What turned me away from religion had absolutely nothing to do with the devil..unless he resides in a catholic church....

When I was 7 I was hit by a car, the church priest told my mom that it was god trying to take me home and she should pull the plug...

Luckily the doctors ignored that and I woke up 2 days later alive and well (besides having to learn how to walk again.)

2 years later at a different catholic church, I went in for confession a little early...and walked in on the priest having his way with an altar boy......sorry but that was a clue for me. i never went back to church.

That is tragic,, I am so sorry,,,,,everyone affiliated with religion is not like that though. Those two fell terribly short, but I hope you can be convinced of some of the good things 'religious' folks do someday.

I do know alot of good religious people which is why I am spiritual still. I believe that there might be something out there and will continue to live as good a life as I can.

You literally contradicted yourself in less than 30 minutes.
Decide what your *true* opinion is.


"... What turned me away from religion ..."


".. which is why I am spiritual still." (which is why I am still spiritual).

i'm sorry you had to face this, but i would suggest staying away from catholics. Don't take me wrong, this is not an intent to dis on catholics at all. It's just the catholics are a very weird denomination in my opinoin. They go to someone they call father for forgiveness in those booths, and the bible plainly states to go to your closet to pray insinuating a secret alone place. So please do not let catholics and their beliefs on anything have any impression on you with God, please stay true to God and praise God everyday for you still being here with us and all the blessings you've had in your life since that tragic time.

and of course you can't be spiritual without being religious .......spirituality/religious is nothng more than a belief in the paranormal

so a Christian is telling someone to stay away from those that believe in Jesus .....er.. ok

lol you and your word games funches, i in no way said stay way from Jesus or those who believe in Jesus. I just said i would suggest to stay away from the DENOMINATION of catholics. As in try studying with Baptists, 7th day adventist, Church of God, and many more. Try as many of them out as you can until you find one that feels right to you and brings you closer to God.

"DENOMINATION of catholics" refers to a religious group that believe in Jesus ..for you who claim to be a believer in Jesus and a Christian to suggest that someone stay away from Catholics is no different than a Catholic suggesting that a believer in Jesus should stay away from Christians ....it's blaspheme

This is good to hear,,,in the end, whatever title we give ourselves, is secondary to the life we lead and the example we set. There are indeed self proclaimed christians living horrid lives and non christians whose lives are full of good deeds. The proof is in the pudding, not the brand... be blessed

I most certainly did NOT contradict myself. You can be spiritual without being religious. It means I believe in the idea of something out there but not necessarily a God.

So my comment still stand and is truthful.

even that statement is a contradiction ...if you believe in the idea of something else other than God...then therefore you don't believe in the idea of God... so how does the belief in the idea of that other than a God or a religion make you spiritual...

It does not matter what you believe or do not believe,but when you know you are taking your last breath,who do you cry out for.

havent taken it yet,, but I hope to be enough at peace to not need to call but merely embrace the long sleep at the end of which I hope I will be brought home.

you got it.

You must remember,religion is mans attempt to reach god.

I agree, it is a way for people to be 'equally yoked' with others that share similar beliefs or worship a similar Creator, or person.

I agree, it is a way for people to be 'equally yoked' with others that share similar beliefs or worship a similar Creator, or person.

Do you think there are any good works we can do to be saved.

Yes and no, i believe works alone cannot save those of us who know about God. I believe we are required to also accept him into our hearts. Once we accept him into our hearts, I think we can only be saved by his grace which the good book says will depend greatly upon how closely our works match his laws and instructions.

So, all the good works in the world wont help the one who has willfully rejected God. For instance someone who spends a lifetime doing charity but curses God will not necessarily be saved.

But the most faithful person in the world wont be saved if they willfully and boastfully disregard Gods laws. For instance someone who says they love God and God wants them to do whatever makes THEM happy. As the good book says, it is not enough to cry Oh Lord Oh Lord,,,especially if the actions(faithfulness to his words) dont match the cries...

hope that made sense