For Those of You That Aren't Religious....

[BrandyPandy]

So, I myself was raised Catholic... then Methodist, stumbled into a Non-Denominational Church, and then went to a temple for a while for Reform Judaism but none of them felt quite right. It felt like some excluded people, or even hated certain types of people. Some were in it just for the money and others had genuinely nice people but I couldn't get behind everything they preached. Some pretty much shunned me when I questioned anything. I've been to a service for every major world religion and none really speak to me but I miss the community aspect. I miss the networking and all the volunteering and good that came out of participating in a church.

For those of you that aren't religious, consider yourself "spiritual not religious" or at the very least aren't church/temple/mosque-goers---- what dissuades you from attending? Time? The people? The mission? Agreement with doctrine?

I am a bit afraid that this will turn into some sort of negative thread. Please be kind to one another and other's beliefs when answering. Thank you so much, in advance, for sharing.

 

[Radiant1]

So, I myself was raised Catholic... then Methodist, stumbled into a Non-Denominational Church, and then went to a temple for a while for Reform Judaism but none of them felt quite right. It felt like some excluded people, or even hated certain types of people. Some were in it just for the money and others had genuinely nice people but I couldn't get behind everything they preached. Some pretty much shunned me when I questioned anything. I've been to a service for every major world religion and none really speak to me but I miss the community aspect. I miss the networking and all the volunteering and good that came out of participating in a church.

For those of you that aren't religious, consider yourself "spiritual not religious" or at the very least aren't church/temple/mosque-goers---- what dissuades you from attending? Time? The people? The mission? Agreement with doctrine?

I am a bit afraid that this will turn into some sort of negative thread. Please be kind to one another and other's beliefs when answering. Thank you so much, in advance, for sharing.

In your face freaky fellowship and the constant "Are you saved?" dagger over my head dissuaded me from the majority of Evangelical churches in addition to the fact that I find the bible only doctrine circular logic. It's not that there's anything wrong with it per se, but it's just not my style and I don't think it ever will be.

Although I completely resonated with the mysticism, I stopped attending the Church of Absolute Monism because it lacked Jesus Christ specifically. I still tend to have many monist tendencies, however, and have come to my own understanding of it in a Christian manner.

I stopped attending Catholic Mass because of a personal sin that as of yet I refuse to be sorry for (an interior trial if you will). Since I respect the sacrament of Reconciliation I refuse to mock the sacrament by confessing to a sin I'm not sorry for. Because I won't confess to a sin I'm not sorry for I cannot receive Eucharist; therefore, I don't attend Mass, as I can read the daily scripture readings and follow the liturgical calendar myself, although sometimes I miss the staid worship that I used to thrive on. I'm still very much a Catholic at heart and participate in apologetics (which many here can attest to), but I would be considered a semi-non-practicing Catholic at this point (and perhaps a stubborn one too, ok yeah, very much a stubborn one).

Yours is a great first post. I hope you get what you're seeking without the negativity.

 

[DQ2B]

Similar to you, it never felt "right" for me. Really, I didn't feel anything at all. I didn't feel better for going or worse for not. I knew going would not change who I was or how I conducted myself and it certainly didn't bring me personally any closer to God. Ultimately, I decided the best faith for me was the one I have in myself.

 

[mamatutu]

In your face freaky fellowship and the constant "Are you saved?" dagger over my head dissuaded me from the majority of Evangelical churches in addition to the fact that I find the bible only doctrine circular logic. It's not that there's anything wrong with it per se, but it's just not my style and I don't think it ever will be.

Although I completely resonated with the mysticism, I stopped attending the Church of Absolute Monism because it lacked Jesus Christ specifically. I still tend to have many monist tendencies, however, and have come to my own understanding of it in a Christian manner.

I stopped attending Catholic Mass because of a personal sin that as of yet I refuse to be sorry for (an interior trial if you will). Since I respect the sacrament of Reconciliation I refuse to mock the sacrament by confessing to a sin I'm not sorry for. Because I won't confess to a sin I'm not sorry for I cannot receive Eucharist; therefore, I don't attend Mass, as I can read the daily scripture readings and follow the liturgical calendar myself, although sometimes I miss the staid worship that I used to thrive on. I'm still very much a Catholic at heart and participate in apologetics (which many here can attest to), but I would be considered a semi-non-practicing Catholic at this point (and perhaps a stubborn one too, ok yeah, very much a stubborn one).

Yours is a great first post. I hope you get what you're seeking without the negativity.

Great post! I have always admired your knowledge about religion. I am in your boat. It has nothing to do with I/you/me missed the boat! Thanks for the post that makes me feel more comfortable in what I/you/we believe. God (as you/we/I see Him)bless us all!

 

[ProximaCentauri]

In your face freaky fellowship and the constant "Are you saved?" dagger over my head dissuaded me from the majority of Evangelical churches in addition to the fact that I find the bible only doctrine circular logic. It's not that there's anything wrong with it per se, but it's just not my style and I don't think it ever will be.

Although I completely resonated with the mysticism, I stopped attending the Church of Absolute Monism because it lacked Jesus Christ specifically. I still tend to have many monist tendencies, however, and have come to my own understanding of it in a Christian manner.

I stopped attending Catholic Mass because of a personal sin that as of yet I refuse to be sorry for (an interior trial if you will). Since I respect the sacrament of Reconciliation I refuse to mock the sacrament by confessing to a sin I'm not sorry for. Because I won't confess to a sin I'm not sorry for I cannot receive Eucharist; therefore, I don't attend Mass, as I can read the daily scripture readings and follow the liturgical calendar myself, although sometimes I miss the staid worship that I used to thrive on. I'm still very much a Catholic at heart and participate in apologetics (which many here can attest to), but I would be considered a semi-non-practicing Catholic at this point (and perhaps a stubborn one too, ok yeah, very much a stubborn one).

Yours is a great first post. I hope you get what you're seeking without the negativity.

'
Rad1, thanks for sharing that. I find your personal integrity with respect to not "mocking" the sacrament you're "not sorry for", admirable , although I'm sure you would admit - very unusual . I have to say I am not entirely surprised, as I sensed something about you from your posts that is not inconsistent with this sort of "radical" departure, if you will, from the norm. So that plus your admission of biblical circular reasoning is, well, resonates with me although there exists a tremendous gulf between our respective views on all the other "stuff". And one more thing, I'd be happy to vouch for your stubbornness

 

[ProximaCentauri]

It felt like some excluded people, or even hated certain types of people. Some were in it just for the money and others had genuinely nice people but I couldn't get behind everything they preached. Some pretty much shunned me when I questioned anything.

And so it is with virtually every religion in the world, except perhaps Tibetan Buddhism or Jainism. My experience mirrors yours as I suspect will also be the case for many. Many people "of faith", especially devoutly religious types, are not compassionate humans. The Abrahamic faiths especially, do not foster compassion for humanity in general, based on the fact that we are all the same species on this little insignificant piece of dust planet in an unbelievably vast universe. It's the nature of the beast of religion. It's nearly impossible to be tolerant, when the basic precepts of your religion are intolerant.

I've been to a service for every major world religion and none really speak to me but I miss the community aspect. I miss the networking and all the volunteering and good that came out of participating in a church.

Secular humanist groups are growing in the US and around the world and offer community, networking, volunteering, etc. So you don't need religion to do good in the world and, in my view, can actually do more good when unshackled from intolerant dogma.

For those of you that aren't religious, consider yourself "spiritual not religious" or at the very least aren't church/temple/mosque-goers---- what dissuades you from attending? Time? The people? The mission? Agreement with doctrine?.

On balance, in my view, religion has done more harm in the world than good, and I believe this will always be the case. So this is what dissuades me. And btw, I consider myself very spiritual - just not in the religious sense.

I am a bit afraid that this will turn into some sort of negative thread. Please be kind to one another and other's beliefs when answering. Thank you so much, in advance, for sharing.

That's a wonderful request. Hopefully people will abide. I'm sure you have gathered from my post, that I am agnostic, or some would say atheist. I do not purport to know with certainty that there is not an entity, or supernatural, that created the universe. To me it's not important. To me, life has meaning without it. To me, life exists due to natural processes occurring within a maturing 15Billion year old universe. All life has meaning. And the human mind has limitless potential if unencumbered by religion. Your life is valuable for its own sake. No deity, either real or imagined, is necessary to give your life meaning. You alone, possess the ability to help make this a world of morality, compassion, and peace.

 

[MMDad]

I grew up learning that God was to be feared, that I was pretty much damned, and that I would never live up to the standards. The utter hypocrisy I witnessed was also a huge issue. It took me a very long time to discover that God is not what I had been taught.

When I have tried attending churches I either see the hypocrisy or someone gets overly pushy and drives me away. I may change my mind one day, but I can't imagine ever being part of organized religion again. I don't need an authority figure to act as an intermediary between me and God since I already have a direct line if I just use it and listen to the answers.

I do get together with people who share a similar belief, and we have discussions that do not devolve into sermons.

 

[Larry Gude]

...but I miss the community aspect. I miss the networking and all the volunteering and good that came out of participating in a church.

That, frankly, is what church is SUPPOSED to be about; community, fellowship. The degree to which any one individual takes it all seriously is one part of the equation. That is for each and their heart and mind. The community, the fellowship, the neighborly part of 'going to church' is the real benefit to a community; people knowing one another, developing friendships, mattering to one another.

Community.

 

[hotcoffee]

What an awesome thread.... thanks BrandyPandy for starting it!

I am not religious. I am faithful.

 

[ProximaCentauri]

BrandyPandy. where did you go? Thought you would be weighing-in with some of the postings here in the thread you started.

 

[Radiant1]

Member since September 2010, first post. Quite possibly another forum MPD.

 

[Baja28]

Never have and never will be a fan of organized religion. Fire and brimstone? If that god exists we all should be afraid. I don't need a church or any other building nor do I need people telling me what to believe to believe in my higher power.

 

[hotcoffee]

Never have and never will be a fan of organized religion. Fire and brimstone? If that god exists we all should be afraid. I don't need a church or any other building nor do I need people telling me what to believe to believe in my higher power.

But if we didn't tell you then you wouldn't know what you didn't need!

 

[Baja28]

But if we didn't tell you then you wouldn't know what you didn't need!

Yes I do. I know exactly what I need not you. That's the problem with organized religion, you all think you know what everyone else needs and it just happens to be what YOU believe. Save it.

 

[Larry Gude]

Yes I do. I know exactly what I need not you. That's the problem with organized religion, you all think you know what everyone else needs and it just happens to be what YOU believe. Save it.

OK, but, would you not agree there is a rather large difference between friendly conversation attempting to persuade and trying to shove it in your ears?

How would you go about arguing that America is the best or would you not try and make that argument over something you, ostensibly, strongly believe in?

 

[Baja28]

OK, but, would you not agree there is a rather large difference between friendly conversation attempting to persuade and trying to shove it in your ears? I would agree.

How would you go about arguing that America is the best or would you not try and make that argument over something you, ostensibly, strongly believe in?

Your second question goes off on a tangent. He/She asked: "what dissuades you from attending? Time? The people? The mission? Agreement with doctrine?" I answered.
He/She didn't ask how to go about convincing or changing peoples minds.

 

[Larry Gude]

Your second question goes off on a tangent. :

That's because these are the forums and I am a rule follower.

Page 3, chapter 2, line A, "All proper posts must serve, at least in part, to take the tread at least somewhat off tangent if not completely off topic."

 

[hotcoffee]

Yes I do. I know exactly what I need not you. That's the problem with organized religion, you all think you know what everyone else needs and it just happens to be what YOU believe. Save it.

Is that so? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that He was born of the Virgin Mary. I believe that He came to earth to teach us how to live with one another in love. I believe He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and taught us how to care for our fellow humans. He showed us what it is to be the light of the world. I believe He was arrested and was tried by humans who really thought they knew more than He. I believe He was beaten then hung on a cross, and after He gave His life for me.... He was placed in a borrowed tomb. A stone was rolled over the only entrance or exit from that tomb. The stone was then sealed to the tomb and Roman Soldiers were placed at the tomb to guard it. I believe that after 3 days.... He rose from the dead.... and He left the tomb alive.... The Roman Soldiers had no idea what happened. The seal to that tomb was broken by the living Christ. I believe that He walked among the humans again. I believe He ate fish with the Apostles on the beach. I believe Thomas touched the holes left in His palms by the nails of the cross. I believe He ascended into Heaven. I believe that now He sits on the Lord God Almighty speaking on my behalf. I believe that there is a home being prepared for me in Heaven. When it is ready... I believe my soul will ascend to Heaven as well. I believe I will see Jesus. I believe there will be no more sorrow or tears. I believe this cancer and all the worries and pain of this life will be gone. I believe I will join others who have gone before me and I will welcome others who will come after me. I believe that I will be invited to the greatest banquet ever held.... It will be a grand celebration that none before it and none that follow it will compare! I believe that Jesus Christ is my Salvation.

I believe that all Jesus asked me to do was believe in Him and allow Him to take over my life. I believe that He asked me to share the word that He Lives!

I'm never going to tell you what brick and mortar church to attend. I'm never going to tell you how to live your life. I'm going to tell you about Jesus, and Heaven, and God, and the work of the Holy Spirit. I'm telling you what Jesus told me to share with you. It's up to you to decide what you need....

So I'm willing to share this Good News with you..... I believe it's up to you what you do with it....

 

[ProximaCentauri]

Member since September 2010, first post. Quite possibly another forum MPD.

What is "MPD". multiple personality disorder?

 

[ProximaCentauri]

HC gave her testimony. I give it a go for myself...

I believe being a good human being has everything to do with the human, and nothing to do with a "supernatural" for which there is no proof of existence.

I believe humans to be spiritual beings that are all connected to each other and to the universe by the same energy and matter that makes up that universe.

I believe in objective reality and do not believe non-objective truth claims (i.e. religion)

I believe human beings have a finite life, and are no different than other sentient life, here on this planet, and any life present in the universe.

I believe that science is the only way to understand our world and our universe; not superstition and stories written in books bound in circular logic.

I believe that human beings control their own destiny and that destiny can only be properly served by compassion, reason, and logic; not dogma.

I believe humans have the ability to give there life meaning by two basic principles: One... by learning some objective truth every day about the universe we live in, and Two... by easing the suffering of others.