Are you religious?

[Nebulous]

Spinoff of this thread: https://forumpromotion.net/threads/if-you-returned-to-church-what-brought-you-back.176105/

If you had left a church and then returned, what brought you back to it?

This is the original thread, a lot of these replies are off topic. If you haven't returned to church and nothing has brought you back, please don't comment. You may create a thread discussion your beliefs and opinions.

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Are you religious? Do you believe in God? Why or why not?

Tell us about your experiences with faith, church, god (or a lack thereof).

People from either side of the fence are welcome to participate in this thread and share their viewpoints.

 

[MrDawn]

I'm an Atheist & I don't believe in the existence of deities for many many reasons. Grew up having Christianity forced on me. Never believed in it.

 

[Gizmo]

Other - I've been at different parts of my life and at other parts of my life I haven't. I'm currently attending a church but I'm not religious religious such as praying, bible reading etc. I go to church more for the community and to help out.

 

[Kale]

Besides going a few times to Sunday school and other stuff as a kid, no. I decided on my own not to pursue any form of religion.

 

[Page]

Never been that person as growing up, I would say if you been born in a family that was or not then you become who you are based on how you been brought up

 

[Kale]

Never been that person as growing up, I would say if you been born in a family that was or not then you become who you are based on how you been brought up

Yep, agreed. I pretty much think that nails it on the head.

 

[Nebulous]

I'm an Atheist & I don't believe in the existence of deities for many many reasons. Grew up having Christianity forced on me. Never believed in it.

Did they make you go to church throughout your entire childhood? Like from age 0 - 18?

Never been that person as growing up, I would say if you been born in a family that was or not then you become who you are based on how you been brought up

Not necessarily, as @MrDawn mentioned, he was brought up with religion and church in his childhood but it didn’t work on him. On the flip side, lots of people grow up in a non-religious family and end up becoming religious on their own for whatever reason.

 

[Ocelotl]

Not into organized religion, however I am a believer and getting together with other believers to worship is a good thing.

 

[MrDawn]

Did they make you go to church throughout your entire childhood? Like from age 0 - 18?

0? lol no. It started gradually when I was 6. My mother's friend, who babysat me started taking me to church. I thought it was a club of some kind and quickly grew bored of it after going a few times. But it started when I was 6 and there were some issues with my family over it when I was in my early to mid 20's.

 

[Page]

Not necessarily, as @MrDawn mentioned, he was brought up with religion and church in his childhood but it didn’t work on him. On the flip side, lots of people grow up in a non-religious family and end up becoming religious on their own for whatever reason.

True, many people can change as they get older

 

[Reverie]

So my story is rather interesting. Long story short - My family did not go to church while I was alive due to something that happened to my grandma at a church. I did go to church with friends and etc. I do have beliefs, but also feel like a building doesn't make me more or less a believer.

 

[Deleted member 49125]

I grew up Christian Reformed. I left around 15 years ago due to, ironically, reading the bible thoroughly 3 times & seeing so many discrepancies & errors.

While it's not for me, I DO remember what it was like to have "that fire" in the beliefs. I will point out the errors to those who ask but I will in no way be responsible for turning away or turning to a religion. I firmly believe in the Agree to Disagree & while I have no right instilling my beliefs & opinions on others, I ask for that same Respect. That goes for EVERYTHING out there! I may not believe what somebody believes in but I can believe in them as a Human Being.

Flipside too, I don't call myself an ex-christian nor an atheist. I am a Human Being. I don't care for labels. Labels tend to segregate others. Respect, Common Courtesy, & Common Decency should be forefront.

 

[Ravenfreak]

I was baptized Catholic at the age of 14. Why did it take a while for me to be baptized, you may be asking. My mother is a Christian, though she never really went to church. However, she wanted to wait for my sister and I to grow up a little bit before diving into religion. She didn't want us to be baptized Catholic when my sister and I were infants. I went to church a few times, but not too often. I don't really care for organized religion myself. I feel that many religious people are against my beliefs. Not all are I understand that, my best friend is a Christian and he 100% accepts my spouse and I and even have offered for us to go to church with him. I have another friend who is also a Christian and still supports me. It's just not my thing though, and I won't bash those who attend church and follow the word of God because it's their life and they have every right to attend church and worship God as they please. So I'm not that religious.