Happy to be Religious

Even as quite a small child at Sunday School it did cross my mind that while Jesus was alive the christians had no church hierarchy, it was all imposed later and I imagine the same must be true of all religions. As soon as the structure of the church becomes too important the basic ideas start to get distorted.

Odd indeed!

I respect everyone's right to believe what they choose. I do not respect all beliefs. I abhor some beliefs – the belief that it's OK to stone people to death, for instance, which some cultures still not only believe but put into practise.

Some beliefs are not worthy of respect, surely?

That is not an attack on anyone's right to religious faith. I do wish people wouldn't confuse these separate ideas.

Mishap, what an odd subject for a Mothering Sunday sermon!

There's not a lot for anyone to bite on really ... is there?

I am a true "don't know" and that is fine by me - there are no answers; we can only try to live our lives in an honest and kind way, whether we believe in a higher power or not.

But, for me, whilst respecting others' beliefs, it is impossible to avoid some of those aspects of organised religion that I find problematical.

I sometimes play in church, when they can't get anyone else, and am happy to do that. I was there this morning for Mothering Sunday and was very glad that none of my GC were there, as the lesson was about Pharoahs trying to kill male children - why do we burden children with this? - what can they be thinking of in a service that was bound to be full of children? I support my local school as a governor, and go to most of the events and celebrations there - but never easter - how can we impose the grim story of the crucifixion on their innocent minds?

I realise that these might be seen as somewhat quirky views, but they are heartfelt. I would rather the children learned about kindness, honesty, respect, tolerance. It is all so unnecessary.

So far....

Have to admit, I was with Ariadne in thinking 'heck...' because I have seen some really scathing comments aimed at those daring to give a religious point of view here. It seemed unfair but I'm glad to see this thread has continued in a peaceable way...

ginny of course we are - never a cross word! (We also have short memories, don't we?)

It's a question of probability - the likelihood of there being any superhuman entity is vanishingly small. There's certainly nothing in the way of evidence to support the idea.

As Wallace Greenslade used to say, in The Goon Show, "It's all in the mind, you know..."

Damn - I promised myself I'd stay out of this thread!

I don't think that any of us with a religious belief 'know' that there is greater being / God. Anymore than those who do not have a religious belief 'know' that there is no God - whatever concept the word God is in the speaker's mind.

For many Christians it's just a matter of trying to live our lives as best we can, and often alas sadly failing, in accordance with the values of the gospels.

Tab21 - historically, 'the church' (whichever one you want to pick) has been all about greed and power and abuse and the effects of which that seemed to me to overshadow the very good work that it has done for the community generally. And as KatyK said, the nuns and priests of the 20th century had a particular reputation (not all of course) for being truly sadistic and spiteful. To me that behaviour seemed to go against anything written in the testaments and turned me against organised religion. Until a) I discovered The Quakers and b) the new ArchBishop (Justin Welby) and the new Pope were appointed. Now I have some hope that both churches will turn into the sort of organisations that I always thought they should be. I haven't quite found it in me to say I have a faith but at least I'm more sympathetic towards the organisations.

On a personal level, (and I'm not asking for anyone to reply here as I don't want to ruin a gentle, friendly thread) I'm always curious to understand how people know there is a greater being/God/whatever and what difference a faith makes to their every day lives. Of course, I really hope that faith goes beyond the creationist argument because that's where it all falls down for me.

Thank you for all your comments, they were all very interesting.

I totally agree with ..mollie.. when she explains that the problem can lie with the organisation rather than the faith itself.

To answer grannyactivist's question, the reason I wanted to start the thread is that I was speaking to a religious person openly about my religious beliefs, she told me that I was brave to state my beliefs, and I felt it was sad that a fear to speak openly about ones religious beliefs, existed.

It was so interesting reading your comments and was so glad that there were no negative ones Thank you

I was born into a Catholic family. I was taught by nuns who, for the most part, were cruel. Some (not all) of the Catholic priests/brothers at the church we attended were bullies. I was a good Catholic girl until I began to think for myself. I no longer believe.

I'm not a believer, though I was brought up to go to church. I have read a lot of Richard Dawkins' books and agree with much of what he says, but am happy to debate in a friendly way, even the issue of bishops sitting in the House of Lords. I'm off when anyone tries to push their views down my throat. I live just a few hundred yards away from a large Church of Latter Day Saints, and they send out visiting young people to spread the word - my lane seems to be their favourite for knocking on doors, which does test my patience.

Ariadne You see most of us here are nice, tolerant people. happy to let people believe whatever what ever makes them happy. After all none of us have any proof either way.

I don't go to church but I do believe in a higher power.

I am not an adherent of any religion, probably not a believer in any supreme being but I do have a respect for anyone who does believe.

l detest Richard Dawkin's style of aggressive Atheism. That just shows great intolerance.

However there is something about "mindfulness", "meditation" or "prayer" that seems to offer psychological benefit, to its practitioners.

I thought "Oh no, wait for the fireworks" when I saw this thread, because, in the past on GN, there have been some very acrimonious debates centred round religion and faith. How very pleasant not to see that.

Hello TAB12.
I'm wondering if anything particular prompted this thread? I'm part way through a course on Islam and so 'religion' is very much on my mind at the moment.

You are quite right about the way we shy away from religion TAB12 I am in contact with a lot of Americans on Facebook and I'm always surprised by the way that they seem to bring God into everything and are always offering to pray for people. I can't imagine any of my English friends being so open about it. My own religion, such as it is, is kept strictly between me and whoever the Greater Power is.

I have explored all kinds of religion, including wicca, druidism, buddism but I keep on feeling that there is something there, I still think there is a Christian God, maybe it is the way I was brought up but I still think Im a Christian. When I saw my grandchild being born I felt that there was a God, cant describe it but it was an experience beyond my wildest imagining. I pray each night to a Christian God.

I am not. a believer myself but was brought up in the Church of Scotland for which I still have affection. Some religion does great harm but some can be a force for good. I am a Humanist but not what you'd you'd call anti-religious.

I'm very pleased for you TAB12. Having a faith must be a great comfort on a daily basis. I don't have such a belief myself but in recent times I've come to realise my problems are more to do with the church and it's organisation rather than faith itself.

I echo what JaneRowena has said.

I think the power of prayer is akin to the placebo effect in medicine. If it works for you, that's great.