I'm looking for philosophers, both classical and modern, who have constructed arguments for optimism. [more inside]
posted by MikeHarris on Dec 12, 2009 - 29 answers

I'm scared I'm becoming Christian. Help? [more inside]
posted by Syllables on Nov 30, 2009 - 46 answers

I’d like advice on how to either leave my church as gracefully as possible, or find a way to reconcile my lack of faith with my continued church membership. [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay on Nov 25, 2009 - 28 answers

I am estranged from my brother for a lot of different reasons. I want to have a relationship with him, but I only can do that if I do it 100% on his terms, which I simply cannot do (not religious and getting more anti-religious by the day). Should I continue to make the effort in the hopes of breaking through to him or just live my life without my only sibling? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 24, 2009 - 24 answers

Can't remember the name of a particular obscure religion. Or maybe it is just a philosophy? I know it ends with "ism" and includes the name of the founder, perhaps? Can't remember any other details. :( [more inside]
posted by ascetic on Nov 22, 2009 - 25 answers

I'm looking for book recommendations for a young woman who has recently become interested in religion. Ideas please! [more inside]
posted by schmoo on Nov 22, 2009 - 20 answers

Please give advice on how to accept my atheism, let go of God and the need for one, how to get over the fourth stage of grief/letting go (depression), and how to find my passion for life again! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 18, 2009 - 45 answers

Need Church Recommendation in NOVA/DC area with active 20/30/40 single congregation [more inside]
posted by dmbfan93 on Nov 16, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm trying to remember the name of a sci-fi book. I read it like 10 years ago, so my memory of it's a bit fuzzy. One of the major topics was something about the religion of science. I remember a guy who was able to trick people, a traveling salesman of sorts, who sold someone a machine that turned lead into gold. The machine actually worked, but would stop working after he got away with his money. I don't *think* I'm imagining this book, but who knows...
posted by Political Funny Man on Nov 11, 2009 - 5 answers

What could be causing an image of Jesus to appear in this man's truck window? [more inside]
posted by longsleeves on Nov 4, 2009 - 23 answers

What are some long-form comics (including webcomics) that explore religion and/or religious issues? [more inside]
posted by homelystar on Nov 3, 2009 - 27 answers

I'm looking for citable print and online references about Christian mysticism. [more inside]
posted by pahool on Oct 27, 2009 - 9 answers

I know Eris, "Bob," and the Flying Spaghetti Monster... but what faux-religions came before? [more inside]
posted by lekvar on Oct 26, 2009 - 12 answers

I'd like to read a book about the Dreamtime of the Australians. I was kind of thinking about reading Chatwin, but these comments have made a little wary; I don't particularly want to read about another outsider's spiritual journey, and I don't want a New Agey attempt-at-universal-religion haphazardly mixed in with basic anthropological records. Can you recommend a solid book about Dreamtime?
posted by Greg Nog on Oct 19, 2009 - 10 answers

Help me reconcile my liberal beliefs with a church family again... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 18, 2009 - 38 answers

Are the existence of logical paradoxes evidence that logic is not Universal truth, or simply symptoms of incomplete or inaccurate semantic systems? [more inside]
posted by idyllhands on Oct 14, 2009 - 37 answers

BuddhaFilter: Where is this, who made it, and how big is it?
posted by Joe Beese on Oct 6, 2009 - 11 answers

What cultural or spiritual practice involves an alter or offering incorporating a dead chicken and money? [more inside]
posted by serazin on Sep 30, 2009 - 14 answers

Please recommend authors who use fiction to convey religious beliefs, a la C. S. Lewis. [more inside]
posted by SLC Mom on Sep 28, 2009 - 37 answers

I'm trying to explain vacuum genesis and the probability that we'll all appear here again at some point.... to some friends. We've all been drinking. [more inside]
posted by Baby_Balrog on Sep 12, 2009 - 14 answers

How to get along with my girlfriend when the subject turns to her religion? [more inside]
posted by youchirren on Sep 9, 2009 - 43 answers

How much does it cost to attend worship/services in different religions? I recently found out that Synagogues charge an annual fee which gets you into (I think) all the regular and special services and pays for your burial costs. I was raised nominally in the Church of England and, while people were encouraged to "tithe" (ie contribute a 10th of their income) into the collection or by direct debit, there was no actual charge to be a member of the congregation. This got me to thinking, what about other religions? And I can't find the info on Google of course! Please note: I'm asking out of curiosity, not out of preference for any religion in particular or being against any religion. Just interested. And Judaism just happened to be the example that cropped up. [more inside]
posted by LyzzyBee on Sep 6, 2009 - 31 answers

I need help tracking down a Kurt Vonnegut quote which says roughly that Unitarianism is 'atheism with hymns.' [more inside]
posted by Kattullus on Sep 3, 2009 - 17 answers

How do I convince [the more liberal] Christians to become atheists? (Issues you have with the wording of this question are likely addressed inside.) [more inside]
posted by LSK on Sep 3, 2009 - 83 answers

Looking for movies with similar monologues like the one Sigourney Weaver gives in Prayers for Bobby. [more inside]
posted by querty on Aug 12, 2009 - 0 answers

What is a good Bible Based DVD or movie that I can offer to my five year old daughter. I want her to get more knowledgable about the bible, but at her age, I'm not looking for a lot of blood or violence. Also, she asks me a lot why there are not girls in the stories. So maybe you know of a good movie that has Mary or Ruth in it? I want her to learn, but I need it to be age appropriate. She likes animation or live people. Thanks, Lynnie-the-pooh
posted by lynnie-the-pooh on Aug 8, 2009 - 17 answers

Is the name/label "Protestant" generally considered derogatory by non-Catholic/non-Eastern Rite Christians? [more inside]
posted by snachodog on Jul 18, 2009 - 43 answers

Muslim employees + handling an alcohol-extract flavoring ingredient... what should a company do? [more inside]
posted by GuffProof on Jul 14, 2009 - 29 answers

How do I start my own church in California? If L. Ron Hubbard can have a church, why can't I? I have tried searching for "how to start a church" on google and askmefi, but no luck. I think there's something about filing a 501c non-profit form, but there are a lot of forms for similar things (non-profit raffle? commercial coventurer?? what the crap?). [more inside]
posted by runcibleshaw on Jul 6, 2009 - 22 answers

Can I get in trouble for performing a wedding without a wicense? I would not sign the wedding certificate or any other paperwork. Just "perform". [more inside]
posted by Matt Arnold on Jul 3, 2009 - 18 answers

What book should I read to get an understanding of the the current Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the history of the Israeli state? [more inside]
posted by phrontist on Jun 29, 2009 - 16 answers

How exactly did Christianity come to dominate the Western world to such an extent? [more inside]
posted by timepiece on Jun 24, 2009 - 42 answers

"Pea green pink Irish Catholic" - what, if anything, does this phrase mean and/or refer to? [more inside]
posted by MaudB on Jun 24, 2009 - 17 answers

I'm meeting with Mormon missionaries tomorrow for a religious discussion, and they want me to come prepared with questions about Mormon history/ belief/ doctrine, etc. I'm looking for a list of questions that will give me interesting answers and lead to longer discussions about the nature of Mormonism. I'm very interested in their religion, I just don't know enough to know what to ask, and I have three hours with them so I need a good amount of discussion questions. Thanks!
posted by howgenerica on Jun 16, 2009 - 75 answers

How can I avoid straining the relationship between my girlfriend and her sister, who disapproves of us? Also, what are some good religious / psychological / philosophical texts to help me understand and (gently) argue against the sister's point of view: that my girlfriend and I are living in sin by having sex out of wedlock? [more inside]
posted by radiosig on May 13, 2009 - 38 answers

I'm trying to find a book about Islam and intellectualism. I can remember the cover, and the content - but not the title or the author. Gah! [more inside]
posted by divabat on Apr 26, 2009 - 11 answers

There are many great quotes by famous people on why we don't need religion, but where are all the quotes from different religious groups on why we need religion? [more inside]
posted by querty on Apr 13, 2009 - 11 answers

Where can I find religious publications (any religion) on the topic of trust? [more inside]
posted by arcticwoman on Apr 6, 2009 - 11 answers

Presentation on Shintoism...any info. would be helpful [more inside]
posted by lwclec072 on Apr 1, 2009 - 14 answers

My husband, who has been agnostic since we met and hasn't attended church in years, has rather suddenly decided to pursue a career in the ministry. I don't know what to do or who to talk to about my concerns. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 23, 2009 - 32 answers

Does anyone have any illuminating thoughts and/or experience regarding divinity school and the Unitarian Universalist ministry? I have been considering this path for some time and I am wondering if anyone else has explored this.
posted by Lutoslawski on Mar 20, 2009 - 3 answers

What's the easiest way to get a copy of my baptismal certificate if I only have a vague idea where I was baptized? This is embarrassing, but in my defense, I don't really remember it all that well. [more inside]
posted by smurdah on Mar 18, 2009 - 6 answers

My wife is a devout christian and I'm increasingly becoming a non-believer. Should I tell her? [more inside]
posted by mchow on Mar 15, 2009 - 42 answers

Whenever someone says "I turned my life over to God," it seems everyone just nods and acts like they understand, so I just act like I understand, too. But I don't. [more inside]
posted by Piscean on Mar 9, 2009 - 40 answers

Could someone explain Connecticut's Raised Bill No. 1098 to me? Is it constitutional, and what are the motivations behind it? Logical, rational answers would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Baethan on Mar 9, 2009 - 6 answers

Is it a common experience for people to lose their faiths and stop believing in the Christian God after they seriously read the bible and make a good effort to understand it? [more inside]
posted by mchow on Mar 3, 2009 - 46 answers

Is the ancient greek religion of the gods still practiced? [more inside]
posted by names are hard on Feb 26, 2009 - 10 answers

In this episode of 30 Days Morgan Spurlock lives on a Navajo reservation and takes part in various rituals. One of these is a morning run... where could I read more about that?
posted by phrontist on Feb 14, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm trying to find a good atlas that shows all of the Roman Roads built throughout the Roman Empire for my pastor friend. I think there were some 53,000 miles of highway built by the Romans, and, as he is preaching through Acts and following Paul's journeys, he'd like to have a good atlas that shows the period Roman district names, cities, terrain features, and especially the roads. Do you have any idea where he might find something like that?
posted by snap_dragon on Feb 6, 2009 - 5 answers

After years of drifting along as a "spiritual but not religious" believer I am beginning to come to terms with the fact that I'm not actually a believer at all. I am an atheist with a lingering but unwanted desire to believe and it is making me miserable. Can you help me move past this? [more inside]
posted by lysistrata on Feb 6, 2009 - 77 answers