Religious Affiliation?

[Quiet Tempest]

Are you religious? What "religion" do you follow?

I started this thread and poll to suit my curiosity. This is also a way of finding other members with like beliefs/values. Please, let's not bash or ridicule one another here. Also, please refrain from proselytizing. Everyone is entitled to their own belief.

[pftsobfreak]

I'm Catholic, but not as strict as the rest of my family.

[LOST_arbiter]

I'm a Christain and proud of it! :D

[Nini]

Christian here! :waves:

[blackfire]

I'm a Christian!

[the filthy scene]

religion confuses the crap out of me. at times i think 'this is the most ridiuclous things i've ever heard' and at others i really feel like there might be something there, i just have no idea what.

seeing as i am completely confused, i went with Agnostic

[Meli]

Atheist. According to my family, I'm supposedly Christian, but due to my personal beliefs about religion in general & God, I don't think I have the right to call myself one really. :S No matter what my mom says, lol XD

[Razor]

Other? I don't even give it enough consideration to have a position on it. It's like asking which obscure foreign language I would least like to learn ... Lakota, Biao Min, Mocovi, or Dadibi.

[LostSurvivors]

I'm muslim but i don't see myself having a religion though... I believe god and i pray him, i remember him, i think thats fair enough!

[sawyer'sgirl]

Catholic...and PROUD of it!!!

[Pink Pinker]

Catholic, but don't agree with alot of the things the Church says.

[enelya]

Catholic, because I was raised so...

[tetaelzbieta]

I chose Buddhism, because since leaving my extremely strict Lutheran church four years ago, I've been studying it and I think it's the one that best suits what I'm looking for in a religion. Even though technically it's not a religion.

[ShadedSkies]

I didn't vote cause my beliefs are harder to explain than just this or that..i was baptized catholic but i don't really believe in God..but i'm not really atheist either cause i do have hope that God exists.
If i was to be of one religion today, i'd like to know more about buddhism.
But when i see what religion leads men to do, i sometimes wonder if it's worth being a religious person..

[*Anne*]

I'm Catholic, there is not many people in denmark there is Catholic, but I think it's a beatiful religion. My dad is Catholic and thats why I'm Catholic, but I believe in God... And it's good to know that there is allways someone looking out for me. :)

[Adelheid]

Other - NONE! WEEEEE! Lol.

[LAURA4LAD]

the only jew here huh. Should i make a run for it?

[icyfirebubbles]

I'm a Catholic, but I definietly don't believe in some of the things that it believes in. I'm not strict in it at all, but my mom and dad are catholic, and they raised me Catholic, so.. technically I am one, but I don't really take it seriously... If that makes any sense.... :confused:

I don't know, but I voted Catholic.

[olaczek]

Atheist, like my father and my brother

[cemipi]

i'm Christian (non-denominational, but ive always gone to baptist churches), i was raised that way and dont plan on changing. ive gone to church my whole life, i was baptized 10 years ago. lately i havent been going to church every sunday like i should, but i went today :D

[ClairePaceluv]

i voted other...becuase i'm from the church of jesus christ of latter day saints....or the other name people call us is mormons....and proud i'm proud of it..

[LarryDavid4Prez]

I chose "Other" since you didn't have Hinduism on your poll.

the only jew here huh. Should i make a run for it? Looks like we're both lone rangers in our respective religions...we should start a Jew/Hindu club...we could be Jindus! Or Hews... ;)

[Lost Mirage]

Jindus!! ROFL! :D


Hehe, when I first looked at the poll and saw "Other" all I could think of is worshiping the Bearded Hobo..... :D

[Whit]

Christian here :)

[taelia]

Agnostic here...

[LovelyLight]

Unitarian Universalist- the only one so far!

[mariposita_linda]

im catholic

[OddShadowyEgg]

I am a C, I am a C-H, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, 'cause I have C-H-R-I-S-T in my H-E-A-R-T, and I am L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y.

Sorry, had to relive the wonderful songs of my early Bible School years. But yes, I am a Christian, and I love it!

[Eternally]

I am a proud Catholic :D

[Sway]

Other..... NONE :) And proud :D

Hard to explain.. I'd put Atheist, but that would still catagorize me in a division of "religion" (for the 'disbelief' in, that is) I'd call myself Atheist only because its the closest thing to not believing in anything (in terms of religions), "but I have a pretty good idea" ;)

[Stace]

I voted Catholic. But... I'm not sure.

Wellll I was baptised Ukranian Catholic, and went to a Ukranian Catholic Catekism(I know that's spelled wrong) for a few years. Nowadays on holidays we go to a christian church. In other words, my mom is Christian, my dad Catholic, and I am just confused. :D

[JaterLove]

I'm a Mormon and I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I'm proud of it!!

[toasteraffair]

I am atheist. I still go to a Methodist church but that is mostly because my parents make me go. My mother doesnt seem to want to accept the fact that I do not believe in any sort of higher power. I was raised a Christian (we went to an Episcopalin (sorry spelling nazis, I know I butchered that one) church then switched to a Methodist church) but I was always skeptical and was never a very strong believer. Finally, a few years ago, when I really thought about it, I realized that I just couldnt believe in any sort of God or higher power. I'm the type of person who needs proof and cannot act on faith alone. Maybe if I got some sort of proof of a God I would start believing but for now I am an atheist and that suits me just fine.

[cemipi]

I am a C, I am a C-H, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, 'cause I have C-H-R-I-S-T in my H-E-A-R-T, and I am L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y.

Sorry, had to relive the wonderful songs of my early Bible School years. But yes, I am a Christian, and I love it!haha, i remember that song! yeah, i did the whole bible school thing when i was younger, too :D

[Wraith]

Other - NONE

[LAURA4LAD]

I chose "Other" since you didn't have Hinduism on your poll.

Looks like we're both lone rangers in our respective religions...we should start a Jew/Hindu club...we could be Jindus! Or Hews... ;)

LMFAO!!! Check the sig before you wreck yourself you Hew!

[_Fox_]

Hey nice thread, no religous arguments breaking out:D
I am an Agnostic

[Cin]

I voted catholic because I was raised that way, but I don't see myself as a catholic. I do believe in something, which I call God, just not God the way catholics see Him.

[Loc.]

Christianity cause I was raised so.
If I would grow up in Iraq I would probably be an islam so who cares?

[Quiet Tempest]

I wanted to put more options in the poll, but 10 is max.. sorry :p

I, myself, was raised Christian (Southern Baptist), but I've been an atheist for the past 14+ years. It's a little awkward at family gatherings since my grandfather, father and most of my uncles are all pastors.

[~Paula~]

:) I'm a Christian, i was born into a Catholic family (as most of the LatinAmerican families) but it never worked for me... and last year i finally found Jesus..so i go to a Christian church and i loooove it! *dances* i'm a happy happy Christian!!!

[^Katilyn^]

I picked other: my religion is Jaterism.

[ExodusRocked]

I am a C, I am a C-H, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, 'cause I have C-H-R-I-S-T in my H-E-A-R-T, and I am L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y.

Sorry, had to relive the wonderful songs of my early Bible School years. But yes, I am a Christian, and I love it!

:thud:
oh my gosh! the memories!! haha, good song. we usually sing that on the church bus when we are going places, good times!

if you couldn't tell already, i'm a christian also

it's so cool to see how many people have the same religion as me!

[Yakkul7]

I'm a proud Catholic, went to Catholic grade school and high school, and also stand with the Church and it's stances.

[Liia]

I'm Agnostic, but my family will claim that I'm Jewish.

[J-Abrams]

Other - LOST

[Niniel]

I used to be a christian when I was a kid, but not anymore. I don't really belong to any religion, but I would say that pagan is closest to my beliefs.

[nsmith12916]

Diehard Christian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An Very Proud Of It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[selena]

I'm a Christian

[Lostsbiggestfan]

I'm a Catholic And proud!!!

[Nikiwi]

Well, I was born and raised Christian. I wouldn't call it a religion(unless you go by the dictionary definition), but more of a faith. I went to Grace Church ever since I came home from the hospital, so I've just grown up that way. But two years ago, I recommitted myself to Christ - when I was old enough to understand what the heck my faith is all about. Now...I'm tryin'! It's hard keeping to my beliefs, but I'm doing a...fairly good job. lol

[DeathFromAbove]

I am an athiest, but when I was younger I was taught catholic beliefs. When I was old enough to think for myself, I started to believe alot more in science and facts, rather than some story someone wrote hundreds of years ago. As soon as I made my confirmation (which I was forced to do), I never went to church again.

[Taru]

Christian here!

[sawyer'sgirl]

I'm a proud Catholic, went to Catholic grade school and high school, and also stand with the Church and it's stances.

thank you!! a Catholic who stands with its stances! i'm sorry i'm just tired of ppl saying they are catholic and not agreeing with stuff. :( but what can you do... *lets out a big deep sigh*

[Quiet Tempest]

:) Glad to see such a diverse and eclectic group as we are getting along so well here.

[InnerUniverse]

Buddhist. I used to be Catholic but changed religion about a year ago since Catholicism is not me, Im almost everything that Catholicism opposess. However I sometimes stand up for the Catholic chuch like the Virgin Mary issue, the role of the bible, and the way they perform mass.

[breakmyfall]

i took a "world religions" course in hs. and they said buddhists get pissed at u if u say they are apart of a religion, becuase they believe its a "state of mind"

[InnerUniverse]

I won't be pissed lol. But yes, it is a state of mind; sorry if I used the word religion wrongly but just coming from Catholicism (with about 18 years of conditioning) I still consider Buddhism to be a religion.

[breakmyfall]

i was just wondering. Buddhism is pretty cool. but catholicism is just for me.

[Quiet Tempest]

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity" Albert Einstein

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, being exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. It was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In 535 BCE, he attained enlightenment and assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened)

As Buddhism expanded across Asia, it evolved into two main forms, which evolved largely independently from each other:

Theravada Buddhism (sometimes called Southern Buddhism; occasionally spelled Therevada) "has been the dominant school of Buddhism in most of Southeast Asia since the thirteenth century, with the establishment of the monarchies in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos."

Mahayana Buddhism (sometimes called Northern Buddhism) is largely found in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia.

To which might be added:

Tibetan Buddhism, which developed in isolation from Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism because of the remoteness of Tibet.

Since the late 19th century:

Modern Buddhism has emerged as a truly international movement. It started as an attempt to produce a single form of Buddhism, without local accretions, that all Buddhists could embrace.
(information gathered from http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism.htm )

[ShadedSkies]

I've read most of the answers and smthg attracted my attention..most Catholics and Christians say "christian and proud of it"..i've always thought it was silly to be proud to be of one religion or to be from one country or origin..you can be proud of smthg you accomplished, not smthg you've been taught all your life, not smthg assumed since your birth..
What does it mean "to be proud of being catholic or christian?" i really wonder what you mean, because obviously, you guys are the only one to be literally PROUD of being of one religion.

[Melantha]

Well, for me I was baptized as a catholic, but I'm atheist!

[Foxy]

Well, for me I was baptized as a catholic, but I'm atheist!

And I was baptized as an Greek-Orthodox, since my fathers from Greece. But I just grow up with that for 7 years and I see myself as an atheist, although I use to believe in something like mysteries... sometimes..

[Melantha]

Me too, Foxy, altough I'm atheist, I respect religions and their beliefs; besides, I'm a big fan of greek myths and other religious or mysterious stories!

[lost_momma]

Raised Catholic, attend a United Methodist Church, may be switching to a non-denominational soon. Not sure - gonna check it out. But I'm definitely Christian, i.e. a follower of Jesus Christ.

I found it interesting that the poll differentiated between Catholics and Christians. Catholics are Christians, and some Christians are bogus. (Sounds like an IQ test question. If All A is B, and some B is bogus, then some A is bogus! hahaha)

[Nikiwi]

lol Well, LostAddict, there are some Catholics/Christians who are actually ashamed of their religious backgrounds and try to hide it. I think when we say "Proud of it" it means that they're proud to follow Christ and they're not going to hide in the shadows. Cause Christians in China(well, all over the world, but that's just an example) are being martyred for their faiths, and some of us choose to keep quiet.

[Quiet Tempest]

I've read most of the answers and smthg attracted my attention..most Catholics and Christians say "christian and proud of it"..i've always thought it was silly to be proud to be of one religion or to be from one country or origin..you can be proud of smthg you accomplished, not smthg you've been taught all your life, not smthg assumed since your birth..
What does it mean "to be proud of being catholic or christian?" i really wonder what you mean, because obviously, you guys are the only one to be literally PROUD of being of one religion.

As for the "proud of ..." question... I don't claim pride in any one particular nation, race, creed, sex, etc.. I didn't do anything out of my way to gain status as a female American Atheist of Caucasian decent.. It's just who I am. I'm proud of things I've done in my life. For example, I'm proud of my daughter (she's about to start walking any day now). I'm proud of the home that my boyfriend and I have worked hard to put in place for our family, too.


I found it interesting that the poll differentiated between Catholics and Christians. Catholics are Christians, and some Christians are bogus. (Sounds like an IQ test question. If All A is B, and some B is bogus, then some A is bogus! hahaha)

Protestant Christianity is an offshoot of Catholicism. Catholics and [Protestant] Christians tend to clash, though, and don't affiliate themselves with the other.

lol Well, LostAddict, there are some Catholics/Christians who are actually ashamed of their religious backgrounds and try to hide it. I think when we say "Proud of it" it means that they're proud to follow Christ and they're not going to hide in the shadows. Cause Christians in China(well, all over the world, but that's just an example) are being martyred for their faiths, and some of us choose to keep quiet.

I don't know of any Christians that try to hide their religious backgrounds. Quite on the contrary, they flaunt it openly. They put Jesus fish <>< on their cars, wear WWJD apparel, wear jewelry depicting crucifixes, carry a Bible on there person everywhere they go (just in case someone needs witnessing, I guess?), they have their own Christian Broadcasting Networks, etc, etc..

Also, I know of no modern Christian martyrs.

The traditional pattern of church and state relationship in China is the supremacy of the state over religion. There is no Separation of Church and State as it is understood here in the US. The constitution of China declares that citizens of China shall enjoy freedom of religious belief. This is defined "free to believe and free not to believe; free to believe in this religion or that religion; and within a religion one is free to choose his sectarian differences; and free to move from unbelief to beliefs and vice-versa." The church must operate under the religious policies of the Chinese Communist Party and under the legal ordinances of the state. Within the framework of religious policy, the Three-self Patriotic Movement is one of the "patriotic organizations" set up by the State in 1951 to assist the government to implement its religious policy. The TSPM reports to the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) which approves registration, pastoral personnel appointments, leadership training, and financial oversight. If a House Church does not register with the RAB nor join the TSPM, its activities are considered illegal, and therefore subject to closure and its leadership subject to arrest.

Most Chinese Christians do not wish to register with the government because the government restricts their ability to evangelize outside of the church. Moreso, Christians believe that Christ, not the State, has supremacy. As a result, they find themselves under arrest or being fined. The biggest religions in China are Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, China's indigenous Taoism, along with Shamanism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity and the Maxi people's Dongba religion.

There are other countries, too, that enforce laws that most Christians believe are "threatening" them and their values.

For example, France has ammended their French Code of Education banning students from wearing conspicuous religious symbols in French public primary and secondary schools. The law expands principles founded in existing French law, especially the constitutional requirement of laïcité: the separation of state and religious activities. This amendment prohibits conspicuous religious symbols and clothing being worn by students in public primary and secondary schools. The amendment further supports the French constitutional provision of freedom of opinion, including religious opinion.

Since 1905, France has had a law requiring separation of church and state, prohibiting the state from recognizing or funding any religion. Schools in France which receive all their funding from public sources must not, by law, promote any religion; they should remain equally accessible to children of any, or no, faith. For example, even though a majority of the population nominally professes Catholicism (although far fewer regularly practise Catholicism), state-funded French schools have no communal prayers, religious assemblies, or Christian crosses on the walls.

Prohibited items would include headscarves for Muslim girls, yarmulkes for Jewish boys, turbans for Sikh boys and large Christian crosses. The Commission recommended allowing the wearing of discreet symbols of faith such as small crosses, Stars of David or Fatima's hands.

[fer_reple]

Catholicism, i'm from the biggest catholic country in the world

[-Laura-]

I'm an Atheist. I just can't believe in something I've never seen. (Say it with me. Cynic!) But the rest of my family are Christians, and my sister was a really devout Christian until she died.

My little sister is quite firm in her Christian beliefs, so it's fun challeging her beliefs at the dinner table (please don't be offended about that anyone who is Christian. Don't want to step on any toes lol!).

[Reverie]

Atheist here :)

[rhamsis]

I'm christian, the rest of my family, all catholic.

[purplepenguin91]

I dont know if this has been mentioned before, but Catholicism is a form of Christianity. It is like a christianity is a city and Catholicism is a specific neighborhood in that city, and like Methodist is another, and Baptist is another etc.., lol sorry for my stupid analogy, but that is how I thought of it when I as younger...

[Quiet Tempest]

I'm an Atheist. I just can't believe in something I've never seen. (Say it with me. Cynic!) But the rest of my family are Christians, and my sister was a really devout Christian until she died.

My little sister is quite firm in her Christian beliefs, so it's fun challeging her beliefs at the dinner table (please don't be offended about that anyone who is Christian. Don't want to step on any toes lol!).

I challenge my brother's beliefs (both religious and political) all the time. I love to argue, I guess. ;) hehehe

[I-am-Lost]

I'm Christian...Russian Orthodox to be more specific...my parents aren't really religious people(having grown up in a communist country that basically banned religion it's sorta hard to change beliefs at their age), but I consider myself spiritual(not necessarily religious)...I strongly believe in God and in the power of prayer, but I don't go to church much...I plan on starting to go to church every Sunday though...just feel like it's something that I have to do for myself:)

[Reema]

My family is Christian, but I*m personally Muslim. Most people are only a religion because their families practice the same one as well... at least that*s the way it is with most of my friends. If I ask them about their religion, they know nothing about it, yet claim to be die-hard. I think it*s important for people to actually research stuff and see what suits them. I*m very open minded... I know a lot of things about Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. I just found that Islam was the one for me, even though I*m far from perfect in practicing it. I admire how we*re all different... usually you can*t speak about what you are without being criticized.

[purplepenguin91]

Ya, I am a Catholic Christian, but I do alot of my religious stuff without my family. Like praying and stuff. I know alot about my religion, but I would love to know alot more! (I am trying to start a Bible study with my friend). But I LOVE learning about different religions and cultures and history in general. It is so amazing, to me lol, I probably seem really dorky right now but thats ok :)

[Reverie]

I dont know if this has been mentioned before, but Catholicism is a form of Christianity. It is like a christianity is a city and Catholicism is a specific neighborhood in that city, and like Methodist is another, and Baptist is another etc.., lol sorry for my stupid analogy, but that is how I thought of it when I as younger...

You're right, but many American Christians don't think that Catholics are Christians. There are even tracts distributed by evangelicals that say Catholics are hellbound because they're not real Christians. Funny, isn't it?

Protestant Christians are an odd bunch. I grew up with them (Southern Baptist family) so I know it for a fact. There are so many denominations of the SAME religion, and yet these denominations argue that the other(s) are wrong and only their particular interpretation is right. Thus, only they will get into the pearly gates of Heaven.

I was curious as to what each denomination or sect believes. What makes them differ from the others?

Here are a few denominations, along with their "birth"dates:
Greek Orthodox (1054)
Lutheran (1517)
Reformed (1520)
Anabaptists (1525)
Anglican (1534)
Presbyterian (1560)
Baptist (1612)
Methodist (1787)

I'm looking up info as I type this. I'll have to get back to you with my findings. If anyone else wants to throw in what any particular group believes, let us know. :)

[purplepenguin91]

I know a bit about the Lutheran demonition of Christianity.

Martin Luther was this really dedicated monk but then his views changed. He began a year of lectures on the Epistle to the Romans, and decided to just live by his faith instead of the Bible and the strict and many times corrupt workings of the religious leaders. So he nails his famous 95 Thesis to the doors of Wittenberg Castle Church to show his views to other people. He didnt get much response at first, but different events happened, the important ones being the whole indulgence concept (that was where you ould pay a bunch of money and the Pope would give you a piece of paper saying you are cleansed of all sins, and you would go to Heaven. It was like a get out of jail free card lol, except you had to pay, but anyway it was very strange nad corrupt...)and the fact that the pope had delcared him a heretic. Then he had to flee for his life but continues to try to introduce people to his way of thinking. That contributed alot to the Reformation of the church.

Basically, he gets a group of peopel who believe him and they eventually kinda create the Lutheran Denomination.

Ths is a VERY loose and vague outline lol, but its kinda late, and I didnt feel like looking for my research, so most of this is from memory...

[tui-iut]

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity" Albert Einstein

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, being exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. It was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In 535 BCE, he attained enlightenment and assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened)

As Buddhism expanded across Asia, it evolved into two main forms, which evolved largely independently from each other:

Theravada Buddhism (sometimes called Southern Buddhism; occasionally spelled Therevada) "has been the dominant school of Buddhism in most of Southeast Asia since the thirteenth century, with the establishment of the monarchies in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos."

Mahayana Buddhism (sometimes called Northern Buddhism) is largely found in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia.

To which might be added:

Tibetan Buddhism, which developed in isolation from Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism because of the remoteness of Tibet.

Since the late 19th century:

Modern Buddhism has emerged as a truly international movement. It started as an attempt to produce a single form of Buddhism, without local accretions, that all Buddhists could embrace.
(information gathered from http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism.htm )

i said i was buddhist but my nanas always having a go at me to be christian....somehow i just dont quite get the idea of worshipping to a heavenly being......but dont get me wrong there are some wonderful lessons to be learnt from all religions

[Quiet Tempest]

Methodism was born in England out of the teachings of an Anglican clergyman, John Wesley (1703-1791). The word "Methodism" was originally applied in derision because of the methodical way Wesley and his associates studied and performed their religious duties.

Wesley underwent a profound religious experience in London in 1738: "I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation," he wrote in his Journal. Setting out as an evangelical preacher, stressing conversion and holiness in place of the formalism of the Church of England, he sought to breathe new life into the Episcopalian faith. Although he always considered himself a loyal Anglican, he was often forbidden to preach in Anglican churches, and by the end of the 18th century his movement had its own flourishing societies in Great Britain and the young U.S. By 1850 the Methodists were the largest Protestant group in the U.S.

Although Methodists accept the Trinity and practice baptism and communion, they hold that individual love of God and individual religious experience mean more than formal doctrine. Salvation is achieved by a life of holiness, repentance, and faith, and is available to everyone. Most believe in judgment after death, in which the morally good will be rewarded and the wicked punished.

I have heard Methodism referred to as "rejection of Calvinism", too.

"Methodism developed from Calvinism. Calvinism is on the paper about five things (TULIP): “Total depravity” (Original Sin), “Unconditional Election” (God’s pre-election), Limited atonement (Particular redemption), “Irresistible Grace” (God’s calling to the chosen ones) and “Perseverance of the saints”. In Calvin’s Geneva it was about a sixth thing too “Punishment” (Getting loads of crap, beatings, prison and decapitation if you didn’t agree with Calvin). "

****************************

i said i was buddhist but my nanas always having a go at me to be christian....somehow i just dont quite get the idea of worshipping to a heavenly being......but dont get me wrong there are some wonderful lessons to be learnt from all religions

If believing in a higher being, or Creator, makes you feel good about yourself and your life, then go for it. No one should make you choose which religion is right for you. Learn more about other religions if you like, see what feels right to you. Most importantly, be happy.

If you are happy with your life as is, with no beliefs in higher beings, or Creators, then good for you. Let go of superstitions and live your life to the fullest. Don't let religious-minded friends or family members deter you from living your life the way you see fit.

[tui-iut]

where r u getting al this...its interesting though

[purplepenguin91]

It is easy to find the history of religions online, like a google search, or by just information people have accumulated over the years lol

[Reverie]

Thanks, penguin.

I found a nice site with comparison charts. I was going to list all of them, but after finishing up the Catholic portion of this chart, I'm beat. So, here's the Catholic stat's. You can see the rest on the website HERE.

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm

Edit: Well, Lost-Forum just ATE all the Catholic stats I had put together to share with you all. *kicks computer*

Just take a look at the website. It was pretty informative.

[Quiet Tempest]

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm

Edit: Well, Lost-Forum just ATE all the Catholic stats I had put together to share with you all. *kicks computer*

Just take a look at the website. It was pretty informative.


Sorry you lost your stats. I hate it when the computer eats all my work. lol

Nice site, though, thanks.

[lost_momma]

I dont know if this has been mentioned before, but Catholicism is a form of Christianity. It is like a christianity is a city and Catholicism is a specific neighborhood in that city, and like Methodist is another, and Baptist is another etc.., lol sorry for my stupid analogy, but that is how I thought of it when I as younger...

Having been both, I agree sort of. Anyway, Christians are followers of Christ, regardless of their affiliation.

[Eksynyt]

Protestant Christian...I'm not sure if it is proper to split up "catholic" from "christian" they are both christianity after all.

[purplepenguin91]

ya thats what I was trying to say. You can be a Christian and not be Catholic. But you can't be a Catholic and not be a Christian

[Eksynyt]

And what about Eastern Orthodox Christianity? Is that an option too?

[Quiet Tempest]

They have the same roots, but various groups within differ in so many ways that they have branched out away from their traditional heritage and created their own..



Christianity is like chocolate. Some sects of Christians are dark, some are light, some are nutty, some are brittle, some are chewy, etc... but when it all boils down, it's still chocolate. However, the makers of these delictable creations frown upon anyone saying "it's just chocolate" because to them, it's much, much more than that.

Best analogy I can come up with at the moment..

[purplepenguin91]

lol thats good! I love analogies, they are so funny to use.

[Eksynyt]

OK, but would Eastern Orthodox fall under the regular christian category here then? Not that I am Orthodox but I was just wondering. I like the chocolate analogy...I am quite familiar and fascinated with the study of ancient christianity particularly in the Roman days when christians were the "new wave." It's amazing how the religion essentially developed itself out of Roman oppression. There are some remarkable stories from the early christians during that time.

[Quiet Tempest]

"The Eastern Orthodox Church (encompassing national Orthodox jurisdictions such as Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc.) is the body of Christian followers who together with the Roman Catholic Church claim to be the original Christian Church started by Jesus Christ and his Apostles. The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches ended a period of co-existence in the Great Schism of 1054 AD and no longer acknowledge each others' claims to be part of the One True Church. The two churches had both previously split from the Oriental Orthodox Church (distinct from the Eastern Orthodox) after the Council of Chalcedon.

Eastern Orthodox ecclesiology is "Christocentric", viewing Christ Jesus as the head of the Church, and the Church as his body; with authority derived directly from this relationship. This authority is held to be intrinsic to the whole Church in all her members and mediated by the Holy Spirit dynamically in Tradition. Eastern Orthodoxy has an extensive oral tradition that predates the actual texts of the New Testament, hence, it does not consider itself to be "bibliocentric"; which is the case with most forms of Protestantism. This, however, does not in any way diminish their respect and devotion toward Scriptures, but rather puts it into perspective as the texts accepted by the Church as most important.

Note: It is fairly common in the West to use the term "Greek Orthodox" to refer to any national group of Orthodox (Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Romanian, Georgian, American, Syrian [Antiochian], etc., in addition to Greek). This stems from the historical identification of Orthodoxy with the Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire in the east, as opposed to the Latin-speaking Roman Catholic Church in the west. However, in modern usage, the term "Eastern Orthodoxy" has a wider circumference. "

-- Wikipedia

[Eksynyt]

Very cool, thx for the Orthodox info.

[purplepenguin91]

yep, the Wikipedia website is very informative, I found that out recently lol...