Do you believe everything you hear/learn in your religion?

That is why I believe it is important to research what you believe and know why you believe what you do. You should not just listen to someone else's opinions on the matter, or their interpretation of the Bible. Some pastors take the BIble out of context and try to make it mean something completely different than what it actually does. Following blindly is not the way to go about religion, how would you answer someone if they asked a question? "Oh, I was taught it, so that's what I believe." That's just dumb. I believe what I do because of personal experiences, what I have read and found to be true, what i have researched and found to be true, I don't believe what I do because somebody told me it was the right thing to do.

I totally understand what you mean. I was raised catholic myself, but I have always found it funny that us catholics seemed to forget about God everyday, except Sunday. It was as if saying it doesn't matter waht ins I commit during the week, on Sunday I'll just repent and confess. Although I don't practice a religion, I have come up with my own theory as to who God is. I don't know his name, nor where he came from. I don't know his story nor do I know which book he is really in. I don't know if he gave his life for the human race nor have I seen his face. I don't carry a portrait of him in my wallet nor do I have an altar for him. I don't know if he has a home nor do I visit. I do know he answers all my prayers, whoever he is or wherever he might be. I do know he has never left my side in moments of pain and hardship. I do know there is a God. Now that I think of it, my theroy kinda rhymes :)

Faith is believing in something/someone unseen. I have somewhat studied a few religions and still come back to the bible. The Christians are the only ones who have a way to salvation. You are right that preachers will come up with their own interpretations some trying to relate things from the bible to todays situations some succeeding and others failing. The best way to see if one is teaching correctly is to read the bible yourself and test what they say. In John 14:6 it says, Jesus saith unto him I am the way, and the truth and the life: no one cometh unto the father, but by me. Know that there are no contradictions in the bible as some may lead you to believe . If you read it literally and understand the language you will find this to be true. Understand it is each persons own choice to believe or not believe, for Christians it is our duty to try to persuade everyone to the salvation through Jesus by the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. I could go into it more but would take up too much space. If you like you could go to www.e-sword.com and can download different versions of the bible and run them side by side for comparisons. Some are literal translations translated into English.

If you say your a follower of religion x, and they teach A,B, and C, bit then turn around and say I don't follow A it is too far fetched, B I am okay with, but don't hold with the C because it is an outdated and doesn't fit with our modern social ideas, then there is a word for you. That word is hypocrite...

U just have to believe what you believe.. "You have to believe in something or you will fall for anything!"

I was raised as Catholic and when i was a kid they taught me to go to Church every sunday and to pray every night and to follow what the bible says word by word , however , growing up i stopped believing in the church ( especially because i am from Rome and living close to the Vatican City i realized that the church has to much power and is seems that money are importtant there too ). I dont judge anybody's religion and i have my own beliefs and i talked to God everynight and i Thank Him everyday . Peace

I grew up with several possible religious influences, and the one I wound up becoming part of was by my own choice. I did make the choice at a young age, but I made it based on what I see as a calling, not something someone else told me. Also, I've done a lot of religious research, about my own religion as well as those of others. My first real religious teacher was my great-grandmother, and she encouraged me to question and study on my own as well as listening to what she and other elders had to say. When I was still a child, I had studied both holy books and folklore of many cultures, and could easily explain my own religion in ways that a lot of adults I know that claim it can't. I don't believe in taking everything anyone says at face value. Even if you trust your religious teacher's integrity, they can still be misinformed or even biased. No one is perfect, not even clergy. Of course, since I'm a Celtic Reconstructionist Pagan, which isn't exactly a mainstream or organized religion, I suppose it's pretty much necessary for me to be well-read. There isn't any one holy book in my faith, nor is there any ordained authority who can tell me what I have to believe.

To each his own. Like what you say there could be 10 different responses if 10 people were to read the same story. I am of the opinion that all religions teach the same value. The only difference is the way these values are highlighted and brought out to the believers. Ultimately, it is the faith and understanding of the believers that propagates the religion.

it is upto each person to follow any religion or not. he/she is taught about the beliefs and the customs by the parents and the society. as a child all these stories and practices are like a fairy tale. the child's mind can be moulded so easily, but as he grows the child learns to think and then the factors of researching and believing come into role. many do not try to probe into the secrets of their religion and its origin. being superstitious and too much carried off by their religious beliefs are very much prevalent in my country. I live in India and there are many religions here. many riots have occured but still man loves to live peacefully and in harmony. but many antisocials take their religion for granted and setup plots to create political imbalance which often led to communal riots. as a hindu ,the practices ,the customs, the festivals, the taboos and the beliefs are numerous. our gods list is so huge they make a big family. i did not so far try to research on the existence of such vast lineage of superhumans. they are the idols we worship and the devotion is like a path for living life peacefully, in harmony with other life forms and as a guide to avoid sinful practices. i do not entirely believe the Hindu mythology. but learning it is extremely interesting. i worship gods in my religion because they give me peace of mind and the courage and determination to achieve things in life. it may be their blessing or the psychological advantage i get by doing it. eitherways it is good for me and it works for me.

Yes, I do believe in most of the things I learn in my christian faith because the statement will normally be supported by the bible. Now, if I find that the preaching is dispute with the bible, then I will put my doubt and consult the other priests for further explaination. Normally in a Catholic preaching, you don't hear the version of the preaching to wide the gap. So, I do believe almost everything I hear or learn.

I do not believe everything my religion says as the gospel truth. Thing is religion is just a man made with doctrines formulated by humans, and humans are not perfect so why would any religion be perfect?

Yes i definitely believe everything that i hear and learn in my religion. After going through a program called ESQ, it tells me even more about GOD. I encourage you to join this program. its a great program. i'm not sure about the program website though but its very good.

I think all religions are oriented toward leaving the bad stuff and doing the good ones. so, whatever the stories are and thier numbers. i think their would be a a good pupose behind them.

I personally am not religious, but I used to believe what peopel said when I was

Everybody needs a Belief and Most people have a Belief System. Every belief is correct for those who follow it. This is because everyone in on the Path to God. Its not important which Religion you believe, but it is important that you believe your religious beliefs. If you do not believe your Priest or Pastor, its time for you to do some research and find a belief system you can Trust. It all boils down to believing your beliefs, and doubting your doubts!