Are You Devoutly Religious?

[BGrant]

I don't intend to start a touchy feely thread, and ultimately its cool and your own business whether you are or aren't, but I was wondering if O & A fans would characterize themselves as being devoutly religious (ie, you attend regular church or synogogue services regularly) or not. Me, I was brought up going to parochrial school and a private religious high school as well as university, but I am not currently nor do I believe I'll be an active church goer. I'm not slamming anyone who does or doesn't. I've just never seen this question raised, an apologies if it seems out of place. As for a belief in a higher being, its on and off for me as there have been too many times I've witnessed petty crap or stuff on the news that's really shaken any doubt such a thing exists, and other times I'm a bit more open to it. I'm not particularly proud of this outlook, but its one I have and I wonder if others have similar points of view. Again, I'm not pushing any specific group or belief in any way.

[Exanimate]

http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=48136

[d0uche_n0zzle]

Recovering Catholic who thinks organized religion is for charlatans and suckers, maaaaaaaaan.

[BGrant]

Pretty much the same here, except I just can't totally admit it to myself. Thanks for being the first one to take the plunge and answer on a topic that's touchy to say the least.

[Shaggz]

I don't think you could be any safer in your statement. jeez, don't worry so much about offending people here.

As for me. I'm Agnostic. It doesn't really need any explanation.
I didn't grow up in an uber religious household. My grandma who helped raise me was Christian and attended church regularly. My family raised me up to be a good and honest person without having to force any religion down my throat. It was there if I wanted religion, I've talked with my grandma about her beliefs in God and Christianity. As I get older, it doesn't get easier to just throw down my allegiance to any one particular religion.
So for now, I'll stay Agnostic, be safe, live a good life, be good to others and hope for the best...

[Angelfuck]

I was raised roman catholic insofar as we went to church on easter and xmas, I did attend protestant sunday school when I was really young because my sister volunteered there, it only took me 4 sessions of ccd and a reference to get me christened and confirmed in a catholic church bc I was so much older and the next ones werent for another 2 yrs. As long as this doesnt turn into a 'do you believe in god' thread.. no, Im not religious

[B54]

I used to be. I was born into a Russian Orthodox church (a division of Roman Catholic). I went to Mass until I moved to the states in 1999. Since then, I go with friends or something here and there so they do not have to alone, but that only happens once or twice a year, I do not mind it.

[Budyzir]

Roman Catholic. I’m not practicing but I still do believe.

[jpc165]

I am devoutly anti religious.

[THE FEZ MAN]

I am devoutly anti religious.

im a member of his church

[Sutsu]

Born and raised Roman Catholic by my mom, my dad was a sect of Anglican and was studying to be a priest before he died (Gee, thanks God). I had my bouts of disbelief and have always come back. I'm more a non-denominational christian now, but I'm still very much a firm believer, probably now more than I ever have been in my life. Just seen too much shit to be able to say that there is no God and thing's don't happen for a reason.

[Onion Bag]

I am 1000% against organized religion, but I do believe in a higher power of some kind.

[Hudson]

Haha Went to catholic School until college...studied other world religions in college,
awww hell, I already said somewhere else

[Ballbuster1]

I'm agnostic. Maybe it's true, maybe not.
I need more proof. I guess I'll know when I die.

[Southern Fried Pest]

I'm in a christian family, but we don't really do anything religious, it's just, stay at home religion I suppose

[Puddle O AIDs]

I was raised to be so, i learned to not be so. Right now im with bb1, ill know when i die

[mascan42]

Every time I try to talk religion, I babble incoherently. So I start throwing quotes around instead.

Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith. I consider the capacity for it terrifying. - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr

I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours. - Stephen Roberts

People will often say [when I tell them I'm an Atheist], “But surely it’s better to remain an Agnostic just in case?” This, to me, suggests such a level of silliness and muddle that I usually edge out of the conversation rather than get sucked into it. If it turns out that I’ve been wrong all along, and there is in fact a god, and if it further turned out that this kind of legalistic, cross-your-fingers-behind-your-back, Clintonian hair-splitting impressed him, then I think I would chose not to worship him anyway. - Douglas Adams

[Hudson]

Think I proscribe to the church of : Wyld Stallyns

[BravoSierra]

I'm agnostic. That'll never change. However, I recently converted to Islam. I believe I've posted this elsewhere too.

[Hudson]

I'm agnostic. That'll never change. However, I recently converted to Islam. I believe I've posted this elsewhere too.
Sir you did and have luck at Ramadan

[Rob]

Roman Catholic. I’m not practicing but I still do believe.

me too...

[BravoSierra]

Sir you did and have luck at Ramadan

Luck? Shit.... I'm a cook, it's gonna be 4 weeks of feasting during the day. I caught on to Ramadan in 3 minutes. The fucktards that thought this shit up are not very devoted to Mohammad. Pretty much, you can't eat, drink, or smoke during the sunlight hours. However, it just HAPPENS to occure when the sun sets at 6:00 at night.... and day light savings ends. It's a fucking joke, that's why I ALWAYS order bacon with my burger.... and pray facing south. Nothin?

[Hudson]

Huh, That's why the Easterners hate you...I coached hard cores that couldn't eat until 4:00 am.
Coached a girl that claimed she had her period twice during Ramadan....just so she could eat..at end of season
and isn't it fasting?????

[Voss's Tumor]

Devout Agnostic here.

I'm proud to have argued a Mormon, Irish Catholic, Roman Catholic, Church of Christ, Methodist, Presbeterian, and even a Hindu into the "you gotta have faith" argument, at which time they felt kind of foolish. Did I convert them? I doubt it, but it's always funny to watch someone squirm when it's a topic they've believed in for 20+ years.

God I feel sorry for the bible belt when we get to hevean and find out the Greeks were right and Zeus runs this whole show.

[BravoSierra]

Huh, That's why the Easterners hate you...I coached hard cores that couldn't eat until 4:00 am.
Coached a girl that claimed she had her period twice during Ramadan....just so she could eat..at end of season
and isn't it fasting?????

Ramadan starts in October. Basic rule is you can't while the sun is up. That's about 5:30 at night during that time of year. If they had balls, it would be in the summer. No food till 9:00ish. Indians fasted for 3 days straight back in the day. No food, water, peace pipes, NOTHIN for 3 days. Now that takes some balls.

Also, couldn't care less what easterners say.

[Hudson]

I had a bunch that had to go by the clock and rules in the land of Muhammed
I don't mean to besmirch your newfound belief...but that was what I was told...guess here it is more like 2:00 am

[BravoSierra]

The only guess I have is that she was going by the middle eastern time zone. Dunno. I have my own reasons for converting... and yes... it was financial. :icon_bigg

[Hudson]

The only guess I have is that she was going by the middle eastern time zone. Dunno. I have my own reasons for converting... and yes... it was financial. :icon_bigg
GOOD MAN!!!!

[Myhairygrundle]

Roman Catholic. I’m not practicing but I still do believe.

x2

Getting a blessing on the new house....

[NortonsGravyLeg]

I was raised jewish but I don't practice oh yea and I am Italian, so not to weird of a an upbrining. I believe there has to be something but religion is not the answer for me. So I guess I would go agnostic for myself.

[Amazingkaddycap]

Fuck Jesus and Fuck NO!!!!

[JerseyMeatHook]

Atheist.

[wes mantooth]

non-practicing Southern Baptist.

[Wrecktum]

iam Devoutlu Un-Religious i look at all religions as another form of control. but i also look at it like people are free to belive what they wish just dont push it on me and dont outcast me because i dont belive in the same thing or in nothing like i currently do

[Sidekick Dave]

Born and raised Protestant. Only forced to go to church of a brief time when I was twelve. My Mom was once a Sunday School teacher at the Unitarian Church, but that was it. I converted to O&A as my religion back in February of 1997 and I've been Speading the Gospel ever since!

[DeltaPin]

Roman Catholic. I’m not practicing but I still do believe.

Same

[ruckstande]

Roman Catholic. I’m not practicing but I still do believe.
Same. No homo.

[Hudson]

God I can't believe my reference was that bad that no-one commented...

[Cunty McShitballs]

I was raised Roman Catholic and always believed without question. As I became an adult and delved further into technology and science, religion just became sillier and more far-fetched. The worst internal struggle was overcoming the primal desire to transcend death. It's a pretty tough thing to come to grips with...the fact that once you die, that's it. However, once you do this, it really does make you appreciate the existence you have here on Earth that much more.

[sclone]

Atheist. I called myself an agnostic for a long time, until I realized that it's sort of a bullshit position. The only difference between an agnostic and an atheist is that the latter will state they don't believe in god. Agnostics, by definition, believe that there's no proof of God's existence, but if presented with proof, they will become believers. But if you think about it, this is pretty much the same thing as just saying you're an atheist. I don't believe in God. But if he swooped down tomorrow, of course I'd change my tune. But to me this is like saying if the corpse of the Loch Ness Monster was discovered tomorrow, I'd believe it exists (as I don't believe it does today).

I guess I'm really more of an existentialist really. Why bother trying to figure all this out? It's so much easier being in the dark.

[Slow Bollards]

Atheist. I called myself an agnostic for a long time, until I realized that it's sort of a bullshit position. The only difference between an agnostic and an atheist is that the latter will state they don't believe in god. Agnostics, by definition, believe that there's no proof of God's existence, but if presented with proof, they will become believers. But if you think about it, this is pretty much the same thing as just saying you're an atheist. I don't believe in God. But if he swooped down tomorrow, of course I'd change my tune. But to me this is like saying if the corpse of the Loch Ness Monster was discovered tomorrow, I'd believe it exists (as I don't believe it does today).

I guess I'm really more of an existentialist really. Why bother trying to figure all this out? It's so much easier being in the dark.

Interesting point. I always considered myself agnostic, just because I could never understand why anyone would say that they had THE answer one way or the other. Although I guess, in agreeing with your argument, I am ultimately an atheist.

[oasillygoose]

Practicing Roman Catholic.

[CallmeQtie]

Practicing Roman Catholic.
me too:action-sm

[d0uche_n0zzle]

me too:action-sm

Sinner, you are. :icon_mrgr

[honky]

spent 12 years in catholic school. got a bachelor's degree in religious studies, but mostly eastern tradition, and the dialogue between science and religion. i've looked at a lot of different philosophies and teachings, and am convinced that is all they are. no one faith has presented enough evidence or even rational arguments to prove that they lead to Truth. i've been developing a personal spirituality which focusses on nature and humanity and the interconnectedness of quantum physics. i'm such a loser.

[Three Hole Puncher]

Roman Catholic. I’m not practicing but I still do believe.

If you really believed, wouldn't you be practicing? I had the RC church forced upon me as a child, and if there's one thing I remember about the RC dogma, it's this...

"If you don't practice what we preach, you're going to burn in hell."

Do you believe that?

[commish13]

I was brought up Roman Catholic... my family didn't start going to church until I was 7 or 8, as far as I remember we just randomly started going, and that's how it was going to be. I had however many years of CCD you have to go through before getting confirmed in 8th grade, and continued going to church until last summer, when I finally just decided it was enough and told my mother I was done. I originally stopped going once I got to college, as I was just too lazy to bother walking across campus to go, and I didn't really talk about it with my family so nobody knew or seemed to wonder whether I was going or not, and I still went any time I was home on the weekend.

But as I said, last summer I finally just decided I was done, and after an argument with my mother one Sunday morning that resulted in me staying in bed and the rest of the family going without me, that was it for me. I'm not going to go as far as to say I'm agnostic, if only because I still have that fear in me that the church loves to pound into you from a young age. I was basically brought up thinking that angering God could get me in deep shit, be it something immediate like being hit by lightning or just being sent into hell or a ridiculously long stay in purgatory, and that fear has never left me.

I do fear death as far as I often think that once it's over, it's over and I'm just nothing, although I guess it's not that bad because it'll just be the same as it was before I was born. I'm not going to be a part of nothingness, it's just going to be nothing. At the same time I'm still afraid, as I said, of God and what he can do, so if he does exist (and I'm even wary of even insinuating that he doesn't), I don't want to piss him off.

This is what being forced into religion does to you.

I still do go to mass on Christmas and Easter, though, but I don't do it for the reason that some "Catholics" do... i.e. those who never go on any other days but those, yet believe that they're obligated or fulfilling their obligations to go on those days and being good Catholics in doing so. I go to make my mother happy. If she didn't care, I wouldn't bother.

[westben2002]

i'm a diest....i believe in god, but i don't think god plays a major role in our lives. i think everything that happens is random. Just because your not religious doesn't mean you can't be a good person. You can have morals which are adopted by society as a norm, but that doesn't mean you have to preach from a book to be considered a good person

[Coffee Diva]

I believe either that God plays favorites, and I'm not one of them (Does that make me Calvinist?), in which case fuck Him, or else there is no God at all, in which case, fuck it.

Either way, I'm still fucked. :icon_mrgr

Go Satan!

[D.H. Jenkins]

I was raised Bahai (monotheistic middle-eastern religion that considers christ only a messenger, but believes all religions and people are equal in the eyes of god). It sounds cultish or hippy-like, but it wasn't - most members were very successful people.

Once the myth of equality was destroyed when I entered "the real world", all the other stuff went down the shitter as well, so now I don't really believe in anything.