I grew up orthodox Jewish, converted to the LDS (Mormon) faith and then when my son died I became Roman Catholic. You don't have to have a religion to have friends to be around. Research different religions and figure out what you believe to be true. If you have any questions about one of the three religions I listed feel free to send me a message.

@danna she must think ur interested ? freaky she turned up with another woman ? x

I don't think it matters what religion it is. I have a faith, doesn't mean I go to church etc, but that's faith you don't have to pray, go to a place of worship etc if it's true then whoever you believe in will know wherever you are and however you follow it.

My Kim found god again two years ago, she was baptised. Have to say it's changed her and I don't like her. She's now more selfish and judgemental. Sorry but it's driven a wedge, especially when she chose watching the Vicar's kids over watching her grandchild perform in a competition. Quickest to ask me for money etc when no one else will help her. Sorry there's the door and move on from now on. If she believes they're more important let them sort her messes xx

Omg the same lady with another lady knocked again tonight. Twice in one day!!! The lady asked my partner for me she knew my name wtf, I just told him to tell them I'm due any day and I'm in bed. Only once they had gone did I tell him they were JH that won't leave me alone he said what is wrong with you, tell them your not into religion. But I sort of did that in a polite way, I'm going to have to answer next time or clearly they will just keep knocking. I can't believe how desperate they are to recruit!! X

I have a JH who keeps knocking for me, purely because I was respectful and friendly but told her I wasn't interested and atleast once a week she's knocking! Today she knocked, I looked through the spy hole and just ignored the door. I'm sure she knew I was in my little boy was crying, but I didn't have the heart to be rude, but I feel like I'm going to have to be! X

Kinda shocking hearing about jehovas witnesses we've had neighbours for years that are jw ? u wouldn't think it.

I got into religion because I think I needed it I was depressed out my head and when I started learning about gods mercy and love I so needed that and i will always be so grateful to god for getting me out of that point in my life I never ever want to feel so low again and my faith just makes u feel so free and at peace and knowing god loves u is the best feeling in the world.

Hey @ruby how did u become a Muslim ? x

I have been muslim for 12 years and i am nearly 36 ;)

I'm the same as lydiarey, I became a Jehovahs Witness at 5 and left when I was 18. I'm sorry but it's a cult and it doesn't matter which way they try to spin it to you that's what it is. They get you at a low point in your life and they all rally round you and help and you become so dependent on them you end up falling for it. Then when you are involved and end up 'baptised' that when the rules really get you and if you leave or do something against t the rules you become an outcast (depending on the crime/outcome). I left and then ended up being disfellowshipped as I moved in with my boyfriend. Once this happens you as well stamp 'leper' on your forehead. They are not allowed to speak with you (even my family cut me off, I have spoken to my brother for nearly 6 years after he went back into it and my sister has had a 'talking' to from my brother and now doesn't speak with me. That was 20 years ago for me and to this day I will always warn people against it. I can't stress enough how brainwashing it is......that's not me having a chip on my shoulder or being put out at them. Avoid at ALL costs.

@booboo yes I am, there's a few

1. I don't celebrate birthdays as I don't believe the prophet did this through reports from his time

2. I don't celebrate the prophets birthday which my parents do

3. Differences in prayer for example keeping finger raised while sitting.. also raising hands above shoulders when rising from sitting and before and after bowing.. I do this from reports of the time of the prophet peace be upon him.

Generally and unfortunately there's a lot more in regards to weak reports of etiquettes that should not be followed.

I choose to only follow those reports that have a solid chain of narration from the time of the prophet. My reason is that we won't be judged for what we didn't do we will be judged for what we did do. And I believe if I keep away from something that may be ok to do but I don't do it I won't be punished for that.

Sorry for long post ?

@Tryinfor2, are you Muslim? And can I ask what differences there are between your beliefs and your family's? X

To me religion is a way of life. The only reason I follow a religion because I feel I have found the truth. Even though I was born into Islam I didn't really start practicing until I had found that "faith" I researched and questioned everything. And I dnt think there's any point in nodding and agreeing if u dnt actually believe something. I also think it's easy to be coerced into a religion maybe from pressure from those around u. My whole family are Muslim but I still have different beliefs from them. It's difficult but it's not about this life for me it's my end my heaven or hell. Religion is deep. ? I would say question everything and don't just follow blindly ?

Ahhh that makes sense! I never even thought about the women that are pregnant actually x

Children don't have to fast. It states from when one reaches puberty then fasting becomes obligatory.

I won't b fasting this year as I'm pregnant, but usually the first 2-3days are hard then ur body adjusts. Tbh it isn't he hunger/thirst that becomes a struggle it's tiredness. Especially when the fasts are around this time of yeah when the days are long, but yeah you would be surprised how ur body adapts.x

@s.m.m

I have a question I've always thought about it when you have to fast how does it work for a child do they fast too? How does it even work when you have to fast I couldn't imagine not eating all day! X

I grew up with some friends that were jehovas witnesses and it was so sad when it was Christmas they weren't allowed to celebrate it and I remember them telling me if they had an accident and needed a blood transfusion their parents wouldn't allow it! Even though we were kids they were pretty preachy, I think they are taught to spread the word so to speak, but in my opinion religion should be natural, loving, no strings attached, come and go as you please. I was brought up Catholic and I am not strictly Catholic now I firmly believe in God but I do not feel compelled to attend church or read the Bible but I do pray daily!

I think everyone should follow whatever they believe and if this feels right to you then give it a go but I think jehovas is more than just a comforting place to go pray and make friends I think it can be overpowering from what I've seen, and I'm pretty sure you are expected to regularly donate to the church as well. Xx

Hmm see I think if you get on with them then just continue to be friends just don't let the religion aspect get in the way..my gay best mate was born in to JW obvs he's not 1 ?? they are lovely people you know but they always try make me go to meetings ?? I'm like noooo I don't believe in god and then they pull out their little bibles and quote me ha but be prepared that at some point they will probably ask you if you wanna to meetings and what not ? you know shell if I lived near you I'd be your friend x

The thing with religion, you know your part of the right one when it feels right for u. I'm muslim, and even tho there are rules etc I'm 100% happy with it. I don't feel trapped or forced into anything, it's what I choose to follow and wouldn't have it any other way. Now I'm not sayin I follow every single thing my religion teaches me, majority yes, but we are human and we sin, and that's the whole point in repentance. Islam doesn't allow Christmas obviously or birthdays or any other celebration for that matter, just the 2 days of Eid. One after the annual pilgrimage of hajj and the other after the month of fasting. However u will find so so many Muslim stil celebrating different stuff, it doesn't mean they aren't Muslim, peoples level of faith are different. Some are strong in their beliefs some are not.

I'd research religion on a whole see what your inclined to and what your comfortable with if ur interested. It's a life long journey with religion, always striving to do and be that much better. That's how I see it. X

Of course they will be normal lol. What did you expect them to be?

When I was a baby I had open heart surgery twice blood transfusion etc and there was a baby boy in with similar issues but his parents refused a blood transfusion and he died.

I'm not religious in anyway shape or form lol. I don't actually know what I believe in x

I wouldn't become one it's just not me. The thing is with these girls you wouldn't have a clue I had no idea untill she told me they were jw. They seem so normal xx

Jehovah's Witness? Yeah I would stop there don't get involved I'm begging you I was born into it and for 20 years I stayed. At the beginning they will make you feel all loved etc till they get you in the church and you will still feel loved etc but that's when the laws and rules will come.

The only good thing that I would say came out it was - I was disciplined I never got involved in things such as drugs , boys and focused on school and the church and had high aims in life. But I was sheltered so basically I couldn't be friends with certain people e.g other kids that didn't have the same values as me in terms of morals . So when I got to university it was a big shock to me a whole world I never knew.

I left at 21 and it's hard because me and my family are just not the same but I would choose being free over being controlled anytime.

I'm now a baptised catholic and I love it - you learn the same things as you would a JW but not in a cult like way.

They sound like Jehovahs Witnesses if they don't acknowledge birthdays and Christmas. They worship the Old Testament (before Jesus/Christmas/Easter etc) I think.

Some views are quite extreme - I actually had a friend who was allowed to die by her parents because they wouldn't allow her to have a blood transfusion after she'd been injured in a car crash. That said, that is my personal prejudice & I'm very aware of it.

I would say take people as you find them, if you enjoy their company & they aren't forcing you in to believing or living your life in a particular way then go for it. Be aware tho that they do try to recruit people into their religion (knocking on doors, leafleting etc) so keep this in mind X

I was Christened Catholic, however I don't follow the faith, or attend church unless for obvious reasons (christenings, weddings, funerals) I have currently been feeling quite lonely at the minute aswell, I don't really have any friends, I keep saying I'm going to look at taking my LO to a stay and play group so we can both meet new people, I just need to be brave enough ??

The only thing is they don't ever celebrate Christmas or birthdays and no matter what I couldn't not celebrate them not just for me but for the kids. What does your oh think about it all? These girls I've met don't have kids they work at my daughters nursery and I've just been texting one of them getting on quite well and the other cut my hair for me. So dunno if we would even meet up or anything but it just got me thinking about things xx

I'm the same as you, don't have a religion and don't really know what I believe. My son started at a Church of England school in sept and I became friends with one of the mums. One dad she mentioned about the church her husband runs. I don't have a lot of friends and as my son was learning about god a lot and me not being able to answer his questions I decided to start going along with my boys. We tend to go twice to three times a month and we've met some lovely people. Give it a go. You don't have to believe in their religion, you can just learn about it and then decide your own opinion xx