The Religious Path

[luna-tic]

To those of whatever religious denomination. What made you want to follow the doctrine?
What circumstances led you to that decision?
How were you convinced by the book, priest, family or friend if you had no religious inclination before?
What keeps you believing?

[Ice-Maiden]

You think by shouting about it and ramming it down peoples' throats that less people are going to die??

[naomi24]

Sorry guys, got to go to bed, but I'll pick up on this tomorrow. Goodnight all. x

[Ice-Maiden]

Night Naomi.

[bladski]

I gotta drive home from work but will be back to answer in about 20 min (this is turning into a chat)

[luna-tic]

Sorry to sound like a twit bladski, so you were prompted to ask God by someone who presented you with a religion to see whether you believed it or not and then your conscience or The Holy Ghost/spirit said, yes it's true?

[Ice-Maiden]

Bladski's gone to check up on a few facts to back up his ramblings.

[luna-tic]

Yes

[luna-tic]

Thank you everyone for your answers.
I don't wish to be rude bladski but after reading your initial reply, I'm more confused than ever as to the reasons why you follow your religion.

[Ice-Maiden]

Night wizard.

[luna-tic]

Goodnight Naomi
Goodnight Wiz
Goodnight Ice-Maiden
Blimey this is sounding like The Waltons
I'm off to snooze aswell.

[Ice-Maiden]

Night luna. I'm off somewhere else - don't want to be saddled with Blatski on my own!!!!

[bladski]

Wiz whatever your example is doesn't matter... ok fine a flat world is a great example. It's the principle of following what u believe the example really has nothing to do with it

[bladski]

Naomi - I believe that the leader of my church "leads" my church and receives revelation and direction from God just like the Prophets did in the Bible, so to answer your question yes I do believe that he has knowledge that I don't and he is God's instrument in letting us know the will of His church on earth. Now about the Spirit I would like to quote a scripture from my church (mind you this is what I believe for myself, u can take it how u will):

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right (prayer), and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feeling, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong."

The burning in the bosom is the Holy Spirit revealing truth or knowledge and this is what I believe is how we receive our own personal revelation from God. This is what I did to know that my church is true.

I know many people don't belief this even though it is said in the Bible, but what if everyone prayed to God to be directed to truth and he led them to it because of peoples faith... it's as easy as that. And again that is the basis for my belief.

I'm sorry if i've been unclear before and I don't mean to offend anyone either so I apologize if I have.

[bladski]

Wiz - To answer your question about James. It is perfectly fine with me if you choose not to belief in a verse or what someone said 2000 years ago in the Bible, and I'm not hear to convince you either. But I belief in it and that's why I used that verse I was trying to backup what I was saying, that's all, you don't have to belief it :)

I really am not here to argue I was just simply trying to explain my belief a little

[bladski]

Ice - No i was not going to check facts and I'm sorry that my personal belief/spirituality is "ramblings" to you.

Is it so hard to accept that one person can pray and receive answers and through that gain faith and believe in a denomination.... because that's all i've been trying to say. I have not shot down any other religion and I have not told any of you that you are wrong maybe different but not wrong.

Why does religion always have to be so confrontational?