What religion/faith were you raised as/do you practice?

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BBW Talks Toys

Kind of going off the "How often do you go to church?" poll that is rolling around here. I'm kind of curious as to what has made people walk away from the church and which religion/branch of religion it was.

I am leaving this as a private vote as I ABSOLUTELY want no one to feel uncomfortable answering the question NOR will I hesitate to flag anyone who is insulting/bullying/per secuting towards anyone's personal beliefs. This is not the point of the poll. I'm very curious about the results and I want HONESTY and no one will be honest if the think they'll be judged for their beliefs. Got it? OK!

Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):

I was raised Protestant Christian and Baptist-fundamentalist (particularly Southern Baptist... my family could fit in with those Westboro freaks)

raised Protestant Christian/Everything BUT Baptist/Fundamentalist

raised Protestant Christian Non-Denominational

raised Catholic

raised Jewish

raised Islamic

raised Agnostic

raised Atheist

raised Pagan/Wiccan/Eastern Religion

raised Other

As an adult I practice/am now/am still Protestant Christianity and am Southern Baptist/Fundamentalist/I acutally go to Westboro and you heathens are all Hell-Bound... I signed up for EF just to tell you this

I practice/am now/am still Protestant Christian and am something OTHER than Baptist/Fundamentalist

I practice/am now/am still Protestant Christian Non-Denominational

I practice/am now/am still Catholic

I practice/am now/am still Jewish

I practice/am now/am still Islamic

I practice/am now/am still Agnostic

I practice/am now/am still Atheist

I practice/am now/am still Pagan/Wiccan/Easter Religion (ex. Taoist, Buddhist, Hindu)

I'm other

Total votes: 222 (121 voters)

Poll is closed

01/17/2011

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BBW Talks Toys

I'll start. I was raised in a confusing household. My mother's family is Cuban and therefore, very very Catholic. My father's side of the family is protestant. I didn't choose a faith until I was an adult, and I'm a non-denominational Christian. Which means that I don't hold to any one denomination's beliefs of God, the Bible, or Jesus. I believe what the Bible says about God and Jesus.

01/17/2011

Jul!a

I was raise Catholic, although we didn't practice it very much. As I became an adult, I practiced even less. I believe there is a higher power, but nothing really more specific than that.

01/17/2011

Beth D

My nuclear family is more or less agnostic, with a little spirituality thrown in. My mother's sister is very Christian and she dragged my brother and I to church as children, which has always bothered me; young impressionable minds shouldn't be taken to places that try to convert people. I don't personally think it's healthy and I was about six when I went through my 'you're all gonna burn in hell' phase. I seriously said that to my parents. Not cool.

For the sake of full disclosure, I went through a brief wiccan phase. I think it's decent enough, but I felt as silly practicing it as anything else. I have yet to come across a religion that clicks for me.

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

This is already really interesting. Thanks for sharing!

01/17/2011

~LaUr3n~

I was born and raised Catholic until moving. I had gone to a Catholic school before then and when we moved, that ended. My faith also changed. We went to a Christian church instead of a specifically Catholic one. I started doubting what I was being told around 2nd grade. I have my reasons for not believing in "God" and the "Bible". This comes from believing why I think religions were created in the first place. Which is the reason that I unfortunately do not feel comfortable answering the question any further. It's hard to explain why (like you asked) I "walked away from the church" without offending anyone. However, I would love to give you my opinion if you email me or message me!

I am now agnostic by the way. I believe in a higher power whatever that may be and I don't believe that it is meant to be understood. I think it's that issue that has led to more people dieing in the name of a god than for any other reason. I see more problems with organized religion than I do holiness.

Question! What is Westboro and why are you making fun of it? I'm missing something...lol I have no clue what that is.

01/17/2011

Naughty Student

I was raised as Pentlecostal (not sure thats the right way to spell it). But now I do not practice that religion, however I do meditate/pray. I believe in god/angels/ascended masters (like buddha/jesus) but I don't follow a particular religion. I take what I like from what I hear/read/see.

01/17/2011

~LaUr3n~

Quote:

Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys

This is already really interesting. Thanks for sharing!

It took me a half hour to write what I did lol. Religion is a sticky subject. One I don't often get into.

01/17/2011

~LaUr3n~

I looked up Westboro and now have a semi-idea of what it is. WOW. Not for me. But what if someone here is that? I'm playing a bit of Devil's advocate here, but I don't think they would feel welcome.

01/17/2011

Jake'n'bake

I was raised a Christian - though I can't remember which type. I didn't like going to church, at all, because it seemed more of a glorified forced get-together to me than anything else. As soon as I could, I stopped going and toned down the religiousness to just praying at home and stuff. It feels, to me, that I can worship where-ever I please, be it home, street, car or church.

Since then I've kind of formed my own beliefs about things, taking from Wicca and Buddhism and some other things.

01/17/2011

ToyTimeTim

Raised Baptist, still go to a Baptist church. I just have a more open mind when it come to religion. I believe in god and talk to him all the time, but I still enjoy all that life has to offer.

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

Quote:

Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~

I looked up Westboro and now have a semi-idea of what it is. WOW. Not for me. But what if someone here is that? I'm playing a bit of Devil's advocate here, but I don't think they would feel welcome.

It's funny, because I thought of that after I posted the whole "DON'T MAKE FUN OF ANYBODY" statement in my original post, but honestly, IF someone were from that church I HIGHLY doubt that they would admit it (other than to tell us we're going to Hell for liking sex/sex toys/porn/erotica/what ever) because they'd be excommunicated from their church. But I see what you're saying...

Yes. Religion IS a sticky subject that most people tend to stay away from. And I am curious about why people walk away from the church sometimes, but often times, it's fairly obvious. It also usually manifests in the "I started to question and no one could/would answer my questions and made me feel stupid for having any." Or there was just too much judgment there to feel comfortable.

I certainly don't expect people to tell me why they left necessarily. Especially in such a public forum because faith is a very, very personal thing. Thanks for telling as much of your story as you were comfortable with. While I am a practicing Christian, I'm quite understanding of those who've walked away from the traditional church/God because I've been there before. I have no judgment in that area.

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

Quote:

Originally posted by ToyTimeTim

Raised Baptist, still go to a Baptist church. I just have a more open mind when it come to religion. I believe in god and talk to him all the time, but I still enjoy all that life has to offer.

I hope I didn't offend your being Baptist (though there is a difference between Baptist and Southern Baptist/Fundamentalist ). You're way cooler than most Baptists I've met!

01/17/2011

Coralbell

I was raised Christian but never really believed in what I was taught. I don't want to get into details, but religion has been a major problem in my life in the last few years, and has basically divided my family which has caused me to become very against it.

01/17/2011

Eliza

I panicked when I saw this and though I copied your poll, but you created yours after mine. :] Thanks for crediting.

Also, I was raised Catholic but am currently not practicing anything due to issues with being in a same sex relationship.

01/17/2011

BadassFatass

I was raised Catholic and had some very negative experiences with the Church. Currently I don't practice anything but have no problem with those that do as long as they don't force their beliefs on me.

01/17/2011

~LaUr3n~

Quote:

Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys

True, being on this site would be going against what I read lol. I think there are a lot of people who are a part of a religion but don't believe in all parts of it though. For example the Bible says it is a sin to have a tattoo. I don't think a lot of people take it all word for word.

This isn't the reason I walked away, but actually my questions were answered when I was questioning things. The Father at my church told me, at my confirmation, that the Bible was not meant to be fact, but instead a guideline for how Christians should live. I had asked him if it were fact because I felt disrespectful to others if I got confirmed and not believed it as such. I ended up getting confirmed and left the church completely shortly thereafter.

You are more than welcome! I totally believe that you would respect my opinion/views especially since you are the person opening this discussion . That's why I offered a private discussion to ya. Not everyone is so open minded though. I am totally open to hearing other people's religions etc. What I don't like is when people push them on me (Amen George Carlin).

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

Quote:

Originally posted by Eliza

A good forum-partner should always credit their inspiration! Thanks for asking a tough question too!

I think it's a damn shame when churches outcast their gay and lesbian (and all that encompasses) community. It's absolutely not Biblical to turn anyone away. ANY. ONE.

01/17/2011

~LaUr3n~

Quote:

Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys

But it is. It's in the Bible to do so unfortunately.
Leviticus 18:6 I believe.

01/17/2011

Envy

Raised Lutheran (though my family isn't strict on it) and now practice Wicca. It just felt more natural to me, rather than having to worship a male and the fact women don't get credited for anything, and the fact of sin coming about by women. I just don't agree with all that. Not to say it's wrong or anything, it just doesn't float my boat.

01/17/2011

ToyTimeTim

Quote:

Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys

I hope I didn't offend your being Baptist (though there is a difference between Baptist and Southern Baptist/Fundamentalist ). You're way cooler than most Baptists I've met!

Nah, I am a western Baptist. I look at things a bit differently because of it. My house is protected by God and Benelli. Most of the time Benelli speaks first and God takes care of the rest, ya know?

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

Quote:

Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~

But it is. It's in the Bible to do so unfortunately.
Leviticus 18:6 I believe.

Oh, but the sin of Sodom was raping men, and it was about pride and turning away from God.

01/17/2011

Jobthingy

I was baptized catholic. come from a french catholic family. My parents were not big on going to church though. i would go with my grandparents. I still am catholic but not practising.

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

Okay, okay... I see this can go in a direction that I'm not intending this to go, so I'm just going to say this here and now as something I hold firm to in my faith.

First of all, let me say that I do not care what faith you are or who you sleep with... That being said....

It is not my place to judge anyone for their lifestyle. Personally, I firmly believe that it is God's, and ONLY God's job to judge an individual and that ANY person who is not God decides to judge an individual for their "sins" is going to suffer greater judgment from God for trying to act like God. (a.k.a. moral pride)

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

And thank you everyone for coming on here and talking about this personal and messy subject!! I'm enjoying hearing everyone's stories and experiences.

01/17/2011

kawigrl

non religious family- wasn't raised in any religion they were to lazy (and poor) to bother going to church, I think I'm more spiritual as an adult

01/17/2011

~LaUr3n~

Quote:

Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys

Oh, but the sin of Sodom was raping men, and it was about pride and turning away from God.

I saw your second post after I wrote this, so I'll send it to your inbox instead! It would be getting off your original topic.

01/17/2011

BBW Talks Toys

Quote:

Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~

I saw your second post after I wrote this, so I'll send it to your inbox instead! It would be getting off your original topic.

I'm having so much fun talking with you in the messages, by the way.

01/17/2011

~LaUr3n~

Quote:

Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys

I'm having so much fun talking with you in the messages, by the way.

I bet, I'll learn a thing or two Thanks! Me too!

01/17/2011

UnknownGirl

Raised Catholic, don't practice.

01/17/2011

Total posts: 102 Unique posters: 74

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