What is MY Religion?

[patriot91]

I've been seeking for some time now and I'm pretty sure of the following:

• I believe in one God who created the universe and everything in it.
• I believe that God instilled within his Creation a moral code that is generally recognized by people everywhere through their ability to reason, their observance of nature, and their own conscience. I believe God is pleased when we act morally.
• I believe in the possibility of an afterlife, and I indeed hope for one. The specifics cannot be known, and it's really not important anyway. What is important is for us to do good in this life simply because it is right, and not for eternal rewards.
• I believe in a personal God. I believe in prayer and the in the possibility of miracles. However, I reject all revealed religions.

This is a basic summary of my beliefs. I was raised Christian but lost faith and entered a period of questioning. Technically, I was sort of a weak agnostic, although I gravitated very much toward Deism. However, with Deism, I stil felt emotionally empty due to the lack of a personal God.

And so, the first 3 points I listed could be considered Deist. However, the 4th point renders me not a deist, but some form of theist, and I am not sure what I am exactly.

I've come across a term called "independent theism", basically: a set of beliefs professed by an individual that are theistic in nature but separate (belief in personal God) from all revealed/organized religions.

I was wondering if this would accurately describe me. What do you think?

 

[DocThomas]

In a sense, everyone has their own personal religion. I would suggest finding a church who accepts different beliefs and get to know people there. Talk about your beliefs with those people and solidify your faith. It is more important to find a religion you are comfortable with than to find one that exactly fits your way of thinking.

 

[JustBoo]

May I ask what , specifically , you have rejected about 'revealed' religions?

 

[patriot91]

Justboo, you asked me what I have rejected about revealed religions.

Well, to tell you the truth, while some will abandon revealed religions on grounds of "logic" errors, and I can see where these people are coming from, I rejected revealed religion on a different basis.

I had 2 big disagreements with the religion I was raised in (Christianity).

To briefly explain them: I found the damning of those who have not accepted Christ as savior or heard of him to be unjust. Religion should be about promoting morality, not some obscure belief in a man-deity that serves no real purpose. Why would God damns those who are moral, but just not Christians? This exposed to me 2 untruths:

• 1) that morality came from human reason, from humanity, not from a book
• 2) One Christian apologist once said that those who are moral but not Christians will receive judgment after death based only on their actions in this life, and God will not count their being not Christians against them. Still, if belief in Christ isn't necessary, then why is the spread of Christianity or even Christianity itself even necessary? Why can't Jesus' teachings be enough?

Another disagreement I had with Christianity is the Book of Revelation. I disliked, and still dislike, the idea of a perfect world eventually coming into existence. I have nothing against the idea of an afterlife of some sort, but I hated the idea the of the world, THIS WORLD, coming to a so-called end, at least the way we know it. Perfection in this world would have to include perfection in humanity, but the very definition of humanity (ie, what makes humans human) is IMperfection. All human literature, art, and everything we know would be lost. I came to this conclusion when I realized I LOVED THIS WORLD, even with its problems and evils. The Book of Revelation tells of a perfection of the world and of humanity, and to me this future world would be nothing more than a sterile theocracy inhabited by humans derived of free will. To me, this notion is disgusting and horrifying.

There are many other reasons, but these 2 were and still are the main reasons I reject Christianity. I spent some time as a weak agnostic and a Deist, back and forth, and I'm trying to define my religious beliefs. I know am not an atheist, and I certainly believe in a personal God, so I suppose I'm some form of independent monotheist.

 

[Albion]

Sometimes--ofttimes, really--it is hard to think that we ourselves are not the final word on all truth. I myself tried to make up one religion after another, getting just which doctrines, etc. in each that I liked. It made me happy for a few days. Then I realized that all I'd done was of no significance at all except to fool myself.

 

[patriot91]

Albion, that's an interesting perspective. True enough, the conclusions I reach come from nothing but the wanderings of my own mind, and so, it's all totally subjective. Maybe it's nonsense, but I have a strong powerful feeling from within me that the tenets I've stumbled upon are true. Then again, feelings can be unreliable. I'll wait and see, perhaps. If I feel hollow again in a short while, I'll know something went amiss. Hopefully, that's not the case... but, only time will tell.

 

[Albion]

Albion, that's an interesting perspective. True enough, the conclusions I reach come from nothing but the wanderings of my own mind, and so, it's all totally subjective. Maybe it's nonsense, but I have a strong powerful feeling from within me that the tenets I've stumbled upon are true. Then again, feelings can be unreliable. I'll wait and see, perhaps. If I feel hollow again in a short while, I'll know something went amiss. Hopefully, that's not the case... but, only time will tell.

It's just like this...we have to be true to our consciences, but at the same time we have to admit that the truth may turn out to be something we'd rather it not be. God, after all, is not created in OUR image.

It's not easy, which is why (I have always suspected) many people with fine minds and good intentions change churches several times while on the search.

 

[patriot91]

True, true, Albion. Please do not be offended, but you must not forget to apply that to your faith as well.

 

[Albion]

True, true, Albion. Please do not be offended, but you must not forget to apply that to your faith as well.

Well, I also said that it is not easy to let God be God.

I travelled a long road with may turns before I came to where I am, and that is why I tend to sympatize with those still on their journey and those who have found Faith apart from 'organized religion' every bit as much as with those who have found it within a denomination.

 

[patriot91]

Hmmm... 'tis truly is a strange world, isn't it? I think it's exciting and fun to think of what might await us in the afterlife. My personal belief is that it will be an entirely new adventure... I am not afraid. And, after all, isn't religion not just about finding the truth, but about seeking comfort and closure as well?

 

[annie1speed]

Patriot91,

A couple of questions......

Where do you stand on Christ?

Do you believe He is the Son of God?

Do you believe in the Trinity?

Do you believe, that as the Son of God, he died for our sins?

Do you believe the Bible is the Holy Word of God?

If not, from where do you derive your beliefs?

Just some questions I haven't gotten a clear picture of.

 

[christismyrock]

I've been seeking for some time now and I'm pretty sure of the following:

• I believe in one God who created the universe and everything in it.
• I believe that God instilled within his Creation a moral code that is generally recognized by people everywhere through their ability to reason, their observance of nature, and their own conscience. I believe God is pleased when we act morally.
• I believe in the possibility of an afterlife, and I indeed hope for one. The specifics cannot be known, and it's really not important anyway. What is important is for us to do good in this life simply because it is right, and not for eternal rewards.
• I believe in a personal God. I believe in prayer and the in the possibility of miracles. However, I reject all revealed religions.

This is a basic summary of my beliefs. I was raised Christian but lost faith and entered a period of questioning. Technically, I was sort of a weak agnostic, although I gravitated very much toward Deism. However, with Deism, I stil felt emotionally empty due to the lack of a personal God.

And so, the first 3 points I listed could be considered Deist. However, the 4th point renders me not a deist, but some form of theist, and I am not sure what I am exactly.

I've come across a term called "independent theism", basically: a set of beliefs professed by an individual that are theistic in nature but separate (belief in personal God) from all revealed/organized religions.

I was wondering if this would accurately describe me. What do you think?

What you need to search for answers concerning is Christianity not religion. If you are going to believe in something isn't it wise to find the truth. Why spend days and hours with thoughts about your creator that are not true.
My advice would be to study what Jesus revealed about God in the Bible. There is also a book by Lee Strobel - "The Case for a Creator".
I would challenge you to read this and then post again.