What's your religion?

Just curious again.. I am an evanchelic-lutheran.

Although, I hardly ever visit church or anything, and don't believe in god. When I have been in confirmation school/camp I want to get a divorce from the church. Also I have thought - what's the idea in all religions? I cannot understand..... But - this is just my point of view.

I am Southern Baptist, just like the well known evangelist, Billy Graham.

This message was edited Wednesday, Feb 6th 8:47 AM

You are absolutely right Redrose. I wish I had said that. LOL!

I agree RED, and Elena....but I don't believe we need to rehash this issue...this is the sort of thing that caused so many alienations this past fall...if you know the lord, that is between you and him...and continue to pray for others...brow beating brings no one to salvation...but by example, we lead others....and all God's people said....

"eyes"

Sothern Baptist here with a leaning toward getting happy and shouting once in a while. I do believe that to much emphasise is placed on religion and not on God. Some of the religions seems to be based on the wants of man and not the teachings of God. I think faith is the backbone of my belief. Faith that God created all there is and when I visit Tn. or Fl. and see the mountains and the ocean I realize that someone a lot greater than man had an artistic intervention in this creation. Also how is man explained without a Greater Being. The intricate parts of the body that perform different activities. The parts of the body that excrete the poisons that we pour in. All the functions that go into breaking food down and the different part that a lot of organs play in this process. I belive that God created and is still in charge of the earth and all the things thereof.

Amen

Religon is a personal choice and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Some have to take different paths to get what they need from God.

That's why there have been so many HOLY WARS in our history.

So many things we can't see with our eyes but feel in our hearts and know them as faith.

As a Child my faith was mainly in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Tooth fairy, as an adult I have grown in my faith in God.

I was raised with God in my life, and had chosen several paths, and began with being a Baptist as a small child.
But with moves to different places in my youth we changed due to where we lived at the time. As a preteen we were Methodist, and as a teen became Presbyterian. All these experiences have been vital in my growing up as it taught me to look at the differences. They all have a part I love, all have memories I cherish, all are apart of my faith.

So Evert I say to you. You have many roads and paths to follow and only you know what you want from these paths. No one can fill your heart except you and no matter what anyone else says you are the only one who has the keys to do so.

So I say in my way: God Bless you and keep you.

Mike

Good response, Mike, and well arranged. With experience comes knowledge, and sometimes understanding. What your church affiliation is and what you believe aren't always the same. When I was a child, we attended whatever church was nearest, as we lived in the country and often had to drive far on unpaved roads to reach anything besides neighbors. On our island in Mississippi, we had no church at all, and had to cross the river on a ferry to go into Vicksburg. Often, a church member drove out to pick us up, so we went to that church. We all read the same Bible, sang the same songs and knelt to pray. Some of our friends worshipped differently.

Evert, if you are looking for a practical reasons to have faith, here's something to consider.

I choose to believe in God, and in the hope of heaven after I leave this world. Because of my beliefs, I strive to live my life according to Christian principles: to treat others as I would like them to treat me; to repay anger with soft words and kindness; and to help and comfort those who need it.

When I die, I suppose there is a risk that I might then discover my faith was "in vain". But I will have lived a life that (hopefully) benefitted others. So, as far as I can see it won't all be in vain - no matter what.

I don't think we're 'rehashing' any issues here. Evert asked, and we're answering. I would argue that, as long as a question like this is raised, (as Christians) we would be ignoring the Great Commission if we don't proclaim what we believe in out of fear that we might "hurt somebody's feelings".

I, for one, am a Southern Baptist, proud of it, and wouldn't hesitate to tell anybody why. I've been through enough just in my short lifetime that proves that faith is more than just a convenience - it's a necessity.

Still, I don't know if the point to the thread is so much denomation than it is beliefs. So, here goes.

I believe God lives, is omniscient and omnipotent. He has been alive since before the beginning of time, and will remain alive forever. I believe without His creation, there isn't an earth, nor is there a universe. I believe by His hand the world was created, and all that exists in it. I believe God sent His Son to the earth for only a short time, but one long enough that He demonstrated to us how strong and determined He is to see us live past our 'physical death'. I believe His Son was killed by His own people, but rose from the dead three days later, so that I may claim His resurrection as my own when my 'physical death' comes. I believe this 'physical death' is permanent; however, there is a 'spiritual life' within me. While I live as a Christian, that 'spirit' is God's property, and not my own. This spirit will, upon death, ascend to heaven, to dwell with God for an infinite time. I believe that once one prays to God, accepts Him as God (the one and only), believes in His promises to us, believes in His Son (birth, death, and ressurection), and commits his/her life to eternal service to Him, that his/her spirit will live on into eternity in heaven. I believe that, as a believer, it is my purpose on earth to serve God as I believe He commands me to, and proclaim my faith to others, that they might come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

*grin* Does that sum it up?

-Jennifer

((big hug)) ...anyone got a tissue??

I debated if I wanted to answer this question.
i will make it short n sweet
Im Seventh-Day-Adventist
If anyone wants to know more-email me I will talk there!
dori

I'm an EBAB.
It's a word I invented several years ago.
It means: Eclectic but authentic believer.
:-)

Church of Christ, here. My faith is my own, however. I experience God every day in my friends, my family and the world around me. I am richly blessed.

As my father, who was once agnostic said, there is no way this could all be by chance. There are too many things that work so perfectly together that a "big bang" or evolution could never bring about. There is a plan here. (His words, not mine, and he used to deny any higher power).

I am "all of the above". I am one with each of you...through CHRIST!!

I think Evert is "searching" He is so young, and the young like to "rebel" or "shock" their elders. There will come a time when he will "need" God and will turn to Him with that need. Guess What, Evert...He'll be there...waiting for you, as He waited for me to admit my need to myself!! Love & Hugs to you Evert!! Jo

My religion is the same as you Evert and I did the whole confirmation thing too. I will just leave it at that though. I don't go to church either. Everyone believes in something, what they believe is up to them and everyone else should respect each other for their own beliefs and not try to push anything on anyone. Friends respect each other even if they don't believe that something one or the other does or believes is right. Enough said with that :o)

My usual answer to this is 'Thats for me to know and for you to wonder about'.

I respect everyone's beliefs and faith as I don't have to have it as my own, its one of the great freedoms.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy - Shakespeare

Teachers and lessons come in many guises, learning to recognise them for what they are is the first and most important of them.

May your God go with you - Dave Allen

very well said Baa :o)

Very, good, Baa....very, good!

"eyes"

I am a Christian. I was not raised with any church teaching or with parents who claimed to believe in God. They belittled those who did. I learned about God and His plan of salvation as an adult and accepted it. My life is very different and much happier as a result of that decision and I also have a hope of eternal life. In my life I have been a member of churches of three denominations, but I do not feel that denominations are that important as long as I live my life to please God, much like a child tries to please his earthly parents. When people ask me about my religion I tell them. If they don't ask I don't preach. My religion is more of a relationship between God and me than any ceremony or set of rules. He invited me to become part of His family by accepting the sacrafice His Son Jesus made on the cross for my sins. I accepted His invitation and He gave me eternal life starting right then. I thought it was a wonderful trade, my sins and old life for membership in the family of God, forgiveness and eternal life. I still do.

I WAS BAPTIZED BABTIST, BUT LIKE AIMEE I ATTENDED WHATEVER CHURCH WAS THE NEAREST. WE HAD TO WALK. MY DAD MOVED WITH THE ROAD CREWS.I HAVE BEEN VISITED BY THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES, THE LATER DAY SAINTS,WENT HOLY ROLLIN',WELL YOU GET THE PICTURE.WHEN I HAD MY ACCIDENT,AND COULD NO LONGER GO TO CHURCH,I FOUND OUT CHURCH IS WHERE-EVER YOU FIND A PLACE TO BE ALONE, TO TALK WITH THE INNER MAN, OR WHOEVER YOU PERCIEVE, TO BE GOD.I FOR ONE BELIEVE THERE IS A SUPREME BEING.I DON'T THINK THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH A BANG, UNLESS GOD CLAPPED HIS HANDS AND SAID LET THERE BE LIFE! AND IT WAS DONE.(ONLY MY OPINION)

If everyone thinks I'm 'pushing', then I'm sorry. However, I won't (and refuse to) apologize for proclaiming what I believe in. If I sat on my hands and didn't respond to this post, it would be the same as saying "God, You're okay for me, but I don't want to share You and Your joy with anybody else. I don't want anybody else to know the same joy I do, just in case they don't want to believe". Many preachers, missionaries, and evangelists in the past have been accused of 'saying too much'. I would argue that just because you've heard it a dozen times doesn't mean someone else in the crowd has never heard before. That "someone else" just might be searching for what He's got to offer, and I'd hate to be the one to deny them the chance, just because I'm worried everyone else has heard before, and might not want to hear it again.


-Jennifer

I'm with you, GrannyLois! I'm an EBAB! And it's okay that you don't belive in the Big Daddy Upstairs, Evert, 'cause He believes in you.

Jennifer,

There are ways to approach people with Jesus and ways not to approach people.

I offer this for you to consider: In your last message you used the following words: pushing, sorry, won't, refuse, apologize, don't, don't, don't, accused, argue, doesn't, never, hate, deny, worried, not. Sixteen negative words. You speak of your joy and yet you paint a very different picture with your words.

If you want someone to experience the kind of joy you say you have, then you need to show them by your actions and words.

Preaching doesn't work. Pushing doesn't work. Love, kindness and understanding work. When you take the time to become someone's friend, you share your life with them and they will WANT what you have, because it's too good to pass up. You won't need to preach then.

I agree that we have an obligation as Christians to spread the Word, but reaching out to them accomplishes much more than alienating them.

Wingnut, the population of the EBAB denomination just doubled. :-)

evert, I find your post singularly inappropriate for what you know from to be a Christian Forum. Your attempt to 'shock' or perhaps cause dissent among us is uncalled for. This is a shoddy way to repay your friends here for their acceptance of you into the davesgarden family.

So, Pardancanda, if I don't want to believe in the bigger something up there - I have said something very bad?

My religion is Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, died on the cross for me, you, and everyone else on this earth, and rose again on the third day. I will talk to anyone who wants to know whether it be on DG, on the phone, or on the street corner. It brings tears to my eyes when people will critize anyone who is strong in whatever faith they have. It amazes me how sensitive people get when the word "religion" comes up. If we could advertise our faith like we do any sellable product perhaps we would see the word differently. So my "religion" is Jesus Christ. And when my earthly days are done and I stand before Him I pray that He will say to me "Well done". "T" :)

WHOA-- no one ever said this was an exclusively ~Christian forum!~ To do so is to slam the door in the face of our gardening friends from other countries, or even this country, who may follow a different path than we do. Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, whatever. Not to mention the very different beliefs amongst those who may be Christian or struggling with the tenants of Christianity, or those who may be an agnostic or atheist with a love of gardening. Do we not ALL have a place here united by our common love of all things green and growing?

According to Dave's Mission statement, his goal is: "To nurture and support, in a Christ-like attitude, an online community of gardeners and farmers with open and safe discussion forums, friendly and intuitive web-based applications, and accurate and useful information." That's a very different thing from saying this is a Christian forum.

Dear fellow gardeners,
You know , some people got upset here at Dave's Garden last year when folks got too carried away concerning their views on religion. I kinda think it is time to let this thread die and get on to gardening before we offend someone needlessly. I believe this question has been covered sufficiently.

all evert ask for was "what religion are you-he didnt ask for anyone to explain why-Just a simple question-need a simple answer. No explanations!


^see mine above short n sweet!^

Time for this thread to come to a close. If someone has questions,contact that person personally but do not attack someone here.
If any of you have any questions about my religion,please contact me personally.
Religion and politics are 2 subjects that can get very heated and I have learned to stay away from both when the subject is brought up.
If this gets way out of hand with everyone attaching one another,then I will be leaving cause it just isn't worth it.
Hopefully this will be the last of it.

To return to Evert's question "what's the idea in all religions?" I think that religion is one possible answer to a human's search for spirituallity. I don't think you have to be religious to be spiritual. I don't think you have to be a Christian to have a Christ-like attitude or to behave in a Christ-like manor. And, Evert, no matter what you think and believe, someone somewhere is going to think it just horrible. In all your postings, I have seen nothing but a good man. I don't think you have anything to worry about. My opinion (everyone's got one!): seek your own path, and enjoy the journey.

"Above all else, to thine own self be true." -- Shakespeare.

--karla

This message was edited Wednesday, Feb 6th 6:23 PM

I have to answer this thread!! I'm a Christian first by the Grace of God, and a Baptist by choice. Angelsong, you said it so well!! I have a favorite quote, "What you believe is what you do--the rest is just religious talk." and do all in the name of the Lord!!

who ever said DG is a Christian forum? it cant be labelled so or you will scare people away.

I think it's good that Evert asks a question like that. no matter what he believes or says he will always be the same Evert. You cant judge a person on what they believe. JUST ANSWER HIS QUESTION AND GET ON WITH IT.

I personally believe that no-one should be baptised into any religion until he/she is old enough to make up his/her own mind on what path they want to follow.

can Evert's question not be answered without people going off on a mad one?

if God is a sharing caring God why does he let millions suffer in earhquakes, floods, famine, terrorist attacks, volcano eruptions, train crashes, freeway pile ups, murders ............... ..........?

here's a thought.
Easter is coming up, Jesus died on Good Friday and rose whenever.

if I die today people will remember that Mark died on February 6th and remember the date for years to come - I hope.

why is then that Good Friday, the day Jesus died, can vary from year to year and be up to 28 days different. if he died on day X he should be rememberd on day X.

I know why do you?

just look what is going on here in NIreland over religion.

Mark

maybe there should be a religion forum, with a password, to keep the topic away from gardening threads. that way there there will be no confrontations like these.