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To: LauraleeBraswell
And I don't see religion as a problem. I am a Deist.

I guess it's time for me to back up a bit and humbly re-read your comments. Oops and I'm sorry.

I went through a Deist period starting at 18, although back then we were called agnostics. I just looked at organized religion as excuse for abuse and wanted nothing to do with it.

But 10 years later I discovered I was way, way wrong. Sure there are church bad apples that the MSM will run with but the blessing of belonging to a church community is amazing. It becomes your second family, people you can depend on, people you care about and people who care about you.

Sure organized religion has been nasty, (Muslim's trying their best right now) but the bottom line it is not the organization as much as it is the individuals involved. IMHO, you are missing out something wonderful. I dissed a loving community for 10 years , I hope you don't make the same mistake.

12 posted on 01/13/2005 9:02:02 PM PST by lizma
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To: lizma
I recognize that because I'm young my religious views are subject to change. I didn't grow up with much religion, and I never made my confirmation although I guess we were technically Episcopalian.

I used to describe myself as agnostic. Agnostic as in there could be or there couldn't be. And then of course something bad had to happen and I realized that you have to believe in a greater power. People that believe in nothing are either young and misguided or extremely self absorbed. To feel that there might not be anything higher than yourself is a very simplistic view. You have to believe there is something.
I was also very anti Christian. I viewed religion as a mass brainwashing institution, like Santa Clause for adults.
In history class all throughout school, all we learned was about how the church did this and that and how corrupt the whole thing was, the manor system, Crusades, etc.
It took a Health class on Alcoholism, Alcoholism of all things, and a requirement to attend an AA meeting that I realized that Faith Helps people.

And then I realized that Religion and Church is really a gathering for people of similar religious views to support one and other. And what is so great about this country is that we were founded under the premise of God, but left it up to the individual to decide HOW he or she wished to worship that God. I don't see myself as rejecting a community because as of right now I'm not seeking one. But I am well aware that my religious views will probably change in the next few years. (but my political affiliation will not)
14 posted on 01/13/2005 9:38:39 PM PST by LauraleeBraswell (“"Hi, I'm Richard Gere and I'm speaking for the entire world.” -Richard Gere)
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