i believe in god but i don't believe in religion but that's another story. I dont believe in religion neither. I do however believe in the Scriptures. I also dont believe in a lower case "god" I believe in THE GOD. Rudeness is something you will find everywhere though, not just in churches. I go to a military church, the people I go to church with wern't raised in a church as I was so I dont hold their children up to the same standards as I hold my children to. All I can do is teach my children how to deal with other kids that they dont like or are rude to them. Being in the military this is a problem they will face for a long time. 

I'm not sure what you mean by you don't hold their children up to the same standard as yours. That sounds a little rude? Maybe i'm not understanding or something..? 

I don't think your religion means that your children are better than theirs... Or that their lack of religious background makes them any less of parents. MAYBE, you're not saying that, but thats how it came off to me at least. 

living on base is DEFINITELY not as safe as a lot of people think. a little girl was kidnapped from her front yard on fort bragg this months..... playing right in front of her house. 

I dont believe in religion neither. I do however believe in the Scriptures. I also dont believe in a lower case "god" I believe in THE GOD. Rudeness is something you will find everywhere though, not just in churches. I go to a military church, the people I go to church with wern't raised in a church as I was so I dont hold their children up to the same standards as I hold my children to. All I can do is teach my children how to deal with other kids that they dont like or are rude to them. Being in the military this is a problem they will face for a long time. In a lower case god? Thats a new one. I won't touch the second paragraph cause it sounds like you meant every word. As for being a military problem? I don't get that? Once you are out of the military you are going to meet tons of people who are good enough or something? Have you had THAT bad of time with military people that you think its only a military thing? 

you go to a place of organized religion to worship "THE GOD" even thought you do not beleive in religion? maybe i read that wrong, i am not trying to be mean or anything i just am wondering if i am not getting what you wrote... 

I don't believe in god. I don't believe in religion. I think a lot of people have done a lot of bad things in the name of religion, and it's just not for me. I also think that it can be good for a lot of people. I just read a book "An Atheist Defends Religion" about how society as a whole benefits from organized religion. However, I don't think kids should be raised to fear god, or be told that their bad behavior (which is totally natural for kids to test boundaries) will cause them to go to hell because god doesn't like it. I mean, if you're using the concept that a god designed us all, wouldn't you think that he or she probably designed those behaviors into your kids? I 

Flying Spaghetti Monster =) 

I recommend "The Year of Living Biblically". An atheist lived strictly by the rules of the bible for a whole year. Its funny, serious and can make you emotional and think quite a bit. VERY good book! 

Festivus! 

well sad to say alot of "christian" people have done aweful things and yes from their actions alot of people lost faith. I kind of am confused on what is being said about it..( i don't want to get yelled at) but how can you believe in scriptures if you don't believe in religion? (i dunno not trying to be mean or anything) And from my beliefs there is only one GOD so no matter how you write it there is only one god.....and no because you don't choose to raise your kids in a religion doesn't mean anyone is better than you, its a free country and freedom of religion so I don't see why anyone would say that. (if that is what being said) thats what makes people hate religions lol. I was taught to create everyone equal (gays, races, EVERYONE) no matter where you came from. People put too many labels on things...oh you are religious, you will hate me cause I don't believe in God. That mentality is why this world is going down (and vice versa) Not everyone is the same and just because you have a religion or no religion makes you "bad" its your actions... and marissa (and all the christians on here will probably bash me) but I don't believe that we should teach our children to fear god either. and I have my reasons but I could sit here and write a book why. LOL 

Sounds like Rebecca had an out of body experience when she posted. If not then I guess that kind of God encourages the concept of - we are better then others. I don't subscribe to that one....must have missed it when I passed the sunday morning service on channel 48....ooops. I will say this....I view religion, politics and all of those wonderful topics like I view riding the NYC subway - head down and avoid eye contact...LOLOL. Never have a problem. 

Kimberly... you got me laughing with the out of body experience comment... 

Rebecca, Holy crap! There is enough snobbery in the armed forces (Army v. Air Force v. Navy v. Marines or Enlisted v Officer) as it is without throwing in the my-religion-is-better- than-your-religion or my-church-WAS- better-than-your-church B*ll S*#t. You should be commended for ATTEMPTING to raise your kids right, but teaching them religious snobbery is not a good thing. Wow. Read your history woman. Religion and land are the two things that are constant and most likely the reason wars are fought. The people come and go, maybe you should try to open your mind and learn from everyone you come in contact with, instead of closing yourself off with your religious snobbery. WOW. Kimberly, I like your philosophy, I listen, nod like I understand then try and figure it out with a little research. I am still stunned about how snooty Rebecca sounds like she is about her religion. WOW. 

Rebecca, Holy crap! There is enough snobbery in the armed forces (Army v. Air Force v. Navy v. Marines or Enlisted v Officer) as it is without throwing in the my-religion-is-better- than-your-religion or my-church-WAS- better-than-your-church B*ll S*#t. You should be commended for ATTEMPTING to raise your kids right, but teaching them religious snobbery is not a good thing. Wow. Read your history woman. Religion and land are the two things that are constant and most likely the reason wars are fought. The people come and go, maybe you should try to open your mind and learn from everyone you come in contact with, instead of closing yourself off with your religious snobbery. WOW. Kimberly, I like your philosophy, I listen, nod like I understand then try and figure it out with a little research. I am still stunned about how snooty Rebecca sounds like she is about her religion. WOW. 

I believe in God. I do not go to church, and I do not read the Bible everyday, but I do believe. The reason I do not go to church is because every time I have ever decided to go, I have had a bad experience with it. The first time, I had been going to a church for over 2 years, I was young and my neighbor drove a bus to pick up the children who wanted to go but parents wouldn't take them. Well, I got "suspended" from church for hugging a very near and dear male friend that I hadn't seen in months because his parent divorced and he moved a few towns over with his mother. I felt as if I had committed some major sin that if the church couldn't even allow me there for a few weeks, I was doomed. So I never went back. Another church kicked out a homeless man because he wasn't dressed appropriately, he just wanted to attend the service, and was covered enough that we didn't see any bad parts, but he was HOMELESS and just wanted to go to church... I thought they sent a pretty clear message on that one, and I didn't agree. I actually left right then and retrieved food and drink for the man and told him where the nearest shelter was. Then, after having my oldest son, I tried again. Things went well for a few weeks, but once people pieced together, by the dates, that I hadn't married my husband until after getting pregnant, I was getting lectured and crazy talk from almost everyone there. So, again, I quit going because it just seemed to me that no matter where I went or what I did, I either wouldn't agree with them or they wouldn't agree with me... I do not feel that I am better or worse than any other person for my beliefs. Everyone believes differently, even within the same church. Not everyone agrees with every single thing all the time. So I rather believe to myself and teach my kids what I believe and they will be able to grow up and believe whatever it is they want to believe. Because I also do not feel that religion should be force fed to kids, and them forced to sit and color if they aren't really in it with their entire heart. And the religion, or lack of, doesn't make my kids any better or worse than other kids, and I think that people who say things like that are EXACTLY the reason I do not attend church... 

Well said Flip and thank you for sharing your experiences for not attending church. I share many of your feelings as well.