I do apologize but last year I had a dream where I’m face to face with a male(I’m not 100% I could call them a man) when he lowered his voice and asked “can you see the MALA-KEY/kin?” This word has recently popped into my head again and wish to see where it leads. I’m sorry to say I’m not religious but it did have that feeling that. If anyone could point me in the right direction or possibly suggest an alternative to this word. No was not “malarkey”.

"My Kingdom is not of this world." It is easy and difficult to understand what Jesus meant by saying that he would not reign here. I'll say it for myself because I can't judge, but I'm not willing to 100% share my money or my food if someone in need came to my house like some saints in history did. At the most I can help with what I can. This involves thinking about what the US is doing by closing its borders. Imagine your city opening its doors to the poorest people in the world and most of them dying of hunger, would you die of hunger along with them? Would you share everything you have and join them? Your family too? You have to imagine the context. Because, in my view, I think that this world is evolution and God uses the "examples" and even "suffering" of others for us to evolve. The Kingdom of God will not have tests but equality for all of God's children.

Of course I'm citing my religion but God is only One.

What do you think of my intention to write this? Forgive me if I'm being ignorant or frivolous.

During Covid my church gave money to members struggling and provided food and filtered water after a hurricane. They did prioritize their own, but they also helped people outside, which is reasonable. They also became a refuge during hurricanes, and other related churches I know also provided space for local elections.

What I loved about that help is that they did not make a fuzz about it, they did it because it was the right thing to do in the context of the situation. In any case, any publicity would not have helped because there was plenty of demand for help. I also understand that is not always the case for all churches or religious communities, and that this experience does not necessarily represent the whole religion, but still it stays.

What about your religious community? What has it done concretely to help you or your family?

What do you believe is the most anti-gay religion? What is the most pro-gay/gay friendly religion?

Hi - i’m personally not religious but i was on a website for a church and saw that they had an ai chatbox feature where you could “chat” with their virtual apostle and ask it questions in relation to religion and it would respond with the ‘truth’. I haven’t tested it out because I personally attempt to avoid engaging with ai but i was wondering what opinions people have on this. I personally think that whilst ai can give questions to answers, i don’t think it should be the first thing i see on a church’s website nor promoted due to the amount of energy it consumes

^

For example what evidence did you have to choose Islam over Christianity and vice versa. I believe in a God but don’t know what religion to follow.

The Three Officials are important deities in Chinese Taoism, presiding over the realms of Heaven, Earth, and Water, and are known as the “Heavenly Official,” “Earthly Official,” and “Water Official.” They are regarded as the maintainers of cosmic order, with the functions of bestowing blessings, granting forgiveness, and dispelling misfortune.

Im young, im 14 years old, my family are christian's and they've been their whole life, always on that road, whoever since ive gained conciousness ive never really liked that they tried to get me through that road too, not because i didnt believe or anything but because i felt it "unnecesary", to say it like that? Not calling it unnecesary, just that since ive been younger most of the stuff i liked i could never really like it anymore because of them, most stuff that i like they would say stuff like those things are diabolical and that they are agaisnt God's way and stuff,

Those words made me lose all interest in following their path and dedicate my life to it, im not sure if its a dumb reason, it may be and i dont see it like that because im still a kid, but im really not sure,

We've recently gone back to going to the church, something i really dont like going to, not because i hate it or anything, but because they dont even give me a choice if i want to go or not, and i dont like when people do that, plus they've also made me go to some Explorer's from that same church on tuesdays from 5pm to 8pm which i HATE because i always have to deal with alot of homework on tuesdays and i always try to explain that but they just say that God is always first, we also go on saturdays and sundays, saturdays is just for the kids with the same time, 5pm to 8pm, no adults, which i see kinda stupid? Because, why? Why not just have everyone go, we are getting the same words after all, sundays is the day that i really understand us going,

So, to summarize it all, i dont like that they try to force me through this path, and that has made me lose all interest in it, im a believer, i believe and pray for God and his word, but i dont like the way my family is acting with me, and i dont like they're excusing their actions with God always comes first.

Would really like it if i could get someone else's opinion on this, so i can know if its just because im young that im thinking this way, im gonna post this on other subreddits aswell, just incase.

I understand there are some who feel that their particular belief is exclusively correct, so I’ll preface this by clarifying that I’m not asking anyone to endorse another faith’s teachings or in any way diminish their own. But I think we all can find something to admire in other faith traditions or in another faith’s practitioners.

For me, I have a great deal of respect for Sikhism and Sikhs. I find their understanding of God to be really fascinating and also have personally never met a Sikh who wasn’t abundantly kind… I’m sure there are some who aren’t, just like any faith or people group, but the kindness I’ve been shown from representatives of that faith has stood out to me.

AMAs are a staple on this sub. But are there any religions you wish were more represented when these AMAs come around?

And/Or are there any specific users you wished did an AMA because you like their perspective/views/ways of explaining things?

I am an Gnostic Christian of A.G.E.A.C. and A.G.E.A.C.A.C. Feel free to ask me anything and Ill answer as I have time. Decent criticism is welcome too, I will answer to any question, as much as i can :)

I am an Agnostic Christian. Feel free to ask me anything and Ill answer as I have time. Respectful comments will be answered.

The character of Satan, as he appears in the NT was, as far as i can tell, a pretty recent invention at the time. The character of Satan himself must have been at least a couple of centuries older because he appears in the book of Job, believed to be written in the third century BC. But the character in Job is very different from what he would become. He is a member of God's council, tasked with arguing with god and challenging his decisions.

I believe the oldest known personification of the concept of "evil" comes in the form of Angra Mainyu in Zoroastrianism. Interestingly enough, the Jewish people would have a lot of contact with, and a positive view of Zoroastrians after Cyrus the Great liberated them from the Babylonians. So it makes sense to me that through cultural exchange, the Jewish people would learn about Angra Mainyu and the idea of a "cosmic bad guy" and so start trying to incorporate it into their own mythology. But what interests me is that Satan isn't the first attempt to create this figure. And even more interesting is that it seems like these proto-satanic figures later on gets assimilated with Satan, and their names becomes synonyms for him.

Asmodeus as a king of demons appears in multiple stories including the book of Tobit. The figure Beelzebub, is just a nickname for one of the Israelites rival tribe's god Baal.

Then there are the fallen angel stories. We start getting references to Lucifer, the angel who led the rebellion in heaven before creation. But we also get fallen angels in the book of Enoch like Samyaza and Azazel. And in even other places we get the figure of Samael as the incarnation of evil.

What do you make of this? Have i gotten anything wrong? If so, please correct me.

im a athiest, so i dont believe in holy books as being "proof", sure theres scientific records of religious figures like Jesus, but it doesnt mean there was scientific evidence such as his miracles. Surely if God did exist he would want us to know in a way which wouldnt just be a book? Not to offend anyone, just my opinion.

Religions teach to be moral and yet humans both religious and non religious has used and enslaved animals for their own benefit. Where is Law of Karma now? Why it doesn't punish human society for oppressing animals?

We can clearly see that most humans both religious and non-religious justify these behaviours.

At these points it's clear that morality is less desired trait compared to power. Morality is more like a tool to gain power rather than the end.

I should start out by saying that I am Catholic more or less, I fell into a bad depression the past year and I haven't been to Mass. A couple of years ago during my final semester at college, I started talking to come Mormon Missionaries. They gave me a Book of Mormon and I started reading it, I got fairly far into it. Well one night I thought I woke up to what I thought was the Virgin Mary talking to me, telling me to get rid of it and throw it away. I was obviously freaked out, but I didn't know what to think, I kept the book for a few more days and I think I eventually gave it to my mom or three it away I can't remember.

I don't really know what to think of it, I've told my fiancee and my mom and they had no idea. I haven't tried talking to a priest about it however. Do you guys have any idea, was it a dream or was Mary telling me to throw it away? I have been thinking about it for awhile recently.

Is it morality? If so, that presents a problem, as morality is often subjective. What one group considers moral, another might see as immoral. For instance, certain religious practices may be viewed as ethical by followers but condemned by outsiders, and vice versa. Some actions may seem morally acceptable to most but are deemed sinful by a religion.

Could it be evidence? That seems unlikely, as no religion provides concrete evidence of its truth claims.

So how does one decide which religion is true?

Hi there. About a week ago, I asked if anyone's religion practices a kind of liberation theology and how their faith relates to activism in general. I would like to expand on that question and ask if, in your faith, there are any kind of ritualistic or divine attributes associated with activism in a sense. I know that in some faiths it is viewed that God will divine is present within certain rituals and actions, and I just wanted to see if the same could be true for some kinds of social activism. I also, if it's not too much to ask, if you could find any scholars or reading material to do with this topic, I would be very grateful.

I honestly don’t understand how people follow Prophet Jerome—it seems so transparent that he’s a fraud. It’s concerning how large his following is, especially with so many young people looking up to him as a father figure. I can’t help but wonder if they’re in vulnerable situations or avoiding certain truths in their lives.

Has anyone come across any exposing videos or in-depth discussions about him? I find it bizarre how easily he seems to gain influence over people. What do you think makes them believe in him so strongly? Is it a local Sri Lankan thing or is it gaining influence with expats and globally too?

It also makes me reflect on how some of the most religiously devoted people I know are far from the kindest. When will people realize that being a good person isn’t about how often you pray or go to church, but about how you treat others in everyday life?

Ive been with a women on and off for almost 10 years, She recently became muslim and moved 3000+miles away, stealing my 2 baby girls accusing me of assault.(Was not true) No lawyer would help me get my kids back because I cant afford it and so I moved so I could be closer to my kids . She has had them since and because I do not want to convert to muslim and marry her she does not want me in her home. What do I do? Im not very religious but god has always been in my life! Miracles and blessings and love! Shes keeping me away from my kids & it hurts so much! I dont want to miss out on they're life anymore... What should I do? How can I convice her its wrong and to just let me have my religion, and she can have her's and I respect it im honestly just happy for her she has faith in God now But why does being catholic put me in the position of loosing out on my kids childhood 😭😭😭Can somebody help me please 🙏I prayed for anwsers and was lead to Redit lol! I pray things work out! But I hate feeling selfish chosing to stay faithful will result in my kids not having they're dad in they're life as much.I allready miss out so much working 40-50 hours a week Im so confused why she's willing to do this to our kids who are so young they dont even know what religion is yet😭

I wasn't the best person neither the worst. Well in short I was never a person who announced myself to the world but knew my lord, and valued the ethics of family,duty, and honor. Someone, a "muslim" stole my phone and exposed my bi-sexuality to my muslim family,community, and friends. I was ashamed myself and was wishing to stop myself and would never have proclaim to the LGBT movement. I lost my friends, I was mocked, I was called all kind of words disgusting, failure to my family, and physically abused by these bullies. Now either people act in denial, avoid me, or call him a liar. Now do note exposing my sins nearly caused me to commit suicide, and outcasted.

Now two years has went by. I kind of used it as fuel to get clean off drugs, finish my degree, and achieved the job which I wanted and 6x my salary. I was just a troubled youth, In life people say you're not so important. But till today I get people mentioning it when they see me or they tell more people in mockery. In-fact i've came to the conclusion some of these people go prison, are of terrible character, don't pray, sell drugs, commit 101 sins, but no one haunts them. They are infact praised for some of there wrong doing in society. "Oh his hard", "His got out his one of the brother", "He is one of the boys he has good cocaine". We all know a once gangster who ruined many lives now imam.

But be gay or take of your hijab, it's like an eternal tormenting. I realized, i will never been seen on "their" level, although many of them can't even read a harry potter book.

I had tried to put my hope of people aside, and have my hope in Allah. But no matter how much I pray,read quarn, sunnah, or haddith. I question aren't the ummah the representations of islam. They bully me after 2 years and left me with religious trauma of PTSD,depression, anxiety,insomnia,cold sweats at night, and still they are after me and tell more people. I get my possession stolen, and de-humanized, get my choice taken away, get made lonely without friends, and value tarnished towards other women.

The shame culture is rife lets be honest. Islam is not only private, it is public. It is not based only on rationality, it's also based on primarily optics. I played by their rules, but they could not respect my privacy nor sin. No matter what I achieve I realized I am less then everyone. People require a scapegoat to their inadequacies and a perceived evil. I live in fight or flight of who can they tell next.

I'm at the crossroad of destiny with faith. I felt like I wanted revenge.Then I wanted peace. But I got bullied again 2 years later and re-triggered my PTSD. But now I'm getting to the point I want nothing to do with anyone or anything got to do with this religion. Even hell isn't worth killing myself which is the aim of these people. I just don't trust Muslims for support or to find a new group of friends who are religious. Quite frankly I prefer to be alone. I may possibly just get truly cynical and just pretend to be Muslim to have my million dollar inheritance and live how I wish in another state. I'm worthless to a Muslim woman anyways, i'm damaged goods in this community. I'm the evil one and i've learnt to embrace it :).

And I get proven further right by religious people downvoting my post who wish to repress my speech

Looking to learn about countries where Abehamic and Dharmic religions aren't the majority.

So to put this in perspective I am terrified right now. I'm in a conflicted and confused state and I'm scared. To really tell you why let me start from the beginning.

So I live in Virginia and I was homeschooled by a Christian homeschooling program and I have always believed Jesus is our Lord and Savior and died on the cross for our sins. Having said that I never had a relationship with Jesus like I should have but at the same time I'm confused. I've seen ghosts and stuff cause my house is haunted and I've seen it since I was a little boy. I always still believed in Jesus and that he died for us I just believed things existed that we didn't know about I didn't question it I didn't bother to. But now I've been seeing stuff on YouTube of peoples storys about seeing hell and I noticed they're all different. So it has me questioning things I shouldn't question. Idk man I'm scared I also feel like I'm bisexual and in the Bible it says same sex relationships are an abomination. I'm scared

I would like to firstly mention that the brand is targeted towards Christians and a certain animal and the logo features said animal sat in the left arm of the cross. Just wondering if this is distasteful? I can always change it.

I had an Asian Studies professor tell us that there is a religion with religious text extremely similar to the book of Genesis. What book could it be?

Hello everyone!

I am a student studying BA Professional Floristry and Floral Design at Myerscough College, Preston.

For one of our projects, we had to write a dissertation on a chosen topic. For this reason, I chose the topic "How do Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism Incorporate Flowers in Funerals and Are Florists Aware of Their Significance?"

To aid my research and gain more knowledge about the topic, I have created a small online survey. I would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to finish it.

Below is the link to it.

https://forms.office.com/e/EZLrQei7sa

Thank you!!