help me figure myself out

[L0G1c]

Hello. I joined this forum in seriousness, not jest. Anything I ask/say I do in complete honesty. I'm not here to mock religion nor any forum members.

I'm 28. I was born and raised a Roman Catholic in Australia and Canada, now living in Australia. I would like someone (anyone) to comment on this thread.

You see, I think I'm a decent person. I do not hold anything against any race, I don't see colors, nor sex, or class, just people. Except those who wrong me or the well-to-do public. Example: i got punched in the face outside a bar one particular night. If the police weren't there I probably would have beat the person to a pulp.

Some other random facts about myself. I smoke cigarettes. I do not use OR condone the use of illegal drugs (I'm actually quite against them), I drink alcohol frequently, I listen to bands like Slayer and Slipknot and don't see them as any more than bands making music, although I listen to all kinds of music. I donate to charity (homeless children Australia and world vision), I view pornography on a semi regular basis, I have had sex before marriage many times, I have stolen, I have cheated, I have lied.

When I read about the "devil" or anything to do with the anti-christ, it doesn't phase, scare, or make me think anything at all.

I love my family and my friends and my dog.

Would someone like to sum me up? Could I still be Roman Catholic? Am I now atheist? I studied many religions in high school and found them all interesting. I have read many of the Dali Lama's books, which I also found interesting. I haven't been to church in years, except one year when I was living away from my family and went at Christmas time, but I think that was out of tradition.

Please take this post seriously.

[McCulloch]

Hello. I joined this forum in seriousness, not jest. Anything I ask/say I do in complete honesty. I'm not here to mock religion nor any forum members.

Welcome

I got punched in the face outside a bar one particular night. If the police weren't there I probably would have beat the person to a pulp.

Do you think that the police were correct to stop you?

I smoke cigarettes.

That's kind of stupid.

I do not use OR condone the use of illegal drugs (I'm actually quite against them), I drink alcohol frequently,

Should some of the illegal drugs be made legal? Should any of the legal ones be made illegal? Do you drink alcohol to excess?

Could I still be Roman Catholic?

If you really want to be one.

Am I now atheist?

Here is the official unabridged atheist dogma:

1. There is no God.
2. There are no gods.

If you agree with both of these statements, then you are now an atheist. If you are not sure, then you are an agnostic.

[Zzyzx]

Hello. I joined this forum in seriousness, not jest. Anything I ask/say I do in complete honesty. I'm not here to mock religion nor any forum members.

I will take you seriously and as an honest person – unless you prove otherwise.

I'm 28.

You’ll get over that.

I was born and raised a Roman Catholic

You can get over that too.

I smoke cigarettes.

Get over it. No excuses, just put them down. (That comes from a former pipe smoker who quit for 25 years, started back for 5, quit again for 2). Do yourself a favor.

I drink alcohol frequently,

Get over it. Alcohol is a sure way to pay money to make yourself look like a fool and to damage your body. (That comes from someone who enjoyed a few drinks over the years but quit a few years ago).

You see, I think I'm a decent person. I do not hold anything against any race, I don't see colors, nor sex, or class, just people.

That is a decent start. Can you tolerate people making ad hominem attacks when they become frustrated in debate? That happens “occasionally” in these threads, particularly if you ask that statements and claims be verified.

I do not use OR condone the use of illegal drugs (I'm actually quite against them),

Do you support the “War on Drugs”?

I listen to bands like Slayer and Slipknot and don't see them as any more than bands making music, although I listen to all kinds of music. I donate to charity (homeless children Australia and world vision), I view pornography on a semi regular basis, I have had sex before marriage many times, I have stolen, I have cheated, I have lied.

Sex before marriage – OH NO – how terribly . . . . human. The worst thing I see in what you honestly relay is your taste in music . . . . just kidding. I do not listen to any recorded music (personal preference for most of a lifetime).

Could I still be Roman Catholic?

Hang around the forum and consider the alternatives to religion. You can live a satisfying, fulfilled, successful life (by your own standards) without relying on invisible super beings up in the sky to make your decisions or “guide” your life.

Am I now atheist? I studied many religions in high school and found them all interesting. I have read many of the Dali Lama's books, which I also found interesting.

It sounds as though you are “undecided” but leaning away from religion.

I was approximately where you are – forty years ago – Ex-Catholic, strong doubts about supernaturalism, formulating alternative ideas, questioning (always questioning).

I am completely satisfied with the path I have followed.

[Scrotum]

Hello. I joined this forum in seriousness, not jest. Anything I ask/say I do in complete honesty. I'm not here to mock religion nor any forum members.

I will take you seriously and as an honest person – unless you prove otherwise.

I'm 28.

You’ll get over that.

I was born and raised a Roman Catholic

You can get over that too.

I smoke cigarettes.

Get over it. No excuses, just put them down. (That comes from a former pipe smoker who quit for 25 years, started back for 5, quit again for 2). Do yourself a favor.

I drink alcohol frequently,

Get over it. Alcohol is a sure way to pay money to make yourself look like a fool and to damage your body. (That comes from someone who enjoyed a few drinks over the years but quit a few years ago).

You see, I think I'm a decent person. I do not hold anything against any race, I don't see colors, nor sex, or class, just people.

That is a decent start. Can you tolerate people making ad hominem attacks when they become frustrated in debate? That happens “occasionally” in these threads, particularly if you ask that statements and claims be verified.

I do not use OR condone the use of illegal drugs (I'm actually quite against them),

Do you support the “War on Drugs”?

I listen to bands like Slayer and Slipknot and don't see them as any more than bands making music, although I listen to all kinds of music. I donate to charity (homeless children Australia and world vision), I view pornography on a semi regular basis, I have had sex before marriage many times, I have stolen, I have cheated, I have lied.

Sex before marriage – OH NO – how terribly . . . . human. The worst thing I see in what you honestly relay is your taste in music . . . . just kidding. I do not listen to any recorded music (personal preference for most of a lifetime).

Could I still be Roman Catholic?

Hang around the forum and consider the alternatives to religion. You can live a satisfying, fulfilled, successful life (by your own standards) without relying on invisible super beings up in the sky to make your decisions or “guide” your life.

Am I now atheist? I studied many religions in high school and found them all interesting. I have read many of the Dali Lama's books, which I also found interesting.

It sounds as though you are “undecided” but leaning away from religion.

I was approximately where you are – forty years ago – Ex-Catholic, strong doubts about supernaturalism, formulating alternative ideas, questioning (always questioning).

I am completely satisfied with the path I have followed.

And do you want to be like him (Zzyzx)? A Loving caring guy with a young pretty wife (much younger) on his side, caring and helping others and have no material problems?


Darn....




As i do not smoke (no drugs) or drink (no drugs), and occasionaly take a injection just before i eat (insulin), i would say you seem fine, just quit the smoking and drinking and you will have a better life, promise you, take it from me, or others.



If you believe in a God or gods, your religious, if not, Your an atheist, no problem there, educate yourself about it and make the logical choice. Does Santa exist?

[graphicsguy]

Would someone like to sum me up? Could I still be Roman Catholic? Am I now atheist? I studied many religions in high school and found them all interesting. I have read many of the Dali Lama's books, which I also found interesting. I haven't been to church in years, except one year when I was living away from my family and went at Christmas time, but I think that was out of tradition.

No matter what, no one can decide and tell you WHAT or WHO you are. That is completely internal and will change as the years go by.

You can certainly attach a label to yourself if you would like, especially if it brings any small comfort to the wondering.

I will tell you that Roman Catholics will not consider you a follower of Catholic creed.

Athiests will not consider you an athiest if you are wondering if God actually exists or not.

Simply attending church does not make you a "believer" or a Christian or anything else.

Overall, what you have stated makes you simply HUMAN. We will all reach, breach, and move on from the very questions you are facing. We may find answers, we may accept there are no answers, or the questions may just lead to endless lists of questions.

What do you want? Who do you want to be? Where do you want to go? What do you want to believe?

These are just a smidgen of the questions that we do ask and certainly should ask of ourselves.

Ask yourself these questions. The answers aren't easy, but seeking the answers will lead you to all kinds of interesting places.

[Talisman]

Well I personally try not to label anyone unless they insist on it - so don't worry about who or what you are other than trying to be authentic and true to yourself - at the end of the day that is really all that matters. There is only one race - the human race.

June

[Confused]

Hello. I joined this forum in seriousness, not jest. Anything I ask/say I do in complete honesty. I'm not here to mock religion nor any forum members.

Welcome to DC&R. Hope you enjoy it here.

You see, I think I'm a decent person. I do not hold anything against any race, I don't see colors, nor sex, or class, just people. Except those who wrong me or the well-to-do public. Example: i got punched in the face outside a bar one particular night. If the police weren't there I probably would have beat the person to a pulp.

Temper temper!!!

Some other random facts about myself. I smoke cigarettes.

Bad habit but I guess we each have our vices.

I do not use OR condone the use of illegal drugs (I'm actually quite against them), I drink alcohol frequently,

ETOH is more addictive than most illegal drugs. I would caution you to watch your liver though. They are getting scarcer and scarcer as more alcoholics kill theirs and get a transplant. By the time you may need one, it may be impossible to get it.

I listen to bands like Slayer and Slipknot and don't see them as any more than bands making music, although I listen to all kinds of music.

Music is great. Anything with an upbeat rhythm can make even the bluest day more manageable.

I donate to charity (homeless children Australia and world vision), I view pornography on a semi regular basis, I have had sex before marriage many times, I have stolen, I have cheated, I have lied.

Wonderful, you are human .

When I read about the "devil" or anything to do with the anti-christ, it doesn't phase, scare, or make me think anything at all.

You would have gotten along great with St Augustine. He preached that rather than see the antichrist as an entity to come, we should seek within to find it. Rather than be a figure for which will spell the end of man (by the 2nd coming), we should seek what could be the destruction of our soul from within.

I love my family and my friends and my dog.

Ugghhh, the L word!!!!! Run, hide.

Would someone like to sum me up? Could I still be Roman Catholic? Am I now atheist? I studied many religions in high school and found them all interesting. I have read many of the Dali Lama's books, which I also found interesting. I haven't been to church in years, except one year when I was living away from my family and went at Christmas time, but I think that was out of tradition.

Ok, now that we are into the bread and butter, lets see. Are you an atheist or a RC? I don't know. Do you believe in God? That is the ultimate question you must ask yourself. The only one you didn't provide a pre-emptive strike answer for already. If you do, then you can't be atheist. If you do, then you must review the doctrine of the RCC to decide if you relate to them. If so, then you are RC, if not, review doctrines of other denominations to see if any of them sit better.

Now, if you believe in God, but think man can't possible know Him, then you are agnostic.

Any help?