In how many words...?

Thanks for your response. I suppose it is a pretty complex question, which is likely why only two people have answered it. You make a very good point about the difference between "your religion" and "what you believe". Those are two distinct things, aren't they?

The problem with talking of Christianity as a religion is that too many people have differing ideas of just what Christianity is and how it should affect the life. I am sad to admit that if you ask a dozen people to define Christianity, you will likely get a dozen different answers. Ever since the beginning, mankind has tried to make his own religion to suit himself, and man is still doing the same thing. Hence so many different beliefs which all claim to belong to Christ-ianity, but do not follow Jesus Christ. I was very religious for a few years, and was enrolled to become a Roman Catholic nun. Then, at the age of 22, and about seven months before becoming a nun, I discovered that being a Christian wasn't following a "religion" but about a RELATIONSHIP - a personal relationship with the creator, Father God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. For the last 48 years, I have known the abundant joy of the REALITY of this relationship. I know you do not agree with me about the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is your right, but to me He is my everything.

*nods* I agree with you that "religion" is in a way at bad word to use. It's not the religion that is important, it is the relationship you have to your God or Gods. Christianity is very splintered, and I have known some people who fought very hard over the silliest divides in it. Where I grew up, people of different denominations often hated each other, and I really just could not understand it. If they are all worshipping the same God, shouldn't they be able to get along? And I'd take it a step farther than that... since we are all human beings, whatever our religious choices, shouldn't we be able to respect each other and those choices? As for your last sentence: I could say the exact same thing almost. I know you do not agree with me about the Morrigan, and that is your right, but to me She is my everything. The way I feel about my Goddess is no different from the way you feel about your God, or your Jesus. She is my Mother, and I have felt so since I was a very young child.

Thanks for your response! I agree that how well the person asking knows you can make a difference in your response. I think the reason I love to talk about religion so much is that I love learning about the beliefs of others. It's most interesting to talk to people who also love to learn, and to compare specific topics within different belief systems. I love finding similarities and common ground between religions that on the surface seem very different. I could see why you would not want to talk too much about religion, because it is highly personal and there are a lot of judgemental people out there. And what I say on mylot is much less personal than what I would say if one of my friends asked me about my religion, or even in a conversation with just one online friend at a time.

*laughs* I could see how such an eclectic path could make for a long explanation. =p My path is less eclectic that yours, but I still feel the need for a long explanation often because if I say "I'm pagan", I often get asked what that means. And forget just saying "Celtic Reconstructionist." That just gets me the "WTF are you talking about?" You make a good point that this can very easily be dependant on mood. If I'm in the mood to be helpful and informative (or just chatty), I'll often describe my religion in more detail than might really be necessary.

Positive rating for the question by the way!~D

*nods* I feel the need to point out that I don't do any of those things that you mentioned as well. I can't count the number of times I've been asked if I do that type of thing, especially worshipping Satan. I always have to explain that Satan is part of the Christian mythos, and therefore has nothing whatsoever to do with me or my beliefs. Thanks for your response!

Indeed...

What I meant is: When you talk about several different religions, and the beauty of them, or the things you've learned from them, at first it just sounds complicated and confusing. It begs questions such as: Which of these things do you truly believe? How can you be loyal to all these faiths? What is it you're looking for? But when you say they are all part of one Mystery, and continue on that vein, it becomes clear what you are saying, and your view becomes very simple.

Haha, that's about a quarter as many words as I sometimes use to explain my religion. =p Thanks for a very interesting post. It sounds like you have some pretty complex religious beliefs... but the more I think about it, the simpler it becomes. Strange.

I like the way that you wrote that very Bahai of you, very beautiful writing. *Smile*

Thanks for your response! I found it very lovely and interesting. I think in a way you are courageous not to title your faith. I've always used a title myself, both because it's easier when dealing with other people, and because I have a certain connection to the title I use, but I can see how your way could be very liberating and versatile. Thanks for giving me some food for thought there!

And I thought I had a hard time explaining my religion because most people don't know what Pagan means! I can see how you would rather save your breath than explain your whole belief system to someone who isn't going to understand anyways, or really just wanted the short answer. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks for your response! Most people do have their own ideas of what "Christian" means, or any other religious label for that matter. I can see the value in leaving them to their own conclusions sometimes.

Wow, buldwgz! I really love your answer! I love to learn about all kinds of religions too. I do sometimes get bogged down talking about my own when people ask what my religion is, but otherwise I'd just as much like to hear about someone else's! "It's a lifestyle that should be evident to anyone that gets to know me at all." I like that. It gives me something to think about. Thank you.

This is a really good answer. I must admit that I often give a short explanation just because so often people say "What is that?" when I say what my religion is, but you're right that such a small package couldn't do justice to the religion, or allow the person to grasp anything. Thanks so much for pointing that out, I'll have to ponder that one on my own! I try to steer clear of which religions are right for people too. I believe that while my religion is right for me, there are other people whose religions are also right for them. I'm not a fanatic, my religion is very important to me, but I don't believe that everyone should be in it.

Wow, this old discussion got dug up, eh? So apprarently you are one like me who gives a long answer rather than a short answer. Thanks for letting me know that! I do agree with you that judging any one religion by the actions of a small group of its members is unfair. That happens all the time, to all religions, and it's very annoying. I've found it so much with my own beliefs, and I agree with you, that just becuase there are some bad people does not mean the religion is bad.

This is a really interesting response, Woodpigeon! Thank you so much for posting! You know, now I have to find that book just because I'm curious. I would love to know more about your feelings on this topic actually, but then I'm not a normal person I guess. I'm sort of insatiably curious. =p