Not Religious but do Religious things

DonLimon wrote: »

Regardless of your religious beliefs, some aspects of Catholicism are invaluable like Confession and Lent

Invaluable? How? If you've no religious beliefs, where's the value of instilling and regularly reinforcing feelings of irrational guilt?

Cursing language like "Jaaaaaaysus" is the only thing I use or have anything to with religion. I can't consider myself an atheist if I continue any sort of religious traditions or beliefs of any kind because "that's what everyone else does in this country". It's meaningless on a religious and spiritual level to continue it if it's only for tradition.

It would be like "I'm against Coca-Cola, they're an evil corporation, yadda yadda ya".................................*takes swig out of Deep Riverrock bottle* :pac:

I've no problem attending mass for weddings or funerals since that's part of that person's tradition and I'm only there to pay respect to them and them alone.

Beyond that, I don't want anything to do with the church.

ronan45 wrote: »

There are no Atheists in Foxholes :cool:

Neither are there Elvis impersonators in foxholes.

its a bit of a two way street, the bishops etc know all to well about all the non believers having church weddings, baptisms etc but they pay the bills so they'll turn a blind eye (they're good at that).

As for me I still have Christian feelings but I just don't like what the catholic church stands for so count me out.

brummytom wrote: »

I've found myself praying a couple of times when I've been seriously scared/upset, or blessed myself when a hearse drives past. I think that's the essence of religion, a comfort blanket. I did do a double-take and think 'Tom, you don't believe in God...' but fcuk it, covering all bases.

Yeah but what if God thinks "Y'know what Tom most of the time you ignore me but now you're in trouble you expect my help. Go f**k yourself Tom." He probably thinks that you are kind of like a neighbour that will pop round to borrow some money of you but wouldn't offer you a lift into town if they passed you on the road.

pcnoobie wrote: »

im not religious but i got a tattoo of a cross on my wrist
probably the most stupid thing ive ever done

Tell people it's upside down and you're the anti-christ :pac:

Red Pepper wrote: »

Do your kids a favour and don't baptise them - let them decide when they are older if they want to join the RCC. I imagine most wont as time goes on.
I think the practice 2000 years ago was to only baptise older children or adults. It was the RCC that brought in infant baptism, for obvious reasons.

"Get em young" being the church's unofficial motto, both in the figurative and literal sense.

I cannot understand how people can be so blasé about the RCC in this country with all we know now. I honest cannot fathom how anyone wants anything to do with it. There influence of education and legislation and their general mindfcuk over their congregations has done more damage to this country than any empire ever did. And as long as there are people like the OP, they will continue to have that influence

As for baptising your children when you don't actually believe in it yourself, that is just plain ****ing ridiculous. For those who put forward the schooling arguement, as long as people go along with it the longer the stupid system remains in place.

I'm the same as the OP, and my mates find it very odd (young gay man here, don't exactly live life on the path of a true Catholic), but I always do many old Catholic things... i.e. Bless myself when passing an ambulance/hearse/church, watch how I am acting/saying when passing priests/nuns, pray in times of crisis... I do at not only to "cover all bases" as that is a bit redundant considering the way I live the rest of my life, but I also do it out of respect for others in society who do still hold the Catholic Church in high esteem... I respect that others believe strongly in Catholic traditions and have consideration for that. For example, when one of my friends passed away there a few years ago in car accident, we all went to the funeral. I took offense on behalf of the family that some of my friends wore baseball caps in the Church and spoke during the mass etc.

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

I don't have blind belief in science

But, one doesn't believe in science. There is no faith involved. Science deals solely in proven facts, and should just be "accepted", for want of a better phrase.

As for the OPs question: Was raised with no religion. Have gone to weddings/funerals in chuches of numerous denominations (Catholic ones freak me out the most- you turn around and everyone is sucking their thumb? Can I ask what that is about?). That's about it.

Religous events and traditions came from old traditions and are continued on through tradition so you can get married without believing in a god.