Do you follow what you believe is right or what your religion says?

[DarkDragon]

Most religions say you cannot masturbate, you cannot talk about sex as its taboo, dating isnt allowed or that being gay or transgender is a sin and some even promote violence against such people. There's been a situation where gay people are beat to death or they're afraid to tell their parents as they'd get thrown out.

I'm religious and i don't agree with this, I want to believe that as a religious person we should accept everyone for who they are and that we should treat each other with kindness, respect and love. That doing something harmful to yourself and others is not allowed. That religion should be something you agree with and treasure not feel forced to comply with.

What are your thoughts on your religion and do you do what you think is right?)

[Pultost]

I consider myself Christian, but obviously I don't agree with everything. I can't really find anything in the Bible that strictly forbids masturbation. Those who are against it have obviously twisted the Onan situation, and got creative. Also, I'm bi, so there's another "rule" I ignore.

[Natacha]

I consider myself Christian, but obviously I don't agree with everything. I can't really find anything in the Bible that strictly forbids masturbation. Those who are against it have obviously twisted the Onan situation, and got creative. Also, I'm bi, so there's another "rule" I ignore.

The "problem" with Onan, wasn't it that god had told him to get the wife pregnant, but he pulled out before the crucial moment? Not so much about masturbation? I'm not sure.

I think the right term for me is anti religious, so I just do whatever I feel right

[Pultost]

The "problem" with Onan, wasn't it that god had told him to get the wife pregnant, but he pulled out before the crucial moment? Not so much about masturbation? I'm not sure.

I think the right term for me is anti religious, so I just do whatever I feel right

That's exactly right. He betrayed god's wish and pulled out, letting his sperm fall to the ground. It's got nothing to do with masturbation whatsoever.

[ska8er]

Im not anti religious and I do
what I think is right. There are
far worse things than masturbating
which I think are considered a sin.

[SouthernDude]

It's mainly Catholicism that denounces masturbation, but all sects of Christianity denounces the lust often associated with masturbation. I think masturbation is perfectly normal, and could be a source of pleasure God gave us single people.

I think talking about sex is perfectly fine, but I believe the act should be kept between the ones doing it. People shouldn't really be involved in other's sex lives.

While I don't necessarily support the LGBT+ community, I'm not against it either. I don't really care what you are, just don't shove your ideas down my throat.

[HeyCameron]

Yes, I always find it interesting (and very disappointing) when I come across people who admit they have nothing against homosexuals, for example, but feel they must oppose them because their religion says so. That's the kind of refusing to think critically that gives religion a bad rap.

Certainly many religions teach restraint around sexual matters. I think people need to think more about why certain things re. sex might be a problem (uncontrolled lust, promiscuity, sex without regard to the other person's feelings) rather than simply ticking off boxes of what's "not allowed" because it says so in religious teachings.

I don't know any religions that specifically forbid discussion of sex, but it's pretty obvious that sexual repression doesn't keep people pure and abstinent; the lack of information and honesty only creates more problems and in many cases, leads to the very problems the lack of discussion is supposedly trying to prevent.

[Oscar-V3.0]

Most religions say you cannot masturbate, you cannot talk about sex as its taboo, dating isnt allowed or that being gay or transgender is a sin and some even promote violence against such people. There's been a situation where gay people are beat to death or they're afraid to tell their parents as they'd get thrown out.

I'm religious and i don't agree with this, I want to believe that as a religious person we should accept everyone for who they are and that we should treat each other with kindness, respect and love. That doing something harmful to yourself and others is not allowed. That religion should be something you agree with and treasure not feel forced to comply with.

What are your thoughts on your religion and do you do what you think is right?)

I am catholic but I dont agree with everything the church says
As long as you are not causing harm to anyone, then then there is no reason to have it forbidden

[Cassi]

Most religions say you cannot masturbate, you cannot talk about sex as its taboo, dating isnt allowed or that being gay or transgender is a sin and some even promote violence against such people. There's been a situation where gay people are beat to death or they're afraid to tell their parents as they'd get thrown out.

I'm religious and i don't agree with this, I want to believe that as a religious person we should accept everyone for who they are and that we should treat each other with kindness, respect and love. That doing something harmful to yourself and others is not allowed. That religion should be something you agree with and treasure not feel forced to comply with.

What are your thoughts on your religion and do you do what you think is right?)

What religion says being trans is a sin?

Being gay isn’t either, the versions of the bible translated by conservatives try hit at that but the original versions don’t
Also Jesus never said anything against gay people / being gay

Typical that people with agendas ruin good things

[DarkDragon]

What religion says being trans is a sin?

Being gay isn’t either, the versions of the bible translated by conservatives try hit at that but the original versions don’t
Also Jesus never said anything against gay people / being gay

Typical that people with agendas ruin good things

honestly i believe religions like Islam and Christianity dont mention it explicity (well im not sure for islam but the bible sure doesnt) or vaguely say so yet the people in it are willing to say being trans is a sin, that masturbation is not allowed or that homosexuality is a sin.

I DO NOT BELIVE that these are sins and that people should be free in what they chose as long as it doesnt harm them. i think people are trying to justify how they feel or they are afraid/unwilling to accept the unknown.

[Stronk Serb]

Well, the priest whose services I attended, never really got angry if you sinned. To him, it wasn't about the sin, it was about repent and fixing it. Eastern Orthodoxy, like Catholicism, has confessions and communion as a way to show your repentance. In the priest's eyes, if no one was harmed by the sin, he didn't really mind.

I do not follow what the Patriarch or the bishops tell me to do, I follow what Jesus preached. Compassion, not judging people and humility.

He also fixed marriages that were on the brink of collapse. Most of the causes was paying too much attention to the kids or to work in order to focus on the marriage. He'd either say 'take the kids to their grandparents for a few weeks' or 'take vacation at the same time'.

[Valkyri]

Well, the priest whose services I attended, never really got angry if you sinned. To him, it wasn't about the sin, it was about repent and fixing it. Eastern Orthodoxy, like Catholicism, has confessions and communion as a way to show your repentance. In the priest's eyes, if no one was harmed by the sin, he didn't really mind.

I do not follow what the Patriarch or the bishops tell me to do, I follow what Jesus preached. Compassion, not judging people and humility.

He also fixed marriages that were on the brink of collapse. Most of the causes was paying too much attention to the kids or to work in order to focus on the marriage. He'd either say 'take the kids to their grandparents for a few weeks' or 'take vacation at the same time'.

I think that’s important
If people wrong others or their god, then they need to atone, make it right and make a plan to not repeat it - otherwise it’s just for show

I’m still exploring but the very organised and hierarchical religions don’t sit right with me

[Don Giovanni]

I always follow what I believe.

[SonOfSeven]

I don’t do either. I use scientific facts to inform my worldview. I guess you could consider my philosophical tanglings a belief system, but it’s more just a certain interpretation of the facts

[pauly]

This is a difficult subject to handle. But here are a few thoughts:

1. If you are brought up by your parents (or guardians) from birth to be religious, you will come to automatically believe the teachings of that religion. So there won't be any conflict; your religion will be part of your life and you will accept its rules and practices.

2. If you are 50% religious / 50% secular you will weigh up each aspect of the religion against the opinions you are forming and make a choice balanced on your upbringing and your experience.

3. If you reject any religious beliefs you have been taught, then you have your own character and opinions to help you reach the conclusions which seem right and fair to you.

4. Of course, there are lots of times when people with religious knowledge are conflicted when it comes to making personal decisions. In those instances, your strength of character should see you through, and the ability to make decisions which are comfortable for you are all part of growing up and a major part of life itself.


You'll notice that I haven't given a personal opinion. That's because I try to see everyone's point of view. I feel that there is no absolute right or wrong, and that reaching beliefs and strongly-held opinions all help to make life more challenging and rewarding.

[CostaBelle]

I like to think of my self as religious and I’ve read that masturbation is a sin but I also believe that you can still be a religious person and still enjoy your self it’s not like you’re doing in the church or in front of the priest. Churches are also more relaxed on certain things now like sex before getting married or using contraception so again you just have to do what you think is right for you.

[JustAnAveragePerson]

I believe in what is right, not what some 'religion' tells me that I have to do.

[Maxfun]

I'm an atheist, so this is not an issue for me

[BiYasmin]

I am a muslim, however somethings I do what I feel is right, other things what my religion says is right.

If I do what I feel is right, usually it is in secret.

[Ben06]

I’m not religious but I do what I think is right well try to

[Bart-Simpson]

I am Christian but not really religious, I do what is right, not what a book written 2000 years ago says

[jordan0819]

I'm not religious. I do what I think or feel is right. I think my parents have taught some basic right from wrong and to treat other people well regardless of gender, religion, sexuality, and so on.