why do i "have" to believe in and "organized" religion? dp i really need to be classified to have faith in gods?

who the hell is forcing you to believe in a religion? there is no law that says you have to have a religion.

I believe in God, but I'm not associated with an organized religion. Faith, at least for me, is personal and something you carry inside. I think it's up to the person.

You do not have to have any part of organized religion. I believe in God and try to live by his teachings.......but I do not subscribe to "Churches" or any particular Religious "Cult"

Most Churces are actually just businesses. Very sad.

i believe if you want to pray u can do it anywhere

If it's a nagging ongoing question, then you should persue the truth of it.

American pop religion is a joke. As said previously, business.
Check out the religious threads here, some may answer questions.

it is part of our culturally Christian westernized egotistical mind set that we are right! even thought not all westerners are Christian, Christians tend to classify all other westerners this way. Christians forget that here were hundreds of other "religions" around before the birth of Chirst. Christianity is fairly new in the grand scheme of things, and apparently completely self centered and ignorant of other religions.

religons and churches are just boxes and labels people like to use to make it easier on themselves. You don't need neither as long as you have the god that's fitting for you.

i've been told i cant raise my child and teach her morals without religion? i want her to choose her own religion not something forced on her by her parents

whoever told you that is ignorant. and if you believe it well your just gullible. faith isn't something that should be forced on anyone. If your a good parent your child will have good morals regardless of her or your religion. I know plenty of self proclaimed Christians that have very poor values and moral judgment!

No one said 'Christian' but you, I think some animosity has been revealed.

thank you gypsywitch ive been trying to tell people a church doesnt instill morals people do

iam not the beat parent but i want my child to make her own decisions about who and what she'll be in life, insted of her father or i making those decisions foe her

believe or not a lot of innocent people have died in the name of god and religion and the writings in the bible, im not saying that its bad to believe or have faith but its not always done in a good way

there are a plethora of religious beliefs and practices out there, if you want to look for a faith but don't think that Christianity is right for you, do some research, there are some forms of religious practice that don't adhere to any specific doctrine as well. id be happy to discuss some other arenas of faith with you if your feeling a little lost. Faith is important to many people for good reason, but we don't have to have faith in the main stream!

Next time someone tells you that give them this quote by Albert Einstein:

“A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.” - Albert Einstein

Anyone who needs religion for moral guidance is indeed in a poor way. Such people obviously have no ethics of their own can only be made to act proper by either placing a carrot of reward in front of their nose, or by threatening them with severe punishishment.

Fortunately all humans are not so lame. Many of us have very high morals without any need for these incentives because we are just naturally good people.

Those who feel they need religion to keep in them in line better go kneel at the alter of a church right now, or they will be given the eternal spanking that they so rightfully deserve.

Just tell people that your children are naturally good and don't need a religion to keep them in line.

True religions (not the judgmental kind), are inspirational religions that focus on the love of God and on the positive aspects of humanity. Those religions, that believe that all men are inherently sinful and in need of repentance, were created by ignorant nasty people who don't know how to behave on their own. That's a lower-class religion for people who can't think for themselves and have no sense of morality on their own.

No need to expose your childern to that kind of demented mindset.

ETERNAL SPANKING!!!!! HOORAY!!!

Most regular posters here know already I'm a Christian Pagan Witch. I have 3 kids of my own. For part of their lives I used to be a fanatical Christian. Once I left the Christian church I vowed to raise my children with the liberty to choose their own religious/spiritual beliefs without influence from me. I've taught them good strong morals, though. It can be done. Tell those people to kiss your arse! Raise your kids as you see fit. To hell what those arseholes say!

Beware the landmines of indignance and deceit. Truth is just a theory to some. Hatred disguses itself in many forms. Be sensitive to find what gives you true peace and you 'will' find it. Mystery and philosophy turn in circles in the darkness. Simplicity is found in the human heart and without words, follow that and the answer will come.

Well said!!!