What do you believe in - and why?

[Mummato2]

I was brought up in a lax Catholic family, baptised Catholic etc.....went to Catholic schools.

I loved the Christian upbringing but didn't like the traditional ways of the Catholic church. To me it seemed like they were focussed on practising traditions rather than what the bible says. I also found them extremely judgemental.

I married DH and he was brought up in a Born Again Christian family and to be completely honest - I can't support their beliefs and DH felt as though he was "brainwashed" growing up and didn't want to be part of it anymore when he left home.

So when we had our kids I was torn. I wanted them to be brought up with a faith, but it's no good if DH and I didn't 100% support our religions.

I started reading and researching and decided to try an Anglican church. I loved that it was almost identical to the Catholic beliefs with none of the crap that came with being a Catholic. I loved that they were progressive as well.

So both kids are baptised Anglican and both DH and I will be getting confirmed next year.

[boobaloo]

it's so great to see no controversy here!

i was raised fairly catholic, christened/first holy communion etc, and i went to catholica primary and secondary schools. my mum believes in god, but we never went to church, she's more a private believer.

my dp was raised very catholic, a lot of his uncles are priests, and religion has played a huge part of his life.
we got our children baptised, i think more for the tradition than anything. we also got it done at a brilliant church that was more about welcoming the baby into the community than the whole 'original sin' thing.

i am not really a believer in anything, i'd like to think that living a good life and being kind to others will get me through the pearly gates if they exist.
i also believe that on the other side, we will all be reunited with our loved ones, and i hope that we will forever live in our own utopia.

i don't particularly like organised religion, and i loath being preached at. it has caused numerous fights in my extended family, as some members are still very religious.
i think we all need to respect eachother, the earth, the animals to create a harmonious existance in this life.