Atheism: Not me, not now.
Some have said that atheists are more religious than the average person, because they have strong convictions about how things should be.
Read through this section, whether you consider yourself spiritual or not. You have reasons for what you believe. Print this out and add your comments after each statement.
Leadership: Agree or Disagree
Religious leaders seem to have their own agendas, instead of selflessly lifting others up.
The idea of having an outside father figure and counselor appeals to me.
Religions are usually controlled by a few. Believers tend to be followers by nature.
Leaders are valuable in keeping normal human bickering and opinion from warping truths and destroying the group.
Most religious leaders are simply organizational managers.
People can avoid cults by avoiding strong leaders in general.
There's often a hierarchy that lends itself to easy corruption.
Religious organizations are a great place to exercise talents and gifts, meet people, and avoid boredom.
Organizations don't do justice to their religions.
A religious leader brings people living everyday lives into unique contact with the supernatural.
It's important to have connections to leaders for weddings, funerals and life crises.
A religious leader could be a good mentor and give people the confidence or insight to improve their lives.
Some leaders have such great ideas but the people under them are too self-seeking to carry out these plans.
Some people have given up their right to make decisions about their lives, allowing leaders to control them.
Some leaders allow irrational premises as the bases for their teaching, spiritual and political thought.
The strangest story I've heard:
Supernatural
I have heard stories of angels, ghosts and demon worship but I think they are contrived by people who are bored with normal life or crave power.
I believe that there are supernatural forces at work but they have their own agendas, and are not looking out for me. So it's safer to just stay out of it.
I've seen congregations with hands raised like they're at a football game, and I don't understand how they have the guts to do that toward a personage they can't even see.
I do not believe that there are right or wrong forces, only ones that we can't fully explain right now.
I've had experiences where uncanny conicidences fell together.
Worship is something for minimized people. It's a practice that led civilizations into sacrificing people to volcanoes and stopping productivity for prayer times.
I don't understand what worship is supposed to accomplish.
Here's an experience I've had that forms my reactions to people of faith:
Donations and Resources
I have heard of people who've invested a lot of their time and money into something they don't know much about.
People blindly let others control these funds; their money goes down a virtual drain.
Donors are often given no voice or information on how money is spent.
Donations are often gobbled up with administrative costs.
It makes no sense to me how some have given up their careers, their cars and homes, valuable property and savings to religious groups.
It's frustrating that some give money to truly worthy causes and don't seen a reward beyond the tax deduction.
Some religious groups get involved in the above causes. Which ones should they stay away from? Which should they be more involved in?
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Creation Controversy
I do not understand how the world came into being, and am not about to jump to the conclusion that a very big being made it.
I am following the scientists as they continue to find out more about the formation of our universe.
The earth could just as easily be made by many beings as by one.
I'm fascinated by the idea that a supreme being would have the same creative tendencies we do.
I don't see a creator as someone to have a personal relationship with.
I think that the world could have been created, but I don't feel a need to get involved in the discussion.
A higher power does not need to be a creator to be worth following.
Why Bother?
Religion should be about blind trust, not about picking and choosing.
Religion seems so random, there are so many and I don't agree with any of them.
Religion is for old ladies with fancy hats and for tribal groups who aren't connected with our society.
I have heard of medical research that people who pray end up healthier in old age.
I just know that if I started talking about religion, my peers would think I'd gone off the deep end.
Religion is so personal that it should not go beyond the privacy of your own mind.
I don't like how religion would put additional rules and authority over my life. I need to stay focused and in control.
I see religious people who seem happy, but I don't quite believe they are.
Some people appear so happy they're annoying, and don't seem to understand the realities of life.
I've met some happy people who have gone through many real struggles, and have chosen to be happy for their survival. I respect happiness as a choice.
There are religious people whom I respect, but I don't understand why they need that extra element in their lives.
I enjoy seeing people focused, and am intrigued by how some are and calmed, energized or more tenacious though prayer.
Religious Communities
I see a higher level of intolerance in religious groups than in the general public.
Religious groups often have their own solutions for social management, such as the treatment of poor and elderly, criminals and education.
It makes me nervous that they can create and control mini-communities.
I like the idea that people can choose subgroups that they agree with to govern their communities.
Some of them might have great ideas for a larger scale, but it would be hard to implement for a country.
Communities like this become so inwardly focused that they become stagnant, their visions get twisted and they end up militant or abusive.
I see a higher level of compassionate people in religious groups than in the general public.
Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves, it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take credit for it.
Ephesians 2:8 TLB
Jesus said to him, "have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet believe."
John 20:29 RSV
But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.
John 1:12 JB
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain..of your own poets have said, "for we are also his offspring."
Acts 17:28 KJV
Look up other verses online
God, you know how complex my thoughts are on this subject. Use the tiny bits of hope and interest and faith, and build on them to reveal yourself. Protect me from paths of twisted truths. You know the pain I have seen and felt, especially pain caused by others. Don't let these memories destroy my health and progress. You claim to want the best for my life. I give you permission to make some restorations. Help me know who you are.
Feel free to print this page out once for yourself and take time to think over these issues on your own. We will not collect information on you, especially on these personal questions. If you have questions, contact us or find a kind and trustworthy person nearby.
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