I was raised in a small Christian suburb with church education from kindergarten through college (and a theological school). It made me very ignorant of the outside world. So when my eyes were opened, and I realized that other religions existed ... I also realized that my religion was not any more right than theirs. Through a long (well a couple years) and painful process including a lot of "soul-searching" I am now very agnostic. I find myself leaning distinctly towards atheism, but I may come back somewhat from that extreme.

Here is my reasoning for the nonexistence of God: For one, it simply has not been proven. For another thing, there is an explanation for most everything in science. Thirdly, I don't think that there would be this One Divine Person, particularly this One Divine Man. I, after all, am a firm nonbeliever in the superiority of humans. (Which is part of why I'm a vegetarian, but we'll get into that on some other message board) If there is something out there, it must be a sort of anonymous Spirit, all life put together or something. Hm, I think religion seems to be largely based on human supremacy.

But I think religion is great in many ways. It can give people hope, and a reason to live. It often inspires a lot of good. However, disagreements often generate a lot of violence. Too bad.

So what do you believe? I like hearing other people's comments on this subject, because it is totally an opinion and I have my beliefs very firm and distinct. 'Cept don't try to tell me I'm going to hell; I don't even believe in hell (that was one of my earliest revelations actually)

Logically, no one can really prove that God exists. That's why there are so many different religions. Belief in God is based on Faith. That is part of what Martin Luther did to branch off of the Catholic Church. I, myself, have often thought about the basis of belief in God, etc. I always come back to God, my believes are always slighthly modified but I return. To tell the truth I find antagonistic beliefs more comforting than Christian beliefs, but I have seen answers to my prayers and experienced things which I can only describe as directly from God. The other thing is that everything is made up. I mean, these words...someone made them up, math...someone made it up, science...made up. Everything is made up, so if I get to the end of life and have ended up living my life for a made up God I won't really be that upset. Especially if I used that time to help others and give them hope (even if it is in something that isn't real at the end). I do believe that heaven and hell are real, but I think that every person should research and look into everything before they decide on any belief or else how do they know it's true?

I kind of believe in reincarnation because it seems the most likely (and also productive) thing to have happen. But, i don't give all the other theories the boot because no one really knows what happens... Life and Death are Mysteries.

I'd write more but I'm too tired... sorry

~Becca

I agree with you, girlofstrongmind, about the whole reincarnation bit. It makes the most sense to me, anyway. I just can't see my spirit flying up out of my body into Heaven .. or, for that matter, flying down to some dark and flaming pit of Hell.

It just seems that the whole concept of reincarnation has such a bad reputation - I think a lot of people don't take it seriously because of people who are going around predicting which famous person they were in a past life. I also don't think we always come back as humans ... so I guess I'm a believer in karma as well.

As for the original topic ... I'm in the same position - mostly agnostic with leanings towards atheism.

Wow, thank you for actually disagreeing in a nice way, something most people on these message boards seem to have trouble doing!

It rather seems to me, that...well, that you are right, that religion is there to explain the things that science currently cannot. Okay, I know that's not how you meant it. But maybe someday, science will be able to explain a whole lot more, and then religion will have to bend to fit the space that is left, the way it has been doing since it began. The sheer fickleness of religion makes it hard for me to accept.

How could you prove the existence of God? I'm not sure there is a way that most people - or in any case atheists - could accept. Most people who do believe in God think that life, love and nature are proof enough.

I think that people should accept the fact that we can never know the truth, and simply make the best of our lives - do good for the sake of doing good. There are more pressing problems on our little planet than finding out whose faith is correct.

But it is a lot easier to accept the death of a loved one if you "know" that they are going someplace wonderful. I personally believe that if there is an afterlife of any sort, it is probably reincarnation. I, for one, couldn't leave this planet forever in its disgusting state - there's no way I can fix it in this lifetime, so I'd like to continue my work in life after life after life. The world will never be perfect, so I will always want to keep perfecting it. Other people can have their heavens if they like, which are already perfect. I can't imagine being happy there, unless it was an ignorant happiness, which is something I could not choose for myself.

That, I think, is enough for now. Why am I a vegetarian? I'll answer that later.... I'm all thunk out for now.

Yeah well, you said there was an explanation for mostly everything in science. The void that science cant fill is filled by Religion, as in why was the big bang triggered, how was this material created. and other things...

Its kind of hard to explain something irrational by logic. I dont believe in hell either, no one deserves that kind of punishment, and well the idea of fire and the red guy is just plain stupid. I believe hell was created, and pursued by christians as a way of scaring people and making them act good. If God is so forgiveful then hell wouldnt exist.

What do you think would happen if they prove the existence of God???? thats a good question. Ill post later.

And id love to hear why are you a vegetarian.