What single charectoristic of the religion that you follow won you over?  For me, I have to say it was GOD's peace which surpassed all of my understanding.  There is nothing any better to experience when you are truly miserable.
125916
Following a religion can be dangerous or destructive.\n\nA person is in danger of being led astray by following certain religions.\n\nIt is wise instead, to have a personal relationship with Jesus.\n\nHis Spirit living inside a person can be a helper and counselor, and enable a person to discern whats from God, and what is not!
84198
I think it would be darn near impossible to "Completely" study any religion.  There is so much to each religion.  I can't say that I have studied a religion completely at all.
523196
The "hell" is a christian concept.  I was a christian for many years.  In my desire to become more enlightened I find that I'm more spiritual than religious.  I've looked into some pagan religions.  The idea is about finding peace and a spiritual path. (I would like that for all of us)
666809
QUESTION: Wasn’t it irresponsible for the Buddha to walk out on his wife and child?\n\nANSWER: It couldn’t have been an easy thing for the Buddha to leave his family. He must have worried and hesitated for a long time before finally leaving. But he had a choice, dedicating himself to his family or dedicating himself to the whole world. In the end, his great compassion made him give himself to the whole world. And the whole world still benefits from his sacrifice. This was not irresponsible. It was perhaps the most significant sacrifice ever made.\n\n-------------\n\ni also heard that it is her wife who ask Siddharta to give birth for her so she can remember him, she agree with Siddharta's search for truth.\nlater, i heard that his wife and his son and many family members also follows him.. (but you might want to validate it)
587825
I'm unsure about my beliefs now, but I was a believer purely out of fear. My parents raised me christian and when I was really little, they made me watch a movie about the rapture. I believed even more solidly because I didn't want god to get mad and take my family away from me. Now that I'm older and seen all the other failed predictions about the end of the world, I don't have that fear anymore. And for various reasons, I now question the existence of god.
85287
Once Lonely; depressed doing my Community service in a Salvation Army hall, I spotted a Beautiful Portrait of Jesus, just His Profile. I stared at it for what seemed a long time and asked myself if Jesus was here with me and If He was than I could let go of these feelings of depression.\nI heard a voice: A soft voice say:\n" My Child, I Know Your Needs and I Will Care For You."\nFrom that day on, I never prayed for Riches,Love,or even Help to turn my Life around.Rather I prayed for Wisdom and Strength because my faith became so strong I knew God would carry me when I thought I could not go on..\nand He has " Always." \nSo try it -You Pray too, he knows what's Best for you even if it's Not what you want and I will pray for you too.\nGod is a Loving God..\nGoodluck and God Bless.
660833
I havebeen recently battling this demon of fear myself. I am not happy in my current job and want to move on, but i fear failure. I really hate feeling this way because I know GOD did not give us a spirit of fear, but love, peace and a sound mind. I am praying on this and I know GOD will deliver me. GOD Bless you.
170211
Hi my name is marissa here is my testamony. I became christian when my boyfriend left me of 2 years. I was depressed and I didn't want to live anymore. I meet this guy a friend. He would always talk about God and I then was was so anxouis to go to chruch, When i went I cryed cause I fealt a relived a burden left from me. God is good amazing. I know now that God is the love I found my only....
36162
I believe my religion is true -- that's why I follow it!  I've had many prayers answered... and just praying brings me that "peace that passeth understanding"  This isn't like meditation -- it's something more!
173648
Religion as its true meaning 'to find yourself' is actually OK.. It's religious dogma spewed out by preachers and the weak-minded followers that disgust me. Christianity, Catholicism, Islam and all the thousands of off-sprung cults  have a damn lot to answer for when it comes to the desecration of people's minds with their lies, threats, hypocrisy and greed. Screw them all, I would rather just believe in myself and THINK freely.
318143
I've had a couple times where I really felt God with me.  The one I recall most: I was thinking of His actions that confuse and/or disturb me.  I started crying hard.  So I prayed, and told God what I was thinking.  Next thing I know, my tears dry up, my breathing slows down, and my whole body relaxes.  I have no doubt God was comforting me!
166498
Its opened my eyes about alot actually.  I see how people react to religion. I have learned alot about different religions and understand them a little better.  It has given me links to read more on them and I have and I feel that has given me a better perspective on them.  I havent converted to anything as I am happy being the little witch but it has given me more of an appreciation for it.  It has given me thought on my own faith. And has even given me a little guidance along the way.\nI thoroughly enjoy this section best.  There is too much to learn and understand.  I enjoy learning about religions and societies (ancient and modern) so this place has been perfect for me!
10934
By the time I read all of the answers I realized that my thoughts had pretty much been covered. So kudos to all above me!\n\nBut I do want to emphasize what Snehal has proposed. One world........no religions. I agree with the answer that said that religions have basic similarities but that man has chosen to use their religion inappropriately. Wars have been fought merely over "interpretations." People have died for believing differently. Lives have been controlled because of those reading religion as a misinterpreted call for power. People are told what to think and what not to think and are condemned for differing opinions. \n\nI'm sure right now someone reading this is shaking their head thinking, "She has no clue what she is talking about." If it would stop with that, all would be fine. We are all entitled to have our own opinions. It is when someone will write me slamming me for my beliefs and finding  a way to avenge my thoughts by blasting me somewhere that we realize this is symbolic of our world's problems. It's not just because of religion of course. Religion is the scapegoat. Man can blame his judgements of others on the fact that they belong to "the wrong" religion. If we didn't have religions..........we would all have to face what we really are without the use of the scapegoat. \n\nGod? Well I believe we have a higher order. Does he want religions killing and disagreeing? *cough* Think about what He would write if he answered this question. :)
52624
WoW! Interesting and deep questions...\nI would get on my knees and pray, but not just on my last day; praying everyday is a good thing.\nI would accept it being my last day, because what ever is God's will is fine...and I do believe there is a better life after this earthly, physical life. As for fearing death, I'm pretty sure I would, but again, there is something greater to look forward to, and God says that this life is nothing compared to the afterlife. So...I do believe in Heaven, but not the "mythical" sitting around on a cloud thing that some of us learned in some churches. I believe Heaven to be as you said, "to see the face of God" and Jesus Christ"...and much more than that. Those chosen to be in God's government, ( as opposed to these corrupt, worldly governments that exist now, will be wiped away, along with all the misery and suffering!) will help set up a fair and right government, which keeps God's laws, ( not all these man made B.S. laws!) This new system of living will allow people to learn to live God's way, with peace and happiness. (I'm sure there will be opposition on this!) Many more wrongs of this messed up world, will be corrected...Lots of work to do! No time to just sit on a cloud!\nAs for HELL!!! I believe that, as the Bible says, it is a consuming fire, and that it serves the purpose of burning up those who will not accept God's law, after they have been taught in the future. It will be as if they never existed; so basically, we are all given the chance to learn God's ways, either in this lifetime, or in the next...amd hopefully, we'll accept it, and not be destroyed in hell! There is also the mythical "Dantes Inferno" which influences us to think of hell as an ever burning punishment...I don't believe this is true at all...God is loving and merciful, and will give us another chance to learn how to live, how to love, how to obey, how to be happy, how to live harmoniously with one another, no wars, how to worship etc.....and IF we continue to want to live, as we do now, with Satan's influence dominating this messed up world, that's it! Stick us with a fork! We're done!!!
416945
Luckily for me I had no formal religious up bringing. When I was little some one did give me a book called" The greatest story ever told." I was really impressed with a wizard that could walk on water and heal people.  I was probably in my early teens before I realized that it was jesus the book was about.  But  it did not change my perception of the book or jesus for that matter.  So today I am a pagan but I was not forced into any religion.  I did go to a catholic church with my friend once I was really disturbed by the wine and wafer aspect of the rite.. I thought that was a little on the cannibalistic side.
256907
*hugs*  Take heart, Capt. Atheism.....R/S is NOT a good represenation of America at large.  Go out there, CA.  I would personally take you to Starbucks and buy you a big mocha! \n\nI am at the point that I don't care what others do with their lives, CA, as long as they don't infringe on MY rights to do as I wish with my spiritual path.  It is MY soul, MY path, MY life....MY responsibility.  I am at the point that I need to set PRIORITIES on my own life, not on others' lives.  I don't care if the elders die of age still believing in "god".  If it enabled them to have lived a good life as a good person and helps them die a GOOD death, who am I to step on their spiritual toes?  :-)\n\nI really hate proselytizing.  It is just a nicer word for spiritual rape, so I treat theists the same way---by not proselytizing about atheism. I only speak about it in questions posed about atheism.  Cuz I know doing otherwise may upset theists as much as proseltyizing TO ME about whichever "god" might upset me.  So if I push my atheism on them, then I am doing what I detest the most and then I am a freaking hypocrite.\n\nThe rest of your life?  Perhaps learn how to tune things out?  I have learned over the past couple of years how to tuen certain things out, so I am actually much more emotionally healthier for it.  CA, perhaps setting some strong priorities on your life will help strengthen your resolve to have a good life, amongst the theistic world? \n\nI can give you thoughts on this if you wish---Yahoo.com with same ID.  Here's a mocha for you....   c|_|~~\n\nP.S., I DO get discouraged at times.  I just don't dwell on it.  Now, how about this mocha?  ;-)
85017
Congratulations! By accepting you're in God's image after all, You're now a Buddhist. Cheers!