Is it normal to have no understanding of religion?

Its normal; I feel the same way. I used to be a christain when I was a kid but the older I got the more absurd It seemed; to me it was the same as no longer believing in Santa. As for why people believing in religion they are afraid of there being nothing for them after death, and want to believe their life's have a meaning/plan.

I feel the exact same way. I get disgusted at times because it seems so much bad happens in the world all in the name of religion. I can't relate to religious friends or family members, I don't judge them for their beliefs, but those beliefs just don't work for me. I believe in science and practical answers to most of lifes questions and find religion to give the opposite of that, and even see it filling childrens heads with what seems ludricrous stories! I do see the good it can bring in ppl's lives, but agree that it can come from many other sources when given the chance. So for me.. Totally normal!!!

religions=confusion..which is why I am 'spiritual' instead

The one with the story, I experienced religion and it's nothing but arseholes who think everything I do is a sin. We do however need belief in God if we want a nice place, no church is the answer. I say thought, logic, and knowledge of the physically real can be the only true religion. If Plato for instance says that God exists and talks of a higher reality, then through my experience he's right, because I saw "reality" of children who stone my foot with "reality", that's a childish way to face "reality", what we need is the reality that nice things happen, plus a world with problems is better than your death in heaven, lots of luck, ghouls!

psychedelic_leg you're so cool! Hippies are wise, I mean, peace and love, perception, that's cosmic! Religion comes from outer space. If you make your own religion up (and unlike other people who make up their own religion, please don't just make a set of rules without testing, editing, changing etc until it's perfect) you wouldn't be confused: my brother David made up his own kind of spirituality, I'm sceptical about the whole thing.
Does he have discipline? probably not!
Has he corrected it or just believed everything he made up? Everything he made up. Religion has to be tested, alterations have to be made, otherwise no one will believe you.

I'm religious, and find myself confused at times, especially with my wandering mind, and philosophical thoughts, also, past events that happened in my life.

That's pretty normal.

I'm not religious by any means, nothing organized or atheist, I just don't care about any of it, to each their own. but I sometimes wish I was able to believe in life after death because dying freaks me right the fuck out.

to your point, I think you're normal for an atheist. don't let it bother you unless something morally/ethically wrong is contained within it or someone is pushing their beliefs on you.

I can accept that you are an atheist, which you follow religiously, the same as you could accept that I have a religion. To try to understand the concept of having gods and goddesses is to delve into the history of mankind and try to understand why they felt it necessary. Enjoy your research.

In being a christian it is hard, cause you can rely on your friwnds and family and it is hard knowing gods always there, but for me i have trouble with it to, but i just try as hard as i can to put my faith in him. And still need o pray about it. But when i do pray i feel great knowing some ones always there listening to me, and when i do i just get this warm feeling. And when i do have dpubts i have to talk to some one. Like a priest or coulsular ect.

You sound like an intelligent person who knows how to think for themselves.

Why your upset?

It's up to you my dear ,if your upset about it
then you must be out of the straight path...
just know where your path is leading you
I'm not mad at you for what you think I quite understand you,I do!

best wishes to you

I second that, not to belittle the religious. I respect people's cultures since I was born into a multicultural community. However, I have to question why do they believe in something where there is no proof of having ever existed? Or little proof, that cannot be fitted into any puzzle? People always assume things and are superstitious which leads to useless things and probably, wastes time.

Say you found the bible. You believe in God. Who is God? Where does God come from, is he real? Then a bunch of religious people come in and disturb the scientific reality;

"God came from Heaven! He's watching over us and protecting us from the Devil!" or something like that, have you seen heaven or hell? Is there such thing as Heaven or Hell? Where is the proof?

"God created Earth" is another one I'd like to debate about, if you've taken science class then you know what I mean. Basically our star and planets were created when another star went supernova. Life came to Earth, how? Probably from the ocean, if you would include the Big Bang theory. So where is this God?

Enough rambling, you get my point. Not insulting religious people or anything but, REALLY, how do you come to such conclusions?

It's not particularly normal to be so upset about it, unless external pressures (friends, family) are trying to make you participate in religion.
It is normal to feel the way you do, though. Your beliefs are your beliefs--don't apologise for them, but don't push your views on others, either, and everyone can be comfortable.

You hate religion because you have never tried it. It sort of grabs hold of you and changes you.

I feel the EXACT same!! I hate relogon! :)