[~WP-Night]

I'd kinda like to know what people think of some religions, or even if they want to, say something about theirs. Recently I've come across one that suits me in many ways and I feel its not a useless exercise to tell people that I follow the teachings, and I wanted to know what everyone else thought.

Personally, I am a form of Pagan, mainly following in the rites of Wicca. I find it to be wholefully practical and it feels like i can make aa difference with it. Opinions?

-WP

[Jin]

Which religions do you want our opinions about? Religion in general? The topic is a bit ambiguous.

Regarding religion in general, I used to take a firm stance against it, thinking that it corrupted humans, but anyone who actually believes that doesn't have their head on straight. Anyone who thinks that humans need outside influences to corrupt themselves are shooting for the moon. Moving on. I find religions fascinating to be honest, particularily Eastern Religions. Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism all interest me, but Buddhism and Taoism are the ones I find the most enthralling.

I consider myself a Taoist, in that I believe there is an unexplainable, unamable force that has created the universe. Not so much a God, but something beyond even the imagination of humanity. I believe that to be happy, one has to live in accordance with the Tao, but not in the traditional sense. The ancient Taoists believed, or at least wrote, that to live in harmony with the Tao, one must reconnect with humanity's roots as part of nature. Living a simple life of peace and tranquility. This is an admirable way to live, I agree, but I don't believe it is the only way in which to live according to the Tao. Nature is not peaceful. As I said before, to assume humans are naturally good is to ask for destruction. I believe that society is as natural as seclusion.

I believe everyone knows what they need to do to live in accordance with the Tao, they just aren't aware of their knowledge. What's that quote by Shakespeare? All the world's a stage and all the men and women are merely players? I think that's what it ammounts to. Everyone has their part to play and to discover and embrace your part is the only true happiness, no matter what the part is. How do you know when you find your part? To paraphrase Lao Tzu, you must look inside yourself and see. No, it isn't logical, but religion isn't about being logical and neither is life for that matter.

I'm sure Sinister can add more on this, although I imagine he is a more traditional form of Taoist. But he may surprise us. =P

Regarding the Western Religions, I believe they are an important part of Western culture and society and are in their own rights interesting. Catholicism is pretty interesting I find, as is Judaism, especially the Kabalah (Evangelion anyone?). Do we have any Zoroastrians here?

That was the topic of this thread, right?

[Anachlirium]

Personally I think the world would be better without religion. I mean.. When you think about how many wars and deaths are caused because of it.. It's not worth it.

However, it exists [Unfortunately].

I don't belong to a particular named 'religion', but I do have a set of beliefs. Admittedly I did think they were odd and that I was the only person that believed them, but after a while I've found a few others that believe the same thing, which is.. Interesting. I've even found one or two around TFF ^^. Some people have described me as 'spiritualist' but I guess I don't really see myself that way at all. I do actually follow parts and believe in parts of other religions, though. I wouldn't consider myself Buddhist or Wiccan, but I do abide by certain parts of those religions.

I've actually tried to fit into specific religions.. I was brought up Catholic and put simply, it didn't agree with me. I didn't enjoy the religion and I strongly disaggreed with areas of it.

I practiced Wicca for a couple of years.. And again, found that I could not 'perfectly' abide by all the rules and laws of it. So.. There went that.

I guess I've just picked up on bits and pieces of each religion along the way and formed my own. Which is fine with me.

[Momo Mastermind]

Oh god, not another one of these... I can see this going on for too long before people begin bashing other's beliefs and certain people enforcing their beliefs onto others.

Anyway, since it's still open I guess I'll give my opinion. I think religion was created with nothing but good intentions... but as they say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Essentially, every religion have some negative aspect about something, which causes non-followers to be upset. Some religions are dangerous and horrible while others are peaceful and positive. I for one do not have a set religion and I'm fine to live that way. I know I'm not going to hell or anything of the sort, so I have nothing to fear... oh, and almost all religions are based upon fear. You fear Hell so you act good, you fear God so you act good, you fear karmatic events so you act good, etc...

I'm not saying religion is bad, I'm just saying it's definately not what it's suppose to be.

[Moogable]

Personally, although religions have the best of intentions, don't typically conform with any of them, since I intensely dislike the ideas of predestination. I also would prefer to live a good life, and be as good a person as I can be, because I Want to, not because I'm feared into it by a deity, or fear of hell. And I'm content with living life as I want to live it. It just seems to make more sense that way.

[Walter Sobchak]

People are getting dramatic already.

I am a hard atheist, which means I do not believe in any gods or deities controlling me or the workings of the universe. Religion was created by the ruling class in order to subjugate the common man and ensure healthy production. The Abrahamic religions, while revolutionary, have since been taken over by the same establishment that worshiped the Pharaoh or the Sumerian priests.

Without a religious guideline, we atheists have to make our own. It is to basically be respectful of everyone else, as dangerous as we feel their ideas are.

[OceanEyes28]

Pooooor religion. I have to feel for it a bit.

What started as a way to explain the way things are - to give people something to believe in - has turned into a justification for violence and bigotry. A good thing used by the wrong people.

Like baking cookies and using them on a diabetic.

Me? I'm a Christian. It's what works for me. It's my piece of the divine puzzle. But I understand that my piece doesn't fit for everyone. And I think if we all had the same piece, we would have a hard time completing the final picture. My personal belief is that if there is a divine force somewhere in this universe, it would be a little vain to think we have it all figured out after such a short existence. But I think it's possible that we could all have part of it right, even if it's a small part. I've used the elephant example so many times I'm sure some of you have heard it already. Then again, it's been a while since I got religious here.

Long story short: You put five blind men in a room with an elephant, place them around different parts of the elephant, and then ask them what an elephant is. One will say it's like a tree trunk (legs), one will say it's like a snake or a hose (trunk), one will say a large leaf (ears), etc etc. None of the men are wrong, they just don't see or understand the whole.

That's how I feel about religion.

I don't see other faiths as a challenge to mine as long as they don't come stomping around trying to piss on my puzzle piece. Or my cookie.

Too many metaphors. I'm feeling silly this evening, I don't know why I'm posting in ID. I guess it seemed like a good time to share a religious opinion. I may not agree with everyone's religion, but who am I to say that it's wrong? My personal beliefs are that you shouldn't hurt other people so I'll stand up for that. But as long as your religion isn't hurting anyone, I have no beef with it.

My faith is personal and my own, and it's brought me a lot of good. I don't go to church as often as I used to, but I pray a lot. It's helped me come to a state of mind that there is nothing that I can't make it through. And I think that's what's important. More important than how many verses you know or what sins your neighbors committed. It's an inner peace that has been really valuable to me. And I think finding that inner peace for yourself is more important than how you found it.

Cheers, other pieces!

[Sean]

I'm not religious in any way.

All in all I believe religions were started to induce fear into the populace. "Do good or you will rot in hell."

Now-a-days I find that religions only exist and care about what YOU do for THEM. I find them dull and a pointless waste of time.

People seem to forget the bible was originally designed as an outline for how to live a moral life, which I'm all for being a good, moral, person and not bringing harm to others, but I just feel that religions go too many steps too far by trying to control one's life.

I don't want to elaborate further, and don't dare tell me I'm ignorant for making blanket statements, because to me, all religions are the same in one way or another.

[Silver]

I'm religious, but I've gotten to the point where I've had to say '**** THAT' to several things I've heard some Christians say, or even to how some things are 'supposed' to be interpreted. Born a Catholic, now I call myself Christian. My God's chaotic, and I couldn't be happier.

Hypocrisy within the Catholic church was a large part of things for me. Like how intolerant the church's members can be against minority groups despite teaching tolerance. And some of my friends are in those minority groups.

Nowadays I try to be as tolerant of a person's beliefs as I can be, BUT people who seem way to close minded have a habit of pissing me off AND being human my ability to do so can't be perfect. I do my best.

Some things I very much doubt I could ever tolerate. Such as emo culture and the like. So I just try to stay away from those wherever possible. And I try to stay cool anyways, it's more a disapproval thing.

The main beauty of believing in chaos for me would probably be the freedom it allows. No boundaries, no limits, maximum freedom.

[Jin]

People keep saying it, but I don't think religions were invented for the purpose of controlling people. I can't see there being a conspiracy by the priests of every society to start making people believe. I think it's more likely that religion, as Alisyn said, has been perverted and twisted later on to control people. Religions are a way to explain the unkown and to cope with suffering. Unless you live in Iced Earth's Something Wicked, they were not created to control anyone. There is nothing intrisicly bad about religion. People are the ones who have hijacked religion and, once again as Alisyn said, fed the cookies of religion to a diabetic. I like that analogy.

[VidenTheColdOne]

This is a very touchy subject, but i feel i should weigh in. Too many people take their beliefs too seriously. They act based on they feel their god would want them to do, and not on their own feelings. Some people's views are so warped it just makes you sick, you actually want to slap these people and make them see sense. I don't know if anyone has seen this video, but i feel its something you should watch, just to see how serious some people can get, and how misguided they can be. If you want, have a look:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IWxJ5rukhe4


Sickening isn't it? I'm not saying everyone is like this, i realize this, but its so sad what belief in a higher power can bring some people to believe. I personally choose not to believe in any specific higher power. If anything i would say i am agnostic. I think there COULD be some form of higher power, if its aliens, a god, some giant with a magnifying glass, i don't know, but it is what i believe. I don't try to pawn these ideas off on others, i keep them to myself. I do not like other religions that believe if you are not part of their faith that your soul will rot in hell for eternity, and they actually take steps to convert you because they think they are doing you a service. Quite frankly i find it hard to believe that if i am a fair, just person, who is kind to others, and gives people a chance, a person who does not discriminate others that even though all this is true, JUST because i am not part of an organized religion i will be doomed to burn in hell. There are too many inconsistencies, and contradictions for me to take any one religion seriously enough to be a part of it. I went to a catholic school for 7 years, and i just knew what they were teaching did not make sense for me. I respect others who believe in a higher power, people who have faith, i wish sometimes that i could have such faith in something unseen, but i don't. I only have problems with people who use their religion as an excuse to do harm to others, through words, or physical actions. I choose to live my life by my own standards, and i try to be a good person throughout. If that is not good enough then what is the point of living?

[Phoenix]

I myself am a Buddhist, so I try and follow the teachings of Siddharta Gautama. I don't necessarily believe though that my religion is totally correct. I believe that there are elements of truth in all religions, and even if you don't buy into the supernatural side of it, all religions have good moral codes and practices, which make them worthwhile in my eyes.

Viden (see above) also has a point of how much religion can warp people. Religion in itself isn't a bad thing, but its the way in which people see it which can warp their consciousness.

[Che]

Religions to me are guidelines to live your life by, so you don't stray off and become a psycho. They can help people spiritually when they are going through rough times, but I don't think what is said needs to be the end all be all. There is more than one way to find the right answer.

That being said, the conventions I see on TV where one guy is preaching and there are about a million people there cheering them on scares me! Makes it look cult-ish. I don't think it's necessary.

[Unknown Entity]

I'm not at all religious, and although i was once Christian, i don't think i've ever been religious - if that makes sence... For starters, i was told i was a Christian by my mum, nan, and the CofE primary school i went to. But i never really felt that special bond they say your supposed to feel with God, and i often questioned his existance. The questions i asked were always left unanswered, so i began to wonder why people worshiped someone they barely know - its like getting married to someone you've only known a few weeks.

When i went to secondary school, i was surrounded by many different religions and cultures. Then, i asked my self: "But in primary school, i was told that there was only the one God... so who the hell is this Allah guy?" Why are there so many religions, if there is only one God?

One RE lesson, i was told about Atheists, the ones who kinda do and don't, and the ones who do believe in God... (i think they are Agnostics and Theists...) After that lesson, i kinda saw myself as an Atheist.

So, why are there so many religions, that claim that there is only one God? Why are there so many religions? Also, if you do believe in God, you can't believe that dinos existed cos your not supposed to believe in evolution... AND LOOK AT ALL THE EVIDENCE OF DINOS ON THIS PLANET!!!

ahem... yeah...

[Chez Daja]

I'm Agnostic.

I don't directly believe anything, I don't find the aspect of God(s) logical, but I'd be open to discussion and I don't hate on people for being religious. I don't like it when people try on conversion. I know a lot of religious people, in fact, my best friends' mother is VERY Catholic, but she's not the type of person that would judge me for my opinions. Plus, she's a lovely person, so naturally, I find her likeable and her belief in religion to be valid as long as she has faith.

I was raised Roman Catholic. My mother used to be stricter in her ways concerning religion and she did religious studies as a young woman which led her to unhappiness. She's not really religious these days, although I think it may have a thing or two to do with the life she led. Let's just keep it as; "it wasn't that great."
I'm not saying she expected a miracle, but she was pushed so far to the edge and she became so sad when my half sister went missing... the years that followed were no better for her and eventually, she lost a little more faith... That's what I believe, anyway.

I don't find religion logical, but I'd like to think there was a heaven or a nice place for us to go to when we died. As for religion, I respect each one... The one I understand least is the Muslim faith... I find some of the practises almost ... impossible to conprehend, but this isn't to say I dislike Muslim people, as long as they're not bothering about faith.

I respect Buddhism a Hell of a lot. There's just so much about it that gives off a positive vibe. But until I see proof of anything religious, I'll remain Agnostic.

[Martin]

Well I think it's appropriate with it being Good Friday that I throw in my two cents.

I was raised Roman Catholic like Chez, but I can't seem to remember me having a lot of choice in that matter. We all were in my family bar my mother, whom even though was not religious herself, still regularly attended church with us. I wasn't baptised until I was 8, owing to a dispute with our local priest and my dad had died two years previous. Dad had wanted me brought up in the faith and I suppose I did too.

But now I'm older I'm beginning to have a major problem with organised religion as a whole. I just think that it could be considered a form of repression - to paraphrase Karl Marx, an opiate for the masses. This is not to say I do not respect those with a deep faith whatsoever, in fact quite the opposite. I'm very happy if they have a religious comfort in their life, and I wish I could say the same. However, I'm not so sure I believe I anything as such anymore.

Plus let us not forget the fine line between being religious and spiritual. There is a difference after all.

[vevuxking102]

My personal belief is that non-denominational Christianity is the one true religion, and that all others are wrong, but eh, that's just me.

[Dimi]

Well, a vast majority of my family is Roman Catholic as well. My mom's side at least. Where my dad was raised at a Christian. My grandma on my mom's side, is really religious. She's a Catholic and when I was younger, we would go to church with her. I remember, I saw this cute girl at about 13 years old and yeah, I'm going to hell if there is one. >< But what can I say? I'm human. So forgive me.

On a serious note, my parents raised my sister and I as Catholics. As of now, I do believe there is some sort of greater being in an existance. I believe that we're here for a reason and I do believe that there is some sort of afterlife in one way or another. I guess I can say that I don't follow any religion. I have a mixed set of beliefs. At this point in my life, I am unsure about choosing a religion to follow in my life. And as far as I know, I'd rather live my life as a good, honest, and open person to many religions and cultures in this life then just sticking to one.

[Draken Benvolaid]

The best explanation of god is um... well...

God, I'd say, is fickle. Sorta like he exists, yet not really.

Christian views are that he is within every single thing, and cannot be removed or changed in anyway. Although whether God is a "He" or "She" or any gender, really doesn't matter one bit, even if some or many think so.


It would be easier to explain like this:

God is like the unit number absolute "0". It is between the positive and negative numbers, and doesn't have a positive or negative value sign. You can't have multiples of it, as it comes out, in the end, to just one "0". You cannot divide anything by it, as it has no set value, other then "0". You cannot add more of it to other numbers to alter their value, nor take away to do the same. Adding to it or taking away from it, just ends up with the number you are using, sorta like passing through it without touching. It is always part of other numbers, and no matter what you do to them, it will always be there.


As for the part of between positive and negative, it is a point to keep balance between both sides, not letting one completely win, as the winner brings power, and power undoubtedly can corrupt anyone, no matter where they stand. Well just read my Sig, "Being light or dark does not dictate whether you are good or evil."

There isn't more then one, as a multiple of "0" just leads to "0". Multiples of the same means that if there were, they would be identical in every way, shape, form, and mental thinking.

You can't be divided by "God" as there is only one in everything, so in the end, it comes out to just 1 of "God".

One cannot have more "God" in themselves then another, as it is only one equal share of "0" for everyone. This is where I differentiate between the Vatican and myself. The concept of "someone more holy then another" is not very likely, as anyone and "everyone is created equal", no matter who you are. What happens after, is different for everyone. It may not be physically or mentally, but spiritually, within one's soul, they are all the same. This probably pushes me towards the point of a "Quaker". lol


This also draws upon the concept of you can believe it is there or not, but you cannot truly say one or the other. You cannot 100% prove that "0" does not exist, or that it is really there. It is entirely, personal preference. IF you want to believe that someone is watching you at all times, then do so; IF not, then you do not have to.

I also do not believe that someone or anyone should be forced to believe in something they do not want to believe in. All people should lead individual lives, and not forcefully meddle in the lives of others.


"Give them the option to follow, not a command; one that is devoid of all lies and deceit that could bring corruption to the world and the ones that reside in it."



(Note: I'm not talking about any "0"s, like in the number "10", I am talking about absolute "0" with positive infinity on one side and negative infinity on the other.)

[Rainbow4vr]

Totally agree loner-kid, organized religion is not my thing. I get really confused about some of their beliefs. Im a lesbian and well i get ALOT of shit for it from all these religious people saying im going to hell and all that, i dont get where in the bible it says that gays are going to hell, the only thing in the bible that they might get that from is where it says -there are two woman in a bed, one will live one will die. and there are two men in a field one will live one will die. (not exact words so dont quote me) in the time that this was written sisters slept in the same bed and men farmed. i dont get how that means gay people are going to hell. also doesnt it say to forgive. and what i wonder is why if god hates gays so much did he make gay people???????