So Susan, What are your views on religion?

[susandennis]

I honestly don't think about it much. I was raised by parents who were very active in their protestant church. I was forced to go to sunday school and church every Sunday. A lot of the teachings did not resonate with me and some were very confusing. When I left home, I gave it up entirely.

When I have thought about it, I'm conflicted. I think it might be nice to have all the rules and regulations of life spelled out so clearly. Heck, some positions in some religions even tell you what to wear so you don't even have to make fashion decisions.

I can easily see how the community of organized religion could be a comfort to some. I'm just not that big on groups of anything.

There are a couple of little weird bubbles to my thoughts on religion. While I really do think Mormonism is a weird cult with strange customs and whacko ideas, some of the best people I've ever known have been Mormon. My two best co-workers ever were both Mormon. They were kind and fun and sharp and dependable and thoughtful and interesting - just the nicest guys you ever want to meet. Other Mormons I have known have just been outstanding individuals. While I do have a prejudice against Mormonism, I think I have an equally strong prejudice for Mormons. Weird.

Personally, I'm not at all religious (except for maybe about Diet Dr Pepper). I'm not particularly spiritual. I do try to stay mindful and make sure I am aware and grateful and thoughtful.

Comments

[slinkslowdown.livejournal.com]

I actually have no idea if my parents are/were religious at all. I know Grandmom is some flavor of Christian, but I have no idea which--she never talks about it. I didn't even know religion was a thing that existed until school brought up the Crusades in history class. Kinda funny that I was "sheltered" in the opposite way a lot of religiously raised kids were.

One of my best friends from high school was raised Mormon [she was adopted by a Mormon family]. She... had a lot of bad experiences with the church. Her ex-husband was in the church and was extremely abusive, controlling, and manipulative. She left the church a few years ago and I'm happy she got out of it.

On the opposite end is a long-time local friend who was pagan when we met [I think we actually met at a Samhain ritual in town when I used to be pagan, too?]. She converted to Mormonism a few years ago. I was curious and asked her why and she said the pagan thing never "felt" right to her. It's definitely a pretty wild/"extreme" change from pagan to Mormon, lol. She hasn't at all changed as a person--she's still amazingly kind and giving and helpful. She has several fostered/adopted kids and as far as I can tell, she doesn't shove the faith onto them, which I'm happy for. I want them to be able to make their own decisions about it, y'know?

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

Politics and science are quickly turning into religions/cults too.

I've had that same experience with Mormons and ex-Mormons!

[mike297.livejournal.com]

Wow we certainly have the church thing in common . When I was in care in a catholic convent I was forced not only to go to mass but also serve as an alter boy.So yeah I hated that .I don't like any religion at all but do also have friends who are church goers.
Mike

[rejectomorph]

My experience of religion was similar to yours, though my family's non-fundamentalist Christianity involved a lot of interpretation of scriptural symbolism, which served me well when it came to such academic tasks as interpreting literature. Still there came a point in late adolescence when I just walked away (the religious usually say "fell away") from participation. Still, I continue to find religious symbolism of all sorts interesting.

I have friends and relatives who are quite devout, some of whom believe God talks to them and some who have even had visions. I think that is the main thing that distinguishes the religious from the non-religious. I've never had such experiences, and thus have never really felt like a believer. I assume that this means either that religion is a sort of psychological delusion not everyone suffers, or that I am a very wicked person unworthy of God's attention. Since, either way, I am doomed, I just don't see any point in worrying about it.