The Theist Sanctuary

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The majority of WP members seem to be atheist. The PPR forum can be miserable for a religious person.
I would like to discuss my faith without being judged and insulted. My assumption is that other theist feel the same way.
I can't logically explain how God can exist but I just know. When I look up at the sky I know that their is something greater than all of us.
I don't see very many theist on the PPR forum and I understand why.

If anyone wants to discuss religion with me then I will be glad to listen.
I think it's unfortunate how all the worlds problems are blamed on religion.


I request that the moderators Don't move this thread to the PPR forum.

Good idea. I was going to start something similar myself, but was dissuaded.

There was a thread in Members Only where the majority of the interesting discussions about religion and spirituality on WP took place. Maybe I should go look for it, perhaps sticky it up.

I want to discuss religion with you. I am some kind of pantheist. But I think that you're mixing up several different issues.

If you are simply a pantheist / deist, then why can't you join in with the atheists when they criticise religions? After all, you don't believe that Jesus was the son of God. You don't believe that the Koran or the Torah is the word of God. You don't believe that God interferes with the physical world. You agree with atheists on 99% of the issues.

The position that religions cause harm in the world is not an atheist position. It is a position on human culture.

Hi Artrat,
I am a Christian, one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
I would love to talk about what it's like to have faith in God in a mostly anti-God place.
In my time studying the Bible, I have come to know God as a master mathematician, a physicist,
a physician, and a skilled engineer. I look at the precise organization of the stars and see an intelligent design not a random happening.
I believe that God and Jesus are two separate people.
I believe that God's name is Jehovah and that the word God is his title, (like CEO.)
I believe that the Bible was written under direction by God, using humans to do the physical
writing, (again, like a CEO and a secretary)
I believe that Satan is behind all of the mess this world is in. (Remember the Garden of Eden?)
I Believe Satan has temporary rulership over the earth.
When Jesus was tempted with the opportunity to rule over "all the kingdoms of the earth"
by Satan, wouldn't Jesus have called him on it if he didn't have that power to give away in the first place?
I Believe that God does NOT torment people in a fiery Hell.
In fact the scriptures say that God had condemned some pagan religions for "passing their
children through fire" It goes on to say that something like that "had never even come
up into His (Jehovah's Heart).
These are just a few of the differences between my faith and the faith of main-stream
Christianity.
The God I worship has faith in me to make the right decisions.
He gives me guidance and information to make my choices, then gives me free will to make them.
If you want the exact location of the scriptures I've cited let me know. I'ts kinda dark in my room right now to go fetch and read my Bible.

Last edited by GreyGirl on 05 Feb 2012, 11:12 am, edited 4 times in total.

Threads that actually get hostility from atheists (and non-atheists) are almost exclusively controversial/offensive in nature.

I'm a Christian too. Catholic, to be exact. It disheartens me when I come onto this site and see so many people with atheist quotes in their signatures, or who make references to their beliefs in unrelated threads. I often feel ashamed to be a Christian on a website that harbors so many atheists. I know they must all look down on me and feel superior to me due to my beliefs. And that's not even getting into the rampant anti-Catholic attitude that is also prevalent on this site. Even my one of best friends on here has made anti-Catholic statements. It's all very discouraging.

I'm also a Christian and I feel the same way. I feel outnumbered when I come on here in many ways and religion shouldn't have to be one of them. I've also noticed that most of the people on WP are atheist, or they don't understand morals. I also feel outnumbered in a number of ways, but this is the way that I feel the most outnumbered.

For Fudo's sake we support this thread his nature defies competition anyway;)
But I'm no theist or atheist. Dubito ergo cogito ergo sum is as far as I got.

I am a Hindu.

I respect my religion but over the years it as seen its fall.

Mostly i chant prayers, chant mantras, visit temples rarely, make offering to sun God,
To basil tree daily.

I felt presence of God in my life many times he is always there with me...i have witnessed miracles too
Twice i have come close to death and was saved by some unknown force
which i would like to call God, Angel, Spirit guide

I also believe in theory of karma and reincarnation..

Nowadays i am attracted towards Zen Buddhism though i dont know much about it............

Unaffiliated Christian (non-denominational?). I'm, self-taught in theology (does that make me a Baptist?) I don't attend Church and wouldn't know where to start.

I was baptized Catholic but seem to be having a loss of faith in Catholicism. My faith may come back but it may not.
I still have some of my Christian morals and values. Just thinking about abortion depresses me and makes me feel like crying.
People have told me that this belief was illogical but within 6 days of fertilization the genetic makeup of the child exists.
According to people in the PPR forum religious people are stupid and Christians seem to get the worst insults.

A lot of the theist hatred is anger at a God they onced believed in. I may be having trouble with faith but am not angry at God for it.

I tell people on the forum that I am a pantheist but I am not so sure about that. I believe that God is associated with nature but God has to be greater. When I look at nature I feel a god-like presence. That is the main reason why I am a theist.


Hey namaste, I am attracted to Buddhism too. I have seen the effects of karma and believe it exist.
Reincarnation seems likely sometimes but other times I am uncertain.

Hello, Everyone! I'm delighted that this thread is in 'Random Discussion', and would like to join in requesting that it not be moved...I want a Random Discussion about God, religion, and faith without anger, arguing,hostility or prejudice, and I just know we can do that here. I could have written at least 75% of kestrel's post, though being a former member of a fundamentalist church, I am not self-taught. I look back at my time there with affection and gratitude, and I often wonder why 'fundamentalist' is now seen as synonymous with fanatacism. It does not mean that at all, really, it means that you know and study your Vedas, your Koran, your Bible, your Sutras, etcetera, and that you have found your God or Goddess or your path or your purpose. Namaste's and GreyGirl's posts are what I hope this thread becomes; introducing ourselves, and introducing or sharing our beliefs, and enjoying each other's spiritual insights. No criticism, no disparagement, NO BULLYING!!
I'm looking forward to some encouraging and friendly conversations.

Sylkat

Good plan artrat. Religion is my main interest, and PPR doesn't always feel that welcoming to me.

I'm off out to talk to the snow, but I'll definitely be back.

I believe God is love and and that we should love others as we love our selves. This entails entertaining other peoples perspectives without hostility.

Dear JNathanK, That was beautifully put.

Sylkat

I'm an atheist but I have no problems with others having whatever religion that they want as long as I'm not made to participate in it.