Religion...?

[Anonymous.]

How do I start this? What exactly is religion?

My dad is very, very religious. He is a Baptist, which I assume is a very, very religious form of Christianity. Am I right? Anyways, he had always forced my sister and I to go to church and I don't want to go. Does that make me not a Christian? I don't want to get Baptised and there is a long story as to why. My parents are divorced and I am no longer forced to go to church, but he still talks to me constantly about God. He wants me to believe in Him so much, but I don't really know. My dad says that believeing in him and doing all the religious stuff is the only way to be happy. I know that's not true. I am already on the road to happiness. I guess what I am really asking is that do you have to follow a religion? I know I am a Christian, but I don't believe in being as religious as my dad. My dad is probably so religious that he wuld praise God for finding a penny on the ground. I don't really believe in being that religious. My dad finally figured that out. I guess I'm telling you this because I want to find myself and I don't know which way to go.

[swimmer92]

I used to go to church with my family and it didnt do much but then I went through some hard times and God was the one to pull me out of the hell I was in. And I dont believe myself as religious. To be truely happy is to have a relationship with the lord. And I have a very strong one and im the happiest I have ever been. So no, you dont have to follow a religion. You dont have to go to church, you dont have to participate in any ceremonies. But the only way to heaven is to believe in him and live for him.

[Hyper Sonic]

Originally Posted by swimmer92

To be truely happy is to have a relationship with the lord..

NO! Do not even try and present that as a fact. Atheists can be happy and contribute to science a damn lot more than religious people do (atheists are disproportionately numerous in professional jobs such as doctors and lawyers etc)

Ignore your dad, if you can be happy without being bigoted and close-minded then you don't need religion to be happy.

[swimmer92]

NO! Do not even try and present that as a fact

I know what I believe is the truth so I would appreciate it if you would stop throwing down everything I say. And I do know its a fact. You can't deny my testimony. He has healed me of mental illnesses took away a tumor that was in my leg, and so much more. I have seen people get healed of cancer right before my eyes.

[Hyper Sonic]

Originally Posted by swimmer92

I know what I believe is the truth so I would appreciate it if you would stop throwing down everything I say. And I do know its a fact. You can't deny my testimony. He has healed me of mental illnesses took away a tumor that was in my leg, and so much more. I have seen people get healed of cancer right before my eyes.

I'd appreciate it if you did not imply that my life was fundamentally incomplete and that I can never be happy simply from being atheist

Osama Bin Laden believed the reasons behind 9/11 were the truth. If this is so why should his views be any more or any less valid than yours. Isn't hearing things from an unknown source considered a symptom of multiple personality disorder? I'll gladly take another look at religion if there is proven evidence that God is behind it or even if rational explanations do not work

[Anonymous.]

Not to be rude or selfish or anything...but can you guys not fight?

I was just trying to find my own way and I don't think God is the way exactly...so, don't try to convince me of that.

[swimmer92]

Originally Posted by NikkiChloe

Not to be rude or selfish or anything...but can you guys not fight?

I was just trying to find my own way and I don't think God is the way exactly...so, don't try to convince me of that.

Im really sorry. I told him that I dont want to argue. If you truely dont believe God is the way thats fine.

[Rican Roll]

Originally Posted by swimmer92

I know what I believe is the truth so I would appreciate it if you would stop throwing down everything I say. And I do know its a fact. You can't deny my testimony. He has healed me of mental illnesses took away a tumor that was in my leg, and so much more. I have seen people get healed of cancer right before my eyes.

Sorry, but Sonic is kinda right on this. The implications you are making are incredibly rude. While it's nice that you find happiness in 'the lord' it isn't the end all be all. Some of us find more than enough happiness in life just fine on different paths. Also, be sure to equally thank your doctors for their contribution with the safe removal of your tumor and the assistance of reviving your mental stability.

At any rate, the secret to happiness is to make your own choices and walk your own path. Everyone is different and different things work for different people. Just try and find the path that works for you Nikki.

[I ♥ Jehovah Shalom!]

[quote=Hyper Sonic;75405]NO! Do not even try and present that as a fact. Atheists can be happy.quote]

I agree with you, even though I'm a Christian.. But to answer the post alot of people who have religious parents aren't religious because most are forced, IF you believe in God you have to find Him on you're own terms not anyone elses to be completely honest with you... So tell you're dad you'll think about it and leave it at that, if he keeps asking keep saying I'm still thinking about it.

[Kryptonite]

Guys, remember the differences between a support topic in this forum and a debate topic. This was intended to be a support topic, so keep it that way.

You not wanting to go to church doesn't disqualify you for being a Christian. It's a personal choice.

[Anonymous.]

I talked to my dad about it and he didn't understand...How can I tell him? I told him last night and I stood up for myself for the first time and he just put me down. Now, he wants me to talk to him today...what do I do? I don't want to talk to him!