Do you belive in God? why?

[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.

[CathyBogart]

Catnapper, your post reminds me so much of why I am a solitary pagan rather than part of any coven or circle. I was interested in being part of a circle for awhile, but I got on their email list and I saw so much bickering and even a bit of bigotry towards members of other religions and I was just aghast. I poked around online and found that it is much the same in a lot of covens or circles, and I decided I didn't want to be a part of that.

There's no pressure when you're being spiritual on your own....the words are yours, the rituals are yours, it comes more from the heart, IMO....

[mugsy]

I think that God gave us free will for a reason....we can choose to worship whichever way we choose. I guess we'll all find out who is "right" when we die eh?

I personally think that most religions have at least 1 or 2 things that are "good" or "right" in them and that everyone should accept what others believe without, necessarily, agreeing with them.

I have friends from every religion known to man I think...except, I don't think any of them are Muslim...I have to think on that one, but, while I don't always agree with their belief system, I am still his/her friend.

[ramanth]

Catnapper, your post reminds me so much of why I am a solitary pagan rather than part of any coven or circle. I was interested in being part of a circle for awhile, but I got on their email list and I saw so much bickering and even a bit of bigotry towards members of other religions and I was just aghast. I poked around online and found that it is much the same in a lot of covens or circles, and I decided I didn't want to be a part of that.

There's no pressure when you're being spiritual on your own....the words are yours, the rituals are yours, it comes more from the heart, IMO....

I echo this sentiment. I tried joining a circle and there was so much fighting and strictness. That's the reason I left church in the first place. I feel physically ill sitting in church. It just doesn't feel right. I'm more of a spiritual person myself. I believe there is a higher power or powers and they could be aliens on Mars for all I know.

To me the bible was written by man and My Peanuts stated how I feel a few pages back. We as humans have always had our own agenda. According to the bible, I can stone my children or sell them into slavery. And don't tell me the Old Testament doesn't count. It was written right? So by your claims, it's the word of god.

But overall to me, if following the book and attending church makes you feel good then I'm happy for you. It's all about self esteem and not harming others.

Peas be with you.

[mugsy]

I am Catholic by birth and still feel strongly about my beliefs that are mostly modeled after that belief, but, I am, more and more, coming to believe that the Native Americans have it right.

I do see the Bible as a great piece of history and literature, but, like Kimmy, there are too many discrepancies and double speak to be taken literally. I'm all into interpretation...

And, yes, the Old Testament counts...good heavens....that's what the Jewish faith is based on and they have many very useful beliefs and traditions that hold a lot more common sense (after studying them) that some Christian traditions....

I also find it interesting that many (if not most) of the "religious" holidays coincide with many pagan holidays. And that many Jewish holidays are close to many Christian holidays....

[VTJess03]

Thanks, popcornbird and CathyBogart for your carefully thought out explanations. It definitely helps me to understand better where you're coming from.