Religious Americans: My faith isn't the only way

I'm not sure why anyone is surprised at the two possible conclusions (don't understand their faith's teachings or that a wider tolerance is being embraced). For most people, religion is about comfort, not a subject to study. As for the second possible conclusion, Western culture teaches tolerance as a virtue. It would be no surprise to find people grafting a modern virtue on to their understanding of religion.

The only significant division left is between the smaller group who adhere to an absolute truth (more likely to study their teachings) and the majority who support relativism.

Eternal life or eternal rest? I've always had faith, a few years ago something happened. The best way to describe it is that God came to me. Like I said always had faith but I guess didnt truly believe. I've gone from a nice person, to a good person. I should have died so many times, but some how I made it. I've never wanted to die till now. I have found my peace took 31years, I'm 41 now. My life's bin so crazy/mest up, but I live it truer then most people that go to church. I've always helped people but now the life I'm trying to save is mine, I cant seem to get of this trip. With me it will be truly eternal life. Lost in Cheyenne Wyoming

Dead Serious wrote:

I'm not sure why anyone is surprised at the two possible conclusions (don't understand their faith's teachings or that a wider tolerance is being embraced). For most people, religion is about comfort, not a subject to study. As for the second possible conclusion, Western culture teaches tolerance as a virtue. It would be no surprise to find people grafting a modern virtue on to their understanding of religion.
The only significant division left is between the smaller group who adhere to an absolute truth (more likely to study their teachings) and the majority who support relativism.

I've found that difference of religions has not effected my friendships and that we are friends across all religious or ethnic lines. This is especially true at work or in my neighborhood (which is very diverse, racially and ethnically as well).
On a more intimate basis, like visiting each others house, we share
holidays exposing our children and grandchildren to differences. We wish all schools to keep out of the teaching process. The kids seem to "get it" without prejudice from their friends over a shared meal or treat, especially if their is a multi-cultural desire by the parents.
Sometimes if the school promotes diversity, as many in my neighborhood do, these schools often have "leaders" of the religious groups prepare the presentation and they CAN be good if the end result is to promote diversity not ganging up on a group not present.

Look at places like Willow Creek, it's about buying your way into heaven. What did He say, Give unto the Lord what is the Lord's and give unto Caesar what is Caesar's. Don't tell those hollywood preachers that.

Pete wrote:

It isn't "what my faith/religion" say, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Jesus stated in PLAIN WORDS..."I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."--John 14:6
How hard is that to understand? If God said it; I believe it! End of story.

Your comment underscores the bigger problem in this country. You take the Bible as the word of God, period. However, some feel the Torah, the Quran,and whatever else is out there to be the be all end all of "God's Word". You believe what you want to believe and that's what religious freedom is all about. However, it takes on a different tone when one sect so believes that it is right, that it tries to incorporate it's beliefs on everyone to make a political point, or to make it the law that all must follow regardless of what they believe.
I find it re-assuring that the majority of the people polled do not just follow their faith blindly, but realize that all must be respected. Only when everyone feels that way will we all reach true salvation in life and the afterlife.

Len--

Your progression of thoughts leaves me confused. You start by saying it isn't just the Bible, but also the other texts (Torah & Quran) that are God's word. Then you concede that believing only one is ok, that's the purpose of freedom of religion. Then you imply the real problem is when one group forces its ideas on everyone through laws. You finish out by saying the only true salvation in this life and the next is when everyone is one particular way (tolerant, I guess?).

You're guilty of the same motivation you say causes a problem..."so believ[ing] that it is right" . Saying salvation comes from tolerance is not taught in any of the writings you mention. Just ask a Jew, Christian or Muslim who has studied them. If anyone says the only way to salvation is _______, then they aren't embracing these writings, they're proposing yet another alternative.

On that front, your statement is quite the same as Pete's.

The auto filter hit my post above. "Just ask any student of Judaism, Christianity or Islam.."

That should get through.

Really, I just take out the whole "worship no god before me" part. Or I just re-interperet to mean a generic god, one that all people attempt to worship in their own ways and therefore, are not wrong, are not sinners, ARE humbled before a greater power(s). Do I believe in Jesus Christ, YES he was righteous, do I think that people that don't believe in him are destined for hell, and agony, and are bad? Of course not, we speak to God through our actions, not words and I've met WAY too many good decent people cut from all sorts of cloth to go against what I believe to be the challenge God has put to us, which is to find a way to get along. One love.

Pete wrote:

It isn't "what my faith/religion" say, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Jesus stated in PLAIN WORDS..."I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."--John 14:6
How hard is that to understand? If God said it; I believe it! End of story.

so Jesus is not a man, but God?

what kind of God would make 5 of the 10 commandments just about him? Not a very confident God....

Pete wrote:

It isn't "what my faith/religion" say, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Jesus stated in PLAIN WORDS..."I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."--John 14:6
How hard is that to understand? If God said it; I believe it! End of story.

The problem here is that you made a leap of faith; you don't really know that God said that. You only believe he did.

Voice--
Of course he made a leap of faith, it wouldn't be religion without it. If it could be proved, we'd call it a fact, not religion.

The whole point of the study was to probe more deeply into what the individuals think about their religion, not what the various religions say about themselves.

Jesus said I am the way, the truth and life.

How about using your time wisely instead of trying to rationalize your invalid thoughts on "god"?

Voice of Reason wrote:

<quoted text>
The problem here is that you made a leap of faith; you don't really know that God said that. You only believe he did.

And what do you believe?

Pete wrote:

It isn't "what my faith/religion" say, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Jesus stated in PLAIN WORDS..."I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."--John 14:6
How hard is that to understand? If God said it; I believe it! End of story.

The problem is that the Bible has been written and interpreted by human beings, not by God. The Ten Commandments are a perfect example. There were close to forty commandments at one time but during the dark ages they were wittled down to the now accepted ten. Was that God's work? And what about the Gnostics? They had different beliefs about Christ than many have today but they basically lost a religous war and we all know that history is written by the victors. Even today there are countless different versions of the Bible. Which one is correct? How can you possibly know?

huh wrote:

<quoted text>
so Jesus is not a man, but God?

One of the basic foundational teachings of Christianity is that Jesus is BOTH God and man. He came not only to show us in the flesh what God is like and how to live, but also to bridge the separation between God and mankind due to sin. As a Christian I believe what Jesus said about being the way, the truth and the life, because I know what he's done in my life. But in looking at his life he never forced himself on anyone - he loved them, and that love is what drew people to follow him. He still doesn't force himself on anyone today, but his love still draws people to himself. As Christians we need to be about the business doing what he did while he was here - yes we need to stand up for truth, but with those that don't agree with us we have to be respectful and show the same love that Jesus would have. We're not the ones that can change anyone - only he can.

I usually avoid religious arguement for many reasons...but I like to point out-since the 60's this great country has been on a downward spiral into who knows what. Music has gone from good music to rated xxx on the radio and videos. What is censor or not has really broaden to women moaning on tv selling Uncle Ben Rice.
I would say more than half of america do not attend church on a REGULARLY basis (easter and christmas is NOT regularly basis).
MEANWHILE-we have groups out there like ACLU who will sue anybody for having the bible on public display-meanwhile we are bending backwards for muslims to have it their way BUT you go to their middle eatern country and preach ANY religion outside Islam-good luck coming back to the good ol' USA, because it won't happen.

so is it safe to say because we have turned away from god or god-like moral values taht this country has gotten worst over the last 40 something years? Are we better morally 50 years ago? Do you think we are getting better-check popular radio and look at the magazine rack at you local 7-11, turn on MTV, watch prime time sitcoms and let me know...

what is going on wrote:

...Are we better morally 50 years ago? Do you think we are getting better-check popular radio and look at the magazine rack at you local 7-11, turn on MTV, watch prime time sitcoms and let me know...

51 years ago, the National Guard was blocking students from entering their school because of the color of their skin.
45 years ago, a governor did basically the same thing.

Forgive me if I fail to see pop-radio as a reliable metric for our moral fortitude.

what is going on wrote:

I usually avoid religious arguement for many reasons...but I like to point out-since the 60's this great country has been on a downward spiral into who knows what. Music has gone from good music to rated xxx on the radio and videos. What is censor or not has really broaden to women moaning on tv selling Uncle Ben Rice.
I would say more than half of america do not attend church on a REGULARLY basis (easter and christmas is NOT regularly basis).
MEANWHILE-we have groups out there like ACLU who will sue anybody for having the bible on public display-meanwhile we are bending backwards for muslims to have it their way BUT you go to their middle eatern country and preach ANY religion outside Islam-good luck coming back to the good ol' USA, because it won't happen.
so is it safe to say because we have turned away from god or god-like moral values taht this country has gotten worst over the last 40 something years? Are we better morally 50 years ago? Do you think we are getting better-check popular radio and look at the magazine rack at you local 7-11, turn on MTV, watch prime time sitcoms and let me know...

I think there are many factors that brought about the changes you've mentioned. I don't think it's religion (or lack thereof) alone. Could lack of religion, or changing attitudes about religion, be a culprit? Maybe.

Religion doesn't equal morality. You can't blame religious changes alone on the drastic changes our society has gone though since the 50's. If you think teen sex is a problem now vs. 40 years ago, I'd think you were wrong. You just didn't talk about "those things" back then.