Let's talk organized religion....

**Ettabell** · January 25th, 2009, 06:41 PM

After being part of this board for over a year, I have seen threads discussing many types of religion. Just to make it clear, I am not of one religion or another. I have been raised Congregationalist as my mother was, my father, who came here in the 50's was a Catholic from Hungary. I have not been practicing anything for over 25 years.

I have had many friends over the past 20 years that have "Found Jesus/God" after living in turmoil for some time. I have also had friends that were raised Catholic that had some really profound thoughts when dealing with what is right and wrong in life. I have been going through a lot the past 2 years of my life and just made the realization that I too, am looking for something more, whether it is be religion or something else.
I have always been apposed to most (all) organized religion but am wondering what you all think about the subject.

Lets discuss....

**Hummus** · January 25th, 2009, 08:23 PM

Looking forward to this.......not!

If God or religion makes you feel fulfilled, or at peace, whatever, then do it. Do it because of how it makes you feel. If you do decide to pray or associate yourself with a religion don't tell everybody they should also.

If you don't believe in god or the power of prayer, then don't pray. Don't tell everybody they are retarded for believing in such things.

That's all.

*DIVA! · January 25th, 2009, 08:30 PM

110 post, starts a touchy thread...

I think one should have more than 400 post to ride a thread like that!!

**yoyoma** · January 25th, 2009, 08:32 PM

^Your avatar is hilarious! I thought the same thing when i saw the
title

**politesse** · January 25th, 2009, 08:41 PM

I think it's a great topic!

I've dumped three long time friends in the last couple of years because they found Jesus.

Not because they found Jesus but because they"needed" for everyone else to get on board too.

If it works for you enjoy it, just remember each one of us deserves to find our own way. That's all. It's not that complicated.

**Ettabell** · January 25th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by SSDiva

110 post, starts a touchy thread...

I think one should have more than 400 post to ride a thread like that!!

Hey, I have been reading this site for more than a year, just got the nerve up last March to join and add my 2 cents...Why is there the need to post more than 400 post to start a thread???
I have seen some great conversations and some great slams to some...deserved or not (imo). I dont add typically add to a thread unless I have an opinion that has not already been stated. Just food for thought.

As I stated... I am not of one religion or another.... just at a point in my life that I can now see how some would get into it. I have not become one or the other, just can see, when you are at a low in life, how easy it can be to get sucked into one. (and I do mean sucked into one)
Again, just looking for thoughts from other GM members on how they or their friends have reacted to this time of their life.

Originally Posted by Hummus

Looking forward to this.......not!

If God or religion makes you feel fulfilled, or at peace, whatever, then do it. Do it because of how it makes you feel. If you do decide to pray or associate yourself with a religion don't tell everybody they should also.

If you don't believe in god or the power of prayer, then don't pray. Don't tell everybody they are retarded for believing in such things.

That's all.

Dont know if it will.... believe me, the people that I have known over the years that have 'found God/Jesus' I can not tolerate. I have been to church for my nieces and I do not participate in their activities.... I hate the hyprocisy of their religion. Again... just food for thought.
I believe in some higher power... God or whom ever. I thank her/him often for what I have... I dont ask for what I dont.
Since I am at this place in my life and can see why people do it, to my disbelief in the majority of it, I was just wondering about the stories that others had to share.

Just to add to this.... I majored in Environmental Geology and lost a couple of friends over the fact that I have carbon dated fossils that pre dated Jesus. I was told that that was the 'Devils' work.

**Ettabell** · January 25th, 2009, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by yoyoma

^Your avatar is hilarious! I thought the same thing when i saw the
title

Thanks!! Love my Doxie!

**angelais** · January 25th, 2009, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jin13

Just to add to this.... I majored in Environmental Geology and lost a couple of friends over the fact that I have carbon dated fossils that pre dated Jesus. I was told that that was the 'Devils' work.

Well just ask Sarah Palin. Dinosaurs are Jesus ponies.

**Ettabell** · January 25th, 2009, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by angelais

Well just ask Sarah Palin. Dinosaurs are Jesus ponies.

Haaaa! That's what I mean.

**McJag** · January 25th, 2009, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by Jin13

Hey, I have been reading this site for more than a year, just got the nerve up last March to join and add my 2 cents...Why is there the need to post more than 400 post to start a thread???

Hmm-a bit combative there...let us not over react to what was meant to be more lighthearted. Minus 2 pts for defensiveness!

Now,about religion. I am a Believer. I need religion in my life and it gives me personally great comfort. My Mother always warned about people who use religion as a drug,who are there every time the doors open,who eat,sleep and live religion to the point they no longer enjoy their lives & put words in the mouth of the Almighty. I am not one of those people and do not associate with any. They are the most judgmental,harshest critics and doom sayers that drive me nuts. I do not consider them religious at all. Charity does not enter their pea brains.
My extended family has Methodists,Baptists,Episcopals and Presbyterians. We also have some atheists. They support us,we support them. They attend all Command Occasions-weddings,christenings etc. I don't know what they say in the car home,but they support us. We long for just one to be called upon to say the Blessing just once! You better believe they would rise to the occasion-they are bound to know several by heart! They are not the sort of idiot that would walk into a Baptist convention and shout"I am an ATHEIST!" We are southern & know better than ask for trouble. My point is,we are supportive of each other and no one makes fun or tries to convert anyone. We respect each other & I fail to see how others can't do this. I find much comfort in prayer and it is right for me. I cannot say what is right for a single other person. I have been raised to think that religion is so highly personal that no one has the right to intrude unasked into that area-not anyone. You must follow your own heart.

Oh yes-the firmest believers are those in the medical & scientific fields-including our rocket scientist.

**A*O** · January 25th, 2009, 10:51 PM

$cientology is the way to go IMO.

**Honey** · January 25th, 2009, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Jin13

Hey, I have been reading this site for more than a year, just got the nerve up last March to join and add my 2 cents...Why is there the need to post more than 400 post to start a thread???
I have seen some great conversations and some great slams to some...deserved or not (imo). I dont add typically add to a thread unless I have an opinion that has not already been stated. Just food for thought.

Don't worry, Diva was kidding

**Chimera** · January 25th, 2009, 11:04 PM

No need to have any number of posts to have a thought.

Organized religion has proven it is the root of many many evils. Christianity suffers from having to "spread the good news", or, nag people to death about it. Islam suffers from having problems with the organization of the Koran that lead to confusion about its stances. Judaism suffers from self pity. Those are the three I know about. But it seems all org. religions have a left wing that preaches love, and a right wing that preaches the law, and it is the right wing insistence that everyone follow the LAW of that religion of that causes the troubles.

**Ettabell** · January 25th, 2009, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by McJag

Hmm-a bit combative there...let us not over react to what was meant to be more lighthearted. Minus 2 pts for defensiveness!

Now,about religion. I am a Believer. I need religion in my life and it gives me personally great comfort. My Mother always warned about people who use religion as a drug,who are there every time the doors open,who eat,sleep and live religion to the point they no longer enjoy their lives & put words in the mouth of the Almighty. I am not one of those people and do not associate with any. They are the most judgmental,harshest critics and doom sayers that drive me nuts. I do not consider them religious at all. Charity does not enter their pea brains.
My extended family has Methodists,Baptists,Episcopals and Presbyterians. We also have some atheists. They support us,we support them. They attend all Command Occasions-weddings,christenings etc. I don't know what they say in the car home,but they support us. We long for just one to be called upon to say the Blessing just once! You better believe they would rise to the occasion-they are bound to know several by heart! They are not the sort of idiot that would walk into a Baptist convention and shout"I am an ATHEIST!" We are southern & know better than ask for trouble. My point is,we are supportive of each other and no one makes fun or tries to convert anyone. We respect each other & I fail to see how others can't do this. I find much comfort in prayer and it is right for me. I cannot say what is right for a single other person. I have been raised to think that religion is so highly personal that no one has the right to intrude unasked into that area-not anyone. You must follow your own heart.

Oh yes-the firmest believers are those in the medical & scientific fields-including our rocket scientist.

I know! Sorry! I just see how sometimes that the simplist things here get misunderstood and I do get defensive.
My husband was raised a southern Baptist and the few gatherings that I have been to were really nice. I dont know why but with his religion I am fine, it just seems to be the rest of my family's catholic religion that sets me on fire!
I am from the northern part of Ma. I am sure you all know about what happened to the Catholic church up here. My son's friends were part of this....it kills me to think that these 7-9 year old boys had to go through this. Thats what I mean when I say that I did not participate in my nieces' church activities... I was there to support them but did not participate, I just couldnt.
Religion is fine if it is kept in home....not shoved on others.... I have been part of family members trying to shove it down my throat and some that havent. I have just unfortunatly been witness to a lot of the lies that some religion thrusts upon their members.
I have been open to the possibility that there are some religions out there that are welcoming all. If I were to become part of one it would have to be open to all thoughts and denominations, that would be the only way I would feel confortable to be part of it.

Originally Posted by A*O

$cientology is the way to go IMO.

Yah...that's what I was thinking. We all know how good it did Katie!!

**McJag** · January 25th, 2009, 11:18 PM

I was once married to a good Catholic boy. Louisiana is half Baptist-half Catholic. Many of my good friends were Catholics,raised as work horses dipped in guilt about everything. I hit the roof when I found out dear hubby was confessing to everything we did in private to a priest I knew. No one ever tried to convert me-they knew better. I don't trust any religion that says my way or go to hell. Not nice.