Have you ever believed in god?

Though I grew up as a Catholic (in Rome, as many of you know), I lost my faith quite early, in my mid-teens. Due to various circumstances, it took me quite a long time to recognize it, but by the time I had turned 22 or so, I stopped attending church and calling myself religious. Now I consider myself agnostic, though leaning more and more towards atheism.

However, I don't feel the need to belittle anyone who has faith, or loudly state that religion is the root is all evil. I have a lot of respect for personal faith (as opposed to organized religion rammed down people's throats, and/or encroaching on public life), and if that means it's a crutch, so be it. After all, people use all sorts of crutches to go through life, and I don't see how faith is any worse than alcohol, drugs, gambling and their ilk. As to the world being a better place if religion was abolished, I think it's as much of an illusion as believing the world would be better if women were in charge (and I say that as a woman). Personally, I find the worship of money, power and "success" worse than the worship of an "imaginary" being, but that's just me.

No, I have never believed in God. I have always been an agnostic. But I am very tolerant of other people's religious beliefs-some of my best friends are devout Christians. I tend to not like to argue about religion; my late father was an atheist, and when he was on his deathbed, my stepmother grinned and said to me, "Well, you know, your father isn't going to heaven, he is an atheist." What a thing to say at such a time!
       I would never try to belittle a person's faith, even if I don't have a personal faith in god. Nor would I condemn an atheist or agnostic for his or her lack of such.
                    And I would never try to push or impose my beliefs on others; to differ is human, after all.

Not really hostility per se, and maybe less welcome is a big word, it's in little things. Topics like songs for theists not taken seriously, that sort of things. 

DDPascalDD wrote: Not really hostility per se, and maybe less welcome is a big word, it's in little things. Topics like songs for theists not taken seriously, that sort of things.

Edited by Sean Trane - November 27 2015 at 09:46

The T wrote: I have believed in God in the past. Now I just don´t know. I don´t believe God exists, but I don´t pretend to be able to affirm it with 100% certainty. I leave that to the geniuses who have all the answers already, some really young but who have already figured the entire universe out.

condor wrote: A god, that is, that answers prayers: a personal god   And I mean a belief that is genuine, not one out of personal desperation but reasoned thought..?

Ever? Yes when I was like 10 yo...

Hey, OP. Do you actually read these threads after you drop them like the grenades you believe them to be?
Do you even care what people respond with? Could I type "gablarbingterlude" as an answer and that would satisfy you?

You just don't seem very much engaged in follow up on these things. What's your purpose behind demanding I share something personal and/or meaningful with you?

*frinspar* wrote: Hey, OP. Do you actually read these threads after you drop them like the grenades you believe them to be? Do you even care what people respond with? Could I type "gablarbingterlude" as an answer and that would satisfy you? You just don't seem very much engaged in follow up on these things. What's your purpose behind demanding I share something personal and/or meaningful with you?

interesting point.

who gives a f**k about the OP man.  I don't like what he implies but f**k him .  However what counts are the functioning forumites here.  The community itself.  Most of the people that post here have the personalities of a rock. Some have been here for years and I couldn't tell you a single thing about them based on what they share.  Do they have too? Of course not.  However many real life friendships have blossumed here and first step is finding those that interest you, and those interested in you and it goes from there. Not only did I find the love of my life here by putting myself out there, the good and the bad, but a great number of very real friends. Some I've got to meet and continue to see in real life, and some I'd give my left arm to meet in person and spend some time with.

 Why should you share, not because the OP, but for the rest of us and perhaps for yourself.  One of the numerous reasons why this site was so great all those years ago. We not only worked together but we came to know each other, and came to care for each other.  The site, and those that posted here had personality and expressed it. Now adays.. very much less so.  Perhaps it is just me but I see people new to this site since I left it and returned and I don't think I could tell you a single thing about them based on their posts.

Definitely not necessary, no one is forced to have or express a personality online haha.. but it is one of the main reasons this site is not what it once was.

I've found that prayer is a funny thing.

Praying for myself never worked.... otherwise I'd be hung like John Holmes and look like Brad Pitt and be rich like Bill Gates and would have never said yes when my ex asked me to marry her.

praying for others though.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Then again I'm not asking for them to get what I wanted I always thought God filed personal requests in the sh*t can, but was more open to ... well.. what prayer should be about.. what God wants us to do. Thinking of others not ourselves. Selfishness is one of the roots of all evil.