Spinoff of afterlife post.....how faithful are you?

See though..the statement 'There is only one God' is what I mean. How do you know? To a lot of cultures, they believe in many gods....maybe they're right and you're wrong. Or vice versa!
There's no way of knowing...
However, that's your belief and my feeling on it (even if I personally don't agree) is if that's what brings you faith, comfort, peace, etc.-than more power to ya!
My issue is with people who are adamant about it and trying to convert others who might not see things the same way.

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Posted by yabbobay

I was not raised with religion...are you saying I must be a bad person? or are my parents bad?


IMHO I'm a pretty decent person...I smile and say thank you to all the people I interact with...I help people out in many ways


why should my parents raise me with something they don't believe....and further why should I do that to my own children...


would you raise your child Hindu if you didn't believe...


I am very annoyed with this comment...

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I have to agree with Erica on this. While I was raised Catholic and later found my own beliefs...I do consider not raising my child with religion. I am a good person - regardless of whether I practice an organized religion or not - and do not think I would be a bad person if I chose to lead my life by what I believed in.

I would rather my child respect me for my beliefs than find me to be a hypocrite, later on.

I will NOT baptize my child. How cruel.
(personal opinion)

I am not baptized myself. I was brought up with my mother's religion (pedicostal?) and my father's religious tinting of Catholic. What a wicked thing to do to a child, mind you.

I am VERY VERY grateful to them for not baptizing me. I can't explain my gratitude.

I think that choice should be made as an adult and followed through faithfully (no offense to anyone).

NO OFFENSE!!! (this next part can be taken wrong)
I find it INSANE that a so-called house of god won't marry two people because one or the other isn't baptized in that church's faith. To me it seems to leave the idea that the unbaptized aren't good enough and if you said that about my husband I'd be pissed. Same goes for bapitizing a child. My own nephew was brought under ridicule because my stupid sister in law told the church my brother wasn't baptized and was once married and divorced. Who cares? So now he had to get an annullment and be forced into their church and be baptized so my nephew could be ok in God's eyes. THAT BOTHERED ME! Worse! they SAID I had to help with the paper work and it all had to be ok'ed first, but they were LYING, Before the paperwork even got to me they had already baptized my nephew. So in essense it was all BS and money the church earned.

I find the ritual of baptism to be completely abused. Offensive in fact. I say 'no Im not baptized' while in a church and I've heard women gasp. Especially when I DARE to take communion or bless myself with water. 'You're not pure' their faces say .. my mind 'Yes I am, because I say I am'

Thank GOD my parents didn't force me into a religion before I knew better.. firstly I wouldnt join EITHER of their churches and secondly then *I* woudl be the hypocrit!

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Posted by yabbobay



well you talk about hypocracy...

I would be a total hypocrit if I baptised my child!!


would you have your child take part of a Hindu or Buddhist ritual...just in case they might want to be that religion when they get older...?

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Well Hindu and buddism are 'religions'. I didn't say I'd make them stay with their own religion. Your asking me, but what would you do if your child said mommy I want to go to church. Sounds like you would'nt let him.

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Posted by BellaBella

But then again I don't understand why anyone would want to be married in the Church of God if they are not religious then we get into hypocracism...

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Because some people make sacrifices for their partner. If getting married in a church is important to the person you're marrying and you could go either way b/c you're not religious, I don't see the harm in making the sacrifice/compromise for your partner's happiness.

We're all hypocrites in some form or another. Trying to act holier than thou in the hypocrisy, is BS. (Not saying you are... )

a child asking a parent who doesnt go to church would be tough...

i assume the parent wouldnt want to stay for the service, and i assume the parents wouldnt want to leave the kid alone for it..

and if a parent is no religion, how do they raise their children to pick a religion? at a young age a child most likely doesnt think about the religion so seriously... is the parent going to show videos on each religon and ask if they like any of them better than no religion, or are they going to raise them no religion???

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Posted by CIMINOK

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Posted by BellaBella

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Posted by Leelee

BellaBella-I see your point now.
Many of my family members got married in church, had their children baptised but have never set foot in a church since. I don't really get that...

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I don't understand either...what I don't understand more is the ones that do get married in the church not having/wanting any religious background.

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Agreed! But I think this ties into what butterfly was saying about just following what our parents always did.

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Agreed also! just to throw in though and NOT to start another debate....one ? the church asks you is if you plan to raise your children catholic, or whatever religion...for those who are so adiment about their beliefs, I at least hope that they would tell the church (if they are getting married there) the truth.

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Posted by BellaBella

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Agreed also! just to throw in though and NOT to start another debate....one ? the church asks you is if you plan to raise your children catholic, or whatever religion...for those who are so adiment about their beliefs, I at least hope that they would tell the church (if they are getting married there) the truth.

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Fat chance! I Doubt they would marry you if you flat out said you don't intend to raise your children catholic.

Having my child ask me to go to church:

Yeah, Jim and I had to sit and talk about this.
I was often asked to join my friends for Summer bible Camp and such. My Dad let me go of course. But things happened there that scared me (trying to force me to be baptized or saved). I know this will happen to our children.

We've decided we will let our children choose their own path. Insomuch, that I will allow my children to be raised with a basic understanding of God and Church. (Im not atheist so I do believe in soemthing) I will also try to introduce them to as many different types as possible. I want them to ask questions. Those I can't answer, I'll force myself to find the answers. If my children do decide later they want to be baptized or saved (hopefully over the age of 16) then It's their choice. I won't stop them. If they are cornered into at a younger age or lied to by a church.. well... all hell will break lose.

Yes, I will go to those churchs. I'll do what I always do in them. Listen. If I disagree with something they are teaching my child then I'll address it then. I have no reason to be in the 'adult' area when strangers are trying to brainwash my child. I'll be there.

Jim agrees. But ultimately we must let them make their own choices. Even if I disagree. Afterall isn't faith supposed to be a personal choice? I made mine. All I can hope for is they make an educated selection and if they mess up.. I'll be there to support them.

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Posted by BellaBella
Agreed also! just to throw in though and NOT to start another debate....one ? the church asks you is if you plan to raise your children catholic, or whatever religion...for those who are so adiment about their beliefs, I at least hope that they would tell the church (if they are getting married there) the truth.

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We were asked.
They asked us our religious preferences and pasts.

Then said
'Ok, what will your children be then?'

My answer:
'Ours'

I would allow no further conversation.

As far as I know- they never said God wrote the bible- at least not the new testament- which are testaments about JC as written by the apostles.

As far as my faith- I believe in God and JC. I guess I have faith b/c it's how I was raised, and lately that has just gotten stronger.

I thought about switiching to a protestant religion, but then I wouldn't be able to pray to the virgin mary (since Catholics are the only that do it) and she is my favorite as she is a great intercessor.

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Posted by Xelindrya

Having my child ask me to go to church:

Yeah, Jim and I had to sit and talk about this.
I was often asked to join my friends for Summer bible Camp and such. My Dad let me go of course. But things happened there that scared me (trying to force me to be baptized or saved). I know this will happen to our children.

We've decided we will let our children choose their own path. Insomuch, that I will allow my children to be raised with a basic understanding of God and Church. (Im not atheist so I do believe in soemthing) I will also try to introduce them to as many different types as possible. I want them to ask questions. Those I can't answer, I'll force myself to find the answers. If my children do decide later they want to be baptized or saved (hopefully over the age of 16) then It's their choice. I won't stop them. If they are cornered into at a younger age or lied to by a church.. well... all hell will break lose.

Yes, I will go to those churchs. I'll do what I always do in them. Listen. If I disagree with something they are teaching my child then I'll address it then. I have no reason to be in the 'adult' area when strangers are trying to brainwash my child. I'll be there.

Jim agrees. But ultimately we must let them make their own choices. Even if I disagree. Afterall isn't faith supposed to be a personal choice? I made mine. All I can hope for is they make an educated selection and if they mess up.. I'll be there to support them.

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well said

i think thats VERY wrong, whoever gets married in a church and lies to the priest saying they'll raise their kid catholic when they dont plan to...

why get married in a church then? just get married at the hall...

if your doing it be nice to your family.. they are going to figure out your athiest once you dont baptize your child...

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Posted by butterfly20

i think thats VERY wrong, whoever gets married in a church and lies to the priest saying they'll raise their kid catholic when they dont plan to...

why get married in a church then? just get married at the hall...

if your doing it be nice to your family.. they are going to figure out your athiest once you dont baptize your child...

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This was my point all along..why lie if that's your belief.

Can we talk about wedding stuff now?!

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Posted by BellaBella

Well Hindu and buddism are 'religions'. I didn't say I'd make them stay with their own religion. Your asking me, but what would you do if your child said mommy I want to go to church. Sounds like you would'nt let him.

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not true at all...never in any of my posts have I ever mentioned anything as such!!!!!


my sister is a member of a Church...there are many things that you should be careful about spewing out on a public forum...

think before you write!!!

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Posted by butterfly20

a child asking a parent who doesnt go to church would be tough...

i assume the parent wouldnt want to stay for the service, and i assume the parents wouldnt want to leave the kid alone for it..

and if a parent is no religion, how do they raise their children to pick a religion? at a young age a child most likely doesnt think about the religion so seriously... is the parent going to show videos on each religon and ask if they like any of them better than no religion, or are they going to raise them no religion???

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do Christian parents teach their children of other religions?

why are agnostics and athesits being called out to meet some higher standard b/c they don't agree with the idology of the majority?


and for the record...my mother came with me when my sister and I wanted to explore different religions (she also sat with us to become members of the DAR - even though our ties to the Revolution were with my father and she was not eligible)...I would SUPPORT my children - this is what you do...

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Posted by yabbobay

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Posted by BellaBella

Well Hindu and buddism are 'religions'. I didn't say I'd make them stay with their own religion. Your asking me, but what would you do if your child said mommy I want to go to church. Sounds like you would'nt let him.

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not true at all...never in any of my posts have I ever mentioned anything as such!!!!!


my sister is a member of a Church...there are many things that you should be careful about spewing out on a public forum...

think before you write!!!

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you make absolutely no sense to me. Im asked you a ?, that's all. just fdon;t go spewing my words around, or make me sound hypocritical. and what does your sister have to do with anything?! and i am thinking of what i write. i don't avoid questions to me.