Changing your religion?

[MaddLlama]

Have you changed your religion since joining RF? Have you considered changing, or even just changed a small portion of your religious outlook? If you have, was it because of RF, or something external?
If not, do you think the idea of changing a religious belief, however small, because of discussion means something negative about the person?

 

[jacquie4000]

No i do not think it negative on the person. Many people want to learn more they seek knowledge they seek themselves. Religion is part of that search. Rf is a good tool for that because people here are more accepting then people sometimes on the outside world.

 

[Wandered Off]

If not, do you think the idea of changing a religious belief, however small, because of discussion means something negative about the person?

Not at all. I think it is positive to continually reevaluate and refine your beliefs as you encounter more information. It can be a sign of healthy mental activity, empathy, and listening. I would even say it is negative to be unwilling to consider a change of belief.

 

[Ody]

I went from a Reform Jew to somewhat of a Haredi view point

 

[Hacker]

Yes actually I have, when I first joined RF, I was in search of something more meaningful in the religious sense. I was very unhappy at this time with Christianity but struggled for a very long time with actually accepting the fact that there are other religions out there...the reason for this stuggle was the brainwashing fear that Catholicism/Christianity imposed on me. I thought that it was Satan decieving me into feeling this way, until finally, about a year ago, I felt compelled enough to search for a better understanding. So I came to RF, and learned about the various religions and found U/U to fit the criteria of what I think a religion should be. I don't want my daughter growing up being taught what I was taught, and since I don't ascribe to any belief exclusively, U/U gives me the opportunity to grow and learn more without any dogmatic rules or fear deterring me...and I want my daughter to have that opportunity as well.

 

[MaddLlama]

I went from a Reform Jew to somewhat of a Haredi view point

If you don't mind my asking, what's that?

 

[Ody]

If you don't mind my asking, what's that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haredi_Judaism

Specifically..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breslov_%28Hasidic_dynasty%29


It's a process though, it's hard to get total observance quickly especially in a public school.

 

[Lindsey-Loo]

Yes, I went from an Ultra-Conservative-"My-Way-Is-The-Only-Way" Christian to a much more tolerant and "tell-me-what-you-think-and-why" Christian. That made no sense, did it? I'm a lot more liberal than I was in certain issues now, like gay marriage, and things like that. All of that was because of RF. I also added some first nation/cherokee spritual beliefs into my religion and philosophy on life, and that was not related to RF. (That's why my profile says 'mostly christian').

 

[Sunstone]

Changing a religious belief is something that everyone should do as they grow, for lord help the person who has at sixty the same beliefs and understanding he had at six.

 

[MaddLlama]

I have changed my beliefs since being here. I started out as a Pagan influenced Pantheist, and since coming here realized that my spiritual home is outside of Paganism, and I am currently seriously considering walking down the Buddhist path.
I'm not sure exactly how much effect RF has had on my decision, but it has effected it in some way.

 

[A. Leaf]

Still Christian by nature, but love the Hindu concept of 'who am I?' when worked in conjunction with the buddhist theory of the wheel and reincarnation, with the passion of prayer and faith of Muhammed.

 

[standing_alone]

Since joining RF, the most I changed was from an agnostic leaning atheist to an atheist. Not a big change and really had nothing to do with joining RF. I guess when I really think about it, I was really just an atheist the whole time.

 

[MaddLlama]

Since joining RF, the most I changed was from an agnostic leaning atheist to an atheist. Not a big change and really had nothing to do with joining RF. I guess when I really think about it, I was really just an atheist the whole time.

Do you think participating here helped you realize that?

 

[standing_alone]

Do you think participating here helped you realize that?

Perhaps it may have speeded up the realization, but it was something that I would have been reflecting on regardless of participation on this forum. But yes, perhaps it did...

 

[Gentoo]

I don't think I've really changed my religion, I went from Pagan to Eclectic Wicca. I just refined what I believed and finally accepted Wicca. RF did help me realize that I believed in more than just paganism, that I wasn't satisfied with that particular label anymore.

 

[Zephyr]

I came here a muslim, but soon lost any faith in the desert god.

I am now a heathen.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I am always changing my religion. It is as dynamic as I am. There are certainly static themes to it, but I am always growing, and my spirituality must follow me.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I am always changing my religion. It is as dynamic as I am. There are certainly static themes to it, but I am always growing, and my spirituality must follow me.

Though, I should say that RF certainly helps. Discussion and debate is extremely important in forging my personal world, and having access to the viewpoints of so many other people certainly expands my knowledge of it.

 

[Mercy Not Sacrifice]

Have you changed your religion since joining RF? Have you considered changing, or even just changed a small portion of your religious outlook? If you have, was it because of RF, or something external?
If not, do you think the idea of changing a religious belief, however small, because of discussion means something negative about the person?

I used to be a VERY conservative Christian until a few years ago. Another forum I participated in heavily helped this to occur; ironicially, its very purpose is to do the exact opposite, but at this place, this is how the typical transition works.

Right now I see RF as a venue where I can tie up some loose ends, such as figuring out whether I am a full-fledged agnostic ATM, or how close to this state of being I am.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

I used to be a VERY conservative Christian until a few years ago. Another forum I participated in heavily helped this to occur; ironicially, its very purpose is to do the exact opposite, but at this place, this is how the typical transition works.

Out of curiosity, do you consider this a good 'change'? Do you think it was negativity on the other site or some other factor that caused the transition?

I think that RF has helped me to be comfortable with some of my beliefs. Even a year ago, I would have been ashamed if someone had been critical of my 'mostly goddess' path, and would have allowed myself to backpedal furiously. I'm a bit more confident now.