What is your religion?

[Coelho]

OK... i know that a thread like this has a great probability to turn into a flame war, and maybe be deleted, wasting all the time i spent typing this.
But i would like to know what are the religions/religious views of our members here... many times isnt easy to know someones religion only by reading their posts...
Anyway... i would like to ask you, to please, dont bash others religious views. No matter how absurd they seem to be.

So, what is your religion (or lack of it)?

Im half-christian, with buddhist, occultist and shamanic (Don Juan Matus's) influences...

[NaughtyDreadz]

Atheism

[cygnustaxt]

i was catholic, but i have since converted to Hinduism.

[illnillinois]

LDS aka Mormon..
but religion is just a title..

i am a god fearing, self respecting good soul.

all i need..

[stinkyattic]

Unitarian Universalist

[bhouncy]

Agnostic. Although there are different levels of agnosticism. I believe something is going on that we don't know about. But to call it a god and to say this god has these abilities without giving any evidence puts me on in the 99.99999% bracket of not believing.

To me any characteristics given to a creator are the work of creative minds.

Edit: Agnosticism is not a religion.

[ATrain]

I'm not apart of any religion. Wasn't baptized nor have I picked one up along the way.

As for my views I'd say I'm sitting in and around the agnostic side of things with a touch of atheism :jointsmile:

[Storm Crow]

"There are many paths up the mountain,
the view from the top is the same."

Race ya to the top! :D- Granny:hippy:

[Shovelhandle]

Raised RC in parochial school. Learn some other things since that time, now I assemble with my wife's church (she seldom goes <g>) Episcopal Church. I have other Episc in my family. I just like to worship and sing to The Lord. Same Lord as we all have, regardless of church.

Shov

[Priincesss]

1/2 Christian.. 1/2 what I like to call my 'Bs beliefs' where I follow what I believe about religion, God etc.

[Stoner Shadow Wolf]

I am not religious, only spiritual.

[GreenDestiny]

I try to maintain a reasonable balance...

my "bad" side says:
My religion is porn and self-deification

and that's no joke.

as for my good side, it's a mix of Humanism, Spiritualism, Esotericism, Existentialism, and Agnosticism. Just whatever feels right and makes logical sense to me... random philosophical shit instead of religion.

[StickyfingahZ]

"There are many paths up the mountain,
the view from the top is the same."

Race ya to the top! :D- Granny:hippy:

LOL,I like that^^

I was born and raised mormon,I like it,its cool.

[Mindbender]

As set in stone, we have a beginning. Thus, on towards an ending. Logic has it this way. Our logic being the human mindset we have adopted thru what we perceive in this life time. As though we are programmed to advance through our awareness. That being said. Most see life as a chance of odds stacked in a vast nothing. If this nothing was nothing then how can it give birth to something? Nothing = Something? That does not make logical realistic since. Creation seems more "logical" (to Me) than an existance with no definition. If we are nothing how come we have a sense of feeling to project us to do more? If we came from nothing then you are saying that You and I are but nothing. Then how did we come so far for instance as the Internet if we are nothing? Does not make logical sense. Seeking the awareness thru God has strengthend my mindset here on earth. Religions are man made. Trust in God not man. Utilize God's organic medicine here on earth as well.

[all ablaze]

I have no religion simply because certain biblical texts have been withheld from the masses.
I believe in an afterlife because i have seen ghosts.
I believe in Aliens because my mother saw a UFO with about 100 other people at the same time.
Why are there no religions i can find apart from scientology that really are open to the possibilty of Aliens.
I read all i can get my hands on to look for the answers i need to know.
I have read the Bible, Koran , Old testament, Dianetics and many books on tibetan buddhists and carthusan monks.
I can't understand people (i'm not judging) who pick one religion and stick to it.
It's like saying "i love strawberrys and blueberrys are just wrong!" having never tried blueberrys or even looked in to there nutritional content.
Picking a religion is putting blinkers on. I want a panoramic view of all that is open to me.

[Nightcrewman]

I am not in any way religious I thought this might change as I got older but it it hasn't.
I have no time for religion in any way shape or form however I do hold with the highest respect other peoples religion no matter what it is.
If a belief gives you comfort and a sense of being then thats all right by me I sometimes wish that I had the same belief but unfortunately I don't.
I do believe in an afterlife of some sort, how it might tie in with religion I can't put my finger on though.

NCM

[texas grass]

i was brought up southern baptist,
but i dont really believe that
im kinda athiest/confused
i believe in treating others the same i want to be treated

[StickyfingahZ]

I have no religion simply because certain biblical texts have been withheld from the masses.
I believe in an afterlife because i have seen ghosts.
I believe in Aliens because my mother saw a UFO with about 100 other people at the same time.
Why are there no religions i can find apart from scientology that really are open to the possibilty of Aliens.
I read all i can get my hands on to look for the answers i need to know.
I have read the Bible, Koran , Old testament, Dianetics and many books on tibetan buddhists and carthusan monks.
I can't understand people (i'm not judging) who pick one religion and stick to it.
It's like saying "i love strawberrys and blueberrys are just wrong!" having never tried blueberrys or even looked in to there nutritional content.
Picking a religion is putting blinkers on. I want a panoramic view of all that is open to me.

Thats how I used to feel too bro,BUt like granny said,"There are many paths up the mountain,
the view from the top is the same."
Just because you pick a religion doesnt mean you close your eyes to the world or anything in it or outside of it.
There are extremists in everything especially religion,but you dont have to be like that,Iguess having a religion is like belonging to a forum......some people dont agree iwth us smoking weed and talking about it in this forum,but we believe in it and we gather together and talk about it.We have rules just like any other organization,you know,we cant talk aboout other drugs and certain things.

[GreenDestiny]

Why are there no religions i can find apart from scientology that really are open to the possibilty of Aliens.

I love the interpretations of biblical texts that explains everything as being alien encounters. Or that Mary was impregnated by aliens to give birth to a half-breed that posessed special powers. Despite which stories were fiction or not, it makes logical sense to me to see it as aliens instead of deities.

I guess that's part of my belief too - alien intervention.

[happiestmferoutthere]

I was raised as a Southern Baptist. I was baptized as a child. Its easy to brainwash a child. What I saw as I got older, disgusted me. The Southern Baptist are huge hypocrites. "Do as I say not as I do. Believe what I tell you, not what you feel." I no longer go to church. Haven't gone in 35 years. I DO NOT like people telling me what to think , or better yet, what not to think. That's all organized religion does. Try to alter your thoughts and beliefs. I'm a good person who lives my life as I see fit. And its a great fit!
Like any Baptist though, I LOVE hymns! The only thing I really enjoyed was the singing!:jointsmile:

[memoryburner]

I believe in animism

[keeko]

festivus for the rest of us

[Revanche21]

Agnostic/Atheist/Pantheist

Grew up at a 7th day adventist christian school until 6th grade

I started questioning everything and couldn't put the pieces together.

[MelT]

Buddhist. Logical, easy to understand and follow, and most of all, not a religion.

MelT

[DTRave420]

Agnostic,dyslexic,insomniac-I lay awake all night wondering if there's a dog...
:420thought:

[Mcnizzlebery]

Baptist, but that festivus line was amusing :)

[doomfreak]

I am a born-again Atheist. Fear is your only god.

[SnSstealth]

atheist

if you simply believe in a higher being and that makes you feel that lets you be a better person, thats fine. however ive seen to much of the horrible things people have done in the name of religion to subscribe to any of them. if anyone thinks the Muslims are crazy now, look back at the crusades, believe our be tortured to your death:wtf:.

db:smokin:

[SnSstealth]

LOL guess i dont follow any of them enough to know there true definitions but yeah agnostic fits better. went to baptist church as a kid, all I remember of it is sitting in sunday school and thinking "but that dosent make sense" over and over in my head.

maybe evolutionist, is that a religion...lol

[SnSstealth]

and the pot shall be stirred......
I...am a card carrying Satanist....
I was raised "non-denominational" Christian, and could never get into it. I just couldn't deal with the whole blind faith thing. I am all about being in charge of my own destiny....
If there was any one religion/philosophy that I would say I am, it would be Satanist. Not devil worshipper before anyone blows a nut, but a Church of Satan satanist. i.e. Anton LaVey
I guess the nutshell 60 second version of my beliefs is such. I am here now. I will die later. We dont believe in "GOD" or "SATAN" as anthropomorphic dieties, but more akin to "The Force" I guess is a good way to put it. There are greater powers in this universe, no one can deny that really. But to say its a guy with flowing white mane, golden beard and a naughty or nice list,....well, thats just too much for me. Said force can be tapped into, rituals, out of body experiences, deja vu, and of course, "I was just about to say that!" SATANISM was just a tag used to scare people when the church founded. It was used because doing what felt good is considered "EVIL" from 99% of the right wing religions.
I know I didnt really skim the surface on beliefs, but I gotta wrap my head around a morning doob, then I will come back and explain better...
whiskeytango

[trancefusion5]

I believe science is the answer to this life... I guess i just paid to much attention in earth science class and not enough in church but im fine with that.

[delusionsofNORMALity]

^I'm agnostic... I think that being atheist is as silly as being religious.

After all, how do YOU know there isn't a God? :stoned:of course you can't know there is no god. you can believe it or you can deduce it (to a certain extent), but atheism is as much about faith as is any religion.


I believe science is the answer to this life...the religion of science has no more answers than any other. it merely poses the questions in a more seemingly rational fashion.

[SnSstealth]

the religion of science has no more answers than any other. it merely poses the questions in a more seemingly rational fashion.

religion (science or otherwise) as a philosophy has many questions, religion as it is run by man has only edicts and commandments.

db:smokin:

[PlainJane]

Atheist/Agnostic. I don't believe in a god but I don't even care enough to get into denying the existence. I just find very little plausibility in it myself. But hey, whatever gets a person by is fine by me.

[Mcnizzlebery]

If there is a God, I think it's messed up that there are so many rules you have to follow and abide by to get into paradise, and if you don't you goto Hell.

Not my kind of God.

I think this is great. What is my reward for doing good if i could be pure evil and enjoy the same reward? God really doesnt ask that much, just admitting you believe in him and trying to be as good as you can. Honestly that sounds just about right in my book. And look at it more like this, if your nice to him he helps you. If your not, you are lost (not punished). Im sure he doesnt wish to harm the ones he loves. He choses to respect the respectful ones. Man i love wake and bake :jointsmile:

[Reefer Rogue]

Existential Atheist.

[Mcnizzlebery]

Respect is earned, and I for one can't see a reason to respect a God that doesn't interact with his creations. :stoned:



If you're doing good just to get into a paradise, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons.

I don't think there's anything after death.


So christ, the son of god, sent to live with his creation, to better their lives... What would that be called?

And if you did good only to get into paradise you are sinning, repent for that and admit you are wrong. Atleast you are still doing good, even if for the wrong reasons.

And finnaly, i think there is so much after death. We live in an arena, where we chose the paths we wil walk for eternity.

[DTRave420]

Agnostic,dyslexic,insomniac-I lay awake all night wondering if there's a dog...
:420thought:

I'm Jewish but not religious...:420thought:

[TurnyBright]

I believe in the fractal elves. 'They're like jewelled self-dribbling basketballs and there are many of them and they come pounding toward you and they will stop in front of you and vibrate, but then they do a very disconcerting thing, which is they jump into your body and then they jump back out again and the whole thing is going on in a high-speed mode where you're being presented with thousands of details per second and you can't get a hold on [them ...] and these things are saying "Don't give in to astonishment", which is exactly what you want to do. You want to go nuts with how crazy this is, and they say "Don't do that. Pay attention to what we're doing."'

[trancefusion5]

it merely poses the questions in a more seemingly rational fashion.

Good enough for me. :thumbsup:

[Mcnizzlebery]

Interesting outlook, but I believe that with this one life you get one shot. You better make the best of it, and never take it for granted. Not everyone is as lucky as you or I, and you should remember that every day.

It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as it doesn't hurt anybody. :stoned:

Your right we do only have one chance, in my eyes when i die i will never change, my personality will be set in stone. To me makeing the best of it is following my religion and its virtues. I never take life for granted, i know that free will means death is unpredictable. So i do what i can to make sure the eternal me will be respectable and loyal to god.

And your totaly right, believe whatever you want. As long as you dont force it on other people, or hurt them of course. Not that trying to convince someone casually is against the rules :). Your fun to talk to i wish pms were still around.

[rebgirl420]

Atheist.

I was baptised as a Catholic though.

I still enjoy learning about other religions. I feel that you can't make such huge decisions on faith unless you have educated yourself.

[colour]

i'm really surprised at how many have said science is a 'religion.' religion is based on faith; the unknown; subjective reality. science is based first on question, then investigation, then conclusion; facts.

atheism is pro-logic, pro-reason. we [mankind] have been given no evidence or proof of a higher 'authority.' if you can prove it that's fine. but you can never be called upon to prove a negative - that's a basic law of logic. people have been trying to prove god for thousands of years and all it has done is lead to great eras such as the Dark Ages and the Crusades.

men and women have looked to faith and emotion to guide their life and have gotten nowhere. more people have died in the name of faith than any other reason in history. look at the failure of the middle east vs the prosperity of Western culture. faith vs reason.

there is one thing that separates us from animals and that is our ability to turn perceptual data into complex concepts. when you surrender your mind to faith or emotions or whim you are no more than a sacrificial animal, or 'lamb' or 'sheep' or however that great work of fiction puts it.

now go out and think dammit!

tonight's rant brought to you by :pipe:

[SnSstealth]

^:thumbsup:

db

[TurnyBright]

i'm really surprised at how many have said science is a 'religion.' religion is based on faith; the unknown; subjective reality. science is based first on question, then investigation, then conclusion; facts.

I have to disagree, man, science tends to become a religion and a HALF. If you look at religion as a set of tenets and practices centered around some sort of moral or supernatural claim about the nature of reality (definition lifted from wikipedia), and then consider the way an average individual (not necessarily a scientist) who identifies as "agnostic, atheist, spiritual" or any liberalized belief set that usually grounds it's moral tenacity in a scientific rationale of the environment or inter-personal relationships, the "science" they follow is never pure in it's logic or even accurate by the scientific method.

Examples include the religion of Environmentalism (this one is the most evident nowadays), the religion of Pantheism, the religion of Atheism.

[colour]

I have to disagree, man, science tends to become a religion and a HALF. If you look at religion as a set of tenets and practices centered around some sort of moral or supernatural claim about the nature of reality (definition lifted from wikipedia), and then consider the way an average individual (not necessarily a scientist) who identifies as "agnostic, atheist, spiritual" or any liberalized belief set that usually grounds it's moral tenacity in a scientific rationale of the environment or inter-personal relationships, the "science" they follow is never pure in it's logic or even accurate by the scientific method.

Examples include the religion of Environmentalism (this one is the most evident nowadays), the religion of Pantheism, the religion of Atheism.

i would have to give wiki a thumbs down for defining religion as ...centered around moral or supernatural reality. religion is always based on a transcendental universe. if someone claims science as their religion they have no concept of science or religion. a set of values and practices centered around morality is a philosophy (though, some hold christianity as a good philosophy) and, if reason guides this morality then its based on scientific thought. science is and should be a part of thought and rational action. to compare religion to science is to compare apples to a sirloin steak: they aren't even on the same level of the intellectual pyramid.

religion of atheism?
atheism is not based on faith - it is a conviction.

[TurnyBright]

religion is always based on a transcendental universe

What about Unitarian Universalism? They believe in believing whatever the heck you want, while maintaining a basic connection and community with other people.

Tenrikyo is specifically based on living joyously on earth by specific values.


to compare religion to science is to compare apples to a sirloin steak: they aren't even on the same level of the intellectual pyramid.

I love Freeman Dyson, so I'll leave you with this quote (in addition to my new signature)

"Science and religion are two windows that people look through, trying to understand the big universe outside, trying to understand why we are here. The two windows give different views, but they look out at the same universe. Both views are one-sided, neither is complete. Both leave out essential features of the real world. And both are worthy of respect.

Trouble arises when either science or religion claims universal jurisdiction, when either religious dogma or scientific dogma claims to be infallible. Religious creationists and scientific materialists are equally dogmatic and insensitive. By their arrogance they bring both science and religion into disrepute. The media exaggerate their numbers and importance. The media rarely mention the fact that the great majority of religious people belong to moderate denominations that treat science with respect, or the fact that the great majority of scientists treat religion with respect so long as religion does not claim jurisdiction over scientific questions." -Dyson

[colour]

sure i think you can believe in whatever you want. i may not approve or accept but i grant you the right. what you mentioned sounds like a philosophy, not a religion that holds the human mind subservient to some guy in the sky.

Dyson is right about one thing: both are somewhat incomplete.
Religion is like a math equation with missing variables yet still has an alleged answer. With science we start with what we know then continue from there - incomplete because we simply don't know everything. but, we can prove what we do know.

[Dream of the iris]

I agree with above poster.

I think that science and spirituality can co-exist. Just look at physics. A lot of physicists believe in God or some sort of spiritual nature to reality because of the things that they are discovering right now. I personally find it difficult to not see a spiritual side to things, but I also find it difficult to discredit science as well. Evolution, another heated debate, I believe is a very spiritual process, but also you can study it in a scientific matter, leaving God out of it if you choose. To me, both can exist simultaneously.

[colour]

i think they will coexist simply because there will always be an intellectual issue. however, they are contradictions. contradictions are impossible in a proper social system, philosophically.

[Stoner Shadow Wolf]

i think they will coexist simply because there will always be an intellectual issue. however, they are contradictions. contradictions are impossible in a proper social system, philosophically.


"proper" is in the eyes of the beholders.
Too much of anything can be detremental; too much intellectual and not enough mystical can be just as damaging as too much mystical and not enough intellectual.

The perfect social system in my own eyes would be zen with itself, that contradictions are not something to get your panties in a wad over.

[delusionsofNORMALity]

i'm really surprised at how many have said science is a 'religion.' religion is based on faith; the unknown; subjective reality. science is based first on question, then investigation, then conclusion; facts.that's all fine and dandy for those actually engaged in the research, but for those who merely see the results of that research and accept it as gospel it is still taken on faith. i have never seen a virus, but i accept that diseases may be caused by such critters and are not merely the result of maladjusted bodily humors. i do not fully understand the mechanics involved in the movements of our solar system, but i am willing to believe that the earth rotates around the sun and that the sun probably isn't carried across the sky in a flaming chariot each day. the point is that, for most of us, the "facts" of science are taken on faith and not the product of our direct experience. most of those who blindly follow the "religion" of science have no more personal experience of those "facts" than tose who blindly follow the dogma of religion.


atheism is pro-logic, pro-reason. we [mankind] have been given no evidence or proof of a higher 'authority.' if you can prove it that's fine. but you can never be called upon to prove a negative - that's a basic law of logic.just because something is not proved doesn't mean it does not exist. this is also another basic tenet of logic. there is no more reason to blind disbelief than there is to blind belief. doubt may be the logical reaction to the outrageous claims of religious doctrine, but outright denial is a leap of faith.

[TurnyBright]

just because something is not proved doesn't mean it does not exist. this is also another basic tenet of logic. there is no more reason to blind disbelief than there is to blind belief. doubt may be the logical reaction to the outrageous claims of religious doctrine, but outright denial is a leap of faith.

I've noticed that pure atheism seems to be the only religion whose dogma includes vehement denial that it is, in fact, a religion.

Which introduces some strange factors. If your belief set is that what you believe is not belief, but something else, doesn't it make it that way, because the only place that it becomes real is within your own mind?

[theforthdrive]

Its funny how many people that were taught religion when they were young end up at a similar conclusion... I laughed at SNS's comment cause I did the same thing, had a constant conversation in my head .... This makes no F*cking sense. I went to a christian, catholic, and episcopalian schools and all brought me to the same conclusion. any organized religion is bad because it has the inherent flaw of human beings. sorry to sound cynical but I find humans as inherently evil and not to be trusted on religious matters. my religion is based on being kind to others and quietly sitting on the fence and awaiting a move by god while everyone else is running around in circles trying to figure it out!


"There are many paths up the mountain,
the view from the top is the same."

Race ya to the top! :D- Granny:hippy:

granny, i like this quote and hope you are right. This is usually my largest religious argument. It seems illogical to say the only way to the top of the mountain is something arbitrary like believing in Jesus when there are so many people that seem like better humans but just chose a different path to the top!

[Coelho]

Well... as reason itself is not a valid judge to choose which religion is the right one, this choice is purely a matter of belief, of "faith".
Reason and logic can not prove nor disprove the existence of God, for example. So nor religious nor atheists can use the reason or the logic to justify the "rightness" of its own choice, cause reason and logic does not prove anything in this case.
And the same goes to the believe that the science holds the "truth" about the universe. Science is based upon assumptions (axioms in math, postulates in physics, etc) that are assumed as being true, and from them, conclusions are drawn with the use of reason and logic. But the reason and logic can not be used to justify the truth of this assumptions, because they are just assumptions, and cannot be derived from anything more basic. Reason and logic are only relationships between things (propositions) assumed true.
And the fact that science supposedly "explains the observed world" does not logically imply that its assumptions are the only right ones, as there is no law that states that one event must have one and only one possible explanation that is "right". In fact, it does not even imply that the assumptions are valid at all. For example, the Ptolemaic epicicles explained very well the planets moviments (for the precision of that times, and even until as recently as the 16th century), even if its assumptions were wrong.
Also, the deep study of the science shows as it knows its own limitations.
The Godels theorem states that there is some propositions in math that CANT be proven true or false, no matter how much logic you use. So, there is a mathematical proof that are things that can NOT be proven or disproven mathematically. And the math is the most rigorous of the sciences... and if even math can not prove everything, why does the not-so-rigorous sciences should? Or how it could?
Thats why there are much scientists (including myself) that believes in other religions besides science. Science being called a "religion" only by the fact one needs to believe that its true, and not by the fact of science believing in supernatural entities or such.

[TurnyBright]

Science attempts to reasonably and logically explain things that religion used to explain.

Religion explains what science cannot. The lower the level of science you've got, the more stuff religion is going to have to cover.

[Mr. Happy]

I was raised a Lutheran. My father was an army chaplain and went on to be the Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the US Army in the 80s. I once went to a catholic middle school. I accidentally went up for communion...very bad. Apparently, I wasn't good enough in the priest's view to receive the holy communion. No matter. All that was BS. Religions are just as prone to being dominated by the ego as any other institution and my religion is Love. Love has no doctrines to adhere to, its non judgmental, it requires no justification, it is free, it is not arrogant or condescending but only giving for giving is receiving. Thanks, Happy.

[flyingimam]

my religion:
I do believe in "a creator" maybe thats just the karma maybe thats a higher being called "god" or "allah" maybe thats just the energy and soul of the world around us

I kind pick up on any good thing advised by any religion or theory

simply have to agree with snsstealth that official religions have done more harm than good in history... different sides have killed each other in the name of the supposedly same higher being who sent Jesus, Moses and Muhammad, Noah and Abraham

if i am to pick something called a religion, i guess the most matching idea for me will be found here
don Miguel and don Jose Luis Ruiz (http://www.miguelruiz.com/)
i suggest whoever is looking for further information, to listen to "the four agreements" audio, there is a book in the same name... this is what knocked me out of my atheism...

[TurnyBright]

I once made a batch of those communion cookies at home. I like them.

[Coelho]

if i am to pick something called a religion, i guess the most matching idea for me will be found here
don Miguel and don Jose Luis Ruiz (http://www.miguelruiz.com/)
i suggest whoever is looking for further information, to listen to "the four agreements" audio, there is a book in the same name... this is what knocked me out of my atheism...

I gave a look at this site and it seems the teachings of this men are very alike the teachings of Don Juan Matus (who was also a nagual and a toltec), as described in Carlos Castanedas books. If you like this subject, im sure you would love Castanedas books... if you didnt read them already... :thumbsup:

[trancefusion5]

Science attempts to reasonably and logically explain things that religion used to explain.

Science does it better, IMO. :stoned:

For sure!:thumbsup: :jointsmile:

[GoddessHerb]

"There are many paths up the mountain,
the view from the top is the same."

Race ya to the top! :D- Granny:hippy:

Granny~ I'm sure I'll meet you there someday but I'm not one for racing. I like to do things at my own pace. ;)


I feel like I'm at a religion anonymous meeting. :jointsmile: I think I will share at this one :D

I was raised Roman Catholic (baptized and confirmed) and discovered Witchcraft (from Wicca and Druidism among other sources) at age 13. Since then I continue to study many of the religions/philosophies/belief systems of the world and have taken the parts of each that resonate within me and combined them to create my own religion/philosophy. This includes Shamanism, Pantheism, Paganism/Neopaganism, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Animism and Shinto among others. Practice includes use of music, dance, trance, entheogens, magick, chant, meditation, prayer, crystals, herbs, astrology, yoga, food/drink and the elements and energy of Spirit & Nature most commonly. However things are continually changing as I change and grow.

I guess my religion is a mutt just like me. :hippy:

Blessed be~

[TurnyBright]

I was raised Roman Catholic (baptized and confirmed) and discovered Witchcraft (from Wicca and Druidism among other sources) at age 13. Since then I continue to study many of the religions/philosophies/belief systems of the world and have taken the parts of each that resonate within me and combined them to create my own religion/philosophy. This includes Shamanism, Pantheism, Paganism/Neopaganism, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Animism and Shinto among others.

I do this too! It seems like every religion has aspects to it that are worth knowing and respecting. Unfortunately, it's usually only an aspect, and any given religion seems terribly corrupt on the whole.

I was raised Roman Catholic as well, but I don't believe in any of it (in fact most of it disgusts me)! What I gained, though, is a deep respect and reverence for the concept of forgiveness. Unconditional forgiveness is central to my personality, and I couldn't have done it without Catholicism.

[Chong Version 2.0]

Pastafarian here.

RAmen.

[potzombie]

wiccan :)

[FlyGuyOU]

Catholic. I don't go to mass often, but i'll like to go and sit in church alone and say personal prayers. I love being a catholic, it translates into "welcome all" which i think is cool.
my dad was a methodists but converted when he married my mom...shortly afterwards our church had a party to dedicate the new organ. at the party our church had a beer truck in the parking lot with taps along the side of the trailer. my dad says that any church which brings out an 18-wheeler beer truck is the right religion for him.
I agree!

[Specialxtina]

i've never officially been part of any religion, however i am starting to adopt buddhist morals.

i'm more spiritual than religious. organized religion is just another thing to put categories on people, we all just need to live in unity and peace regardless of what we believe.

as quoted in the movie Dogma : it doesn't matter what you have faith in, as long as you HAVE faith.

peace, love and happiness :hippy:

[Esoteric416]

The way so many of the people on these boards (this includes myself) have taken ideas and information from so many places and incorperated them into their lives has inspired me to coin a term that may or may not be new but it seems to fit.

Eclecticism: Drawing spiritual insiration from any and all given sources. :D

[bhouncy]

The way so many of the people on these boards (this includes myself) have taken ideas and information from so many places and incorperated them into their lives has inspired me to coin a term that may or may not be new but it seems to fit.

Eclecticism: Drawing spiritual insiration from any and all given sources. :D

From Wiki...


Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies different theories in particular cases.

Did you write it? :D

[Esoteric416]

I like mine better. :D
And no i didn't write the wiki entry.

[Coelho]

The way so many of the people on these boards (this includes myself) have taken ideas and information from so many places and incorperated them into their lives has inspired me to coin a term that may or may not be new but it seems to fit.

Eclecticism: Drawing spiritual insiration from any and all given sources. :D

I couldnt agree more! :thumbsup:
And so i think Ecleticism is one of the greatest (if not the greatest one) religions of the world...

[baggsend]

I do not believe and think it has no place in government. Say no to Palin/McCain

[SnSstealth]

Call me an Eclecticanite then....lol
whiskeytango

[JakeMartinez]

Eclecticism is definitely where I come from :D

The places I draw from

(zen) Buddhism
Chaos Magick
Elementalism <--a paradigm I made that works for me and a few other people I know.

I also believe that all religions are iterations of the same truths, some with a lot of added things, some that are bare-bones.

[painretreat]

I go with Eclet.. also!

When I opened thread I already knew I was gonna write..if I want cookies, I go to the grocery store, want bread-bread store, milk-dairy, gas- service station,::: REligion- a church. I want God, I look in my heart! Church and attendance and religion :jointsmile: is a social thing. PR :jointsmile:

[sheilovealways]

Pagan - Wiccan - Green Witch ~ there are many religous paths that I fall into, probably not to a tee. I believe in Karma and know that everything I do will come back to me, so I try to send out ONLY GOOD!

Religion is a Path to Spirituality.
Spirituality is knowing that we are all connected as ONE!

I don't believe everybody has the same Path!

Raised Christian with a open mind by very Magickal people, experienced and studied many religions throughout my life.

I like the path I am on - I feel that I am evolving as a soul and a human. Declaring my religion over 10 yrs ago, my essence has definately improved faster than all the years I was a Christian. Understanding Life and the World in ways the Christian religion will never teach.

[Live2ride]

Agnostic,dyslexic,insomniac-I lay awake all night wondering if there's a dog...
:420thought:
love it! I'm agnostic/atheist I think. Raised Christian by missionaries pretty funny my life is ironic. Are a lot of smokers atheist I seem to know a lot..thoughts on why anyone?

[Revanche21]

Agnostic leaning atheist with buddhist overtones

[bigtopsfinn]

I was raised Lutheran, but converted to the Church of his Holy Meatballs, the Flying Spaghetti Monster... aka Pastafarian

RAmen!

[TheNugget]

I don't particulary care. I'm part of the "don't be a douchebag to everyone and TRY to do SOME good while you can" church. I just stay out of most peoples affairs and try to do good work, and I think that's what everyone should do. If you wanna subscribe to a religion, feel free, but as soon as that shit gets pushed on me, you better have been part of the track team in highschool, because you're gonna be running REAL fast. I think if there is a god, he/she/it is gonna be laughing at each person when we die, going "Damn, you guys have been smart for thousands of years and you STILL can't figure out the answer? Geez, I guess I put too much faith in you."

Basically, I'm TheNugget, and I am my own religion.

[RedLocks]

Mi god, Mi gun, and Mi bible.. well maybe the god and bible part..

[roninwithnoname]

I have my own private religion and my creed is simple: "Nothing is real."

Other than that, I have been a student (but not really a follower) of Toaism, Christo-Gnosticism, Zen Buddhism, Shaiva Hinduism, and Neo-Shamanism.

[the image reaper]

I am a follower of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior ... no, I don't even have a single bumpersticker :D

[Bongboy89]

Born into the Catholic Church... HOWEVER, I do not believe in God, so yes, I am an Atheist... My "Atheistic"(I dont know if thats even a word) believes consist of going to college and striving to be the best Student I can be... I believe the views of Charles Darwin to be correct as man did (in my believes)evolve from apes... I wish there was an after life when we die, but i think that we probably just rot in the ground.

After the day is done and the grades are good and ive excersised..... than Its time for MJ, Which makes every activity THAT much better (sex, eating, drinking, breathing, talking/conversations, hanging with animals, TV, video games ESPECIALLY!) So my first "God" to being an Atheist is MaryJane, Or as to the Rastas call it "The Tree of life"
....

I would never judge someone based on faith... Religion is very interesting and is fun to talk about when your baked!

[MzTadpole]

:)Well when I was 12 yrs old I was baptised in a seventh day adventist church but I don't claim that as my religion. I claim to be spiritual. I REFUSE to claim a religion, simply because I think they all point fingers at eachother and I think that is wrong. My father was a soul searcher and I attended a lot of different religions and I found that the jist was the same. I believe there is a higher power out there-bein what have you- I will call him-the energy-GOD. For those who don't believe that is their opinion and they are more than entitled to believe that-hey I AM NOT GOD therefore cannot judge-that is the spiritual aspect of myself-being 1 with nature. I do not know the bible as well as I probably should only have tiptoed around it but even that book only backs up my spiritual beliefs that their is something bigger than myself. when I am on MJ I feel I can hear better and I hear nature in itself more like I hear MY GOD (pardon to those I offend) speaking and in some way showing how we are indeed all connected by spiritual, love, energy, what have you, but I see it, feel it, hear, it, and nature reassures me....blame it on the MJ, call me crazy, I don't care, I have this even when I don't have MJ but it seems more heightened when I am on MJ that is all-more spiiritual experience that is all. MY MJ spiritual experience is always an elightened one.

[overgrowthegovt]

I think Eclecticism is the way to go, not just regarding spirituality, but in all things. Rigid schools of thought, dogma, all that...no room for growth, for blending your own unique flavour. I believe that adherence to any one system is detrimental to spiritual and intellectual autonomy. No system or individual can possibly be correct in all things: every philosopher I've ever read had ideas that can hold up to scrutiny, and some that were bullshit. Error is deeply embedded in human nature (and religions are man-made constructions), so it is, I believe, a fallacy to follow Jesus or Mohammed or whoever, simply because they cannot POSSIBLY be correct in ALL things. Many good ideas, possibly...but never perfection. Fill in the gaps yourself and you may achieve some kind of harmony.

[Thathighkid]

Im an Atheist.

[psychocat]

I believe in me and thats all I'll ever want or need.

[biggmoneyme]

Presbyterian

[ch3nkokid]

I am a Grady,
I created my own religion based on zen, new thought, and others. Came up by the time I started smoking weed, made me realize a lot of things. I was born Muslim, raised like one, but being trapped in a religion full of rules and extremists who wants you to follow all those rules, and if not kill you. Some Islamic beliefs are still in me, but not much.





Agnostic,dyslexic,insomniac-I lay awake all night wondering if there's a dog...
:420thought:
^^ I love this guy

[chris62008]

i am a follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Christian!!! and I LOVE IT!!!

[thebeat]

I am a catholic...by tradition really, I have an agnostic view but I remain spiritual ...I find it hard to understand true atheism as opposed to those who say they are atheists and do not know it by true definition. Simply put I could not live as nihilist. :hippy:

[pepurr]

My religion is that belief in a universal God. That being, God is all and all is God. Before the creation there was God. The creation was of God and made from God. All things are a part of God.

Where we see chaos there is order. We see chaos because we do not understand. Thus the creation.

We were evolved from other creatures. There is no shame in that. To be able to call myself a part of Earth's life, instead of pride fully trying to use God and religion to lift myself to a undeserved higher place, is a joy. Do not we all, human, animal and plant return to dust. Just as every man and woman is my brothers and sisters, so to is all life.

I do not hate this life as some would have me do. This life is a gift. I will not hate such a precious and rare thing that God has given.

Our understanding, and our quest for that understanding, is the universe attempting to understand its self. Another way to look at it is, God trying to understand God.

I believe Jesus lived and died on the cross. Even though people have told me time and again he was of virgin birth and raised from the dead and raised into heaven, I can not say I believe that. They were not there and I was not there to see it. Even though we are told that them who believe and have not seen are blessed, we are also told to beware of false prophets. I can not rule these things out completely. Some of the things we find in the universe are not what we would expect.

Having said that, I do believe Jesus was a great man who had special insight into the nature of God and man. I truly believe Jesus only had good intentions. He brought us a message of love and hope. Jesus, like us, was the son of God. A part of God. I doubt Jesus would be happy with people forming personality cults in his name. I doubt Jesus would be happy with people using the threat of hell fire to get them to say they believe.

Why believe? Why do good? The prospect of hell and damnation is not a good reason. Anyone can say they believe and not believe. Some have even used the convoluted word of God as reason to kill and cause suffering. How could they believe in the words of Jesus and do evil in his name.

Believe in God and do good works for your pleasure and God's. When the wise Jesus said, "when you do for the least of these, you have also done it unto me", he said it because we are all of God. When one does evil, it is done to all creation. When we do good, it is likewise done to all creation.

These are a few of the things I hold true. I will stop now because this could turn into a book. That is beyond the scope of this forum.

[lalasa]

Born and raised a Jehovah's Witness. Baptised when I was 16. Became inactive about a year and a half ago because I finally accepted my sexuality. Now I consider myself to be somewhat of an existentialist.

[firstaid]

Chris62008,

Your a Christian with guts! Not many are so willing to throw it out like you did..religion is very open ended. In healthcare we avoid questions regarding religion. I can't say I'm a christian because I haven't been completely in His will but really trying too. I don't know what I am..probably lost

[Apelles]

Still have not found what I am looking for. But I know it's not Christian, Muslim or Jew.

[Shelbyweedjesus]

I must say that I don't believe in religion, I'm a spiritualist :) I believe in every good and right thing and incorporate that into my believes. :)

[Weezard]

I like that last one. :)

Hmmm, if I believed in anything at all?
I'd be a Pantheist.
But, I don't, so I'm not.

Empathy, balanced with rational self-interest, makes ethics mandatory.

Think about that.

Now, should you sneeze, I might say "God bless you."
Not because I have any faith in anything.
It's just nicer than saying, "That sounds terrible, I hope you don't die and rot in a box" :D

Aloha,
Weeze

[Schrodingers Cat]

I was baptized in a southern Baptist church, in a rural Missouri town.
I heard only part of what the bible has to say, (a real fire and brimstone service, with lots of the good old christian songs) but for some reason our church didn't teach the strict southern baptist rules (like dancing in public) thankfully.
I moved when I was 13, and never found a church I felt comfortable with, since then I adopted my own belief system, which is a linear type string running from Satan to God with everything, and everyone else placed between.
I believe I (and everyone) should be nice, non judgmental, helpful, and free to live and love.
I believe God is a loving entity (regardless his religious name or title), and that most problems are peoples conflicts.
I don't care what others do, as long as it doesn't interfere with someone elses freedoms.....

There's more but basically be the best you can be, regardless how others are.

[Shovelhandle]

I was schooled Roman Catholic so that is still my religion. I have my own beliefs that sometimes disagree with it but, you'll have that. I always go to Mass stoned. It helps my reasoning and I enjoy the experience very much, usually.

[boaz]

I was also raised Baptist in a small town in Missouri. We weren't part of the Southern Baptist, just a tiny church in our tiny town in the boonies. Our preacher was pretty mellow and cool, but we had the occasional evangelical visiting preachers that taught the old school brimstone, shi ite. Me and my buddies thought they were hilarious.. I was baptized by our preacher dipping me into, possibly, the coldest creek in SW Mo. ;) you could just feel those sins washing away.

[Weatherman420]

I'm an Atheist. :)

[MedMiracle]

Your Dogma is steppin on my Karma, Man:hippy:

[Tomadashi]

Raised RC and had certain native(Cree) values instilled in me as a child but as the years passed I developed a more spiritual nature through MA training-particularly through studying Iado and temishagiri.

[fargon]

I am a born again christian, was Southern Baptist, now Lutheran.