Religeons in ironworks

[Ramon de Ramon y Ramon]

Originally posted by Cloudbringer: I am a Christian. More specifically, a practing Christian. [img]smile.gif[/img] Over the years, I've found that there are many folk who will happily SAY they are this or that, but don't actually follow the tenets of their faith in daily life or attend services (if their religious beliefs call for it, which mine do). I remember an article in one of our local papers last year said that something like 57% or more of people in some national poll (USA) claimed to be Christian, but those who actually read the Bible or attended church services or acknowledged Jesus were a tiny percent of that. The conclusion my friends and I came to is that you can call yourself anything, but it's what you do and how you do it that paints the real picture. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hm, Cloudy, the findings on how many US Christians actually practice their faith you quoted contradict somewhat the figures I have seen over the years. I remember reading about 10 years ago that a study or poll showed that 50% of all Americans attended church regularly (I am pretty sure the defintion was "once a month or more"). Much more recently, I read something about results that put that figure much lower (at about 20-25% IIRC). The same study showed that here in Germany, where still more than 80% of the population are registered members of either the Lutheran or the Roman Catholic Church, only 5% attend service on a regular basis. One very interesting aspect about that wide discrepancy is that all those 80plus% still have to pay the "church tax" (an extra 10% atop the taxes you pay to the state), which is automatically collected by the German IRS on behalf of the churches from very registered church member. That means that 75% of the German population consist of people who don't attend church regularly (=are not really practicing their religion?)yet are still willing to pay some hundreds or even some thousands Euros every year for the privilege of being a member of their church. Well, what is one to make of that?

But I still believe that the far greater role that their religion plays in their daily life and their political views for a much higher percentage of the American population is by far the single most significant cultural difference between the USA and at least (Western) Europe if not the entire rest of "the Western World".

As for myself, I don't believe in the Christian God nor in the existence of any other divine being/power/creator. Put the label on that which suits you most. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Vaskez]

Originally posted by WillowIX: quote: Originally posted by Vaskez: *sigh* I said "A Christian" not "Christian" [img]tongue.gif[/img]

So you think there is only one person named Christian in the entire world? I doubt it and therefore the pun still stands. We have A Vaskez here for instance. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[/QUOTE]NO!!! YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO ACT AS MUCH OF A SMARTASS TO ME AS I DO TO OTHERS! THAT IS NOT IN THE RULE BOOK AND I WOULD KICK YOUR ASS IF YOU WERE NOT A YOUNG LADY AND NOT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC!



[ 05-06-2003, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: Vaskez ]

[Xero279]

Originally posted by WillowIX: Is Wiccan beliefs a religion BTW?

O, very much so! it is just a "different" form of paganism. And of course, Paganism was one of the very first religions. The Hierophant spoke of it well. As i said before, Us (pagans, wiccans, druids, shamans, etc.) follow the Earth and all life. There are a lot of misconceptions about how we sacrifice people, kill, hurt, destroy, etc. All Lies. Paganism and all the other Earth Religions teach love for everything; the air, the earth, plants, animals, etc. etc. We have love for everything and respect it. That doesnt mean we dont get angry, thats impossible. Its just a love for life and nature that feeds us. You'de be suprised about how much Christian religious stuff is derived from Paganism. Its deffinatly a mind opener.

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Stormymystic, i know what you were saying. Wicca, just like paganism, follows the Earth, and Gods and Goddesses, or just one of each of you choose, which are aspects of nature themselves.

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reeka, read above for more information on paganism and such Hope you enjoy.

Xero

[Judas Maccabeus]

Roman Catholic here. Not only practicing, I take it very seriously. Don't worry, though, I'm not the missionary type. And definitely not the "fire and brimstone" type.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Xero279: There are a lot of misconceptions about how we sacrifice people, kill, hurt, destroy, etc. All Lies.

OK...if these misconceptions of how Wiccans sacrifice people are wrong...then how DO you do it??? [img]graemlins/kidding.gif[/img]

I'm just kidding with you, Xero. No offense meant, but that was too good a set-up to pass by.

Originally posted by Xero279: Paganism and all the other Earth Religions teach love for everything; the air, the earth, plants, animals, etc. etc. We have love for everything and respect it. That doesnt mean we dont get angry, thats impossible. Its just a love for life and nature that feeds us. You'de be suprised about how much Christian religious stuff is derived from Paganism. Its deffinatly a mind opener.

I've heard this same comment from other practicing pagans. That's why I enjoy the religious debates that spring up on IW from time to time. I don't expect to convert anybody by my meager words (although I'll happily discuss my beliefs with anyone). The thing I enjoy most, though, is learning more details about other religions. I've had several good discussions with pagans, wiccans, and even a few satanists on this forum during the last two years. I still disagree with their theology, but I thoroughly enjoy the discussions.

Stormy - If I were going to be upset by your choice of theoligies, it would have already happened. But you know that already. No worries on that front, sweets.

OH - BTW - for any who may not know....I am a Christian - Southern Baptist to be exact. But I rarely engage in the obligatory Bible-Thumping associated with my denomination.

[Stormymystic]

OH - BTW - for any who may not know....I am a Christian - Southern Baptist to be exact. But I rarely engage in the obligatory Bible-Thumping associated with my denomination. [/QB]

akkk Southern babtist???? hiiiiiiiissssssssssssssssssssssssss
That was my long ago religion and you may have competion trying to help me find my path,lol

[Sir Taliesin]

Originally posted by Cloudbringer: Sir T! I'm really happy for you! Whoo! Even Sunday School? Wow! That's fantastic!!! God Bless you and your family!

I'm happy for me too!!! My life seems more fulfilling now. As if I had some purpose, though I still don't know what that is. Whatever it is, I'm sure in time, God will reveal it to me. Until then I just try to live the best I can, raise my kids and love my wife.

For me the turn around came at the office one day, when we were talking about religion and I realized that I'd never read the Bible through. So I decided to set down and read it every night. Then I started praying. I was a closet Christian for a period, before I took the plung and told my wife that I wanted to attend church. She was a little surprised, because in the past when she suggested it, I resisted it. That was over a year ago. Since then I find that I catch myself praying and talking to God two or three times a day! I just feel more at peace.

I might add that I feel a lot like Cerek. I'm no fire and brimstone kind of guy (most Methodists aren't). It never made sense to me to be that way. Seems to me that people should be Christians because they love God and want to be around his presence, not out of fear of him! I just don't see the point in that. But I don't mind stating that I am a Christian either! If you want to have a discussion, I'm always game.

You all have a nice night! I've been up too late. It's definately time for bed! Good night! [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img]

[Mellagar]

Well I must admit I did read all posts within the topic, but since I voted other I suppose a reply to that is in order.
I agree mostly with the drui form of constructive living. For a brief lesson the word druidi is a combination of drus, from the Greek word 'oak', or perhaps you might use the Gallic form, derou. In short the word druid, or druidi, or dew in Breton, means "Men of the woods," or "men of knowledge." In the druidic line there were caintes, which performed magical chants, magus', biaig, that was a doctor that used herbal medicines, or even the scelaige that were the storytellers of magical folktales. The main belief structure was based around nature and mans involvement within it. However Christianity took a grave course with the druidic society, which, in short, turned druids into bands of gypsies. So in regards to a god or goddess, I have no belief in that, and as for a spiritual enlightenment, I rather aside from such things. I prefer to live as a part of nature and nothing more. There is no wicca, no god or goddess, no diety, or any great spirit spreading awakenings. Just myself, nature, and anything else is a mental contest within all others. Gain knowledge, contend with the world apart nature, and infinite wisdom gained.

All said is all I need.

(Though every now and then I do need my cup of tea.)

[ 05-07-2003, 02:01 AM: Message edited by: Mellagar ]

[Zero Alpha]

Originally posted by Bruce The Aussie: quote: Originally posted by Zero Alpha: Hey 'Bruce' i voted for your religeon :> i thought you closed it down though? anyways back to reality...

James! i thought you stopped posting here. anyway as i've said to you hundreds of times, i left my religeon becuase the higher powers of the church (aka me) were becoming too corrupt. so even though i left the 'staying put' (its not really a religeos movement, as its for lazy people) its still going. just very quitly without anyone knowing it.

a suprising amount of amish people i see. interesting [img]smile.gif[/img]
also i thought there would be more non-belivers then christians for some reason. guess i was wrong [img]tongue.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]So your too lazy to close it down? sounds about right [img]smile.gif[/img]

obviously the amish are out in force. its like the idea of the amish virus - a letter asking you to delete all the files on your PC [img]smile.gif[/img]

later

[Sir Byronas]

I am a Greek Orthodox Christian. I don't know if it is written like this in English but I can tell you it is the most common religion in Greece today and it was the official religion of the Byzantine Empire.

[ 05-07-2003, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: Sir Byronas ]