An Excited Hello! ^-^ (And a broad question for anyone daring to read it)

[Phoenix02]

I apologize for my overly-lengthy post, but I think background on my stance on belief would be good to share; perspective is a wonderful thing.

Let me start off by saying that above all else, I joined this forum out of curiosity. My parents themselves are non-believers, my mom being the more outspoken one. She was raised in a large family and didn't have much direction in the faith department. Through that hands-off approach she turned towards a view of atheism because she wasn't raised with the ideas that come with any sort of faith. My father was raised on strict Southern-Baptist principles and was told that education was not to be valued because faith would give you all you required. He ended up being the first in his family with a college degree and moved from small-town Arkansas to liberal, city/suburb California for a computer science & engineering job. He too abandoned many strong ties to faith and seems to have slowly traveled more and more to my mom's side of the argument. They both understand they can't prove that a deity doesn't exist, and I get the feeling as if my mom resents that fact, yet saying outright that God doesn't exist isn't necessarily a requirement for atheism as many atheists that I know of, myself included, would very much like to point out.

But, as I said, I come from a place of curiosity. The disbelief in God wasn't forced onto me and I have tried to keep an open mind through my life, though sometimes I feel too set in my ways. Maybe someone here will be able to change that, maybe not. The standard of evidence seems to vary even from person to person.

But enough with all of the background. I very much look forward to talking with all of you about a topic as interesting and prevalent as religion. In fact, I would like to start by asking a question which is, in it's nature, very general and open-ended: What do you believe in and why do you believe in it? Is it due to morality, proper evidence, lack of evidence, upbringing, maybe something else entirely? I'd like to know I've blabbered on enough already and I'd like to hear from you, the person who has been so kind to sit and read through all of this. Thank you.

 

[LionL]

Hi Phoenix,

Firstly, not all on this site are Christians - there are a few atheists. I myself am a pantheist.

I believe that we are all part of God, as is all creation. Why do I believe it? Because of experiences I've had - feelings, insights during meditation etc.

I have no physical evidence (I personally believe that God, being spirit, cannot be detected by physical means), but, like you, have always been curious. I've studied all of the major religions, starting with Christianity as that is the cultural religion of my home, the UK (though I was brought up to be an atheist). I've found similarities in them all but they differ on things which, to me, aren't important. It therefore seems that they are all different versions of the actual truth.

 

[jacks]

Welcome. I'd say don't worry about what you believe. Keep an open mind and keep seeking. I was raised to be an atheist and lived that way for over 35 years, but I always kept searching. If you don't mind a Bible quote here is one that pretty well sums up what I'm trying to say. Of course people quoting the Bible never meant much to me until I found God myself.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

 

[mnorian]

I apologize for my overly-lengthy post, but I think background on my stance on belief would be good to share; perspective is a wonderful thing.

Let me start off by saying that above all else, I joined this forum out of curiosity. My parents themselves are non-believers, my mom being the more outspoken one. She was raised in a large family and didn't have much direction in the faith department. Through that hands-off approach she turned towards a view of atheism because she wasn't raised with the ideas that come with any sort of faith. My father was raised on strict Southern-Baptist principles and was told that education was not to be valued because faith would give you all you required. He ended up being the first in his family with a college degree and moved from small-town Arkansas to liberal, city/suburb California for a computer science & engineering job. He too abandoned many strong ties to faith and seems to have slowly traveled more and more to my mom's side of the argument. They both understand they can't prove that a deity doesn't exist, and I get the feeling as if my mom resents that fact, yet saying outright that God doesn't exist isn't necessarily a requirement for atheism as many atheists that I know of, myself included, would very much like to point out.

But, as I said, I come from a place of curiosity. The disbelief in God wasn't forced onto me and I have tried to keep an open mind through my life, though sometimes I feel too set in my ways. Maybe someone here will be able to change that, maybe not. The standard of evidence seems to vary even from person to person.

But enough with all of the background. I very much look forward to talking with all of you about a topic as interesting and prevalent as religion. In fact, I would like to start by asking a question which is, in it's nature, very general and open-ended: What do you believe in and why do you believe in it? Is it due to morality, proper evidence, lack of evidence, upbringing, maybe something else entirely? I'd like to know I've blabbered on enough already and I'd like to hear from you, the person who has been so kind to sit and read through all of this. Thank you.

Hello Phoenix; welcome to CF; a this is the 'greetings' forum please post your essay on the Philosophy forum:

http://www.christianforums.com/forums/philosophy.567/

 

[GoodGRACEshus]

to the forum

 

[vinsight4u]

/

 

[thehehe]

Hello & welcome! I liked you title, don't worry about it. I like when people are openly happy and excited about meeting other people.

About science and religion... My eldest brother, who is engineer, had himself a hard time with religion following his passion for science. One day, he simply realized that yes, he cannot proove that God exists or not. At the contrary, it did not erase his faith but comforted him: beliefs are simply beliefs, if he could proove it, he would know and not just believe.

What do I believe in... Hum... To a God of tenderness, forgiveness and infinite love. And why do I believe. Much harder question Firstly, because of my familial background. I have always been told that there was an entity above me and in me, who loved me: I was free to believe in it or not, however education made of it a part of my identity. Secondly, because during my teenager crisis, I came back to religion (but I never really let it down) when I felt this presence in me, burning my heart with a kind of warm feeling I honestly did not really understand. It was perhaps an illusion, you are right. However, at this very moment, I was not afraid anymore. I realized I could not let down a big part of my identity and this feeling of being loved. Even if it happens to be just an illusion, then I don't regret. It helps so much to know that you are loved: you suddenly become a better person, with no bitterness anymore. And without it, I don't feel like a full being, like a part of me was missing.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Hi; good to see you; God bless His Word to you.

 

[Lulav]

I apologize for my overly-lengthy post, but I think background on my stance on belief would be good to share; perspective is a wonderful thing.

Let me start off by saying that above all else, I joined this forum out of curiosity. My parents themselves are non-believers, my mom being the more outspoken one. She was raised in a large family and didn't have much direction in the faith department. Through that hands-off approach she turned towards a view of atheism because she wasn't raised with the ideas that come with any sort of faith. My father was raised on strict Southern-Baptist principles and was told that education was not to be valued because faith would give you all you required. He ended up being the first in his family with a college degree and moved from small-town Arkansas to liberal, city/suburb California for a computer science & engineering job. He too abandoned many strong ties to faith and seems to have slowly traveled more and more to my mom's side of the argument. They both understand they can't prove that a deity doesn't exist, and I get the feeling as if my mom resents that fact, yet saying outright that God doesn't exist isn't necessarily a requirement for atheism as many atheists that I know of, myself included, would very much like to point out.

But, as I said, I come from a place of curiosity. The disbelief in God wasn't forced onto me and I have tried to keep an open mind through my life, though sometimes I feel too set in my ways. Maybe someone here will be able to change that, maybe not. The standard of evidence seems to vary even from person to person.

But enough with all of the background. I very much look forward to talking with all of you about a topic as interesting and prevalent as religion. In fact, I would like to start by asking a question which is, in it's nature, very general and open-ended: What do you believe in and why do you believe in it? Is it due to morality, proper evidence, lack of evidence, upbringing, maybe something else entirely? I'd like to know I've blabbered on enough already and I'd like to hear from you, the person who has been so kind to sit and read through all of this. Thank you.

Hi Phoenix! Welcome to the forums! I'm glad you found us and were curious enough to join!

Since this is the Intro forum we don't get too indepth here so I'd like you to post your question in this forum, Exploring Christianity where, hopefully you will
get some great answers!

Thank you for sharing your introduction with us and your background, I can see where you might be curious.
Religion is sure a topic that can't be discussed without background and emotion for sure. Ever wonder why that is?

I think it's because we want to be sure we've chosen the right path, because the consequences can be great if we don't.
But the good thing is even if indoctrinated as a baby, when we are at the age of 'accountability' we are given the right
to chose for ourselves.

You are on the right path to finding the answers you seek, I hope you find them!

 

[~Anastasia~]

I apologize for my overly-lengthy post, but I think background on my stance on belief would be good to share; perspective is a wonderful thing.

Let me start off by saying that above all else, I joined this forum out of curiosity. My parents themselves are non-believers, my mom being the more outspoken one. She was raised in a large family and didn't have much direction in the faith department. Through that hands-off approach she turned towards a view of atheism because she wasn't raised with the ideas that come with any sort of faith. My father was raised on strict Southern-Baptist principles and was told that education was not to be valued because faith would give you all you required. He ended up being the first in his family with a college degree and moved from small-town Arkansas to liberal, city/suburb California for a computer science & engineering job. He too abandoned many strong ties to faith and seems to have slowly traveled more and more to my mom's side of the argument. They both understand they can't prove that a deity doesn't exist, and I get the feeling as if my mom resents that fact, yet saying outright that God doesn't exist isn't necessarily a requirement for atheism as many atheists that I know of, myself included, would very much like to point out.

But, as I said, I come from a place of curiosity. The disbelief in God wasn't forced onto me and I have tried to keep an open mind through my life, though sometimes I feel too set in my ways. Maybe someone here will be able to change that, maybe not. The standard of evidence seems to vary even from person to person.

But enough with all of the background. I very much look forward to talking with all of you about a topic as interesting and prevalent as religion. In fact, I would like to start by asking a question which is, in it's nature, very general and open-ended: What do you believe in and why do you believe in it? Is it due to morality, proper evidence, lack of evidence, upbringing, maybe something else entirely? I'd like to know I've blabbered on enough already and I'd like to hear from you, the person who has been so kind to sit and read through all of this. Thank you.

Hello, and welcome to CF!

What an interesting question. I think it is commendable that you have kept an open mind.

Without going into too much detail to answer your question, because this is just an intro forum, I will say that I believe in God, I believe that God is love. I was raised in a home of very nominal faith - we never went to church, read the Bible, prayed before meals, or anything at all. I went through a prolonged period probably best described as agnostic. But in a sense, God was always just there, apart from much influence. I finally was drawn back into real faith later as an adult, and after some years of seeking have found the Orthodox faith to resonate quite well with me. I think part of the reason is something I read the other day - it is truth recognized by the heart. And yes, I have had personal experience which would simply make it near-impossible for me to even entertain the idea that there is no God.

Ironically, I find Orthodoxy to allow for thinking and logic without being threatened, though it is not based on proofs and deduction. That thought came to mind because of what you said about your father. I do know certain theologies are nearly dependent on certain kinds of reasoning, and accepting things outside of that can destroy the faith of some.

Unfortunately, I probably can't speak well to your mother's concerns. I don't believe God is logically provable or disprovable. So either way, I think that one is a dead-end. But some people seem to enjoy trying. And there are certainly strong arguments, which may be what some people need.

Again, welcome to CF! I pray you are blessed by being here. And if you need any help finding your way around the forums, please feel free to ask. Unfortunately the SOP of some forums are Christian-only, but in some areas if you wish to discuss and ask questions, you would be welcomed. I can't speak for too many areas, but I know in TAW (The Ancient Way) which is set up as an EO forum, we are very welcoming of visitors of all kinds, as long as they aren't there just to argue. (And we actually tolerate a little of that, though during fasting seasons it's probably not a good idea )

But feel free to ask here or PM an ambassador if we can help.

 

[Fish and Bread]

Welcome!

You might find these two sub-forums to be of special interest.

Liberal Christians:

http://www.christianforums.com/forums/whosoever-will-may-come-liberal.401/

Liberal Catholics:

http://www.christianforums.com/forums/the-lords-table-liberal-catholics.966/

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

Hi and welcome to CF