Did you change your religious views during your life?

[RufusMcLaser]

I was raised in one of the more sedate, dignified Protestant sects. I became skeptical early on, but maintained my beliefs until somewhere around age 23. These days I'm an atheist, but I'm civil about it. I remember my faith helping me through difficult times, and I remember how nice it was to believe there would be something beyond death. I'm not an "evangelical" atheist and frown upon those who are, just as I frown upon all ignorant and ill-mannered manifestations of religion (and atheism is a religion by any scholarly definition of the term, unfortunately). I would very much like for there to be a kind and benevolent God out there but I believe there isn't.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

My family is rather religious, Anglican to be specific, but I started to question those beliefs when my life went to shit and my prayers went unanswered. Finally I just abandoned the whole concept completely, concluding that there is no God and that organized religion is just a corrupt institution for controlling the ignorant and stupid masses. No offence intended BTW.

 

[Akai Shizuku]

I've always questioned my religious beliefs, and they have always provided an adequate answer to those questions. Therefore, I see no reason to change them.

 

[jboking]

Yeah, my religious beliefs have changed. Mostly from being fundamentalist as a young kid to being...well not so literal with everything now.

 

[freebird213]

nope.. although i was forced to go to church until i was banned a year ago. (i yelled at the band to play freebird)

You are my hero my dear sir

As for me i grew up Southern Baptist but then when i figured out my mother only when to church to make herself feel better, I converted to agnostic. I have respect for all religions for each one has something to offer but all religions have their flaws and extremists. For Religion is the purest thing at its core but its corrupted by humanity

"Why hate when it's easier to love?"

 

[AWC Viper]

nope.. although i was forced to go to church until i was banned a year ago. (i yelled at the band to play freebird)

You are my hero my dear sir

Yeah well the Priest and Band didn't think so.

 

[Quadtrix]

Yes. I was a Christian, but am now an Atheist.

 

[Flunk]

When I was young my parents never taught me anything religious, they told me the story of Christmas in the same light as other stories, like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. It wasn't until I was older that they did this so that I could make up my own mind about religion. As a result I believe that mindless belief in something is a very bad idea so I'm an atheist.

Going from not understanding the concept of religion to complete disgust over the concept isn't really a change is it?

 

[Clyde]

I used to go to church and participated in sacraments and today I still participate in church functions, but I always felt numb to God, no matter what I try I can't feel faith or love or anything. The Catholic right swayed me the most against the Catholic faith, for people devote in faith to say ugly things convinced me that it's BS. Jesus said there were two commandments, to love God and to love people, but they rely on text that condemns eating shrimp to condemn homosexuals. Despite all this, part of me worries that everyone I love and I are still going to hell. I have no idea how to have faith in something you can't percieve.

 

[spinFX]

I stopped believing in a god once I read the bible (went to an Anglican school, they would never show us the terrible things in the bible, only the good stuff. And there is plenty fo good stuff, but also enough bad stuff for any sane person to realize the god in the bible is not perfect therefore it is completely fraudulent.

Anyone who still believes in the god of the bible after actually reading the bible must be insane. I've found consistently the atheists know the bible better than a lot of Christians. I'm sorry but the god of the bible is a blood thirsty monster. And don't get me started on the Koran.

And this is BEFORE you get to the lack of evidence.

 

[HentMas]

well... i was raized a catholic, then became atheist...

right now, i believe in a higher power... but beats me if you ask me to explain my thoughts, too complex

 

[AvsJoe]

Yes, I have. My mom's side of the family are hardcore Catholics and since she primarily raised me as a kid, those were my beliefs as well. But then I moved in with my dad when I became a teenager and his side of the family (for the most part) don't really believe in religion. Not to say that their atheists, but they don't really support any organized religion. So I looked into religions and realized that there was none that really seemed right; they all seemed to punish people for arbitrary reasons. So I have since become a non-practicing Christian. I choose to be a good person and not pass judgement on others, and my belief in hell has really wavered (I mean, according to the laws of almost every Christian religion, Mohandes Ghandi is in hell right now and I flat out refuse to believe that).

 

[Alex the Pally]

My mother's side of the family- the side I grew up knowing- is "Catholic". And by that I mean that while that's part of our heritage and traditions, very few are active about it, and those people tend to embody Catholicism at it's absolute worst, i.e. unbearably hypocritical and greedy.

I personally straddle the line somewhere between Atheist and Agnostic, running back and forth without really caring which side of the line I'm on. Religion, despite my grandmother's insistence, never really played a large role, and I grew up doing my own thing and not worrying about an omnipotent, omniscient, supposedly benevolent old white dude with a beard watching my every move, though I do recall believing that the White Ranger was in my head controlling me. Long story short, I came out of the closet about my beliefs when I was 8, my Gramma nearly fell down the stairs in shock, and I haven't looked back since.

And no I do not still believe the White Ranger controls my every move.

 

[fluffybunny937]

Jedi, but then I fell to the dark side.
Vader rules. Go Sith Lords!

 

[S-Unleashed]

I never really... changed mine, I sort of grew up never thinking about what I believed in. Then as I grew older, it sort of developed itself. And it still is growing.

Pretty much what this guy is saying.

 

[Tdc2182]

I was raised very catholic, but when i got old enough my parents let me make my own decisions on it. Ive decided to stray away from religion altogether, its just not for me. I will probably raise my kids the same, its only fair.

By raise your kids by letting them choose themselves?

I personally was a catholic, but then I kinda thought the religion was a little to hardcore, and that much of the bible was not to be trusted because no one can interpret he original. I believe in god and I believe there has o be something beyond this. It's one of those things where theres to much out there to know what to believe.

 

[Tdc2182]

I was raised to be Catholic, but now that I'm in my late teens I now consider myself agnostic. It's not to rebel or anything, it's just that I got old enough to seriously question my faith. I believe there might be something out there beyond humans, but relgion is definitley not for me.

Same here, except I'm leaning more to there is someone watching.

 

[grimsprice]

I'm not part of a religon but im not an atheist, I beleive there is something out there bigger than myself but i really don't beleive any religon is right or wrong.

I think that's being agnostic.

I think I have a cream for that.

(reference cookie available. You'll get it tomorrow)

Hot Fuzz. I'll be waiting for my cookie... with a club and a knife... you better show.


OT: I refuse to believe in any higher being, or any religious group. My mom was shunned from the Jehovah Witnesses. Fucking pricks. Besides, rational people don't believe in sky cake.

(you can have my earned cookie if you get the sky cake reference.)

 

[Tdc2182]

I stopped believing in a god once I read the bible (went to an Anglican school, they would never show us the terrible things in the bible, only the good stuff. And there is plenty fo good stuff, but also enough bad stuff for any sane person to realize the god in the bible is not perfect therefore it is completely fraudulent.

Anyone who still believes in the god of the bible after actually reading the bible must be insane. I've found consistently the atheists know the bible better than a lot of Christians. I'm sorry but the god of the bible is a blood thirsty monster. And don't get me started on the Koran.

And this is BEFORE you get to the lack of evidence.

Buddy, this topic clearly says not to start any flame wars. You have to remember that noone can interpret the original bible and people are corrupt. Don't start a fight on this or I will report you.