I used to be a roman catholic when I was young...
I was even a member of the Knights of the Altar...
but when time went by, I started to believe that religion
is just a scam...but i still believe that there is a God..not
pagan or something...
does that make me an atheist or something?

imo, not really.
i'll consider you as a leftist.

Welcome abroad mate

I thought you had to desire to take money away from the upper and middle class and give it to the poor to be a leftist.

Originally Posted by jabo

I used to be a roman catholic when I was young...
I was even a member of the Knights of the Altar...
but when time went by, I started to believe that religion
is just a scam...but i still believe that there is a God..not
pagan or something...
does that make me an atheist or something?

That would make you spiritual, but not religious. An atheist doesn't believe in the existence of any God.

Originally Posted by jabo

I used to be a roman catholic when I was young...

What made you choose that path?

The name Gavino might be provide some insight.

Originally Posted by arcel

Welcome abroad mate

Ummm I'm not sure if he's moved country recently....

Originally Posted by jabo

does that make me an atheist or something?

Choosing to be an atheist would make you one ... but you don't become an atheist by default.

If you believe that there is a God, then you are automatically not an atheist, by definition. BTW, pagans believe in God, several of them in fact. But there's lots of people who feel alienated by religion who still believe in God. That's largely because people of faith are overshadowed by the religious: Religion is easy; faith isn't. Religion often denigrates to fanatacism; faith seldom does. You can and should call your faith into question, to know at least for that moment that it is real to you; religion sees that as a mortal threat. I as a person of faith can have intelligent, feeling and rational conversations with many of different walks. To be able to do that you have to have an open heart and mind, yet a strong definition of self.

tim

After High school I just got confused with religion...
people in love can't be together because of they have different religions.
certain religion don't allow certain activities like parties or there has to be a dress code.. well I respect all of those but... I tried visiting some church activities on certain religion, and I got more confused.. some say they are the ones to be saved and others are to perish in hell, some say by giving 20% of your earnings, then you will be saved.
well, if thats their belief, I would respect that... I know I still believe in God

Originally Posted by jabo

some say by giving 20% of your earnings, then you will be saved.

I want to start one of these churches. And in a high income neighborhood. How does this sound.... the church of Richard Bruce Cheney. Catchy? I can send the apostates hunting with Dick.

And you can show them what happens when they don't donate. In the here and now, knowing full well that punishment in the afterlife is 7 times as bad!

De la put it best

When I'm watching the news
and my daughter chooses
to come in and ask
"Who were all those people,
sleeping on the ground, covered in red?"
I tell her
"They were searching for God
but found religion instead."

God probably hates religion. Religion is something man invented to keep people away from God and enrich a small number of people. As a concept it's not doing His work at all. Jesus preached about helping the poor, not amassing wealth for a church. Think of how much all the stained glass windows in all the Catholic church buildings are worth, what that could do for the poor, and then ask yourself how that goes with the teachings of Jesus?

We can pray to God directly ourselves, and we can look for him in every corner of life. We don't need a middleman standing between us and God.

amen!

Originally Posted by Learning Newbie

And you can show them what happens when they don't donate. In the here and now, knowing full well that punishment in the afterlife is 7 times as bad!

De la put it best

When I'm watching the news
and my daughter chooses
to come in and ask
"Who were all those people,
sleeping on the ground, covered in red?"
I tell her
"They were searching for God
but found religion instead."

God probably hates religion. Religion is something man invented to keep people away from God and enrich a small number of people. As a concept it's not doing His work at all. Jesus preached about helping the poor, not amassing wealth for a church. Think of how much all the stained glass windows in all the Catholic church buildings are worth, what that could do for the poor, and then ask yourself how that goes with the teachings of Jesus?

We can pray to God directly ourselves, and we can look for him in every corner of life. We don't need a middleman standing between us and God.

Not all religion amasses wealth. The main reason I am as active in my church as I am is because our religion retains very little money that is given. None of our administration makes obscene amounts of money. We report quite frequently and fairly publicly how much money has been offered and how much went where. I work for my church body on a mid-level. The office I work in is over 260 churches in 4 districts. The amount of money I make is comparable to what I made working for a corporation. However, after I work my 40 hours a week in the office I usually put in at least another 5-30 hours. There are 5 full time employees in the office and all of us put in volunteer hours and portions of our paychecks get recycled back into our church treasury.

Back on track:

No - not following an organized religion does not automatically make you an athiest or an anti-Christ. You have said that you believe in God, but you have not said if you believe in Christ. If you do not believe in Christ, that still doesn't necessarily make you an anti-Christ.

mmmm. I wonder what you guys can say about death.. what will happen to you after death??

Hell I think.

I haven't decided what I would like: 6 feet under or cremation.

I believe my body slowly decays, while my soul will go to one of 2 places - Heaven or Hell.

That's up to God - not up to Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, Hindus, my Church pastor, a religious fanatic on TV or anyone else. God will judge justly I believe.

Christ says "there is no way to the Father but through me". For this reason, I'm under the impression people who do not recognize him as the Son of God won't be going to Heaven (i.e. non-Christians). However, I haven't died yet so I have no idea who is in Heaven and who isn't.

Dan

People form organized religion for many reason, but the following are two main reasons I came up with:

1. They are afraid of death
2. They like to socialize

Look at how many old people out number young people in places of worship and number 1 will always come to mind.

Originally Posted by jim1228

People form organized religion for many reason, but the following are two main reasons I came up with:

1. They are afraid of death
2. They like to socialize

Look at how many old people out number young people in places of worship and number 1 will always come to mind.

Are you afraid to die?