Hello everyone, it looks like you have a good forum here with some thoughtful input.
I am a 41 year old ex-atheist turned believer. 17 years ago in an attempt to debunk the Bible through a deep hatred for religion I began a careful study and was so impressed with the Bible that I became a believer; my hatred for organized religion and religious thought grew stronger because of its bloody history, and more importantly its gross misrepresentation of the Bible.
I am a non practicing homosexual and though I am somewhat reluctant to call myself a Christian because of the pagan influence, history and sort of lobotomized lack of thought rampant in modern day Xianity, I am actually a disciple (one who follows the discipline) of Christ Jesus. My religious experience and influence can most aptly be compared to the Jehovah's Witnesses, but I am not, have never been and never will be a JW.
My main interest is in the Bible, with a slight interest in other religions like Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Shinto and Taoism. I used to have a website that included religious texts from each of these which I have read, such as the Dhammapada, Four Noble Truths, Analects, Bhagavad-Gita, Pirque Aboth, Nihongi, Quran, Tao Te Ching, and Chuang Tzu. It is important to point out that these works were considered from a religious curiosity and their teachings do not compare nor should be confused with the Bible.
I enjoy discussion with atheists and skeptics over Christians for two reasons. 1.) they are usually more knowledgeable of the Bible and 2.) they don't let religious 'thinking' get in the way. I believe everyone is religious because to be religious simply requires a strict system of belief, with or without a deity. It is a fine line that divides the quixotic and the mundane.
I am a 41 year old ex-atheist turned believer. 17 years ago in an attempt to debunk the Bible through a deep hatred for religion I began a careful study and was so impressed with the Bible that I became a believer; my hatred for organized religion and religious thought grew stronger because of its bloody history, and more importantly its gross misrepresentation of the Bible.
I am a non practicing homosexual and though I am somewhat reluctant to call myself a Christian because of the pagan influence, history and sort of lobotomized lack of thought rampant in modern day Xianity, I am actually a disciple (one who follows the discipline) of Christ Jesus. My religious experience and influence can most aptly be compared to the Jehovah's Witnesses, but I am not, have never been and never will be a JW.
My main interest is in the Bible, with a slight interest in other religions like Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Shinto and Taoism. I used to have a website that included religious texts from each of these which I have read, such as the Dhammapada, Four Noble Truths, Analects, Bhagavad-Gita, Pirque Aboth, Nihongi, Quran, Tao Te Ching, and Chuang Tzu. It is important to point out that these works were considered from a religious curiosity and their teachings do not compare nor should be confused with the Bible.
I enjoy discussion with atheists and skeptics over Christians for two reasons. 1.) they are usually more knowledgeable of the Bible and 2.) they don't let religious 'thinking' get in the way. I believe everyone is religious because to be religious simply requires a strict system of belief, with or without a deity. It is a fine line that divides the quixotic and the mundane.
