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What's your input on religion?!

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by GreenBeast123, Mar 30, 2016.

  1. GreenBeast123

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    Back once again! After disappearing for four months! Am I right!?

    So today. I've been thinking about the struggles many gay or transgenders go through on a daily basis. How most are an abomination or how they will never enter heaven.

    Here's my input on that subject. I have absolutely no problems with a homosexual, bisexual, or transexual. Why? Because they don't choose that life style. And its pretty sad people still haven't understood such an easy concept. Now I ain't gonna lie to ya. Once upon a time. I too, thought being gay was wrong. It was the way I was raised. But over time, I started to think. Mostly like this, "didn't God say he loved EVERYONE?!" That's just my thinking.

    I am a proud Christian. But don't think I live completely by a book. Their so many bibles nowadays you never know which one to trust anymore.

    Have you guys ever heard. "When the world ends, everything man made will be destroyed. Except the word of God." In my mind I'm like, "didn't you just say everything man made was going to be destroyed? LOL."

    Like I said. I'm a Christian. But I do not believe everything I read. Being gay is okay people. Being transgender is okay. Being bisexual is okay. It's normal! Flamingos be having all the gay side pieces! Why ain't they being shunned?!

    Have a good day people. Time to disappear for another four months.(!)
     
  2. Daydreamer1

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    I currently identify as a naturalistic pagan, and I think it's ridiculous that people will use their faith as an excuse to persecute others (ex: the LGBTQ community and non-believers) all while ignoring the core principle of their faith--which is generally peace, treat others the way you want to be treated, and love everyone.

    I have no problem with religious people, don't get me wrong. Some of the most loving and compassionate people I know are theists. It's just the kinds that hijack their religion and turn it into a hate machine that I don't take kindly too. If there is a god, and they make no mistakes as many people will say (and we're also made in the image and likeness of that god), then those who are LGBTQ+ aren't living in or lost in sin. To suggest that we're abominations is to say you feel that your god made a mistake, thus is imperfect.

    It's pretty sad that some people don't get it, and are taking messages of love and turning into something awful--especially those who disown their kids or loved ones for coming out; when verses like 1 Timothy 5:8 say if someone doesn't take care of or provide for their loves ones, then they've denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.
     
  3. killswitch0029

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    I don't follow a religion, I believe in being nice and not being a jerk to people. If people choose to follow it I have no issues with that, I have a problem with it when they either try to force it down someone's throat or use it as an excuse to hate people.
     
  4. Cedar

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    I don't really affiliate with any religion. I think as long as you're not trying to force your religion on others(especially those that have previously shown no interest), it's fine.
     
  5. I like how it has the ability to empower someone. I truly admire those who use their religion to do good in the world. I know that several churches in Canada have sponsored Syrian and Iraqi refugees, and that is something that just makes me smile.

    Also, I know that religion has caused others to be extremely evil as well. Wahhabism (sect of Sunni Islam) has been responsible for Al Qaeda and ISIS, and Christianity has been responsible for witch trials, reconquista, and the Crusades.

    On one hand, Christianity has been used to justify slavery. However on the other hand, Christianity has been used to fight slavery. Whether we like it or not, we need to thank the Second Great Awakening for playing a role in abolishing slavery in the U.S.

    Of course, you can be just as happy and altruistic without religion, but I do like hearing others saying that they're doing God's work.

    (P.S: I'm agnostic.)
     
  6. iiimee

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    I'm an Atheist. I don't support any religions, but at the same time, you have the right to believe in whatever you want. Honestly, I think I get more hate for being an Atheist than being transgender. :/ If you don't preach to me about god or whatever you believe in, our relationship will go smoothly... but the second you start preaching is the second I leave. I think that's fair.
     
  7. sophieandthecat

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    I'm happy that you are proud of your beliefs! I think that, as long as it isn't hurting anyone, your beliefs are sacred to you. I am theistic (belief in a god, but not as specific as Christianity is.)

    Don't let anyone get you down about your beliefs, guys. Whether you're atheist, Christian, Muslim, or agnostic, you guys all have opinions and having opinions is important. :kiss:
     
  8. beastwith2backs

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    I was born into a mixed faith, christian- muslim family, and on the muslim side, so i guess i was always taught to be open minded to some extent from day one. I don't feel comfortable calling myself muslim, even thiugh i still believe in some things, like good people go to heaven, acts of charity, and anti-nationalism, but these days with all the islamists, and ISIS type groups, it's simply not a proud title to bear :frowning2: i lean more to stoic ideas these days, they seem to make more sense to me.

    I don't mind anyone believing any religion, or choosing to be atheist or agnostic. I just don't like the way how some christians are SO SHURE about what they believe, and the way how atheists act online, making you feel like if you don't have their world view you must be a complete idiot, which kinda makes them seem like a group, and when they get called out on that, they say that "atheists are diverse", ok, if so, stop acting like you're a group, for goodness sake, religious people have diverse opinions too, but atleast they're willing to admit they might be acting like a jerk ( from what ive seen) this isn't about all atheists, just the SMUG trollish one on the world wide web.

    Anyway, that's my take on religion, i might have wierd opinions,but i'm learning, i'm just a teen, right?
     
  9. Dingdang

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    If you're making a Christian argument, there are ways to support LGBT people.

    Personally, I don't know what religion I belong to, but I do know that it is reasonable to believe in a religion. People who strictly believe in one religion have the same irrational reasoning as atheists who claim that there is no god. I think that if you believe in something, you would feel more comfortable about mortality and at least have a chance of being rewarded after life. Those who don't believe cannot justify their thought, and must face reality with much bravery and a higher chance of depression.

    If this offends anyone, that was not my intention. Have a nice day! :icon_bigg
     
  10. Aerin

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    I personally am not exactly sure where I stand, but although I was raised as a Catholic, I do not identify as Catholic. I'm at a place where I can't find a way to include religion in my life. I do think I have some kind of faith though, some sense of spirituality.

    But for those who find a way to incorporate religion into their lives in a way that makes them a better person, and makes them feel better about themselves, I think that's wonderful.
     
  11. Libertino

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    It's not offensive, it's just false. :slight_smile:

    Anyway, my thoughts: the topic of religion arises a lot on this forum, and I suppose it's no surprise. The primary anti-LGBT force consists of those who use their religion to justify their stance, the majority of religions are apparently against LGBT people, and a lot of people experience a lot of anxiety trying to reconcile their beliefs and the beliefs of those they love with who they are.

    If you follow a strict interpretation of your religion, especially the Abrahamic faiths, you are going to have a hard time reconciling it with homosexuality. But we all have our own ways of understanding religion and our beliefs--there are endless interpretations, beliefs, and ways to understand religion, the world, and humanity. We all eventually must make it work, lest we live in distress.
     
    #11 Libertino, Mar 30, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2016
  12. JonSomebody

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    Religion has always been an important factor within my family and therefore, it has also been a huge part of my life. Although, I am not an individual who believes that attending church is important or mandatory, but I do believe in God and I have read the Bible several times and just applies those readings that applies to my life or those that have a certain meaning to me. There are things that I've been through in my life that I know for certain that I should have died from and yet, I am still here and living life. I believe in daily prayer and I believe in having time of meditation where I talk to God and I feel his presence. As you can tell, God is the center of my life and my life would not be complete for me if it was not for him being a part of my life.
     
  13. AmyBee

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    I was very religious as a kid and my family still is. I've read the bible. Now, however, I'm an atheist.
     
  14. Secrets5

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    I like finding scientific explanations for things in the Bible, or creating realistic [and sometimes not-so-realistic] scenarios where things in the Bible would still relate to modern life. But I've hardly ever read an adult copy because I find it so difficult to read, so I tend to stick to what I remembered from primary school and my children's copy.

    My bottom line: Be a nice person. Listen to others. Make judgments if you must, but allow them to judge you back. If you make a mistake, learn from it. You don't need religion to be a nice person, and not every religious person is a traditionalist [for a lack of a better word] asshole. But some people are incapable of change - be it thinking all religious people are assholes or religious people who are actually assholes - best just to leave those people alone.

    But I don't think God actually exists, but I think Jesus may have [it was 2000 years ago, how am I supposed to know?] and whatever happened, the book must have been written by somebody. And anyway, I just like reading it.

    It wasn't until I was 16 whilst taking RS GCSE that I found religious was against homosexuality. I really didn't think they would be. I mean, I didn't know much about sexuality altogether until I was around 13 but love I knew about - and I was always told God loves everyone. I really want to know now what my Church was telling the older people, but there's no contact and I don't want to go down in person (I haven't been in 4 years).
     
    #14 Secrets5, Aug 3, 2016
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  15. Radioactive Bi

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    Don't get me started on religion. My opinions are very well known on this forum....

    Happy days :slight_smile:
     
  16. Shadstack

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    I was never raised with it, so when I first heard of it, it seemed like such a silly concept. I remember going to church with my school sometimes and whenever we said prayers it boiled down to "sorry for existing." It feels like putting unessacary restrictions on your life, why would you want to do that? I have no problems with it as long as you're not indoctinating people into it or blowing people up.
     
    #16 Shadstack, Aug 3, 2016
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  17. Glowing Eyes

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    I think it's dangerous and, to be objective, many of the holy books include indefensible bigotry, massive irony in judgement, and are really sensitive and consider things as little as eating certain foods to be "sins". They scare people pointlessly. And the results have affected the real world too (Middle East, ISIS, Bible belt). But in the end, my main problem with religion is that it just doesn't make any sense to me.

    ---------- Post added 3rd Aug 2016 at 06:17 PM ----------

    I know my views on this were a lot less "extreme" (if that's the right word) a few months ago but I promise I'm not flip-flopping. Also, I don't want to be called a bigot 'cause I'm not. I don't hate religious people it's just that I really dislike religion itself.
     
  18. Shadstack

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    This is a distinction a lot of people fail to understand. Hating the ideology =/= hating all of its followers. For example, you hate Islam, not Muslims. You hate Christianity, not Christians. Thanks for pointing it out. :slight_smile:
     
  19. Connorcode

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    My family are all Roman Catholics and have only recently become quite involved with the Church locally.

    Though I'm not religious and I am the first to point out its mistakes and the dangerous teachings it preaches, the Church does so much good locally. I'm stunned, really. The people are lovely, selfless and generous - they truly live by the best of the Christian teachings and don't discriminate at all (I swear about half the youth group is LGBT+).

    I'd just like to say I appreciate the good work religious people can do for the community and for others/each other. Just don't go preaching hate or I'll be on your ass!
     
    #19 Connorcode, Aug 3, 2016
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  20. Capricorn98

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    I don't understand how some LGBT people are in religions where it says in their holy book that it's wrong. if you aren't going to live your life by that book then what's the point? there was a video on LGBT Muslims. how can you be a Muslim where it says you should be killed for being you.

    Science has replaced religion. instead of 'God created us' written in a 2000-year-old book. we have the theory of evolution which explains fully how we have come to exist. how can there be religion if god(s) don't exist? there is ALOT of proof against a god existing

    this is only my opinion
     
    #20 Capricorn98, Aug 3, 2016
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