Yesterday, my parents got mad at me for refusing to go to prayers. I have very religious parents, but they don't seem to understand what they believe, and more or less, were conditioned to pray.

I also realized, the reason I've wanted to go less and less to prayers, is because its convienent for me.

So my first question is, if you don't believe in religion or are atheist, is it because its just more convienent? I understand some people here won't believe in God, etc, mainly because it cannot be proven, and I consider that a decent answer, but is that just your denial of the true reason?

My 2nd question is, do you believe in God, or are religious, mainly because you're scared that if you don't, your life will be affected? Essentially, believing out of fear?

It's the opposite. If one really believed, I mean truly believed in his heart, that there was a God and for eternity he would be in heaven if he only prayed a few times a week, then he'd do it no matter how inconvenient it was.

A person who misses prayer just because they don't really want to is probably a person who isn't fully convinced through and through. Maybe that person is denying their true reason for believing, which may or may not come in the form of the second part of your question.

That's just my impression; I hope it doesn't come off as insulting or condescending in any way.

LOL for once no. I realize you're talking about me, but truly I believe in God. I'm really just that lazy to get ready and dressed, and then go to a communal place of prayers.

That seems like a bad decision considering how much better and bigger the afterlife is.

If the afterlife is forever, dedicating your life to making sure you go to heaven isn't a bad idea. It's a tiny, tiny investment with infinite returns.

This is a little off topic from your questions . . . but I have never understood why some religions (require) certain times/places for prayer. I mean, in my life, I pray all the time whenever/wherever I want. I know it has to do with the different types of religions and I'm not knocking other types at all . . . just never understod this I guess.

To answer your second question: I don't really believe out of fear exactly or atleast not in the way most define the word fear. Although, I believe to some extent you have to have a "fear" of the LORD. I need to qualify what "fear" really means to me though. To me the "fear" referred to in the Bible is closer to "respect". Kind of like how a child should respect his parents and have a "fear" of discipline if they do something wrong. It's not like the child is fearful of getting beat down or killed if he does something wrong. It's more like the child doesn't want to disappoint his parents. That's kind of how my belief works. I have respect for the GOD who created us. So I try to please him in everything I do . . . knowing he will be disappointed in me when I fail, but love me no matter what.

True, but I live my life in the present, always have and always will. Technically my afterlife could be hell, so shouldnt I "whoop" it up here?

Foose good post. Respect and not fear...hmm.

So it seems you realize that believing God exists isnt enough. If thats the case you have a choice to make. Chuck the whole thing because you know you are going to hell anyway and just live in the moment and for yourself now, or make changes in your life if you truly believe it will effect your 'destination'. It seems you are having trouble keeping your personal desires (to sleep in, not to pray, etc.) from battling your spiritual responsibility. This is a struggle for most people because modern society has put such emphasis on 'attendance' to represent your particular belief. if someone, for instance, doesnt show up at church for a while people start to question if that person is really a true believer. I personally believe that your attendance at church or acts of prayer is an overflow of the heart and your true desires rather than an obligation needing to be fulfilled to gaurantee you entrance to heaven. Im pretty sure God doesnt take a tally of all your prayers or church services you've attended. I think its more the condition of the heart and where you stand with Him/Her. However I believe that the fruit of belief in God will represent itself in ways such as prayer, scripture reading, good deeds, church attendance, though not specifically necessary to have a relationship with God.

I don't believe because I'm a "seeing is believing" type person, and a cynic by nature. I don't believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny either. Not being condescending, just saying.

I have no issue with people being spiritual, but its organized religion I have issues with.

Besides, it just seems like a lot of work as well.

If I believed in it, I'd be going to hell. Not really, I'm a solid cat

See thats where the conflict comes in. People think, because I dont go to prayers, means I don't believe/love God. But thats not the case. I just dont like sitting in a place, for 45 minutes, listening to a language I dont know, and then blindly repeating it. Its like theres a constant conflict between religion and fun.

This is kind of what I was talking about as well. Like I said . . . I have never understood religions that require you to do certain "ceremonies". To me, prayer should be between you and GOD. This can be done in the privacy of your own home or wherever. It does not need to be in public for everyone to see . . . ironically Jesus tells us the same thing. In Matthew he talks about the pharises praying for all to see . . . and he calls them hypocrites. Prayer is between you and GOD. That is your time to talk to GOD. I believe that GOD will hear you no matter where you are.

Sounds like its not a question of being religious or not, but of finding a church or synagogue or whatever that you are comfortable. There are many different denominations to choose from and maybe you just need to find one that supports your belief in God but doesnt require the things that deter you from participating all-together.

. . . and yeah . . . that's what I meant to say too . . .

Source?

I do believe both the OP and Sluggo are operating on a similar set of assumptions and beliefs, therefore he probably found it unnecessary to build his entire worldview from the ground up.

I know...should've left a "sw". I just found the unambiguity of his statement (like many other statements in religious threads) to be funny.

I dont believe in God bc it doesnt seem logical.

I stopped going to church bc I was lazy and hated it.

Ok, I guess my only point is that when you have a christian asking a question, and a christian answering, it is unnecessary and detrimental to the flow of the conversation to justify every statement that is made. There are many threads devoted to debating issues like this, this doesn't seem to be one of them.

dude you messed up, be nice to your parents and get all that you can from them. if praying means theyll pay the down payment on your car then you best bow down nukka