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In my spiritual quest, I've 'been' several religions. I'm pretty well satisfied that where I am now is the right path ... not just for me (it's not an 'easy walk') but the right path, period.

However, if I found another that I felt came closer, I'd change again. My goal in being a Christian at all is to serve my God through obedience to his Son. When I see a better way to that goal, I'll take it. So far, I've been here 10 years and am even more convinced of the worth of this choice today than I was on the day I asked to be baptized.

Amazing things happen when you actually study the Bible. And they are all good. (2 Ti 3:16,17)

I changed from Roman Catholic ( not really practicing) to non-denominational Christianity. As a Latino is was not a very popular decision amongst my family members, but I just never felt anything in Catholicism for some reason. It seemed over ritualistic for me, the kneeling at certain times, then standing, then kneeling again, then going to receive the Eucharist etc , I felt that all this was not necessary and it didn't please God for me to do these things.

I felt a change in my behavior/ morals etc after converting to Christianity, probably because I am taking it more seriously, but also because I feel Christianity has made me more conscious of God. Christianity stresses a relationship with Jesus Christ, where one actively through prayer is "Born Again" more than any ritual which I am sure is not really important to God.

A hypocrite is a person who is not himself on Sunday.

I'll get to the point. Stating that most problems that have started since the beginning of time are the result of religious differences is incredibly narrow in focus. You're welcome to make that claim, however, if you back it up.

(For the record, stating that "The Muslims and the Christians kill each other" doesn't prove or even support your argument unless you can show that the violence between these groups started because of religion. And don't go invoking the Crusades or your point will be lost.)

I think that in the absence of religion, people would still find plenty of things to fight about. The vast majority of fighting would continue on just as strong. The following isn't quantified, and thus it proves nothing, but keep in mind that, yes, people do fight over religion (and thus religion essentially causes such fights), but there are ALSO other quarrels that are smoothed out because one or more parties feel their God(s) are telling them that fighting isn't the correct means for solving this dispute. The Bible over and over again convicts people not to quarrel within the religion itself, and gives the command to treat others outside the faith in such a way that they will have no reason to have any problem with you.

People will lie, steal, abuse, murder, and hate--that is a reality we all are forced to live with. That is the human condition. Religion is an attempt at an answer for why we are forced to live in such a dark, cruel world. Religion is not the cause. Religion does not make this world darker. In this culture today, frankly, religion is a scape goat. Even Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park can see that to a point (see the two-part episode titled "Go God, Go" during season 10.)

Peace and Love,
Chuck Crouse

You don't need to belong to a church or a religion to have morals. Most of the problems in the world since the start of recorded time started because of diference of religion.

"Don't Kill" The Catholics kill the Protestants in Ireland. The Muslims and the Christians kill each other. The Muslims kill each other because of different Secs. I could go on all day.

"Respect your parents" This is a two way street. How many times has someone been disowned, because they married a person from another religion. I had a friend who's mother wouldn't come to his wedding because, "It wasn't in Her Church".

"Don't Steal" Unless it is land, and the other person is of another religion. Then it is OK.

"Consider your Fellow Man" Unless he is of a different Religion, because MY Religion is the only true religion.

I don't belong to a church. I hope I am teaching my children good morals. They get good grades, say please and thank you. When they are old enough, and would like too choose a religion or not. I hope they keep their good morals.

I know alot of people, as most do. I have known ones that would go too church every Sunday, then mess around on their husband or wife the rest of the week.

To see if religion really effects morals. On every arrest report, and divorve filing. There should be a box to check, are you church going person, yes or no. The End, Cornfinger

Yeah, no doubt.

It's how pretty much every site is.

...such as "I didn't have a religious upbringing and I continue to not believe in any religion, not because of tradition or faith, but because they are absurd."

That's the one I would pick.

This is a pretty terrible analysis of religion.
It bases its choices on three common yet holistically inferences of religious situations.
What if someone kept their childhood religion because they actually believed it was the right one after careful analysis, rather than just by keeping tradition?
This is overall a pretty biased poll.

You're drop-dead right. We need to move from the morals and values the church teaches like "Don't Kill", "Respect your parents", "Don't steal", "consider your fellow man". They're doing nothing but contributing to the decay of society as a whole. It eats away at the underpinnings of our society. It washes out the foundation of our culture, leaving us on unsteady ground.

Let's change. Let's evolve. Leave those antiquated ideals behind. The new age is the age of 'ME'. I'll get what I want, when I want it. Does it affect you? Oh, sorry. Oh well! Say, do you know where I can pick up more drugs? I'm running low. My family? Ah, they're just a bunch of whiners anyway... Grow up and take care of the family, junior. Only twelve? Heck, you're almost a man, right?

Feels funny even trying to type it!

Religion is for the brainless.

Religion is really not the issue. The question you must answer that is central to human existence is what am I to do with Jesus The Christ!

Your question is flawed because it supposes that religious people were all raised religious.

I was raised to be a skeptic and once had a very hostile view of religion. I am now a member of the clergy.

None of your poll options account for a journey like mine.

But it does reveal some of the assumptions the poll's author must have about religious experience and how and when it is transmitted.

LOL

Thank God, about time.

...but Mark, I think you overstate your case. Religion has been part of the human experience for the entirety of the human experience. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's mixed and sometimes it's neutral. But we've somehow survived as a species.