As an agnostic, I am genuinely curious as to why you believe in God/Allah.

Have you made any theological investigations into your faith, or is it just because your parents/culture taught you to believe and you have never felt it necessary to question it?

If you believe in God/Allah (without requiring proof) and have absolute faith, why are you insulted when people (like myself) question the validity of your religion?

Have any of you ever changed religion (for reasons OTHER than because you married someone of another faith - which, frankly, is absurd!)?


ADMIN'S NOTE: This thread is only allowed if you speak of your personal thoughts and don't try to persuade or argue with each other or make universal statements about religion and/or who/what is right or wrong.

I guess mostly it is what you were brought up with. I, as a Roman Catholic, grew up going to Catholic school and going to church every Sunday. Of course, in Religion class, I would always question the priests by asking "if God is everywhere, why do you say you can not get married outside of a church, like on a beach or in a field." I also don't believe in confession. I don't feel I need to go through a "middle man" to tell God I am sorry or how I feel.

As I have gotten older, I still believe in God. I love him and thank him for all my blessings. This is what makes ME happy. Having said that, I no longer go to church on Sundays. I just believe in trying to be kind to one another (and of course, being human I falter on that one). I certainly don't judge people on what they think or believe. I feel it is a very personal matter. I work with someone that is still a "christian", but of a different sect then catholic. He is very judgemental and believes his way is the only way. This is such a contradiction. I have also experienced this with my father's side of the family, they are Baptist and look down on Catholics. I never understood how someone can say they believe in God and love him and treat someone else like this.

I think because of some of these experiences, I make my religion a personal matter between me and God. I don't believe in "organized" religion. I think sometimes this is where problems arise. I certainly am not speaking for anyone else. Like I said this is a personal thing for me and I finally feel happy and at peace.

Hi Wendy!

I'm in your boat too! I'm quite spiritual- but not religious. I think Allah, Jesus, Buddha, Brahma.... they're all part of this huge universal godforce both outside and inside every organism!

How else can one explain the profound mysteries of life, love, joy and fate?

I have truly seen miracles in my life. I do believe in God and its not only because my parents raised me that way.
I think having a good spiritual relationship with God is like a marraige. Its not easy. There are good times and bad. Its hard work at times and maybe too easy to give up. But if you have faith and work hard, your reward will come.

I agree with you both, Christine and Keith. One just has to look at nature or what they have to be thankful for in their lives.

Don't get me wrong. I believe in God, I just don't believe you have to go to church every Sunday to show your love for Him.

I was brought up Catholic and went to private Catholic schools all of my life. I will admit that religion has been a huge part of my life. However, I believe you lead by example and my parents whom I believe are very fortunate to live a very healthy spirtual life, drove the path for me as an adult.

I'm very open minded to other religions, I may not agree with some of their teachings or beliefs, however I never have had the thought that my religion was any better than the next.

For me giving up an hour a week on Sundays, to praise God is the least I can do to respect the person I believe who died for us. What I get out of church the most is an hour of reflection of how my week went, how my upcoming week will go. Anyone who goes to church may take something different away from it.

I don't have the fear that if I don't believe or go to church that I will be condemed to hell. For me it's more of a spirtual uplifting that I need at times to keep me in check.

Scientifically speaking, it can be hard to comprehend for some who need proof. For me the proof is all around me, my family, friends, love, life itself. Sometimes even though people who have deep spirtual beliefs even struggle at the most difficult times. Why disease, why pain, why death...it's so unfair..if there was a God why would he allow this to happen.

These are the most difficult times when your faith is challenged and put to the test. Some people turn to God and some blame him.

For me if there is the remote possibility that their is a God, I would rather take the chance and embrace him. The question for me is, What do I have to loose? An hour a week. What do I have to gain? Peace of mind, which to me is a sense of spirtual fullfillment.

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when i was young i was believing in allah only coz i found myself as a muslim and i had never feel the faith or the excestance of allah, but day after day when i had bad days "actually so bad days" i relized the difference between having and not having faith ,
and now i know that when i have faith it is much easier to lay all your hard moments and share them with allah and believe me he had been,is,and will be helpful always.
and now for me it is do different to read holy quran and to feel it.