I have experienced several things in my life leaving me a knowledge that there is more. However, I do not completely believe in the traditional God. Every religion seems to have something that just doesn't fit the picture. Born Again Christians for example do not believe that I could've talked to my grandma and that this would have been a positive thing... they believe these visions come from the devil. That also holds true for Psychics. Yet they believe someone can have Prophecies. Many (like Mormons or even Catholic) have extra books that teach different stuff than the bible, which I do not believe in...and the list goes on. However I did find a church I feel close to and right in. To me, it's a lot about how I feel when my Pastor is talking. I can FEEL he has some connection..THAT is important to me. I haven't gone to church in quite a few weeks cause of the amount of kids I have during the time of church and I do miss it quite a bit. Growing up though, I never went to church except for when I got confirmed and after I had an experience when I was 14/15.

This is one of those subjects I can debate until I'm blue in the face. I don't go to church because I have not found one I like yet. I was raised WELS Lutheran so I carry a lot of beliefs from that but I like to think I have an open mind & so I have changed some of my views after hearing reasonable arguments from others, such as Jehovah's Witnesses. Religion does play a small part in my life, too small, but it does affect some of the choices I make in life. I refuse to be overly judgemental of people because even I don't stick to my beliefs as well as I feel I should. I could go on & on and share my personal beliefs but I don't want anyone to feel preached at or to start an argument. While I'm good about allowing others their opinions I still have a hard time with people questioning my own as they have a tendency to aggravate me. lol I will say that I have had my first experience very recently that I credit to God. He did not speak to me, it seemed more of a sign from him. I admit it may have been just a huge coincidence but I don't believe so.

Growing i went to a Catholic church with my grandma, Christian with friends and for 3 years I went to the Kindom Hall for Jehovahs Witness's. They all had their own version of the bible. I believe the belief in god can make people grow up with morals. I'm not saying never going to church is bad but the comandments aren't bad laws to follow. I guess I haven't seen any miracles yet. My brother who i grew up close to was all about Evolution. I guess I'm in-between.

I don't preach either. I feel everyone has a right to their own beliefs and I have no right to dictate anything. However, I do not mind sharing my experiences but I will grow quiet if someone tries to tell me there is nothing out there... I KNOW there is. However, I also belief in evolution to a point... you can belief in both to a point.

I totally agree. When I tell people I believe in evolution they assume I don't believe in God. I think evolution is just another creation of God. I don't know how I feel about the Big Bang theory but again maybe thats exactly what happened when God said to let there be land.

And who's to say that one day for God isn't 1000's of years for us.

I believe in God and even Jesus but I can't quite make the leap to Christian. The big sticking point for me is the idea that everyone else is wrong. It just seems so narrow minded to me to think that the billions of people who believe in God under some other name are in Hell because the don't follow Jesus. I mean, really, all those monks that devote their lives to God, damned because they aren't Christian? I just can't go for that. And so I find myself believing a lot of what Christians do but never quite fitting in. We don't go to church, though my son is about to start at a Lutheran preschool so I'll be at one twice a week. I don't really know what to do about religion in our family. My son is going to start asking questions once he learns about Jesus in school. I need to figure out how to answer them.

Michelle

There are some things I cannot believe in either, even in the church I go to. One of them is what you mentioned.... I believe as long as you're basically good you're all right. I also believe in reincarnation... something else my church does not. I guess that's one of the reasons I haven't been to church lately... something else I don't agree with.... Tithing how it's done nowadays. If you don't tithe, you're called a God-robber... even if you spend hours and hours of volunteering, or giving to the needy.... that's just wrong in my eyes. If someone spends 10% of their time, wouldn't that be tithing? I just can't see the money thing. In Germany, if you belong to a church, they automatically take the 10% out of your paycheck.... the only way to get around that is if you do not belong to a church and then you cannot have a church funeral or do anything else (like wedding, communion, stuff like that).

Wow, I'm glad they don't have anything like that here. 10% is a big chunk! Plus taxes are higher in Europe, I think. It's amazing anyone has money left.

Michelle

I'd be mad. I believe it should be voluntary. You give if your have it to give. Why would god expect someone who can barely keep a roof over their familys' heads to fork over 10%.

The mainstream Christian churches have become institutionalized over a period of time and now they are looking for ways and means to exist and survive ! This seems to be a global phenomena. They preach Biblical truths with new interpretations & meanings in order to protect their vested interests. Many traditional Christians are still in search of a "true spirituality"
In my opinion, Bible is wholesome and superior to any other religious texts ever composed in the world, however ,it is often misinterpreted and distorted by so called "preachers & teachers. God has given us wisdom to understand the word of God and we do not depend on a third person for that! "Ecclesiastes" and Proverbs are my favorites and I feel that they have timeless relevance! In fact they teach you rationality and pragmatism!

My God dwells within me and gives me wisdom to understand things ,ability to differentiate good ,bad and evil. To me, the true Spirituality is a way of life ie, leading a practical life in this world led by God given wisdom.!

"Ritualism " in Christian context means :- Attending Church on all Sundays and coming back empty without gaining anything in life !
Similarly "Idolatry" means Being mesmerized by the eloquence and charisma of a preacher and trying to follow his/ her words blindly with a change of focus from God to man!

At this point in my life, I can't really say that I will be going to churcg during/after college. I am still being dragged to church by my mom, and I think that is one of the major reasons that I don't want to go. When I was little, I had to go to church and sunday school. Every class I was in I think they told me once I was confirmed that it would be MY choice to go to church. That day came and has been gone for three years, and I still have to go. I would much rather sleep in on sudays, and just spend time with my family. As it is, I mostly play games on my iPod and surf the net when I can find WiFi. I know it is dissrespectful, but i am not going to listen to them speak about something I could care less about. When we have to sing, I stand there and look at the words, I know I won't follow any of the beleifs, and also think that many of the people that go to church are fake. They get up and go to church and act all nice for an hour, and then go home and live their lifes normally, acting like they don't go to church again.

I agree somewhat. I have encountered a lot of hypocrites. I think you might be surprised though how much of the information sinks in even though you don't think you listen. And you may find it hard to believe now, but later in life, you may find that church has given you something you may have not gotten any other way. I see a lot of Teens do their own thing and not "pay attention", but those same Teens come back years later. I always told my kids it's up to them if they wanted to go or not when they were Teens... they didn't go. I don't think you have to go to church to believe in a Higher Power and to be "good", but at the same time I think you should follow your parents' wishes. They do a lot for you...giving a little time of yours on Sunday mornings is not much to ask in return.