questions about religion and spirituality

I wonder how religious you consider yourself. If you don't describe yourself as religious, how spiritual would you say you are?
Or do you just not have a title for it?

This is NOT intended to start drama - I really am curious.

I had a post like this over a year ago

I'm pretty religious. But I don't believe in the letter of the law. I'm Catholic but I definitely disagree with the church on social issues, etc. I definitely believe in God, and I believe that all religions are equally valid paths. People (mostly on LIW) have criticized me, but I really enjoy worshipping god in catholic, jewish and pagan traditions. I think everyone needs to find their own path.

I'm not religious. I don't believe in organized religion and think that most exclude instead of welcome or unite. I have yet to find one that makes me feel whole or closer to God or like I'm with my family, as the Bible says it should be.

I do consider myself spiritual and I believe in God...would love nothing more than to know Him. I also believe in Jesus. But I belong to no religion and have never been baptized.

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Posted by SomethingBlu

I'm not religious. I don't believe in organized religion and think that most exclude instead of welcome or unite. I have yet to find one that makes me feel whole or closer to God or like I'm with my family, as the Bible says it should be.

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I was raised catholic, but I feel the exact same way. I've looked into other denominations of Christianity (since I do believe in Jesus) but nothing seems to answer my questions or give me a sense of peace, if that's the right phrase. I'm not religious - I wouldn't know what to call myself. 'Searching' I guess is the word.

Jen, Marymoon - I'll have to look up that post to see what everyone said. I'm sorry to hear that you were criticized for having an open mind

I do consider myself a religious person and really want to start going to church more often...although I don't think that you necessarily need to go to church all the time to be religious

As a Catholic...I am so upset about the state of the Catholic Church though...but I try not to make that sway the way I feel about my religion...

The events of the past year have me questioning my faith in a higher power. I want so much to believe in something. But when bad things happen over and over again and you are forced to question everything and the existence of G-d is at the top of the list.

I think as people become and develop their families, they look towards religion to guide them. I think its a good thing as long as it doesnt exclude or alienate others.

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Posted by JanuaryBride06

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Posted by SomethingBlu

I'm not religious. I don't believe in organized religion and think that most exclude instead of welcome or unite. I have yet to find one that makes me feel whole or closer to God or like I'm with my family, as the Bible says it should be.

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I was raised catholic, but I feel the exact same way. I've looked into other denominations of Christianity (since I do believe in Jesus) but nothing seems to answer my questions or give me a sense of peace, if that's the right phrase. I'm not religious - I wouldn't know what to call myself. 'Searching' I guess is the word.

Jen, Marymoon - I'll have to look up that post to see what everyone said. I'm sorry to hear that you were criticized for having an opened mind

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I am in the same boat- rasied catholic- but I haven't been to church in years- I pray every day and believe in god- just not in organized religion

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Posted by smm2675

i was raised catholic and went to catholic grade and high school. but i haven't gone to church on my own since who knows when. we'll raise our children catholic and bring them to church, but when they are old enough, they can decide for themselves.

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same with me- I am not going to force it- but they will be baptized etc

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Posted by JanuaryBride06

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Posted by SomethingBlu

I'm not religious. I don't believe in organized religion and think that most exclude instead of welcome or unite. I have yet to find one that makes me feel whole or closer to God or like I'm with my family, as the Bible says it should be.

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I was raised catholic, but I feel the exact same way. I've looked into other denominations of Christianity (since I do believe in Jesus) but nothing seems to answer my questions or give me a sense of peace, if that's the right phrase. I'm not religious - I wouldn't know what to call myself. 'Searching' I guess is the word.

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Ditto. I find myself very disillusioned with organized religion. I just hate how so many religious denominations feel as if their way is the only right way. I feel as though there is no 'right' religion, but instead there are religions that are right for each individual (that make that particular individual feel fulfilled). At this point, I would say I am more spiritual and agnostic - I think what is most important is being a good person and treating others with kindness and respect.

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Posted by SuzBride
At this point, I would say I am more spiritual and agnostic - I think what is most important is being a good person and treating others with kindness and respect.

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I too thought that having no religion made me agnostic, but it wasn't until recently that I found out that this isn't true. An agnostic is neither a believer or a non-believer. Instead, it's someone who has to 'see to believe' and thus cannot believe in things which he cannot see. That's not me since I wholeheartedly believe in God and Jesus. This is what I found:

Agnostic

Definitions of Agnostic on the Web:

A word first used by Professor Huxley, to indicate one who believes nothing which cannot be demonstrated by the senses.
www.theosociety.org/pasadena/key/key-glos.htm

An Agnostic [1] [noun] [OW] embraces a worldview in which the existence of deity is unknown or unknowable. Derives from the Greek agnostos, a = without, gnostos = known or knowledge. 'Agnostic[ism] [CE] was coined by Professor TH Huxley in 1869 to describe the mental attitude of one who regarded as futile all attempts to know the reality corresponding to our ultimate scientific, philosophic, and religious ideas.'
members.aol.com/porchnus/dict01.htm

one who believes that the evidence for and against the existence of God is inconclusive. (agnosticism)
www.summit.org/resource/dictionary/

Agnostic: one who questions religious or spiritual beliefs, and who may choose not to claim any system of knowledge.
iamuniversity.org/glossary/cv_glossarylist.php

One who holds the theory that God is unknown or unknowable
www.innvista.com/culture/religion/diction.htm

Someone who claims that they do not know or are unable to know whether God exists.
www.abdn.ac.uk/philosophy/guide/glossary.shtml

Agnosticism asserts no knowledge of gods and therefore concludes there are no reasons to believe in them or not to believe in them. An agnostic follows this credo and differs from the atheist who has developed an active belief that there are no gods. When it comes to the question of existence of deities, an agnostic will respond: I just don't know.
designdynamics.org/dictionary.html

someone who is doubtful or noncommittal about something
of or pertaining to an agnostic or agnosticism
uncertain of all claims to knowledge
a person who claims that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God (but does not deny that God might exist)
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Agnosticism is the philosophical view that the truth values of certain claims, particularly theological claims regarding the existence of God, gods or deities, are either unknown or inherently unknowable. The term and the related agnostic were coined by Thomas Henry Huxley in 1869 and are also used to describe those who are unconvinced or noncommittal about the existence of deities as well as other matters of religion. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnostic

I am a true blue agnostic - I have no opinion on whether or not there is a god - there could be one, there could not be one. So I am extremely non-religious

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Posted by SuzBride

I am a true blue agnostic - I have no opinion on whether or not there is a god - there could be one, there could not be one. So I am extremely non-religious

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Oh...I thought you were like me who believed in God but not in religion. Then yes, you are true blue. My fave color!

Well, I spent a few years of my life convinced that I wanted to be a nun, so I was pretty religious at that point! But somehow that fell by the wayside though I can't really pinpoint why. I still consider myself a person who has faith though.

In college, I studied Greek mythology and the history of ancient Greece and Rome (in addition to many, many years of Latin). I realized that, for a long time, these societies believed in their gods (and goddesses) just as much as many people believe that there is a God. Today, no one really believes that there are gods sitting atop Mount Olympus. So, it made me wonder ... in a million years, will people look back on our society and wonder how we could've held the beliefs that we do?

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Posted by jenniesunshine

Well, I spent a few years of my life convinced that I wanted to be a nun, so I was pretty religious at that point! But somehow that fell by the wayside though I can't really pinpoint why. I still consider myself a person who has faith though.

In college, I studied Greek mythology and the history of ancient Greece and Rome (in addition to many, many years of Latin). I realized that, for a long time, these societies believed in their gods (and goddesses) just as much as many people believe that there is a God. Today, no one really believes that there are gods sitting atop Mount Olympus. So, it made me wonder ... in a million years, will people look back on our society and wonder how we could've held the beliefs that we do?

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I have so many unanswered questions and I couldn't fall asleep last night. When did religion begin?

I think, in regards to ancient civilizations, the argument can be made that it was written in the Bible and their doom was false idolatry and believing in multiple gods. The Bible is so complex and all the stories about civilizations destroyed by God because they didn't 'get ir gith' and Kings who lose power, gain power and lead their people to doom is so interesting...but confusing. I just confused myself writing this!

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Posted by Snowboardgirl

I'm not really religious. I think and overanlylize too much.

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This is my problem too!!

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Posted by marymoon

I had a post like this over a year ago

I'm pretty religious. But I don't believe in the letter of the law. I'm Catholic but I definitely disagree with the church on social issues, etc. I definitely believe in God, and I believe that all religions are equally valid paths. People (mostly on LIW) have criticized me, but I really enjoy worshipping god in catholic, jewish and pagan traditions. I think everyone needs to find their own path.

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Marymoon, I totally agree with you.

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Posted by jenniesunshine

Well, I spent a few years of my life convinced that I wanted to be a nun, so I was pretty religious at that point! But somehow that fell by the wayside though I can't really pinpoint why. I still consider myself a person who has faith though.

In college, I studied Greek mythology and the history of ancient Greece and Rome (in addition to many, many years of Latin). I realized that, for a long time, these societies believed in their gods (and goddesses) just as much as many people believe that there is a God. Today, no one really believes that there are gods sitting atop Mount Olympus. So, it made me wonder ... in a million years, will people look back on our society and wonder how we could've held the beliefs that we do?

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I'd never thought of it this way; thanks for bringing this up!