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I know what you mean. I used to consider myself practicing, but I don't really know enough, nor keep up enough to still be considered that. Personally, I consider the word "religion" related to "ritual". So I guess I'm more Spiritual than Religious. I believe in Wicca, parts about Catholicism (before the Church twisted the meanings of the Bible), parts of Buddhism, Taoism, etc. I should have just voted "other" instead of "Wicca". But I know other people who consider themselves Wiccan and are just in it for the spells (which they also dive into recklessly). It's another reason I don't practice. My aunt (an unfortunate mistake) likes to consider herself and her daughter Wiccans - even while her daughter gets confirmed Catholic, celebrates Jewish holidays (but not the rituals), and only use Wicca for love spells and what-not. If I were to do any kind of ritual in this house they would instantly stick their noses where they don't belong and consider themselves just like me, which they are not. I like to consider my beliefs in Wicca more for my spirit than personal gain. Technically, I think I've been a witch since I was seven and chose to talk to the "Mother Earth" as well as "God". It was not until I was twelve or thirteen that I discovered Wicca and started finding parts of myself in various world religions. Someone with the Sight once noted me as a very Spiritual person and I didn't realize the full extent of her meaning until years later. But that's what I am and always have been. That's basically the only label that can be applied to me when asked about "religion".

Bacon wraped bacon Rawks!!!, how did you become that, a Jehovahs witness?

lol I know, right?
Anyway, my mother became one when I was two years old, so I was raised as one.
I believe it, it makes sense to me, so I've stuck with it.

I have to respectfully disagree with that, I can think of several.....
Child molestation, rape, just to name the first 2 that come to mind...... there are several "sins" that would be worthy of an eternity of agony....
Just my opinion of course, but its the only one I have at the moment.

You both have a point with the people that thrive on murder and child molesters. If there is an afterlife then they deserve to be punished. I'm at a crossroads as to how long they deserve to be punished. Eternity is neverending while the human life span is not. Are there really any crimes that deserve eternal agony in the afterlife? We're talking for an eternity here... I'm sorry but I just don't see any sin being worth an eternity of pain and suffering. We're all humans here after all. Some make dreadful choices in life but does that mean they deserve to be punsihed for all eternity for it?

However, I'm in the mindset of a believer and this basically goes against everything I believe or rather don't believe. Being that I'm an Atheist I believe that death is the ultimate punishment for someone that has committed heinous crimes such as child molestation. I do believe that they will get what's coming to them in some way or another or so I would hope. I also believe that these people should be killed in the most brutal way possible. An eye for an eye as they say. To me this is the only time that killing someone should be above the law. That and for self defense of course. But then again even if you do get revenge it still doesn't bring your loved one back... That which is probably the worst punsihment of all. Having to live without your loved one.

Thankfully I have never experienced losing a loved one at the hands of a murderer and I can't imagine how that must feel. It's all terrible really and it's sad that there are people that will actually do these terrible things in the first place. It's absolutely disgusting and when it all comes down to it I can understand why people would wish for an eternity of suffering for someone. It's all ******** up one way or another and I honestly wish that child molesters, murderers, etc. all ceased to exist. When it comes to the afterlife is where I get confused due to my lack of belief. Please don't judge me for that. No one can say for sure of what happens after death no matter what kind of life you lead. What happens to someone after death is anyone's guess. Though if I had a loved one that was murdered I'm sure that I would hope for the worst for the person that killed my loved one. Anyone would. I'm going to stop here before I ramble on any longer. This is how I currently feel on this particular subject.

right now i claim Non Denominational but i was born Mormon

I am an atheist.

However, I love to learn and understand other religions.

I suppose, before you ask, I will mention that I am an evolutionist. Please don't mistake that for social darwanism, I'll be sad, and no, I'm not a social darwanist.

I do, however believe, if you will, certain ideas based on the natural world, such balance in everything, and yin and a yang.

I do also believe in eternity, that everything will keep going, even if humanity and life as we know it ceases to exist.

To go along with the current mode of discussion, I think, in a sense, like someone else has mentioned, we create are own hell by feeling guilty about how we run our lives, however founded or unfounded they may be. I think rape, child molestation and the like are horrible and wish a slow, painful dead for those people who cause this. An eye for an arm, like the Threefold Law I suppose.

pagan, with Celtic and Heathen tendencies. member of ADF and active in the local grove.

hard polytheist with nature and ancestor worship nicely mixed in.