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How was it that you came to believe in whatever it is you believe?
For me, I have always believed in God. That was it. I believed, lived my life how I wanted. Then in High School, my first boyfriend dumped me because he believed that I was an athiest. Pretty horrible thing to tell a person, especially out of the blue. I know if it had been the other way around, first and foremost I would have asked questions to find the truth. Then I would have explained what I believed and why, not just said "to hell with you" (pun intended). That actually got me to review my beliefs though.
My second boyfriend, and fiancee who I was with for 4 1/2 years was religious as well. I continued to study the bible, but that was about it. We never went to church together, nothing. And then he tells me that he feels God does not want us to be together, and that we should break our engagement. I was shocked that religion was on some level involved in my two break ups...so I felt that God was trying to tell me something. I have been studying the bible so much more, and I was Baptized. My ex-finacee and I began to think that things were working out after that, but we neglected to go to church together after that night.... and now he feels even more that we are not meant to be together. I myself have been feeling lately that God does want us together, but obviously there is something stopping it...I have asked my ex repeatedly to do a bible study with me, I don't expect that to fix our problems, but I do think it is necessary for us if we have any interest in a future together. I think that the fact that we were not acknowledging God in our relationship is what broke us up, and I think that having Bible study together would put us on the right track.......
Sorry about that, but it was basically going through all this that brought me closer to God, and into a real relationship with Him.
~April
So I said "Why don't you shove it where the sun don't shine" and so he did. He put it in the cupboard under the stairs and it hasn't been mentioned since.
-Stephen Fry | |
Born to a family that didn’t want me, and raised by folks that were slightly religious, God was never foreign to me. I had always known that He existed, but subconsciously dismissed much of the church’s teachings because I grew up with them at a distance. Just like every other youngster, I wanted to be somewhat different and maybe not by standing out, but by being more interesting than John Doe.
I didn’t really begin to understand God ( Heh, well, what a man is capable of understanding anyhow ) until my kin encouraged me to attend church regularly with them. I had no problem with that, other than the time for working on Sundays, so I went. While I still wasn’t sincerely interested at that time, I did begin to see God trying to get my attention more than I had before, but I was a fool and didn’t wish to change my ways.
This remained unchanged until I was in the ninth grade. My church went on a mission trip, and I was able to hear many speakers, read books, and take part in conversations with the general populous, and those of my faith. It all was finally becoming tangible; I started seeing things much more logically, and my ideals were actually founded upon law. Becoming more interested in history and science, and what the Bible has to say about those things, I began to delve into light apologetics. I joined the local youth group, and strangely, made some very good friends. I’d never been able to make lasting friendships in school, but here were people who cared about everyone (!). At first I couldn’t figure out why, and was curious if they were only trying to add another statistic to their “convert” list. Those folks' true care for all is what every person should emulate.
I was very involved in that church, and being without one is a little sad. Though I am in the process of finding another. Off topic now, but what is it with these east coast types? They do everything so differently... Have they never seen a drifter before? I get the most curious looks from people. Oh well.
At any rate, I now feel that I am very close to God, I let Him lead me, and I call upon his judgment whenever I can ( Or don’t forget, which is far too often. ) Not to say that I am at all close to being a “good believer”, or less sinful person, because I am no better than anybody else - Nor is anyone better than me. I feel that at least in the Lord’s eyes, all people are equal; but those who believe, and those who don’t, are set in different groupings. But I’m not sure if that is truth.
I’m eternally grateful for everything in my life, and thank God as often as it comes to me.
I pray that others may come to find Him, and how wrong the secular world really is about God. How VERY wrong.
What a wonderful thing being forgiven truly is, and how equally wonderful to be loved by the all powerful entity. That may sound done to death, but the state is beyond imagination.
I’ve got one more thing to tell ‘ya: I don’t want to push my beliefs on anybody, but I tend to do that, so just tell me to stop if it happens. I try to respect everyone, but its tricky somedays.
Liberate te ex inferis - it's all up to you.
Libera te tu temet ipsum ab inferis!
52389, 118604 | |
Hum, well I have always been a believer. Just I "changed" faiths. My mom was raised Catholic and her brothers and sisters that are my age were tought in Catholic schools. But I had always been in Luthern churches. Until I found I didn't really "fit" with them. I studied a bit and found that I was closest with Cathlic beliefs and that is the direction I took. 
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Posted by Porcelain Princess
But I had always been in Luthern churches. Until I found I didn't really "fit" |
Are those fightin' words toward Lutherans?
Naw, don't worry, my girlfriend is Catholic! And nowadays our beliefs are very similar anyway. It just caught my attention, and I was surprised that anybody from Colorado here was Lutheran at least at one time. Neat.
Darn my bad wording, "Liberate te ex inferis" is latin for Save yourself from hell, and the comment after was showing that it's your choice whether to save yourself or not.
Libera te tu temet ipsum ab inferis!
52389, 118604 | |
lol No Akron! I don't bother people ever for their religion. It just wasn't me I am baptized Luthern and I may have to do the same for my son. He still hasn't been done and he is 4  Almost 5. I just can't get him baptized Catholic because Jake is also Luthern. Plus his godmother is Catholic but the godfather isn't. lol So that's not working too well.
Yes and I will agree, the beliefs are pretty similar now
And Jake isn't a "true Coloradan" He was born in Cali and was there until about 6th grade. But my whole family on my dad's side is Luthern still.
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Well essentially I was raised by a family made up of Christians but rejected it especially when my Opa(grandfather) whom I was immensely close to died at the age of 12. I asked God why he took him but the answers he was giving me didn't satify my wants and so I rejected him even further. The effects of the death combined with the fact that I was being bullied quickly began to eat away at me and with every passing day my emotions were becoming more and more violent. Soon I was stabbing people with pencils and playing psychological games with my bullies all the while the decay within myself continued to grow. Fast forward three years and the violence was continuing to escalate to the point where I was ready to take a shotgun to school and end my torment. However I had what alcoholics call a "Moment of Clarity" and I saw what my life had turned into and how my Opa's death was not to torture me but rather to build me up. It was my decision to take the easy road and not face the reality like the person I was brought up to be. I accepted Christ later that July and ever since then I have been a Christian and have continued to develop a deeper relationship with God.
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Interesting board.
I can't really say I'm a believer yet, but I am in the process I think. I wasn't raised religously and I think my father gave up on the church when he was a boy and lost his bro to polio. Anyhow, I was a devout athiest all through high school, then gradually became agnostic, then eventually believing in something. And recently (within the past year particularly), have begun to believe in Christ. The way it happened was (in my opinion), nothing short of divine. This is how it happened.
I was in undergrad in Corpus Christi (about 800 miles from here) and I was at the gym, when this girl came in. Most beautiful woman ever. Why I remember that day, I don't know, but it's very clear to me. Anyway, I began seeing this girl all over campus, we always seemed to work out at the same time and were always sitting across from each other in the library. Of course I was too shy to ever talk to her, but anyway....I graduated and moved up here to Amarillo....but for some reason, I knew I'd see that girl again sometime. So it had been a year since I 1st saw her, and I'm here in school. I'm up at school one night studying and I needed some coffee. I grabbed a friend and we drove up to starbucks. I walked in, and who is standing at the counter....Yep. Her. Of course we instantly reckognized each other and started talking. We traded numbers and the rest is history so to speak. Anyway, she ended up becoming one of my best friends (actually probably my best friend, as I'm more comfortable around her than anyone). For a while, I thought it was just an insane coincidence that we met, some 800 miles from where we 1st "met," but as I got to know her, I found out she is deeply religious. She is also the 1st religious friend I've had who didn't push me toward religion after finding out I was "lacking" in said department. That was infinitely important to my religious development. I cannot be pushed, only gently guided and left to think I got there by myself ;) She also gave me some books to read concerning Christianity and atheism, specifically, "Mere Christianity" by Lewis Carroll and a few others, and I even got up early on a few Sundays to go to church with her...and I didn't hate it! The dude that talks (I dunno what they are called, preachers, priests, deacons etc) made sense to me and made the Bible make sense to me, and for the 1st time it didn't come off as bullshit.
The fact that we met at all is a miracle in my books, and I almost think of her (my friend) as my own messenger of God, if that makes sense. Unfortuneatly, she is now going to school in Nashville, so I don't have her to hang out with and take me to church, as I feel kinda weird going by myself.
Anyway, thats a long story to say I'm a work in progress.
"Dallas is a magnificent and wide open city, and I'm deeply envious of any urban explorers who have the good fortune to live there." -Ninj. | |
Noah.... I am a work in progress myself, I think we all are in some ways. But I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience at church, I have been to some great churches, and some very BAD churches... If there is anything I can help you with, or any questions, please feel welcome to post them here, there is nothing too trivial....
So I said "Why don't you shove it where the sun don't shine" and so he did. He put it in the cupboard under the stairs and it hasn't been mentioned since.
-Stephen Fry | |
I must say I envy all of you for having the ability to have faith. I personally can't do that as I need tangible evidence and facts in order to believe in anything (blame this on a scientist father and being a science major). I want to believe but there is not enough in your face evidence for me to believe in any religion (plus, as a paramedic, I saw how shitty people are to each other and the world in general and I just thought that if God allows this to happen, he isn't doing a great job). Hope no one's offended but those are my beliefs (or lack thereof)
Apprentice,
the agnostic Canadian
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I was raised a Christian. My parents would take me to Sunday school and everything. I thought Jesus was a storybook character because they always talked about him out of books - I never realized people thought he was a real man. I believed in God at that point because I didn't know there was any other way to think. Eventually, my parents stopped forcing me to attend Sunday school and church and I eventually found out that there was another way of thinking (that there is no such thing as God) and so I came to consider myself Athiest.
Fast-forward to highschool around 11th grade (4 or so years ago). I had been reading a lot of philosophy and thinking a lot about religion and decided that I shouldn't just believe that there is no god just because I don't see any evidence FOR a god, so I started calling myself agnostic. I've always loved discussing religion, the existence of God, etc. and I have many ultra-religious friends who will discuss their religion with me without getting angry or pushing their beliefs on me (which is great).
I've recently started considering myself athiest once again. While I am not 100% sure that god doesn't exist (the only thing I'm truly 100% sure of is that I exist), I think the odds are so favorable against His existance that I should call myself athiest rather than agnostic.
The reason I'm not a believer probably stems from the fact that, unlike a lot of people, I don't feel that need to believe in something bigger than myself, and also, I find the idea that when you die, you die and that is it not to be disturbing in the least. I can't make myself believe anything I don't find likely, and no one has ever been able to convince me that the existence of god is likely, despite my constantly seeking out proof.
Maybe one of you will be able to convince me to at least consider myself unsure enough to be agnostic once again?
Urban Exploration | |
I'll start off with a disclaimer.
My particular spiritual path is one that is the most right for me. I do not believe that one path to the devine fits all.
I started off being indoctorinated and confirmed into the Presbyterian sub-sect of Christianity. As a journey of faith, I decided to read the Bible from cover to cover. During this journey, I continued to read the Bible for a total of seven times. The differences between the text and the doctorine on the pulpit disturbed me. I was told what particular passages meant, but just reading them in context showed me a different meaning altogether. I tried a few other churches but found similar problems. Christianity didn't work for me anymore, so I set off to study other religions in an effort to understand them and also to judge the statements from the pulpit made about them.
In 1986, I took a college course on Islam. Quite an eye opener, but also not a path I could follow.
I studied Judaism and Hinduism through reading their respective religious texts.
Buddhaism likewise studied.
In 1989, a chance meeting between myself and a Wiccan clergy member through a mutual friend started my study of Wicca. It clicked for me. It was my path and I have been studying it ever since. I have also kept up, through online discussion forums, readings of the other religions I studied.
I've also met many atheists who weren't anti-theistic. Simply stated, they do not have the need for a higher power and do not see any evidence for a higher power and therefore lack a God belief.
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Posted by IrishLady
My second boyfriend, and fiancee who I was with for 4 1/2 years was religious as well. I continued to study the bible, but that was about it. We never went to church together, nothing. And then he tells me that he feels God does not want us to be together, and that we should break our engagement. I was shocked that religion was on some level involved in my two break ups...so I felt that God was trying to tell me something. I have been studying the bible so much more, and I was Baptized. My ex-finacee and I began to think that things were working out after that, but we neglected to go to church together after that night.... and now he feels even more that we are not meant to be together. I myself have been feeling lately that God does want us together, but obviously there is something stopping it...I have asked my ex repeatedly to do a bible study with me, I don't expect that to fix our problems, but I do think it is necessary for us if we have any interest in a future together. I think that the fact that we were not acknowledging God in our relationship is what broke us up, and I think that having Bible study together would put us on the right track.......
Sorry about that, but it was basically going through all this that brought me closer to God, and into a real relationship with Him.
~April
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I think you should be glad not to be with someone who believes that God has an opinion on whether or not you belong together. I highly doubt that God came down and said, "Dude, don't be with her. She's just not enough of a believer." What a jerk to use this as an excuse. We cannot know what a supreme being or deity is thinking. It sounds as if he used this as an excuse to break things off rather than speak his true reasoning. Remember, you were created with free will and the ability to think for yourself. Obviously, he was not able to do this without reverting to the God issue.
I have had people say the same things to me; my reply was short but concise:
" Accept me for who and what I am or go F*@k yourself." This is one of many reasons why I find religion to be a stumbling block to happiness and fulfillment. You're a great person Irish. You helped me more than you could possibly know when my problems seemed insurmountable. Don't let such a turd drag you down. You will find someone who accepts you for your true self, not how much of a christian you are or how many passages you can quote.
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Posted by apprentice
I have had people say the same things to me; my reply was short but concise:
" Accept me for who and what I am or go F*@k yourself." This is one of many reasons why I find religion to be a stumbling block to happiness and fulfillment. You're a great person Irish. You helped me more than you could possibly know when my problems seemed insurmountable. Don't let such a turd drag you down. You will find someone who accepts you for your true self, not how much of a christian you are or how many passages you can quote.
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Apprentice, you made me tear up a bit there ;) But you are right.
When I was dumped because of my religion, I did basically tell the guy to go screw himself. He knew nothing about me or my beliefs. In fact, that same guy keeps coming around, telling me why my current relationship is failing…. “you were living in sin!” because we had an apartment together. Right.
But this is different. Melvin believes what he is telling me. I know him better that anyone else does, and vice versa. I have known in the past when he was lying, and I can honestly say that if he is lying about this, he should go into acting, cause he would be rich. I don’t know why he thinks this, or what he thinks the reason God “wouldn’t want us together” But I do know that he is confused, and that he loves me.
I believe one of the reasons he has been pushing me away is fear. Last year one of his closest friends died. It was shortly after that when our problems began. I think he is afraid of losing me, and would rather lose me in this way than having me die. Not entirely rational, but I can somewhat understand the response.
Lately he has been confiding in me again, and I can tell he is different. I think he is beginning to come to terms with his loss, and he even talks about it now. What’s making all this worse though, is my health. I am still not sure what is wrong with me, but whenever I try to talk to him about it, for support, he asks me to go see my doctor, and then he changes the subject……. I can see the fear in his eyes.
I know that this doesn’t make anything right, but it helps that I am beginning to understand what he’s thinking a bit better. I love him, I would move the world for him, and I hate to see him hurting.
I know I need to do things that are good for me, but I also feel that I need to be there for him. He is already improving, and I think that if I am patient with him, he will be back to normal.
Apprentice, I am so so happy I could help you. You probably don’t even know it, but you have helped me too. It helps just being able to talk to you (although not so much talking lately). I am happy that I took the time to talk to you that day, and you are such a great person. And funny too Thank you for being there for me, and being a good enough friend to tell me things I may not want to hear. Also for the kind words… If you ever need me, I’m here for you.
[last edit 1/3/2005 10:17 PM by IrishLady - edited 1 times]
So I said "Why don't you shove it where the sun don't shine" and so he did. He put it in the cupboard under the stairs and it hasn't been mentioned since.
-Stephen Fry | |
No problem!!!
I had a girlfriend many years ago do pretty much the same thing. She couldn't see the real me. She saw someone who wasn't going to pray every 5 minutes and also wouldn't become a member of her fire and brimstone baptist church. He is performing emotional blackmail on you by telling you that you are living in sin etc. It appears that he believes since he isn't with you then no one should be. I might be reaching here but I suspect that he was somewhat emotionally abusive to you and to this day, belittles and minimizes you by constantly telling you that you are a sinner, going to hell etc... in order to validate his own feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. He sounds as if he may need counselling to come to terms with past losses; however, in no way does that justify his treatment of you.
I may be an agnostic but I do know that according to the gospels, if you accept Christ as your saviour and that he died for your sins, then you are a Christian. Praying or church attendance does not make you Christian, faith inside does.
Don't let him get you down
Pat
your colourful northern neighbour
[last edit 1/4/2005 1:25 AM by Father Maurice Lester - edited 1 times]
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Well I hope I didn't confuse you with my ex from long ago with my current ex-fiancee whatever he is to me now. Melvin is the latter, the one I want to be with. The other, the one who tells me I was "living in sin with Melvin" is a jerk. Most of the time anyway. This line: " It appears that he believes since he isn't with you then no one should be" I think is the case with him. Even my coworkers think he is an ass to me because he wants me back, and can't stand the fact that I am in love with Melvin and not him. He's not so much emotionally abusive, but he says things in a way that he knows will get to me. Melvin is convinced that he doesn't do it on purpose but is merely lacking in his social skills. I think it is a bit of both. You're right about accepting Christ as your saviour, that's why I was never too concerned with what Brian had to say anyway. He was trying to judge me (Judge not lest ye be judged) and is a bit of a hypocryte, I never sit and point out all his sins, I would never do that cause it's not my place.
Irish "dont let your mouth write a CHECK your ass can't cash" Lady
So I said "Why don't you shove it where the sun don't shine" and so he did. He put it in the cupboard under the stairs and it hasn't been mentioned since.
-Stephen Fry | |
Damn it...it's cheque, not check. Chequing account.
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It's a CHECK!!!! a CHECKing account!! rofl
So I said "Why don't you shove it where the sun don't shine" and so he did. He put it in the cupboard under the stairs and it hasn't been mentioned since.
-Stephen Fry | |
It's the Queen's English we speak up here (with some Joual...French Canadian French thrown in). Therefore, CHEQUING, COLOUR, NEIGHBOUR, OOT and ABOOT are correct.
Blame Canada
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Psha, correct my arse. Did I ever ask you my aboot question? I can't remember....
Also......as the mod of the board I must insist that Irishlady and Apprentice KEEP IT ON TOPIC! 
So I said "Why don't you shove it where the sun don't shine" and so he did. He put it in the cupboard under the stairs and it hasn't been mentioned since.
-Stephen Fry | |
I was born and baptized a congregational christian, however i never felt like going to church was right for me. Maybe it was because the time i did go to church i couldnt have a friend spend the night on a saturday night or because my parents were going through a divorce.
I think there is a guiding force for everyone but i dont think that Christ is the savior for the human race or anything like that.... So im kind of confused, thus im agnostic, but i like some ideas from buddhism and taoism...
I think that if you are happy with what you are doing with your life thats all you can ask for. The only real way to prove that god exists(in my opinion) is when you die.
Dont take this as a threat to religion, just what i believe and i respect all of your religions and i think that religion is a very interesting topic.
Shut the fuck up and ride that fucking Couchmobile!
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