Religion: What do you believe?

[Nicolas King]

So, I figured HNZ should have a few focused discussion topics and this is the first one I've decided to post.
What do you believe in? God? No God? Many gods? Fate? Chance? Free-will? Predestination? Life after death or just a hole in the ground?
Are you not sure what you believe in?
Share your thoughts with other members.

---

I, personally, believe in a God. I don't believe in predestination per se and my belief on that side of things gets a bit complex. I believe that God knows everything that's going to happen to me. He sees the beginning, the middle and the end. But what he knows will happen to me and what he wants to happen to me are two different things to me. I think God knows how I'll disappoint him in my life, and though he knows what will happen to me he didn't plan for it to happen that way. This argument sort of helps me to understand heaven vs. hell, whereas some Calvinists and roman catholics might believe your whole life is planned for you, that it's predestined where you will end up. I simply believe that God does not plan for you to go to hell, but he knows if you will.

Note: This is a discussion, not a debate. This will not turn in to an argument. It's just a place to share your beliefs with others.

 

[Violet Bellamy]

Hmmm. This is quite a difficult one.

I'd copy and paste my Religion assignment here but no, that's too far.

I am baptised. My mum, sisters and I are Roman Catholic. This, I believe, has simply given me a massive guilt complex.
All I can remember of religion classes (I went to a public primary school, we were divided in to religions for RE classes) is playing games with my best friend (lol, the one who's now engaged.). And going to high school and saying the Lord's Prayer in the olde English.

What do I believe? Well, to be honest, I'm not sure. There could be a higher power up there, but I'm not convinced. Then again, I'm not convinced that there isn't.

I believe in karma, in the sense that what goes around comes around. And I know I should be nicer to people because of this, but then, I'm one of the biggest hypocrites that I know. I believe that you get what you give. Which is why my life sucks. I don't give much.

I believe in human nature, that we have the power to change our lives and destinies. We can't change our circumstances all the time (i.e. being born in to poverty in a third world country, you can't change that), but for those of us fortunate enough to be able to change our lives, the power is in our hands.

To an extent, I believe in fate. I know you're going to hate me for bringing up Doctor Who, but there is one episode ('Turn Left') in which the protagonist (Donna) is given the option to go back to one day and make the simple decision to turn right instead of turning left. This simple decision forces her to miss meeting the Doctor, and thus brings about the end of the universe.
Slightly extreme, but I agree with the idea that the choices we make can alter our lives, even choices that seem so small.

I believe I should stop typing because it's late and I'm incoherent.

Aside from this, I don't know what I believe, really. My beliefs aren't solid or anything. I just don't know.

Annnnd with that, I withdraw from this topic.

 

[Tom Fletcher]

Well I am Christian. But now Im starting to think a lot about this. In some points of view my answers seem so barbaric and astronomically impossible. Like how did the bible actually write itself with so much detail if it was written years after these events "happened?" Another thing is how do we know God exists?" When no one has seen him. (Excluding Jesus)Personally I wouldn't consider myself religious. Kudos to people who are. It's just I've never been brought up to be religious. I think about like what will happen after I die. Will I reborn as someone else on this earth, maybe just go to heaven..or hell (Hopefully not )) Or will I like Nick said, just be underground. I would like to be reborn. I dont know about Heaven and Hell, maybe it exists, maybe it doesnt. I suppose everyone will find out soon enough

 

[Aurora Merrythought]

I'm an atheist. But, I do have a feeling God exists, I have some proof on it, but it's just me turning to him. How do people know God exists? Through faith right? So, my views are based on faith, I am what what I like call "semi atheist" as I do not know where to turn to. Because in some senses, if the big bang created the universe then what created the big bang? Nothing can create nothing, because there is nothing right? Then clearly something must have always existed had to create everything in existence.

I believe that energy, which is an ongoing substance that goes on forever and ever and ever and ever, energy is eternal, right? The first law of thermodynamics confirms that. Also, look at you, think of the complexity of the human brain and body and the way that are body systems work and function, the complexity and design of the universe. Well thats just the way I look it.

Also if I were to become a proper christian I would not be aloud to go on here. As satanists believe Harry Potter was the best thing that ever happened to promote their culture as people say spells and things and in the bible it says about witchcraft and divination and such for example:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times [astrology;horoscopes], or an enchanter, or a witch.
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LOR and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

2 Kings 21:6
6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Leviticus 20:27
27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

They're just a few. But I don't know what to believe..

 

[Nicolas King]

My Christian analysis of the latter portion of Aurora's post:

Spoiler

Aurora, the Bible does not say anything about not reading books involving witchcraft etc. It only says to:
1) Not practise witchcraft
2) Sanctify your mind and keep it Holy

So as long as I don't believe Harry Potter is real, or try to practise witchcraft, or believe that witchcraft is a proper way of life (so long as I don't condone it) then I'm not sinning.
The majority of protestant Christians would agree with that. Some interpretations of Bible verses lead some people to believe that simply by reading about witchcraft you're sinning: but by that very logic reading the bible causes you to sin (the witch of Endor and King Saul is a bible story involving a witch who casts some sort of spell to summon a dead prophet's spirit to her. It's clearly a story with a witch and witchcraft, reading the Bible cannot be sinful therefore it is not sinful to read Harry Potter. It is sinful to practise witchcraft and to consult it.

 

[Hayley Swan]

Hm, this is a strange topic for me. Im a christian, i beleive god is true, i beleive Jesus existed, but im the type of person that when it comes to this, im like, this is so unreal! Personally i dont beleive that god created earth, and all the seven day business. I beleive that god created the big bang, the whole universe, and was in control of evaluation.
Another reason for my, mm i dont know how to put it, for my doubts is the suffering of millions of people. Why would god stand by and let these people suffer.
When i talk to people about my views, they claim that god lets all this happen so people could learn from all this. Personally i couldnt let people i love suffer like these people suffer.
I also beleive that hell is darkness, just darkness, and the people in hell have to relive their worst memories. And i beleive that heaven is light, very light, and that the people in heaven look over their relatives and protects their loved ones.
I guess im confused. But i like to think there is a being that looks over us.

 

[Marko Prince]

I am gonna keep it short and sweet... I do not believe in a god. Because simply there is not anoth evidence for it or against it. Allot of people will say there is anoth evidence but Sure me I have been in a research group for a few years now and we were looking at all the evidence etc. I do however believe in Jesus because for one there i more evidence that he was alive than Julius cesur {sp?} , And Julius has quite abit of evidence.

 

[Toni Addison]

Well I guess I dont' really know how to put what I believe in words. It seemed so much easier until I had to put it down. To put it simply I am a Pagan, to branch of and be more specific I am a Wicca. I believe in many gods and goddess though I find my focus on more of the Egyption gods and goddess such as Isis and Horus. As well I believe that everything has a soul. That rivers, stones, and even a blade of grass has a soul and a life. I know that may sound odd to many people but it was just what I believe.

Then we move onto the after life. At first I believe when you die you go to a place called Summerland. This is where you think about the life that you have experienced, realized your mistakes and the joys. After the thought process you have the choice to either go back and live another life as someone or something new (reincarnation) or you can stay in Summerland, which is probably considered a version of the Christian heaven. Though to go along with that. I don't believe in hell or the devil. And I guess that is about it.

 

[Marko Prince]

wow, Toni well put. I used to believe in the Egyptian gods and goddesses , I have been fascinated by the way the Egyptians lived

 

[Rosalie Hale]

Well, I pretty much agree with nick.
I've been a southern Baptist as long as I've lived.
And I don't think I can say anything that Nick pretty much hasn't already said.

 

[Ford Harkonnen]

Nick, I'm surprised this thread never popped up before. The topic was broached a few times as I recall.

Anywho, I'm about as true to the core atheist as one can be. I was raised Catholic, but even when I was quasi-religious I was not so much a monotheist as much as a pantheist. As an aside, pantheism is the belief that the universe and God are one in the same, the universe is God made manifest. Eventually though, after quite a bit of searching and what not, I placed myself as an atheist. I believe that there's no purpose in life (as dreadful as that sounds), but to make our own purpose. Our destiny is our own to make and most of what we see as fate or something is just random chance. My views can be summed up by a quote by Joe Strummer: "The future is unwritten." Every choice we make, albeit heavily influenced by genetics and our upbringing, is our own decision. This view is not necessarily tied to religion, or lack thereof, however.

My (extended) family, though, is your stereotypically large Irish-Catholic family, so I'm not really against people being religious. A person's religious and spiritual beliefs are a very personal matter, and it's not my position to say otherwise. No one person has the right to push their own beliefs onto another, as one's beliefs make up a large chunk of their identity. People's entire view of the universe and life are largely impacted by their religion and spirituality, and who am I to say that they see that which I do?

That's all I can think of at this point in time, and I must return to studying. Blerg.

 

[Griphook]

I am a very strong Greek Orthodox Christian, (to be specific ) and I believe in God. On my dad's side, the religions vary. I have a scientologist father, and relatives that are Jehovah's Witnesses. My mom's side is strictly Christian. I'm open to learning different religions, because I believe in my faith strong enough to know that I won't be swayed by other religions. I don't believe this whole 'the world will end in 2012' business, only because we are not meant to know when the second coming will be. I'm a wee bit random in my opinions and thoughts, and I enjoyed reading everyone elses' opinions.

 

[Professor Elvera Le Fey]

Well put toni. i pretty much ditto toni but i don't relay focus on the Egyptian gods, i focus mainly on the elements, and the celtic goddess and gods.
after life i believe that you are reborn, until you reach a point of balance and understanding, (sort of like Buddhist enlightenment), then you stop the rebirth cycle and go to the summerlands, which is the ultimate "happy place"

 

[Kida Frost]

I dont Believe in Any religion,
none at all,

yep. thats all i gotta say

 

[Nicolas King]

I dont Believe in Any religion,
none at all,

yep. thats all i gotta say

Just because you don't believe in any religion doesn't mean you've answered the questions above.
I'm assuming you don't believe in a God or a higher power, but do you believe in life after death or reincarnation or anything? A lot of people believe in a lot of things without following a religion or believing in a deity.

 

[Kida Frost]

I dont Believe in Any religion,
none at all,

yep. thats all i gotta say

Just because you don't believe in any religion doesn't mean you've answered the questions above.
I'm assuming you don't believe in a God or a higher power, but do you believe in life after death or reincarnation or anything? A lot of people believe in a lot of things without following a religion or believing in a deity.

I dont believe in a god
i dont believe in a life after death or a reincarnation
i dont exactly believe in anything

 

[Rosalie Hale]

Isn't that Atheist?
Or am I wrong Nick?
I'm not to good with all of the religions.

 

[Mike Gray]

Atheist-someone who denies the existence of god. So basically Yes !

 

[Kida Frost]

well i guess i'm
Atheist +more

I dont like being classified under something,
But most Atheist People do believe in something after death,
where i don't
Your Born, You Live, You Die,
thats life, Enjoy it.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Well I guess I dont' really know how to put what I believe in words. It seemed so much easier until I had to put it down. To put it simply I am a Pagan, to branch of and be more specific I am a Wicca. I believe in many gods and goddess though I find my focus on more of the Egyption gods and goddess such as Isis and Horus. As well I believe that everything has a soul. That rivers, stones, and even a blade of grass has a soul and a life. I know that may sound odd to many people but it was just what I believe.

Then we move onto the after life. At first I believe when you die you go to a place called Summerland. This is where you think about the life that you have experienced, realized your mistakes and the joys. After the thought process you have the choice to either go back and live another life as someone or something new (reincarnation) or you can stay in Summerland, which is probably considered a version of the Christian heaven. Though to go along with that. I don't believe in hell or the devil. And I guess that is about it.

Woohoo another one ^^

 

[Nicolas King]

For this of you who were asking:
Atheism is believing that there is no God. (Source)

[ul][li] the doctrine or belief that there is no God</LI>
<LI>[li]a lack of belief in the existence of God or gods[/li][/ul]

Apparently it comes from the Greek "a-theos" which means 'without-god'.
So some atheists do believe in, say for example, reincarnation. I might not go so far as to say most, but some.

 

[Cecily Rambolt]

I was raised Pentacostal, believe in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (we're a bit old school though, so it's Holy Ghost ). I've been baptised many times throughout my life and really enjoy my relationship with God. I view him more like my father and my teacher. He gave me life and is always with me, offering love and guidance but giving me free choice to make my mistakes. He's always there to accept me, to forgive me, to heal me.
I talk to him everyday, several times a day in fact. Pray every night. I haven't been to a steady church in years, although I don't feel as though it's necessary for me personally to go attend a church. My mum's a budding missionary and I learn much from her.
I also believe that God gives us all special gifts and it's up to us to use those gifts wisely.

 

[Arisa Havishmen]

im wiccan, and i believe in rencarnation there has to be some thing dosnt there? i mean when my little sister first learned to talk we would be at home and she would say i want to go home and we would say you are at home and she would say no im not

 

[Hilary Grace]

Okay a random comment before I state what it is I believe: I have found this topic so interesting to read through. I have come across many different kinds of believers in my life, but no one has really explained the point of view of an Atheist or Wiccan to me before... so I find this so fascinating. Anyways moving on:

I am what I like to call a "Buffet Christian". The basic meaning behind this is that within the religion of Christianity I take different ideas and communities from many denominations rather than believing that whatever a specific group says is the truth. That being said, I have grown up in and currently represent nationally a small, Conservative, traditional, Anglican church, and if I had to place myself under a particular denomination that would be it. But it's not as simple as that.

For an icebreaker at a national, multi-denominational, youth conference (similar to Model UN, just with the church) they selected 30 introduction videos from various youth and people had to guess which denomination we represented. My video was chosen as one of the 30, and I smiled as the room watched me rock out to Christian Rock music, play Wii at my Youth Group, show off my Narnia bible case, dance in my church, lead campfire at the summer camp I work at and (cheap advertising here ) hang out on HNZ. Not really surprising less than 50% got me correct on the first try, though once we started discussing the issues facing our church people started to see the Conservative Anglican in me.

I'm a spunky, energetic and fun-loving Christian who sees God as not just my father, but also my best friend who I can tell like absolutely everything too. What's great is that in my mind I know that he already knew about it before it happened, but he'll still listen to my side of it everyday. Although prayer is an excellent way of talking to God, and I'm no way taking away from that, in most cases I prefer to use other methods of communication. One of my favourite ways is by writing music, even though maybe after like an hour of random singing I'll have only a stanza or two of the song actually written down.

Most of the time, when I go to pray I have no words... so instead I turn on a randomized Christian playlist and dance my prayer. Through the use of my talents I feel the freedom that I can just be near God without the rules of the world getting in my way. I also seem to find that when I turn to that way, the song that plays is somehow the song I need to hear. I believe that this is a way of God speaking to me, a way he knows I'll understand.

SO yeah.... I have deviated slightly from the original topic, so I will say: I believe in sharing the Word, not preaching it. I believe in living a Christian, not just being a Christian. I believe in loving not guilting but above all I believe in God, that he has a plan for me, and that his will shall be done.

 

[Vivienne Esquire]

Hilary, that is really cool. I'm similar in a way. I take the ideas and morals from different religions, and put them together to form my own personal 'super religion'. That way, I can still have a faith, and be able to say that believe in something, but I don't have to live by the things I don't agree with. The funny thing is, that although people are always fighting over different religions, they all pretty much have the same basic ideas. (Forgiveness, love, patience, kindness etc. All the good things.*) So that's why I like bringing them all together. It gives me a sense of.. completion in a way. Because being open-minded and learning about different opinions in important to me.

^ Wow do I always write such long sentences?

* ..Ok maybe satanism and religious terrorist groups don't count.. :errm: You get my point