As probably everyone here already knows, I'm a Jehovah's Witness
I am a firm follower of the Bible. I have had many struggles to understand certain parts of the Bible, and I still struggle at times, but I wholeheartedly have faith that the Bible is God's Word and is true, and therefore it is my understanding at times that is wrong. I believe that the Bible never contradicts itself, but man's failed interpretation does. I believe in doing the research, going back to the original language, and reading the context to find out the true meaning, and thats why sometimes there are doctrinal differences when a scripture is just pulled out of nowhere and taken literally on its own, without reference given to the context in which it was written. I also believe in following all of the Bible, not just the convenient parts - not that I'm perfect, but I'm trying
I believe that God's Organization is perfect, but the people living in it are not, and that causes problems sometimes. I believe that when I have a problem with a person and what they are teaching from the Bible, I need to do the research myself and prove it to myself, and strongly question myself as to whether my problem is with the message or the messenger - it is generally the latter. I believe that 'the light is getting brighter', and sometimes that means leaving behind old understandings when it becomes obvious that we were on the wrong track. I believe some things that are very unpopular in todays world, but I also believe that that only makes my belief in the Bible stronger, because it was predicted that it would happen this way.
Very very cool thread. I have only skimmed some of the replies, but will come back and read more thorougly.
Anyway, here is my story. My whole family, from all sides is Catholic. So I was baptised, went to Catholic schools (both primary and secondary), got confirmed at age 11 (most Catholics get confirmed at around 15-18, but I wanted to do it early - not for religious reasons but because I hated my name, and when you get confirmed, it is like a second Baptism, and you get to choose another name for yourself - I know I was young and silly). You can probably tell from this that my parents were not that strict about the whole thing (then again, many Catholics seem to just do things "for show" IYKWIM - I don't mean to offend anyone, I am just talking about the mentality of "I can do what I want as I will confess it all on Sunday morning anyway", as discussed in anohter thread).
For many years, I wanted to be Catholic. I wanted to belong and to this day I kind of envy people who feel this sense of belonging and community in any church (or anywhere else for that matter). I went to church every Sunday until my mid-twenties, until I could no longer deny that I felt like a hypocrite. I wanted to believe it all, but I just couldn't.
So what do I believe? Well, I believe in the Force (seriously, until the Star Wars prequels came out and they started going on about midichlorians, I really thought that this was the best explanation about the nature of the Universe that anyone had ever come up with). I believe that the Universe is too vast and amazing and incredible for any human to ever be able to describe it properly to anyone else or even to themselves (like trying to describe a 4 dimensional cube - we just don't have the capacity). I believe that religions started because people tried to describe the nature of the Universe to each other in the best ways they could. Ao in a way, I believe tha tthe Force is God. I believe that Jesus had more perception about the nature of the Universe than anyone else and tried to tell people what He knew. So in a sense, I am still a Christian, as I fully believe in the teachings of Jesus. I believe in miracles. I believe in evolution (or intellgent design - as another poster put it). I used to practice Wiccan spells, and I see these the same as prayers, just more ritualised. I pray every day to Mary the Mother of Jesus, as She is what I was raised with. To me, She embodies the Female power and I find it easiest to connect with the Universe through Her. I believe that we are put on earth to learn a specific lesson, and are reincarnated into new bodies until we learn the lessons of life, then we can break free of the cycle and become higher beings (this is what I think Heaven is).
I am an athiest. Not to be confused with a Satanist (as alot of people think cause i dress in black, tattoos etc etc) as being a Satanist implies you believe there is a God (as how can you believe there is a Hell without a Heaven?).
My parents are agnostic, i went to a christian girls school but not because of religion, just cause it is a very well respected school that does well in exams (guess i was the exception to that, ha ha)
I beleive in evolution and all things scientific...it just makes sense. i like logic
the way i see it is each to thier own as long as youre not pushing it onto other people.
I believe that the Bible is the only source of truth because it comes from the creator and it contains his purpose and his grand plan to restore us to perfection. I beleive that Jesus is his Son whom he sent to inform us of his purpose and thru Jesus he makes a relationship with himself possible. I believe having faith is based on reason and knowledge. People often say that faith is not based on knowledge or evidence, but in fact it is based on knowledge....knowledege of Gods past acts which give us faith in his future promises.
I believe the bibles promise of living forever on earth...this was Gods purpose for Adam and Eve and its his purpose for us.
I dont beleive hell is a literal place of fiery torment but simply the grave...its where we go to when we die to await a resurrection.
I believe in the resurrection from the dead....I beleive Jesus words that soon All the dead will be raised to life in paradise for a second chance to get to know Jehovah.
I believe that Satan is the one who has distorted Gods truth in order to make it difficult for people to know what to believe. We see most religions teach partial aspects of Gods truth, but much of it is distorted which is why there are so many different religions.
I dont believe there are many paths to finding God...although this would be convenient, but logically it cant be possible that God can be both A+C & Z+X iykwim.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks