Religion: What it means to you

I guess I'm a Christian. But do I believe in the nativity story and Adam and Eve? Heck no! This is why I say 'I guess', aka I celebrate Christmas, Easter and other such holidays. However I celebrate these holidays not for my love of god, but for my love of what these events mean to me. On Christmas everybody gets presents and eats good food and is charitable and what not, and I think thats frigging awesome. I don't go to church on Sundays, and if I ever do it reminds me of how little I believe in the stories.
I recently spent the last few months in Indonesia, a country with an 80% Muslim count, and the village I was in was 100%. Different world, but also remarkably the same. I partook in the month long fast and the feast at the end. Does that make me Islamic? No more that celebrating Christmas.
So I had a big problem find what to believe. I had big problems with devotion to a god, and I eventually stumbled upon Buddhism, a religion thats mainly about finding how to be content with yourself. I still live with my family at the moment so I can't declare I'm changing religions and suddenly a Buddhist. It's a gradual change as I find my center. For now I call myself a Christian Buddhist.
So what does religion mean to me? It is merely what I believe at the time in order to attain some kind of inner peace with myself and the unexplained things around me.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Erisu Kimu

You do realize that Christianity cannot start without purpose, right? That Adam and Eve "story" is the reason why Christ came. Death through Adam, Life through Christ. You should stick with one religion in order to avoid confusion or conflict in beliefs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not Christian (although I did follow for two years), but I'm pointing that out just to let you know.

First off this forum is not meant for a debate, it is about statements on your opinions. It says so clearly at the start. However I shall respond in order to redeem my beliefs. I apologize in advance.

Beliefs are beliefs. And the purpose is what you make of them. To me a religion is merely it's effect on people. Therefore saying I'm Christian because I believe in the celebration of Christmas and other holidays for the feeling it gives to people, would be correct. This is what it means to me, it is my opinion and therefore cannot be false by definition. If your opinions are different than mine be happy with them, as long as you realize it is an opinion and is not right or wrong.

If you wish to continue the discussion I suggest we take this to pm's, as havening it here will most likely aggravate people.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Erisu Kimu

Believe what you want. No one said you couldn't.

lol, I would just like to do so without having to hear about it. :P

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by GhaleonQ

Paper Crane, I apologize. I feel like this is my fault.

Apologize for what? I'm still smiling. Seeeeeeeee ---->
If I sound annoyed, I am not. It's all in good fun.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Chibi Neko

Well you gotta admit, some of the ten commandments are decent.

The 10 commandments are in Judaism and Islam as well, as they all come from the same route. So Christianity can't claim it as theirs. Also there are things in other religions such as the Noble Truths and the Cause and Effect Sutra from Buddhism. When you look at almost all religions the have the 'don't kill's and the 'don't steal's. It's just a different way of explaining the same ideas.

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