I would like to know what you believe? Do you believe in God? If so do you have a particular belief/denomination?

I will go first. Yes I do believe in God. I am Christian. In particular a spirit filled Christian.

I will share more... What are your views?
 

To Brad: If you feel this topic shouldn't be discussed here and want this thread locked I would not be offended.
 

Like most kids I know, I stopped going to church when I became independent. Why? Who knows? Maybe it just didn't take; maybe it was overdone. I never went back.

While in Los Angeles, I got a taste of Judaism and it fit. I don't believe in conversion to Judaism because you either are or aren't Jewish. So I merely looked on with fascination. I also checked out non-denominational places like the famed Crystal Cathedral (all the way down in Anaheim).

When I returned to The Bahamas I fell in with some Roman Catholics and attended weekly mass at a monastery near my home. I really liked the simplicity of their service. It's been a while since I went there and I've heard that the monastery is closed now.

I'm not a "holy roller" or a "bible thumper" but a lot of the religion from my upbringing has stayed with me. My mother is INTENSELY religious. While we are both religious people, we do not always agree on how Bible scriptures ought to be interpreted.

I won't get into the particulars of what I believe (and do not believe) because that will get us all into a lot of trouble.

Note: I think this thread can work if we avoid commenting on other peoples' posts. No need to say "I agree" or "that's a load of crap." Just read the posts and/or say what you have to say ABOUT THE TOPIC and then leave quietly. Otherwise...I see a padlock coming.

I just don't believe in organized religion. If it suits you, fine. But it doesn't interest me.

The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles
 

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Bob
The Old Showman
 

"...here on this forum.. alot of "people" find religion "G-d" and other subjects of this nature.. Ojectionable.....? Makes you wonder.. doen't it... "

As you are a newbie, I will be easy on you.

First of all, don't think that there is something to wonder if we find mention of religeon and or god objectionable. Actually, I think you are definately off. In fact, if you are not careful, you could sound as if you are trying to insult the majority of us. That is the fastest way to get put down. Instead, try bieng a bit more congenial.

To joshua Lott:

I myself am LDS, or mormon, and also strong-agnostic. That means while I belong to a particular religeon, as I was raised in it, and I find more comfort in it than not, I am also of the persuasion that there is no evidence that god neither exists or does not exist. I do not have "faith" as some would put it, as a scientist by nature, I find fact instead. Faith is nothing more than a series of neurons firing in just the right order. Change the order and you have schizophrenia.

I do not doubt the existance of god, but rather tend to believe that with current evidence, there might be some higher power or authority who has "guided" us along, even placed us here so many years ago.

If anyone finds offence to the discussion it is only because this is a technical forum by its very nature. While religeon comes into play in many discussions, the very discussion of who is what could very well lead into who is right and who is wrong, etc.

We try very hard to make sure that these posts do not erupt into heated debate and hatred. Remember that more atrocity has been committed in the name of god, allah, or whatever, than for any other reason. Religeon is fear based. Tech forums are fact or question driven.

So just be careful when broaching the subject. Sure it is a factor in our lives, in many cases. For me it is not a problem to share, but I do not try to encourage anyone to see it my way, I do not proseletyze. Or preach, or whatever.

So just remember to be careful when asking the question.

Dave
 

If you believe in your specific religion, then stick with it and live it to the best of your ability.

Some of the most inspiring messages I have heard about living and caring about others came from pastors of congregations not associated with mine.

When my friends invite me to attend church with them, I am honored to do so. And I have done that many times.

Faith, everyone needs it to survive. It does not mean that it has to be associated with religion. It should be used as faith in ourselves to do the right things in life and accomplish our goals requardless if there is a higher being or not. Even if one does not believe, one should always maintain high morals for his or her own sake. Doing the wrong things makes you look bad to others. It is just possable that god could be watching you thru the eyes of others.

Praying for material things will get you nothing. Only you can achieve the means to gain these things. Hence having faith in yourself to achieve the means to aquire the good things in life is good. Having a Religion to express yourself with others can be a big plus but is not needed to achieve the good that one can give to his or her self and the people around them. Whether you believe or not God could be watching you right now thru the eyes of your neighbor.

I too believe that we need more good movies like some being produced by the Christian community. Now this is not only to bring people to religion, but to let people know that many of the problems in society start with building a strong family. And also just to let the people out there that think there are no other options, that there are always options and people willing to help you out in what ever sitution you are in.

I my self have always liked helping people, and was always and will always be there for my friends. This is both before and after I became a "christian."

I have always known that politics and religion are the two "no-no" subjects to bring up unless you are amongst friends. These two things run deep in a lot of peoples lives. And they have strong convictions about them. I felt that this is a community of "friends" and I applaud everyone for keeping this thread tame.

 

At any rate, it's my opinion that mankind would have to be awfully arrogant to presume that there is not a higher being in the universe.
 

-Claude
 

I think I have something useful to say here.

When I look it this world and people tell me there is no God I find myself amazed at their disbelief.

The reason is simple. Take a look at a blank wall and then use a projector to project a film on it. What was once lifeless, dull and uniform becomes animated, active and brought to life.

Look at the moon now and you will see a giant wall equally lifeless, dull and uniform. Now look at the earth and the vibrancy of the creatures and plants that dwell there. Look at the color, the light and shade, the action, the drama, the humor, the tragedy, the laughter and the pain.

The truth is we are all in one giant movie. Perhaps the sun isn't the flaming ball of fire that we think it is but rather the glow of a giant projector lamp turning what was once lifeless and inert dust into the the best picture show in the universe.

And as we all we know, wherever there is a movie being projected there is a projectionist.

cheers Peter

PS When's intermission? - I want a donut

What do i believe in?

I tried to answer this...but i dont feel i can put it into words!

quote:

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"And as we all we know, wherever there is a movie being projected there is a projectionist."

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Not with DLP!
 

cheers Peter

[Sorry we're getting off topic here...]

I know the one way that works for me, but I believe there are many paths to God...I hope each of you finds the faith that brings you peace.
 

I think it's important for people to share their thoughts if they feel they need to, but to teach instead of force ideas upon others. I listen more than I talk when it comes to religion since I don't know much about a lot of them. It's not really important what kind of faith you have, but that you have faith. (Not to offend any Atheists out there.) We've already seen what can happen when one group asserts that their God is more right with violence.

Heh, and I wasn't even going to reply to this thread!
=TMP=
 

Don't worry about it. I just wanted to make you aware that sometimes some people take things the wrong way. I often inadvertantly start some big fights, so even I, the god of all I survey, must occasionally watch my words.

It is good to have you on board.

Dave
 

I was raised by my mother (father left at age 1 and 1/2) who was raised as a Roman Catholic. Went to Catholic school and everything. She did not feel the need to drive those beliefs on my sister and I so I grew up pretty much a blank slate, which I am eternally grateful for. I still believe that a good set of morals and healthy behaviors were developed, without the "required" belief in something which I could not possibly comprehend at a younger age.

Around the age of 16 I started to get curious about spirituality in general. I had only been in a church 3 times; twice for plays put on my friends and once for my aunt's Roman Catholic funeral. That was an awkward experience, my mother whispering to my sister and I to prompt us to "sit" "kneel" or "stand", with some other mixed in errors on our part. For about two years I asked friends about their beliefs (mostly Baptist and Jewish) and decided the structures just didn't fit my personal beliefs.

I then stumbled upon Paganism, more specifically Celtic Wicca but I keep it pretty broad taking inspiration from many different facets of Pagan practices. (Egyptian, Druidism, Shamanism, New Age, etc.) Resources were not in short supply for researching as I have always lived less than 15 minutes from Salem, MA...one of the "hot-spots" for Pagans due to the history of the city. I won't go into great detail of my specific beliefs, but I never try to push anything on anyone. I do believe Wicca to provide a lot of good values and beneficial knowledge of many things from gardening/cooking to mental health. The one thing that really drew me over the edge towards Wicca was the structure. There almost is none. There are titles such as High Priest and Priestess, etc. But you don't have to confess to one or even ever meet one. There are recommended rituals and tools. But there are no requirements, no musts, do's or do not's (other than to promise not to bring harm onto anyone, including yourself) etc.

I am not suggesting that such requirements are bad for anyone. In fact I can see where set rituals and routines could be extremely fulfilling and reassuring for some people. Always knowing your priest was there to hear your confession and forgive you. I just enjoy the lifestyle of being personally responsible. Not relying on someone to punish/forgive me, just knowing that if I go to lengths to commit negative acts, that energy will fall back on me.

To close, I think that all religions/denominations/belief structures have a little bit of the right idea inside of them which is to lead a good life and be kind to others. But as has been pointed out they can lead to terrible acts (9/11, the Crusades, etc.) The point is to find what fits you best (even if that belief is in yourself and those you love rather than a religion). That's what I think anyways. The only question is do I let my daughter grow up the blank slate as I did or try to bring her up to be a good little witch.

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"The greatest thing you will ever learn, is just love and be loved in return."

Barry C. Martin
IATSE Local 182
 

Up until about two years ago, I was a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Then, I decided that the Missouri Synod was becoming too liberal for my tastes, so I joined the Wisconsin Evengelical Lutheran Synod (this is about as conservative as it gets - I love it!)

When I was in high school, I dated a girl who was Roman Catholic, and her parents made us go to 5:30 mass on Saturday nights before we could go out on our dates. One thing I percieved about the Roman Catholic church is that it was very reverent, very ritualistic, but also seemed somewhat monotone and repetitive to me. It wasn't what I was looking for. To me there was no spirital connection.

During college, I practiced what I called "bedtime Baptist", that is stayed home and slept, but might have watched one on TV if nothing else better was on.

My first wife went to a Church of Christ, which I thought was somewhat like a Bapist church, but no musical instruments, and the preachers seemed too pushy for my taste. When she (my first wife) left me and filed for divorce, we were both asked by the elders of that church to leave the church, as they did not look to kindly upon divorce. That did it for me and the Church of Christ. At a time when my wife left me and it seemed to me that everything was falling apart, they turned their back on me when I needed spiritual guidance more than anything else.

Fast forward to 1997, when my present wife and I were dating, we were attending a small non-denomination church in Nashville, and all was fine until we announced we were getting married. The pastor of that church also asked us to leave because I had previously been married before, and he told Dawn she could do much better than me. We left.

Searching and searching for several months led us back to a Southern Baptist Church. We found a church in Nashville that was wonderful. It was led then by a Senior Pastor who was about 40 years old, and knew how to connect with people our age. The church was filled with new young families, an active youth department, as well as the senior adults who weren't too fond of the "new people" and the "new pastor'.
Our Senior pastor was called to another church in Missippi in December of 2000, and the young familes started to leave the church in droves. We stuck it out until April of 2002, when we packed up the truck and moved to Lebanon to start the drive-in.

We set off again "church shopping" and tried several different ones. We tried the "Contemporary Services" of one Baptist church, but felt they were too contemporary and the services had no sence of reverence. Too many - what I call 7-11 songs (7 words - 11 times in a row), and we actually witnessed a guitar and drum solo at one service!!

We found the church we are at now, which is led by a new Senior pastor, who is once again attracting the young families with young kids, motivated to see the church grow, and actually remembers your name from Sunday to Sunday.

Religion seems like a word that is dictated by forced organization. Too me, my personal beliefs and my personal relationship with God are just that.... personal. However, I feel it is the role of the local church to be the "support group" I need when I have questions about God, or am striving to get closer to God. The act of public assembly & worship give me the ability to express it.

Now let's just wait and see what happens, when they find out we're the ones opening the drive-in movie theatre which shows the "Evils of Hollywood" that corrupt the innocent minds of our youth!!

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Barry Floyd
Floyd Entertainment Group
Lebanon, Tennessee

Stardust Drive-In Theatre
Watertown, Tennessee
 

I am and Elder and Deacon in the Presbyterian Church USA here in New York City. I grew up as an Episcopalian and my wife as a Roman Catholic. Together we settled in the Presbyterian Church and have been active members for 38 years and counting.

Whatever your faith or belief to thine own self be true.
 

Been a very happy Atheist (with a degree in religious studies) for over ten years.
 

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

I was born Methodist, confirmed Lutheran, and converted to LDS.

quote:

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P.S. Paul, Are U sure you're not LSD?????

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Duh, yes - I still have some of my marbles....I have not lost them all yet.

Well, after what I did yesterday, I may have lost some marbles along the way. I bought two pick-up truck loads of computers, monitors, printers, and rack mounded hubs. I paid a total of 30 bucks for the whole shebang. Now I got to figure out why I did that, and where I am going to put all that stuff.

Must be the Jewish "tint" in me.

How many of the Mormons (Latter Day Saints) on this list have made the trek to the Rochester area for the annual Hill Cumorah pageant and to see the Mormon historical/religious sites near Palmyra? The pageant is a memorable experience with wonderful stagecraft:
http://www.hillcumorah.com/
http://www.hillcumorah.com/Pageant/hillc.htm

Kay Whitmore, retired President and CEO of Kodak, is a Mormon.
http://www.palmyratemple.com/announce/dncreport.asp
http://ronj.webpipe.net/bus.htm

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion