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Just think of the tragedy of teaching children not to doubt.
How Do You Imagine God?
God in America and USA WEEKEND Magazine are partnering to explore Americans' images of God.
How do you imagine God?
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I do not believe in God. The burden of proof is on theists to prove that there is a god and I have not read, seen, or heard anyone supply much in regards to proof. I have not been able to come up with any proof myself either. I'm essentially an atheist, but I suppose it depends on semantics. I'm definitely a skeptic.
My Beliefs
I believe ...
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that people should constantly make efforts to educate themselves, but realize that they will never have all the answers because most things are beyond human comprehension. Most people claim to know more than they actually know. Hence religion, judging others, and other egotistical endeavors.
My most powerful moment of belief was ...
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never. I believe I was born a skeptic. My general beliefs about life have been created due to numerous life events, and I can't pinpoint one particular event that stands out.
My greatest moment of doubt was ...
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when I began to think for myself. Sometime during my elementary school years.
My spiritual life means...
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that I should strive to live according to higher principles that cause the most pleasure and the least amount of pain in terms of long-term consequences.
The biggest misconception about my faith/belief system is ...
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because I do not believe in God, I am less moral. I doubt there is much difference between the morality of the average atheist and average religious person.
My spiritual role model is ...
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any person who exhibits love at the time I observe them.
The tenet/practice/teaching I appreciate most about my faith is ...
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reflection...I prefer the term "beliefs" to "faith" because "faith" more often carriers with it a religious connotation and/or means you belief something without having any evidence to back it up.
My Faith History
As a child I believed ...
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candy was good and spinach was not, I got presents December 25th and didn't care why, etc.
My spiritual journey has been ...
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gradual. I did not truly reflect on it until I was a teenager. I suppose I went from being a pantheist, to an agnostic, to a person that leans even more towards strong atheism. It is more of a matter of semantics really. My actual beliefs probably have not changed much in reality since my teenage years except the fact that I'm not an overtly selfish teenager. As a child I suppose a small part of me thought God would answer my prayers, but I have not prayed in years. I was never of fan of church, bible class, and the other religious rituals.
I was raised as ...
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Catholic.
Are your beliefs or practices different from your parents? If so, how and why?
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Yes. My mom is a devote Catholic and believes in a literal interpretation of the Bible. I believe my father is a less devote Catholic, would skip church services most the time if it wasn't for my mother, and does not believe many of the events in the Bible occurred exactly as they are described..There are many reasons why my beliefs are different. The basic tenets of Christianity never made sense to me. For example, what does God, or God's son, dying have to do with saving us from original sin? Skips at least one step in regards to logic.
If you have children, did becoming a parent change your relationship to faith? If so, how?
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I do not have children.
How I Practice My Faith
Where and when do you practice your faith?
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I try to reflect on life constantly, but often get distracted by life's stressors.
Does your family practice more than one religion or faith? If so, how do you blend the traditions?
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They are Catholic as far as I know, and I am not.
How easy or difficult is it to live your faith? Why?
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It is the constant struggle called life, but some times are better than others.
In my house, the thing that most represents my faith is ...
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some of my books and poetry.
The song/book/film that most represents my faith is ...
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"Being Good without God"?
Religion & the Public Square
What should be the role of religion in politics?
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Religion will affect politics as long as there is religion because religion, and lack thereof, is part of who we are as humans. For example, many people vote for people who share similar religious views and this affects politics. However, rules should not be created that discriminate against people of different faiths. And remember freedom of religion includes freedom from religion as well.
Should courses about religion be taught in public schools? Why or why not?
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Maybe to promote tolerance and probably not until kids are older (middle school?) in order to cut down on possible indoctrination. Tolerance of other things like homosexuality, etc. should be encouraged as well.
Should the Bible, Torah, Quran or other religious texts be taught as works of literature in public schools? Why or why not?
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As long as the teachers or school districts do not promote any of the texts as being "right" or "wrong" I don't have a problem. And as mentioned above the districts should wait until the kids are age appropriate in order to cut down on possible indoctrination.
Is interfaith dialogue important? Why or why not?
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Yes. To promote tolerance.
Do you feel comfortable discussing your faith with others? Why/why not?
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Sometimes I'm not in the mood to "rock the boat" or not in a mood for deep discussion. Some smug atheists probably don't like me saying that, but I don't care.
Do you feel that you have a duty, because of your faith, to put your beliefs into action? What are some of those actions?
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I have a duty to promote love. The atheism part is less important, but I should be honest if confronted. That way I can show people that atheists can be decent people..I can exhibit my beliefs by being a kind person, and point out when others have negative thoughts and behaviors (ie, racist thoughts/behaviors) in a nonjudgmental way.
Are religious beliefs compromised by engaging in politics?
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If you are not a Christian in the U.S.A. your ceiling is lower. And even then you have to be the right denomination. Christians discriminate against other Christians like Shiites discriminate against Sunnis except lately they don't seem to blow up each other as much. For example, many "mainstream" Christians do not like Mormons.
Has 9/11 had any impact on your thoughts about religion? Are you more/less interested in learning about other religions? Do you feel more/less comfortable expressing your religious beliefs?
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While unnecessary pain would continue to exist if religion did not, the events occurring since 9/11 remind me that much unnecessary pain is caused due to people's religious beliefs. I am talking about Christian beliefs as well as Islamic, Jewish, and other beliefs. However, I would still feel this way if 9/11 never occurred. There are plenty of other things that occur to remind one of the atrocities committed in the name of religious beliefs.
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