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Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

what is your religion and why?

19 replies

3andnomore · 30/03/2008 20:57

I don't often come into this section of mn, but have just read a very powerful book, called "escape" about a women freeing herself from the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, and whilst of course this is more about a cult and a powergame in a cult, etc...it did originate in some deep religious beliefs...anyway, I am an agnostic, grown up with christian beliefs(evangelistic lutheric, not catholic).
Whilst not having turned against god or beliefs, reading the book I just read made me feel even more comfortable in just having my own belief really, that doesn't need a church, nor an organised religious community but is simply that I try to be a good person and whilst I have no idea if god exists I can not commit myself to not beliefing in god at all, if that makes sense...!
So, anyway, what do other people belief in, what does it mean to you, what does it give to you...not sure why i am asking, other then that I am nosey and interested.

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kittywise · 30/03/2008 22:38

Oh I love Carlos Castaneda and the whole toltec way of viewing spirituality. That we have both a physical AND energy body and are all part of the one energy that's out there.

sorkycake · 30/03/2008 22:43

snap kittiwise

PrettyCandles · 30/03/2008 22:51

I'm Jewish. Basically because I was born and brought up Jewish. While my faith and practice have waxed and waned over the years, I have never considered myself anything but Jewish - despite having gone through a period of agnosticism.

For me Judaism is more than 'just' a religion, it's also culture and history, a sense of being more than just one little person in the big world, but of being part of a stream through history.

And however much or little I practice of my religion, it has two aspects which I hope will always guide me: bringing grace, thankfulness, and awareness of god's presence into day-to-day life, and the maxim "Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself."

kittywise · 31/03/2008 07:12

Wow sorky, really!?

I thought I was the only one out there!

I don't talk about it with anyone in RL , I reckon they would think me insane!

I've recently bought loads of books on the subject again, including astral projection ones. It's so fascinating.
Have you read any Miguel Ruiz?

InLoveWithSweenyTodd · 31/03/2008 12:11

catholic, because I was raised one, and because i share most of its views on life and mankind.

DutchOma · 31/03/2008 13:28

Christian, because I find it intellectually believable and emotionally satisfying

ScienceTeacher · 31/03/2008 13:44

Christian - because it's the truth

MaryAnnSingleton · 31/03/2008 13:50

I was brought up as a Roman Catholic but very lapsed..I am quite interested in Buddhism as my mother became a Buddhist (after dipping into numerous other things) and if I do have any religion now then it's a combination of the two which sits well with me. I love the idea of just being 'good' and mindful of others and the idea that you should do your best and not harm others... but I still pray to God and occassionally go to Mass or just into church to say a prayer/light a candle. Dh is an atheist but we had a lovely Buddhist blessing for ds when he was a baby. I love the whole ritual and incense of the Catholic Mass too and used to love Benediction.

nickytwotimes · 31/03/2008 13:50

Christian (Catholic) because I believe in God and it is the religion that fits into ny cultural background. It could honestly have been any religion - I don't think it is possible to seperate a religion from its culture. Had I been raised by Muslims, I'd have been a Muslim, by Hindus, a Hindu, etc. I think all religions are of equal merit.

nickytwotimes · 31/03/2008 13:52

MaryAnn, isn't that one of the best things about Buddhism - it allows space for other beleif systems? So a buddhist friend tells me, anyway.

MaryAnnSingleton · 31/03/2008 13:56

yes, I think that's whats so appealing...my granny was a very religious catholic and was very distressed that ds wasn't baptised but I explained that the Buddhist Blessing would protect himand it was something that dh was happy with - don't think she was convinced ! I told her that ds was blessed by the monk equivalent of the Archbishop of Westminster too...I liked it that she always prayed for me though.

OverMyDeadBody · 31/03/2008 13:56

lol at science teacher.

I'm a humanist. I believe in treating other humans well and living a good life. I think this life is all we have and we should hake the most of it.

sorkycake · 31/03/2008 17:08

Kittiwise are you on the mumsnet group on facebook, if so, I'll chat there if you like

I was pretty blown away and completely sucked into Casteneda's world. It def set me on an interesting path.

kittywise · 31/03/2008 17:46

sorky I'm one A MN thread on FB. I'm sure there are others, don't i have to be invited? Which one are you on then? Iy would be great to discuss this with someone and share the literature etc. I've found some brilliant sites/books

3andnomore · 31/03/2008 18:34

Thank you for you replies...
I was worried people might get "offended" , because, I suppose it is kind of a very personal question...

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MaryBS · 31/03/2008 20:26

I'm a Christian. I left the RCC in my mid-twenties, but returned to Christianity as an Anglican, as a result of praying for a sign, which was answered!

Roseylea · 01/04/2008 11:48

I'm a Church of England christian, which a Hindu colleague described as "cop out christianity for those who aren't really convinced" . Which, in my experience, is a bit harsh; there are loads of christians in the CofE who are pretty convinced and who are doing everything but copping out - so many of the excellent social iniatives round here that are transforming the poorest people's lives are organised and run by christians.

Anyway! I'm a (very passionate) christian because I truly and completely believe in God the creator of the world, and in Jesus the saviour of the world, and in the Holy Spirit alive in the world and transforming lives. That conviction works on lots of levels - I'm as intellectually convinced as it's possible to be that this framework for understanding the world is consistent, makes sense within itself and makes sense of the world. I could say much more about this...!

On another level I feel God's presence in a way that convinces me that it is not just me going bonkers / hallucinating; God's presence in my life andin the lives of others goes way higher and deeper and broader than I ever could. And so often when I'm complteely incapable of doing something on my own, I find that after praying I suddenly as able to do the thing that was impossible before (not Superman stuff, just things like knowing what to say to someone in great suffering or complex situation, you know, or having the perspective on my own life that I need to cope with its many demands - sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by all the demands of my life and then I pray and suddenly I have a way forward, I know what to prioritise, or sometime help comes unexpectedly from someone else).

I also believe in big answers to prayer like physical healing, although I must be honest and say I haven't ever experienced much of this and I recognise that we all die sooner or later anyway so all physical healing is provisional. But I do know people who have experienced pretty miraculous answers to prayer.

so what my faith gives me is a way of looking at the world (and myself, ,my own heart and mind) that is all about recognising the realities of it, engaging with those realities and bringing about real transformation. I know a christian who became a police officer and suddenly all that christian doctrine of sin became so real, because the effects of brokenness were so obvious when you take your umpteenth call from the same woman who is being physically abused or the same people who are stuck in a lifestyle of sin / crime that they can't get out of. So it's only by the life-changing power of God's love that any real lasting change can happen and we see the fruits of that in the UK as well - so much of what is best about the UK is built on christian principles by christian people who truly believed that by prayer, through God's love they could change things, having been changed themselves. And that's still happening - there are still christians getting stuck into all levels of society working and praying for change (as well as all the stupid stuff that christians can get distracted by).

As I said I am a very passionate christian and I could go on and on and on and on and on...!

beansmum · 02/04/2008 18:05

I'm a Christian, a fairly liberal one I suppose. I'm not entirely convinced that Christianity is the only way to have a relationship with God but it seems to be the right way for me.

3andnomore · 04/04/2008 16:13

Thanks again for your posts...and very interesting Rosey...thank you for sharing!

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