New to Forum

sherrib · 11-25-2007, 01:38 AM

I am new to this forum. I am not really young (46), so have put alot of thought into my ideas/beliefs over the years. I have not found anyone who shares my ideas/beliefs exactly, but some that are close. I once thought that I could be considered Pagan, but rituals aren't my thing. I do not rule out some unseen connection amongst all living things. I am in awe of life science, and I teach it in middle school. Ironically, science strengthens my belief that there is a connection of some sort. But, one god, multiple gods, specific rituals; I consider those manmade. So, where do I fit in? Don't really know. I do know that I do not feel a disdain for others' beliefs. I think that it is more natural for humans to need a specific higher power. I wish I could believe this way, life would be easier for me. Unfortunately, it would be a lie for me. So, if anyone else out there thinks like me, please let me know. But, if you belong to an organized religion, please don't waste your energy.

Buddha · 11-25-2007, 01:47 AM

Welcome to the forum! Looks like you have some great ideas.

Sa\/en · 11-25-2007, 04:45 AM

Welcome

romansh · 11-25-2007, 11:00 AM

welcome ... hope you'll habe fun here.

sherrib · 11-25-2007, 11:03 AM

Interesting replies so far. I might be out of my league here. Thanks for the "welcomes".

**Skepticologist** · 11-28-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrib

So, where do I fit in? Don't really know.

You seem to be in search mode, and that's perfectly understandable and OK. Having come to an agnostic forum, I'd submit to you that search mode will ideally be as far as you ever get. Your self-descriptory phrase "don't really know" is, after all, an encapsulation of agnosticism; i.e., there's insufficient evidence for either the existence or non-existence of god, so I "don't really know".

The challenge, having reached that point, is to maintain it (since I'm convinced you'll never develop an empirical proof either way) and continue to seek out snippets of truth based on reason and logic.

The dilemma, which you'll face throughout your life, is whether to continue to embrace not knowing as a permanent condition, or to lose patience and, driven by a not-uncommon need to be sure of something, grasp one of the readily-available recipes for knowing everything that are up for grabs.

Katnip89 · 11-29-2007, 06:29 AM

Sounds like you are a very open minded agnostic, just like me. I'm only 18, but I'm very proud in my beliefs and I'm a spiritual person. I almost agree entirely with what you wrote infact. I was raised catholic and felt like the black sheep since I was eleven years old. I could be swayed by any of my peers and /or relatives that what they believed in was true, I just couldn't do it. I wish I could have stood up for myself when I was younger... but I didn't want to offend my family. It has been a moral dilemma(sp) of mine since I was, as I said, eleven. I have finally become more self confident about my beliefs now and I'm glad that there are others like me that are very open minded. I wish I could have had others to reassure me that I wasn't being the terrible child I was treated as because my beliefs were different than that of my families. sorry for the huge post, but it really related to what i've gone through. Hope it gave you a little insight that there are others just like you

"when one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion." -Robert Pirsig

sherrib · 11-29-2007, 11:16 AM

Katnip, I'm impressed that at such a young age you have a good self-awareness. Growing up in a rural area in the midwest, I always knew something about me was different than most, but back then, I thought something was "wrong" with me. After leaving the midwest, I tried out a few churches over the years, but never got sucked into a cult. Even the Unitarians are too ceremonial for me.
Skepticologist, I don't know that I've ever needed to be sure. I think I just wanted a comfort zone, somewhere to fit in. I now have a circle of friends who also have no need to be sure, and I guess I'd consider agnostic. But, outside of this circle, it is difficult to be open. There is always a Christian who "pities" me. If someone tries to use scripture to pursuade me, I dread admitting that the bible is only a book to me. This REALLY isolates me from some people. Most people cannot believe that a person can be comfortable without a belief "system". I think it makes them uncomfortable and less sure, which is why they must convince me (in actuality themselves) that their belief is the "one" that is true.

Katnip89 · 11-29-2007, 03:28 PM

I've also been ridiculed by my peers for not having a belief system. Do you know what it's like having agnostic as my religion for my dog tag? I'm leaving for boot camp in 2 months and i'm nervous to stand up for what I believe in. When the instructors occasionally beat peoples asses for not being christian, because they are so ridiculous in their own moral values. But you know what.. and excuse my language.. F--- them. I don't believe anyone is superior to anyone else in this world. no matter what circumstance, religion, race, sex, or intelligence. I hate it when people think they are more important than anyone else, because we are all human beings. and If i have to get my ass kicked around for what I believe in , I say do it every day, because they'll never change my mind.

2shotsoflife · 11-30-2007, 04:08 PM

Well you said if you belong to and organized religion don't waste your time but sorry i had to post. Don't shoot me

lol.

I think you are a great person for what you say. With how much you know and understand about your beliefs you are more comfortable with them then 80% of the christians that I have meet over my short years(18). And so what if it would make it eaiser for you to follow the crowd and be a sheep. There is no physical evidence on this earth that proves an exsistiance of god. No matter what all the religious people say its just not there or we wouldn't have all this religious debate that we have. I really like how you say the more you know about science the more you belive in a god(higer being or something else just using word god to make it simple) That has always been a strange conundrum in my life too. I think you should not be afraid to say what you want about your beleifs. Poeple may look down on you but so what? I personaly its more important to show that you know where you stand rather than just say it and barly understand it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrib

I am new to this forum. I am not really young (46), so have put alot of thought into my ideas/beliefs over the years. I have not found anyone who shares my ideas/beliefs exactly, but some that are close. I once thought that I could be considered Pagan, but rituals aren't my thing. I do not rule out some unseen connection amongst all living things. I am in awe of life science, and I teach it in middle school. Ironically, science strengthens my belief that there is a connection of some sort. But, one god, multiple gods, specific rituals; I consider those manmade. So, where do I fit in? Don't really know. I do know that I do not feel a disdain for others' beliefs. I think that it is more natural for humans to need a specific higher power. I wish I could believe this way, life would be easier for me. Unfortunately, it would be a lie for me. So, if anyone else out there thinks like me, please let me know. But, if you belong to an organized religion, please don't waste your energy.