Why do you believe?

What is you reason to follow a religion?

[Love Wisdom Truth]

Because I gain something when I do.
You should try too.

[WhiteWarrior]

I don't follow a religion. Freedom can never be underestimated. But I do believe they have at least elements of truth in their teachings, and things of value to offer for those who need them. I will not be a part of any of them though, because I keep noticing all the bad things about them too.

[Miss Hepburn]

You mean why am I a Buddhist, Sikh, Christian, Hindu?
They fit what I already experienced....

[Morpheus]

I first believe at the age of 17, while away from home, and in opening my childhood Bible, and reading it.

I read His words of compassion and authority, of His miracles performed and His teachings on Faith, and was infilled with His love.
I believed, and came to what I understood later was my destiny, apart from time and space.


WhiteWarrior:

I don't follow a religion. Freedom can never be underestimated. But I do believe they have at least elements of truth in their teachings, and things of value to offer for those who need them. I will not be a part of any of them though, because I keep noticing all the bad things about them too.

However, you are referring to what we all have inherited. EGO, as related to the evolved animal/mammal, and connected to the survival instinct, within illusory time and space.

The construct of, "Space/Time".

There are many aspects to Christianity, as I'm sure you must know. Do you notice the bad things occuring daily, apart from Religion?

[Silver]

I think I've always known somehow that the religion I was raised up in (sunday school every week ~ Episcopal church) was really a belief in something part in this world and part in another ~ anyway, it has become belief in a path.

I do not follow any particular religion.

Had you asked for the reason I follow my belief (i.e. belief in All That Is), I would have said that there was no reason. It was always there.

I follow Jesus' teachings. He said that his teachings are spirit and life. That is what I follow.

Jesus taught the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a spiritual kingdom diametrically opposed to 'religion'.

Religion is all about love for buildings, if not that then love for our bodies, it about rules like don't eat this, don't drink that, don't do drugs. Religion is about 'holy days', special words, and traditions.

Why do I follow Jesus? Because he is the only one I have found with the spirit to quench my thirst. He is the only one to say something that no one else has ever said, ''stop working for money, work for God and love, and I will feed and clothe you''.

I like to take the knowledge that many religions provide and notice their similarities as I get closer to the "core" of the matter.

As of right now, I am studying under a Soto Zen Buddhist priest. I am finding that since taking up serious study of Buddhist practice, I am making leaps and bounds. It is not necessarily from becoming "Buddhist", but Buddhist practice has helped me to integrate many aspects of spirituality in my life.

I believe its because children are preconditioned that they need a religion.
Through there raising other words a Christian family is more likely to raise a Christian then an Athiestic family.
John Lennon's Imagine comes to mind when reading this thread.
Relgion is nothing more then a belief instilled upon us like the belief of Santa Clause. Then sometimes when we get older we dont like certain beliefs so we try to fill somekind of empty part with another belief system.
Believing we are not just lab rats in a maze is comforting for some.
Believing there is a higher deity is something that comforts many.
Also fear of the after life comes into play as well.