I was christened, went to Sunday school, became a brownie, guide etc etc. I do believe in God, but I don't delve to deep into my religion and I don't believe I have to go to church in order to have a connection with God. People have evolved and times move on, I believe religion needs to adapt and that's where I find that some teachings/beliefs or whatever you want to call it, let their followers down. The bible for me is a series of 'stories' that sometimes can teach us right from wrong or learn how to be a better person- the moral of the story kind of thing. However to have to live by the very word or letter is probably what I have a problem with especially when it comes to having a prejudice attitude to other human beings. Whatever path we choose in life, as long as you're not an evil murderer etc, we have to respect other peoples choices or genetic make up.
I think that we can all live together with different religions and Gods, I don't believe that anyone should force their religion on one another nor do I think it's for anyone to tell anyone else their faith is wrong. We live in such a diverse culture and I think that is something to be proud of.
My biggest struggle with religion is most probably having belief in something without any real proof, but in actual fact I have great respect for those that can do this, that to me is true faith. I don't think I will ever get to this point whether I go to church or not.
I'm not sure whether this is related to religion or not, but I do believe there are people or maybe a God out there that helps us. My husband was involved in a terrible car accident a few years ago, it involved three cars, the man that caused it (who subsequently went to prison for death by dangerous driving), a second car where one of the passengers died at the scene and my husband who hit the second car at 70 mph head on. We have since been told by the police, paramedics and insurance company that my husband should not have survived. In fact whenever anyone came to see my husband they all thought it wasnt him that had been involved, he had bruising and a cracked sternum which was painful, but in light of how his car ended up (smash windscreen and windows on impact, car concertinad, unable to open the boot) these injuries were nothing. So I have to ask myself, when everything like that is against and you still come out of it alive, there must be something, somewhere that saved my husband.... luck, faith I don't know, but I make sure I thank who ever is out there.
I had a jehovah witness ring our buzzer last week, my husband asked them to leave their magazine or booklet as he was trying to get rid of them, the following week they buzzed the intercom and I answered them and told them politely I was church of England and not interested.... what did they say to me.... that's no problem, it's nice to talk to someone else who has religion. Now whether I agree or not with knocking on peoples doors or some of the other practices they follow, it's irrelevant, it was just nice to hear another religion accept mine, show respect and move on.
Great thread and it's so nice that everyone can have their own opinions and it's been kept polite.