Where are you and where did you come from?

[Guest Jason F.]

A question I wanted to ask and it seemed an appropriate time since TGO has grown to the size it has.

I am curious as to where your religious choices have taken you and how they have changed over the years. Not really a question of how you made those choices and certainly not a question of if those choices being right or wrong. Most of us had those choices made for us as a child but I am curious how many of you ended up in a different place when you were of age to make those choices yourself.

Edited August 7, 2008 by Jason F.

[Guest Abominable_Hillbilly]

Your poll, or at least its intent, is a pretty big undertaking.

The option for me isn't there. I grew up in the Baptist church here in East Tennessee. Washed in the blood, man. I do not attend services, nor do I feel that the Church offers a relationship with "god" as it wishes or imagines. I do not, however, reject the denomination or the Christian faith. It isn't my place, and I wish them, you, and me the very best in dealing with something so difficult as the human condition.

[Guest Jason F.]

Yeah my questions were a little more detailed but each answer or option is limited to 100 characters so I had to truncate all of them. I was trying to include most options.

Option 4 actually reads a little differently than I intended. I meant to say Raised in a Religious family and I have chosen to reject or abandon that denomination and religion in general.

[Guest Jason F.]

By the way my intend was to separate personal choices of faith, i.e. the belief in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mohamed, ect from this and leave the question directly related to Organized Religion and denomination backgrounds.

[musicman]

Just saw this, and I figured there'd already be a heated debate after 2 and a half hours of it being up! I'm one of those that voted #1.

My parents both chose their religion and Christian walk. I watched them live it as I was growing up. They weren't and aren't perfect, and neither am I. So far, my life and experience confirms my beliefs for the most part. However, I am always learning new things and wrestling with ideas. I know that won't ever stop. I won't say that any one group has it all figured out. I know I don't, and my church doesn't. But I also don't think that's what it's about. I think it's cool that I get to be a part of a church family that is helping out so many people in the Murfreesboro Road/Briley Pkwy area.

[Fallguy]

As with a lot of Catholics it seems...

I was raised Catholic and went to Mass regularly.

As an adult I have not been that good at attending regularly. But I guess I will always consider myself Catholic.

[fizik]

I was raised in the Church, but it wasn't right for me. After a spiritual and religious journey I've been on, encompassing a wide number of faiths, I've found peace within myself. I feel more closely connected to God without the constraints of a typical dogmatic, organized environment.

I don't wish any ill will to those who have deep religious ties, I see that it is a blessing in many people's lives. I think it's an individual decision, difficult to define. All I can say is that my personal spirituality works for me, and I'm comfortable with that.

[Volzfan]

There is not an option that fits me.

I was raised in the Methodist church with parents that are still deeply religious. They left the Methodist church about 30 years ago to begin attending a non denominational church here in Nashville where they still attend, health permitting. I followed the same path but do not currently attend and have not for about 10 years now. I am a christian and have no doubt in my mind that if I died today that I would be in heaven. I am comfortable with my life outside of a church. I am not perfect by any strech of the imagination but no one is. I simply don't think that being in a church is what saves us. I just strive to be a good and compassionate person.

[musicman]

I definitely agree that being in a church is not what saves us.

For me, being a part of the church I go to is simply a choice. Like VolzFan said, it's up to you what decisions you make about your ideas of God. There are plenty of folks who I'm sure go to church but have not made a decision for salvation yet, and plenty of folks who don't go to a church who have.

I like going to my church because there is no way I could do as much for other folks by myself. As a group we get a lot more done. Also, the emotional support and love I get there is great. I know I have about 80 people who will be there whenever I need them. That's a nice thing when my closest family is roughly 700 miles away. I also find that I am growing into a better person by learning from sermons and hanging out with folks who have been around a lot longer than me.

[molonlabetn]

I was raised in church, enjoyed it, got alot out of it... but after several years of more and more eye-opening experiences, I don't have much use for organized religion anymore, at least not on a regular basis. I prefer a simple, daily approach to my faith... and more personal means of helping others. That's just what works for me... and everybody's different.

[Guest nraforlife]

Another question would be 'Are you a closet Christian?' That is someone who goes to church, on a regular basis or not, proclaims their believe in Jesus as the only son of God, but will not stand up and take action when a judge strikes down the right to say a prayer in a pubic forum, or oks religious treachings in class as long as it isn't the christian one?

[Guest db99wj]

I grew up Church of Christ, I am now Catholic. Best decision I ever made. It works for me spirtually and socially.

[creeky]

Grew up Baptist... now Church of Christ.

(My decision. Wasn't very popular with my family.)

[Guest Grout]

Church of Satan.I joined for the orgies.

[Marswolf]

None of the above but:

Matthew 6:

V5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Interpretation: When you pray to God don't be like the hypocrites, which are play actors. They like to be seen praying to God in the church or out in the open, it makes them feel very 'religious'.

V6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Interpretation: When you pray to our Father, go somewhere private so you can be alone with God.

My relationship to my God is a private matter. I have little respect for those who wish to make it a public one.

BTW, I'm moving this out of the political topics.

[Mike.357]

organized churches? bah

No use for them.

I really do believe it is about money. Join a church and tell me how long it is before asking (read demanding) money is brought up.

I don't need a church to believe in what I believe in.

But if oganized religion works for you then thats great. Have at it.

[Guest clownsdd]

I really think you need to add a couple more choices.

*none of the above but do believe in a Supreme Being.

*none of the above, agnostic or atheist.

I couldn't answer honestly any bullet.

fizik put it pretty good.

If you feel you've got it right between your God and your beliefs you're good to go...I don't need a preacher or a particular religion to tell me right from wrong.

If there is a heaven, I'll be there..I've served my time in h*** here.

[Guest Jason F.]

As I feared most of you have completely missed the point and taken this thread in a direction it was not intended. I am sorry my question or poll was not clear enough for everyone. My wording could have been better I think.

This question and poll were not about beliefe in God or some other being or if church was right or wrong.

It was intended to be simple. You were either raised in a church going family or you were not. You either continue to attend that church, attend another church, or attend no church at all. I was only interested in how many have stuck with the way they were raised and how many had drifted to some other place. I care not why you did or did not drift to other choices.

[Marswolf]

So, what is the purpose of this topic? Curiosity? Research project?

[Guest SUNTZU]

Another question would be 'Are you a closet Christian?' That is someone who goes to church, on a regular basis or not, proclaims their believe in Jesus as the only son of God, but will not stand up and take action when a judge strikes down the right to say a prayer in a pubic forum, or oks religious treachings in class as long as it isn't the christian one?

With no disrespect intended toward your post, THAT is funny.

[Guest Jason F.]

As stated above I am simply curious how many people have simply stuck with the way they were raised and how many have found another path. More specifically how many who were raised in a church going family have left it no longer attend any church as well as how many were not raised in a church going family but have followed a path that has them attending church regularly.

[Guest clownsdd]

Jason, no disrespect or pun intended, but the quote at the end of your post,

"I've come to realize that just about everything is none of my business." Br. Cassian Vigna, pretty well sums it up. Your "poll" does not give complete choices. Yes, I was raised by a religious family, but you don't give the choice that would apply to me, or apparently, others on this site, so you could not use this as a thermometer for the feelings of all TGO members if you used this in a "paper" or other project.The poll would never be correct. Ya opened up a can of worms and threw away the top and gotta live with the things. Beliefs are not simple. Polls can be turned anyway the poller wants, depending upon how the questions are put. We all see it in our political system all the time.

[Guest Jason F.]

Again you miss the point. I am not asking about your beliefs, as my signature states your beliefs are none of my business. I am asking if you attended church as a child or not and if you attend the the same church as an adult, a different church, or no church at all. I do not care what church, what denomination, or even if you believe in God. I am sorry people took it differently.

[Guest bkelm18]

I get what you're saying. I was not raised in any religious manner and I have chosen to stay non-religious.

[Guest clownsdd]

I am not understanding the direction of the poll or what you are trying to accomplish. If it is a poll of TGO members, the numbers would be skewed because of the questions asked.

If "I am asking if you attended church as a child or not and if you attend the the same church as an adult, a different church, or no church at all." is your poll, those are the only questions that should be on your poll, just 4 questions or maybe 5 if you added none of the above. To go deeper would require several more choices than you originally presented.