Damn Parents

Why are people so damn closed minded when it comes to religion? Doesnt religion, namely christianity, preach tolerance and ACCEPTANCE. My parents are always say to accept others beliefs, and not just because they are christian. They say it because "its right" to accept others beliefs. But my parents, like almost anyone else dedicated to a religion are hypocrites. I told them today in a religious debate that I believe in God and Jesus, but DONT consider myself a christian. I gave my reasons, and my arguments and they couldnt argue them back. I gave points to why I think not just christianity but organized religion as a whole is stupid, but that christianity is a big one. I gave my OPINION and they got on my case. Actually, my dad was good to argue with. I can talk to him about politics and religion and debate it. My mom on the other hand started getting angry and freaking out. Over the next week I dont think she'll be saying much to me and its why, because I dont consider myself christian? I believe in god and jesus, but because I dont believe in the religion she does im apparently some kind of blasphemer. Whats funny is my family isnt normally all that religious.

My dad doesnt really approve but he accepts it. Which is all i ask really. I can talk to my dad and debate with him. Not with my mom. I can talk to my mom about personal stuff really (cant do that with my dad) but cant argue with her. Esspecially about religion. What I hate is that she SAYS she open minded, but the second my beliefs are different then hers she gets mad at me. Now that she knows I dont consider myself a christian shes really pissed.

Ugh.

Your mom and dad are EXACTLY like mine no joke.

Kudos on being able to listen to other's views, take them in, and entertain them despite necessarily accepting them as your beliefs. That's a step up on most, as I'm sure you've already noticed...

I've gone through this issue myself. All I can say for me is that I learned when to or when not to engage in a "religious" debate or discussion. In fact, there's still times when I tell people that I still claim my childhood religious views, just to get them off me religiously...they just wouldn't understand.

The problem I have with most people is that they confuse "spirituality" with the man made institutions of "religion" and want to believe that a church's rules and dogma rituals actually are "spirituality".

You're not evil or wrong just because you choose to not believe in a book that super-naturalizes a regular, human man and which was kept alive through word of mouth easily for over 300 years before anyone decided to write it down. (I want to apologize to anyone reading this who may be offended...the truth is often hard to accept when it's heard)

Honoring dogma and tradition over honoring the truth is no way to honor God/Spirituality...

My parents don't care. In a way, I wish they did. It might be interesting to see them try to get me to Sunday Services (it'd be no battle - I can't get up until at least five in the afternoon).

Every christian that ive ever known is very defensive about their beliefs. I really enjoy debating wih people about religion, but when its a christian they always freak out when I say something that goes againgst their beliefs. I have no clue why, I wish christians could atleast listen instead of just blocking everything out that they dont like.

If this isnt you then im srry.

Hey, not me. Im not the Christian. I just said that I find Christianity a waste of time and knowledge. My mother is the Christian, and shes the one who isnt listening. I used to be Christian until recently.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaniaz

My parents don't care. In a way, I wish they did. It might be interesting to see them try to get me to Sunday Services (it'd be no battle - I can't get up until at least five in the afternoon).
[/b]

---

Ya I was thinking about that, I'd beable to rebel against them, for some reason I sometimes like to rebel expecualy when I know what I'm doing shouldn't be punished against, I just like to be diffrent, I like independance (read my sig. qoute), I thought chirstianity was all about jesus and god :?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LucidDreamGod

I thought chirstianity was all about jesus and god :?
[/b]

---

Its supposed to be. But its a very hypocritical, contradicting and controlling religion. Not to mention the Church tries to rule by fear, and is full of lies and deceit. Take purgatory for example. Purgatory never existed in the bible, and if Christianity is true, it doesnt exist. Why? The Church just threw it in there secretly. They had no reason to, they just did. When it was found out, the Church was extremely embarressed. Its not as tolerant as it preaches either. If we are to follow the Christianity, we should follow the Old Testament and the Old Testament only, why? Because it dates back to Christianity's original roots and to the religion it used to be. Its not the same as it was 2000 years ago anymore. And, that said, in the Old Testament it is stated that we are SUPPOSED to stone homosexuals. Church still believes that. But, at the same time it also says we should be accepting of the disabled. Church still believes that. Now, in that time that would be all well and good, but now we have science... which the Church flat out rejects. Homosexuality, can be considered a disability. Its an imbalance of X and Y chromosomes and Estrogen and Testosterone. So, we're basically being Hitler there. The bible also states we are SUPPOSED to KILL ANYONE who works on Sunday. So much for morality. Besides, I'd rather not trust a book that was written at a time when people thought the Earth was flat. Take Revelations for example. My favourite book. But it says each of the horsemen was given a CORNER of the EARTH. I'd think that to be physically impossible, wouldnt you?The only "Word of God" in the Bible comes from Moses as well. Everything else was written by someone else, thus it loses its credibility.

The Church flat out rejects science. Take Evolution for example, just like homosexuality, its been proven. But the Church wont believe it. Not only does the Church not believe it, but it convinces its followers that its not true. This is slowing down our advancement in Science. We'd be much further into our origins if the Church didn't interfere, or at the least accepted the truth.

Then we've got the whole issue on Jesus' race. Even the Church portrays him as white, which he most definatly was not.

And how many people have died in the name of Christianity, or because of Christianity? Salem Witch Trials are a well known one.

That, and many more, is why Im not a follower of Christianity.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ExoByte

Its supposed to be. But its a very hypocritical, contradicting and controlling religion. Not to mention the Church tries to rule by fear, and is full of lies and deceit. Take purgatory for example. Purgatory never existed in the bible, and if Christianity is true, it doesnt exist. Why? The Church just threw it in there secretly. They had no reason to, they just did. When it was found out, the Church was extremely embarressed. Its not as tolerant as it preaches either. If we are to follow the Christianity, we should follow the Old Testament and the Old Testament only, why? Because it dates back to Christianity's original roots and to the religion it used to be. Its not the same as it was 2000 years ago anymore. And, that said, in the Old Testament it is stated that we are SUPPOSED to stone homosexuals. Church still believes that. But, at the same time it also says we should be accepting of the disabled. Church still believes that. Now, in that time that would be all well and good, but now we have science... which the Church flat out rejects. Homosexuality, can be considered a disability. Its an imbalance of X and Y chromosomes and Estrogen and Testosterone. So, we're basically being Hitler there. The bible also states we are SUPPOSED to KILL ANYONE who works on Sunday. So much for morality. Besides, I'd rather not trust a book that was written at a time when people thought the Earth was flat. Take Revelations for example. My favourite book. But it says each of the horsemen was given a CORNER of the EARTH. I'd think that to be physically impossible, wouldnt you?The only "Word of God" in the Bible comes from Moses as well. Everything else was written by someone else, thus it loses its credibility.

The Church flat out rejects science. Take Evolution for example, just like homosexuality, its been proven. But the Church wont believe it. Not only does the Church not believe it, but it convinces its followers that its not true. This is slowing down our advancement in Science. We'd be much further into our origins if the Church didn't interfere, or at the least accepted the truth.

Then we've got the whole issue on Jesus' race. Even the Church portrays him as white, which he most definatly was not.

And how many people have died in the name of Christianity, or because of Christianity? Salem Witch Trials are a well known one.

That, and many more, is why Im not a follower of Christianity.
[/b]

---

I totaly agree, that was why I'm now an atheist, despite the fact when I went to bible studies some kid would bully me and no one did anything about it, ofcourse that didn't have anything to do with it, basicly I believe people were ignorent at that time, therefore I'm not a big reader of books from that time either, their ideas were so vague, and theres been religoun which people killed themselves and in ethiopia women bag to get whiped to death to respect there brothers, the world is full of ignorence.

It makes no since what so ever to me why people would follow religoun it limits freedome, I belieave steve pavlina a really smart guy with his own site recorded a podcast on how religoun limits us.

sorry I can't spell religoun :P
you might find this interesting http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/04/s...eyond-religion/

Yeah, I certainly I am glad I don't have Christian parents :) I mean, as far as I hear, there are a lot of Christian parents that are really dogmatic and close-minded.

Anyhows, I feel sorry for you. I mean, you can't even not call yourself a Christian, while still believing in jesus and god. If you have arguments and people don't have a response to them, yet they ignore your arguments, then most of the time they are eighter close-minded or robots. :)

Lets stick with close-minded :)

AH wel, at least you didn't get beaten for saying you don't see your self as a Christian. =)

im kind of the same way you are but i havent really told my parents i dont believe. if i would it would be the end of my life as i know it. i think they would take it way seriously and then... do bad stuff. probably treat me like the devil and then get my church leaders over to the house and stuff. i hate all those close minded people... none of you live in utah amongst the mormons so you wouldnt know the true horror of close minded people. its like any religion that doesnt have the book of mormon is evil and wrong. although the church teaches that many churches have some truth, the people dont think that way. its kind of like social suicide to back away from the church... not to mention if your a member of the church in utah it gives you some social and financial stability (and the hot mormon girls will be after you lol). well thats my 2 cense.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ExoByte

[color=#3333FF]
Why are people so damn closed minded when it comes to religion?
Merlin: People are narrow minded about religion because they fear the unknown. When somebody casts the shadow of doubt on a set of beliefs that have been life guidelines, they naturally lash out in fear.

Doesnt religion, namely christianity, preach tolerance and ACCEPTANCE.
Merlin: You will find countless occasions when religious dogma and practice differs from the core texts.

I told them today in a religious debate that I believe in God and Jesus, but DONT consider myself a christian.
Merlin: Under the definition "of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings", you are a Christian if you hold Jesus as your primary religious figure.

What I hate is that she SAYS she open minded, but the second my beliefs are different then hers she gets mad at me.
Merlin: If you believe in tolerance and acceptance, try not to hold religion as the focus of your anger.

[/b]

---

Those were Rhetorical questions you know.

I'm seeing a lot of steriotyping here, and I cant say it is not all undiserved

but you must remember that there are those who doen't fit this catagory, and are more then willing to hear both sides before making a disission, as well as appreciat a good religius debat about the validity of there Faith

Oh I agree. There are many people, esspecially here, that are open to free-minded discussion. However Im generalizing

Man, Exobyte, I fear that if I tell my parents, I will be in the same state as you. Ive gone to chruch my whole life, but now Im not religious and Im scared my parents will react like yours if/when I tell them.
I hope it gets better for you, cause that would give me more hope.

Hi! Why don't you forget your parents for a while instead? Why not post what it is you do believe? You might find other like minded people here, then you can converse them :bigteeth: instead of trying to explain the impossible with your parents

I understand how difficult it can be too. my dad probably thinks I've lost faith, when I still concider myself a follower of Jesus Christ. I however, am against institionalized religion and church as a building instead of a people. I don't even try to explain to my dad why I cant stand christmas mass, especially when Santa Claus is there telling kids he will visit them tonight :|

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by juroara

Hi! Why don't you forget your parents for a while instead? Why not post what it is you do believe? You might find other like minded people here, then you can converse them :bigteeth: instead of trying to explain the impossible with your parents
[/b]

---

Alrite, Im an ex-christian. I was always taught to follow Christianity and raised Catholic. My family isn't actually all that religious, but nonetheless, I was taught to believe in God and Jesus and follow the Catholic way.

Personally, I believe in God and Jesus. Jesus for sure. He was a historic individual, was a real person, and was crucified by the Jewish people. Wether or not he walked on water or preformed real miracles however, is up for debate.

Once again I have to say that I believe somewhat in the idea of God. I however do not follow, believe in, or trust any form of Christianity OR any form of Organized religion. The reason I don't believe in Christianity, as I posted on the previous page, is its a very hypocritical, contradicting and controlling religion. Not to mention the Church tries to rule by fear, and is full of lies and deceit. Take purgatory for example. Purgatory never existed in the bible, and if Christianity is true, it doesnt exist. Why? The Church just threw it in there secretly. They had no reason to, they just did. When it was found out, the Church was extremely embarressed. Its not as tolerant as it preaches either. If we are to follow the Christianity, we should follow the Old Testament and the Old Testament only, why? Because it dates back to Christianity's original roots and to the religion it used to be. Its not the same as it was 2000 years ago anymore. And, that said, in the Old Testament it is stated that we are SUPPOSED to stone homosexuals. Church still believes that. But, at the same time it also says we should be accepting of the disabled. Church still believes that. Now, in that time that would be all well and good, but now we have science... which the Church flat out rejects. Homosexuality, can be considered a disability. Its an imbalance of X and Y chromosomes and Estrogen and Testosterone. So, we're basically being Hitler there. The bible also states we are SUPPOSED to KILL ANYONE who works on Sunday. So much for morality. Besides, I'd rather not trust a book that was written at a time when people thought the Earth was flat. Take Revelations for example. My favourite book. But it says each of the horsemen was given a CORNER of the EARTH. I'd think that to be physically impossible, wouldnt you?The only "Word of God" in the Bible comes from Moses as well. Everything else was written by someone else, thus it loses its credibility.

The Church flat out rejects science. Take Evolution for example, just like homosexuality, its been proven. But the Church wont believe it. Not only does the Church not believe it, but it convinces its followers that its not true. This is slowing down our advancement in Science. We'd be much further into our origins if the Church didn't interfere, or at the least accepted the truth.

Then we've got the whole issue on Jesus' race. Even the Church portrays him as white, which he most definatly was not.

And how many people have died in the name of Christianity, or because of Christianity? Salem Witch Trials are a well known one.

That, and many more, is why Im not a follower of Christianity.

However, just because I don't believe in Christianity doesn't reject my believe in God. I am slightly agnostic on the subject though. I believe in him, or actually would like to, but I also believe and know that there may not be a god. That god just might not exist. I know that I believe in something without proof. That I put my faith into something that is a mystery and an unprovable being. So I believe in him, but many times I wonder.

There is much to wonder about wether God exists or not. There is much to debate about wether any religion is real. Take Scientology for example. Proof of how easy it is to create a religion. Not to mention the number of religions out there that all have different thoughts and beliefs on what is and isn't.

Look at it this way. Is Santa Claus real? Or what about the Tooth Fairy? Easter Bunny? We all believed in these things as kids. But why did we? Because we were told they exist. We were raised and taught about these beings and told they were real. The same principle can be applied to God. We have been raised being told this being is real. Indoctrication. We're beings being programed to believe certain things.

What about Natives? They all have their own beliefs and stories of creation, and they were the first peoples of the world. Yet we pass them off as wrong.

All this said, there is a lot about God and Religion that is up for debate. I believe in a higher power, but sometimes this belief is easily faltered as there is a lot of proof against it and not much for it.

That said, Im on the border line and am being pulled both ways.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ExoByte

Homosexuality, can be considered a disability. Its an imbalance of X and Y chromosomes and Estrogen and Testosterone.

What about Natives? They all have their own beliefs and stories of creation, and they were the first peoples of the world. Yet we pass them off as wrong.

All this said, there is a lot about God and Religion that is up for debate. I believe in a higher power, but sometimes this belief is easily faltered as there is a lot of proof against it and not much for it.

That said, Im on the border line and am being pulled both ways.
[/b]

---

alright well.. first off, nothing has actually been proven about homosexuality. we just dont know if its a choice or if its biological. there is equal evidence for both sides. and i dont even like to think of them as having a disability. i would like to see you go up to a homosexual and tell him/her that they have a disability.
second, who are you talking about when you say "Yet we pass them off as wrong"? i believe that every religion, no matter how strange, probably holds some truth to it.
lastly, i think you are thinking too logically. belief is based on faith, and not soley on fact. do you pray? if you believe in a god do you talk to him? if you dont believe in his scripture then dont read it, but dont tell me you cant talk to him. well thats just what i have to say anyways.

juroara asked for my beliefs, and I gave them.

What does prayer have to do with this? Where does "talking to God" come into this? I never even mentioned that. Personally, I said I believe in a higher power, but you can't talk to that power if it doesn't exist. No, personally I don't pray.

"We" is a generalization. For the most part its just plain most of society as well as religion. Of course a Homosexual won't accept it being a disability. They wouldnt want to believe their sexual orientation is out of their control. Even when its out of the control of those who are straight, and bisexual as well. Its just a way to justify them being different. I have nothing against homosexuals. But that isnt what this is about.

Your response barely had anything to do with the topic at hand. Of cource belief in God is based on faith, because there is no fact to prove it. Once again, that has nothing to do with anything as I said anyway, even dispite all that I still do somewhat believe in a God, or at least a higher power of some sort. So don't tell me about faith, when even after I said I acknoledge that there is no way to prove god, that I still believe in him.

It is a Faith not a religion.
Christian does not mean religion. It actaully means Little Christ.
What means we are to be Christ like. Not saying you have to be perfect it just means you try your best. So I am not a Religious Christian I am a Faith beliving Christian.
Hope that made sense ><

as far as i can tell in this discussion, you said something, and then everyone commented on what you said. i commented on things that you said that i know are false. naturally i had to say something. so there is relevancy to the topic. and your beliefs post changed the topic completely anyways. you also said you were on the borderline and didnt know which way to go. and my comment about prayer was relevant to that. if you pray and got an answer wouldnt that be proof enough for you personally that there is a god? although you may not admit it, im guessing you made this topic to get some sort of advice. and if you didnt thats what it looks like. it seems that you are just being ignorant of my advice... all well.

Jesus wasn&#39;t christian and Buddha wasn&#39;t buddhist. Both people preached against organized religion, yet now christianity and buddhism are the two biggest world religions. That is irony at its best.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by By ExoByte
Hey, not me. Im not the Christian. I just said that I find Christianity a waste of time and knowledge. My mother is the Christian, and shes the one who isnt listening. I used to be Christian until recently

---

I want to know why it a waste and why you recently thought your not a christain anymore.

I rather talk to you in a pm or on a messagner if that ok so nothing on here get started.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lucidwolf

It is a Faith not a religion.
Christian does not mean religion. It actaully means Little Christ.
What means we are to be Christ like. Not saying you have to be perfect it just means you try your best. So I am not a Religious Christian I am a Faith beliving Christian.
Hope that made sense ><
[/b]

---

It almost made sense, in your own world. Christianity is THE organized religion since like 1500 years. Maybe you Claim to not to be part of that, but I doubt that you Not go to church. There is no real reason to go to church, you can praise the lord, jesus and the holy spirit just fine from your own home.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DoWhatIwant

I want to know why it a waste and why you recently thought your not a christain anymore.

I rather talk to you in a pm or on a messagner if that ok so nothing on here get started.
[/b]

---

Well, I will talk to you on MSN, however, this is a religion section for religious debate, and I did cover most of my reasons within this thread.

Quote:

---

and your beliefs post changed the topic completely anyways. [/b]

---

Not really, the topic was about how I don&#39;t believe in Christianity and how my parents are against my beliefs. My beliefs are completely relevent considering its what my parents dislike.

Quote:

---

you also said you were on the borderline and didnt know which way to go. and my comment about prayer was relevant to that. if you pray and got an answer wouldnt that be proof enough for you personally that there is a god?[/b]

---

No it wouldnt. Because there is such a thing as a coincidence. I believe in luck, not miracles.

Quote:

---

although you may not admit it, im guessing you made this topic to get some sort of advice. and if you didnt thats what it looks like. it seems that you are just being ignorant of my advice... all well.[/b]

---

This part is just stupid. So, if Im really not asking for advice, and tell you that, Im just denying it? Frankly, advice is all well and good, but this was to share my experience due to religion, and see if anyone was in a similar situation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DoWhatIwant

I want to know why it a waste and why you recently thought your not a christain anymore.

I rather talk to you in a pm or on a messagner if that ok so nothing on here get started.
[/b]

---

OMG

silly Christian alert&#33;

lol

My parents are narrow-minded. They think the only option with life is to live it as an obedient citizen, following the nation&#39;s rules, and working one&#39;s ass off for the rest of the population until one turns 65. My mom is especially narrow-minded; when I said I find it understandable that people murder each other, she said it is the same as taking the murderer&#39;s party and started to talk lots of bullshit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by King

My parents are narrow-minded. They think the only option with life is to live it as an obedient citizen, following the nation&#39;s rules, and working one&#39;s ass off for the rest of the population until one turns 65. My mom is especially narrow-minded; when I said I find it understandable that people murder each other, she said it is the same as taking the murderer&#39;s party and started to talk lots of bullshit.
[/b]

---

What a bullshit. If she was born in nazi-germany, your mom would love to kick out jew&#39;s teeth :/

People just suck, that is the point.

Especially your parents, lol. :)