What Religious Beliefs Do You Have?

[David]

Say, what religion do you follow? This question is for everyone. I just finished watching "Andrew Rubleyov" (for the 2nd time), so I'm in a religious mood.

I seek a balanced cosmos, the harmony of the Tao. However, I also worship the Babylonian sun god, Marduk, & adhere to the revenge code of Hammurabi: "An eye for an eye, & a tooth for a tooth."

Therefore, I call myself an animistic, divine Ishtarite with Taoist leanings.

[BombaySapphire3]

On a continum between an atheist and an agnostic here .The thing I have a problem with is fundamentalism and people that believe their religion/belief system is the only way.In fact I am 100% certain that the Christian fundamentalist we have here would be Islamic fundamentalist had they had been born in a place like Afghanistan and indoctrinated into that relgion or vice versa..Scary folks indeed.

[GoS]

The thing I have a problem with is fundamentalism and people that believe their religion/belief system is the only way.

I couldn't agree with you more. God is so beyond our comprehension and there are so many different (and very different) religions that I can't believe that any religion is all, or mostly, right. Do I believe in God? yes. Do I believe that he has every interacted with anyone/thing here on Earth? No.

[estranged4life]

I could make the longest post ever on this subject, but I dont feel like boring people to death - so I will say that Debbie was a Wiccan and I am nothing particular.

I follow a belief system that WE are responsible for our OWN actions (And that ONE needs to accept their OWN RESPONSIBILITY for their actions in life and NOT 'pass the buck' when one is WRONG) and not some guy in a sea-of-fire with a pitchfork and horns who is quote "evil" is responsible for when we do wrong and that no 'historical messiah figure' can save our souls from this "evil-one" (No, I am not doubting Jesus, I believe He was a wise-man who had good ideas - but I do REFUSE to participate in ORGANIZED religion that BASTARDIZES His teachings in sake of $$$$$$$)...ironically that belief system I follow has been called in modern times, and INACCURATELY at that, "Satanism" (Dont ask why it referred to as "Satanism" - I dont ask for the reason, but I believe it may have to do that one is their own master of the destiny, they are their own God and they are also their OWN Devil...Who knows :shrug: )

Sorry, but the religion regularly called "Satanism" (The one where you WORSHIP 'the horned one down below' as such as most "Death Metalers" do...I love death metal, but that 'horned dude' is as believable a deity as PEE-WEE HERMAN would be) is a form of reverse "Christianity"

Am I scared of goin' to 'Hell'? No, THIS IS HELL folks, this existence is hell to me (Debbie told her co-workers once that this life is "Hell on Earth"...Which she believed as do I) - once I exit it I will either enter into an afterlife where I will see those I love and care about or just be 'food for the worms' ('Tits up' at that...Thought I prefer to be cremated and placed in a ashtray, ya know, the kind one sees in an office building and have candy cigarettes placed in my ashes so one mistakes my ashes for the ashtray then they can be told "Uh, That is Brian's remains...He prefers not to have your cigarettes resting on his dead ass" :D )

God is beyond my comprehension...But I believe in Her/Him/It/They(?), none the less (I think God is a female...And NOT Alanis Morissette either, See the movie "Dogma" to understand what I mean: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogma_(film) ) and I do believe She/He/It/They(?) has a WARPED sense of humor too (I love people who have the warped sense of humor I also have)

I have on the book shelves here in the living room, books about Mid-Eastern religions, Books about Taoism (Including "the Tao of Pooh" and in truth I see myself as "Tigger" OBVIOUSLY!!!!), books about Paganism, Wiccan, Satanism, Celtic beliefs, Native American beliefs, etc. and add to the fact I lived in the MOST RELIGIOUS city in the U.S. (Tulsa, OK) I find religion entertaining and weird/scary all at the same time...MORE fun than ANY NETWORK reality show!!!

[mylittledemon]

I agree partially with GoS said...God is beyond our comprehension, which is why I hesitate greatly to say I follow a particular religion. I think man, especially thruout the last 2000 years has tried to put God in a box. Catholicism for example. Very dangerous. Just my opinion. I could go on and on about it...(just like Brian said).

Personally, I believe Jesus Christ came to earth and died on a cross. I believe He rose again from the grave, and will return again some day. There's a lot of rhetoric and dogma that can get in the way, and questions and theories about raptures and pre-destinations. I try to avoid all that, and trust in what feels real and right to me in my heart and soul. It's such a very personal thing for all of us isn't it? At the end of the day you're on that road all by yourself.

PS..Brian i too love Kevin Smith's "Dogma"

[shackin'up]

I Know I'm Not Wrong.

[markolas]

Say, what religion do you follow? This question is for everyone. I just finished watching "Andrew Rubleyov" (for the 2nd time), so I'm in a religious mood.

I seek a balanced cosmos, the harmony of the Tao. However, I also worship the Babylonian sun god, Marduk, & adhere to the revenge code of Hammurabi: "An eye for an eye, & a tooth for a tooth."

Therefore, I call myself an animistic, divine Ishtarite with Taoist leanings.

No offense, but are you ****ting me? :lol:

[markolas]

Okay, I'll play.

(And yes, this is in all seriousness, given that this may very well sound as odd as what David posted)

I practice a form of Mahayana Buddhism called Nichiren Shu. We believe that the Buddha's highest teaching is delineated in a scripture called the Lotus Sutra, which we affirm by chanting the phrase "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" ("Adoration to the Scripture of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Truth"). It's through this practice that we obtain the merits of the Eternal Buddha's beginningless and endless enlightenment.

Anyway - God isn't a term I usually use to describe my personal beliefs. Buddhism doesn't really posit the idea of a supreme creator; it's probably closest to panentheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism). The Eternal Buddha lives in our own minds and hearts, but is something more than just our "selves." That's what I hold onto when I'm feeling almost consumed by misanthropy. :laugh:

She's not Buddhist, but I've also been influenced to some extent by the writings of Flannery O'Connor. The Lotus Sutra teaches that the Buddha is always at work in the world leading all living beings to enlightenment; there have been times when I've felt like I've been beaten over the head with insight in a similar (but not as gruesome) way as some of the characters in her stories.

[trackaghost]

I think David is looking for converts to the Church Of David.

[mylittledemon]

No offense, but are you ****ting me? :lol:

haha! It's a game, but you can tell the truth too!

[SteveMacD]

I don't really subscribe to any particular religion. I don't know how things began, I don't know what happens after we die, and I have no control over either. So, I don't really waste my time with those questions anymore. Instead, I focus on making the world I DO have some control over a little better.

[GoS]

I don't really subscribe to any particular religion. I don't know how things began, I don't know what happens after we die, and I have no control over either. So, I don't really waste my time with those questions anymore. Instead, I focus on making the world I DO have some control over a little better.

Ya know, that might just be the smartest thing that I have ever read on here.

[Serrart]

A slight epicurean philosophy filtered through a Franciscan point of view.

Romy

[RoseGarden]

Well, I thought I was losing all faith. I went to the theatre to see Religulous. This movie put my soul back in my heart. regardless, whether I am jewish, catholic, pentacostal----I have faith. I need not explain to any human being why.

I will just state to the thread, I DO have a religous belief that we do have a purpose here on earth and there is an afterlife in which we exist after the "job" we were sent to do is done we exist in a place only are dreams right now reveal.

I won't bore everyone with my personal beliefs in dept but this is my repsonse to the thread. Bill Maher may have felt his expressions were the only correct answers , but listening to him ---brought a renewal into my heart. Bill your correct in challenging science for REAL answers but without faith you'll never grow a seed of hope that is beyond science. Maybe because I am poor I chose faith----but I'd rather have that belief than a bunch of mockery towards the subject itself.


PS---I want my $10 back. your movie was worth $2 in dvd.

[TrueFaith77]

She's not Buddhist, but I've also been influenced to some extent by the writings of Flannery O'Connor.

Flannery O'Connor is the biggest influence on my perspective on religion and spirituality. Introduced to it, really, by the rigour of her arguments, I can only submit that Catholicism is the most powerful religious vision that I've encountered.

[CADreaming]

Personally, I believe Jesus Christ came to earth and died on a cross. I believe He rose again from the grave, and will return again some day. There's a lot of rhetoric and dogma that can get in the way, and questions and theories about raptures and pre-destinations. I try to avoid all that, and trust in what feels real and right to me in my heart and soul. It's such a very personal thing for all of us isn't it? At the end of the day you're on that road all by yourself.

Except that "He will never leave you or forsake you"...so you're not totally alone...;)

[RoseGarden]

Flannery O'Connor is the biggest influence on my perspective on religion and spirituality. Introduced to it, really, by the rigour of her arguments, I can only submit that Catholicism is the most powerful religious vision that I've encountered.

What points on Catholicism does she induce you to feel compelled to find the most powerful?


I was raised and was confirmed a Catholic but found other tuths to my heart is the only reason I ask this question. Maybe there was something I missed?

[David]

Flannery O'Connor is the biggest influence on my perspective on religion and spirituality. Introduced to it, really, by the rigour of her arguments, I can only submit that Catholicism is the most powerful religious vision that I've encountered.Your comments make me think of Beethoven's desire to bathe in the blood of the Lamb while composing the Missa Solemnis.

[markolas]

I've only read O'Connor's short stories; I'm not familiar with her novels or more overtly theological writings. I find some of the mystical aspects of Catholicism compelling, and I understand where the RCC is coming from on many points, but I'm solidly Buddhist at the end of the day. So I don't think you've necessarily missed anything (but it's possible) if it doesn't speak to you.

[Ghost_Tracker]

I think man, especially thruout the last 2000 years has tried to put God in a box. Catholicism for example. Very dangerous. Just my opinion. I could go on and on about it...(just like Brian said).



Personally I think that Catholicism is often mis-characterized these days. "Past is not necessarily prelude." In other words, mistakes have been made in the past - the Spanish invasion of England under Queen Elizabeth I in order to try to convert them back to Catholicism, for example; and of course the Crusades and the Pope getting himself way too tangled up in European politics. But those mistakes have been owned up to (at least a little bit) and we've moved on somewhat, from there.

There's at least two other things about the Catholic church that I think are very much mis-characterized and misunderstood these days -

1.) Catholics do NOT believe, nor are they taught, that people from other religions will go to hell or are "wrong." We believe that there is a "spectrum" of truth and that finding that truth is a path which leads to even bigger truths. Naturally Catholics believe that OUR "Truth" is at the top of the heap - the eventual truth that those from other religions "should" eventually come to. But I don't think there's anything wrong with that; that's true of all religions. We also don't claim to have a monopoly on Truth - if we were to find out beyond all shadow of a doubt that God is very much against praying to Mary, for example, most of us would be like - "Oh. Ooops! :rolleyes: Paint my face red! Hey, have you seen the new James Bond movie yet?" We also don't believe that all non-Catholics are going to hell. Current "doctrine" is that most people will go to Purgatory in order to be "further prepared" to meet God.

2.) Catholics do NOT believe, for example, that God created the world in 7 days. (At least, not Catholics who are "up-to-speed" on current church doctrine.) They believe, in fact, that MOST of the Old Testament is a parable. We do NOT believe that Noah necessarily built an ark due to a great flood, we do NOT believe that Adam and Eve were the first humans and that they "sinned" in the "Garden of Eden." The acknowledged Truth is - - - we just don't know. But the center of the doctrine is that EVEN IF these things actually happened, that's not important in the SLIGHTEST. What's important is the "take-home message" - for example, that man is imperfect and is here to grow and try to improve and help others to do the same; and that "it would be nice if everybody would be nice to everybody JUST for a change." ;) Believe it or not, even the Book of Revelation is considered to be a parable these days, and not necessarily something that will really happen in a word-for-word way. It says flat-out in the Introduction that it's based on prior end-of-the-world stories and was written about a specific region in the Middle East where trouble was brewing with Rome - I forget what area, maybe near Turkey.
Anyway, these things have been true since at least 1970. There was a big conference of Bishops - a "Synod" - called Vatican II, where all these things were discussed.

(I probably should also point out, though, that these viewpoints may differ from country to country. I think maybe they "tailor" things to each country, based on what they may be "psychologically ready" for. I can guarantee you that the Pope believes beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Universe was created 20 billion-odd years ago, that the Earth is not the center of the Universe, and may even believe that Evolution really happened. "God works in mysterious ways.")


One place where there is NO wiggle room, as near as I can make out, is "The Big J.C." Catholics believe - firmly - that Jesus Christ was God incarnate and that he rose from the dead three days after he was crucified, etc., and that "no one comes to the Father but through Him"; and that his teachings - "Do unto others" etc. - are God's law on Earth. And if you really sit down and think about it, it's perfectly reasonable. The core of his teaching was essentially, "Sheesh you people are giving me a HEADACHE! Could you PLEASE be nice to each other for 2,000 years or so? It'll work better and you'll FEEL better, too. You could go to the freakin' MOON if you had a little more faith. I gotta go lie down. YIKES already!!!" ;)

P.S. - I should probably also point out that I don't know what's currently being taught at Catholic schools. They may have "somewhat stricter" interpretation than is usually given at, for example, Sunday Mass services. That may be another thing that varies, from school to school and from region to region.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Edited - accidental repeat post.

[RoseGarden]

ghost tracker---your thread confused me?????
Are or where you brought up Cahtolic and you are now finding false teachings?

I didn't understand your point----sorry, you did do quite a write up about it---it's just me.

[Ghost_Tracker]

ghost tracker---your thread confused me?????
Are or where you brought up Cahtolic and you are now finding false teachings?

I didn't understand your point----sorry, you did do quite a write up about it---it's just me.


I was more-or-less brought up Catholic but it was never really "drilled into me" as dogma - I was always encouraged to think about these things myself, and come up with my own opinions, more-or-less.

Not trying to say I'm finding any "false teachings" - just trying to say that I feel that there's a lot of misconceptions about what Catholics actually believe, and about what the actualy position of the Catholic church on many issues currently is.

I tend to agree with them on many of these things, for example their current position that the Adam and Eve story is just a "parable" and that mankind originated hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago, rather than 6,000 years ago. I do believe in Jesus and that, as the saying goes, He is "the way, and the truth, and the light." (Or at least, I'm trying to. ;) )

[RoseGarden]

I was more-or-less brought up Catholic but it was never really "drilled into me" as dogma - I was always encouraged to think about these things myself, and come up with my own opinions, more-or-less.

Not trying to say I'm finding any "false teachings" - just trying to say that I feel that there's a lot of misconceptions about what Catholics actually believe, and about what the actualy position of the Catholic church on many issues currently is.

I tend to agree with them on many of these things, for example their current position that the Adam and Eve story is just a "parable" and that mankind originated hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago, rather than 6,000 years ago. I do believe in Jesus and that, as the saying goes, He is "the way, and the truth, and the light." (Or at least, I'm trying to. ;) )

Ghost Tracker, have you or anyone else seen Religulous?

I found it to be repulsive. Though I saw the extemist beigng ridiculous, I took offense to those of us who have faith. what were your feeling on it if you saw this?

[markolas]

Ghost Tracker, have you or anyone else seen Religulous?

I found it to be repulsive. Though I saw the extemist beigng ridiculous, I took offense to those of us who have faith. what were your feeling on it if you saw this?

I haven't seen it, but I've heard about it. No interest in seeing it whatsoever. I can't stand Bill Maher, for one thing - I think he's a blowhard. :) And I'm just not interested in yet another depiction of people of faith as ignorant, uneducated, intolerant, extremist, right-wing, etc.

[RoseGarden]

I haven't seen it, but I've heard about it. No interest in seeing it whatsoever. I can't stand Bill Maher, for one thing - I think he's a blowhard. :) And I'm just not interested in yet another depiction of people of faith as ignorant, uneducated, intolerant, extremist, right-wing, etc.


well, hey,every time he speaks on Larry King--I love to hear him. But I SAW this show at $10 and found his opinons DISCUSTING! He is no longer admired in my household after watching his version of what he feel of religion.

I am glad I saw it, as I was losing the faith myself. Yet , after hearing his mockery,I know my soul is in check .. I will never listen to his crap again
and I have EVERY right to say this as anyone who has seen it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JbbyStew86]

On the 8th day God created Lindsey Buckingham

[Ghost_Tracker]

Ghost Tracker, have you or anyone else seen Religulous?

I found it to be repulsive. Though I saw the extemist beigng ridiculous, I took offense to those of us who have faith. what were your feeling on it if you saw this?

Nope, sorry haven't seen that. Bill Maher isn't at the top of my hit parade, either. . . .

I'm more of a James Bond kinda guy. :angel:

[Sahara]

I was raised a Catholic but around three years ago I began to feel that I was looking in the wrong places for answers, turning to my Cathecism instead of the Bible, so I started to attend Bible studies at a Christian community church in my town. I had no intention of joining their church but over time I realised that Catholicism is basically telling a lot of lies, so I left around nine months ago and have been attending the community church since :) Basically my belief is that if it's not in the Bible, it's not truth.

I'm the only Christian in my peer group, which can be pretty tough (my creationist views in particular don't go down well) but nobody's ever been really nasty about it, which is good.

[marinnette]

On the 8th day God created Lindsey Buckingham


that's what I believe!

well, I was educated in a catholic country (well, here nobody goes to church, unless opus dei slaves and protestants...) and in a nuns school. mum (she's so hippie)thought that if I spent some years there I would end up so tired, desillusioned and deception I would never be a true believer.
the thing is that I am so happy I went there. nuns spoiled us.

I believe that you must love yourself and the others, forgive, be kind, and respect all religions. In fact, everything is the same: it's all about love.
I also think that currently we cannot 100% confirm there is a God or there isn't. so for me the most wisdom choice is to be agnostic. but if I was a truly believer I would leave catholic church and become a methodist.
(the problem of the catholic church is the world "church")
on the other hand, I believe that some persons can sense especial things. I do, I have premonitions, sometimes like thoughts or sometimes while I sleep. Once I had the sensation to cross the street to the other pavement. thank god I did: some bricks fell from a house they were building. They would have killed me.

[UnwindedDreams]

I follow Catholicism.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

[marinnette]

I follow Catholicism.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.



I had forgotten that!! it's nice to hear it again, really.

[xxxmx]

atheist :wavey:

i attended a christian elementary school because it was simply the better choice where i was raised. neither of my parents are/were religious and they helped me ask the right questions when i was younger. i was never told what to believe, and when i wanted to join the "missionette" club, they were cool with it. and then when i wanted to quit after the first meeting (refused to lead the group in prayer), they were cool with it. i think i had found my answers before middle school - believing that we are all that is and in control of what happens. no god or outside force.

the obvious next step for me was choosing a jesuit college and taking a bunch of religious studies classes. the discussions were always fascinating, because i was not personally invested like many others. different perspective.

i see the bible as an important text, a link to our past. i have found answers in the good book, and believe it is a collection of parables that can lead people in a better direction. i believe that jesus, along with many other remarkable people from the church, was a righteous man who delivered an important message. beyond that, no. not personally.

i am responsible for me, for making your day better, and for making it easier for you to have a positive impact. kind of close to buddhism. i had a mind-blowing conversation with a traveling tibetan monk last year and am interested in learning more about his beliefs. i think buddhism appeals to me because of the emphasis on personal responsibility. the buck stops here. no one else can do this but me. that may come off as egotistical, but it doesn't feel that way.

i don't believe that anything lies beyond death, which kind of makes me sad, but nothing else makes sense. i've never believed in the existence of a -soul- so what would survive physical death? love and memories. i've got to make it count while i'm still around. whew.

[Zombie]

I'm either a devout apatheist or a devout hedonist, depending on how much sleep I got the night before.

Oh okay, I'm also atheist. :wavey:

no one else can do this but me. that may come off as egotistical, but it doesn't feel that way.

i don't believe that anything lies beyond death, which kind of makes me sad, but nothing else makes sense. i've never believed in the existence of a -soul- so what would survive physical death? love and memories. i've got to make it count while i'm still around. whew.

That was well said. I was raised Catholic, and then went through a series of other interests and studies before I settled on my current status of lack of belief. When my kids' father passed away, I was ordered by my mother (who still refuses to accept that I gave up being Catholic for Lent a long time ago) to tell the children their father was with the angels, because that would make it "easier" on them somehow.

I understood the sentiment, but they were very small (2 and 4) and had no frame of reference for something like that anyway, so all it would have done is confused them even further. Instead, I told them, "Daddy had a heart attack and passed away, and that means we can't see him anymore, but he loved you very much, and we will always love him and remember him, and we can talk about him whenever we want."

That seems to have worked out okay, the love and memories. They are now 6 and 8, and can matter-of-factly tell you both what happened to him and about him ("A heart attack means his heart stopped working properly so he died, but one time, he took me to see the ducks at the park and we had fun even though a goose chased me") and they seem as content as a child could be under the circumstances with the explanation I offered, moreso than I remember feeling when my own father passed away when I was 7 - no angels required.

An afterlife might be nice (or might not, depending on the festivities your preferred religion's Bad Place has in store), but I've got no idea of whether or not there is one, which means the possibility that there ISN'T one doesn't make me sad or happy, just neutral. It is what it is, and I guess I'll find out at some point.

Instead, I figure I do better by trying to make the most of my life here and now without fretting about what may or may not happen after I'm done. Once it's over, you can't change it anyway, so why worry? Just make sure you leave behind the love and the memories, and all will be well.