For those that are religious, why are you still?

[KH7672 1,604]

And of course I don't mean that confrontationally or accusatory, I just mean for curiosity sake those of us that practice be it Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Daoism, Buddhism-any religion, what keeps you stickng with it?

For me being Roman Catholic and happily going to mass every week, it's absolutely the parish community I've grown up in. Their friendliness with greetings and practically knowing everyone's name, their kindness through support of each other and my community, their openness be it social events like festivals that are open to everyone in the area not just parishioners. It always keeps me feeling proud of my choice in religion and willingness to continue going even when I was away at college and have become more independent.

So how about anyone else?

[TBD 17,256]

Roman Catholic here. Yes the Roman Catholics have the most horrible records throughout the history even to the point when they actually helped war criminals like the nazi from being executed. And ya da ya da..

I even have the bible studies folks say that the Roman Catholicism is a devil religion due to altering the old way into their way.  Let alone few comes across me to question my beliefs.

I could’ve turn down my religion but I choose not to. I mean, how many time have I heard this same ol story? 

 I grew up with it and been in catholic schools since high school. Despite of me not being quite religious it’s the only thing that I feel is also part of me. I don’t have a good spiritual explanations but you can say this religion has embedded in me and I can’t seem to depart from it.  Moreover, I grew to appreciate when there’s moments my religion has be questioned because I can reflect on it and it usually gives me more and strengthens my reasons to stay. I hate to sound arrogant but I also want to show people who thought wrongly about my religion to think twice and understand that this religion is not bad as it seem despite of it history and the people who had disgraced it. 

I remember one girl who have plastic surgery on her face and she asked me if getting plastic surgery is a sin. And hell, she look pretty worry when she asked.  I was shocked she ask something like this and responded, "no it does not make you a sinner." I told her that yes, our belief is that our body is like a god temple and should be treated with respect, like away self-harming or throwing your body away willing. Plastic surgery, piercing, tattoos is not included.  She was relief to hear that interpretation part and told me that most of the Catholics she talked to say it's a sin and it made her happy to hear from one who one, did not judge her and two gave her a more accurate non-extremist response. I guess from what I learned from this is we can take in our belief and interpreted for the better and not use it to judge or condemn people. And I'll be happy to do it again.

But the things I grew tired of is when people expect too much from the Roman Catholics to behave like good little boys and girls based on a Ten Commandments. New flash, we have arms and legs like human do. As we believe all humans are sinners. Yes the religion teaches us to be good, but try being good like pure innocent angels for 24/7. If you can’t do it why are you expecting us to? Thus calling us the hypocrites ones when everyone else is too, religion or not. I was taught not to judge and would meet a person who say you don’t need religion to teach you that. Well, apparently you’re judging me so it seem that lesson haven’t gotten to you yet..Moreover, just because we values or believes  something differently from the norms, doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s only bad if the person make it so. i would always politically correct people to say “some” Roman Catholics are bad or this or that, instead of saying “the Roman Catholics people”. Because when they say it like that, that it’s like they’re also including me and the other people who aren’t like that.

[PiratePony 8,476]

I'm Roman Catholic and love the Church. I'm religious because it's the truth. Fortunately, despite two thousand years where sinners have been at the helm, Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against Her. 

I can go into the sacraments, art, music, spiritual warfare, social teaching, Thomistic philosophy, etc., but that's for another day. Above all is the Mass and Eucharist. It is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ in the flesh.  

Also, if you're having any problems in life, there is much to be said for the grace that comes through practice. If you're a fallen away Catholic and are having some issues weighing you down...go to confession, pray the rosary, and go to mass. Everything starts falling into place really quickly. Shockingly quickly. 

 

[The Kaeya Simp 13,989]

Well I'm quite religious (quite recently reading the bible and deciding for to become a Catholic), 
I am religious because I see the bible as the truth, like I'm not 100% how to explain this honestly (plus I'm shit at explaining things so that probably doesn't help), 
I have got a few Catholic (kind of) family members, and living in Scotland (2nd largest religious group, after Protestantism, and currently the 1st largest religious group in my city of Glasgow, only followed by Protestantism as of the last census), as well as living next to a church (yes, you could say my house has a church view), I have been around Catholicism all my life, however I have never went to a Catholic school (who's idea was it to only have "Secular" autistic schools?!), and hadn't read the bible until roughly, let's say June (because I can't remember and I'm just having to try to guess the time of me beginning to read the bible), and I'm just needing to say to my parents I'm wanting to convert, and start going to mass and all that stuff

[Misty Shadow 7,945]

People always find something else to call their religion, even if they don't announce or even realize it. I was an atheist for quite some time after I stopped being a Christian, but I've recently become intrigued by Christian-Buddhist syncretism (mixing of two religions) since I've realized that having "faith" in politics and moral nihilism is a dead end. 

[Stone Cold Steve Jobs 22,441]

I'm a Christian, though by no stretch of the imagination am I a particularly good one. I disagree on several subjects but I try to set my best foot forward and be as helpful as I can. I prefer to more closely follow God Himself than the Church, though this by no means is to say I don't like the Church. 

The most difficult fight I've ever had so far has been the fight to not judge anyone. It almost feels inherent to me.

To answer your question, I'm religious because God makes me happy. I pray every night and though I don't have him face to face, I know he's there to listen and help me up when I fall, no matter how distant I've become.