|
| Thread: There can be only one... | |
|
Nidhgrin
Honorable
Famous Hero
baking cookies from stardust
|
posted February 20, 2003 02:32 PM |
|
|
There can be only one...
That's what many people choose to believe anyway. Do you believe in god? Are you a religious person, an atheļst maybe? An agnost, something else even maybe?
This would be a good place to learn about each other's perceptions regarding religion. One single rule counts here: have respect for what someone else stands for and believes in. Criticism on poor thought-through or inhuman views is allowed of course (quite welcome even  ), but please keep it friendly. People who think differently are not necessarily wrong, they may in fact hold the key to another door to find meaning in their life.
I will start off by drawing a short sketch of my religious perceptions. Don't spare me because I'm a moderator, hehe  If you have strong criticism or serious questions, don't be afraid to speak up!
I prefer not to use the term 'god', I think the word has a more than colored history. I do not believe in some sort of omnipotent or superhuman being(s). I think worshipping any person, be he or she fictivous or not, is wrong. I never have, and never will worship anyone.
I do believe however that the idea of a higher being can give people the strength and courage to accomplish incredible things. It can also serve an important role during the key moments during a person's life. Childbirth, marriage, death, ... a 'god' can give these things a meaning, making them easier to understand/accept/process.
As a kid, I was brought up as a Roman Catholic. Life learned me however that I could not live with the idea of a god like the bible described. I turned from agnost to atheļst and lived like that for years, believing in nothing. Even doubting or ridiculizing my own existence.
During one of the worst periods of my life I met Buddhism. So far it has provided me with the answers to all questions I have ever asked, and it has helped me forward greatly. Strictly speaking it is not really a religion. No 'higher being' whatsoever is worshipped and it's actually more a way of life. For me everything clicks together nicely now. If you insist on using the word 'god'... then you are that god, and so am I, so is the bird that is sitting in the tree accross the street, so is the tree itself... When I hurt you, I actually hurt a part of myself. When you hate another person, that hate causes an equal amount of damage to yourself. Nothing in this world is completely black or white. Shades of grey... I hope some day all people will see them, and will know peace.
But that is me, and what I believe. Now it is your turn to let us know yours, or comment on this. 
|
|
Dmnd
Famous Hero
Confused Girlie
|
posted February 20, 2003 03:06 PM |
|
|
A lot of my friends it seems lately are turning to Buddhism - people I have known for a while, and respect their viewpoints. Also seems like a lot more ppl you meet around general are turning towards it too - sort of at times makes me wonder what theyre seeing that I am missing out on
I was bought up as a christian and actually considered myself a christian until about mid teens - when I realised I couldnt be/wasnt. Because of some of my viewpoints, saying I was a christian made me a hypocrite really so I stopped, and over time found I wasnt sure I really believed in one God anyhow. To my way of thinking back then I believed in him and felt he was there, but if I had been bought up under another culture and religion surely I would of had just as strong feelings about that religions god/s being there and worshipped them. To my mind I couldnt say christianity was right or other religions were right they were just something you were bought with and taught to believe and rely on
And like you say this helps some ppl - helps them accomplish amazing things, but it wasnt something I personally needed
So I dont really believe in anything - and in fact think I grow less believing every year, when I see/hear of acts done in the name of different religions; and when I see gaggles of people all running around saying they are christian and trying to convert you, then in their next breath they are lying or cheating etc. To me religion seems pointless. Youre bound to pick the wrong one, cos there are so many different *writings* of the bible out there, let alone other non christain religions, to pick from; and then youre never going to follow all the rules, assuming you act like the majority of christains. I think in all my life there has really only been one christian I have met and had respect for and felt truely did believe and live by his Gods rules.
Also throw in science and well none of the religions make sense to me then. Whereas science really does make sense and you can see changes/evolutions/patterns happening around us; I suppose I want more visible proof before I follow a religion. Dont get me too wrong though, I overall would like to think theres someone/something out there and some bigger purpose to life, we're not just born to work and pay taxes and grow old, but I really dont know what and havent yet felt any need or overwhelming curiousity to seek out answers.
As an aside: Did you ever see the movie stigmata? I think it was that one, where the woman is trying to bring to light missing chapters of the bible that tell the world to worship god in everything and all around them, not just go to one place and worship. If god were real I think thats more like the sort of god he would be wanting us all to celebrate life and worship him (or to my mind more it, it being life) in all around us. Sort of maybe like Buddhism as I understand it.
Hope this makes sense, I should sleepzzzzzzzzzzzz
____________
Medusa >~> Looks that kill <~<
|
|
bort
Honorable
Supreme Hero
Discarded foreskin of morality
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 03:30 PM |
|
Edited By: bort on 20 Feb 2003
|
The really interesting thing about Buddhism in the west (and this is not a criticism) is that I don't think many people who are "Buddhists" are really Buddhists. I don't know many western "Buddhists" who actually try to escape from the cycle of dependent arising, I don't know many who actually try to eschew desire, and I know quite a few who quite happily eat meat. I don't think people realize that even compassionate deeds, while they are definitely good and can result in a "better" reincarnation are ultimately flawed because they arise from desire and therefore keep you in the cycle of dependent arising and extend your overall suffering.
What Buddhism in the west seems to be is the perfect way for people to decide for themselves what they truly believe without being labeled as a nut. That makes the word "Buddhism" possibly the greatest spiritual word in the west. Seriously, everybody needs to decide for themselves what they truly believe, but if you go around and say "I made up my religion" people call you a cult and harass you and whatnot. So, decide what you believe, find a few passages in a Buddhist text or the Dalai Lama's speeches that you like and hey presto, you're a Buddhist and nobody can talk smack to you since they don't knwo what the hell Buddhism is anyway and can't contradict you. So the concept of Buddhism is the greatest tool for spiritual discovery ever since it allows people to discover their own beliefs without being stigmatized.
Plus, people who are actually Buddhists get a lot of comfort from it as well. Name another religion that can do all that. (BESIDES snake handling)
(For the record, I'd probably qualify as a quote-unquote since I don't know that much about it, either.)
|
|
Nidhgrin
Honorable
Famous Hero
baking cookies from stardust
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 04:27 PM |
|
|
@Dmnd: Ahh, agnosticism. The joy of cutting one's shackles and running free. Human reasoning and faith in science above the worshipping of a god. I believe it can be a very rewarding way of life. Unless you try to disprove every possible indication for the existance of such a god, but I believe only hardcore agnosts do that.
Many cruel things have been happened in the name of various religions, and still do! I agree on that. The question that puzzles me however is if it are the religions themselves who are to blame for this. Or rather illminded people abusing backdoors and wrong-interpretable sides of the religious system that have evolved around that religion. Perhaps if the rules of those religious institutions would be changed the abuses would stop?
The christian bible can be a source of peace and compassion for some, a weapon and permit for bad actions to another. I think this counts for all religious manuscripts. A possible solution might be to bind these documents to rules forbidding interpretation by believers, or not have religious books at all, unfortunately religions do not change overnight.
I haven't seen that movie Stigmata, but from what you write I think I can conclude that it bears a valuable message. Worshipping a god in one place, or maybe only on fixed days of the week/year is something everyone will probably agree on to be ridiculous. Worshipping a god and not his/her creation is in my opinion another thing often overlooked by people.
@Bort: I could not agree more. Though I am, and have been a vegetarian for many years now, many of the ideas and thruths found in oriental Buddhism sound alien and unapplicable to me. The way I see reļncarnation for example would probably sound very weird to other Buddhists. When I die, I believe my body will die, as will my mind. The cyclism is found in my body that will be used to feed new life, and my mind in memories, habits and things I've directly or not teached other people. Our children and friends, they are what makes us immortal, what makes us live again. If I do wrong to you, I do wrong to the whole human race, and in a way will add negative energy to the pool of human spirits once I pass on. If I do good, I will in long term help all humans. The dangerous part lies in my conception of good and bad of course. I've made mistakes in the past, and will make many more in the future. But I hope that through me, through the things I learn by trial and error, people who are close to me will not have to make the same mistakes again, or not that many.
Call me a nut if you like, hehe  Perhaps that is what I really am. One of the greatest things about Buddhism is the lack of written sources to rely on in my opinion. I know only a handful of people who really are Buddhists, and when talking to them I hear different things from each one of them. Maybe that is where I got the idea to paint in the things I could not grasp from my linear thinking background in such a way that they became usable by me.
|
|
silx87
Supreme Hero
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 06:32 PM |
|
|
Well,my signature should explain what I think of religion.
Basically,I think the "genius" idea of religion has not brought more good than the damage it has made.
____________
|
|
DoddTheSlayer
Promising
Famous Hero
Banned from opening threads
|
|
posted February 21, 2003 05:38 AM |
|
|
|
Lets not assume that God an religion are on the same side here. Just read mathew chapter 23 in the bible and look at what Jesus had to say to the religious leaders of his day.
|
|
Dmnd
Famous Hero
Confused Girlie
|
|
posted February 21, 2003 01:13 PM |
|
Edited By: Dmnd on 3 Apr 2003
|
hehe
remove gps pls
____________
Medusa >~> Looks that kill <~<
|
|
Celfious
Promising
Legendary Hero
From earth
|
|
posted February 21, 2003 04:43 PM |
|
|
Something I may never know. Promises, I may never have. An awnser, a reason to suffering w/out hate. The only fear, that keeps me alive.
Religion is something, that makes me fear death. If I were to die right now, no religion I know, prommises something in the end, but damnation.
i fear death
____________
What are you up to
|
|
Khaelo
Honorable
Supreme Hero
Underwater
|
|
posted February 21, 2003 08:43 PM |
|
Edited By: Khaelo on 21 Feb 2003
|
There can be more than one...
My signature (actually a bumper sticker ) gives a soundbite version of my religious views. Broadly, I'm a polytheist. I came to this conclusion based on both experience and ideology. It's hard to provide more detail without dropping a huge paper on you.
Celfious: What about the reincarnation religions?
I've used spirituality as a lifeline as well, but it was love, trust, and a desire to please that kept me doing what my god wanted and not what I wanted. Fear...I dunno. Sounds unpleasant.  But if it works...
____________
 Cleverly
disguised as a responsible adult
|
|
goodpig
Adventuring Hero
The King of Pork!!!
|
|
posted February 21, 2003 10:19 PM |
|
|
Well I'm a Christian (ducks after somebody throws something at him) but I respect other believes if they respect mine.
____________
Qui n'a plus qu'un moment a vivre N'a plus rien a dissimuler.
Atys
|
|
LordLazy
Promising
Famous Hero
Wood cleaner
|
|
posted February 21, 2003 10:25 PM |
|
|
I don't believe in anything....
Every religion have some texts describing things that confirms another religion is BS.....Also...I find the happenings of the different religions to strange to have happened.....
____________
Tagged officially as Noobegian two years ago. This typographic material is strictly copyrighted. All situations containing abuse will be brought to court.
|
|
Celfious
Promising
Legendary Hero
From earth
|
|
posted February 21, 2003 10:36 PM |
|
|
i hope whatevers next isn't worse than this.
Fear, I do not choose. I choose other than fear, and strive to have no more. I have to complete myself w religion primarily, before I am free.
honestly, the concept of more than one god, and anything not out of the bible, freaks me out.
my upbrining didn't work, but I'm inflicted.
____________
What are you up to
|
|
IYY
Responsible
Supreme Hero
REDACTED
|
|
posted February 22, 2003 12:34 AM |
|
|
I am kinda Jewish. That is, I am Jewish because my family has a Jewish background, because I lived in Israel and also because (well, it's the most important thing) I believe in most of the basic concepts behind this religion.
Most importantly, I belive in God, and I believe that there is only one of him, and that he cannot exactly be described and he definatly does not look like anything from this world (no old man with a beard).
So, that works for Christianity as well but the thing is that I don't quite believe in Jesus just because I know that he himself did not wish to start any new religion and because I find it hard to believe that the son of God assumes a human form because I believe god is purly spiritual.
I also support sometheories from the bible, but not all. I don't support the ones that make no sense to me like the one about not eating meat with milk (I think that was meant to be a metaphor, not to be taken literaly) and the one about not touching money on saturday (it was meant in as "don't do any business on a saturday, coz it's a day for rest").
Overall, this is the religion that I like most so I guess that's the main reason
____________
|
| |
|
|
