GAsoccerman

I am not sure, but being a very "non-religious" person more of a Deist then any formal religion.

I find on alot of Marriage forums, including this one, Religion is a big "road Block" for many relationships on various levels.

I am almost dumb founded that this is such a big problem to get over.

I've studied many religions, grew up catholic, studied, jeudism, Muslim, various christian branches (methodist, lutheran, baptist) bhudahism (sp?) All have the basic core and the basic set up of fear to control their members, the more I studied, the more I realized they were basically the same "core principles" that make people "fearful" of GOD.

Many religions, especially the christian including catholics, were developed to bring order/law to the "Pagan" world where orgies existed and such. Take for Instance, Halloween and easter come from pagan holidays, even Christmas was (Jesus Christ was born in the spring) but this was really teh catholic church morphing these holidays into their religion to basically take them over.....I'll move on.

But I am shocked by how religion to this day controls people's lives and influences some major decisions.

I married my wife in a catholic church, becuase it meant something to her, I married her because I loved her. I've dated Jews, catholics, muslims, they all kissed the same, no one was different.

While I think religion is good for many people, it provides a solid foundation to live by, IE ten Commandments, but also have found it intrusive to affect peoples lives negatively.

not sure where I am going with my rant, but I just can not understand why people allow "others" to control their lives on very serious issues.

Such as not marrying someone they love dearly becuase they ahve a different faith, or a family not talking to someone becuase they married for the RIGHT reasons and not becuase they are the same religious.

now I live in georgia home of the Bible belt, I been told plenty of times I am going to hell because I am not a southern baptist. I find that view very narrow and ignorant, especially coming from NJ where we had more shades of color per person and every religion in a few miles radius, that you learned to respect others, for who they are, not what they are.

So what happens when we die, there is nothing? we just die, no heaven, no heall, just nothing...gone...dust.

I dunno, I find the world is sad when we kill over religious reasons or refuse to talk to someone or look down upon them becuase they do not go to your church or follow your religion.

just a rant...just a average guy, with a average wife and three kids.

draconis

For many people religion really "saves them" and others it provides hope or stability. It helps many more then it hurts in my honest opinion. Do I think people need to be more open minded ~ of course.

draconis

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happilymarried67

Let's see I grew up catholic, switch to mormon, became a pagan, studied buddhism, and married a jew. I can say that I tolerate most religions well, as long as they don't hurt someone else. I do not believe that we should kill or judge in the name of any religion and I am happy to convert to judaism for my hubby. Do I think that I will go to hell for not recognizing Jesus Christ as my personal savoir? No. or I wouldn't be willing to convert. Do I feel that there is only one correct religion and we have to find it or end up in hell-No. But that is just me. Do I look down at athiest, agnositics, monotheistic or polytheistic people. No. As I said to each his own, as long as you are not harming anyone. I try to live by the 10 commandments and that is kind of me in nutshell.

I find that alot of problems can stem from religion but I can understand how important it is for people to follow it. I can respect how people want to "Save me" only because these people care for my soul. I would not put myself in a relationship where someone's religion would not tolerate me unless I change. I think that is a very important decision to make when you are marrying someone because it can lead to problems later. ANd if you change your religious belief mid-relationship it could cause the same problem as if you decided to tell your partner that "I think I am a lesbian now". Or if you didn't want kids and now you want them. It is when you change from what you were together. That is where the problems come from.

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GAsoccerman

Both Excellent replies to my initial posts.

Agreed Drac, that religion can help someone get out of a bad situation in life, IE drugs, Alchohol, other abusive issues and lead them to a better more productive life. i also agree that there is more positive with it then negative.

Unfortuantely the negative makes the news, while the positive is a normal everyday occurance.

And happily, what a whirlwind of self discovery, kudos to being intelligent and open minded to accept what the world has brought you. By altering your religion to fit your life and not altering your life to fit your religion shows me you are smarter then the average person. So mucho props.

I onced asked a co-worker for this scenerio....

Person A was a good father, A great husband, never stole anything never hurt a sould, did everything right by society, but he did not go to church or beleive in any religion.

Person B was a bad man, he killed 2 people, raped 3 women, stole money for his drug problem. But 1 week before he was scheduled to be executed by the state, he decided he had "found Jesus and wanted to change his ways"

I asked so they both die the same day, who goes to Hell who goes to heaven. She replied. Person B goes to Heaven, Person A goes to hell.

I asked why, she said because Person B found Jesus, Person A did not.

It's opinions like this that DRIVE ME NUTS, so i said to her, so I can do what ever I want and as long as I find "jesus" before I die, I am ok? She said Yes....I said, hmmmmm I really don't think GOD would view it that way.

That is the stuff that DRIVES me Bonkers. That is any religion and that is any fanatic from it.

Ok the safety dance is on, I must go groove to the music instead of ranting! (off soap box, now grooving to the beat)

Green-Moo

With regard to your scenario above, I too find it barmy. This way of thinking just sounds to me like a justification for behaving badly. Sort of a 'do what you like, providing you confess it later' culture.

draconis

I use to write a religious e-zine which included the simularities of Christianity, Muslim, Jewish, Buddism, Wicca and other religions. So I have done quite a bit of personal research myself.

Most people refer to John 3:18, 36

18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already 36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

However they ignore, John 5:29

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

So both men might be saved. However, it is only if man B has truly repented that he would be saved.

draconis

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happilymarried67

Yay--Kudos to you Draconis. I knew it was in the bible somewhere

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mommy22

Yes! I totally agree. It's all about repentance. Turning from the sin. It's not enough to say "I believe in Jesus." Even Satan believes in His existence. Unfortunately, we're all of the flesh. None of us are perfect. I'm so angry with myself for the way I've tarnished my own testimony. However, I won't be made perfect until I have a glorified body. I have to strive to do my best and where I fail, I ask forgiveness and turn from my sin. Christianity isn't about being perfect. None of us will ever be perfect in this life. I, like you, get very angry with "holier than thou" Christians. It really ticks me off. They're not any better than anyone else. They're forgiven by the redeeming blood of Jesus. So, I agree with Drac that if man B just said "Yeah, I believe in Jesus but hadn't had a real encounter, a true brokenness over his sin, and real repentence, then he can hang it up. He is, indeed, going to hell. None of us are ever "good enough". We all mess us every day. It can be our thoughts, saying something unkind about someone else, using unkind words. If we base Heaven and Hell on "how good we are" we all fall short.

Liza

Believing the bible and that God exist automatically leads to your life being lived in a particular way. Among other thing the ten commandments which I see governing the world. Thou shall not kill, steal etc. It doesn't matter which religion or not, most of those things are fundamental in any society. Believing in the bible should cause you to love your neighbours whether or not they are good to you, help those in need etc.

GAsoccerman

I disagree witht hat lisa, that may work for you, but it surely has not worked for others.

there is enough bad priests, pastors, and "church going folk" that have ruined that for me personally.

I find to many bad people hide behind "faith" and prey on gualable people for their money.

I agree religion can be a wonderful thing and it is a very personable matter, and that the good far out weigh the bad, but I can not use a broad stroke saying if you believe the bible you will be good, to many people have proven otherwise. Plus history has cleary demonstrated that people have used the bible for the wrong purpose. Take the KKK for example...they used the bible but they were pure evil.

draconis

Religion is and should be a personal thing between you and your God. I remember the days I worked for the trucking industry and I first got to know "True Christaian" it was a religion started by truck drivers but for anyone. There belief was simple.

Church is when two or more people sat down to talk about God, Jesus and the bible. They stressed how to live your life better for yourself and humanity through the best teachings of the bible. I was impressed at the fact they knew the bible so well inside and out.

In the end though people are people. Many go through the motions of religion. Many abuse it for power and money. On the whole I have seen so many people have there lives changed for the better. But with all good things there are bad apples.

Take AA a wonderful organization helping people. Most there are good people trying to be better people. You have those that do it just because they have to for court or to make others think they kicked the habit to keep around loved ones. But on the whole they are humbled people, making themselves better people.

I look at my mother and see all the wonderfulness in her. She is very devout and because of her faith she is a very good person giving much of her free time to help other in need.

How many churches give away free food here and abroad? How many give people hope? How many times have you heard a criminal see the light after going to jail and finding religion?

Every where you go you will find phonies and frauds from every walk of life and every part of society but they never speak for everyone. As long as there is religion some will be improved by it others will abuse it.

draconis

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GAsoccerman

all good points drac and I agree. There are two sides to every coin.