I wish that I had a Faith

Jane, I don’t consider that having a faith implies ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’. I have chosen my own faith but am not so arrogant as to say anyone not subscribing to that faith is wrong. Most faiths teach humility. I trust in my faith. That is all anyone of any faith can do unless they are radicalised fundamentalists.

Mollygro 'Fine FP. If you can’t respect other faiths then don’t.'

oh dear, honestly. Do you actually read posts? This is exaclty the opposite of what I've said.

Agreed GSM just as anyone who doesn't have a faith shouldn't be so arrogant and say they're right and we are wrong.

I think maybe religion is triggering for some people

There are people who have been abused by other religious people and I think their thinking is that whatever God or gods they worshipped should at least be able to protect or manage their own flock so to speak.

Most religious people I have met in life are good people, the same as non religious people, but not all and I have been shocked by that because I cannot logically in my mind put together a person who believes in hell or sinning with a person who behaves in ways that don't support that and is an unkind or abusive person.

Although I'm never quite sure if I am an atheist or agnostic because there have been times in my life when there was nothing I could do in a situation and no help or support I could seek in another human so I've closed my eyes and hoped someone was out there listening.

I think, I would have found faith if I could trust the followers of religion to be any better in general than the good and bad I see in every demographic I have ever been in contact with.

That's the truth of how I feel about it, I'm respectful of others beliefs because of the person behind those beliefs not the belief itself.

it’s not good enough to say you are a Christian, you have to live your life as one

JaneJudge

it’s not good enough to say you are a Christian, you have to live your life as one

Agree Although we are human and will make mistakes.

*Germanshepherdsmum
Jane, I don’t consider that having a faith implies ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’. I have chosen my own faith but am not so arrogant as to say anyone not subscribing to that faith is wrong. Most faiths teach humility. I trust in my faith. That is all anyone of any faith can do unless they are radicalised fundamentalists.*
I respect that view. I'm sure that many people of faith take a considered view on much of the teachings. Catholics are not, or weren't, supposed to practice birth control, but I'm sure many did. It's the people who are bound by dogma that I'm concerned about.

You have to live your life trying to follow Christ’s teachings ,
Christ forgive Peter

VioletSky maybe religion is triggering for some people

Agreed.

Some churches actively campaign against what they consider a sin, like homosexuality whereas others except anyone and would not preach homosexuality as a sin. How can this be?

I suspect Some Churches are actually against the homosexual act not the person. "Love the sinner, dislike the sin." God made/makes all people - the Bible says God dislikes sin, not God dislikes sinful people. He wishes all to repent their sins, and we all sin. No need for confessionals if nobody sinned.

As Alexander Pope said 'to err is human, to forgive is divine'.

You have to live your life trying to follow Christ’s teachings

Anniebach that's Christianity in a sentence.

I don't know that I would be comfortable with my "sins" being forgiven by a divinity if that came instead of being accountable and making up my for my mistakes with others

You have to accountable in order to receive forgiveness.

NanaDana, unquestioning obedience to, and trust in, the authority of priests or holy books is immature.

The great strength of Xianity compared with other sects and religions is Xianity is founded on a man's life , not a holy book or a cabal or priests and kings.

VioletSky

I don't know that I would be comfortable with my "sins" being forgiven by a divinity if that came instead of being accountable and making up my for my mistakes with others

That's fine.

cabal of

Smileless2012

You have to accountable in order to receive forgiveness.

That ^ Right there. Thus Confessionals in Church.

Definitely interesting

Christianity isn't founded on a holy book or a cabal or priests and kings Caleo it is also founded on a man's life, Jesus'.

Xianity is from Christianity, replacing Christ with the abbreviation X which as with xmas, some may find disrespectful.

I have great concerns in being able to be absolved of sins by another human being in the name of god. In fact I feel it's a very dangerous thing.

I don't think a priest has any special right to make that judgement. but them, I don't believe in original sin, and is the confessional not based on that concept? (I could be wrong).

However pastoral care and helping people to feel remorse and support them to make good the consequences of their acts is a good thing to do.

But it doesn't have to be a priest.

As Dave Allen said ...

I haave always believed in God! Since I was a child. My Grandmother wouldn't have it any other way. She was like a little Oak Tree in my life. She had 2 sons who were really sick, but she always relied on God. When my Mother died she was brilliant. She just took me on!

The concept of the confessional comes James chapter 5 v 16 when writing to the believers in Jerusalem "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed".

I have always needed the confessional, with a priest.