Has anyone here ATTEMPTED to toss out all they have learned in regards to religion...

[HERESY]

and started over fresh? I ask this because we have a lot of people here that are theists and non-theists and a lot of debates pop up. I've yet to come across anyone here that basically tossed everything they knew out the window, started over fresh and tried to find the correct path. I see people that take bits and pieces from this, some of that, and some of this and BAM! New religion and belief.

Is there anyone here besides me who can say they have done this and have found the path that they feel is best for them? If so please post up and share your experience with us.

EDIT: This thread is more directed towards the theist, but atheist can reply also.

 

[phil]

yes sir i grew up christian but now am atheist

 

[EDJ]

SOME OF MY PEOPLES IS CATHOLIC SO gROWIN' UP WITH SOME OF THEY BELIEFS I gUESS AND FINDIN' OUT ON MY OWN THEY WAS BULLSHIT.

 

[2-0-NINE]

Nope not really, I just added on what scriptures you have provided along with Ody-Sicc and have meditated on those Biblical Scriptures. As far as changing my perspective on the Bible or my faith, nope. I recently have gone astray from my Old habits, just posting in the GOM forum. Who would have thought a few Letters and Words on the Interney can inspire a person to live more restricted, meaning in Obedience to God.

 

[n9newunsixx5150]

Has anyone here ATTEMPTED to toss out all they have learned in regards to religion... and started over fresh?

I had nothing really to toss out in the first place. I wasn't indoctrinated growing up. Actually, I considered myself atheist going through junior and high school. I became convinced of the theistic premise (i.e. belief in a Supreme Being) later by dint of philosophical understanding. I then developed an appreciation for religion as a whole and considered that if any contradictions seemed to exist on the surface, there was a possible misunderstanding with the text. In this way, unlike many atheists, I would not completely throw out a religion as being invalid simply because there appeared to be a contradiction. My opinion is that a religion is revealed according to time, place and circumstance. So naturally there will be differences, and some religions won't explain certain points to the same depth as others. I am open to analyzing what I have chosen to follow, and I sort of expect others to do the same, which is probably a fault of mine. In the end, I feel I have chosen a religious tradition that is more internally consistent as well as consistent on the premise of the existence of a Supreme God. The goal is to love God. So I hold all religion to this standard. It just so happens that there are things that parallel between these religions, which to me is just icing on the cake, as well as evidence that there is a single origin behind it all. But on this note, I do not mix religions. I have what I follow and that is good enough as it is.

 

[2-0-NINE]

The goal is to love God. So I hold all religion to this standard. It just so happens that there are things that parallel between these religions, which to me is just icing on the cake, as well as evidence that there is a single origin behind it all

I don't mean to knock you, but you kinda sound like and Oxymoron. If both the Orthodox Jews and Muslims both Believe the Christian view, or which many of us call the Way (non-orthodox chrisitianity) have Corrupted Doctrines. Then how can you accept each one. You can't accept one or the other, then each cancels the other one out right?

 

[WHITE DEVIL]

I don't mean to knock you, but you kinda sound like and Oxymoron. If both the Orthodox Jews and Muslims both Believe the Christian view, or which many of us call the Way (non-orthodox chrisitianity) have Corrupted Doctrines. Then how can you accept each one. You can't accept one or the other, then each cancels the other one out right?

He is beyond this level.

He is saying this: There are paralells between religions, especially *love God*, which is central to almost all established religions. You are talking about what is right and wrong based on your idea about what is corrupted and what is true.

That's like a Californian saying Texans are dirty because the book of California says so, when all 916 is trying to point out is that there are similarities and paralells between the two states.

 

[2-0-NINE]

He is beyond this level.

He is saying this: There are paralells between religions, especially *love God*, which is central to almost all established religions. You are talking about what is right and wrong based on your idea about what is corrupted and what is true.

That's like a Californian saying Texans are dirty because the book of California says so, when all 916 is trying to point out is that there are similarities and paralells between the two states.

Fair Enough

 

[n9newunsixx5150]

I don't mean to knock you, but you kinda sound like and Oxymoron. If both the Orthodox Jews and Muslims both Believe the Christian view, or which many of us call the Way (non-orthodox chrisitianity) have Corrupted Doctrines. Then how can you accept each one. You can't accept one or the other, then each cancels the other one out right?

I am saying that differences arise when we consider the people to whom each religion is given. In that regard we have to also consider the time, place and circumstance of said people.

Ultimately, I am attracted to what I follow because it is consistent in itself, first of all, and secondly, it is consistent with premises that all theists accept. In this way it can be understood to have universal application. At least so far as the general philosophical points go. When you get into specifics on the Personality of Godhead, that is when faith is required. I can tell you that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the "Father" referred to by Jesus, but you probably won't accep that. My personal reasoning, at least what convinces me, is the fact that Christianity teaches love of God. Now, how is it possible to love an imperson? It isn't possible. Love is felt for persons. Therefore the more detailed understanding we have on the Personality that is God, the more applicable our theory of loving Him is. Someone can say that they love the president of the USA, but until they know personally the man who is president, in this case George "dubya" Bush, one's love for the president is merely theoretical. In other words, such a person simply loves the idea of being in love with the president. Similarly, if you don't know Who God is Personally, what is His Personal form, His pastimes, His most dear associates, His paraphernalia, etc. then your sense of love for God will remain theoretical. Christians have an understanding that God is a Person, but detailed information is scarce. You guys focus more on Jesus, who is distinguished from the Father. It is certainly beneficial that you develop love for Jesus, who is very dear to the Father, but the next step is to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now, does this prove that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead? No. We say that Krishna is such on the authority of Vedic Sastra (Scripture). None of these other Scriptures describe Who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So we say, why not accept Krishna? This is the only information revealed of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is not like other Scriptures have something to contest here. Every other religion in the world that has some conception of a Supreme Absolute God is impersonalist to some degree because they all lack information of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This ancient Vaisnava tradition is the only religion that allows for the loving of God to It's highest potential.

 

[2-0-NINE]

Well, as many have stated in this Forum, ALL ARE ENTITLE TO THEIR OPINIONS so in saying that God Bless All and Post here later. Peace!

 

[JLMACN]

yes sir i grew up christian but now am atheist

me as well...

yep. I started over fresh...and the more I tried the less it made sense.

5000

 

[Hemp]

i was born a muslim and was a complete believer and follower until age 17 or so.
I have always payed close attention to the simple things in life and the simple ways life works which in the end showed me that islam contradicts life, based on the laws attained from the observance.
The better my understandings became, the more it became obvious that islam was morally wrong.
So to me tossing out the beliefs was an easy thing, but that meant i had to also toss the morally incorrect things out of the other religions which made them false based on how they were presented.
In the end, like others in here, i believe each religion was meant to teach The Way to the people, based on the prophet who desribed it based on his way of life, and experiences.
of course it could have been changed over the years, or misinterprated, and that adds on to the twist in where the books went wrong.

if you look in the universal messages of where the books compare, you will see the same messages, to love God, love all, God is good, and so on.
If people were to compare them and take the real messages out i think would be the more logical thing to do as a civilization that was once divided into groups but now One whole, and is in need of clarity.

even things like hawaiin spiritualism :
Seven Principles of Huna

* IKE -The world is what you think it is
* KALA -There are no limits, everything is possible
* MAKIA -Energy flows where attention goes
* MANAWA -Now is the moment of power
* ALOHA -To love is to be happy with
* MANA -All power comes from within
* PONO -Effectiveness is the measure of truth



"There are no limits", eastern religion will teach that reality is more complex and the mind can achieve anything, while western teaches God can do anything, and to have faith in him.
in the end, both teach that there are no limits.

"to love is to be happy with", same basic message of Loving taught in all.
if you love life, you are happy with it, love truth, you are happy.


"power comes from within", many religions except for some have at least the concept of comming from within somewhere in their teachings.

"effectiveness is the measure of truth", the pious muslims, devoted yogis, prophets, etc are all truthful and their effectiveness in achieving anything would be highly probable.


thats enough typing for me.

 

[Mi$ta-Murda187]

Yeah I mean I look things up and study all relgions I see some connections between things... Like gods name YHWH Elohim was in the bible but was removed.. then it's also in many magick books. and is used to keep demons at bay.. which makes sense since his name has that much power...

Also King Solomon is written about in the bible and when it says he whoshipped false gods when he got older really meant he whoshipped demons.. since he wrote the Greater and Lesser kEys of Solomon...

All these things left out of the bible.. and written in other books.. really makes me wonder who read all this stuff first.. and why they changed.. it...

I do believe in God.. I just think all relgions are all courrpted now. and use the bible to control and take money away from people..

If a relgions can't show me proof and their spiritual powers.. and that they REALLY have holy spirit.. then they are not real.. because I had seen people who do magick who actually have spiritual power....

But yeah I don't really believe everything I was taught as a kid.. I study everything deeper. and don't just take the preacher's word for it!!

peaceee

 

[2-0-NINE]

I study everything deeper. and don't just take the preacher's word for it!!

That's what me and Heresy have been promoting, Self Meditation along with Strong Prayer and Inspriational teachings from God. You say how will I know, believe me bro, when you meditate on the Word of God, and when you understand it to an extent, you'll know what we're talking about. Me I'm no certified Pastor or Holyman, neither Have I ever spoken in tongues, EVEN WORSE I'M NOT BAPTIZED! But I do feel, more then sometimes that what I have learned through Deep Meditation on the Word of God, that what a Pastor on TV can tell you, won't be the same thing when you've fully grasped what the Bible Is. I hope you don't go asking a Pastor, then somehow becoming indoctrinated, but instead you pick up a Bible, and read it for yourself. God Bless

 

[Hyfeeboy]

yes sir i grew up christian but now am atheist

same ^^^ except i grew up catholic and now atheist

 

[[-KoRp$-]559]

Let me tell you I grew up going to the jehovas witnesses, alot of views they have there are expressed in a way to better help and understand you spirituality because they dont just focus on solely their views but on every other religion and try to give you and understanding of everything. By attending this it got me out of a lot of trouble I could of got in, but then again I was forced to go a lot of the time because as a child you just wanna have fun and not want to sit through 2 hours of shit. Plus 3-4 days a week is a bitch. Anyway alot of the shit was being cycled and it was begginning to aggrivate me, so I pushed myself to view things as an atheist but as interests grew I arose to start looking more indept than just the typical shit and also new occurences in my life and people around me started making me believe in the spiritual world and how diverse and deep it really is, I tell everyone the best knowledge you can get is with yourself. But I wont ever categorize myself in 1 religion again.

 

[k-nine]

i had this thought a little while back,and i qouestioned myself with this.if i were born in pakistan would i of been a muslim?also if i were born in india would i of been buddihist?i had to answer truthfully and my response was yes, my beliefs would be different if i grew up in a different culture.so how do i really know what truth is ,thats universal truth.i believe in god no doubt,but is any organized religion truth? or is everyones walk with god different therefore everyones belief a different religion?

 

[EDJ]

KORPSE559,
SO WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE NOW?

 

[PGBD]

Put some Jesus Camp in your life....

 

[2-0-NINE]

I tell everyone the best knowledge you can get is with yourself

@ Korps the Homeboy from the 559, Many man made Doctrines have hurt people both in a Spiritual and Physical sense. Have not many Cults, like the Wako incident, were lead by men and their knowledge, and look what happened! That's the sad thing, people only want to believe their view on things, and if it's anything less to their criteria it's pretty much shit to them.