mega thread Everypony's Religion And Why?

[KoGy 187]

@@EquestrianScholar,

Actually, I agree.

 

Of course there are many interpretations of the scripture and added material combined with the fact many people want to reinvent the wheel or word of God in this case doesn't really help.

 

Please don't take it as an offense but it's like modern music.

The countless subgenres that are almost the same still they want to appear unique.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

@@KoGy

I apologize I had forgotten to mention you and I was trying to make it so I did mention you. Yet it would seem I had the misfortune of you replying before I completed what I was trying to do.

--------------

 

Of note though it goes deeper then mere division of faith and belief... there's the fact of everything that took place at least partly in what is called the Dark Ages of History.

 

The Crusades, the Inquisition, and even more recently the Witch Hunts. More there is the corruption of church leaders, the most blatant example being Pope Alexander IV... though really his whole family was pretty bad, the Borgias.

 

Really, given Christianity's history and what Christians today do... I can't blame people being confused, frustrated, and even disillusioned.

 

Yet, despite all this... I still believing in the currectness of the Bible and of God's existence. Of the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus Christ, his message to the world.

 

It may not be an easy choice, it may not seem logical to some and even downright stupid to many... but it is a path I willingly follow.

Edited June 13, 2014 by EquestrianScholar

[KoGy 187]

@@EquestrianScholar,

People are sinners, their behavior doesn't discredit God.

People are usually equating religion/spirituality with church institutions.

 

Jesus never said to get rich from religion, as he was kicking money people out of the Great temple.

Of course don't tell that to the millionaire "pastors".

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

I am a theological evolutionist.

I don't believe EVERYTHING the Bible says.

I imagine there were some serious mistakes made in the translating of the book back in the time of King James.

 

Believing in no God is a settling feeling for most evolutionists.

Not for me though.

I believe matter had to start somewhere.

I can't wrap my mind around idea of matter always being in existance.

To me that seems impossible.

Sure we can come up with new theories and ideas on the orgin of the universe and I am absolutely open to those ideas, but when push comes to shove I believe at some point it had to start somehow by some form of supernatural means.

And that is why I am a theological evolutionist.

Edited June 13, 2014 by Emerald Starlight

[Sunshower Raindrops 3,227]

I'm a multiple universe theorist!!!

 

Surprised you didn't put The church of Scientology on here. I dont support it, but its still an option for some people.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

The older I get, the more Agnostic I become. One, I was actually baptized as a Protestant when I was 12, but that was only because I didn't wanna go to hell. Also, I never really paid attention in church and I still have trouble whenever I have to attend when I visit my step family (who are extreme Protestants). You might wonder why I don't just convert to Atheism. Well, one, most of my family are christian so that would be awkward. Two, Atheism kind of rubs me in the wrong way and I don't know why. Also, because of my conflicting issues with religion, I tend to stay away from religious debates. I'd rather not focused on what might have happened along time ago, nor what's gonna happen when I die, and rather focus on my life right now.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

I'm atheist.  I started to "officially" adopt atheistic views around when I was...  I think thirteen years of age.  Though now I question whether I ever believed at all.  Even went so far as to ask my mother how she knew that god existed when I was too young to even remember the asking (she recounted the story to me).  I remember that "believing" was more like a ritual and a struggle than something that came easily or felt right; it just required too much effort to "believe" (and resulted in some genuine anxiety and emotional upset).  And at some point I realized that...  I didn't.  There didn't / doesn't exist, in my eyes, any credible evidence as to the existence of a god, and there was just too much that never added up or left a bad taste in my mouth.  I'm not an atheist because of unpleasant run-ins with religious folk; though that did contribute to my negative impression of religion in general.  And I'm not an atheist because bad things happen the world over and there's supposedly a benevolent god up there that permits these things.  I'm atheist because I simply do not believe, have no cause to believe, and couldn't make myself believe if I tried.

Edited June 17, 2014 by PegaMister

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Hmm, yes perhaps so

 

I will say I am more frustrated with how many Christian denominations there are which prevents a more solid total. It makes Christianity seems so very fractured and divided. I wish there was a greater unity of faith and belief. Sighs

 

Well part of that is simply because of historical precedence, while for others it's legitimate difference in belief. Christianity is a relatively young, but storied faith that has been carried across continents and interpreted many different ways. So permutations of it are bound to be plentiful.

 

Whereas faiths like Shinto or Buddhism have not suffered a great loss of internal continuity for much of their history.

I am a theological evolutionist.

I don't believe EVERYTHING the Bible says.

I imagine there were some serious mistakes made in the translating of the book back in the time of King James.

 

Believing in no God is a settling feeling for most evolutionists.

Not for me though.

I believe matter had to start somewhere.

I can't wrap my mind around idea of matter always being in existance.

To me that seems impossible.

Sure we can come up with new theories and ideas on the orgin of the universe and I am absolutely open to those ideas, but when push comes to shove I believe at some point it had to start somehow by some form of supernatural means.

And that is why I am a theological evolutionist.

 

Why is the theory of evolution unsettling to theists? I've believed in God all my life and I never found something contradictory in the idea of evolution, nor is it exactly easy to ignore with all the fossil evidence pointing to it.

 

Not to mention, isn't it rather, dare I say, silly to just say "God snapped his metaphorical fingers and poof here we are"?

[Zenit 190]

I used to be christian. I would still be if I could hear God if its inside my head or ears but he can't really speak to me. I lose faith. I'm weirded out by catholics and Mormons(Christian Fanfiction uh huh :-D ) Mormonism is like a fanfic of the already fairytale bible.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Jake_

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I used to be christian. I would still be if I could hear God if its inside my head or ears but he can't really speak to me. I lose faith. I'm weirded out by catholics and Mormons(Christian Fanfiction uh huh :-D ) Mormonism is like a fanfic of the already fairytale bible.

 

What about Catholics weirds you out? While I won't pretend I can magically wave away your misgivings, I can perhaps be of help.

[Zenit 190]

What about Catholics weirds you out? While I won't pretend I can magically wave away your misgivings, I can perhaps be of help.

Its just their use of statues of Jesus and Bernadette and all that saint shit they friggen worship statues. they act like they know what jesus looks like.(we don't but we have a good idea what he looks like)

Edited June 17, 2014 by Jake_

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Its just their use of statues of Jesus and Bernadette and all that saint shit. they act like they know what jesus looks like.(we don't but we have a good idea what he looks like)

 

Ummm, yeah we do have statues of Jesus but they're just statues. They're there for the same reason the Lincoln Memorial is, it's a dedication to the person the statue is of. We don't believe the statue is Jesus. 

 

"all that saint shit" . . . Okay ignoring the somewhat disparaging dismissal, what about the littany of saints bothers you?

 

You seem to be listing off little add ons but not the real reason why you find non-Protestant Christianity off putting. Is this intentional or do you not quite know? (Serious question, I'm not trying to mock or insult you.)

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Well part of that is simply because of historical precedence, while for others it's legitimate difference in belief. Christianity is a relatively young, but storied faith that has been carried across continents and interpreted many different ways. So permutations of it are bound to be plentiful.

 

Whereas faiths like Shinto or Buddhism have not suffered a great loss of internal continuity for much of their history.

True, true...

 

Heck, I actually believe Christianity fell into apostasy after the death of the Apostles and was at its worst during the dark aged. The Reformation I believe was one of the difficult steps required for Christianity to get back to where it needed to... though admittingly given my denomination I believe it would take more than this, hence the Restoration (I am LDS/Mormon).

 

Mormons(Christian Fanfiction uh huh :-D ) Mormonism is like a fanfic of the already fairytale bible.

... there is much I could say to this but with how ingrained some ideas about the LDS church are I have my doubts I would get anywhere. Especially since you said the words "fairytale bible". Edited June 17, 2014 by EquestrianScholar

[Tetris 115]

ALL HAIL YOUR LORD AND MASTER CELESTIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im kinda in between things in terms of belief.. @Linguz Dude...... I thought the flying spaghetti  monster was a joke.

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

Well part of that is simply because of historical precedence, while for others it's legitimate difference in belief. Christianity is a relatively young, but storied faith that has been carried across continents and interpreted many different ways. So permutations of it are bound to be plentiful.

 

Whereas faiths like Shinto or Buddhism have not suffered a great loss of internal continuity for much of their history.

 

 

Why is the theory of evolution unsettling to theists? I've believed in God all my life and I never found something contradictory in the idea of evolution, nor is it exactly easy to ignore with all the fossil evidence pointing to it.

 

Not to mention, isn't it rather, dare I say, silly to just say "God snapped his metaphorical fingers and poof here we are"?

I never said evolution was unsettling to me.

In fact, I believe in it myself.

The thought of a universe with no God is unsettling to me.

[Alia 158]

I believe in God, but actually I won’t class myself to any world religions or confessions. They’re often just limit our mindset and, moreover, we actually don’t need ’em to do good things. I reckon that world is not material and therefore it may be subjective. So the God may be subjective too and everypony must be free to imagine Him as he/she likes to.

 

However, it’s right thing to pray to princess Celestia before going to sleep and tell her about what have you learned during a day. Cause if you spent whole day and learned nothing, then that day is certainly lost.

[Invincible 2,091]

I grew up in a Jewish family, my family is theistic - keeping with the traditions. As a child, i always found the biblical stories far-fetched and irrational. A lot of things looked less and less logical to me over time, and when i pressed the issues with friends who held to their faith and family, i never got a convincing answer. I can't believe in something which can't be explained - soul, afterlife, even the concept of god.

 

I went to a theistic seminar once started up by an organization meant to debate and spread their belief to skeptics. It was a three day seminar which attempted to tackle many subjects which people like me have troubles with. Once again, i remained unconvinced.

 

I don't hate the old traditions or the believers, though. For a lack of a better term, i 'believe' in science (even that isn't exactly a proper definition).

[GreyScholar 1,584]

I 'believe' in science (even that isn't exactly a proper definition).

Yet can't someone believe in both science and religion? I believe so, as I use both in understanding our world and the universe

 

For me, Science be used to understand how the universe works. To figure out the makings of our world, of math and medicine, even evolution.

 

Religion explain who made the universe and why, our part and purpose in it. This is something Science cannot explain, which is something I feel we need a better answer then "we are just here, no grand reason", "We will live and dead with nothing after", "there is no set moral, no reason or purpose in 'being good' except because the lands laws says so.".

Edited June 17, 2014 by EquestrianScholar

[Invincible 2,091]

 

 

Yet can't someone believe in both science and religion? I believe so, as I use both in understanding our world and the universe For me, Science be used to understand how the universe works. To figure out the makings of our world, of math and medicine, even evolution. Religion explain who made the universe and why, our part and purpose in it. This is something Science cannot explain, which is something I feel we need a better answer then "we are just here, no grand reason", "We will live and dead with nothing after", "there is no set moral, no reason or purpose in 'being good' except because the lands laws says so.".

 

 

Believe me, i understand what you're saying. What you present is something iv'e pondered for a while - and i keep pondering to this day.

 

While i wish to believe there should be a destiny, how can we actually prove something like that? Or better yet, why should there even be some sort a divine plan? Don't get me wrong here, but i never had problem with thinking of myself and others as organic, meaty constructs (albeit advanced ones) - your life should be defined by what you make of yours. I intend to live my life to it's fullest, leaving whatever legacy i can behind, and after the time my life's expectancy, i could be defined by what i left behind. As for morals... these could be considered the work of natural selection. As the general population of humans (meaning sans various individuals, psychopaths, terrorists, etc.), we keep to a certain behavior because it benefits our survival as a species.

 

I feel that the desires for redemption, afterlife or the survival of your spirit - are things born of humanity's arrogance and fear.

[Tetrakemy 221]

Catholic, Protestant, Baptist,  Christian, Methodist, Lutheran, and Orthodox are the same religion. 

 

They are all a part of Christianity. 

[GreyScholar 1,584]

I feel that the desires for redemption, afterlife or the survival of your spirit - are things born of humanity's arrogance and fear.

I would counter they are born of hope and the desire to understand our purpose in our existence. That arrogance and fear are the very things that tear people apart, going against the heart and soul of what religion is supposed to mean.

[ChipsAhoyMcCoy 127]

I'm Christian and wont ever change. Why? Because i have been raised this way and i just dont want to leave it. To be honest religion gives me peace of mind and faith of knowing when i die theres gonna be something and i like it.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

I'm an atheist, because there is no evidence to support the god hypothesis. As I see it, none of the world's religions make sense and many claims they make have been disproved by science (I speak mostly here about Abrahamic religions, since those are the ones I know best).

 

Also I find the much of religious teachings (this includes Christianity) to be incredibly stupid and/or manipulative

Edited June 19, 2014 by LZRD WZRD

[ChipsAhoyMcCoy 127]

 

Also I find the much of religious teachings (this includes Christianity) to be incredibly stupid and/or manipulative

well ya aint gotta be so harsh about it. I mean when you think about it both Christians and Atheists think something came from nothing so if you think about it, it makes zero sense to mock or judge one another.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I'm an atheist, because there is no evidence to support the god hypothesis. As I see it, none of the world's religions make sense and many claims they make have been disproved by science (I speak mostly here about Abrahamic religions, since those are the ones I know best).

 

Also I find the much of religious teachings (this includes Christianity) to be incredibly stupid and/or manipulative

 

Ouch dude, you don't need to be so harsh on a thread where you know there are bronies of faith. I get that you are an atheist and I have no problem with that, can't we just let bygones be bygones?