@wb4life,
Quote:What is your religion?
I was raised Christian. I don't know a name for what I consider myself to be now.
Quote:What/who is God to you?
Giver and creator of life.
Quote:2. How long have you been practicing your religion, and why are you drawn to this particular religious philosophy?
I was taken to church and given my first Bible when I was six weeks old (they used to have a rule about it back then).
I am drawn to my particular religious philosophy because it teaches love and kindness and treating your fellow man as you'd want to be treated yourself.
Quote:3. Do you participate in meetings/worship services on a regular basis? If so, what impact does this communal relationship have on your individual faith?
No, not anymore. But on the occasions that I do, I always feel peaceful and uplifted.
Quote:4. What defines you as a follower of your specific faith and how does it compare to followers of other faiths?
I try to love my neighbor as myself. I don't compare myself to other people of other faiths - I just tend to my own knitting (as my mother taught me to do).
Quote:5. How would you define your relationship with the higher power? What do you think your role is in your religious community?
I am grateful for my life.
I don't perceive myself as having a role in a religious community. I perceive myself as having a role as a human being in society.
Quote:6. Have you ever encountered any conflicting beliefs with your religion?
Yes!
Quote: If you have, how did this affect the strength of your faith?
Not at all - it's a part of me that can't be eradicated - sort of like my eye color.
I could try to cover it up- make it appear to change or even disappear- but it would still be there.
It's not based on or affected by what other people say or think.
It just is.
Quote:7. What are your thoughts on the creation of the world and afterlife?
Those are not really important parts of what I see as the manifestation of my faith. My faith informs what I think and do, how I view the world and other people here and now.
I'm not bothered about before or after my own sentience or consciousness.
Quote:8. What is one’s purpose in the world, no matter what they believe in? Do you think your religion succeeds in guiding people to serve this purpose? How?
I see my purpose as being summed up succinctly in this Bible verse:
to-'Act justly and mercifully and walk HUMBLY (and humbly is the key word) with my God. (That's Micah 6:8 paraphrased).
And 'my God' is anything I worship. Some people worship money, some people worship their own intelligence, some people worship their own children, some people worship other people...
I like the example that Jesus set in terms of how to be in the world and treat other people.
But in terms of any one religion succeeding in guiding people to serve this purpose - I'm not sure I could say that.
But I do think Jesus set a good example for people to follow (in general) if people could be selfless enough to follow it.
I think he's a very good guide.
Quote:9. What has your faith provided you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?
Peace and an ability to see beyond myself and my own interests - as I DO believe there is something outside of and higher than myself - even if I don't know exactly what it is - it keeps me from putting myself and others like me on the pedestal.
Quote:10. How would life be if religion did not exist?
I don't know. No one who is living now does or could know that.
*Thanks for your questions - I found this very interesting to think about - I hope my participation is helpful to you.
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