Originally Posted By friendofdd Hope this doesn't end up in W/E. I heard an interesting discussion on radio about the Belgium woman who became a suicide bomber. Some felt that her conversion to radical Islam made her a worse person in the eyes of people who knew her. She treated them worse than she had before conversion. And long before the bombing, too. This developed into a discussion regarding people being better or worse due to a conversion. So, the question is- Do people who have known you think you are a better human being since you have converted to: (this list is not comprehansive, so add your own) Christianity, conservative or liberal Judaism, conservative or liberal Islam, conservative or liberal Buddism Other eastern religion (please name) Atheism Agnosticism Fiscal conservatism Fiscal liberalism Social conservatism Social liberalism Paganism Socialism Communism veganism vegitarianism radical feminism Political centrism Ecologism Etc. (You get the idea, Life Changing choicea)
Originally Posted By friendofdd I'll go first. I do think that friends and acquaintances saw me become a better person when I became a conservative Christian. Being so, helps me to be aware of others and caring what kind of impact I have on them. I want it to be a positive and kind impact as much as possible. Of course my life is filled with errors an misjudgements and I have negative impacts even when I'm trying not to.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, in Laughing Place I suspect there are some that think I am a lesser person because I am not ashamed to call myself a Conservative. But, I don't think people most often judge me by my actions and that is what defines me as a decent person. Good question.
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, I've found that me, myself, and I are more respected by immediate family & peers since I "came out" as a true-blue, rabid dog Democrat. I've held liberal views almost my entire life, but my late father was a staunch Republican, so I voted Republican for many years because that's what HE would have done. And in my personal life, I have more respect for myself since I realized that I was not a Catholic and am actually more of a person with agnostic leanings. I feelike I was doing a disservice to myself and to the Catholic Chruch by being an active member when I really don't believe what those folks do, even if I grew up in the Church.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I've never asked anyone if their opinion of me changed after I was confirmed as an Episcopalian a couple of years ago. I have some friends that are militantly unchurched who probably don't appreciate the decision I made, but I don't think their fundamental opinion of me has changed.
Originally Posted By Ursula My friend and former boss converted to Judaism from Christianity so that she could marry her husband and so that they would have a solid religious home of one faith. Previously to the conversion, she wasn't very religious and rarely attended church. Now, she volunteers at and is very active in her synagogue (sp?) and has had us over for Shabbat and loves to explain her religion without forcing it. I tend to think it's made her a better person and she's found her place in religion. In all honesty, I think she's found inner peace and happiness because of her new religion. (she does miss Christmas so we do exchange that type of present out side of her home! But don't tell anyone!)
Originally Posted By vbdad55 As a Republican, ( grew up working for the Dem party in Chicago - probably why I changed 20 years ago) - Conservative ( and make no apologies for being so) - Catholic ( grew up being so and althoug not rabid, have yet to find anything better) - I find the things that mold me more as a person are being: a Parent ( no harder job in the world) a Cub Fan ( nuf said) a Disney Fanatic and my education - they have more effect modifying the other basics than anything else.... Also I do feel I am a better person every day...I work hard at it...but realize maybe others won't see it the same as me...but what really matters is how one feels about oneself....a happy person tends to be easier for everyone to deal with, agree with them or not just IMHO
Originally Posted By tapdancemom I grew up Catholic, twelve years in a parochial school just like my four sisters. They were surprised and upset when I began reading the bible more and got baptized again, full immersion this time, and began attending a non-demominational Christian church. However now, thirty years later, three more of them have followed suit. When I changed from democrat to republican years ago my husband thought I was not thinking clearly.
Originally Posted By tapdancemom I grew up Catholic, twelve years in a parochial school just like my four sisters. They were surprised and upset when I began reading the bible more and got baptized again, full immersion this time, and began attending a non-demominational Christian church. However now, thirty years later, three more of them have followed suit. When I changed from democrat to republican years ago my husband thought I was not thinking clearly.
Originally Posted By JazzCat Both C.J. and I were baptized, confirmed, married and very involved in the Catholic Church. C.J. and I met in a Catholic Charismatic youth group. After being so involved for so many years, we realized that all of our involvement meant nothing if we weren't spiritually fed. (PLEASE don't get me wrong~Catholicism is a good religion, but we decided it just wasn't for us anymore.) I had become a Catholic Christian in 1985, but it wasn't until we started going to Vineyard Christian Fellowship five years ago that I felt a strong urge to "walk a finer line." I know that it bothered a few former friends, because things I had once "approved of" I didn't approve of anymore. But that's okay. *I* know I am a better person for changing religions.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Life's a journey, not a destination. Hopefully we all become better people. Though I sometimes meet people who become more selfish with time too. One thing I have noticed - people who give up smoking tend to be even more anti smoking than those of us who have never smoked.
Originally Posted By trailsend I am a Christian. I was raised in the Southern Baptist Church where I accepted Jesus as my personal saviour and baptized when I was 9 years old in Birmingham, Alabama. The day I was baptized, I'll never forget. Gives me peace still to this day. I belonged to and attended Southern Baptist Churches; was married in one. My husband and I had been married about 6 years when I began reading and hearing more about the charasmatic movement. In Atlanta, Ga, there is a church called Mount Paran Church of God. It is located right on I-75 at Northside Drive. You can see the church easily. In the late 70's, people began noticing the traffic jam and cars parked all over the place for miles at the evening service. You could not get in the church unless you arrived at least 1 hour or more before the service. Then friends of my husband who never attended church began telling us about Mount Paran. Bible studes began all over the city. And I was hungry for more. I knew the bible; but I wanted something that really helps you make it through the day, night, death, whatever upsets life brings. We are and have been members of Mount Paran Church of God since 1978. Holy Rollers? You bet. Music that is unreal and a 24/7 conversation with God. It's the reason you want to go to church. The Church of God believes in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Healing, Speaking in Tongues, Gift of Prophecy, etc. I love it. I've been in every kind of service you can imagine. Makes me happy just typing it here. This is for me. I don't push it on anyone. I love my friends no matter where they attend, even if they don't. My life is rich because of all of my friends. And they know my beliefs, my feelings and I know theirs. We love and accept each other. Each person is at a different place in their journey. Some are further along . . .some are not just yet. It's all ok. What a great topic. To end, I am a conservative Republican. This was fun. Thanks, friendofdd, uh, I mean, Paul.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <One thing I have noticed - people who give up smoking tend to be even more anti smoking than those of us who have never smoked.< I can tell you the reason for that...I gave it up almost 25 years ago, yet know I could start again tomorrow, even knowing all the risks and issues.....it is a quick and short fall of the cigarette wagon.....
Originally Posted By JBStew Former smoker here too, but 14 years away from a smoking environment and I couldn't imagine ever taking it up again. I've softened up all my "isms" in the last few years...politics, religion...although I think I am more religious--more of a believer now, than I ever was, I don't make a big deal about it. Given what I've been through, people call me courageous, but I think really what I am is a very blessed survivor. Since we moved to California we are attending a Christian church again. For many years in Virginia we were Unitarian Universalists. I have tremendous respect and admiration for these people, although it is not a Christian faith (really more of a "follow your own path" church) but they were there for me and my family and continue to be. I just missed the Christian aspects of church when I was there. But I met people who were more values-driven there than any other church I've been to so far.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Unitarian Universalists? This sounds kind of cool. Is that like the Bahai faith? Tell us more. An agnostic who believes, but believes all faiths have excellent teachings.
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, as a member of the militantly unchurched (I LOVE that phrase, by the way! thanks for making it up! ), I think you are okay TS. Being a nemesis and all. I find myself to be more and more spiritual minded, recently, though I have no idea where my faith might find congruance (perhaps buddism or something). I believe in a universe filled with wonder, possibility, and infinite wisdom. But I have trouble buying into the guilt trip ridden current faiths, I prefer a "God" who understands us, for better or worse, and WANTS us to be happy and fulfilled. Just my 2 cents. As far as Republicrats are concerned, it's all a scam. You are just being led like sheep into the voting booths to keep those that are powerful in power. Good luck with that!
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I was raised Catholic. Went to Catholic Schools for 9 years. Went to Mass ever Sunday and Holy Day for 18 years with my parents. After that I hardly ever went to church. I didn't lose my believe in a God but never found much comfort in the organized religion route. I married an Episcopalian but raised my children Catholic with the understanding that it was just a base. That at the time that they were able to compare and make their own decisions they would be free to choose without parental judgement. While they were young I "dutifully" brought them to mass but never had the intensity of conviction that my parents had. My parents, of course, were not real happy about my decisions but were amazingly quiet about it. Just the last few days I was forced back into the rituals due to my Mothers passing. She knew the end was near and had summoned her immediate family to her side. She had asked for a priest and he was delayed due to a "meeting". When he arrived, in fact moments after he arrived, she passed away. It was almost like she was hanging on, waiting for him to get there. It brought home a realization of how important religion is to some people and and how important faith is. I still am not convinced that "organized" is the right thing for me but I sure was shown the power of one's faith. I can only hope that she has found what she believed was waiting for her and that she is now happy and at peace.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I was raised Catholic. Went to Catholic Schools for 9 years. Went to Mass ever Sunday and Holy Day for 18 years with my parents. After that I hardly ever went to church. I didn't lose my believe in a God but never found much comfort in the organized religion route. I married an Episcopalian but raised my children Catholic with the understanding that it was just a base. That at the time that they were able to compare and make their own decisions they would be free to choose without parental judgement. While they were young I "dutifully" brought them to mass but never had the intensity of conviction that my parents had. My parents, of course, were not real happy about my decisions but were amazingly quiet about it. Just the last few days I was forced back into the rituals due to my Mothers passing. She knew the end was near and had summoned her immediate family to her side. She had asked for a priest and he was delayed due to a "meeting". When he arrived, in fact moments after he arrived, she passed away. It was almost like she was hanging on, waiting for him to get there. It brought home a realization of how important religion is to some people and and how important faith is. I still am not convinced that "organized" is the right thing for me but I sure was shown the power of one's faith. I can only hope that she has found what she believed was waiting for her and that she is now happy and at peace.
Originally Posted By Mr X I'm not sure I read that right, but your Mother just passed away!!?? I'm SO sorry to hear that! I hope you, and your family, will be okay over this difficult time!
