Religion and Other Things

[SpiderMage]

I want to take a page from Liquid and start a serious thread, which in this case is this one here, so please take this rather seriously because I am looking for opinions and such.

Recently(couple months now or so) I accepted Christianity in my life, asked for forgiveness, trying to change my life for the better, etc etc. Have not visited Church yet, not sure if it's because 'm uneasy since the only times 've ever been to Church were against my desire to, or if 'm not comfortable with that step yet(I don't think I have enough faith and strength in myself to just walk into a Church and be like "hey how ya doin?"), though I have started reading the Bible, 5 chapters a day(try to anyway, sometimes I fall asleep before I do or I just am not in the mood to read) that my gf, Abigail got for me(she's Christian, hence why she got it). I keep doubting myself though, one thing I always talked with Abby about with is like "how do I pray, is there a certain way, what if 'm doing it wrong" etc etc, because to use a term heard widely in this game, I feel like a "newbie" to this path I wish to take.

Anyway, one thing that 'm kind of... I don't know, uncertain about is, 'm an artist as a few of you know, and I hate censorship, I am truly against people covering up works of art or movies because it has something to do with nudity or sex/sexuality. And I know a lot of Christians and most all religions are against nudity and sex/sexuality in any regard, especially if it's out in the open(art is what I mean mostly), which makes me think sometimes if I am doing something wrong. Also, I have never ever had a problem with nudity or sex/sexuality, while yes Abby and I are waiting for marriage I don't shield my eyes from nudity or porn, though I have felt the need to ask for understanding and forgiveness after watching porn, but not nudity... maybe 'm weird I don't know.

Guess 'm just trying to figure somethings out, I know there are Christians on this board, perhaps some Catholics too, so 'm looking for some answers that I perhaps can't find within myself or 'm not comfortable with asking people I know about(I do ask Abby though but 'd rather not be like "hey grandma I have a question for you"). I know I will prolly be flammed in this thread but oh well, price you pay I guess when looking for answers and opinions. But my main question is about how my feelings on art, specifically my own, and censorship should be, do they need to be changed or is it ok to still think like you used to? I used to also believe in love before sex, and 've loved a few people in my 22 years, but after having fell for Abby in this year and a half we've had I know that she's the only one whom I want to be with and I wish I hadn't done some of the things with other people before her, so that she really could have everything(won't go into detail about this).

EDIT:
Also, 've never had a problem with people or myself cursing, I just look at them as words, 've never told anyone to stop cussing or stopped myself from cussing... so any thoughts on that as well?

[Cops]

live your life the way you want to live, i respect men of religion, their values of beauty and original sin. I'm not christian nor am I catholic but I have had the same sort of religous inspiration not that i need to read a book to think about god but I'd like to visit a church if I feel the need, I believe it's a place of happiness and growth for the most part not that i would read the bible or be apart of their religion i'd enjoy the presence. I look at it as a place to reflect spirtually.

dude you're looking to find answers on how you can be more christian or catholic, i think you look at it like joining a club or a gym and you want to fit right in. If you believe in self growth you need to step out of the box develop your own opinions decide what's right for you, live each day as you wish and at the end of the day if you're happy with who you are no one else then I wouldn't worry about anything.

[Fit of Rage]

I've noticed that this happens to a lot of people when they reach a parallel rift in their lives (high school to college, marriage, divorce, etc). Coincidence?

[Stylez]

Recently(couple months now or so) I accepted Christianity in my life, asked for forgiveness, trying to change my life for the better, etc etc. Have not visited Church yet, not sure if it's because 'm uneasy since the only times 've ever been to Church were against my desire to, or if 'm not comfortable with that step yet(I don't think I have enough faith and strength in myself to just walk into a Church and be like "hey how ya doin?"), though I have started reading the Bible, 5 chapters a day(try to anyway, sometimes I fall asleep before I do or I just am not in the mood to read) that my gf, Abigail got for me(she's Christian, hence why she got it). I keep doubting myself though, one thing I always talked with Abby about with is like "how do I pray, is there a certain way, what if 'm doing it wrong" etc etc, because to use a term heard widely in this game, I feel like a "newbie" to this path I wish to take.

That sounds exactly like me... :O My dad made me goto church, when I didn't want too... I grow to hate church and everything about it, but now I accepted God into my life... Though I feel like you, I don't feel like I'm mature enough to attend church, like I want to go when I'm really ready for it and open to it...

So, I'm just as lost as you are in this aspect...

Anyway, one thing that 'm kind of... I don't know, uncertain about is, 'm an artist as a few of you know, and I hate censorship, I am truly against people covering up works of art or movies because it has something to do with nudity or sex/sexuality. And I know a lot of Christians and most all religions are against nudity and sex/sexuality in any regard, especially if it's out in the open(art is what I mean mostly), which makes me think sometimes if I am doing something wrong. Also, I have never ever had a problem with nudity or sex/sexuality, while yes Abby and I are waiting for marriage I don't shield my eyes from nudity or porn, though I have felt the need to ask for understanding and forgiveness after watching porn, but not nudity... maybe 'm weird I don't know.

I wish I could agree with you here, but as you read into the bible it stats everthing in which you need to follow... And you have to follow it, no matter what "your opinion" of certain things may be, with heart...

Guess 'm just trying to figure somethings out, I know there are Christians on this board, perhaps some Catholics too, so 'm looking for some answers that I perhaps can't find within myself or 'm not comfortable with asking people I know about(I do ask Abby though but 'd rather not be like "hey grandma I have a question for you"). I know I will prolly be flammed in this thread but oh well, price you pay I guess when looking for answers and opinions. But my main question is about how my feelings on art, specifically my own, and censorship should be, do they need to be changed or is it ok to still think like you used to? I used to also believe in love before sex, and 've loved a few people in my 22 years, but after having fell for Abby in this year and a half we've had I know that she's the only one whom I want to be with and I wish I hadn't done some of the things with other people before her, so that she really could have everything(won't go into detail about this).

EDIT:
Also, 've never had a problem with people or myself cursing, I just look at them as words, 've never told anyone to stop cussing or stopped myself from cussing... so any thoughts on that as well?

Ok, as for the art, I explained that already, just read the bible, don't listen to the opinions of others who haven't even read the bible for themselves... Just read it for yourself and decide on your own concordance...

Man, you're a romantic type, like myself... I had a gf who I was going to wait till' marriage for, but she moved and we started to fall apart... Anyways, I wasn't a virgin either, but nor was she, so I guess I felt a little better about that... Just be faithful and God will reward you graciously....

As for curse words, I believe you can use them, but not in a scornful manner, maybe as a joke or expressing an emotion, but nothing hurtful towards someone else... You're your own minds beholder, you choose what is right and wrong in your own head, you decide... Just don't think of the word pessimistically and I think it'll be alright to use...

[Sarien]

If you have to change your life to fit into your religion, is it really your religion to begin with?

Whatever religion you have exists completely and solely within the confines of your own mind. You can pray and do chants, dance around the fire, sprinkle the magic herbs all you want. What you believe and your own faith all comes back to what is in your head. More power to you.

Look at the questions you've asked with a critical mind. Think about it. You're asking if you should try to change the way you feel to fit more in line with what other people think an archetypical person from a certain religion is like. Doesn't that sound kind of like a bad idea?

Lastly. A bit of advice, take it or leave it.
Don't look to the bible as a standard of morals. It advocates slavery, brutality, bigotry, murder, and a whole slew of things that any rational, thinking human being would find repugnant. If you want to be a Christian, rock on. But can any god you would imagine, that you would want to worship and praise, find fault with you for trying to find the truth of things, rather than blindly following a book that is born of the hands of man. Of course, if you believe in Hell, it sort of answers the previous question.

[Stylez]

Sarien, don't speak on the bible unless you can give scriptures from it... If you can't back up your claims with actual facts, then there is no point in referring to them, atleast about a source you aren't using...

And, didn't you have to change your ways to become what you are today? Be it to fit your attitude, to belong to a group of people, or if you just felt the need for one, it was a change... Change is needed sometimes, it's just what changes you accept into your life is what decides your fate...

Why does everyone speculate on truth, but never seems to come up with nothing more than their own opinion of it... I'd rather rely on a book that was given to us thousands of years ago... I can't quote anything from the bible off the top of my head, I've only read it twice... But I can find out, if you need me to answer anything from the words of the bible, but not of myself, just ask...

Like I said before, be subject to change, but use your own common sense when deciding, you'll only have one lifetime to decide your own fate, not theirs... Remember these words... The road to damnation is a short and narrow path, but the road to salvation is a rocky and brutal path...

Why are so many people so quick to judge on a topic such as religion? Because ignorance is bliss, but what they don't want to realize is, salvation is masochistically euphoric... Once you appreciate it, everything else will come to you a lot easier...

Rebuttal my claims if you must, I said nothing more than my opinion, but not towards what you need to do with your own life when it comes to religion and salvation, other than reading the bible for yourself...

[Stylez]

don't-let-the-words-of-a-select-few-stray-you-from-what-you-know-is-right...
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Weird...

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[Superted]

Recently(couple months now or so) I accepted Christianity in my life, asked for forgiveness, trying to change my life for the better, etc etc.

I'm pleased to hear that, I myself accepted Christ just over 10 months ago and it changed who I am for the better, or at least I hope so.

Have not visited Church yet, not sure if it's because 'm uneasy since the only times 've ever been to Church were against my desire to, or if 'm not comfortable with that step yet(I don't think I have enough faith and strength in myself to just walk into a Church and be like "hey how ya doin?"),

Between the ages of 5 and 11 I went to a Church of England primary school, where you sing hymns and learn about God and etc, which in a way tainted by experience of goign to church, all I ever did was stare at the beams thus giving me an impression that all churches were boring. To be honest with you I'm in the same boat, i'm a little scared of being the outsider, a ridiculous notion considering the people but there's another reason why I haven't been. Simply it's my parents, they don't know I'm christian and going out every Sunday morning would sort of tell them that. (I don't like to tell my parents anything about my life, it stems from a lifetime of criticism). However, I do go to the christian youth club on a Sunday night, which involves worship and stuff.

though I have started reading the Bible, 5 chapters a day(try to anyway, sometimes I fall asleep before I do or I just am not in the mood to read) that my gf, Abigail got for me(she's Christian, hence why she got it).

In a way I'm envious that you have someone to pray with and stuff heh. Personally I don't read 5 chapters a day, instead I read this daily devotional

I keep doubting myself though, one thing I always talked with Abby about with is like "how do I pray, is there a certain way, what if 'm doing it wrong" etc etc, because to use a term heard widely in this game, I feel like a "newbie" to this path I wish to take.

I'm no expert but these are the pointers I've bene given in praying, most of them from the Bible. Don't babble, and if you don't know what to say recite the Lord's prayer, 'Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they name..' etc.

Anyway, one thing that 'm kind of... I don't know, uncertain about is, 'm an artist as a few of you know, and I hate censorship, I am truly against people covering up works of art or movies because it has something to do with nudity or sex/sexuality. And I know a lot of Christians and most all religions are against nudity and sex/sexuality in any regard, especially if it's out in the open(art is what I mean mostly), which makes me think sometimes if I am doing something wrong. Also, I have never ever had a problem with nudity or sex/sexuality, while yes Abby and I are waiting for marriage I don't shield my eyes from nudity or porn, though I have felt the need to ask for understanding and forgiveness after watching porn, but not nudity... maybe 'm weird I don't know.

A toughy. I don't know of any bible references on nudity but the way I see it is, we were created in the nude therefore it's acceptable. As for sex, I originally thought it was ok until I read some stuff out of the bible, to shorten it down (alot) 'sex is sacred, only share it with the one you love', so then I was convinced to keep my virginity until marriage (if I can). However, I have a bigger problem, being an atheist for 9 years, most of it during my teenage years I've become a little addicted to masterbation. I've tried to stop and even asked God to help but I'm unable to resist the temptation and it's driving me insane with grief.

Also, 've never had a problem with people or myself cursing, I just look at them as words, 've never told anyone to stop cussing or stopped myself from cussing... so any thoughts on that as well?

Cussing may be alright with you but it can offend others near you, which is another thing I'm trying to get out of my system.

Why does everyone speculate on truth, but never seems to come up with nothing more than their own opinion of it... I'd rather rely on a book that was given to us thousands of years ago... I can't quote anything from the bible off the top of my head, I've only read it twice... But I can find out, if you need me to answer anything from the words of the bible, but not of myself, just ask...

I follow the bible but not literally, after all it's a translation from hebrew (?) scriptures, which contain like 20 meanings for the same word. For example in Genesis, the english version says Earth was created in 7 days. However the original hebrew word for 'day' actually means 'any period of time', so it could be a day, an hour or even a millenium.

[Dealt]

I consider myself agnostic, mainly due to the lack of confidence I hold in any established (or unestablished for that matter) religion. Although I do feel strongly about the subject, as I do have faith in a 'creator'.

I was born a catholic, and with a somewhat traditional Irish family the attempt to mould me into a good catholic boy was always apparant.

I believe that you cannot yourself find 'religion' first you must find god. It would seem that you are trying to abide by the arena of one organisation (Christianity) when you obviously don't feel comfortable with it.

Live your life as you want to live it, be kind, gentle and wise and have faith in a God and I feel that religion will follow.

PS. Prayer has no guidelines, it can be muttering to yourself in the darkness or writing in the sand.. make it what you want but remember if you truely have faith in a god then you should know you dont need to say anything at all.

[Stylez]

I follow the bible but not literally, after all it's a translation from hebrew (?) scriptures, which contain like 20 meanings for the same word. For example in Genesis, the english version says Earth was created in 7 days. However the original hebrew word for 'day' actually means 'any period of time', so it could be a day, an hour or even a millenium.

True... Me and my sister have had debates on that subject before... We basically figured out a way for religion and the evolution theory to coexist with one another... Same with the big bang theory... But yet again, those are just theories, which are no more than well educated opinions...

I didn't say take everything in the bible literally, there a lots of metaphoric phrases in there, but they are clearly defined between the two... But it clearly stats certain things a person can and can not do, in uncomplicated literations...

I don't care what you believe in, as long as you have faith in something, certainly when it comes to the afterlife... Rather that than be an atheist and believe in a dismal fate such as dying and ceasing to exist... What would be the point of living then, if you can't even see your, or anyones, accomplishments after you pass on?

[Stylez]

I believe that you cannot yourself find 'religion' first you must find god.

I like that quote...

[RATTY...]

I'm a Catholic myself. I belive in God, and that's all to it, I don't do anything special.
Kinda glad mom forced me into this, met a lot of people i never would have met.
Lots of the rules and things in the bible were written in another time, when the world was different, and they may have been easy to follow at that time.
But the the world is different today, and following all the things that are written in the bible may be hard.
I just live normal, and enjoy life, while I try not to do bad things.

I keep doubting myself though, one thing I always talked with Abby about with is like "how do I pray, is there a certain way, what if 'm doing it wrong" etc etc, because to use a term heard widely in this game, I feel like a "newbie" to this path I wish to take.

Just talk to God from your heart, theres no step by step guide to how to pray. Just pray the thing Jesus thaught the diciples if you got nothing to say.

Anyway, one thing that 'm kind of... I don't know, uncertain about is, 'm an artist as a few of you know, and I hate censorship, I am truly against people covering up works of art or movies because it has something to do with nudity or sex/sexuality. And I know a lot of Christians and most all religions are against nudity and sex/sexuality in any regard, especially if it's out in the open(art is what I mean mostly), which makes me think sometimes if I am doing something wrong. Also, I have never ever had a problem with nudity or sex/sexuality, while yes Abby and I are waiting for marriage I don't shield my eyes from nudity or porn, though I have felt the need to ask for understanding and forgiveness after watching porn, but not nudity... maybe 'm weird I don't know.

To me, nudity and sex is ok. It's all natural, and a part of being human. It may not have been ok at that time, but times have changed.
Adam and Eve was nude in the Garden of Eve, and was ok with it. Until they ate the fruit, and suddenly felt shameful because they were nude. So I don't understand why it says that nudity and sex isn't ok in the bible, when it was ok in the first.

Try your best, if there's a rule that's hard to follow, and you cant stop breaking it, then drop it.

[CrvenBan]

I don't know how you can even consider to entertain the idea of being judged for the eternity over a course of 60 odd years.

[Dealt]

I don't think anyone has even the slightest chance of comprehending the actual concequences after death.. I'm aiming at pergatory :P


eh its not good.. but its not bad!

[Fallen Angel]

I don't care what you believe in, as long as you have faith in something, certainly when it comes to the afterlife... Rather that than be an atheist and believe in a dismal fate such as dying and ceasing to exist... What would be the point of living then, if you can't even see your, or anyones, accomplishments after you pass on?

See, this I don't understand. Why wouldn't there be a point in living if this life is all there is? I'm convinced that my existence is finite, that when my time here ends it's over, and I'm ok with that. There is so much to experience right here and now, and I think it's a crime to deny yourself those experiences, because you live your life as if it were some sort of prologue to the main event. I don't regard life as a proving ground for some higher plain of existence. I live to enjoy my life without depriving myself or others of anything for the sake of an existence that will never be.

So does that mean I live a selfish life? I don't believe so, because I see the lives of other people the same way as I see my own. What I want for myself, I want for other people aswell. Everyone should be able to live their lives as they see fit, without their personal freedom being restricted by others who believe differently.

This life is all we have, and all we have in this life is eachother, and for me that's enough.