I have liked a lot of churches that I have gone to, and would consider going to another if the fact that I don't buy into the Bible wouldn't bug everyone(I think, although apparently thats fine in mainline churches these days, so who knows?) I like the fellowship, community, charity and church suppers. If I could have the social and the nice stuff w/o the "you must believe this way or you are not one of us and therefore doomed to destruction(of their choice)" lectures, I would go to church.
If there was no reward or punishment would you be involved in any religion?
by restrangled 35 Replies latest jw friends
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Arthur
I was so bad before I converted.smoked swore, had many lovers etc:
Smoking, swearing, and lovers! Good golly mouthy; and to think that I have been posting on the same website with such a rancorous degenerate all of this time! What is this forum coming to?
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ESTEE
I consider myself deeply spiritual.
But religious, no. I have no desire to be affiliated with any one religion---ever again. I think there are nice people anywhere and everywhere. It has nothing to do with their religious denomination.
ESTEE
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mouthy
Good golly mouthy; and to think that I have been posting on the same website with such a rancorous degenerate all of this time! What is this forum coming to?
OH Dont D/F Me Arthur Please !!!! I promise I wont do none of that again. I will stay in my wheelchair like agood old lady.. I will honest
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AnonyMouse
Seeing as how I belive in neither, it's doubtful I'd be in a religion either way.
But what a few others are saying, going to church even though not believing, sounds kinda nice. I've never known any other way of meeting freinds, I guess it's my only way to meet anybody. -
parakeet
Nothing would turn me away from a religion faster than promises of heaven or hell. Had enough of the carrot/stick mentality with the JWs. The only kind of religion that interests me (and I mean interest, not membership) is one that celebrates the here and now -- Buddhism and paganism.
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OUTLAW
Restrangled..If I wasn`t born into this mess I doubt I`d be here...OUTLAW
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ESTEE
parakeet wrote:
here and now --
Here, here! Now, now! . . . Music to my ears, too.
hehehe!!!
ESTEE
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Quandry
You have asked a good question. I don't have a personal answer right now. For so long-over thirty years-I believed with all my heart that there would be a paradise earth in the future. I came to the point where I did not know if I would be there, however, because due to the many "rules" of the wts-and of course they were not "rules" but suggestions we were "encouraged to follow"-I came to doubt whether I would have a future in this paradise. I was not a regular pioneer, and the fds was always making everyone feel guilty if you could not "adjust your circumstances" to be one.
I began to fear the questions that I had about the issues of 1914, etc. So even more I feared that I might not see a reward.
However, I have always loved Jesus and his teachings, and based on his teachings, I believe that God is love. Therefore, even though I do not know if there is a reward in heaven or on earth, I will continue to feel that it is up to our creator, by virtue of his being such, to do as he sees fit.
I cannot at this time look at any other religions. I was, as a child, taken to the Baptist Church. They had definite teachings of heaven and hell and were quick to say that many would burn in hell for the things they were doing. This puts a definite bad taste in my mouth for religion that is organized.
So in answer, it is not the reward or punishment per se, but the worship of a God of love that still interests me. Do I make sense?
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mouthy
You make perfect sense to me Quandry!!!! Thanks for your lovely response
However, I have always loved Jesus and his teachings, and based on his teachings, I believe that God is love. Therefore, even though I do not know if there is a reward in heaven or on earth, I will continue to feel that it is up to our creator, by virtue of his being such, to do as he sees fit.