For non-Christians, non atheists:?

Question

What is your faith or religion and why have you chosen it?

Answer 1

Most people because of marriage, it making sense, and being raised into it. Same as Christianity, really.

Answer 2

I am a Pastafarian, to me, it is the most logical of religions. It just makes sense to me.

Answer 3

answer: I knew I was on the right path when I found paganism, when I continued exploring the various pagan religions - I found Heathenism and "came home".  When I had a religious experience, I knew where I belonged.

Long version:  I was raised Christian but never seemed to fit in or understand (or believe.)  I prayed, I asked, I begged, I tried for 15 years to get some kind of answer in Christianity, to make it fit. I only felt lonely and out of place. The doubts and questions weren't answered logically and I never felt "saved".  I never reached the level of belief.  I became an adult and kept trying with no success.  

I reread the Bible, listened to preachers condemning me and saying AIDS was God’s punishment on homosexuals and studied the bible. Studying the bible did it finally.  I decided that wasn’t for me.  I couldn’t worship the deity in Christianity.  I never found the “loving” god so I stopped trying and looked elsewhere. Alcohol didn’t work and only messed up my life so that ended quick.  

I was Wiccan for 10 years and that was MUCH closer to what I was looking for but not quite it.  Having gods and goddesses made perfect sense to me.  Eclectic paganism had been close but not exactly what I was looking for.

I began exploring my ethnic roots (going through Native American traditions, Celtic paganism and then I found heathenism.  It took 10 years before I found the deities and religion waiting for me.  From the moment that I picked up a book on heathenism I knew what I had been missing.  I continued reading what little was available (two good ones, a couple of miserable ones) and it was like a lightbulb going on in my head and life.  Now I have that challenge, love, acceptance, and encouragement I was looking for in Christianity without the threats of h**l or requiring me to change my orientation.  

Heathenism sings to my very nature.  

As part of a Reconstruction religion, it's exciting because we question everything and that's welcomed. New information is found every year that lends insight into the religion of our ancestors. Personal insight and experience also is welcome in the religion but is taken with "a grain of salt".

Everything is questioned until verified or it remains in a nebulous state in the religion.

My deities don't want me to grovel to them or turn the other cheek to an enemy. They want me to live honorably and always question, seeking knowledge and honor them, my family, my friends, my ancestors and my self.

Freedom, Tolerance, Boldness/Courage, Self Rule, Moderation, Steadfastness, Generosity/Hospitality, Truth, Equality/Justice, Family Responsibility/ Community, Honor, Strength, Troth/ Loyalty, Self Reliance, Wisdom

Answer 4

Child of God with lots of questions.

Answer 5

I just consider myself spiritual, I choose it cause I believe in a god but I have yet to agree with any certain religion exclusively.

Answer 6

I am an a-the-ist.

It is not a religion.

I did not choose it - I came to it as a conclusion after I found NO evidence to support the concept of any breed of invisible sky critter.

~

Answer 7

i have no religion and little faith left i believe in a creator but we dont know anything about it. the reason i believe this way is because the bible sounds so ridiculous to me and i think he cant be happy with people believing things that can not make sense, why would he have help Noah  with that and not help us now with all thats going on now?

Answer 8

Answer: I am a Hellenic Polytheist and it was less of a choice that I made than a realization of what was already there for me.

Answer 9

Like the Hellenic polytheist said... only with me its Norse... Asatru.

Truthfully, when you see or feel the calling, I mean, what choice do you have?  You get a feeling that something out there has taken an interest in you, you can either run and hide in the corner rocking back and forth repeating to yourself "no, no, no, no, no" or you can say Okie Dokie and start following the path that not only is pointed out to you, but makes perfect sense to you.

Answer 10

Norse Heathen

Because I was called and had a religious experience. Isn't that why anyone joins a religion?