This new season brings with it the signs of hope.

[ashleybruner]

Is it possible to believe in God, but not the bible? I think so, but I think that the god you would believe in is not the Christian one. I like talking about the religious beliefs of others. It helps me to have a conversation about the topic without judging others or trying to shove my beliefs down other's throats. I want to know and understand

Comments

[whatsherstory]

This is where I agree with you - whatever it is that gets people by, go with it. Whatever works for them, go for it. But Catholicism does not work for everybody and you must respect that.
So just because I can acknowledge that you have your beliefs and I have mine, but that neither of them are THE right/wrong beliefs, does NOT mean that they "really mean nothing at all". They mean something to me and yours mean something to you - you find comfort in yours as I do mine, and so forth.
I'd be glad to contribute my beliefs to this discussion, although I don't consider it so much a 'picking apart' of beliefs so much as a close look at them. 'Picking apart' just sounds like criticism, which is not what I want here. I seek understanding is all.
Everything that I've said is a basic reflection of my founding beliefs. If you have any specific questions about anything, I'll gladly answer. It should be noted, however, that because I try to continuously keep an open mind and explore other beliefs, there are certain beliefs that I'm not as firm on. As per you with the pre-marital sex issue, there are things for which I'm still 'looking for an answer', if you will, which we're bound to come across. It is perfectly fine to be in such a stage. I'll always remember Mr. Daudlin saying "The more you question God, the closer you are to coming to know Him." I've always thought that was a wise perspective on religion. We should not merely accept what we are told, but question it, and if it still makes sense to us then, then you've got yourself a belief.
Things that I believe:
-as of now, in a superior being, but not in God
-pre-marital sex is okay
-well, you know my stance on marriage anyway and since it's a ceremony founded in religion, that basically explains that
-people should just have their own, individual beliefs since everyone's beliefs vary anyway
-however, if religion is something they find comfort in despite disagreeing with some of its beliefs, go right ahead
-people blame too many things on human nature
-but since what is and isn't a 'mistake' is subjective anyway, what is 'human nature' becomes subjective as well
-sexual activity is healthy
-using sexual activity as a way of boosting one's self-esteem is emotionally unhealthy (textbook example of provocative teenage girls who lack strong father figures, if you will)
-CHOICES, this is a big one, you know it. Based on how we look at things and our actions, we choose happiness/sadness, success/failure, etc. We also ultimately have the choice of letting factors that get in the way of those choices affect us or not.
-I don't believe in fate, as the last point would imply

Holla atcha, girl.

(Yeah, I actually had to divide this thing in 3...maybe we should just talk like normal folk.)