I am religious but I don't believe people should force their codes of ethics or philosphy on other people.
One reason is because I can't be sure if my religion is even right. Religion is mostly faith-based afterall, I can't dispute that, my own religion does not refute the importance of faith.
The second deals with my religion --it states that being peaceful is a virtue. It says to live by the laws of the land and keep your prayers to yourself. It was the lifestyle the earliest members of my religion practiced faithfully.
So, although I sometimes mention my beliefs to a friend, it is only in the hopes they might share happiness in my religion. And when they decline I have never forced them on the issue. Hence I have several Buddhist, Agnostic, and Atheist friends despite my own religion being different.
I have more reason but I'll not go into them at the moment.
There are many problems with relgious folk I'll not deny. One its their own lack of knowledge about the texts and history of their own religion. People have a tendency to pick one aspect of their religion and magnify its importance a hundred fold. Worse still they misread or ignore what their own religion says and invent their own crazy ideas which they cling to zealously --like the Prohibitoinists and the Heaven's Gate Cult.
I try to read and make sure I am atleast somewhat knowledgable in many aspects of my religion, but there is always room for improvement.
The only thing I get touchy on are subjects that I believe have been proven true. For instance, if some one walked up to me and said the American Civil War and China were Urban Myths I would be tempted to kill that person.
And according to my religion I would have to grit my teeth and ignore that urge. Especially since I have been misinformed before.
Au Revoir
PS --I believe in evolution...but only to a point.
PS --Do I write alot? Sure looks that way...*smashed her fingers with a heavy book* ARGHHHH!!! There, that should slow me down....
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2001-03-20 12:57 pm (UTC)One reason is because I can't be sure if my religion is even right. Religion is mostly faith-based afterall, I can't dispute that, my own religion does not refute the importance of faith.
The second deals with my religion --it states that being peaceful is a virtue. It says to live by the laws of the land and keep your prayers to yourself. It was the lifestyle the earliest members of my religion practiced faithfully.
So, although I sometimes mention my beliefs to a friend, it is only in the hopes they might share happiness in my religion. And when they decline I have never forced them on the issue. Hence I have several Buddhist, Agnostic, and Atheist friends despite my own religion being different.
I have more reason but I'll not go into them at the moment.
There are many problems with relgious folk I'll not deny. One its their own lack of knowledge about the texts and history of their own religion. People have a tendency to pick one aspect of their religion and magnify its importance a hundred fold. Worse still they misread or ignore what their own religion says and invent their own crazy ideas which they cling to zealously --like the Prohibitoinists and the Heaven's Gate Cult.
I try to read and make sure I am atleast somewhat knowledgable in many aspects of my religion, but there is always room for improvement.
The only thing I get touchy on are subjects that I believe have been proven true. For instance, if some one walked up to me and said the American Civil War and China were Urban Myths I would be tempted to kill that person.
And according to my religion I would have to grit my teeth and ignore that urge. Especially since I have been misinformed before.
Au Revoir
PS --I believe in evolution...but only to a point.
PS --Do I write alot? Sure looks that way...*smashed her fingers with a heavy book* ARGHHHH!!! There, that should slow me down....