Welcome to Gaia! ::

You sound.. very devoted.. neutral

Mn, I used to think like you, as in respect them rather than admire but now I realise, it's actually so difficult for them to keep that faith that it has to be admirable (to me at least) just because they have the strength of will to do it. But then again I guess since I myself feel 'tempted' by religion it might not be as difficult as one thinks.. I dunno. Hmm.

Agree with the 'blind faith' point. 3nodding

I really don't like the organised parts of religion, like Bibles and rules and decrees which come from, y'know, humans. It feels too much like they try to use religion to control people. Which has, of course, been the case throughout much of history. [We studied the European Reformation in History this year, just don't get me started xD]

I'm a Seventh-day Adventist (falls into the Christian category)
i was born into this religion.
my parents don't force me into it

@Rave: I've never heard of that branch either. Do explain. 3nodding

@Mini: And seeing as we're probing into other religions, Mini could you tell me more about Jehovah's Witnesses, as all I really know about them is that they believe that all the people who will go to heaven are pre-determined. Or something like that.

@Niph: I see what you mean. It'd be extremely difficult for an atheist to convert to an established religion, something I could never do. The only scenario where I could see that happening would be if I witnessed a miracle.

Human involvement in religion has been an issue too. During the Reformation the clergy were just so corrupt that you would've had to be blinded by faith not to see it, which the people at the time were. Except for Martin Luther who was a bit of a cheeky chappy. razz
Like even today, the Pope (and other religious figureheads) is selected by the clergy seeing as Jesus isn't around any more. But I think a lot of the time politics takes over and a figurehead might be elected for self gain, like them puppet popes. This reminds me of an Easter episode of south park where it turns out (via a Da Vinci Code style build up) that the Pope is supposed to be a rabbit and not a human, as humans are affected by greed, etc, whereas a rabbit's soul is pure. :XP:

@Mihiko - Yes, you. neutral

I have friends who are Jehovah's Witnesses.. they seem to be quite.. -ahem- interesting.. neutral

Yes, neutral is the emote of the day.

@Toki - Don't get me started on Luther.. seriously. I literally have spent the past year studying him. Even Popes today tend to have some sort of political significance - the late John Paul II was in part selected 'cause of his Polish background and stuff. I'm hedging my bets on the next one being Cardinal Joseph whatsisname from Hong Kong.. neutral

..I was being a tad ironic.

@Mihiko & Niph: Ahahaha, gawd. xd

And Niph, do you really think they'll really make a chinese guy the Pope? I mean, maybe an archbishop or something but I dunno about the head of the whole catholic church.