In the spirit of HaVoks latest thread inquiring into the thoughts behind atheism, which I thought was one of the most civil discussions I've seen here so far, I thought I would return the favor and inquire as to your thoughts on faith.

As HaVok has had little exposure to atheists in his life, I have had very little exposure to people with strong religious faith. I really am interested in finding out what motivates people to subscribe to one particular faith or the other. I understand that most of the responses will be from Christians and I hope to see a lot of different opinions on the subject. I certainly hope that people of other faiths will respond as well.

What motivated you to pursue your particular religious faith?

Did you have a mystical or other experience that you felt had religious significance?

What benefits do you feel your faith has brought into your life?

Again, in the spirit of HaVok's question let's try and keep this discussion a positive one. The idea here is to talk about why you like your faith, not why you don't like someone else's.

Now look what you went and did Havok, you opened up another can of worms :D

{1} My religious beliefs found me, I did search to find out what I was feeling, and to find out if there were others like me.

{2} Yes many different things happened in my life, I also relized humans are not more or less important then anything else. "we just think we are"

{3} An open mind and relizing there is more to life then how much one makes or who's car/house is nicer. I have also become alot closer to the unknown and a spirit world.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Vilepagan
What motivated you to pursue your particular religious faith?

I was raised a lutheran. I've more or less stayed one because it's a very tolerant denomination and frankly, I don't like the more conservative ones.

Did you have a mystical or other experience that you felt had religious significance?

Not really. Just a lot of good things that have happened to me that seemed too coincidental to not be somehow guided by a higher power (that's as mystical as I get folks).

What benefits do you feel your faith has brought into your life?

Honesly, I'm not sure. I don't know that I'd be any different without a belief in God, although referring back to the second question, I potentially might not be where I am today happiness-wise.