this is the kind of question that could have debates going for days. I am not the most religious person, i have my beliefs and such but do not follow the ways of the bible or anything.
I personally think that god could be all things, it is beyond human logic to understand the nature of god. Some things that are perfectly fine in one religion could mean stoning to death in another.
With all the holy wars and different god's and names and spirits etc what can be construed as religion? does religion exist in itself or are we just playing in different parts god, like sections in a pie. All the slices have differences (may be more fruit or crust in some slices than others) but at the end of the day it is the same pie.

Does that make any sense? i would love to hear your input

I've talked with many people about this. And I have found that there is one true religion.

And it is (Lightening bolt ZZZAAAAPPPP!!!!) aaarrrgghhhhh!!!!! (reduced to cinders).

Actually it's the one you believe in.

Everyone believes their faith structure to be right. That is faith.

I believe that humanity has been trying to figure out what God is since we have begun to conceptualize that there is a God. Different faith structures formed to give form, function and ways to worship God.
So I believe, fundamentally, everyone in their heart worships the same Thing. Just expressed in different ways and under different structures and dogmas.
Many people, those with strong religious convictions, disagree. They hold that everyone else is wrong and that they are right. And that's fine too, as long as you don't cause any kind of harm to anyone or anything else with that faith.
That is one of the things that makes America the beautiful country I love with all my heart. Freedom of religion is a fundamental RIGHT. And our judicial system works hard to maintain that right equally for all.
Ooops sorry. I forgot you're from England. I am not familiar with the UK's laws on worship. I do not mean any offense to any other nation in saying America is so great with that.

I believe that All is God. That everything is made of God. Where else could it come from?
Every atom, space, energy unit, action, inaction, etc.... . Just different expressions of the Whole.

I believe that the one true religion is what a person believes in. My religion might not be a perfect fit for anybody else but me, but that is the true religion for me. I'm not saying that I'm right and everybody else is wrong. Far from it. I do have a healthy dose of respect for other religions and know a little about them. I think that religion is just a matter of personal choice.

I agree with what the others have said. For me, religion is an intensely personal thing. I come from a long line of Baptists, although my personal views (incidentally, shared by most of my family) would make the more conservative elements of that church cringe and pop blood vessels.
I attend church occasionally, but I take out of it the lesson that I know in my heart is right and leave the parts that I don't agree with, chalked up to the other fella's opinion. I have found that I can learn from almost any religion and find the good in it and sort out the bad, or the things that just don't fit into my life.
I have frustrated the heck out of several folks with a missionary bent who have tried to sway me one way or another to what they feel is the best or true religion. My point to them has been that if the light does not shine through in your day to day life, words alone cannot convince me, or others to follow. I can respect and admire anyone who leads a good, moral, decent life regardless of where they go or don't go to church, mosque, synagogue, etc... To me, the goodness and kindness in a person's heart is so much more important than what religion they proclaim to be. There are good, kind people who practice all religions, and some, none at all.
So, for me, the one true religion is the one I have in my heart, the one that works for me. It encourages me to be the best person I can possibly be and to help those in need. It may not be in any theology texts, it may not be extolled by men of the cloth, but it is the right one for me. =)

Well said Carrie.

I agree - very well said, Carrie. That's how I feel too - I take the bits and pieces that seem right to me and leave the rest.

Kell

I think it is a personal issue also.

I respect all religions and beliefs even if you don't have any beliefs, and think there is no one exact path to being a better person, except trying not to do anyone any harm. You know, the golden rule. I also don't care for anyone saying "oh, your lifestyle is this way...then you're wrong" especially when there is no harm being done...if you know what I mean...

I know alot of people just say that they "take what they want and run", but I can't do that. When I walk into a Catholic Church or a Baptist Church, I feel very hypocritical that I do not share some of their core beliefs, I think it is disrespectful of me to their religion to even be there. It is confusing, but because I respect their religious beliefs I choose not to participate in their religion. Wierd huh?

Anyway, the one place where I feel comfortable and still get the community feeling is Unitarian. They accept everyone no matter what they believe...Wicca, Catholic, Baptist etc... everyone is right. So far, it has been a great experience. It has been kind of like this message board....very accepting and wonderful..except with the Unitarians, they have potlucks...can't do that here.


For everyone who does choose the bits and pieces that they need, I think that is great too. I think anything that makes someone be a better person is a good thing.
I just wanted somewhere where I could honestly say that I have no problems with this or that type of person...etc... This is because I have a really big mouth, and sometimes things slip out that people in certain religions would frown on.

For everyone who does choose the bits and pieces that they need, I think that is great too. I think anything that makes someone be a better person is a good thing.
I just wanted somewhere where I could honestly say that I have no problems with this or that type of person...etc... This is because I have a really big mouth, and sometimes things slip out that people in certain religions would frown on.


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Edited to add that little bit you said you forgot to add. =) For future reference... if you want to add to or change a post that you have already made, just click on the little pencil and paper at the top of your post. Hope that helps! =)

[ July 13, 2003, 06:33 AM: Message edited by: azspirit ]

I was raised Baha'i faith. Altho i dont go to church or practice the religion, it still gave me many of the beliefs i have today. All religions are fundamentally the same. The way they are taught may be diferent, but they all have the same basic truths. Like a photo, u have the color print and the negative. Its the samething, just viewed in a different light.

Up and down, truth or lie, left and right. To a napping bat, down is up. To a lier a lie is truth. To a dyslexic left is right.

There is no RIGHT relligion, just what u learn from it. I wouldnt be hu i am, if it werent for mine. I see the world thru open eyes. I accept others and there beliefs as being hole and true. I may not agree, but it is still truth that we all strive for.

LOL *ends dictation*

Ben