with all due respect, you are being fooled, IF you think they are especialy clost to the truth.

all religions have flaws good luck if yours admits to its own.

anythings better than jws except scientologists.

josephus

Yep...get ready for disappointment, Dawn. Because it is all make believe. Mind you if it makes you feel better...it is doing you some good. Just don't expect it to work out or be true!

ISP

I believe there is no true religion on this earth.

Any religion that claims to have a monopoly on truth is really a cult.

If you just have to have religion in your life look at it for what it can give you, a sense of belonging,companionship an organized way to perform community and volenteer work.

But religion can't buy you salvation or approval from God.

Personally, I'd rather live a good life and accompolish these things through groups outside of religion.
I feel safer and so much happier.

Just my opinions.

Edited to say hello and welcome to the board.

Ranchette

Welcome aboard Dawn,

I have been out for about 20 years now and have either investigated or have been involved with many different organizations. I still have not found the right one nor do I beleive now that the true religion even exists. It seems that whenever a teaching is being shoved down my throat that I questioned, I was aways told to "Pray About It and God will show how it is true". After being told that by several different organizations, I realized that it was a type of mind conditioning by that church.

Other things to look at is the fact the Holy Bibles was once a pile of individual books and letters. After the time of Christ, someone took all these documents. At least the ones that survived time and assembled them into a group. Then it was decided (by man)which ones to keep and which to set a side. The ones kept were compile to what is now our bible. This was done long after Timothy said in 2Tim 3:16 about "all scriptures". I wonder if the letters and books tossed aside were once the ones considered benifitial by Timothy? This book is now considered to be God's word and reinforced this belief by quoting 2Timothy. But the scripture I like the most is 2Cor 11:12-15. Remember that one while at someone's door talking about a different religions!

To sum it up Dawn, if you are happy, then go for it. But be very carefull and don't get caught into some you will be sorry for.

Good luck in your search....

Lets put a word in for Christianity.

it is the message that has moved mankind above all others. I believe that is truth,, Why? because it makes sense ,it is a beautiful concept that stikes chord with me . So yes, it is my choice and I have to stand by my own judgement. At the end of the day that is what we all do . The atheist sees nature as a triumph of evolution, I see it as a wonder of creation - a personal choice decision.

If Dawn is happy and fulfilled in her new church, then fine! I am sure Christ is satisfied with her worship. I could never trust any one organisation that said it had the exclusive hold on salvation.. not again!

You were deceived before because the group you were part of controlled your access to information. Anyone who doesn't want you to read contrary opinions doesn't have your best interests at heart. Check everything and you can't be deceived.

--
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. - Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

Jesus said that the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. To me, this should be extended to all religious activities. If you're finding the fellowship you need, if you're getting more out than you're putting in, and everyone else is doing the same, then you have found a promising situation.

Any church that serves coffee and donuts is cool with me.

Hey, I'm the first one to say that I personally don't buy into the entire 'holy book'/christianity thing ... anymore than I do that the Torah or any other holy book is any more than ancient man's religious manuscripts born of legend and story. I don't feel the need for a sky-daddy or momma to fulfill my life.

All that said however - many people do have the need for something like that in their lives. If they can find a religion that doesn't demand absolute loyaty then go for it. Just be sure not to become so involved that you could not walk away at any time. Church can be a nice social setting.