does religious beleif have a link with personality boundaries?
485058
"As human beings our boundaries consist of our bodies, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Thus, human boundaries fall into two categories, external and internal. The external boundary protects our bodies. This boundary regulates who, when, where, how and what we allow to touch our bodies. Internal boundaries protect our thoughts, feelings and behaviors." -Unknown\n\nWith that being said, I'm sure it is possible for religious beliefs to have a link with personality boundaries, since most religions tell you, or give you laws, on how to treat your body and interact with other people.
752285
No. \n\nI have an entirely controlled conscious desire to prove religious people wrong just for the fun of it, and I derive great satisfaction from it.
74621
the following Wikipedia article links some studies.  Personally, I think that such a relation likely exists, but not due so much to greater intelligence of those without religion, but because a) academic institutions can be hostile toawrd people of faith, 2) non-religious people are more likely to seek divine purpose and meaning in academic pursuits, while religious people seek meaning from religious pursuits, and 3) intelligent/educated people are going to place more faith on the powers of human intellect than those who do not have such values.
439893
Being harsh or critical have nothing to do with wether you're relgious or not. i've met religious people who are so gentle and considerate, and i've met athiests who are so polite and open minded. It depends on the person, not the faith.
365242
i'm not that comfortble with some rules... such as polygamy etc. i believe faith is not measured in actions but how you believe in the creator
958441
Yes.  I've done tabling with an atheist group.  I have bumper stickers on my car.  If someone asks about my religion, I tell them I'm an atheist.  I tell people about Richard Dawkins' book, "The God Delusion".  I answer religious questions here.
1018824
It seems practising some religions is like a club membership with rules rather than focusing on being a good person + spreading god's love through our actions. There are some persons who hypocritcally following the rules, say attending service but then forgetting the other important stuff that really counts more. Be true to ourselves, follow the path that is right for you...this may not be the same path as for others
806044
Well said, and thank you. You might have a point. I'd like to think that one doesn't have to have no faith, to have manners, intellect, and a sense of humor. But If you've ever noticed someone who is deeply religious, they are always trying to convert you, or convince you otherwise. Whereas I've never tried to push my belief on anyone. In fact, If it wasn't for people, mostly coworkers, trying to ask for donations, or just asking me questions about my faith, they would never know that I'm not a religious person. But based on that one principal, now they keep there distance...Goddamn hypocrites!!
145211
Many people don't see religion as casting all humans as inherently bad.  For some of us, for example, our belief in a higher power incentivizes us to do good even when society would permit us not to.  In my own personal conduct, integrity is the hallmark of everything that I do and say.  I trace that integrity to a belief that at some point in the future I will have to answer for (i.e. justify) my every choice, word, and action.  In other words, even when it appears that no one is observing my conduct, I behave because I believe that Someone is.  It has become fashionable in political circles to mention one's religion, and particularly one's fundamentalism, much in the same vein as one lists other credentials (i.e. education, business experience, and political involvement to date).  I am tremendously skeptical that many if any of our political leaders truly believe the faith they profess.  I am convinced that if more of them anticipated justifying their conduct to a higher power, the world would automatically be better and, for example, the war in Iraq might never have begun under such false pretenses.
445739
No. Absolutely not. The fact that I have a strong faith is a personal decision. What anyone else chooses to believe in is entirely up to them, and I do respect that. I wouldn't be living the way my faith requires if I were to push it onto someone else. I respect their beliefs the same way that I would want someone to respect mine. (Lutheran)
272219
Absolutely! I am Wiccan, my mother is Roman Catholic, my dad is does not conform to any one religion but does believe in a higher power, my family-in-law-to-be is entirely LDS (Mormon), and I have friends of various Christian, Pagan, and personal faiths.\n\nI am able to talk openly and honestly with all of them, and them with me, because we do not judge each other on each other's faiths. We will often talk about it, but not to preach - to LEARN. We share views, ideas, philosophies, thoughts, etc. and help each other build faith in each other's beliefs by doing so.\n\nQuestioning your own faith, and even comparing it to others, is spiritually healthy. There are two outcomes: (1) you find flaws in your religion, and in learning about others, find one that makes more sense; (2) you are able to uphold your religion against any argument and/or skepticism and thus grow even more faithful (regardless of whether it convinces anyone else or not, and if it doesn't, it doesn't matter). Either way you are able to grow, flourish, and thrive spiritually.
351761
No. I am not a really big religious person but i still believe that if someone is, that is a major life decision and they should believe in what they think is best. Not believe in something just because you do.
8231
Not sure what you mean by principles..many religions agree on basic aspects of morality, like murder is wrong..lying is wrong...they may feel they share the same God, but they may not. Example the Hindus believe in many gods, the jews believe in only one God, so this is not the same idea of god - one is multiple in nature and the other is singular. For those that believe in only one god, there could still be characteristics that distinguish the single god.  Compare Jewish Jehovah to Jesus to Allah.  There are differences in the "personality" of God.  This is a very broad topic. Best to read descriptions of each faith and see the differences in concepts....I personally am a Christian...
525184
Nearly all people on the face of this planet grew up with some concept of religion that had at least SOME direct correlation to thier upbringing.  Some of us have choosen to either ignore or deny those teachings but whether we like it or not those beliefs that were introduced to us when we were so young tended to shape us to where we are now in our lives.  Yes we can change our minds and form new opinions but depending on our exposure to those beliefs they can radically affect our opinions of others without us even knowing this.  Athiests and Agnostics are no exceptions to this.  So while it may be hard to understand why some people would rather have a religious leader with a questionable and dubious background rather then an intelligent and reasonable man with a heroic background, it might be better to ask why the monkey is always going for the bananna... because he's used to it.
504664
I am an atheist or an agnostic depending on the definition of God one starts with.  I do experience very deep emotions about the world around me, and I in fact feel an affinity and a connection to a religious denomination called Unitarian Universalism, which is open to people like me, and which tends to eschew the mention of God in its services.  I suppose my affinity to that denomination says something about my moral values: I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being.  Also, as an atheist, I am fond of Judaism, simply because of the old adage according to which atheism is but a branch of Judaism, not because of any particular religious beliefs orthodox Jews may hold.
1032071
my relationship--a religon is nothing but following the rules of god not actually feeling him or believing in him
976588
I have never severed a friendship due to religious differences.\n\nI have walked away from friendships (and possibly just postponed them until a later date) due to some people's making consistently horrendous, self-defeating choices and their having no interest whatsoever in taking action that would better their lives. I have let such people know that I am willing to resume the friendship or to help them if they actually ever wanted help, but I simply grew weary of all the self-indulgence and perceived helplessness over their own lives.\n\nThat is, I will hang in with people for the long haul if they are actually seeking a better way, no matter how painful and difficult. But after years of making it plain that they'd prefer to sit in self-pity and self-created misery, they are on their own.\n\nIn other words, there comes a point when I am not part of the solution but am part of the problem. When I recognize that things have gotten to that point--where I am part of the problem (or what is currently known as "enabling")--then I get lost, amicably.\n\nAnd I always let them know that the power of God is ready and waiting their seeking it. If they want to know more, I share with them. If not, then not.