
<p>Yeah i'm all in favor of spiritual growth over time...though as of now i don't have a god i'm open to finding enlightenment however it may come.</p>
<p>I think the problem with finding your "enlightenment" is that you refer to it as a "god." Like some guy in the sky who commands you to worship and submit to him. Humans don't like being told what to do, which is why I believe most athiests come to believe there is no god to subdue to. </p>
<p>Just my two cents :)</p>
<p>Well the thought of "not being in control" isn't why I don't believe that "god" defined by the Judeo-Christian-Islam or any other religion describes it exists.</p>
<p>Hey do we even send missionaries to Japan? It seems so backwards how we often send many missionaries to predominantly christian countries like Mexico or the Phillipeans. It's like Protestant church leaders just can't accept the idea that a country of Christians follow the Roman-Catholic branch. They'd rather steal membership from those countries than embark on the hard road of bringing Christianity to more closed cultures and societies such as Japan.</p>
<p>Blink182,</p>
<p>I actually agree with you; i should have explained myself more clearly. </p>
<p>enlightenment can come in the form of a newfound sense of purpose, a new perspective on life, or a new philosophy (among many other things), none of which involve a god.</p>
<p>I am a reform Jew, so my sect of Judaism encourages personal interpretation of our religion. I have found myself to be primarily Buddhist, as all my views on religion line up with Buddhism, much of which is also incorperated into Judaism. For a while I was debated whether I was an athiest, because I deny the presence of a guy in the sky who converses with humans, though I have since relized that God is not necessarily thought of as the traditional "guy in the sky" (to quote Blink182)/Jesus.</p>
<p>In my opinion, God is the force that allows all things to be interconnected; in essence, the force that binds all living things as one. I also believe in the religion of science (not quite sure whose idea this lines up with, so if you know, please tell me), in that the only true purpose of man is to continue the species. </p>
<p>Some people say that they couldn't be "moral" or a good person belieiving what I do, though I feel that following the natural laws of order is a rleigion in and of itself. I find comfort in knowing that I am part of a greater whole and that my life alone is not severely significant. I will do what I can to improve my small piece of the world-- I am content with that.</p>
<p>While I do my best not to judge others, and empatize with basically everyone, I still can't quite seem to understand the Christian ideals... still working on that one though...</p>
<p>I also do not believe that "God" directly intervenes in anything, as this would contradict the definition of God in the first place.</p>
<p>OH, I just burst out laughing and scared my roommate ^ :)</p>
<p>Robotab, what ideals?</p>
<p>Robotab, by your description you are an agnostic..unless I'm missing some part where you somehow believe in Judiasm..kind of odd to call yourself a Reform Jew with the beliefs you posted.</p>
<p>Have you studied Reform Judaism? ^^</p>
<p>It's very....interesting. I fortunately/unfortunately (I don't know which to choose, the professor was soooo boring) had the chance to take a class on Judaism and it is VERY broad.</p>
<p>Judaism is more than just a religion; it's a culture. I identify with Judaism not simply because of what I believe, but the feelign I get when I'm with other Jews. It's a feeling of belonging... not a feeling of intellect, though many Jews are amongst the most intellegent people I've met...</p>
<p>Yup, Orthadox Jews consider me to be worse that a Christian because of my beliefs, so you are not necessarily wrong in your opinions when you say I a not a JEw in the typical sense. As stated before, reform Judaism in particular stresses self-indentity... whether or not your ideas line up with all that Judaism teaches you are still Jewish.</p>
<p>And by Christian ideals I mean the whole "you go to Hell b/c you don't belive that Jesus was the messiah"... I've been told that by several of my friends, though in their defense they only gave me the answer when asked directly and did not go around shouting "you're going to Hell" or something else of that nature... Also, I don't believe that any man can be the equivalent of God-- I simply do not belive that God manifests Godself in this way (note the purposeful changing of himself to Godself... done just for good measure lol)</p>
<p>Well I too am at odds with the whole "you're going to hell if you don't believe in Jesus." I believe the whole point of the Bible (and for clarification, all of the good things in the Bible can be found in the NEW Testament) is to convert people and to help them live a moral life.</p>
<p>That is the way I look at Christianity.</p>
<p>Atheist here, though my parents tried to raise me as a good little Christian girl. I've noticed that a lot of people who post frequently on message boards and "nerds" in general tend to be atheists, and I've been talking to them so long I actually start to forget that most people don't actually agree with me, heh. And for some reason, I get the impression from a lot of Christians that they don't actually believe anyone can not believe in God (unless they believe in some other kind of god, I guess)...like you tell them that you don't, and they nod and say ok, but they really think that you're just lying or in denial or being lazy or something. It's weird.</p>
<p>"all of the good things in the Bible"..."[are] to convert people and to help them live a moral life." Am I reading this correctly? If so, this would be interpreted to mean that I need to undergo a conversion in order to be saved? Wouldn't this also kinda mean that you need to belive in Jesus or you can't lead a moral life? Umm sorry, but I think I'm way more "moral" than mostly any Christian I've ever met... if morality makes you a good person, that is...</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to mention the fact that I believe in reincarnation-- continual rebirth of the soul until perfection (withdrawal from all earthy attachments), after which the soul will become a part of God (in essence, the life force that unites all living things).</p>
<p>And I thought agnostism (sp?) was not denying the presence of God, as is atheism, but unsure as to the meaning of God since human conscienceness cannot even begin to comprehend the entity that is God...</p>
<p>Yeah, I had the unfortunateness of being raised in a "Jewish" family. I feel no "culture" or comfort when around Jews so no, I don't understand that aspect of how you or other jews identify.</p>
<p>Judaism really is nothing more than a religion. If you want to make the Jewish Culture case it's not the same thing as Judaism.</p>
<p>I'm a big fan of the Jews are smarter argument though. I always get good laughs just thinking about my life and who is smarter in general(because generalizations are always fun).</p>
<p>haha and yeah, basically everyone I've spoken with is either completely baffled by religion (not necessarily a bad thing at all) or hard core Chistian, in which case they will tell you that it's Jesus or the highway... (aka Hell)</p>
<p>Yeah, that's what Christianity preaches you aren't crazy.</p>
<p>Another strike against Judaism...maybe pick up Hinduism?</p>
<p>And agnostic is basically we don't know if god exists, but that the gods of religion do not.</p>
<p>huey-- I do feel for you then, b/c the Jewish community I was raised in (very small since we live in a hugely Christian environment) was very nurturing. I truely do feel a spiritual connection with many of the people in my synogouge as well as other synogogues that I've been to. </p>
<p>Judaism is definitely mroe than just a religion. Jews had to stick together through "thick and thin" trhoughout history, as they were often persecuted by large numbers of people (ie holocaust, pogroms, etc.). This unites them as more than just a relgion-- there's an understanding between those who have remained dedicated to their religion despite enormous obstacles.</p>
<p>wait... where did the "Another strike against Judaism...maybe pick up Hinduism?" argument come into play?</p>