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

Original post by btrflygrl

Feb 12, 2004 11:56 AM

To avoid offended anyone by asking if you believe in G-d.....but...where do you stand in your FAITH in WHATEVER you happen to believe in??

Xelindrya Posted: Feb 13, 2004 03:46 PM

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

Posted by Sage10.03

They decided not to baptize us and take away the choice we had before us to decide for ourselves....

NO ONE can tell me they were wrong....they did what they felt was best for us and I am greatful to them for caring so much to not just say 'Oh, it's just a little holy water'....
That, in my mind, would have been far worse....

My parents did the same for me.
and I agree with you 100%

Becky Posted: Feb 13, 2004 03:49 PM

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

Posted by yabbobay

I just ask people to remember...if you wouldn't tell a Jew or Hindu or Buddhist, etc that they were wrong...please extend the same courtesy to atheists...I have my own set of beliefs...values...morals...and I think we can all agree that no two people share the same exact thoughts...Its demeaning...and just discriminating...

I agree, but this is a two-way street. Just because you don't believe, you shouldn't say that baptizing a child is forcing religion down their throat (or whatever was said by someone), because that is also demeaning to a ceremony that is extermely important to some of us

By the way - I am coming to LI for a baptism this weekend.

eroxgirl Posted: Feb 13, 2004 03:52 PM

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

Posted by Sage10.03

My father is Jewish from a very religious family and my Mother was brought up Roman Catholic.

Although my Mother converted on paper for my Dad's family to accept her, she never converted in her mind/soul/heart.

They decided not to baptize us and take away the choice we had before us to decide for ourselves....

NO ONE can tell me they were wrong....they did what they felt was best for us and I am greatful to them for caring so much to not just say 'Oh, it's just a little holy water'....
That, in my mind, would have been far worse....

My parents thought about doing that at first and I kind of wish they had.

I wasn't baptized until I was 4 years old becuase of a fight between my father and my uncle (the priest). Growing up, my religious experience has been one of constant confusion, criticism, racism and pain. I would have been better off had they let me choose for myself...rather than deal with bigoted teachers, classmates, etc.

Sage10.03 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 03:56 PM

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

Posted by Becky

Posted by yabbobay

I just ask people to remember...if you wouldn't tell a Jew or Hindu or Buddhist, etc that they were wrong...please extend the same courtesy to atheists...I have my own set of beliefs...values...morals...and I think we can all agree that no two people share the same exact thoughts...Its demeaning...and just discriminating...

I agree, but this is a two-way street. Just because you don't believe, you shouldn't say that baptizing a child is forcing religion down their throat (or whatever was said by someone), because that is also demeaning to a ceremony that is extermely important to some of us

By the way - I am coming to LI for a baptism this weekend.

I absolutely agree with you....
When a religion is agreed upon by two consenting parents who have the same faith and plan to educate and raise their children IN this faith...I think that is wonderful....

But when 2 parents do not have the same beliefs and do not see eye to eye on the religion of their children, then maybe they should educate their children on both and let them decide (which was the case for me...) when the time is right....

My perspective was mainly aimed at educating bellabella that a baptism is much more than 'just a little holy water'

kmcwed Posted: Feb 13, 2004 03:56 PM

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

julybride444 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:00 PM

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

I believe that something started the chemical reactions that created this earth. Call it a force I guess. I recognize that what I believe is just that though, a belief, not fact.

I'm not religious b/c I can't imagine any of the religions being 'right'. So, mostly I believe that we all need to start working together to end suffering of all things. That's what I 'believe in'.

peeweesgirl Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:03 PM

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

that is what most religions asl for us work together and to love one another...anyone (religion)that doesn't is tainted by mans interpertation!

shelzyp Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:03 PM

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

Posted by CIMINOK

Posted by shelzyp

I asked to go to religion class when I was in 4th grade, since all my firends went. I realized I wasn't into it, and didn't go after that until I had to make my confirmation.

Ah, but why did you HAVE to make your confirmation?

Because my mother felt I should, if at that time I would have said I would prefer not to, she would have allowed me to not make it.

I didn't not make the decision to be an atheist until a year later.

shelzyp Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:05 PM

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

Posted by butterfly20

Posted by shelzyp

I asked to go to religion class when I was in 4th grade, since all my firends went. I realized I wasn't into it, and didn't go after that until I had to make my confirmation.

had to make your confirmation???
i thought you have to go to religion class to be eligible for confirmation..

You don't have to go every year, i went in 9th grade and that was it.

As long as ou make your donation they don't care who they confirm.

shelzyp Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:07 PM

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

Posted by peeweesgirl

I am very spiritual and I do have a god to my understanding ...I may not practice the religon I grew up with but I sdo believe in a powere greater then myself... For those of you who are atheists did you get married in a church and Why ?

I did not get marreid in a church, because for my husband and i it would not have felt like a real wedding. The entire time i would have been thinking, why am i listening to this when i don't beleive in it.

shelzyp Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:08 PM

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

Posted by yabbobay

I just ask people to remember...if you wouldn't tell a Jew or Hindu or Buddhist, etc that they were wrong...please extend the same courtesy to atheists...I have my own set of beliefs...values...morals...and I think we can all agree that no two people share the same exact thoughts...Its demeaning...and just discriminating...

I completely agree, and hat is why I was insulted by BellaBella's comment.

BellaBella Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:29 PM

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

Posted by Sage10.03

Posted by Becky

Posted by yabbobay

I just ask people to remember...if you wouldn't tell a Jew or Hindu or Buddhist, etc that they were wrong...please extend the same courtesy to atheists...I have my own set of beliefs...values...morals...and I think we can all agree that no two people share the same exact thoughts...Its demeaning...and just discriminating...

I agree, but this is a two-way street. Just because you don't believe, you shouldn't say that baptizing a child is forcing religion down their throat (or whatever was said by someone), because that is also demeaning to a ceremony that is extermely important to some of us

By the way - I am coming to LI for a baptism this weekend.

I absolutely agree with you....
When a religion is agreed upon by two consenting parents who have the same faith and plan to educate and raise their children IN this faith...I think that is wonderful....

But when 2 parents do not have the same beliefs and do not see eye to eye on the religion of their children, then maybe they should educate their children on both and let them decide (which was the case for me...) when the time is right....

My perspective was mainly aimed at educating bellabella that a baptism is much more than 'just a little holy water'

And I agree with you also. If the two parents are from different backgrounds, as yours were, then yes maybe you should let your child decide for him/herself, unless you both do agree on one peticular religion for that child. But in my case, both me and FH are of the same religious background and Christianity is of our beliefs and our morals and as will be our childs. This is what I feel is right in OUR minds. and like we all know we are entitled to our own opinions and yes, knowone is right or wrong, whether you are a jew, atheist or buddist. And maybe the holywater comment came out wrong. But for the record it is holy to us and our baby. sorry if I offended anyone in my postings as that was not my intention. to all!

yabbobay Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:38 PM

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

hey...I'll just throw a wrench into the works here...

I decided on my own to get confirmed...totally on my own...well maybe my sister influenced me a bit...so it is possible for children who were not raised by religious parents to go off on their own and explore...

Jenn P Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:41 PM

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

This is somewhat of a tangent.... By far the biggest issue I have with my religion, Roman Catholicism, is its relegation of woman to second class citizenship. That's the main thing that interferes with my acceptance of my religious upbringing and most of all, the book that religion considers sacred. I objected to so many suggested readings my church offered because of the references to female obedience, male leadership, etc.

I've struggled with this all my life and I tell myself that I can have faith without believing every single word of what I'm having faith in dictates. It's tricky, though. DH is also RC and not very religious, and frankly...I'm glad.

Sage10.03 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:42 PM

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

Posted by BellaBella

I just think it's wrong for the 'people' that reaise their kids with no religion. I just can't nor will I see my child being not baptized. Let them decide for themselves when they grow up if they don't want to be a part of it.

I understand what you are saying...and you totally have the right to hold your beliefs sacred and raise your children how you see fit.

I just took offense to the implication that my parents were somehow 'wrong' for not baptising us or bringing us up with a certain formalized religion.
I think I actually benefited from a broad knowledge of multiple religions...and because I was not raised one in particular, it gave me the desire to learn about a broad range and I think I can take a bit of all of them with me....

No hard feelings....

yabbobay Posted: Feb 13, 2004 04:55 PM

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

Posted by Jenn P

This is somewhat of a tangent.... By far the biggest issue I have with my religion, Roman Catholicism, is its relegation of woman to second class citizenship. That's the main thing that interferes with my acceptance of my religious upbringing and most of all, the book that religion considers sacred. I objected to so many suggested readings my church offered because of the references to female obedience, male leadership, etc.

I've struggled with this all my life and I tell myself that I can have faith without believing every single word of what I'm having faith in dictates. It's tricky, though. DH is also RC and not very religious, and frankly...I'm glad.

I'll go with your tangent...maybe this explantation helps...

I asked a coworker of mine about this...since she is a Hasidic Jew and mentioned that women sat in the uper part of the temple when the men sat at the front on the bottom..

She totally spinned it and said...how do you know that the upper section is not the best section...and she was right...I didn't...so a lot, I think, is perspective

Jenn P Posted: Feb 13, 2004 05:09 PM

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

Erica, more power to your friend for being at peace with such rules. I haven't completely gotten there. It's just hard to rationalize a lot of what's written in the Bible, especially the obedience parts. I'm just glad most churches seemed to have fazed that out of their vows. Frankly, it would have been the judge in the garden at Westbury Manor otherwise.