God and religion

[funkster]

Does God exist
Is religion good , bad or indifferent
Where does your faith come from
Have you ever lost your faith

I would be most interested to see your views , opinions and ideas

[Nicky007]

I think I'v posted enuff on these matters in the Room. If I posted more, I'd run the risk of being considered a talkin' head 

Let's hear your take this time, Funkster. Honestly, I'm interested 

Nicky.

[Peter]

Does God exist

Sure. Yes, he does exist.

Is religion good , bad or indifferent

Religion is good, church is evil - most of the time.

Where does your faith come from

From my heart.

Have you ever lost your faith

No, not lost, but over the years I tend to forget it, sometimes, somehow... being lost in everyday chores and struggles...

[Nicky007]

Religion is good, church is evil - most of the time.

I'd just like to comment on this one:

Right, Cap, religions have created a lot of divisions leading to animosity and wars.

However, the Danish Lutheran Church today is very open and tolerant, and it very much reflects what its users put into it. I'v had periods when I needed the churches and priests a lot, and other periods when I didnt and consequently stayed away. If there's an interesting lecture, concert or something else in one of the churches, I feel free to join in, and then leave when I feel like it.

Funkster, if you want a more extensive and/or specific discussion on these matters, you should share some of your stuff with us here. That's what mature people do  

Nicky.

[funkster]

I know Nicky , i know

it is not just a quick reply for me as i have struggled for 18 months with my faith until a year ago when i walked away from it.

recently i have started to feel that i am missing something  and am considering returning to church this week for the first time in a year. It is not an easy decision and i am still not sure what the right decision is    Time will tell

Watch this space 

[Nicky007]

  Funkster.

OK, I'l just say to that:  Sensitive/ble people need Faith, and intelligent people have to work things out for themselves. So if you are that combination, which I expect Roomies to be, ya gotta hold onto yer faith, and work it out for yourself by trying out everything that the World offers: Go to various churches, ask questions and listen to all priests and anyone else who seems to have something useful/promising (even us dumbassed Roomies), check up what intelligent progbands have to offer (e.g. SyX, DT, Priest, Queensrÿche), very importantly: talk with your wife, Mum, Dad, sis/bro, and read the Christian Bible and commentaries extensively. There's of course a lot more than this, but mainly: Go at it !

Nicky.

[Iggy]

This is a difficult one.

I grew up in a home with church going parents was a choir boy for several years and actually worked in Canterbury Cathedral for a few years. I have to say i met all sorts from the sublime to the ridiculous.

[Nicky007]

... from the sublime to the ridiculous.

 

Nicky.

[funkster]

Nicky.

Also to be found in all walks of life 

Is it wrong to get more out of a book by Rob Bell and an album by Neal Morse than the bible ?  They just make more sense to me.

[Draco chimera]

Does God Exist?
This is the question I think we've all thought about at least one moment in our life.
My opinion is no. Of course, I respect believers of all religions, but I do not believe that there is/are any God/Gods.
I think every one is free of his choices, and lives in a world where a huge amount of things in interaction makes his "future".
To me, destiny and fate do not exist, neither of an upper power guiding our existence.
But I respect believers.

Is religion good?
Well, the problem is, there are many answers to this question.
On the on hand, we hear abour religion wars, extremism and other stuff - in most of the existing religions - even though I never read in the Bible or in the religious books "kill the non-believers" or "make war to make the others understand that yor god is much better than the others'."
On the other hand, I think having a personnal or common religion can sometimes help going through difficult times.
To make a point, religion isn't good or bad : everythig depends on the way you practice it.
This is my point of view.

[funkster]

I am off to a carol service on sunday night which will be my first trip to church in over 12 months.

I feel a bit of a fake with it being Christmas and all but it feels like the right thing to do and i am sure that the boys will love it.

As for future attendance , well we shall see.

[funkster]

Well i have been to church 3/4 times in the last few weeks , inc Christmas day , and it has really resonated with both myself and my wife.

We are starting the Christianity explored course in 2 weeks - http://www.christianityexplored.org/

and are both looking forward to it.


After struggling with my faith for a while it became apparent to me that i was scared of fully immersing myelf in it and was afraid of what might happen. And so i ran away and tried to hide.

But it was always at the back of mind and recently it moved to the front 

Well , enough from me for the moment and i am sure there will be more to follow

[Teunis]

Thanks for sharing Funkster. Good to read you've found something you and your wife are feeling confident with.

[Nicky007]

Yes, thanx for sharing, Funkster  

Sounds good.

Just play it easy, don't press things.

Profound people need God (at least once they'r past their revolt against authorities) but don't want stuff pressed upon'm.

Nicky.

[PH]

Alright then. Here goes.

Does God exist
Yes. I'm sure that He exists.

Is religion good , bad or indifferent
That depends.

As a Christian, I think that christianity is the only true religion. And I'm convinced that this religion is good, not only for me or for christians only, but for everyone. Read the Ten Commandments and you'll know that it will be constructive to the human race.

But I am aware that there are christians who pretend to be good, but are very misguiding. As a protestant I more than once get asked about issues that are present in the Catholic church. Things like pedophilia or the crusades are something that makes christianity look like an ape.

I'd like people to think for themselves. My advice for everybody is: pray for guidance. Read the bible. Be critical to the "leaders" of the church.

Where does your faith come from
Interesting question.
I'm going to answer this question like this:
My faith comes from God. As a human being I think that we are incapable of getting closer to God. He has to come closer to us. That's another thing that distantiates Christianity from other beliefs.
We are unable to believe in God. Only when He confronts you with it (and He does to everyone!) you have the choice to either delve deeper into 'faith' or move away from it.

Have you ever lost your faith
I think you can't lose your faith. I used to think that I lost my faith and returned to it again. But now I think that my faith, wasn't really faith. In other words, when you truly believe, you will recognise that you haven't believed all along. From that moment on, you grow into faith.

I hope this is clear. I still find it difficult to express myself in English when discussing these matters.


--Paco--

[funkster]

Thanks for sharing Paco and there is nothing wrong with your English.

I have done a lot of praying of the last few months and started attending an evening service which seems to particularly resonate with me.

My relationship with God is the strongest it has been and i am much happier for it.

[Nicky007]

   Funkster.

Nicky.