psh. okay. people are born into a religion, and they're pretty much raised under it, blindly, not even knowing what it means to be a lutheran, or a catholic, or whatever.

now how can one go around saying 'yes, i'm buddhist,' or 'yes i'm calvinist' when most of the time they hardly know what's being forced into their minds?

yes. sure. i had a religion once. then i really learned about it, and determined that it was just completely in disagreement with my morals and such. so i'm agnostic.. but then again, some people really do follow their religion diligently and agree with it.. i'm just wondering if any of you were as blind as i was. and i say, snap out of it.

I agree with you....I'm a Catholic my whole life and I never really understood what makes me a Catholic......is it because my parents are Catholic that's why I'm Catholic too......When people ask me bout my religion, I say I'm Catholic, because that's what I was brought up to believe.....Now although still a "Catholic," I don't go to church and spend every Sunday listening to some guy preaching about the words of God....I pray every night because I believe there's someone up there listening to my prayers, but besides that, there's nothing else that makes me a "Catholic."

QUOTE

yes. sure. i had a religion once. then i really learned about it, and determined that it was just completely in disagreement with my morals and such. so i'm agnostic.. but then again, some people really do follow their religion diligently and agree with it.. i'm just wondering if any of you were as blind as i was. and i say, snap out of it

i totally get you.. i went to a christian skool when i was little and all the information just feeds into your head, and being little in all you don't know anything. when i was growing up i hated the skool for putting so much crap into my head but i've totally grown outa it. don't hate them as much now.

when i was little i believed so much that i literally convinced myself he existed. i'm agnostic now same as you. i know people who are 'christians' becuz of family and 'muslims' becuz of family. but to truly say you are a christian, you have to be 200% commited god like athlon is 200% commited to pervertism

well i think when i was small i was brainwashed into believeing in my religion but when i got older and i learned about it and i liked it. i like my religion and i agree with it so im staying with it.

religion is a group, sect or whatever that distinguishes a certain group of people who share the same belief..... the reason why people tend to lose their faith is because of religion.... indeed, religion sucks because of the people belonging to it.....faith is not religion..... i believe that christianity is not purely about how people group themselves to it but because it is focused on christ.... that is, if you understand what christ did for us.... i'm a christian.... as for me, i don't follow my religion.... i'm no catholic, nor protestant nor adventist, el shaddai follower, whatever.... i'm just a christian... i follow christ for i believe that he is the christ.... you'd ask me, why? because of all the prophets whom all the religions in this world believe, christ is the only one who died and lived again... you can't deny it..... i was once an atheist because i was fooled by the world and all the deceptions it offered me.... God isn't true for you created God..... rubbish....atheists don't really exist.... they're just people who try to deny the existence of God... but they never succeed... think. if God ain't there somewhere, why was the world or the universe created in the first place? don't give me craps like big bang theory and evolution and lateral discontinuity and stuff.... nor about philosophy and nietzsche.... i used to be a geology major and at the same time, learning philosophy.... they never made sense... purely human logic... purely human knowledge....when i became a christian, i became optimistic... i became bright and sunny...the shadows inside me left.... i believe that unbelief is the one that truly blinds people....

im not blindly towards religion.

i'm opened to different religions and hearing what they say about
life and the faith we should follow... so im basically opened to the
different faiths out there..

although you think you are being so-called "brainwashed" then
thats how you are. maybe if you didnt think it was something "brainwashed"
into your brain ever since u were a kid, then u would take the concept of
religioon in a difefretn way. think of religion as a way to help you gain
your morals, and know whats right and wrong. i mean, you probably
learned that bad things are bad from going to kindergarten and onward..
now would u call that a form of religion that's brainwashign you?
same deal, they are there to help you learn whats right and wrong, and
the morals and values u have now. its whether u believe it or not. ur faith.

and when i say im a catholic or a buddhist, i dont mean it in a way
that "yes! i am a catholic and i know my religion and everything is right!"
whaetver i learn from my religion, i will pass on the word.. and if its
good to their ears, then let it be their faith then.. but it dosnt mean that
i am totally blind into it... remmber im opened to every religion.. and all religion
serve one important purpose.. and that is to help us find truth.

I'm not blindly toward religion.... I mean different people have different belief...... so I don't really care what their religion is....

i never really liked my religion...and i gave up on it ever since i was little and im glad bout it...but my mom got mad bout it she wants me to be all religion stuff..

being brainwashed was not becuz that's how i am. it's becuz you absorb alot of stuff when you're little and don't really know how to think for yourself.
brainwash isn't a good word to use... it's more like they teach and preach to you.



i'm thinking more about the depth of religion. skimming the surface of religion is stuff like it's wrong to steal, it's wrong to lie... you don't need religion to tell you this, these are common sense. there's nothing wrong with religion laying out guidelines for morals but you don't always need religion to tell you what you can and can't do.

it's the grey area that religion's teachings and rules that i don't particularly agree on e.g. euthanasia, death penalty, abortion,

if there's one religion is totally think is a load of **** it's catholicism... biggest and longest hyped up media used by men to gain authority and power over man.

Does this mean you're not Catholic anymore?

and even though i don't really have a religion, i still believe in a few of the Buddhist beliefs. but i'm not being blinded into that...i choose to believe it.

i dont really look deep into the teachings of religion about the euthanasia,
abortion and such... so i dont particularly have a say on it.. and i personally
dont care... and i think part of it is your choice if you wanna do it or not..
but religion is just in the background to help you decide the choice..


lol i know it wasnt a good word to use.. thats why i kinda quoted..
but anyhow, like i stated, its the same deal with being taught when you were
a kid.. i know that some things are common sense.. but how do you know
if they are really what you call "good" vs. "bad".. well, we THINK we do..
but do we really KNOW it? but we just do what the society says right? well, i guess
its the same deal with religion..

im neutral to all religion.. and i do find some things are quite man-made...
and rather... ridiculous...
but you gotta admit, some things must be true coming out of all
those discoveries. no? at least we know there must be a supreme
whoever he/she/it is that somehow created/produced the universe... lol


i know what u mean.. but lets think of it this way..
if there was really some form of heaven and hell..
and you spent your life beleiving in nothing.. does it help you in your
after life? i mean, why not choose to believe and not regret if u ever did
go to heaven. i remembr some person in my school who had philosophy
and did a research on "Does God Exist".. and she asked me
is it safe to belive in a God and not be regretful about it when its
your Judgement Day (umm a day where God will decide your after life or
somthing) because u coul;d end up in heaven... or to beleive in nothing
and end up in hell? at least if you beleive in a god theres a chance ull be in
heaven than hell..

seomthing like that.. i dont wanna sound like im converting or anything
because i personally dont know about my religion either.. lol
i honestly think whether you live or life with or without a god doesnt really
matter.... as long as you have your morals and use it at your sake and others

you know what, that's exactly what my teacher said when i questioned him. it's a no win no lose situation.



i actually do think if he created me then he would also know i would challenge his beliefs and when it comes to judgement day and i see him before me i shall bow in his grace to plead that i was wrong but until the day that i die and truly no... i'm not gunna bow to his feet. i see it's more a personal thing, i don't want to livethis life lying to myself, tying to believe in something i don't really know exist for sure.



there's a natural instinct that tells us what's right from wrong...
e.g. if i accidently hit you, i would feel 'oops' then think sorry. i can see your pain and try not to do it again. majority of people have a conscious thing. i don't turn to religion esp in desperate times because that's when it catches yer. i deal with my own problems by myself. a journey of life is self discovery to improve not worshipping some 'god' [ note* no offence to religious people who actually do WORSHIP ]



sorry if i seem i got something against religion which i have but that's what going to a religion skool did to me and i'm actually glad, it kinda made me a different perspective of religion.

i think so too.. but maybe people who are blindly in religion aren't really
blind.. maybe they are really devoted to the teachings and the teachings
isnt really what we think is supposed to be something thats preaching
us so brainwashingly.. u kno what i mean?


lol maybe you were into it at one point and became disappointed
about it...


its kinda part of religion to worship..
i honestly dont worship but if i think i need to pray ill do that..
but i dont think its necessary to climb the highest mountains and
walk the valley of fire just to prove ur love for god..

well. all religions can't be right, and that's where the real thinking is applied.

ah, and never go dissing people's religions. never. muy mal.

well, i feel the same way too. its touh being in a religion u dont even seem to understand even if youre trying so hard. im realy faithful to the church, bcoz i a cath0lic but once in a while u try to imagine that its not just god whos there for you always, and he cant make solve all our problems

I know this is a sensitive topic,but nvm,we r free to talk in internet my frens have been asking me to convert frm Buddism to Christianity for a long period. I juz don't understand y must ppl (esp muslim and christian) do this? can't we hav freedom to choose? These two religion hav been fighting since centuries. Thats too bad man,since they r from the same family. I still think tat Buddhism is the most moderate way of life. Most of them can c things from a wider perspective. don't u agree so?

I totally agree with you. I also think that Buddhism is the most tolerant religion. I don't understand why some people claim, that their religion is the only true and right one.

Isn't religion all about respect, tolerance and being a positive and good person?

I'm not a religious type of person, in fact I don't believe in any religion. As long as you know how to separate what's good and bad, then you're fine. And also, many religious organizations are just cheating people out of sex and money. If people believe in those organizations, then they're in trouble. The best is to not believe in anything but yourself and your parents.

I suppose no one here or any of your friends has had an out of body experience. You'll soon learn, what you believe affects the outcome.

"are u religious type of person?"
yes i am! im a Christian-gurl ! i believe in Christianity & will alwayz b.

as 4 other religions, ppl can believe in watever they want. i have no opinion on that. though "forcin" ppl in2 believing a religion just doesn't seem rite.

im not very religious... im more to the free thinker side... but i hate those hardcore religious ppl... they are alwys talking crap about other religion and say how big their religion is...

I'm not a religious person either. I've never been to any religious gatherings and don't really belong to any specific religion. I think religion is something that people decide for themselves whether they want to believe in it. Its annoying to hear people argue about it in class, and on the subways (when people keep talking about the Bible). They should just leave people along who doesn't want to convert. I don't think its a good idea for those people to delve too deep into their religions. Just my opinion.

this is YOUR faith, YOUR religion, YOUR beliefs....dont be pressured into anything that you arnt sure of...when you are ready to convert (if you do)..then do it for yourself..and be sure to KNOW why you are doing os..not just because your friends are telling you to (thats not a good enough reason )

it seems to me that you dont want to...so dont give in...show your friends WHY you prefer buddhism..

theres no real differance in the different religions...there practices might be differnt..but they are all giving reverance to one person..who is sorta like a "messenger" to pray to, to get to the real "one" being..sorta..maybe im wrong on that...

on my behalf..im catholic...my father was buddhist and my mom a catholic..so i was raised in a household that honored both religions...and im glad that i got a chance to experiance everything along the way. this year..i actually overcame my laziness and decided to make it permanent..and get confirmed (a year late..so im like the oldest)

I believe it's up to you whether to choose to convert, i mean it's better if you convert out of your own will than others. If you don't wanna convert then tell them, some of my friends get me to come to christian meetings and muslim meetings, so far i've only been to a christian get together i don't do much they pray i watch.

I call myself a "buddhist" but to be honest i don't think i do much to represent myself as a buddhist, although the religion is a way of life i still don't do much eg meditate, go veg etc

Religion depends on yourself and the way you feel. No point going to a religion where you don't feel comfortable. If your friends can't accept that then they're not really good friends, and explain why your happy staying the way you are.

People who don't believe in God experience bible-talk as annoying. But do you know why these people do that? Do they gain get any material profit from converting people into their religion? Is it nice to be made fun of when you talk about your religion? I don't think so.
If you really believe in any religion, and experience this as a great thing. You want your family and friends to share this.
Which religion is the right one? I think that you will experience this. A lot of people call themselves 'Buddhist' because there parents are. But they don't experience anything from this religion.
I think religion is a great thing, it helps you in this life. gives your life in purpose.

I'm a Christian and I'm sure this is the only right religion. I'm not going to push anyone to believe in God, but invite everybody to try and experience this great thing.

I do not agree. According to the man founded Buddhism, there is no God in this world. How come that people who are Buddhist still worship different types of Gods? One of the duties among different religions is to spread their message, it is why your friends try to convert your religion.

I don't believe in any religion. But if someone wants to believe in it then that's fine with me as long as they don't bug me about it or try to convert me to it. People have a choice to believe in what they want to.

HonMan speaks the truth, as long as you know right from wrong. Most religions have the basic rules, on what to do and not to do.

Nope, don't believe in God and the bible or religion. If you wan't to believe in it! Go ahead, we have freedom of everything now, live and let live! Aye!

Nope, I don't affiliate myself with any religion. I don't believe in a god, heaven or hell. But of all the major religions, I have the greatest respect for Buddhism, as developed by Prince Siddharta. He didn't believe in worshipping either him or a god. He placed each of our enlightment in our own hands. In essence, it means we should strive to be a better person for its own sake and not to please anybody else. I'd rather prefer a religion that states that we were born ignorant, which is true than one that says we were born sinners (please correct me if I'm wrong), which cannot be true since babies are innocent.

What I hate is when a religion tries to actively convert others to its faith on the inherent belief that it is a better religion than others. Why else would people of that faith make it their mission to convert people? To save them? Save them from what?

It's this craze to convert that has caused many harm to peoples around the world. The Conquistadors weren't only looking for gold and resources in the "new world" but to convert the native peoples to Christianity. There is a sanctimonious presumption that the natives own religions were inferior to Christianity. In the extreme cases, children were taken from their homes to be indoctrinated with Christianity. It happened with Australian aborigines, as well.

I wish people of their faith would keep their religion to themselves. Isn't their religion with God a private one anyway? I've had befriended people without knowing how religious they were until they kept referring to God in everything they spoke about with me. I found that very annoying. But to be fair, I've had Christian friends who've kept their religion to themselves.

Either way, I don't like the active mission to convert heathens or infidels, whether it be unwanted and unsolicited visits to my house to spread the word of God or the bombardment about God and Christ in every sentence. If people want to be Christians, it's their business. Just don't force it on others.

Your friend is going to have to respect your own beliefs and leave you alone.

I am not religious, in fact, I don't believe in any religion. I guess I am going to hell .. LOL

I can't say I'm not religious but I can't say I'm very religious either. Well, I'm buddhist and I don't think I'm gonna convert. It's totally up to you on what you want to believe in.. There are things you might find good about one religion so you want to be a part of that... People are free to believe in what they want.. If you don't want to convert than no one can make you..

haha same here. looong time ago bak in primary i went 2 a catholic school but changed to public school afterwards. I mean when i was little every time i didn't do something good i felt really bad lol. I think if i were to become more religious i feel i have more limitations... like i'll fell guilty when i swear or not being grateful for this and that blush

YOU should decide what YOU want to believe in...For example, im not a religious person meaning that i believe that there is a God and Buddha but i dont go to church or pray or anything...

i'm christian and everyonce and a while i'd ask some of my friends to attend fellowship at church. they seem okay with it. if they really complain i won't really force them to. but i mean people are annoyed by christians trying to "convert" and someone posted that they dont' gain anything by converting you. and people dont' really understand why they're so into converting you..like trying to make you like themselves..but then again if you're not christian you wouldn't understand right? in the bible it says that to gain entrance into heaven you need to believe in God..and your friends really want you to believe...but i mean everyone sees it differently...i have many buddhist friends as well..many chiense people are like that...but until you understand..it's hard to imagine why they are doing it.

My parents are Buddism so i'm pretty much they same... my god parents wanted me to become christian.. but i just stuck being buddism..

I'm a Christian and a lot of churches try "subvert" you into going out and spreading the Word.

There are different ways to do it, but one of my good pastors found the best way was to just invite people to church. Going door to door and doing it on the street corner are sure ways to annoy the hell out of most people.

Currently I no longer go to church but I'd recommend you go at least once or twice. Some churches I've been to are boring as hell and you wanna walk out. I like going to the ones with other Chinese and good fellowship groups.

I don't believe in anything like gods and stuff so I'd consider myself non-religious person. I hate it when people come to me trying to convert.. What's the point in teasing people like that? Everyone should have mind of their own and decide what by oneself what to believe in.

A number of people have tried to convert me to christianty, I have had a christian background. I wouldn't decribe my self as a christian I like certian christian, buddhist teachings. rabbit said previously n the Topic what do you imagine hell to be like?



My experience and the experience of many is that you're told you will spend all eternity in the lake of everlasting fire.

One of my best friends is christian and I find that its very hard to debate this topic with him. I have asked many Christians what happens to the muslims,jews buddhists etc. They will be cast into hell to was the response. Cast into everlasting fire with murderers and the such that doesn't sound fair and it makes people like me shy away from christianty.

Although I have heard what Rabbit as stated from other people they are really just the few. I know many christians who would oppose Rabbits view, that alone makes it very confusing, for those who may wish to convert.

i totally agree with no forcing ppl to convert. i just want to ask wat do u believe in christianity? god created the earth? juss wondering.


i personally is an atheist (i think thats how u spell it). so i am like a nothing. but i do believe in like hell or heaven (well at least the hell/heaven in 'love and again') but w.o a ruler or god thingy. so i guess i am not totally atheist.

and i have one more experience i want to share:
i was walking with my friend helen one day. then this christian converter approached us and ask us all this about god. i was like i dunt believe it. she was like u think u will go to heaven? are u 100% sure that u will go to heaven? i was like i'll just let things be it. (in a rude way) and left. but my friend didnt noe wat to do and just stood there. but tat converter kept talking to her. i was trying to give my friend signals about me meeting her at the library. my friend was looking at me too. but that stupid CONVERTER, had to get in my way and not let my friend look at me!!!

^^^that is totally STUPID! i really HATE CONVERTERS. its like they think GOD is the supreme ruler. oh god. no offense but i really dunt believe that THE sO CALLED GOD, created the earth. (umm...and yea. wen i say 'oh god' i dunt mean the christian god. its just like and expression.) so yea. any comments?

in my opinion, every religion are guide people away from sin and strengthen your faith.

in my opinion, Faith is often the boast of the man who is too lazy to investigate

Aye, ain't that the hard truth!

Some people are just lazy believers



Yeah, some Christians do not recognize it when they're being like the Pharisees themselves with all these rules and what not.

The below verse is basically in reference to the fact that if you accept Jesus as your savior then you'll get into heaven as opposed to following a rulebook. Not too complicated really. You don't have to do great works or even be a good person.
Christians like to make it sound really bad if you do anything morally suspicious.

Matthew 21:31-32 " I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to show you the way of righteosness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him"

I personally believe we all have to live on the same planet (or coexist anyways) why make it more difficult for the other by telling them they'll be going to hell.
Let us believe what we want to believe. While I believe in some level of spreading the Word (like not following peeps around like idiots), I think it's silly to judge others based upon what they believe as well.
It's being very hypocritical.

I think im not religious at all or i have created a very own way of thinking which can be seen as a religion as well. But if i need to choose a religion im for buddhism. I agree with the idea that buddhism is a very tolerant religion with a very broad horizon. It tells you to understand the world and the ways of living, which can get very philosophic too. If you are a good buddhist there is no way you can think "there is just 1 true god and if you don't believe you need to be punished to death" The religion already forbids killing anyway...But in regards of religion i wanted to say "Would someone be more appreciated ( by god )because he prays every day and night but contributes nothing to the society or because he does contributes to the society and puts his heart for the well-being of others, but never prays to god?" o.O..

I know we all have our views on religion, but in many parts of the world, religion is essential to the society. It gives families hope and something to believe in. We might think that religion is not that important, but if you travel to more of the less industrialized countries, you might find that religion guides people and the truth is religion of any kind is not bad. It does not promote bad behaviors so I think it's just up to the person to decide if they want to commit to a faith or not.

hmmm... for the question... i could proudly say that i'm a christian! hmmm seems like u get the wrong idea? i believe ur friend's isn't forcing u as god himself i believe, give us freedom to choose. bcus if not, we all would live like robots under the master's commands right? so... all is ur choice... don't join a religion bcus u're forced to but do join if u're willing to...

it seems like a lot of you are saying that believeing whatever or nothing is okay and it dosen't matter and there's no right or wrong. please let me remind you that (1) religion is not only about this life and it's also about what happens after you die. (2) religion is not like joining a club (machester or real madrid) it's about what you believe is the truth and the effects that has.

let me give you an example about how not everything can be right and also about fairness: imagin you and 10 other guys have leukemia (blood cancer). and you have 4 different options (1) the correct cure. (2) chop your leggs off. (3) get a tan. (4) drink out of a lake in the himalayas. now tell me

a) Are all solutions be right?
b)no matter how sincerely you believe chopping your legs off will help is it going to?
c)if i say that all the people who dosen't choose option (1) is going to die, is it fair?
d) if you knew that option (1) is the cure are you will you just sit back and say it's everyone's own choice? i hope you will do a little more than that.

i agree that in real life and about religion it's no where near as clear as that. but i still believe that there's only 1 way to God and heaven. this is because that most religions are conflicting so they can't possibly all lead to the same thing.

i totally agree with everyone that said there are people who are "religious" or whatever who rip people off and kill people and generally say a whole bunch of different things. As a christian my self i'd say that i don't (and no other christian should) encourage you to believe in people. it's not about what your friend says, it's not about what the local preacher says and it's certainly not about what the pope says. it's about what the bible says. if you think someone is suspicious, then read the bible. if the bible disagrees with what he says then don't listen to him. if the bible agrees then he's probably on the right track.

i also find people who preach to me on the streets and come to my house annoying. they are as annoying as door to door salsman. i usually only tell the people i know. and if they don't like it then it's their problem. i tried and yeah i won't mention it again. if i care about you i might try 2 or 3 times, if not maybe just once.

as for the person who started this forum i totally agree with BubbleT it's your choice. if you don't really believe don't tell you r friends you do. it won't do you any good.

to Burn when you buy a car do you check out every little part to make sure that it's all there? and it's arranged to work perfeclly? how do you know that it won't die? how do you know that it's not a bomb that'll explode when you start it? do you investigate everything or are you just lazy? even if you can investigate everything about the car. what methods would you use to investigate about God? have you conclusively proven one way or another about God? his charactor? his residence? his power? his exsistance?

to rabbitinpumpkin If you are a christian and you believe what it says about judgement day. what are you going to say to your friends when they come to you on that day and asked you why you didn't tell them about this if you knew all along?

In this world we have plenty of religion, a lot of person think different, the religion is one of them, all have his rules, custom and different way to practice, I think is no matter what kind of religion you belong, the most important thing is that if you feel comfortable and relax, Live happy, Opinions is welcome?

Umm.. Religion is complicated and no one religion is truly real or "correct". Every religion preaches different morals and perspectives and are equally valid and invalid in their thought process. I think everyone should choose depending on their own views.. not what others say

I see people as either religious or non-religious. I sway toward the atheist category more and I find that's pretty much so until you start either getting old or making lots of money, because religion is a way of calming the fear for the unknown - for eg. against death, sickness and in general, the future. Rich people worry they get poor, old people worry they get sick but poor people don't worry too much about getting poorer. It's a very spiritual thing and I don't think there is a right and wrong religion, to me, they are essentially all helping people conquer their fears.