I really don't know if a label is good for me. But my faith seems to reside mostly on the Pagan/Wiccan side. I do believe that all these other deities exist, but I don't necessarily subscribe to the core beliefs of them.

I kind of... pick and choose, I suppose. less

I was raised a Roman Catholic and attended parochial school from 1st through 8th grades. I hated every second of it. They were all the least Christian people I ever met, especially the nuns who were especially hateful! Let's just say any inclination I had towards religion was decimated and I am currently agnostic and have been since before I knew what the word meant. I respect the core beliefs of many religions, just not so much the religious organizations that have sprung up around them, for example the Catholic Church, or a more extreme example, the Taliban. less

I am a Christian. I cannot tell you how upset some people who claim to be Christians make me. For those who just think of Christians as closed minded, judgmental, unloving individuals - please know that those are fake Christians. What the core beliefs are love, forgiveness, that everyone is a sinner, all sins are equal, if you believe your sins are forgiven. Even if you aren't a Christian you have probably heard "Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone." Apparently this was left out of those "thumpers" Bibles. less

Although I voted sometime ago, I have abstained from posting due to fear of causing controversy.

As a young teen I closely identified with LaVeyan Satanism. Over the years and due to events that I will not discuss here I have switched to a more theistic belief and practice system.

I have no issue with any religious belief or lack there of. I actually enjoy religious conversation with both believers and non believers. I try to be as open minded as possible when it comes to encountering belief systems that are different than my own deeply held ones. I never ridicule or think any less (or more for that matter)of others or their religious convictions(or lack there of).

One does not have to accept beliefs that are different than their own, but one can respect their choice of faith. Too often people jump to conclusions, judge or out right hate another because of religion. We allow ourselves to be offended or whip ourselves into a frenzy of fear because we either don't understand, or fear that our particular religion is being attacked. Rational thought leaves us as that fear breeds anger and hatred. And no other topic is as sensitive as religion.

Far too often I have heard from Christians that they are being persecuted and misunderstood. Yet they don't seem to see that the road of persecution is two-ways. I am sure many who are not Christian can identify with what I am saying. Have you ever had a person physically get in your face and tell you that your beliefs are wrong? Have you ever been physically assaulted because of your beliefs? Have you ever been refused service, asked to leave a public place, or treated rudely because of your religion? Have you ever had to tuck a symbol of your faith inside your shirt because school officials/ a boss etc stated that it offended the class/co-workers to see it? Have you ever had a person rip said necklace off your neck(or any other symbol of religion for that matter) while screaming at you? Have you ever had a person try to force their religious belief upon you against your will examples being: Trying to get you to pray with them, force you to church service, harass you with religious literature, spread rumors that could have real consequences for you life or family?

Persecution exists on many levels. I hear too often that we need to a be a more Christian Nation, that laws should be passed in regards to religion. I would greatly fear a country that passes laws that favors one religion over another for fear of persecution coming from the legal system. When religion and politics co-mingle closely people have had their freedom and even their lives taken. Laws based upon basic morality and up holding human rights are fine but not ones that legislate a particular religion over another are bad.

Like I said it is about respect. Respect each other and our differences. I think the world would be a better place if we could just all do that. less

Well said, SaucyxGirl! And one of the great things about USA is that we were founded on the separation of church and state and for the very reasons you mention. Our founding fathers were well aware that many people fled to this land to avoid religious persecution and their desire to live according to their own faith.

Personally, I am leery of people who feel their actions are sanctioned by their religion and therefore feel God is on their side, despite whatever heinous agenda they have planned. Someone who fears no repercussions and is positive they are mandated by their God to do whatever they want is a scary person indeed! less

Exactly.

I also am leery that use religion to justify their actions. Far to easy for a person to make the leap from religious fanatic to extremist. It also angers me because a lot of the time they have taken passages from their religious texts and completely perverted it from its original meaning or just flat out ignore the ones that command them to not judge, love all and seek peace.

Another thing that gets me is the not wanting to be exposed to ideas that are different. Is a persons faith that fragile that coming into contact with something that counters it going to cause that faith to be shattered? I think not. I belief that frame of mind is more rooted in a mindset that says "My beliefs are right. And therefore everyone has to believe what I believe. And anything contrary to my beliefs should be banned."

Different religions can easy co-exist in peace. The key is respect. Respect that which is different than you. less

I was raised a Roman Catholic and attended parochial school from 1st through 8th grades. I hated every second of it. They were all the least Christian people I ever met, especially the nuns who were especially hateful! Let's just say any inclination I had towards religion was decimated and I am currently agnostic and have been since before I knew what the word meant. I respect the core beliefs of many religions, just not so much the religious organizations that have sprung up around them, for example the Catholic Church, or a more extreme example, the Taliban. less

No one said or implied that Christians are bad/evil/etc. Though I will freely admit that I do not agree with a large number of the Christian beliefs even though growing up I went to several Christian churches. The one I have the biggest issue with is "original sin". A baby cannot be a sinner; they do not know or understand the concept of sin, and they have done nothing wrong. less

Although I voted sometime ago, I have abstained from posting due to fear of causing controversy.

As a young teen I closely identified with LaVeyan Satanism. Over the years and due to events that I will not discuss here I have switched to a more theistic belief and practice system.

I have no issue with any religious belief or lack there of. I actually enjoy religious conversation with both believers and non believers. I try to be as open minded as possible when it comes to encountering belief systems that are different than my own deeply held ones. I never ridicule or think any less (or more for that matter)of others or their religious convictions(or lack there of).

One does not have to accept beliefs that are different than their own, but one can respect their choice of faith. Too often people jump to conclusions, judge or out right hate another because of religion. We allow ourselves to be offended or whip ourselves into a frenzy of fear because we either don't understand, or fear that our particular religion is being attacked. Rational thought leaves us as that fear breeds anger and hatred. And no other topic is as sensitive as religion.

Far too often I have heard from Christians that they are being persecuted and misunderstood. Yet they don't seem to see that the road of persecution is two-ways. I am sure many who are not Christian can identify with what I am saying. Have you ever had a person physically get in your face and tell you that your beliefs are wrong? Have you ever been physically assaulted because of your beliefs? Have you ever been refused service, asked to leave a public place, or treated rudely because of your religion? Have you ever had to tuck a symbol of your faith inside your shirt because school officials/ a boss etc stated that it offended the class/co-workers to see it? Have you ever had a person rip said necklace off your neck(or any other symbol of religion for that matter) while screaming at you? Have you ever had a person try to force their religious belief upon you against your will examples being: Trying to get you to pray with them, force you to church service, harass you with religious literature, spread rumors that could have real consequences for you life or family?

Persecution exists on many levels. I hear too often that we need to a be a more Christian Nation, that laws should be passed in regards to religion. I would greatly fear a country that passes laws that favors one religion over another for fear of persecution coming from the legal system. When religion and politics co-mingle closely people have had their freedom and even their lives taken. Laws based upon basic morality and up holding human rights are fine but not ones that legislate a particular religion over another are bad.

Like I said it is about respect. Respect each other and our differences. I think the world would be a better place if we could just all do that. less

Well said, SaucyxGirl! And one of the great things about USA is that we were founded on the separation of church and state and for the very reasons you mention. Our founding fathers were well aware that many people fled to this land to avoid religious persecution and their desire to live according to their own faith.

Personally, I am leery of people who feel their actions are sanctioned by their religion and therefore feel God is on their side, despite whatever heinous agenda they have planned. Someone who fears no repercussions and is positive they are mandated by their God to do whatever they want is a scary person indeed! less

Exactly.

I also am leery that use religion to justify their actions. Far to easy for a person to make the leap from religious fanatic to extremist. It also angers me because a lot of the time they have taken passages from their religious texts and completely perverted it from its original meaning or just flat out ignore the ones that command them to not judge, love all and seek peace.

Another thing that gets me is the not wanting to be exposed to ideas that are different. Is a persons faith that fragile that coming into contact with something that counters it going to cause that faith to be shattered? I think not. I belief that frame of mind is more rooted in a mindset that says "My beliefs are right. And therefore everyone has to believe what I believe. And anything contrary to my beliefs should be banned."

Different religions can easy co-exist in peace. The key is respect. Respect that which is different than you. less