God

thebaz

We supposedly live in a Catholic country ,but with the number of priests entering the Catholic church in serious decline, and the attendences at Sunday mass decreasing yearly, I was wondering what AH users beliefs are ?


A. Do you believe in God but don't practice ?

B. A strong faith and commited member of an organised religion ?

C. Not sure if God exists , but would not rule it out ?

D. Do not believe in God - atheist ?

Mossy Monk

put me down for a c

Religion/spirituality forum BTW

A. Do you believe in God but don't practice ? <<

---

Ruu_Old

Im a cee person.

Femelade

Used to go to mass every sunday with my family, until i turned 18 and was alot of the time too sick to go to mass after a night out.

I think i believe in god,i think i might use him to blame when things go wrong, and thank him when things go right though.

I have being saying with a long time that i will start going to mass again, as i have a 5 yr old daughter and i would like her to go, with what they teach in school, it would be embarrasing for her to not know what they are on about. eg. the different prayers and stuff. And also for her to make up her own mind when she is older if she will continue going to mass, or if she even believes.

Terry

i don't believe in any god in any form.
basically i think the bible was written, in part, by men who ate the wrong mushrooms and started to see things. other parts were written by people with an agenda (putting down women and things like that). and then there are the parts written by people who had good ideas about how to live your life (the ten commandments being the prime example.)
there was also a deep misunderstanding in the world around us at the time it was written. a lot of things were misinterpreted. recent evidence has shown that the sea of galilea was prone to freezing over in the winter 2,000 years ago, thus jesus walking on water.
anyway, i'm a firm believer htat nodoby actually knows how the universe was created (although the big bang theory does have some believability to it) and that it will be a long time before anyone does figure it all out properly.
i sincerely believe there was no higher being involved.

ThrownAway

It C for me too

I don't know.

I might never know.

so I don't care.

Dragan

I'll go for D,

my reasons being....i don't believe it God. It makes no different to me, were he to appear in front of me and offer absolute proof of his existence, i still would not believe in him.

I would know he exists.....i know that my coffee table exists....that does not mean i believe in my coffee table ( Terry Pratchett is a legend ).

Karl Hungus

Member of the Esoteric Order Of Dagon here.

ThrownAway

julep wrote:

anyway, i'm a firm believer htat nodoby actually knows how the universe was created (although the big bang theory does have some believability to it) and that it will be a long time before anyone does figure it all out properly.

Exactly.

Theres a difference between the statements '' I believe and '' I know''
Nobody knows.

Tar.Aldarion

Out of the cho=ices given I would pick, atheist. You are probably referring to Earthly gods, their nice stories...
Anyway, here is what I am:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054930405

Alatrist/agnostic is probably best.

WhiteWashMan

from ah.

thebaz, quit starting threads in ah which belong somewhere else.

Sarky

tbh

BoozyBabe

I like to believe there is a God.
When something's going wrong, or when someone's ill, I pray to try & help, so who am I praying to???

Somehow though, I can't help but feel that there isn't. We're on earth, then we die, big full stop. I doubt very much that there's anyone overlooking us, even our dead loved ones.

So, really, I don't know what I believe / think

thebaz

coolsmileygirl wrote:

Religion/spirituality forum BTW

A. Do you believe in God but don't practice ? <<

---

Reason i didn't put in Religion/Spirituality is I wanted a more rounded response, rather than just people who will read the Religion/Sprituality forum.
Religion is/was a huge thing in this country, and most wars occur due to religiuos intolerance , most (98%) of us have been educated in systems with a Christian ethos.
Anyway me , i float between A and C, and when I'm having a rotten day , D.
But i guess I'd check the C option .

Tar.Aldarion

Great picture Sarky.
This should be moved out of Christianity to somewhere like Spirituality.

You can't post in AH for a more round response.

Terry

WhiteWashMan wrote:

from ah.

thebaz, quit starting threads in ah which belong somewhere else.

i think humanities would have been a better place for this.
we have people of other religious persuasions than just christianity and they may not visit the christianity forum.

RandolphEsq

I dont believe in God at all.
I think that people created God to cope with life and the fact that we are so tiny and unimportant in the universe that its hardly believable and to feel better about death.
I think though that many people need to follow a religion to live proper,good lives but when it comes to running a country I dont think religion should be taken into account when deciding things like sex and other things. Idealy there would be no religion and people would invest more in science to do things that benefit mankind. Something I read in the paper the other week about the American House of Congress debating gay marriages and one southern congressman said he rejected it because, he said, "god says its wrong". Hearing that just really annoys me. That guy is such an idiot and shouldnt be allowed to have any power when he comes out with stupid reasons like that

Dave!

Sarky wrote:

tbh

You're a Scientologist, then...?

Booyah!

I'm a C -- and I'm quite pleased to see that the majority of people (so far) have some sense

Can't wait to see what the Census says though... 99% Catholic, 1% Jedi :rolleyes:

Tar.Aldarion

DaveMcG wrote:

You're a Scientologist, then...?

Booyah!

Pastafarian.
Learn your religions mate!

http://www.venganza.org/

BrianCalgary

I'm a B

NewFrockTuesday

Im a B too. I try to be.

groundedplane

I believe in a God and a higher power but I distance myself from any organized religion since it’s mainly corrupted with greedy evil money grabbing abusing scumbags who spread the word of God. Give me a break. Think about all the wars going on in the world past and present, religion has something to do with them all. I could write a book on how much I dislike the Catholic Church, actually despise them and all they stand for. Don’t get me started.

I do not need a religious organization in my life for me to believe in God. I live my life in a way that we are supposed to, not in a way were your told condoms are a sin, and gays are going to hell, amongst another 100 other pieces of crap the Catholic’s push down your throat.

I am a non practicing Catholic, unfortunately.

BrianCalgary

groundedplane wrote:

I believe in a God and a higher power but I distance myself from any organized religion since it’s mainly corrupted with greedy evil money grabbing abusing scumbags who spread the word of God. Give me a break. Think about all the wars going on in the world past and present, religion has something to do with them all. I could write a book on how much I dislike the Catholic Church, actually despise them and all they stand for. Don’t get me started.

I do not need a religious organization in my life for me to believe in God. I live my life in a way that we are supposed to, not in a way were your told condoms are a sin, and gays are going to hell, amongst another 100 other pieces of crap the Catholic’s push down your throat.

I am a non practicing Catholic, unfortunately.

So, how do you really feel about the RC church?:D

In all seriousness though. You state a belief in God, would you consider trying churches of other denominations? If not, why? If yes, where would you start?

pbsuxok1znja4r

Half-way between A and B for me. I know Catholicism isn't exactly where my beliefs lie but I've yet to make the effort to make the break from practicing it. It will take me a lot of learning, reading, investigating before I even get a rough idea of what denomination most agrees with my beliefs. It's no small feat and I just haven't had the time to look into it properly yet

Dave McG; Daveo, I take it that you see someone like me as a person without sense, then, eh?

mar 25

Girl what are you on are you American or what? I would like to believe there is a god but wake up there isnt im sorry to burst your bubble but i believe there is a heaven and they are watchin down on us but that is it girl....

aidan24326

A big fat D for me.

And Groundedplane, a good attitude for a god-believer!

Limerick Dude

B for me, but i should practise more.

iFight

Im a D, kind of, complicated, wont get in to it

jady88

Your question is inherently flawed because the only too options for havining faith in God either place you in the good practising partition or the lapsed section. You have failed to provide for those who may believe ferverntly in a God who does not require so called practising except for in our actions.

Gryzor

never seen any evidense of him, or her or it?? i think its too easy to quote "faith" to people to explain every question or inconsistency away :rolleyes:

people need to beleive theres something after this life wheather it be ascension to heaven or reincarnation or whatever the crowd in the next religion believe....i rekon u die, u go in a hole in the ground and thats about it......and so what if it is, once your lights go out you ain't gonna know any differant if you're not reborn....

then again maybe i'm way off the mark!!!

staple

'B' comes closest: belief and practising, but not very strong faith.

At the mo. it's about A+B on 17 and C+D on 30. Confirmation, if needed that this forum is dominated by non believers. Non believers also seem to be more prolific in posting as well as being more numerous. Is the rugby board dominated by soccer players pointing out that you can't handle the ball? Is the music board dominated by deaf people pointing out what full, rich and virtuous lives they lead without music?

I'm a buddhist and I don't know or really care if a god exists since I don't worship any. I suppose a load of them might exist. *shrug*

Confirmation, if needed that this forum is dominated by non believers. Non believers also seem to be more prolific in posting as well as being more numerous. Is the rugby board dominated by soccer players pointing out that you can't handle the ball? Is the music board dominated by deaf people pointing out what full, rich and virtuous lives they lead without music?

I don't think too many of us -I can't spell this- proselytize around here, though. In any case, I post to learn more about the religions as more understanding and communication in general is always a good thing.

Sapien

staple wrote:

'B' comes closest: belief and practising, but not very strong faith.

At the mo. it's about A+B on 17 and C+D on 30. Confirmation, if needed that this forum is dominated by non believers. Non believers also seem to be more prolific in posting as well as being more numerous. Is the rugby board dominated by soccer players pointing out that you can't handle the ball? Is the music board dominated by deaf people pointing out what full, rich and virtuous lives they lead without music?

Perhaps non-believers feel that they owe it to their believing comrades to help them firm up their arguments. A forum of believers would either be obnoxiously parochial and masturbatorial, or pointlessly hair-splitting and semantic.

Asiaprod

staple wrote:

Confirmation, if needed that this forum is dominated by non believers. Non believers also seem to be more prolific in posting as well as being more numerous.

Why do you think this is, and I would not use the word dominate. We are just very vocal and enjoy debating.:)
Could you go with the possibility that the non-believers are actually trying to help their believing brethren, or are trying to better understand. Also bear in mind that the majority of non-believers that post here were at one stage in their lives also believers. I have to say of all the boards on the internet that I do participate in, the Chritianity/Atheism/Agnostic forums here on Boards i.e stands out as a shining example of how to do things correctly. As Sapien said, and I agree, "A forum of believers would either be obnoxiously parochial and masturbatorial, or pointlessly hair-splitting and semantic."

BrianCalgary

I don't know why th eboard has more non-believers than believers. Maybe you are right Asia, non-believers enjoy debate more.

On the other hand, and this diturbs me, is that too many believers just can not defend why they believe what they do. I had a kid in my Sunday School class who popped in one Sunday am, created a bit of a disturbance. I aksed him a very simple question, do you believe that Jesus is God? His response was: Yes. I asked him why? He couldn't, he didn't even know where to begin. Although he went to a Christian school and had attended our church since birth. His mom is even in charge of the ladies group!

Granted, not every Christian can answer every question regarding every topic, but on the essentials we should at least be able to know why?

babyvaio

BrianCalgary wrote:

I don't know why th eboard has more non-believers than believers. Maybe you are right Asia, non-believers enjoy debate more.

On the other hand, and this diturbs me, is that too many believers just can not defend why they believe what they do. I had a kid in my Sunday School class who popped in one Sunday am, created a bit of a disturbance. I aksed him a very simple question, do you believe that Jesus is God? His response was: Yes. I asked him why? He couldn't, he didn't even know where to begin. Although he went to a Christian school and had attended our church since birth. His mom is even in charge of the ladies group!

Granted, not every Christian can answer every question regarding every topic, but on the essentials we should at least be able to know why?

Brian, no offense, but even you never gave this answer in a satisfying form.

BrianCalgary

babyvaio wrote:

Brian, no offense, but even you never gave this answer in a satisfying form.

no offense, I think it has more to do with the blind shall not see?

Luke 6:39-40
39He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

babyvaio

BrianCalgary wrote:

no offense, I think it has more to do with the blind shall not see?

Luke 6:39-40
39He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

No offense again, but just read this, you could at least read it.


In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Alif. Lam. Mim.

2:1


This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).

2:2


Who believe in the unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them;

2:3


And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter.

2:4


These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful.

2:5


As for the disbelievers, whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not.

2:6


Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom.

2:7


And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, when they believe not.

2:8


They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile nonesave themselves; but they perceive not.

2:9


In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom theirs because they lie.

2:10


And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only.

2:11


Are not they indeed the mischief makers? But they perceive not.

2:12


And when it is said unto them: Believe as the people believe, they say: Shall we believe as the foolish believe? Are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not.

2:13


And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare: Lo! we are with you; verily we did but mock.

2:14


Allah (Himself) doth mock them, leaving them to wander blindly on in their contumacy.

2:15


These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they guided.

2:16


Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindleth fire, and when it sheddeth its light around him Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness, where they cannot see,

2:17


Deaf, dumb and blind; and they return not

2:18


Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder-claps, for fear of dead Allah encompasseth the disbelievers (in His guidance).

2:19


The lightning almost snatcheth away their sight from them. As often as it flasheth forth for them they walk therein, and when it darkeneth against them they stand still. If Allah willed, He could destroy their hearing and their sight Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

2:20


O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who hath created you and those before you, so that ye may ward off (evil).

2:21


Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better).

2:22


And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a sura or the like thereof, and call your witnesses beside Allah if ye are truthful.

2:23

BrianCalgary

I read it. But unfortunately it doesn't hold any authority. Here is a book thatclaims that Jesus was not crucified - yet history confirms that He was.

It is a book that calls Jesus a prophet -yet He was Immanuel (God with us).

It is a book that claims to know God, but it doesn't as it doesn't recognize Jesus for who He is.

babyvaio

BrianCalgary wrote:

I read it. But unfortunately it doesn't hold any authority. Here is a book thatclaims that Jesus was not crucified - yet history confirms that He was.

It is a book that calls Jesus a prophet -yet He was Immanuel (God with us).

It is a book that claims to know God, but it doesn't as it doesn't recognize Jesus for who He is.

What history? Please elaborate, be precise what history, what exactly, besides the Bible?

Asiaprod

BC wrote:

On the other hand, and this diturbs me, is that too many believers just can not defend why they believe what they do.

Granted, not every Christian can answer every question regarding every topic, but on the essentials we should at least be able to know why?

Great answers BC, this concerns me too. A great number of Christians I have met and talked to fall into this camp. I guess this is what non-believers are hinting at when they use the term indoctrination. One of the marked differences I find between believers and non-believers is that the non-believer seem to have what I call a Seeking Spirit. In the case of the believer, it is almost as if learning stops once the believer leaves the confines of school. The odd confession, the obligatory mass on Sunday and thats it.

For me a religion or belief must be something that you live actively on a daily basis. In the case of Buddhism, we follow 3 very strict guidelines, our lives must consist daily of faith, practice and study. I am sure you are no different in this also. There is nothing worse for me than to meet a believer of any system who cannot get past the second question you ask them. Any system must be an active system in order for it to amount to anything.

Thats why I am glad we have our forums on Boards i.e. Thanks to these, the learning process can continue, and we can have a lot of fun and heated debates on the way.

Keep up the good work all.

John Doe

I suppose I'm a c, but it depends on what you mean by God, and what sort of mood I'm in, and whether there's an 'm' in the month.