Let's talk about religion. Seems like a safer topic this evening.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

What were you raised, and do you still practice?

I was raised Catholic, but am highly skeptical of religion.

[swag]

1. Raised Methodist, Baptist, Superfundamentalist.

Now an atheist.

Thanks for asking.

[MissB]

2. Let's see...

I was never baptized into a religion. Mom took us to a non-denominational Christian church for a few years.

I'm an atheist.

[u4ic]

3. Raised Catholic

and left it when I was about 16.

Worked my way through many belief (not religious) systems, I will probably get to a UU service soon. I like them in theory, anyway.

[GOPisEvil]

4. When I was adopted, my parents went before a tribunal in Athens.

They were asked if they were going to raise me in a religious home. My parents are basically a-religious. So, my dad, ever the think quicker, noted that he was raised Catholic, so he blurted out that he and my mom would raise me Catholic. The judges bought it. My mom, however, took that seriously, so to Catholic church I went - through confirmation, and until I decided it wasn't for me anymore.

[flvegan]

5. Raised Protestant. Congregationalist.

Now? Agnostic with a severe buddhist leaning.

[jandrok]

6. I was raised Catholic, but I'm a born-again Pagan.

Shhhh. My Mom and Dad don't know.

[progmom]

7. I'm a Methodist

Though I haven't been good about attending church lately. Still a big part of my life though. God, I mean. Not so much the organized religion part.

[artfan]

8. I am a U, I am a UU.....

raisd catholic but currently am a Unitarian Universalist

[Bouncy Ball]

9. Raised by parents who thought Sundays were far better suited

to sleeping in, reading the comics, and drinking big mugs of sugary coffee.

Given a child's book of Bible stories by well-meaning Catholic friends of parents. We loved the pictures. Wild stuff!

Became a Methodist as an adult. All three of us (husband, myself and daughter) were baptized in a Methodist church when she was very little. At the same time. It was cool.

Now we belong to a UU (Unitarian Universalist) congregation and LOVE it.

Anywho. That's about it.

[miss_kitty]

10. 'Raised' Catholic

but skipped out on as much mass and CCD as I could.

[Ikonoklast]

11. Lapsed Catholic

Just couldn't take the nonsense anymore. Am a confirmed agnostic now.

[dajoki]

12. catholic

semi practicing:shrug:

[terrya]

13. This is weird. I just saw "The Magdalene Sisters" tonight.

I guess this is religion night tonight.

I was raised Catholic. I left the church when I was 22. I have no intention of going back.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

16. That movie was so sad

:-(

Do you believe the last Magdalene Laundry closed in 1996?

[terrya]

21. I couldn't believe that at the end. The final one closed a few years ago.

The whole thing seemed so...medieval, almost.

It was a very sad movie.

[Fenris]

14. Raised as a Catholic

I am fascinated by by all religions, especially the pagan religions of early Europe. :hi:

[DemGirl7]

15. I wasn't really raised anything, though I was baptized Catholic

In my family, religion is no big deal, and it ends after baptism mainly, but is practiced on only special occasions, like weddings and funerals. Both of my parents, came from really non-practicing families, My Mom is some denomination of Protestest, while my dad was supposed to be Catholic. Christmas, was both of a secular and religious holiday in my familiy. No one went to Church really, even though Me and my two siblings did go to Sunday School for a short period each. Me and my siblings were all baptized Catholic, though we never really practiced the religion. Since my Dad's death, My Mom has started wearing a cross, and has been a tiny bit religious in a way, but still doesn't go to church, neither do I, or any of my siblings. I'm alittle skeptical of God, but I kinda believe in Heaven and Hell...only because I hope the real jerks(99% of republicans)will end up in hell. I like learning about all kinds of religion, I find all religions to be interesting, but maybe thats because I'm a big history geek, and religion has played a big role in it.

[Wapsie B]

17. Raised LCMS Lutheran, baptized in that sect

and the Roman Catholic Church. That's why I hate myself. *rimshot* :)

Also was a Disciples of Christ, now an ELCA Lutheran who has a lot of problems with organized religion and the absolute belief that a Christian God created all of existence.

[JimmyJazz]

18. aw, c'mon - I wanna talk about chickens

:crazy:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

20. I have some chicken thighs defrosting in the fridge

I think it is now safe to ask for recipes.

[JimmyJazz]

22. I have a really good recipe if you like broccoli.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

26. I eat broccoli almost every day

I love it.

[merh]

23. Chickens!

Chickens in Religion

Yes, it’s true that chickens are sacrificed in some religions. No, this does not make said religions cults. Chickens are, like many barnyard animals, sacrificed in many Afro-Caribbean religions as part of festivities and ceremonies. It’s not for any ghoulish cause—most of the time the entire chicken goes to good use. The meat becomes a meal (cooked and served in a grand feast); the feathers become parts of ritual crafts and dress, as well as spells and rites; and even the bones are used—in rites and divination!

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/animals_amazing_facts/101782

[Kathy in Cambridge]

28. Lots of Dominicans and Haitians in the Boston area. Lots of santeria.

[merh]

29. Aren't their practices very similar to catholic practices?

New Orleans has a good many cultures that use chickens in their religious ceremonies. Of course, NO has a wonderful mix of cultures. That is why I love the city.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

33. I think it's more pagan than Catholic

I'll have to do some googling.

[GOPisEvil]

39. There is some Catholic symbology.

For example some Caribbean religions use the sign of the cross in their ceremonies.

[merh]

19. Recovering catholic here!

:hi:

I consider myself spiritual, not religous. :shrug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

41. Another recovering Catholic....

:hi:

[merh]

42. Hey ya gaot!

So good to see ya. :hi:
We recovering catholics have to give each other moral support. :hug:

[smbolisnch]

24. 12 years of catholic school.

Now, as an adult, I consider myself agnostic.

[Misunderestimator]

25. I was raised Episcopalian... now atheist...

also went through Church of Christ, Methodist, Presbyterian, Grace Bible Church :shrug:, and various other ones I can't remember.

[UrbScotty]

27. Catholic - still practicing

Yep. :-)

[SOteric]

40. Me too!

:hi:

[Ksec]

30. raised Nazarene

My Mother made us go every Sunday in my childhood.

Today, I dont go anymore. Ive become disillusioned with the church and its playing politics. Even today when I see shows like the 700 club bashing my party it reminds me how the church forced me out.

Yes, the church forced me out by villifying my party.

[Telly Savalas]

31. Raised Catholic...

but during my teen years Church dogma clashed too much with my math geek way of interpreting the world, so I spent over a decade as an atheist/agnostic/apathetic. Last year I opened my mind up to the possibility that accepting an abstract theology doesn't clash with rational thinking anymore than getting excited watching twenty two guys running around a field trying to kick a ball into a net. This little paradigm shift coincided with my discovery of the United Church of Canada, a wonderfully left-wing organization. So now I call myself a Christian again. (Not that Christianity has any sort of monopoly on the Grand Cosmic Truth or anything.)

[sniffa]

32. raised cathoLic

now i Lead my own cuLt. bow down to me, i am sniffa, your deity.

[lizzieforkerry]

34. Catholic but am starting to go to the Swedenborgian church

The Da Vinci code just really freaked me out.

[GardeningGal]

35. I don't like any "religion"

I was raised Catholic and still like some of the traditions. When I was younger, I attended many other churches and tried to live the "evangelical" life.

Now that I'm able to think for myself, I still like the memory of some of the traditions that I grew up with, but consider myself spiritual rather than religious. I don't like organized religions.

Now, I try to live my life based on a lot of the teachings that I grew up with, but I don't let the church dictate to me what to support. For instance, I'm appalled at the * administration's attitude toward the environment. I don't know how any educated person could support * if they believe in the "right to life". I guess it's only those that believe "life" is defined as a human embryo. My definition is much broader. And I don't believe the govt. should get involved in a decision between a woman and her doctor, but I believe the "right to life" should be carried through to corporations. Corporations can get away with a multitude of sins with this administration. The only thing they support is idolizing money......cold hard cash.

Disgusting in my opinion.

[Solon]

36. Raised Catholic, became disillusioned in my late teens, early twenties...

Now I'm a Wiccan, thank Brigit and Oghma for that!

[Beware the Beast Man]

37. Recently coverted, strained, probably technically lapsed Catholic.

I believe in God, believe in the teachings and philosphy of Christ, but really abhor how people use and manipulate spirituality to their own devices (that spans all faiths and denominations).

[greatauntoftriplets]

38. I am a recovering Catholic...

:hi: