How Religious Are You

[Shine]

This thread came to mind when I was looking at the the beautiful pictures of Jesus that Greg had posted in his appreciation thread. I know that we have quite a few people here at SO who are deeply religious (Mattie, Monika, Brad and Brandon come to mind) and I've become very much so myself over the last couple of years. The idea of this thread is for everyone to post (if they want to, of course) how deeply they are invloved in their religion. Also, if you are a Christian, for example, do you live according to the teachings of Jesus? I know of quite a few people who attend weekly mass, but once they walk out the church door, they do not exactly follow the teachings of Jesus.

I am pretty deeply involved, though I would like to become even more so. I go to church on most weekends. During Lent there were several weeks where I went more then once a week. I read the Bible a couple of times a week, almost always on Sunday. I also pray before I go to bed.

Do I follow the teachings of Jesus? I think I do. I try to be kind to people. I try to be there for people when they are in need. This doesn't mean that I can't do better, but I think I do okay.

[ZeldaGilroy]

This is an interesting question Mike.

I don't really consider myself religious, because to me religion is more about tradition and ritual and less about following the teachings of Christ.

I do however consider myself a Christian. I try to live by the Bible and follow the teachings of Christ (love, compassion, acceptance, and generosity.) Am I always perfect at following His teachings?...no. But I do try to do what is right. I also read my Bible and study scriptures. I pray several times a day and feel I have a close relationship with God. I ask forgiveness for my sins and have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I recently left my church because I had some issues with the hypocritical lack of acceptance for others, but I do feel I need to be in church and am currently looking for the right one. In my house we thank God before meals, pray together in the morning, and say prayers before bed. My faith is a part of everything I say and do, and I don't know how I would get through life without it. I am truly blessed and I thank God for that everyday!

[browneyes106]

I'm religious but not overly religious. I attend Mass weekly and I sometimes go to prayer meetings.

[clj2]

I am a Christian, but unfortunately, I have fallen off the wagon when it comes to reading the Bible and church :( I do try to pray regularly and I really need to do something about my spiritual life. I've just had some bad experiences with church and it left a bad taste in my mouth but I need to get over that.

[HuntingtonM15]

I'm religious but not overly religious. I attend Mass weekly and I sometimes go to prayer meetings.

Same here, but no prayer meetings.

[beautifuldreamer]

Well, since it's already been said,:D yes, I am religious. I consider it a very important part of my life. I am a practicing Roman Catholic, and attend Mass every week. I pray whenever I feel the need to, and do a lot of meditation, I don't keep count.;)
Unfortunately, I don't read the Bible as much as I should.. I love the Gospels though, and the Books of Psalms, Proverbs, and Revelations are my favorites.
I follow the teachings of God to a point. I use them in my life, but I am not an evangelist. In other words, I live my life according to Jesus's teachings the best I can, but I choose to have no part in weather or not others do the same.

[InspectorExstead]

I consider myself to be religious. Religion does play an important role in my life. I converted to Christianity three years ago, but non-denominational. I attend church every Sunday and read my Bible regularly, however, I know that I can and should be reading it on a more regular basis. I was in a youth group for about a year and a half as well. I do try to live according to the New Testament as best as I can. However, I'm only human and as a result, I make mistakes and sin. I took a religions class a few years back and was very interested. I would love to take more, if I have time. I wish I didn't have so many upper-division classes left to take this year (it's my final year of under-grad). Otherwise, I could take one or two more classes on religion.

[*Pleasant Tomorrow*]

I was raised Roman Catholic and went to church school and did my first communion and confirmation. After that, I never really went back much. Maybe once or twice on the holidays. I just don't really do church nor do I consider myself very religious. No one in my family is so it just turned out that way. On top of that, I'm still trying to figure out what I believe in. I do pray though, but sometimes I don't know to who. The same God we're all praying to, I guess. I just try to be a good person and go with my gut instinct and no religion really guides that for me.

I do go to a Catholic college though and take the required religion classes.

[EmoJoe]

well i was raised Catholic, went to CCD (which is like Catholic classes you go to when you're a kid until you make your confirmation when you're 13/14) and used to go to church often...i dont really go to church often anymore, but i still consider myself a religious person because i have strong religious beliefs/feelings. i dont think you neccesarily need to go church often to be truly religious anyway. its not a bad thing, but if you dont, i dont think it makes you an awful Christian. i get the same result praying/reading the Bible (which i should do more) on my own as i do going to church, honestly.

[Janice]

I do pray though, but sometimes I don't know to who. The same God we're all praying to, I guess. I just try to be a good person and go with my gut instinct and no religion really guides that for me.
I'm pretty much the same way, even raised Catholic. I'm in chuch for funerals, weddings, baptisms, first communions, Anniversay Masses, but beyond that, I'm not a regular church goer. I read the bible sometimes, but it may as well be written in another languge; as I struggle to understand it. Like you, Ashlee, I try my best to live an honest and decent life. I hope that's enough to open the Pearly Gates.

[Tubehead]

I'm a christian . i don't realy go to church or readthe bible a whloe lot i do listen to christian music every day. sometime i listen to country music sometimes. .i might start going back to church. mybrother got saved. hes been taking my mom and dad to church. we didn't go today. my grandmama was having my birthday. it takes 30 mins to get their. well probley go their next week. i do listen to christian rock. its kind of likeworship music someof it kind of like reguller music. i also been watching tvulive they have chrisianmusic videos. they keep saying not to follow Religion but that jesus wants you to have personal realtionship with him. i guess that makes sense. Ido go to church with my cousion rodney. he hasthis cube thattells about jesus. its really cool looking,

[Hollywood Rock Chic]

I do not consider myself to be a religious person, but I am spiritual person. Forgive me, but I do not believe in organized religion; but I do believe (and love The Lord and Jesus); for me, going to the beach is my church, that is where I do most of my praying.

[Schmoopie]

It's funny that this thread came up in the "New Posts" because I just watched the movie "Fireproof" and it made me think about religion and so forth.

In all honesty, no. I'm not religious. I want to explain my reasoning for answering that way. Back in junior high and high school, I went to church regularly every Sunday. I was involved in everything from MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship), to choir. Some Sundays I was there literally all day long and during certain times of the year, I was there multiple times during the week. After I graduated from high school, I tried attending a large church in the small town where I was attending college, but that didn't last long. I didn't really feel comfortable there.
So I went to my home church on weekends that I wasn't at school and to this day, my best friend (and matron of honor) is a woman that I met when we were in the fourth grade choir at church.

I stopped going to my home church years later because the more I went to the college age class, the less familiar faces I would see. It was more fun when I was able to visit with my friends, so I quit going.

I tried going to another very large/well-known church but didn't do it regularly. Ironically, a few years later, at the persisitance of my mom, I went back and joined their singles class and eventually their choir.
Well, fortunately that story has a very happy ending. I loved being in the choir and I met my husband at the singles class. In fact, today is our 13th wedding anniversary!
After we started dating constantly, we went to church less and less. Since we were seeing each other all the time, there wasn't really a "need" for us to go on a regular basis, except to see our friends.

We stopped going all together when we moved to Seattle, although we were married in a church.

About three years ago, I found that I really missed singing and being a part of a choir. So I went to a very small church near my house and joined the choir. I absolutely loved it, and all of a sudden, church was pretty much my life.

Well, things change and I guess I changed a little too, because I found that I really only liked singing in the choir and that sitting through church services every Sunday wasn't really for me. In all honesty, I joined the choir not only to sing again, but also to meet some friends since I was severely lacking in that department (except for my husband of course). Turns out that 99% of the congregation was either old enough to be my parents or grandparents, or that they had kids.

I wanted people like I had met in the singles class: People who were at least somewhat close to my age. Then things that were going on there started to irritate me. Eventually I just got tired of going and quietly slipped out. At first I felt guilty as ever for "abandoning" them like that, but I didn't really know what to say about why I left. To this day, I feel guilty about straying from my original plan and joining the church instead of just the choir. I was really disappointed that the church didn't have a more social structure. My husband and I did everything we could to get involved but it's hard when everyone there is old enough to be your grandparents and there's no one even remotely close to your ages.

One thing that really turned me off of this church was something that happened to a prominent member there. She had a big responsibility to the church, but also had another job that required her to travel quite a bit and not be able to attend services and weekly meetings regularly. I think there was more to it than that. The thing that I found terrible was that whatever happened to cause friction between the church and this woman was so bad that they actually had a big meeting to discuss it, and invited the whole church. I didn't go because I didn't really feel that I had a right to and it wasn't my business. But suddenly everyone knew about this "thing" except for me, and no one would give me the time of day regarding it. It was like if I asked what happened, I was invading privacy. To this day, I still don't know what happened and the reason I was interested is because I really liked this woman and wanted to tell her so.

I pray occasionally, mainly when I need strength or when I'm worried about something. I read the Bible very seldom. So in all honesty, I can't say that I'm religious. I don't know exactly what it means to be religious. I believe in God and so forth, but I don't go to church anymore. But I try to do the right thing and try to be a good person. I told my best friend how I felt and she said not to worry about it because "You are a Christian".

When I think about it now, I really think that my church experiences have mainly been for the social aspect of it; meeting people and being able to do things together. However now that we are in a good neighborhood we have been able to do things through our neighborhood get-togethers. Sunday, we went to the annual picnic.

I really didn't mean to tell my life story here, but I just wanted to share my experiences. Is anyone else in the same situation as I am? My husband was never a religious person at all, and he told me that the reason he was going to the church (where we met) was because of the social aspect as well.

Andrea

[MickeyMac]

I am a Christian and try (emphesis on the word try) to live by God's standards of what I should be, but sometimes its not always easy. I do pray twice a day (when I wake up and right before I go to bed), and try to read my bible. I dont go to church as much as I should.

[Waterston_Fan]

I really am not religious or anything.

I do believe in God and that Jesus died for our sins, and that's it.

[MrCleveland]

I am a Christian and try (emphesis on the word try) to live by God's standards of what I should be, but sometimes its not always easy. I do pray twice a day (when I wake up and right before I go to bed), and try to read my bible. I dont go to church as much as I should.

I'm that way too.

I haven't tithed this whole year.:(

[ThomasE]

This is an interesting question Mike.

I don't really consider myself religious, because to me religion is more about tradition and ritual and less about following the teachings of Christ.

I do however consider myself a Christian. I try to live by the Bible and follow the teachings of Christ (love, compassion, acceptance, and generosity.) Am I always perfect at following His teachings?...no. But I do try to do what is right. I also read my Bible and study scriptures. I pray several times a day and feel I have a close relationship with God. I ask forgiveness for my sins and have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I recently left my church because I had some issues with the hypocritical lack of acceptance for others, but I do feel I need to be in church and am currently looking for the right one. In my house we thank God before meals, pray together in the morning, and say prayers before bed. My faith is a part of everything I say and do, and I don't know how I would get through life without it. I am truly blessed and I thank God for that everyday!


WOW! I can't say much because you have already said it. This is how I consider myself. I don't focus on the religion but the teachings of Christ and apply the teachings to my life everyday and have a strong relationship with God. Some people tell me to try to look at things in my life without including God but it is hard when the ways of God are intertwined in different aspects of my life. I love it and being in a strong relationship with God is the reason the way I am in my life. I feel empowered and blessed and much happier than I have ever been in my life.

[ThomasE]

I'm that way too.

I haven't tithed this whole year.:(


Don't be sad. It's never too late to change that. I do tithe and I feel great after doing so. I think because I do it from the heart instead of feeling some heavy obligation to do so. I do believe in the giving comes back great blessings whether it is in the form of money, favor, love help, people, gifts. God takes care of those who faithfully trust and seek him. ;)

[Shine]

I should probably have called this thread "How spiritual are you" instead of "How religious are you", because as both Billie and Thomas pointed out, there is a difference. I was more interested in the spiritual side of things. There are many people who go to church because they feel they have to and they are not what I refer to as spiritual people. And than there are people who don't actually attend church, but read the Bible, pray and follow the teachings of Jesus. Technically, these people would not be religious in the tradional sense, but they are certainly spiritual and have strong faith.

[clj2]

WOW! I can't say much because you have already said it. This is how I consider myself. I don't focus on the religion but the teachings of Christ and apply the teachings to my life everyday and have a strong relationship with God. Some people tell me to try to look at things in my life without including God but it is hard when the ways of God are intertwined in different aspects of my life. I love it and being in a strong relationship with God is the reason the way I am in my life. I feel empowered and blessed and much happier than I have ever been in my life.Your post and FactsFan's were a much-needed inspiration to me. You both will definately have something waiting for you in heaven. I really, really need to be more like that, I've just fallen by the wayside lately I guess :o

[PlayOn]

Mike, if I'm the Brandon you mentioned in the first post, thanks. :)
Actually, I don't consider myself religious either. I like to be called spiritual. To me, 'religious' sounds as though we have to do works to gain salvation/God's approval. In the Bible, it says we don't please God in the flesh (doing works) but we please Him through faith.
I love God, but I'm not a wacko. God isn't. He belives in helping people, accepts those who don't choose to come to Him and loves them just the same. He excepts us to do the same. Some Christians have forgotten that.

[ThomasE]

Your post and FactsFan's were a much-needed inspiration to me. You both will definately have something waiting for you in heaven. I really, really need to be more like that, I've just fallen by the wayside lately I guess :o


Thank You. Sometimes people do fall short. I don't have time to judge. It's a waste of my freakin' time. LOL. I'll pray for you's. Let God know what you want and he'll give it to. My trust in God has made a more easygoing person and laidback which is what I needed after being so uptight in some areas. I learn to laugh through hard times and Lord know that I have had some doozies lately but I'm cool though and I conquer that challenges that try and overtake me. I declare myself a winner. :cool:

[Shine]

Mike, if I'm the Brandon you mentioned in the first post, thanks. :)
Actually, I don't consider myself religious either. I like to be called spiritual. To me, 'religious' sounds as though we have to do works to gain salvation/God's approval. In the Bible, it says we don't please God in the flesh (doing works) but we please Him through faith.
I love God, but I'm not a wacko. God isn't. He belives in helping people, accepts those who don't choose to come to Him and loves them just the same. He excepts us to do the same. Some Christians have forgotten that.

I was referring to you, Brandon. :) And you're welcome.

[ABlairican Pie]

I wouldn't say I'm "religious", that seems like a dusty old, stuffy word. I guess
"spiritual" seems too vague, and even though I am a Christian, sometimes it's hard for me to call myself one because everyone seems to get this idea of a person doing, or rather, NOT doing certain things: "I'm a Christian, I don't go to movies, smoke, drink, or listen to rock and roll, etc.", It doesn't convey what a person's true connection with Christ is. I've been frustrated a lot with many Christians because I've always believed Christianity could be something MORE, and yet people want to stick with the same old familiar rules and do's and don'ts. I believe it's about tapping into what people truly are spiritually and not about the external things.

[Chocoholic]

I was raised Roman Catholic and religion does play a huge part in my life. I believe that God created us and sent Jesus to die for our sins. I do pray and read the Bible. (Psalm 23 is one of my favorite passages.) I try to follow the teachings of Jesus, but I'm not perfect. I know that God is there to forgive.

[littlebelle]

I am Roman Catholic but have not been confirmed yet. I do plan on doing that sometime soon, since I'm already 19. I have a special relationship with god and mary- I pray to both of them and certain saints as well. I don't know the bible that well. I would say that I'm pretty religious, but I need to make attending mass more of a habit- as it was when I was growing up. I pray on the rosary sometimes too.