What religion do you follow, and what drew you to believe that particular faith?

1. 60

   noxadariposted 12 years ago

   What religion do you follow, and what drew you to believe that particular faith?

   replyreport
2. 72

   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   Well, Mr. Average Strange Person, my answer is not so average.
   
   I grew up in West Texas in a Southern Baptist household (sort of). My maternal grandfather was a Southern Baptist minister and former missionary to Nigeria, Africa. But my father studied Eastern philosophy, reading out loud to my mother about reincarnation, Hindu and Buddhist miracles and karma.
   
   At an early age, I rejected my grandfather's church. My father moved us to Washington, D.C. so he could study Scientology. That was 1962. Later, when I got involved in Scientology, I experienced some of my most spiritual events -- out-of-body with full visual perception (pretty cool, that), and numerous miracles -- one resulted in opening wide bumper-to-bumper, rush-hour traffic on Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles for a distance of two miles! Talk about Wow! I then studied Buddhism and later even married a cute, Thai lady (but that didn't work out). But I gained great insight, even coming to understand Christianity because of Buddhist "paramita." Then I studied Judaism, the Kabbalah, Taoism and finally returned to Christianity.
   
   I then discovered many things in Genesis which had remained hidden for thousands of years. And that was pretty cool in its own right. What kinds of things?
   
   Finally understanding the outrageous longevity of the early patriarchs, and discovering a timeline in Genesis compatible with those of science. Finding the Kabbalah's "Tree of Life" embedded in two chapters of Genesis, and many scholars think the Kabbalists (Jewish mystics) started in the Middle Ages. Big surprise, there. I also found my "mechanics of creation" (which I had discovered 30 years earlier) embedded in Genesis. And perhaps the coolest was the discovery of the real culprit behind Noah's Flood. I discovered who the "daughters of men" were. And the real reason behind the Flood still gives me goosebumps.
   
   I also discovered reincarnation and karma in the Bible and now understand why they are part of God's plan.
   
   So, I am now a member of a denomination of one. Yep, only one member. And I wouldn't have it any other way, because we are each responsible for our own salvation. I understand now why we need to pass through Christ to get there, but only I can find the narrow path to him. Only I can decide to do it.

   replyreport
3. 75

   Hunbbel Meerposted 12 years ago

   I am a Muslim, and I'm proud of it. It is so thorough and complete. It gives you guidance about EVERYTHING literally. You can find anything and seek guidance and assistance about anything. You think of everything and you can get it in Islam.
   
   I would like to mention one more thing that Islam, as been presented today, is not the actual one. People often perceive it as of a bad thing. Being a Muslim is not cruel or bad, there are people involved in it (which are involved in every religion, ethnicity and/or country) A dirty fish contaminates the whole pond.
   
   I know what the real Islam is and I am really proud of it, because it is one of the most peace loving religion.

   replyreport
4. 61

   SheliaKayposted 12 years ago

   I was raised in a southern baptist family myself. Even as a child I just did not "get it". I have spent my whole life around people of the "Christan" faith. of all denominations. I had tried different churches, and belief's to find a place where I belonged. I did not like what I seen in the Christan churches, how closed minded these people were, how they would pass judgement on other faith's. but I  kept calling myself a "Christian" because I was told all my life only Christians were "good people". I no longer call myself a Christian. I no longer believe in any organized religion. I am a "spiritualist" I don't need a book or a building or a so called "person of God" to tell me how to live a good life. I treat others with respect regardless of their faith or lack thereof. Religions have been the cause of wars throughout our history. The bible is full of violence, hate, and sex. The bible is a book that has been interpreted in so many different ways throughout the years, I believe if religion did not exist the world would be a much better place.

   replyreport
5. 60

   noxadariposted 12 years ago

   Personally I am a pagan.  I was raised southern baptist, but like quite a few people it just didn't sit right with me, so over the course of my life I have learned about many religions, including buddhism, islam, taoism, scientology (which scared me quite a bit), etc.  No one religion I read about really fit me completely, so I created my own faith by taking parts of different faiths that made sense and seemed to ring true to me, and mashing it all together.  There is no real name for it since I am the only follower, the reason I call myself a pagan is because of the literal definition, "A person that is not a christian, muslim, or jew".

   replyreport
6. 83

   arksysposted 12 years ago

   Born and raised a muslim.
   
   I think until the age of about 16-17 i only knew about Allah in our faith then i learnt about the prophets and their significance. I wanted to understand my religion better so got a book called ettiquettes of life in islam by yusuf islahi, which showed me a path, full of peace, harmony and brotherhood. I loved it.
   
   I have stopped listening to most of the islamic priests or leaders because they are the ones who are steering the people in the wrong direction. too much knowledge of the Quran and no knowledge of the world is useless in my eyes and the eyes of Islam. We are supposed to keep a healthy balance between religion and the world, but they do not set a decent enough example and they just don't practice what they preach at times, which makes you want to dis-associate yourself from them.
   
   If everyone in the islamic community would be following the real teachings of the book, the world would be a much better place to live in.
   
   I always question my faith and try to understand it better everyday. I still firmly believe that Islam is definitely the faith for me.

   replyreport