It's also amazing, in a good way, that so many here answer the question of "religious preference" in the way that suits them best. As that odious apostle of the Nazarene once observed: "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."

I always just answer 'I belive in my own god' - Because im still unsure of what to belive in

I belive all gods/angels/devils/demons exist, or 'have' existed, or we just cant see them.

But i belive IN, Dazhbog/Baphomet/Christian father god. has in have a strong gut feeling they exist

I have no religion, haha! i hate hypocrite people!! Haha!

You need to read The Satanic Bible.

First, he needs to learn how to read (and write).

This is a pretty complicated issue. From where I come from there are only three appropriate answers: Protestant, Orthodox or None. Your answer determined what classes you were forced to take in school and how your military service would look like etc. Back there I answered consistently that I was an atheist, because it did not carry a (very) negative connotation.

Since I immigrated to the US, I began tackling this question based on who asks. If I'm asked this by a coworker/client/fellow businessman, I tend to answer "I grew up Lutheran", if he/she keeps asking my next line of defense is "I go to an Episcopal/Anglican church" (which is true) and if I still feel forced to talk more about my beliefs I just tell him/her that I'm not interested in this topic and explain that someone may be very passionate about (horse) polo, but there are others who aren't and I am one of them. I've learned to never mention the A or S word in these contexts. The "don't ask, don't tell" line is of course a good policy when it come to religious/political opinions in business, but invoking that when someone asks about your religious preferences, usually just makes the other party think that there's something wrong with you and that I must be hiding something (which I am). I do not tend to lie about the truth, because it becomes progressively harder to remember what you have lied to each person when you interact with hundreds on a weekly basis.

If a healthcare/census worker (or similar) asks me that question, I just promptly answer "none". I've told most of my friends that I'm an atheist and only to a very small handful that I'm really a satanist.

I keep getting some puzzling questions from semi-strangers about my beliefs because of the brimstone/satanic cross necklace I carry around, but so far I've been able to avoid it by referring to the Lorraine cross, tree of life, alchemy sign etc.

Looking back I enjoyed my time in Basic training. I can understand not listing it on your paperwork, especially when doing so means you'll be berated with questions on something you consider private and personal. First time a friend saw I had a copy of The Satanic Bible and learned I was a Satanist they, like most people, assumed it involved worshiping the devil, sacrifices and a few other misconceptions I had to clear up.

I usually just tell them that I don't care to discuss it with them. If they push, I tell them it isn't any of their business, then walk away. Keep in mind, I'm paraphrasing, but you get the idea. Had to learn to dodge those kind of questions with my very christ-y brother and grandparents...

For some reason I have a lot of people ask me that question. I normally reply (like I said in my intro) with "I won't be going to heaven because of ignoring god. This normally ends the conversation.

Sometimes they counter with "Why are you ignoring god" my quick answer is that I take responsibility for my actions and have decided to use my energy to become the best I can on this world.

HS

In the Marine Corps boot camp you get to choose on Sundays what and where you would like to attend. You either get to stay back in the squad bay and have "free time" or go to a religious service of your choosing (standard Jewish, Catholic, or Protestant).

"Free time" is said to be used for writing letters to family and catching up with laundry or other personal chores. But in reality it is spent with the DIs tormenting you for two hours while everyone else is singing stupid songs in some silly church. So, after a bit of fun "free time" guess what I chose? Yep, church . . .

Discipline, I did the exact same thing. I hadn't found the CoS yet, but I sure as hell wasn't Christian. But church gets you away from DIs so...

Call me crazy, but I attended the church to have the ability to have contact with girls in the Army. I read through the "free" time in a hurry.

I went to MCRD San Diego where there are no female Marines. Female Marines are trained on the East Coast.

They definitely offer a belief buffet for recruits to sample. I got through years worth of religious discovery in 13 weeks. It was either that, or play Mt. Suribachi in the squad bay with the DIs.

Good times!