So, I am brand new to this site, so I've been doing a lot of catching up as far reading posts from all these subject. I knew when I got to the Religion section, I would have a few things to say, but I had no idea the vast differences in the people who would be posting around me. Given that I have had a chance to see some of your guys' points of view, I thought I'd give you my background in faith before makeing any sort of waves on anyone else's thread.

I was raised with Christian beliefs, but never attended church on a regular basis. When my uncle died on my 13 birthday I began to question religion and the existence of God. This sent me on a very crazy search to understand. I read the Bible front to back, attended a Catholic church, a Mormon church (I also read the entire Book of Mormon), a Jewish church, and a Mosque. What I discovered within myself was quite simple. I believe in faith. I don't not believe in one religion over another, nor do I believe in church, as it stands right now.

My sister (a religions major) and I have been trying to understand how so many religions can exist if there is truely only one God. After realizing that all religions have the same basic principals, she came up with this, and I simply think it is genious.

God is this all knowing, all powerful being who created the world, in whatever manner you choose to acknowledge. He knew that these people he created in all parts of the world would be different in many respects, so in order to connect with each of them, he came to them in whatever manner worked. Jesus Christ for Christians, Mohammed for Islamic, and so on. The problem I have found with religion is that the people it was designed to unite, simply took it to extremes and ignited holy wars and religious protests and hate groups.

God obviously loves who he has created, or he would just erase the world and start again. I think if everyone would just acknowledge one another as being people of faith, and unite under the commonality of humanity, we wouldn't need all this bickering. In short, "can't we all just get along?"

-Beth

quote:

Originally posted by WorthWaitingFor:
"Scottie doesn't know that Fiona and me do it in my van every Sunday..."

she tells him shes at church but she doesnt go because she is on her knees and scottie doesnt know!!!

quote:

In short, "can't we all just get along?

In short, "no".

Scottie doesn't know! Scottie doesn't know! Gonna tell Scottie, gonna tell him myself! Scottie doesn't know! Scottie's gotta go!

I think I just missed a movie reference.

"Scottie doesn't know that Fiona and me do it in my van every Sunday..."

Remember: not everyone will agree with you. Feel fortunate that thos who do found you first, because there are those who will be less kind. Now, me: I just may disagree. Others can tell you horror stories.

quote:

Jesus Christ for Christians, Mohammed for Islamic, and so on.

Matthew 10:34-36
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'" (reference to Micah 7:6)


And if you feel that the Bible has been corrupted somehow, I ask you this: Why, if it is corrupted, (a)did God not change it back, or (b)do you consider (by saying Jesus came from God) the Bible legitimate?

God does love His creation, but His creation doesn't love Him back much. That is why I believe there are divisions among religions (the whole 'bring a sword' thing).

But if you think I am wrong, please tell me. What is YN if we can't debate?
Remember, I just said that 'corrupted' bit to forestall the response I have heard many times before here.

Faith is being tested in hard trials. That's the point of it. Our life isnt as important here as it will be with Him. I hate it too how you have to see ppl suffer or suffer yourself, but it happens with everybody, and reading the Psalms, for example, can inspire you. Just think "Even the worst suffering imagineable can bring forth life in abundance."

Hurrah for another sane spiritual person! Hurrah! Welcome, by the way. Its easy to understand we're you're coming from because, so far, I think I feel the same way.

Thanks for the welcome guys. BTW, 'religious plurality', beautifully put. I've never heard that before but it explains my views quite simply.

Oh, I read what I wrote again, and when listing the churches I'd been to, I completely forgot the Protestant church, and the Jehovah's Witness church. Not really important, I just didn't want to leave anyone out.

Thanks for makeing me feel welcome!!!
-Beth

We're pretty much on the same page. Here's what I wrote concerning this:

quote:

So my idea is that if you are a Christian and follow the principles of the religion, believe in God, and so on and so forth then you will go to Heaven.

If you are a Muslim and follow the principles of Islam, believe in Allah, and so on and so forth then you will reach...whatever Heaven is for Muslims.

If you are a Hindu and follow the principles of Hinduism and so on and so forth then you will reach...whatever Heaven is for Hindus.

If you are atheist or agnostic and you are a good, kinda, decent, moral person by society's general terms then whatever you believe will happen to you when you die, will (I am under the impression that most atheists believe they will just die so there's one example).

Do you see where this is going?

See, I personally believe in the Christian God. I believe there is no other God, yadda, yadda, yadda. But I also hold to the belief that good, kind, decent, moral people shouldn't burn in Hell or whatever for all eternity simply because they've never heard of Jesus Christ. That's just wrong and unfair.

And this doesn't make me less of a Christian. I never said that I believe people of other religions are saved and I didn't say that there is more than one God. In layman's terms: What you think will happen to you when you die, will. Unless you're a horrible, snotty, mean, despicable, etc. kind of person all your life. Then I think you will either be forced to stay on Earth, reincarnated into like a turd, or into Hell, if such a place exists.

...this is sorta based on alternate realities but I can't even explain that part of it.

In short, you believe in religious plurality. It's always refreshing to see someone like you. I put up too much with religious-types.

By the way, welcome to the site. You seem to know what you're talking about, unlike a few people who drop by every once in a while...