Do you belive in God? why?

[zoomer]

Oh, and also, my sister talks in this wierd language to god... she says its a gift.

[Argranade]

Oh, and also, my sister talks in this wierd language to god... she says its a gift.

In my church the ladies would start screaming and thanking god then would start talking in tounge's weird language's even my mom did it lol.

Some would even have tears in there eye's.

(When I was little me and my brother found it funny)

[shais_mom]

I was raised Methodist and while I try to go more often I have really been striving to become more spiritual then religious.
I believe in a loving God who gave his only Son for the sins that I make in this life.

I don't have a problem with any kind of religion I do have a problem with the interpretation. My aunt and uncle (my mom's brother) belonged to a Southern Baptist church. My aunt stopped going for her own reasons, my uncle refused to stop going b/c it took so long for him to be accepted and become a member of the church. They ended up divorcing and my aunt's dad who was the minister practically disowned her and my cousins, but didn't have a problem ex- son in law (my uncle) b/c he felt that my aunt was the one in the wrong (affair). But why punish your own daughter and grandkids? Leave that to God. Then my cousin got a DUI and the entire church turned their back her and kicked her off the church membership. My uncle ended up quitting after that. And neither of my cousins have anything to do with church now b/c of it. My cousin Wes has pretty much alienated himself from his mom's family b/c of what she did and b/c of how they are towards them. My family (raised Methodist) accept them without question and love them anyway. My cousin that got the DUI (Brandi) when she got it she was hysterical thinking that we wouldn't love her anymore. We (my mom/uncle's side) didn't have a problem - no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. The other side of her family however - have treated her poorly ever since.
I just think it is so sad. It is God and only Him that can judge.

I wholeheartedly am against Jehovah Witnesses. B/c in my day to day life I have not found them to be ahhh lets just say nice people.

The only other problem I have - and I am not trying to point fingers or start a fight - I just have noticed that some people who say they are atheist are up until something happens that they want something then they want prayers for whatever reason. THAT I find hypocritical - that is no different then someone who is holier then Thou on Sunday and a hellion Monday thru Saturday in my humble opinion.
The other thing I have a problem with is if someone says they are an atheist or a pagan or whatever if they don't want me to push my views on THEM then I don't want them to push their views on ME! When I say I believe in God I'm not asking for an argument. I am stating my opinion and am entitled to it just as much as they are.
I am entitled to my opinion about anything just as they are!
I need to shut up now - I have edited this post like 5 times

[catnapper]

I haven't had time to read all the responses but it seems interesting so I will go back and read.

I am Catholic but stopped attending mass years ago. Why? I don't know. I think I became disillusioned when after a prayer meeting the other 20-somethings and I would try to figure out which diner to go to, and half of them would say "no, not that one, thats where the Jews hang out".... "not that one, thats where the Ricans hang out." It felt soooo phoney to be praising God and promise to be good Christians then to be condemning others and labeling them.

I was married in my back yard by a non-Catholic minister. I was adamant he marry us because he was my neighbor whom I adored... I wanted to be married by a friend not a starnger. My Catholic friends had SUCH a hard time about it. I don't understand why people make distininctions (sp?) about priests vs. ministers, etc. They are all reading from the same book, right?

Now I'm in the hard spot I'm in. I've been praying to God for guidance and help. Been thanking Him for what good things I encounter. I thought about going to church around here.... I can't bear to step into another Catholic church after my last experience, and I just don't identify with the other churches that don't recognise Mary since I always felt a strong connection to her.

My SIL is a devout Catholic. Her father was Schizophrenic and seriously, honestly thought he was Jesus. I'm am serious. My father was also Schizophrenic and my brother exhbits tendencies. My brother is a complete atheist. His take is that back n the day there were prophets. Today there are Schizophrenics. He goes to mass every Sunday with his devout wife and children. He listens to what the priest has to say and his wife hopes one day God will touch him, but it remains that he's atheist and believes what he believes. I think its amazing that two people with such vastly different opinions of God have such a loving and strong marriage.

[JenBKR]

Now I'm in the hard spot I'm in. I've been praying to God for guidance and help. Been thanking Him for what good things I encounter. I thought about going to church around here.... I can't bear to step into another Catholic church after my last experience, and I just don't identify with the other churches that don't recognise Mary since I always felt a strong connection to her.

Have you considered trying a Lutheran church? I have heard that they are very similar to Catholic churches. I don't know their stand on Mary, but it may be something to look into.

I understand why you would feel that way after what happened in that church...those people don't sound like they were acting very Christian

[VTJess03]

1. For CathyBogart: You stated that pagans believe in multiple deities; I am curious, do all pagans believe in the same deities? Are they deities with names and particular responsibilities (like the ancient Greek or Roman pantheon?).



2. For popcornbird: You asked some questions about Jesus before, and I would like to return with a question about Abraham, since he is the common ancestor to all 3 'major' religions. I have a very minimal knowledge of Islam, and most of that comes from a National Geographic documentary, as I could never convince my 1 Muslim college friend to discuss religion with me.

Anyway, here's the issue I struggle with in Islam: the Jewish/Old Testament Christian Scripture claims that Abraham's legitimate wife was Sarah, and Hagar was only a servant in the household. Sarah doubted God's word that she would bear a son to Abraham, due to her old age, so encouraged Abraham to father a child by Hagar. This happened (Ishmael), but then Sarah also conceived (Isaac). As the first son to the legitimate wife, Jews and Christians believe that all the inheritance rights went to Isaac. It's my understanding that Islam considered Hagar the legitimate wife and therefore Ishmael was the legitimate son who should have received inheritance of all the promises God made. However, according to Islam, God commanded Abraham to leave Hagar in the wilderness, though he visited her (which is the symbolism represented by Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca). The video claimed that Abraham actually divorced Hagar (which according to Jewish/Christian believers, there was never a marriage, so why divorce?), but Islam also frowns on divorce. Why would God ask someone to break His own rules? Would that not be out of character for God? He makes the rules, but He does not break His own rules...we break the rules all the time, being made of flesh and bone, of course.

I look forward to a deeper understanding about each of your beliefs.

[Zippy]

God can do anything he wants he is God if he wants to make earth vanish he can,if he wants to smash us all like bugs he can.The rules are his to make and change if he wants.
Someday people will vanish right out of there clothes.Then one person will get the world to go to a one world government.He will say he is god but he isn't he is the antichrist.He will get people to worship him.If the last days hadn't been shorten no one whould be left on earth.

[CathyBogart]

1. For CathyBogart: You stated that pagans believe in multiple deities; I am curious, do all pagans believe in the same deities? Are they deities with names and particular responsibilities (like the ancient Greek or Roman pantheon?).

No, all pagans do not believe in the same deities. Here's my take on it...

There are many many different panthenons of deities from many different cultures. I think that many of these are the same deities given different names over time by different peoples.

There are pagans who believe in entire panthenons, some who believe only in a mother goddess and father god, and some still who only believe in the mother goddess.

I personally use the names of the Celtic panthenon (with Danu and Dagda being the goddess and god, and other deitied like Diana, Brigit, Morrigan, etc) when I work, because those names come the most easily to my mind and just "feel" right to me. Yes, they are deities with specific responsibilities....for example, if I want help resolving a conflict, I would probably call on Morrigan (Goddess of war) for help.

Hmmm, I hope I explained that well...

[popcornbird]

2. For popcornbird: You asked some questions about Jesus before, and I would like to return with a question about Abraham, since he is the common ancestor to all 3 'major' religions. I have a very minimal knowledge of Islam, and most of that comes from a National Geographic documentary, as I could never convince my 1 Muslim college friend to discuss religion with me.

Anyway, here's the issue I struggle with in Islam: the Jewish/Old Testament Christian Scripture claims that Abraham's legitimate wife was Sarah, and Hagar was only a servant in the household. Sarah doubted God's word that she would bear a son to Abraham, due to her old age, so encouraged Abraham to father a child by Hagar. This happened (Ishmael), but then Sarah also conceived (Isaac). As the first son to the legitimate wife, Jews and Christians believe that all the inheritance rights went to Isaac. It's my understanding that Islam considered Hagar the legitimate wife and therefore Ishmael was the legitimate son who should have received inheritance of all the promises God made. However, according to Islam, God commanded Abraham to leave Hagar in the wilderness, though he visited her (which is the symbolism represented by Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca). The video claimed that Abraham actually divorced Hagar (which according to Jewish/Christian believers, there was never a marriage, so why divorce?), but Islam also frowns on divorce. Why would God ask someone to break His own rules? Would that not be out of character for God? He makes the rules, but He does not break His own rules...we break the rules all the time, being made of flesh and bone, of course.

I look forward to a deeper understanding about each of your beliefs.

Before I answer your question, I'd like to give you a little something to think about. In Judhism, Christianity, and Islam alike, Prophet Abraham was one of God's greatest Prophets, amongst the most pious of men, a man who completely submitted himself to God and taught the people about faith in One God alone, and the Prophet who was the forefather of all Prophets after him. In Judhism, Christianity, and Islam alike, committing sexual acts with a woman outside of marriage is a major sin and completely forbidden. Does it make any sense that one of God's greatest Prophets would do such a thing? Does it make any sense that a man who is the most pious of pious people would do such a thing? Does it make any sense that God would give Prophet Abraham such praise if he was one to disobey God and go against His commands? I cannot imagine. It just doesn't make any sense.

In Islamic beliefs, Sarah was Prophet Abraham's first wife. They lived in a time where people would worship idols made of clay and stone and wood, and did not believe in the One God. God sent Prophet Abraham to his people to guide them to the 'truth', and lead them to monotheism. The only known believers at the time were Prophet Abraham, Prophet Lot, and Sarah. Sarah and Prophet Abraham married. Later on, Hagar became their house servant. There were no believers at the time. Prophet Abraham's wife, Sarah, was infertile. She thus, encouraged Prophet Abraham to marry Hagar as a 2nd wife and have children with her. With Hagar, he had Ishmael, and in Islam, it was a completely legitimate marriage, and no divorce ever took place. I do want to clear one thing though, before I continue with the story. Divorce is not frowned upon in Islam like it is in Christianity. There has to be a valid reason for divorce, but divorce is allowed in Islam, for the reasons that in certain situations, it is sometimes an absolute necessity.

Now, back to the story...Prophet Abraham was commanded by God to leave his wife, Hagar, and his baby, Ishmael, in the desert of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for a certain period of time. It was not an abandonment, but God had some wisdom behind this. Mecca was a city God had made holy, and by doing so, it eventually became the center of monotheism of the world. It is a long story, and I can narrate the whole thing if you like, but for now, I will keep it short, and to the point. Prophet Abraham and his son, Ishmael, both built the Ka'aba in Mecca. If you are unaware of what the Ka'aba is, it is the big black cube in the holy city of Mecca where millions of Muslims go every year for pilgrimage. Mecca is the center of God's worship in Islam, for that reason. Much of our faith revolves around belief in Prophet Abraham, the father of all prophets.

One more thing I'd like to mention. In Islamic beliefs, God never sent 'different' religions. He sent the same way of life and the same teachings to all of His prophets at different periods of time. We believe that Prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad all brought the same message from God, and taught the same thing. We also believe that after Moses/Jesus, both Jews and Christians were awaiting another Prophet who would confirm the message brought by their Prophets, and this was something God foretold in their holy books. Prophet Abraham had two sons, Ishmael from Hagar, and Isaac from Sarah. Both Ishmael and Isaac became prophets of God. Prophet Isaac was the forefather of all later Prophts, until Jesus. Ishmael was the forefather of Prophet Muhammad pbuh.

When Prophet Muhammad came, many Jews and Christians recognized him as the Prophet they were waiting for, and accepted His message. There were others though, who rejected him, for the reason that he was from the generations of Ishmael, and not Isaac, as they were hoping for. Otherwise, they were positive that he was the prophet they were waiting for, but they chose to reject him for this reason.

I hope this helps in answering your question.

[lizbud]

I am Catholic but stopped attending mass years ago. Why? I don't know. I think I became disillusioned when after a prayer meeting the other 20-somethings and I would try to figure out which diner to go to, and half of them would say "no, not that one, thats where the Jews hang out".... "not that one, thats where the Ricans hang out." It felt soooo phoney to be praising God and promise to be good Christians then to be condemning others and labeling them.

Well, you can hardly blame the church for your choice of friends.But then,
maybe you can, since you just did.

[catnapper]

Well, you can hardly blame the church for your choice of friends.But then,
maybe you can, since you just did.

Ah, but thats the thing - this was after I tried several different prayer groups. My best friend was so fed up that she started her own prayer group, which apparently is going super strong and has been what got many couples together leading to marriage.

I just became dis-illusioned with the whole concept.

It wasn't just that, I saw people sitting there with their families showing what wonderful Christians they were and I knew half of them were having affairs, cheating in business, lying to anyone who's listen.... and it seemed so WRONG. Why go to a place where it seemed everything was so staged?

I have found that I am much more spiritual alone than I was in any prayer group. I know myself and I know I'm a good person. I know I live by the values God asks us to live by. I had a real hard time knowing so many people at mass and in prayer groups were pretending ot be the perfect Christians in church but shed the ideas as soon as their weekly donation hit the basket.

[lizbud]

It wasn't just that, I saw people sitting there with their families showing what wonderful Christians they were and I knew half of them were having affairs, cheating in business, lying to anyone who's listen.... and it seemed so WRONG. Why go to a place where it seemed everything was so staged?

Not much different that most protestant Christian churches then huh?
Hypocrites are multi denominational.

[Vette]

I wish i could say i do...

i used to when i was little.. but have fallen off the path years ago. i havent been to church since i was 13 or so.. and im 25 now.

i just... dont understand what goes on the world and for there to be a God.
my short way of putting it.........

[jujuboy]

You know, going to church isn't the sole reason for "feeling like a believer" it's a relationship with the Father thru Jesus...we are the church, not the building..so, for all those who think that they are "off the track"..."don't speak to God".."stopped going to church" etc...you may feel like you are not having a relationship with God, but the truth is that God is always in tune with you and all your fallabilities/shortcomings/stumblings..and IS LOVING YOU THRU EACH TRIAL AND HARDSHIP YOU/WE ALL GO THRU..HE NEVER ABANDONS US..it is we fallable humans that gossip/put down/reject/hurt/cast aside/cast aspersions...my goodness! the list is endless!!!!...God is faithful and true to His word..His love covers a multitude of sins...His mercies are new every morning...and there is no path or valley you can wander down or even loose your way that will cause God to drop you from HIS firm and faithful grip with each and every life...and it's the Holy Spirit that brings life to every humans hurting heart...and it's hurt that causes us to turn away..In my lifetime, i have found (unfortunately) it is church members who have judged/criticized/gossiped other believers when they may be different or eccentric or walk to the beat of a different drum (if you know what i mean)..fear stops the Love of God teaching/showing/embracing all walks of life...i have found that the narrowmindedness of religious "believers" are striving to "keep their faith" and "do the right things" for God...when was the last time us believers sat down with a drunkard on the streets and just said.."gidday, how are you going?" and just listened instead of being in some mindset of.."oh, this is a lost sinner, i must save him/her it is my mandate from God to do this, coz if i don't God will be angry and this person will go to hell coz i didn't preach hard enough to make this sinner believe"...it is the Holy Spirit that brings the truth of Jesus to life in our hearts..and if He chooses to use you on that day/hour/minute, then so be it...just trust God to do the work and trust that God, the Creator of all, knows how to speak to our very lost/hurting/empty hearts...Jesus is the way the truth and the life..He knows ourselves better than we do..and i truly believe that He does a much better job at tenderly touching our ever searching hearts in a powerful way that you KNOW when you have been shown the GRACE and LOVE of our Father who cares for us deeply and leads each and every one of us in all truth!!!..doesnt matter if other religions say that they are right, or people say that us "christian are twisted"...just leave it to the amazing work of God to reveal Himself to all mankind..revelation comes thru the Holy Spirit..our walk is based on who we are in Jesus Christ and the rest and the peace that comes by knowing this in our hearts....He does the revealing not us..we speak the seeds, another waters but it's God who gives life!!! ( us believers don't always have to be in control...control is based in fear and fear is lead by hurts)...if you don't agree, that's kool..bless you anyway...i trust that my Father (God, is Sovereign..and KNOWS how to and WHEN to touch peoples life)...God Bless you all...and for those who are fed up with church...lay back in the arms of Jesus and surrender all the hurts and fears to HIM..He is the great Shepherd and HE knows how to care for you!!! ...

[cloverfdx]

i just... dont understand what goes on the world and for there to be a God.
my short way of putting it.........

Vette that is my way of thinking aswell. My answer would be no i do not believe.