can anyone tell me how most people approach religion. with faith or reason?
374578
The only way to approach religion is with faith.  Attempting t read any of the religious books for science (Bible, Koran...) will only leave you wanting and feeling insulted.  The men who wrote those books (which do give some excellent ideas on being a good person) were not scientists, engineers or doctors – they were men of their god and know only the stories passed to them from those who came before them.  When you decide to seek a religion, it is should be for peace, interior-comprehension, and strength in this cold, lonely universe.  Anything deeper or provable will only turn on you as fake hope and intellectually laziness.
1000855
I will attempt to give you my thoughts as I understand what you are asking.\n\nExplanatory:  We all have basic questions in our lives we need to answer, namely how did we get here, what is my purpose for being here, and what happens when I die?  Religion attempts to answer these questions.\n\nEmotional:  No matter what school of thought you come from, one would have to admit that we all have some need inside of us all that we attempt to fill.  For some, religion helps fill that need.\n\nSocial: All religions, regardless of focus, emphasize brotherhood, unity, and teamwork.  Even for working on the "inner self", you at least are compelled to affiliate yourself with like-minded people.\n\nAll these, by the way, are most easily and best met by following Jesus Christ.
495367
Every religion thinks that theirs are the one and only way to reach god. God hears all peoples and all religions. I don't believe that there is only one way to reach out and touch god. We all have our own ways to show our love for our god and it should be respected by all.
436575
all religions are just the paths. they take u to the same destination. Its like asking which is the best route from paris to newyork?.  All the answers u will get are like the ones that the eight blind men gave while describing the elephant in front of them. all are saying about the asame elephant but each cannot see the other.\n\nso decide for urself. do u want the 'means' of do u want the 'ends'. presonally, as far as religion is concerned, i feel that u sould not concentrate much on the means, the end is much more satisfying.
797136
I like the spirit of your philosophy, but as to the exact wording, it seems backwards to me. Try this: We don't know how, but faith allows us to know that everything is going to work out, somehow. Faith is a way of knowing, we can not know everything, but we can understand almost everything if we know the subject matter. More and more facts are coming to light for us everyday that we live if we live in faith, with one small exception. Death always catches us flatfooted. Unless, we are very old and or very wise and courious, and ready to find out.
627471
I like to THINK that I am rational, at least sometimes ;-)\n\nQuestioning faith is essential, it's only by doing so that you can keep a track on what you believe and to ensure that it can stand up to scrutiny.  To quote Richard Feynman: "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool".  Later Feynman goes on to say how a scientist should be seen to be almost bending over backwards to be proven wrong, and in doing so their work will stand with a special type of integrity.  I think that this is the yardstick which Christians should use for their apologetics.\n\nSadly this standard is not lived up to (and I hold up my hands here as being as guilty as anyone) by some of the Christians on this forum.  \n\nEqually sadly, I get the impression that most of those with questions about Christianity aren't really interested in any answers, apart from those which confirm their prejudices.  Also it can get a bit wearing to have your intelligence and rationality questioned by someone who can't string a sentence together.
427454
Study different religions and choose one that makes sense to your mind and leads your heart to do good works and love of others.  Find a body of believers in that faith who are living it out and get to know them to see if it is good. Don't expect it to be perfect. Nothing with humans in it is perfect. But if it is good and you agree with the teachings and practices, you may have found a home.
180115
It isent. I study all religions. I have a bumper sticker that says: God is big, hes in every religion. Religion is just a foundation for you to seek in the begining of your path and try to get you in the right path of enlightment. But being spiritual and religion really go hand in hand. Believing there is a higher power or god or whatever you choose to call god.. and knowing hes omnipresent is a good start.
1103439
I don't think there is any point where you can just *decide* to believe.  At least, I never found a way too.  Instead, I researched different religions, and tried to determine which ones would have positive effects on me.  Once I found a few that I thought might work, I put them into practice. When nothing clicked, I moved on to another.   After going through this several times, I realized that I DID have firm religious beliefs, but they didn't come from any one religion.  Mine come from Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Wicca, to name a few.\n\nI think calling mine a "path" is very accurate, because I am constantly searching for Truth, and I will follow it wherever it leads me.
362227
Are you aware of how personal a question this is?\n\nMy own concept of God and of religion is that it is an intensely personal matter.  One of the reasons is that we all have different ideas of what is "rational" to believe, what is appropriate to do, etc.  If I told you what my pathway to God has been, you would evaluate that as whether or not that would work for you, or whether you approve or not.\n\nAnytime you tell someone something private, you are inviting their evaluation, or at least their comment.  Since I do not need this evaluation or comment, and since I doubt my path to God would work for everyone, I will keep it to myself.\n\nSpecifically, I am confident that a born-again Christian would disapprove.
644656
That's up to the individual.\n\nI prefer spiritual.  I feel that finding a link between man and many faiths has lead me in a very positive direction.\n\nYet, I feel that religion has become a weapon for society.  However, I have met people that found that a particular religion saved their lives, and they genuinely became better people.  For them, being religious was the way to go.\n\nIn the end, it's up to each person to decide for themselves.
835991
i think you are onto something there.\nthe best rule is to just put your trust in yourself and your own faith, and go with that.
168223
How do you do? I'm an agnostic.
170854
I hope I can help you in some small way. First, I believe that Faith is a journey each day of your life. Try to read your Bible some each day particularly the New Testament. Live your life under the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you". Pray without ceasing....you can talk to GOD anytime you want. HE is always there with you. Will you always get what you want? Of course not....for HE knows what you need. Each day notice the world around you and try to do good things for others. Thank God each day for giving you this day. Have you noticed what a perfect artist GOD is, by the way? Look at the sky, the sunset, the leaves on the trees, the snow, the animals on this earth. What beauty HE has brought to this world. Meditate and be alone with yourself and simply ask GOD for help in guiding you.  I know with all of the horrible stuff going on in this world, sometimes it is hard to have Faith in God. HE, however, did not create this mess. HE gave us free choice and, obviously, we have made many mistakes. Ask GOD to forgive all of us and to show us the way. Each day that you do this, your faith will grow but remember, as I said earlier....Faith in God is a journey til the day you die. Ask HIM to be with you now and always even if you feel like your faith is shakey sometimes. As you grow older, your faith will strengthen. GOD is GOOD and LOVING. May GOD BLESS YOU in your JOURNEY!!!!
183320
You are not wrong. But understand that Christianity is a religion based on fear.  Follow me or burn in hell for all eternity!  Believe or be damned!  It is been my experience that many Christian believers will not even listen to another religion's argument or concepts with anything other that complete disregard.  Brainwashing at birth.  Ask the majority of people why they follow there particular religion, the answer will most likely be that it is the only thing that they have ever known.  I only speak English because it is the only language my parents and peers ever spoke to me.  Most major religions believe in the same basic principles.  Be good and the end result will be good or better for you.  Don't let someone bully you into thinking their way.  Explore all religions and find the one that speaks to you.  There are millions of good people out there who do not believe in Jesus Christ - I find it hard to believe that they will feel the wrath of God because they have not accepted Jesus into their hearts.
804231
Keep an open mind and learn from other religions.  if you really listen, you'll hear a lot of similarities.  if it is uncomfortable, stay away from the topic of religion and stick to the things that made you friends in the first place.  i think people will go to heaven if they are good and hell if they are not. no matter what philosophy you follow, there is always a basic belief or faith or values that keep you "good", regardless of religion.
1170101
Well, i consider myself spiritual. Religion is basically a set of beliefs normally initiated by a certain orginisation or group of people. You normally don't have as much room to move in with a religion, but, it can also be seen as the sceleton or backbone in you spirituality. I normally try and look at religion in a symbolic manner rather than blindly believing every word of any sect.