Questions for theists (and ex-theists, too)

[Goon]

i'm just wondering how you encounter the holy spirit? are you schizophrenic? hearing voices? delusions of grandeur? but really, what happens when you feel the holy spirit setting you straight?

[robvalue]

I wonder the same thing.

How can you possibly differentiate between the Holy Spirit and freaking out and hallucinating? I mean, what are you comparing it to?

If you experienced whatever it was one time, it's almost certainly a hallucination or your mind just getting stressed out and doing weird stuff.

If you regularly see magical stuff... you really do need help That's not to be mean, it's the truth.

[Longhorn]

c) If so, what made you come back to your original faith and what was interesting about the religions you tried?

A. I started to drink alcohol and B. encountered the Holy Spirt.

there's a joke to be made right there

thanks for answering

[Polaris]

i'm just wondering how you encounter the holy spirit? are you schizophrenic? hearing voices? delusions of grandeur? but really, what happens when you feel the holy spirit setting you straight?

Physical presence like I felt my soul awakening.

The alcohol and Holy Spirit were on separate days.

[Whateverist]

I'm considering converting to atheism as a religon. I don't currently believe there is no god. But I'm considering making a leap of faith. You know, one day at a time, I'll just try to act as though god really doesn't exist. Who cares if I really know what the the god thing is. What matters is I will disbelieve it. _____ doesn't exist, whatever it is _____ may or may not be. I don't believe in _____. I don't. I don't! Hahahahahah

[orangebox21]

I'm curious, resident theists, what is the base for your beliefs, as in what or who is your personal authority on determining what to believe and why

So here's some questions, with no intent of attacking your beliefs and stuff

1) Are you of the same religion as your parents or that you were born into?

No.

a) If not, what made you change? What was the process of discovery like for you?

That's a really long story.  I'll say it involved a search for truth.  What is truth?  Is it attainable?  If it exists, what is it?  It was questions like these that fueled my inquiry initially. 

b) If so, have you questioned your religion, tried other ones?

Yes

c) If so, what made you come back to your original faith and what was interesting about the religions you tried?

There is only one sacrifice for sins.  There is only one mediator between God and man.

2) Do you follow the bible/Quran/Torah?

I follow the Bible, which involves the Torah, and is diametrically opposed to the Quran.

a) Do you interpret it literally or metaphorically? To what degree?

I interpret it literarily.

b) Would you consider the bible/the Quran/Torah to be the base for your beliefs?

Yes

c) Would you say that the bible/Quran/Torah is the main source of your morals?

Yes

3) Do you follow your religious organisation's doctrine? (please state what your church is, if any)

Yes.  I attend an independent Baptist Church. 

a) Why/why not?

Because the doctrinal statement of the Church I attend most closely resembles my current understanding of scripture.

b) If so, would you say that you do it because it corresponds to your personal beliefs or are your personal beliefs shaped by the doctrine?

Basically for the same reason in 3a.  The Church doctrine most closely resembles my doctrine.  I went through a member's class where the Church's doctrine was presented to class members prior to joining.

4) Are there any pastors/rabbis/imams/priests/theologians/etc that you follow?

Follow, no.  But there are a few that I'll turn to for advice and/or instruction. 

a) If so, what made you follow their teachings?

I seek out their advice based upon their education, doctrine, and personal conduct.

5) What is your train of thought in deciding what to believe?

Epistemology is a lengthy discussion.   

6) What would it take to make you lose your faith (hypothetically)?

Given that I believe in the eternal security of believers, hypothetically, God would need to cease to exist for me to lose my faith.

*7) Elaborate on the above or your beliefs in general if you like

Would be happy to elaborate on any follow up questions you/anyone has.