Shithead said:
im not quite sure on my beleifs but i'll have a stab at explaining them. i do believe in an afterlife and a god, but i don't believe in religion. religion only creates what it stands against. i think that everyone should have their own unique beliefs, and in a perfect world people would always talk to each other about their beleifs so they can constantly change and improve their opinion.
but some things should be intrinsicaly universal, such as everyone is equal.
So it took all this to find that our beliefs are similar. I, like you, don't believe in "religion" as such, but I am a Christian. I don't, however, associate myself with any particular branch of Christianity. I was raised a Southern Baptist and I now attend a Presbyterian church because of all the churches I've been to in Boston, this particular church coincides with my beliefs the most. But I don't claim to be a Baptist or a Presbyterian, just a Christian. And the fundamental, basic belief (and the only belief required) to be a Christian is that Christ was the Son of God, and that his death and resurrection paid the price of our sins. Every other issue that gets argued amongst Christians is debateable, and most are very petty, but for whatever reason these small issues cause big problems, and this is the reason for the denominational system.
Some things in the Bible are very clear, black and white. Such as do not kill, lie, steal, etc. Some things are more vague, and are subject to personal conviction. For instance, I have no problem whatsoever with a little gambling, such as a $10
poker game. My fiance, however, feels gambling is bad because it can lead to some huge problems. I agree that it can, but there are certain types of people that can't handle just $10 here and there. It becomes addicting, and that's when it becomes wrong in my mind.
I didn't mean to make this such a long post, I'm just trying to demonstrate that our beliefs are very similar. I think a lot of people, and perhaps you also, Shithead, have a skewed image of Christianity. The idea of personal conviction defining sin is something that a lot of people don't realize is a teaching in Christianity. The Apostle Paul said "All is permissible for me, but not all is beneficial." He also taught that while there may be things that you don't think are wrong, but if you doing these things will cause someone else to stumble, then you should do it. I think most people get the idea that Christians have a list of rules for us to follow, or that we all follow exactly what the Pope says is right and wrong. But that isn't what Christianity is about. It isn't about a rulebook, or making brownie points with God to get into heaven, or how many good deeds you did or didn't do. It has
only to do with accepting Christ as your Savior, and everything else is minor in comparison.