What Religion do you belong to?

[dark_secrester]

Just wondering on the diversity of religion in this forum.
Please, make no comments as to other peoples religions, although you are allowed to explain your view on your own.

I would like for this to be a friendly topic, not one interupted by people who hate another's beliefs, and is just so I (or you) may see the diversity of the forum's religions.

Thank you for taking the time to vote.

Joe

I am a wiccan.

[Pachipro]

There should've been a box for "None", so I checked "Other".

Although I was raised in the Catholic religion, I have not practiced it for for more than 35 years. Over the years, with all the wars over religion and such, along with alot of research, I have come to the conclusion that religion is just a way for the few to control the masses. Thus all the killings and persecution that goes on to this day. Religious wars have been going on since the beginning of mankind and I'm afraid they will never end until we end up destroying one another - Again!

One says their god is the real god and all others are false gods when the truth is no one actually knows for sure other than a few books written by mortal men. And in all of them killing is against the laws of a particular religion. If that is so, then why all the killing in the name of their god when it is specifically forbidden? Doen't make any sense to me at all.

Does that mean I don't believe in an omnipotent being or energy force somewhere out there that created this vast wonderful universe of ours and all it's life forms? No. I do. I just don't believe in what "they" are telling us.

Therefore, I prefer to believe in my own way. I guess you could say I am more of a spiritual person than a religious one.

[Sarapva]

I agree with a lot of what you said, Pachipro. I checked "Christianity", but I believe a lot of things in eastern religions like karma and reincarnation. I also think a lot of killing is done in the name of religions when, as in Christianity, the opposite is taught: "Love your neighbor as yourself", "Turn the other cheek", "Forgive a person seven times seven", etc. If Christians really believed in what Christianity stands for, none of us could kill another human being, even in war.

[justin]

I'm agnostic, but I follow the teachings of Buddhism and Christianity

[dark_secrester]

Sorry, I forgot to put none. Dutch_Baka put one in for me. Say thank you to the nice Dutch Baka!

[Pachipro]

Thank you nice Dutch Baka!

[sabro]

I'm one of those Jesus Freaks- Evangelical Christian... 100%

[Arlet]

None,
i dont believe in any religion...
I believe myself :)
Thats my religion!

[Kirie_Maiden]

I picked other. I'm a non-christian spiritualist... making me even more satanic in the eyes of a christian EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT. lol.

[Faustianideals]

I am also very narcissistic. <3

[Kirie_Maiden]

Is that technically a religion? lol.

[Faustianideals]

It can be one if I want it to be.

Worship Thor! I am your new saviour.

[Kirie_Maiden]

Ok. I am a follower of Thorism. That should be on the list.

[Faustianideals]

It should be! Would the proper authorities put Thorism up on the poll choices?

Heil Thor!

[maushan3]

I would like for this to be a friendly topic, not one interupted by people who hate another's beliefs, and is just so I (or you) may see the diversity of the forum's religions.

Oh, one of three conversation topics one should avoid:
1. Religion
2. Politics
3. Sports

This was taught to me by my dad. I find religion to be one topic I wouldn't like to discuss since I myself do not know many things about it, I'm not really religious, just raised a Catholic, and it separates many people due to the fragility of the subject.

I find sports really cool to talk about, don't know why my father doesn't like to talk about this.

I don't really care about politics much, bores me and I, in a way, don't like the corrupt system that is so close to politics... makes me wanna hurl.

Mauricio

[sabro]

I love to talk about religion and politics... Sports I don't know enough about to say a lot.

[Mars Man]

This is a nice poll, and seems fairly well balanced and easy to answer to.

I voted in as being in the 'other' group. The religion which I'd like to contend to belong too (that is, I am making it a 'religion') is that of known and knowable nature. By that I hold that there is a grey zone, if you will, within the understanding of just what nature is, so nothing is totally absolute--though some tenets most certainly are.

The method that I adhere to, for the greater part, in gaining knowledge of nature, is that of the scientific method. Again, looking at the purest and most objective operation of that method--all the while allowing for an unescapeable degree of subjectivity. (whatever that degree may be for a given element; as it also is not fixed) I have a general faith in my senses and power of observation, but make an effort to continually question and test what I cognize.

I would have to say that I could be labelled 'non-theistic agnostic' though I'm not quite sure it that'd be termed a religion quite as readily as what I hope I have described well enough above.

I look forward to hearing from other JREF members too !! :cool: :-)

[dark_secrester]

I find talking about religion is useful to understand other people, and in that way youcan avoid saying or doing something that might offend them.

Sorry, thor isn't being added, it can class as other though.

Good posts so far!
Thanks
Joe

[Anchyyy]

I'm an atheist.

(message to short >.<)

[Kinsao]

I'm a Catholic.
(lengthening message..........................!)

[Mycernius]

Atheist.
We used to have a similar poll once, but it was moved to Eupedia when the forum split.

[Liquid Fantasy]

I'm a Catholic....

*message too short*

XD

[dark_secrester]

This is getting good!

Please everyone, vote here!

[moffeltoff]

Iｴm Protestant and quite happy about it.
But I must say I donｴt go to church regulary.:blush:

[Flanker]

I would say that I am a pantheist, I.E. Nature is my god.

[mika_r]

catholic, and i think they should be diffrent boxes for christianity
... xD

[sabro]

... then we would have to have different boxes for everyone else, too: Shiite and Suni...Therevadra, Zen, Dalit... Reformed, Orthodox...

And then my Catholic friends will complain that we Protestants are trying again to kick them off of Christendom and they represent over half of the Christians on the planets.

[Mycernius]

catholic, and i think they should be diffrent boxes for christianity
... xD
Why? You are all of the same religion, just different approaches in worship and doctrine.
I recently saw a programme where they asked four pastors from four different denominations in the US about their religion and it's reasons. They got four different answers.

[Zaff]

Oh, one of three conversation topics one should avoid:
1. Religion
2. Politics
3. Sports

Pub rules haha the 3 things you don't talk about in a pub also apply to forums as you will get haters and argumentative types.

Me I'm agnostic, but according to the last census in the UK Jedi is seriously on the rise if a few more 1000 people put it on their census then its an official religion. :blush:

[sabro]

Provided people stick to certain rules of conduct, a forum is a perfect place to discuss religion, politics, and sports. We used to have a serious discussion, an American issues, even a religion and philosophy section subfora. History can even be more contentious-- especially when you deal with some of the WWII topics that we have trodden over all these years. Again when people's conduct remains within reason there is plenty of room for dissention, discussion and disagreement. But it does have to be managed. For a few years it went fine and then all of a sudden it kind of went kabloowey and got kidnapped to some corner of Europe.

Right now we seem to be getting along fine without it, but sometimes I miss the meatier topics.

Go Dodgers.s

[Mars Man]

Ah yes, but for the good ole days. I do miss them, I say.

On the matter of Christianity, I would strongly argue that the general heading is good enough for all of those groups which profess the general "Christ" figure that can be found in canonical and non-canonical documents from the late first century to early fourth. MM

[dark_yume]

I voted for other since I am Kardecist, I pretty much believe in spiritual matters that some like to call supernatural such as "ghosts" and reincarnation. Usually I am pretty open minded about religions so there are many things that I believe and accept that are from other religions as well.

[Anohito]

In the beginning there was the word, and the word was chocolate and it was good. And it dwelt upon our hips forever. Confec. 1.5 oz. 340 cal.

[a51ts4]

Right now I consider myself an agnostic. Don't know how long it will stay though.

[Seon-a Kim]

I was raised as a Jehovahs witness, but I am not one, since I don't do what is expected from me at all and do not longer participate into any meetings and all.

But I still believe in 95% of their teachings and also if there is a God for me, then this would be the one and only.

Some of the people take it way to extreme and go to far, but still all the basics make the most sense to me in this Bible.

[lunanueva]

I consider myself "spiritual but not religious", so I chose "other" as a category.

I was raised in a Christian (protestant) environment and attended church until starting university. It was then when many "undesirable" things happened in that church, which made me wonder whether I had been living in a bubble for many years. Actually I realized that the people outside the church (ie. those non-Christians, unconverted, pagans, etc) were much more honest and caring than the people inside, so I decided to quit.

It wasn't an easy decision but I have no regrets now. Being open to others' faith, ideas and spirituality, and taking the best from them for my own good, is something that works out well for me.

[Mycernius]

Ah yes, but for the good ole days. I do miss them, I say.

You're not the only one. It was good until one person showed up:okashii: . Still old news now. I tried a couple of Atheist forums, but they show no real debate, so I am on a site called inthepursuitofgod.com and getting some good debates there, hence my recent downturn in threads here. I also realise how lucky we where with our debates, some of the members there are a little "blinded by faith" shall we say.

[Anohito]

You're not the only one. It was good until one person showed up:okashii: . Still old news now. I tried a couple of Atheist forums, but they show no real debate, so I am on a site called inthepursuitofgod.com and getting some good debates there, hence my recent downturn in threads here. I also realise how lucky we where with our debates, some of the members there are a little "blinded by faith" shall we say.

I quit trying to follow the Usenet newsgroup alt.atheism years ago for a variety of reasons. First, the amount of traffic was huge. Second, the "signal to noise ratio" was rather low because of all the hyper-aggressive theists (nearly all of them Christians) posting in the newsgroup. Third, even some of the avowed non-religious people routinely displayed attitudes I consider counter-productive, at best. For example, somebody mentioned, in an appropriately critical way, a university that taught Creationism. Another person, supposedly an "atheist" piped up to say that it didn't bother him at all because it was a "Christian" university, and they could teach what they wanted to teach. Well, the flaws in that "reasoning" ought to be obvious.

[EmperorHirohito]

I was raised in the Christian faith, Protestant to be precise, but was brought up to respect and try to understand others beliefs, something that is sometimes lacking in this modern world we all live in.
I would also say that there is one Religion missing from the list of choices...
The Religion of Life. :-)

[made of stone]

People who know me fairly well, and who also consider such things (and it seems that most of my peers in Britain usually have no interest at all in spiritual matters, alas) tend to assume i'm Buddhist.

Although i've read one or two incredible, inspirational books by the Dalai Lama, though, I just can't accept either the stages of Enlightenment, or the concept of reincarnation. They make no sense to me, no matter how hard I try to understand them, and in fact some of my own experiences seem to contradict them.

Rather, I regard the progress to Enlightenment as a useful philosophical guide, and probably Buddhism as a whole in fact: it's a good way to live.

In terms of the/a Spirit I find Christianity, or indeed Islam or Judaism, have much more to offer (though I see Jesus as more of a profound interpreter of life on Earth, than as any sort of Messianic figure; a son of God, if you will, rather than The Son of God).

I guess i'm (aspiring to be more) spiritual rather than religious.

But I shall continue my studies and contemplations, and post back here when I find a firmer ground for my own unique take on things. (If the Buddhists are right after all, then that may be in a few lifetimes, when Jref is celebrating it's 300th year or whatnot - I hope they allow you to keep the same user id across reincarnations!)

Peace to you all, and indeed across the whole of our wide, precious, diverse Earth

:angel:

[Mars Man]

But I still believe in 95% of their teachings and also if there is a God for me, then this would be the one and only.

Some of the people take it way to extreme and go to far, but still all the basics make the most sense to me in this Bible.

This caught my eye, as did the post by my way-back-from-the-old-days 'Religion and Philosophy' posting mate, Mycernius.

All the while being careful not to go too far off topic, I would argue that the element of the teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. that other mainstream Christian churches put them down over, are being taught due the main element of lack of investigation that those same mainstream Christian churches teachings are based on--in the larger degree.

[Han Chan]

I belong to the human race. Therefore I believe we are all the same.

I find that the poll should allow for more than one answer. This might sound strange as for most people religion is a question of either or. Actually many japanese who consider themselves as religious are both budhist and shintoist.

Personally I decided to leace the church which I belonged to since I was a baby. However, I am not nonbeliever. I merely find that most religions are led by intollerant religious fundamentalists. I respect people according to their actions, not their membership of one group or another.

[Mycernius]

This caught my eye, as did the post by my way-back-from-the-old-days 'Religion and Philosophy' posting mate, Mycernius.
All the while being careful not to go too far off topic, I would argue that the element of the teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. that other mainstream Christian churches put them down over, are being taught due the main element of lack of investigation that those same mainstream Christian churches teachings are based on--in the larger degree.
I have observed from the Christian forum I frequent that Christians on that site regard Mormons and JWs as non-christians because of the book of Mormon, in the case of the latter-day saints, and the lack of belief of the virgin birth within JWs. Strange as both still follow the teachings of Jesus as their basis of the faiths.
I think to avoid going offtopic on this thread another might be created to discuss more the how and why of various religions rather than continue on this one. I'll mull over it, unless someone else wants to start one.

[Anohito]

I have observed from the Christian forum I frequent that Christians on that site regard Mormons and JWs as non-christians because of the book of Mormon, in the case of the latter-day saints, and the lack of belief of the virgin birth within JWs. Strange as both still follow the teachings of Jesus as their basis of the faiths.[snip]

Strictly speaking (for those who attach sufficient importance to such things--I am not one of them), the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are not sufficiently orthodox to be called Christians. The JWs do not accept the Trinitarian view of the Christian god and the Mormons are basically henotheists, although they deny it.

http://www.geocities.com/swickersc/mormonjesus.html

[Elizabeth]

I have observed from the Christian forum I frequent that Christians on that site regard Mormons and JWs as non-christians because of the book of Mormon, in the case of the latter-day saints, and the lack of belief of the virgin birth within JWs. Strange as both still follow the teachings of Jesus as their basis of the faiths.
JW also don't believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ or that salvation for believers (spiritual rebirth) is immediate and guaranteed upon death. How they get this translation out of the same Greek manuscripts as the Christian bible I have no idea....

[Goldiegirl]

I was raised Catholic. I no longer practice the religion and have no desire to. This ofcourse makes my mother insane; she is positive she will get to heaven but none of her children will be there. I had friends who were JW and I would go with them to their meetings but I didn't know I was being recruited and when I said I didn't want to go with them anymore they weren't my friends anymore. My one friend broke the rules and said I was being shunned because I didn't convert. I was so naive I didn't know that! There were a lot of things I did like about JW's though, I just can't make that kind of commitment....

[diceke]

Hmm, many religions tend to cherry pick their "truths", I mean, they select evidence that supports their belief while discarding anything that contradicts it. I think that's intellectually lazy and dishonest. :o

I went to catholic schools, but I'm not a catholic!
My Dad is a protestant, but I'm not!
I attended Buddhist meetings for several months, but I quit!
I go to shinto shrines for fun, I find the architecture beautiful, and the annual matsuri fun, but I'm not a Shintoist!!:bikkuri:

[Mars Man]

Hmm, many religions tend to cherry pick their "truths", I mean, they select evidence that supports their belief while discarding anything that contradicts it. I think that's intellectually lazy and dishonest.

Yes, and there is a saying for that too: Believing is seeing.


It's interesting to note your background, and I appreciate your sharing that with us !! :cool:

[bakaKanadajin]

I find 'belonging' to one particular religious sect to be akin to supporting a specific sports team. It may cause you to lead a certain lifestyle or answers to certain symbols and ideologies, but beyond that the 'stuff' of it can be very thin. I mean if you find one religion that fully embodies and celebrates every single belief you have and sufficiently answers your questions all the more power to you. But I find the problem with religion is that your biggest questions are often the parts that get glazed over by the faith-based components. If your biggest questions aren't being answers or even realistically addressed I think there's a fundamental flaw there. I'm relating most closely to Christian religions and my own experience, mind you.

[Mars Man]

I agree with your thoughts there...it's hard to find a relgious belief-system which will respond with only a 'nobody knows.'

[kinsey87]

I voted other, although I am not a part of any religion. I do however read as many documents and scriptures as I can of many religions.

[alantin]

JW also don't believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ or that salvation for believers (spiritual rebirth) is immediate and guaranteed upon death. How they get this translation out of the same Greek manuscripts as the Christian bible I have no idea....

I have been told that they themselves don't think of themselves as being Christians.

Ayu-youkou!

What do you say about this?

Trying to stay on the green zone! :wave:

Ps: I'm a pentecostal / baptist Christian

[Mars Man]

I have been told that they themselves don't think of themselves as being Christians.


That claim is incorrect. They very much think of themselves as being the 'true Christians,' and all other sects as being not quite Christian for not following a certain interpretation of the Christian documents making up what we call the New Testament at the present.

[Clawn]

I'm a Christian. I rarely go to church, save on Easter and Christmas, so I suppose you could call me a "non practicing" Christian in that sense. I do, however, pray often and like to think that my morals are mostly Christian, although I do draw from other belief systems when it comes to matters of non-violence and being open-minded. The short version: Spiritually I'm Christian; but in the realms of morality and thought, I'm more of a conglomeration of seperate beliefs. :relief:

[alantin]

That claim is incorrect. They very much think of themselves as being the 'true Christians,' and all other sects as being not quite Christian for not following a certain interpretation of the Christian documents making up what we call the New Testament at the present.


Yes. I know what you mean, but what I have in mind here is, how they feel about the term: Christian.

I have never heard a JW call himself other than a Jehowa's Witness. Never a Christian!

I'll have to ask them the next time they come to my door..

[Half-n-Half]

I find it interesting to note how many people are "none" or "other". I myself voted "none". Might sound kinda corny, but personally I choose logic, reason, and science over faith - although some science requires a little faith :-D. You never know though, any of those religions could be right...

[Mars Man]

Yes. I know what you mean, but what I have in mind here is, how they feel about the term: Christian.


Thanks for the feedback. Yes, please do ask, however I can tell you from first hand experience from having associated with that organization and having studied some of their literature, that they do use the word Christian for themselves. I could go into detail, but it'd be off-topic, so. . .

I kind of go along the lines that you have pointed out, Half-n-Half san. I would say that what the religious belief-systems teach, in each particular, however, would have to be weighed in against what we have observed and learned from nature to be proven valid.

[arpee92]

I am the prophet of my own religion. But I don't have a name for it yet!

[Revenant]

Secularist! Scientism perhaps? Although from what I've read of neuroscience and psychology, I'd agree a lot with Buddhist meditations and techniques for becoming happier. I think the Buddhists simply came across some effective techniques for becoming happier and refined those techniques.

[bakaKanadajin]

By the way, OP forgot to add Scientology.

[Chi65]

I voted None, but only because I would not sign any particular one, and above all, none that says to be the only one...
Grown up mildly practicing protestant, mainly via singing in a choir for singing sake, hehe.
But other parts were kind of too narrow for my understanding, although less than with the catholics.
In the long run I came across many beliefs and methods (I find this better than just belief, because you can have very clear natural experiences, also seen by neurological observations, as I know now), and had many fine meetings with remarkable people, from sheiks to sufis to medicinmen to Shinto priests, Buddhist bonzes, Daoists, Jews, shamans, wiccas, aborigines etc., etc. not to forget fine scientists (religion? Well, some behave as if this is just another one already, really!)
I was or still am befriended with some of them all and thank them for all their mainly friendly exchanges, that showed that very much was nothing but another language or translation to explain some often very real experiences, that led them to join that particular method.
I tend to fly relatively freely over that round and spin my threads or change them again or find new keys, entries or "pictures", stories.
For me the whole aspect of mythology and fairytales also belongs into that scene, and as an artist I often used this freedom to express via picture, not via words. Some do via music, dance, etc. Thats as good for me and also on my "friend list".
I have a particular liking for the buddhist's eightfold (also ten stations, while the last three there are kind of simultan) path, which is the oneness with everything without any particular ego strive, yet not death at all. This is often misunderstood in the west, although it is stunninly easy, yet difficult in our times.
Psychology and many science interests added to this, so there are many ways of dealing with that theme, called religion.
I also appreciate and enjoy your analytic way, Mars man, I am as familiar with this, but its a very endless wide and wild field.
I am personally a mostly a laughter addict and very associative person as an artist and rather play along with it all than pin it down to something. Changing views (after questioning fixed points of) for better sight on the other hand is perfectly alright for me.

Thus this "none" also means everything AND nothing, which in itself is much more eastern. It just depends on how you just look at IT.

Now that was a full cup, let me empty it again for more listenings and learnings (according to Zen) ;-)

Good night everybody! :sleep:

[White-Hexe]

Im wicca, but grew up Christian. I just started to get into Wicca in the past few years, but have been interested in it for awhile.

[alantin]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, please do ask, however I can tell you from first hand experience from having associated with that organization and having studied some of their literature, that they do use the word Christian for themselves. I could go into detail, but it'd be off-topic, so. . .

Some more off-topic!

Thank you for this piece of information!

It seems that I'm just showing off my ignorance here then! :p :bluush:

Might their thinking be a bit different in different countries then.. I have very little (read; none!) experience of them outside Finland and this really is the first time I can recall having heard them been called Christians.
Around here when you say "church", the word is immediately associated to the Lutheran state church and 90% of the people are Christians even if they didn't believe in anything that the church teaches.
Your thinking migh be wiccan but you'd still be a "Christian" if you never bothered to go and resign from the church..

The other churches in Finland (pentecostal, free church, etc.) often don't even call themselves churches in Finnish.

Might that kind of thinking be affecting the JW too around here..
Can' be sure though! I'll have to ask!

End of off-topic

:wave:

[Derfel]

Im a Catholic in my own way, although i don't follow the teachings of Jesus, my prophet is Emperor Constantine, and i follow Christianity how it was practised, and not necessarily how the Ten Commandments describe it. I follow the institution, and not the faith. Although I greatly agree with some issues regarding morality... but not all of them. For example, i strongly believe that celibate is to be preserved. But on the other hand, i curse all the Avignon popes to the pits of hell, as im very fond of Templars :D But Benedict XVI sure seems to be an interesting person.

[Mycernius]

i follow Christianity how it was practised, and not necessarily how the Ten Commandments describe it.
Then what type of Christainity do you follow? It was practiced in different ways when Augustine finally compilied the Bible and the Catholic church finally settled on more literal interpretation. Before that there where the Gnostics, as well as the literalists, who saw the Bible as more allergorical.

although i don't follow the teachings of Jesus,
Then in the eyes of a lot of more evangelical christians, or even those within the catholic church, you are not a christian.

[Derfel]

Simple, the ignorant masses are to be led, they need something to unify them so they won't start fighting amongst themselves, and their attention can be directed wherever it needs to be directed. Although this sounds cold and heartless, but even at this moment, this is happening, only in a different form. Just look at the media for example, it tells people, just like religion in the old days what is wrong and what is right. So i vote for controlled bs, instead of the random bs of the media.
Debate it how you desire, but please, you have to admit that religions primary task is to restrict people in their deeds, so they don't go and murder each other just because they can.
I never claimed that I would be accepted by any christian faith. I simply don't need them to be able to practise my own way of christianity. I only need my own beliefs, and thats all. Jesus sure was a nice guy, but honestly, just by being nice you really can't survive through the centuries. I must apologize to all the believers, i did not mean to insult Christ in any way, im sure he was a great person with inhuman willpower, and balance. But let us admit, christianity doesn't necessarily reflect Jesus' views. I don't want to judge it, but honestly, if it was practised exactly how Jesus had said it should be, there would be like 10 christians in existence at the moment.

[SushiShin]

I'm Catholic, but I also wanna learn more about Shinto and Buddhisme. Because it really interests me.

[Homerduff]

Although I've been baptised, I don't feel Catholic at all. Neither my family is. I'm a so called Agnostic. Agnosticism is not believing in any religion, but then again not denying that there's no such thing as a god or a spiritual world far beyond ours.

I think there are things out there which can't be analysed or researched with scientific thinking. But I'm quite sceptic about the spiritual images that most religions have. Something I believe can be true is reincarnation. Then again I'm convinced that earth and mankind were created by nature.

I've never liked the idea of religions. Dividing a population in countries is one thing, but dividing them in big religion groups is dangerous in my opinion. Many wars were caused by religion, and I fear the next one will be too. I don't say that people are bad because they are religious. Christian people that follow the 10 commandments will definetly not make the world a bad place.

[Goldiegirl]

I am becoming free religion. I can see "God" in a sunrise, or a beautifully colored tree in autumn. I don't need someone telling me where and when I can talk to God, or how I have to do it. I think being the best person I can is ok, even if I fall short of others expectations.

[cohen avshalom]

i am jewish
so.......
you have anther one here.......
:beer::beer::beer::beer:
icarus

[alantin]

Simple, the ignorant masses are to be led, they need something to unify them so they won't start fighting amongst themselves, and their attention can be directed wherever it needs to be directed. Although this sounds cold and heartless, but even at this moment, this is happening, only in a different form. Just look at the media for example, it tells people, just like religion in the old days what is wrong and what is right. So i vote for controlled bs, instead of the random bs of the media.
Debate it how you desire, but please, you have to admit that religions primary task is to restrict people in their deeds, so they don't go and murder each other just because they can.

If you read the news from Finland the other week; some guy wrote something similar about ignorant masses to the internet, went and shot 6 or 7 people and himself at his school. I live in just the next town!!

I think the "primary task" is to give people hope an purpose so that they don't have to go kill each other..

I'm convinced that there is a purpose and design and if I wasn't a "believer", my ideology would pretty much be: "life sucks and then you die. In the end the sun will burn all its fuel, blow up in a supernova, everything left in the solar system will be sucked to the remaining black hole, and the universe will continue minding it's own business never remembering the insignificant little exoplanet that once existed. So whats the point.." :cool:

Maybe that was what that nutjob thought..

@Derfel
I'm not trying to oppose you or anything although I don't really buy your thinking. I think it's a bit much to call an average educated European adult a member of ignorant masses..

Just some thoughts that your post invoked. :-)

[Mycernius]

I am becoming free religion. I can see "God" in a sunrise, or a beautifully colored tree in autumn. I don't need someone telling me where and when I can talk to God, or how I have to do it. I think being the best person I can is ok, even if I fall short of others expectations.
I sincerly congratulate you for that. I have found some people in the past who have given up religion really have a hard time of it, especially from the more conservative members of thier families, and usually in the US.

[Derfel]

@Derfel
I'm not trying to oppose you or anything although I don't really buy your thinking. I think it's a bit much to call an average educated European adult a member of ignorant masses..

Just some thoughts that your post invoked. :-)

I normally wouldn't post something like that either, simply because i know it is very provoking, but since i was asked to go into detail, I decided to do it, after all a forum is about sharing opinions.

As for ignorant masses: im just disgusted about the "i-don't-give-a-sh1t" behavior of some people. You know, people whose lives revolve around beer, tv and making their wives watch less soaps, either with words, fists or arms.
Its just that I feel that if you let this class hold the reins, we'll be finished. I say let them enjoy their lives as they wish, after all the strong and vigorous will rise even from the gutter, and someone who rose up from it is even more worthier.

[pugtm]

you can find god in many things in a sunset or a prayer book, it kind of funny how people say one thing but have trouble seeing it another way.
i find god both in the sunsets and in my traditions and prayers, and even in some foreign ones. i do zen meditation but am jewish... a sunset is no different than any other thing in this world that reminds us of god. and as for its to delude the ignorant masses, well even if it is. as long as it deludes them into being better human beings who cares.
i am jewish
so.......
you have anther one here.......
:beer::beer::beer::beer:
icarus
yay another jew its nice to see another one welcome to the forum

[safi sat]

im a muslim ...
i live in morocco but i love meet others and make a lot of relation with others in other country

[cohen avshalom]

safi sat
from morocco-so may father and mother came from this country.
but i am israeli-and yes jewish-nice to meet on the net people from morocco.
icarus5

[alantin]

As for ignorant masses: im just disgusted about the "i-don't-give-a-sh1t" behavior of some people. You know, people whose lives revolve around beer, tv and making their wives watch less soaps, either with words, fists or arms.
Its just that I feel that if you let this class hold the reins, we'll be finished.

Okay. Now I'm with you. :cool:

Fortunately the type doesn't normally really "give-a-sh1t" about steering the ship either.

[Revenant]

In response to some of Derfel's posts....

Religion may or may not be better than the media, people are easily manipulated through both, but religions do encourage altruism and other traits that have helped people flourish and live more fulfilling lives. Media is a little more pragmatic, while religion can and certainly has been used to justify inhumane acts.

Personally, I think that science is starting to uncover it's own reasons to engage in hard work, altruism, and emotional control (as the religions would put it, 'spirituality'). Read Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, Flow - The Psychology Of Optimal Experience by Mihaly, and Destructive Emotions - And How We Can Overcome Them for an introduction of new belief systems that humans can take on, the science that supports them, and the hope that these systems give us when more and more people find it hard to believe in any religious belief system.

[safi sat]

safi sat
from morocco-so may father and mother came from this country.
but i am israeli-and yes jewish-nice to meet on the net people from morocco.
icarus5


welcome my brather
moroccain and israelian they are friend's
and alot of israelian they are in origine from moroccain

me too im so happy to meet a moroccain israelian

[cohen avshalom]

safi sat
my father is from kazablanca and my mother is from ougda.
do you know those city(well kazablanca you apparently know-but do you know ougda???)
my mother last name is buganim-did you here this name???
icarus5

[safi sat]

safi sat
my father is from kazablanca and my mother is from ougda.
do you know those city(well kazablanca you apparently know-but do you know ougda???)
my mother last name is buganim-did you here this name???
icarus5

yes i know those city
because i was visit last year oujda it's in the east of morocco near of Algeria
and casablanca it's the capital of economy in morocco

i live in agadir but im from safi may be you know this two city :cool:

[cohen avshalom]

i never being at morroco-but all my famelly is from there -so they know those city very well.
my grandfather had a big carpentry shop at ougda-in the 30-50.with alote of musleam worker-and electric saw-when no one had this equipment -one think that i am remmember -that he was telling me-is that-once when there were pogroms-at the time when israel was borning-all his worker were being standing in front his shop and they didnt let any one to made dameage for that shop-and that most of the time the relation between jesih and arab were being very good.

do you know the last name : Bu-ga-nim did you hard this name?



icarus5

[Mars Man]

Please. . . I will leave the above, for deplomatic reasons, BUT...for conversation, please do use the PM system. The purpose and theme of this thread is for the purpose given in the title.

Maybe just a few off-topic comments and posts are allowed here and there, but to go into a full conversation is not allowed, really.

I think I have said it before, but I'll say it again. I am basically non-theist, agnostic. . . although I used to be very Christian up upon a time.

[scorpion da black]

Muslim

great value and nice code to live your life through.
it gives my life a value.

[Derfel]

Muslim

great value and nice code to live your life through.
it gives my life a value.

Doesn't every religion when practised correctly?

[cohen avshalom]

what is the main religion at japan?
do most of the people believe in god-or not ?
icarus
:gohan::balloon::ramen::music::rose::romance::love :

[Derfel]

The main religion in Japan is called "Google-it-up" (www.google.com).
Some effort please.

[scorpion da black]

Doesn't every religion when practised correctly?

very true and i very agree :-) :-) :-)

Napoleon Bonaparte said " every faith is perfect, it is the people practicing them who are not."

and i believe that is true. . .
if every one practiced his religion correctly then we would have a brighter world free of hate and prejudice and full of justice.

but unfortunately it is in human nature to be aggressive :okashii: :okashii:

[Tsuyoiko]

As many people here know already, I'm an atheist. I came to that conclusion after searching for the right religion for me, starting off as a Methodist Christian, spent some time as a Pagan. The god I searched so hard for never spoke to me, so I began to question his existence. Then I realised, there's nothing in this universe that necessitates god as an explanation. Therefore, for me, god does not exist.

but unfortunately it is in human nature to be aggressive :okashii: :okashii:People seem to use the term 'human nature' as some justification for bad things in the world. But what is human nature? I came to the conclusion that it doesn't really exist. People are so diverse I don't think you can really invoke a thing called 'human nature' and apply it to everyone. I'd rather say "it's in 'many people's nature' to be aggressive".

[scorpion da black]

As many people here know already, I'm an atheist. I came to that conclusion after searching for the right religion for me, starting off as a Methodist Christian, spent some time as a Pagan. The god I searched so hard for never spoke to me, so I began to question his existence. Then I realised, there's nothing in this universe that necessitates god as an explanation. Therefore, for me, god does not exist.
People seem to use the term 'human nature' as some justification for bad things in the world. But what is human nature? I came to the conclusion that it doesn't really exist. People are so diverse I don't think you can really invoke a thing called 'human nature' and apply it to everyone. I'd rather say "it's in 'many people's nature' to be aggressive".

hormones, DNA structure , mammal primitivety ....all make up humans' aggressive nature

[bakaKanadajin]

People seem to use the term 'human nature' as some justification for bad things in the world. But what is human nature? I came to the conclusion that it doesn't really exist. People are so diverse I don't think you can really invoke a thing called 'human nature' and apply it to everyone. I'd rather say &quot;it's in 'many people's nature' to be aggressive&quot;.

I think when people say human nature they refer to the primal and instinctual elements of our psyche. Layers upon layers of social conditoning exist through which we channel these urges and ultimately play-out our lives, but at times the raw elements themselves surface. Actually there are many elements which are not very heavily cloaked at all, such as hunger, the battle of the sexes, violence, etc.


A wise man once asked (in a movie) what is man's greatest motivator, fear or laziness?

[Skullcrushergurl]

I was brought up in the Christian religion. My beliefs are firm too. But I'm not a psycho christian. I don't go insane about the bible.

[made of stone]

I now wish there was an option 'all of them, and none of them' - because that's exactly where the truth lies I do believe.

made of short posts :)

[bebopdobop]

I was raised seventh day Adventist, a Christian denomination. But I haven't been to church in a while. The people in my community are just to hypocritical to be any good. Mexico is so corrupt, in every aspect. No joke.

[Revenant]

I was raised seventh day Adventist, a Christian denomination.That's the denomination I was raised in, too. Healthy bunch of people they are! Quite fundamental Christianity, a denomination that I hear is growing as the baby boomers get older.

[centrajapan]

I am Agnostic. Anyone seen the movie Zeitgeist? Excellent quote here.

You would think that a guy who rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven for all eyes to see and performed the wealth of miracles acclaimed to him would have made it into the historical record. It didn't because once the evidence is weighed, there are very high odds that the figure known as Jesus, did not even exist.

The reality is, Jesus was the Solar Deity of the Gnostic Christian sect, and like all other Pagan gods, he was a mythical figure. It was the political establishment that sought to historize the Jesus figure for social control. By 325 a.d. in Rome, emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicea. It was during this meeting that the politically motivated Christian Doctrines were established and thus began a long history of Christian bloodshed and spiritual fraud. And for the next 1600 years, the Vatican maintained a political stranglehold on all of Europe, leading to such joyous periods as the Dark Ages, along with enlightening events such as the Crusades, and the Inquisition.

Christianity, along with all other theistic belief systems, is the fraud of the age. It served to detach the species from the natural world, and likewise, each other. It supports blind submission to authority. It reduces human responsibility to the effect that "God" controls everything, and in turn awful crimes can be justified in the name of Divine Pursuit. And most importantly, it empowers those who know the truth but use the myth to manipulate and control societies. The religious myth is the most powerful device ever created, and serves as the psychological soil upon which other myths can flourish



http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/transcript.htm

[Dakota]

Baptised as a Roman Catholic although i'm very strongly Athiest.
Religion is bad but good at the same time...
good for giving people something to believe in, community and hope...
bad for the wars that come out of these petty squabbles.

I for one am a great believer in science i'd love to have a religion but i just cant buy into any of it.. hmm :(

[Annubis]

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. :)
I believe in it all. I think it's awesome.
The book was found in America under a stone. It is the records of the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs... So called Nephites and Lamanites in the book of Mormon.
Mormon was a Nephite who's lineage goes back to East of Israel in the time of Moses. The Serians were taking over and killing all who believed in God. Two families who had the teachings of Isaiah fled to the Indian Ocean. They fled in the same way that Noah had fled the flood. They stayed at sea and lost many family members. They passed many great lands and islands, until they landed in Peru. The ones remaining were the children who were taught by their elders as they traveled.
They had the skills to write. And they wrote small notes, some of which were recorded on metal plates, since the other mediums perished.
As time went by, they would write the events which they experienced. These plates are now the book of Mormon. They were believers in God. They were visited by Christ after his resurrection. They experienced the birth and death of Christ in the same way as the rest of the world, only they were not in his presence.
The book was translated by a man named Joseph Smith, who found the plates at the age of 15. He didn't have a religion he agreed with. He had the special ability of language acquisition and translation. He also found the urim and thumim berried with the book, which are an ancient technology used to look at things more closely. Like lenses.
These items are now kept at the Salt Lake Temple in Utah.

[フクイちゃん]

I am a Christian, and I frequently attend church surrounding my area.

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I'm not really a religious person, however i am interested in the philosophy of buddhism and i agree with a lot of what it teaches (tolerance, compassion, inner peace etc), so i clicked on Buddhism :cool: .

[karlyboo]

I'm very philosophical and spiritual, although I'm also very sceptical and cynical. I was a Buddhist for many years before I became disenchanted with it, now I generally stand somewhere between Paganism and Agnosticism (I see no reason if there are supernatural powers why there should only be one of them). I believe that there is more to life than meets the eye (sort of like a Transformer, probably Soundwave... although possibly Seaspray) but I am horribly sceptical of nearly everything.

Pretty much the only thing stopping me being completely atheistic are just the sheer number of statistical improbabilities I've encountered, i.e. I should have been killed several times by now in various accidents and yet each time have got away without a scratch. Possible? Yes. Probable? No. That is what makes me wonder.

It'd be a laugh if the only religion that turned out to get it right was Pastafarianism, though ;) I note that that Flying Spaghetti Monster was left out of the list ;)

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I'm very philosophical and spiritual, although I'm also very sceptical and cynical. I was a Buddhist for many years before I became disenchanted with it, now I generally stand somewhere between Paganism and Agnosticism (I see no reason if there are supernatural powers why there should only be one of them). I believe that there is more to life than meets the eye (sort of like a Transformer, probably Soundwave... although possibly Seaspray) but I am horribly sceptical of nearly everything.
Pretty much the only thing stopping me being completely atheistic are just the sheer number of statistical improbabilities I've encountered, i.e. I should have been killed several times by now in various accidents and yet each time have got away without a scratch. Possible? Yes. Probable? No. That is what makes me wonder.
It'd be a laugh if the only religion that turned out to get it right was Pastafarianism, though ;) I note that that Flying Spaghetti Monster was left out of the list ;)




Hm, i am at a troubled phase right now concerning my religious beliefs, belief in an afterlife or reicarnation, belief in the paranormal and supernatural etc, i am questioning a lot of these things a great deal at this current point in my life etc.

May i ask if there was there anything inparticular that caused you to become disenchanted with buddhism? I'm really interested in hearing about other people's views on stuff like this.

[karlyboo]

Hm, i am at a troubled phase right now concerning my religious beliefs, belief in an afterlife or reicarnation, belief in the paranormal and supernatural etc, i am questioning a lot of these things a great deal at this current point in my life etc.
May i ask if there was there anything inparticular that caused you to become disenchanted with buddhism? I'm really interested in hearing about other people's views on stuff like this.

Of course you can :) Always happy to help.

I studied Buddhism for some while and indeed found it particularly helpful. It was a very different way of viewing my problems- literally "X is not your problem, the fact you're worried about it is the problem".

Also I found the central theme of questioning most refreshing. None of my religious peers/tutors ever said 'just accept it' or 'it's that way because we believe so', I was always given a rational, philosophical argument for why things were the way that the Buddha said.

The first problem I had is that Buddha said everything he imparted was not figurative or to be interpreted, it was literal. He also said a lot of things which were (IMO) pure weapons-grade baloneyum. Things about people achieving enlightment and being granted the ability of flight or to transform into animals. That ran totally counter to the previously established idea that there was NO 'magic' in the world.

If someone had said that these things were figurative, or that upon realising life was purely perception (another tenant of my teachings) one could manipulate these perceptions to give the illusion of flight, that would be fine. No, this was literal.

Oops.

That was the first niggling fault-line which over time became a crack. The final nail in the coffin came with my inability to reconcile working to better myself with the Buddhist teachings about not desiring things.

In short, yes not wanting anything will mean you're never disappointed. If you accept that all life is perception and not to be worried about, you'll never be concerned if you have a new car, a good job or if your partner leaves you.

The problem I have with that is that great achievements come out of the total opposite. Wanting to make things better, wanting to improve your lot and the lot of those around you and the disappointment that drives you to do better next time.

Buddhist philosophies didn't invent the electric light, write a concerto or paint the Mona Lisa. Those activities are pointless indulgences of the transiency of life (Samsara). But they are still beautiful, and I believe they are worthwhile.

For that reason I had to abandon it. I'd essentially found cause to disagree with the central teaching of the Buddha and find fault in his assertion that magic didn't exist whilst telling stories centred around it.

Probably needless but I will add the disclaimer that these are purely my experiences. Anybody else out there practising Buddhism (or any other life philosophy/religion) and making it work for them, good luck. Don't let me dampen your enthusiasm. Live and let live.

[Tokis-Phoenix]

That was the first niggling fault-line which over time became a crack. The final nail in the coffin came with my inability to reconcile working to better myself with the Buddhist teachings about not desiring things.
In short, yes not wanting anything will mean you're never disappointed. If you accept that all life is perception and not to be worried about, you'll never be concerned if you have a new car, a good job or if your partner leaves you.
The problem I have with that is that great achievements come out of the total opposite. Wanting to make things better, wanting to improve your lot and the lot of those around you and the disappointment that drives you to do better next time.
Buddhist philosophies didn't invent the electric light, write a concerto or paint the Mona Lisa. Those activities are pointless indulgences of the transiency of life (Samsara). But they are still beautiful, and I believe they are worthwhile.
For that reason I had to abandon it. I'd essentially found cause to disagree with the central teaching of the Buddha and find fault in his assertion that magic didn't exist whilst telling stories centred around it.




I find this in particular very interesting and i guess i agree with here most in particular.

The idea of wanting for nothing i think goes against human nature in a big way. If we are to progress, then we need to want to progress, but from a budhist view wanting to progress would be going against their concept of wanting for nothing.

I think buddhism can do a lot for society, but as you said it can not do everything for society- it is not the be all and end all of everything, and so perhaps not the ultimate truth or path to enlightenment etc.
But i think that concept of wanting for nothing can still be useful in that when you come to really understand it, you can explain a lot of things in life, and if you can understand these things then you can perhaps find a solution or answer to them.


I do not know that much on buddhism, but i have read a lot about it and what it stands for, my favorite buddhist book is a book full of the Dalai Lama's teachings for use in everyday day-to-day life.

But although i agree with a lot of what the Dalai Lama teaches, to really put everything properly into practice, a lot of his teachings would just be unpractical for society and day-to-day life etc.

I do think as a society we are probably too materialistic, and i think buddhism at times can help teach us to value the non-materialistic things in life a lot more as they should be. But it would simply be unpractical and not logical for me to give up all of my material possesions, my money, my house, my car etc- i do definately think that one can be very happy in life even if they are one of the poorest people in the world, but on the other hand, having things can take a lot of stress out of day to day life. I don't want to return back to the ancient ways of being little more in essence than a peasant living in, say, the medieval times- i don't think i would be very happy if i gave up my attachment to all of my material possessions, but i do understand that someone can have an unhealthy attachment to material possessions or place the wrong type of value to them etc.


When it comes to benefetting society, at the end of the day i do think buddhism has a lot to offer.
One thing i noticed from early on is that it places a great deal of emphasis on tolerance and compassion to all other people, even if they don't believe in the same things as you, like they are of another religion- this i found was very refreshing, since although other religions like christianity supposedly teach the same tolerance and compassion, religions like christianity also hypocritically teach us to basically ostracize people like gays and non-christians from society if they refuse to change their ways to more christian agreeable ones etc.
I thought it was very open-minded and good of the Dalai Lama when he said in his book that essentially the one thing all religions have in common is that they are all about creating spiritual inner peace and are on a path to spiritual enlightement, and that there is no one religion that is suitable for all people to reach these goals, some people may be more suited and have more in common with one religion than the next etc. So we should basically never try to enforce our religious beliefs on others or try to eradicate other religions, but instead show tolerance towards other religions and be compassionate towards all other people regardless of what their religion is etc.

A lot of wars have been started because of disagreements over religious beliefs, but i think if people showed a bit more tolerance and compassion towards other people like what the Dalai Lama teaches, then a lot of these wars would never have been started and a lot of people would never have lost their lives etc.

What do you think :) ?

[karlyboo]

Buddhism has some awesome qualities without doubt. It has come closest to me than any other religion/philosophy I have encountered. Perhaps one day I will go back to it, it was certainly very useful at a difficult time in my life, but I need to be able to reconcile my beliefs on achievement and working towards something better with the Buddha's teachings first.

And yes, religion is a great issue in many parts of the world. I feel its biggest issue, to speak frankly, is the ease with which it can be used to justify just about any idiotic war/crusade/act of intolerance/cruelty or evil.

Jesus was nailed to a plank of wood for observing what a good idea it would be if we were all a bit nicer to one another, and many years later people are still persecuted in his name (godhatesfags.com, anybody?). Same goes for Islam, Judaism etc.

Religion would work much better if all its participants could agree to live and let live and try really, really hard to get along... rather than some using it as an excuse to stick pointy, sharp things at one another because coming up with a slightly more rational excuse is just too time-consuming.

Shame God didn't make that particularly clear when mentioning what he wanted in his Holy Texts. Must have slipped his mind. Unless he finds the needless disagreement and fights in his name over a confusing/contradictory passage interesting. [/Blasphemous]

Either that or it's what comes of taking a book as gospel (no pun intended) despite the fact its about 4000 years out of date and was written by people who had a vastly different view of how the world worked.

[Tokis-Phoenix]

It has come closest to me than any other religion/philosophy I have encountered.


Same here, although i don't always agree with everything it says, i agree with a great deal of it teaches in essence, especially since it explains a lot of the things it teaches and doesn't expect people to just believe in and follow what it says on blind faith alone.

Although buddhism may not be the solution to all of the obsticles and problems i face in life etc, it has still helped me out a great deal in my life, i would say that it has given me more of a sense of inner peace- i think things that it helped me change early on was that it helped me become less selfish as an individual (although i generally don't consider myself to be so, i think we can all be a bit selfish at times) and it helped me become more open-minded towards life/people in general and also more accepting of other people and their ways.
So i guess it has probably taught me to essentially be a more tolerant and compassionate individual, and i shall continue to try and improve on these qualities as much as i can even if i never reach perfection, i think it is a worthwhile aim to be better at these qualities etc :cool: .


Another thing that i thought was very good while i was reading the Dalai Lama's teachings was that he cares a lot about the environment and its animals and teaches to do so as well.

[Dimitree]

My religion is Christianity :)
the only one that scored "true" in my reality check :wave:
Hello to all the fellow Christians :)
God bless you and everyone else !

[yamahaR1]

I believe that there are aliens from outer space

[Chi65]

And? Would you shoot them or welcome them?

[centrajapan]

I believe in UFOs and aliens too. We should have a thread about UFOs and the Japanese government's stance on UFOs.

[Hezam]

Hello everyone ^^

I am Muslim ^^

Islam answers all my Questions ^^

I read about Christianity and Jew but I (( personally )) think that Islam is the center

between the two Religions ...

and thanks for the nice thread ^^

[Mavrek]

I have voted no.I don't know why how and whom I am gonna believe.I am a bit confused in this matter.I need help whether I should be a believer or not.Any body on this forum please help me.Thanks in advance.

[Annubis]

I have always been a spiritual person. When I was young, I had a small wooden box in which I would keep bird bones and quarts stones and herbs, or plants that smelled nice. No one had told me about witchcraft or such... it was like a hobby. I would burry it under a big rock in the corn field next to my house, and would hope that my dreams would be more interesting when I slept. I guess I had a big imagination. It all depends on your temperament and your curiosity for the things beyond the known universe. Of course it also takes action. I mean, if I had never prayed to God, would I believe in him today?

[Tsuyoiko]

I have voted no.I don't know why how and whom I am gonna believe.I am a bit confused in this matter.I need help whether I should be a believer or not.Any body on this forum please help me.Thanks in advance.I'd be interested to know whether or not you were raised in religious household. As to needing help, I think this forum is a good place to start. Read everyone's opinions, look at the evidence they present, and I'm sure some things will start to make sense. Like you, I was confused when I started posting here, and the comments I read here were one of the major factors that helped me to get ideas clear in my head. I'm not confused any more, at least not about religion :blush:

[Mycernius]

I have voted no.I don't know why how and whom I am gonna believe.I am a bit confused in this matter.I need help whether I should be a believer or not.Any body on this forum please help me.Thanks in advance.
Sounds like you are questioning the belief system you where bought up in. I take it that is Islam, seeing you live in Pakistan? If so you are brave doing so, especially in a predominantly Muslim country. Muslims, and even more, the extremists do not like people leaving the faith and I do believe the Qur'an does call for death to anyone who rejects Islam and leaves. Puts you in a difficult position.
I applaud you for this. It takes a lot of courage to reject a faith that has been pushed on you for most of your life. Remember you have never had a say on what religion you have been bought up in, it has been "forced" (it is really the wrong word, but it the only one I can really use) on you by your parents, but them same goes for them and for generations back, so leaving a religion can cause feelings of guilt, not just for rejecting the faith, but for fear that your parents would not approve.
Anyway you have taken the first step from your conditioning and you are now looking around to find something to fill that gap. Some people fall back into religion and find one that more suits to their beliefs, still unable to shake off the need for a deity. Other follow ther beliefs and though still needing a god, do not follow any form of organised religion (called deists). Other will not quite believe in gods, but cannot really decide on where they stand on the matter. To them gods might or might not exist, they are agnsotics, and it is where you are at at them moment, confused about religion, not knowing whether to turn left or right. People manage quite well as agnostics (that sounds so condesending, its not meant to be) and just do not let any religion tell them what to do.
The final group is us atheists. Hated by theists (beliveres in God or gods), fundies, we see no evidence for any deity and generally reject gods and religion of any sort. Unlike theists most atheists will not force you to not believe. We have no threats of death or eternal punishment, all we ask is that you read and learn. Fundies don't like us because a lot of atheists have quite a knowledge in various religions and have read the origins of such belief systems beyond the holy books and can shoot huge holes in their beliefs. For example the origins of Allah can be traced back to a God called Il, a Canaanite god (for all muslims, This is not a case of debate on this thread, go somewhere else to do it).
Also mythology is a good place to read as well.
As for beliefs systems and your current crisis of faith, I cannot force you. The theists will, with threats of eternal punishment after death, leaving god makes you worthless and dozens of other such statements. You must be strong in such an onslaught from these people. I can give you a few links that might help
http://www.faithfreedom.org/ a site for those wishing to leave or have had thoughts about Islam.
http://www.afterfaith.com/ an atheist site
http://www.atheistnetwork.com/ another atheist site and a fourm to which I also belong. Be warned this forum has no bad language filters and members are a little more blunt towards theists on this site.
Also if you need any other help or support you can PM me