I believe that if there are gods, they are so old, so.... Beyond our way of thinking as to be alien to our understanding. I'm Christian myself and yet, heck, I accept all my friends regardless of what they want to believe. One god, many, a Bran muffin in the sky or none at all.

I think too many people get caught up in religion that they forget to just... Get along. Why people pass on, Why some of us seem to struggle and have so many hardships while others seem to have nothing but an easy life.

I for one never tell people what they should believe in. I do feel they should try and avoid doing anything to harm others, but beyond doing harm to others or ya know... Offing themselves. Run with it.

Then again, I've also thought schools should teach the histories and theologies of religions. See where myth may have began, what we know is in history, and how differing beliefs set war into effect.

I suppose if you ask why does any god allow people to do harm or good, its because if there are, free will is critical, and thusly they can't -change- that. We can't be forced to do something against our nature.

I think god made the rules of the universe and like any great stage magician he/she uses whats there to work on a scale simply beyond our comprehension. Random occurrences, little things seemingly unrelated that create an event, and opportunity.

In truth, we won't know till we pass on. Sort of a cosmic crap shoot. At the end of the day I think if you do well, you'll be rewarded, if you do harm, you'll be punished, and eventually given a chance to do it right.

Just follow your own path, if need be pick and choose things that feel right for you. Find your own way, your own peace. And hopefully I can still toss the random joke and chat your way years down the road. After all, life's a journey, lets make it a good one regardless of what religious paths we follow.

I'm glad you leave others to think freely. That's very respectable.

You kinda contradicted yourself there. You can't have 'free will' AND a god/creator/being that rewards 'good' and punishes 'bad'. The two are mutually exclusive.

I wrote some horrifically long reply that went all over the place, and to spare you time, I think I'll just list a few personal points.

I respect the commandments of all religions, as they are all based on the same principals and basic message. I believe that one should treat others as they want to be treated. I don't believe that one is supposed to be in actual "love" or necessarily care for each other, as there are boundaries that limit one's emotions to one another, but rather we should respect each person for being of the same collective race, despite our differences. I do not believe that one gender has right over the other, but that all genders, male, female, hermaphrodite, transsexual, gender fluid, genderless and other sexual identities are meant to allow us to understand ourselves better and bring us closer to our creators or our spiritual caretakers. I also believe that our sexual identities do not define our image to such beings, and that beings such as Yahweh/Allah don't mind sexual preference, despite what we are told to believe.
I believe that angels, Devils, demons, jinn, spirits that govern certain things (nature, cooking, etc.), and other such beings exist, and have had the unfortunate experience to know that demons do exist. However, I believe that "Devils" are not necessarily evil or bad, but have such a reputation because they deal with unpleasant topics and clean up after our messes. Demons and angels are a bit mixed, because while angels are relatively good, they have their bad days. Demons, particularly those of higher rank, are quite intellectual, humorous and not bad. Those of much lower rank are the ones that tend to act out, and Satan's waaaaaay too busy managing what he does to come out of Hell and possess a little girl (that and I believe the Devils all have class and wouldn't stoop that low) or whatever else Hollywood portrays. :T' In addition to that, I don't believe that Samael and Satan are the same deity, and that neither are, again, necessarily evil or bad. At least in my personal experience, Samael's an absolute sweetheart instead of the big, scary war-hungry demon everyone likes to portray him as. Also, despite all the bad rap of each group of spirits, I believe that all these beings have good interests in creation as a whole, and need it to exist.

There's so much more I believe, but since I'm such a scatterbrained thinker, it won't come out the way I want it to.

In regards to the gender subject, I live the gorean lifestyle. Meaning men dominate over females. Not in the way of we are less than males, just that females submit to them. That being said, if something happens when female needs to take charge or stand up for herself, by all means do it. That's just my oppinion on that.
Although, I don't think this has any thing to do with sprituality.
Is it wrong to want proof of spritiual existence? I love the idea of angels and demons and spirits, but how do I know it's all real? If it wernt for these things always existing though history and and everywhere on earth I wouldn't have anything to go on. I just, don't know.

There's nothing wrong with wanting proof or questioning things. Nothing at all, and if such things do exist and aren't a drunken afterthought, then there's no harm in asking and it's healthy to seek answers. Man kind has asked the same question since our beginning, and I wish we could understand it, or least have a basic reason explained to us in a way that we could all comprehend.
It could just be that each person's spirituality is personal, and such happens according to each individual. Seeing as how vast our mortal world is, even in basic terms, I don't think there's one certain truth that could define everything for the universe and all its secrets.

Whatever way it may be, it's an extremely complicated subject for any of us to wrap our minds around and I wish you the best in health and luck in finding the answers you seek.

Joli, have I ever told you how much I think you rock? Cus you do ^_^

If there is God/s, why would we be so alone? Why wouldn't He/She/They interact more?

My spirituality is pretty complex, but what it all comes down to is this:IF there is a god, or gods or creators, what have you-and they truly wanted humanity to have free will, if they truly cared about that-they would have left us this beautiful universe and then left us to our own design. If you truly love something, you set it free.

I believe that we as living entities were meant to share this universe, to take care of and empower each other. I believe that modern society goes counter to what is best for a lot of reasons. Our society is based on violence. In order for us to be an industrialized society, some people need to die so that others can live.

How did the universe come to be? Has it always been there? If so, how? Isn't there a start to everything? How could something so amazing just come to be with out a creator?

I don't think it really matters one way or another. Understanding how we got here is good for context and for appreciating the fact that we're here, but I honestly think what matters most is what you do in the next moment. Every moment, every fraction of a fraction of a second, subatomic particles are splitting and carrying away the past. The past is dead, it's that next moment that matters.

Why do I get uncontrollably shaky when I'm on this topic? Is that a sign of something?
It's a sign you're thinking of things that philosophers and theologians have been dwelling upon for centuries. I wouldn't let it upset you

Demons sure as hell are real... Spirits and other supernatural stuff exists you just have to find the real documentaries not the Ghost Hunters BS.. I've caught them in so many fake 'interactions with spirits'..

Anywho.. I was born and raised christian been in church since i was 4 wks old (just after i got out of the hospital) and started to doubt it since i was 14... Now my parents are strict southern baptists... No my parents aren't southern but the pastor is.. So they call it 'Southern Baptist Preaching' which is tough shit...

Just lately i've been hearing rumors about how the new testament is fake and Jesus was made up... As for my own religion I'm a Wiccan.. But I follow the Twelve Olympians of Greece after a very brief encounter with whom I believe was Artemis.. Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt.. I actually walked out onto my porch in a clear windless summer night with a waning moon and stood there where I knew my parents couldn't hear me and I called out to their God and said something around the lines of If you're real please prove me wrong after waiting for five minutes I was just about to call on Artemis when a breeze wrapped around me having a strong sent of a forest and raspberries.. Now I live just outside the city.. There's no forests around within 20 miles.. Just wanted to share this.. It meant so much to me that night.

Blessed Be.

For years I had experimented with other beliefs, because the Christianity I was born into wasn't... right. I didn't like it. I didn't like what they would preach, I didn't like church, I despised the hypocrisy. For a while I thought I was an Atheist, but that wasn't right either. Something was there. Then I dabbled in the works of Anton LaVey, and thought it was right, but then I found it too 'selfish' for me. I cannot hold myself in such high regards, or punish those that cross me. I had also met several LaVeyanists that broke the rules of the following so much that it made me start to hate it and not take it seriously (I am not attacking you personally. To each their own. I am simply speaking from past experience.).

In all honesty, there is no way to be completely sure. I found Asatru, and everything fell into place for me. I found something comfortable that made my soul perk up as if asking; "Oh my, what is this?" From the Aesir and Vanir, to the nine noble virtues, I found a place. I believe my Gods and Goddesses have some pull when it comes to an individual's fate, but otherwise leave you be to toy with your own course. Since my mate and I found one another, I have also become more open to the more spiritual side of things as far as reincarnation/past lives go, as well as the spirits around me.

What one believes in is simply unique to that individual. Same goes for what one may or may not experience in their lifetime.

I believe that 'God' is just a word. We use it as a way to explain the awesome and unknown, knowing that we, in our simple minds, could never understand it.

I absolutely don't believe in the Christian god. I'd prefer a better story for one, not just a copy of older religions (Mithras, Sun God, etc.) Not to mention how many innocent lives it's destroyed and is still destroying. How could anyone ever follow such an evil religion?

I consider myself as a LaVeyan Satanist as well, but you can't really title individual beliefs so easily. I don't believe in an all powerful being, or destiny, or a grand plan... I believe everything happens by chance; the universe is complete chaos without any semblance of order. What we choose to do in life is the only impact we can make, so why not make a crater?

Everyone should have their own belief, but it should be personal. Sharing beliefs and ideals is healthy, but forcing your beliefs on others can only cause problems*

*see Entire History

What you're wondering is something I think about often, as well as most people. I was raised Christian as well, then for a while was agnostic. Then I turned to LaVeyan Satanism, then after personal spiritual encounters I turned to Luciferianism. Lately, I have been slowly leaning toward the celtic pagan path. I personally believe there are many gods/godesses/spiritual forces out there. And no single path is the "right way", as each path varies with people. I believe all religions have some truth to them, as long as people are mature and respectful to one another and acknowledge religion is personal opinion.

Ask me on skype if you want to know. Some things (politics, religion, exes) I don't advertise publicly.