What are your religious beliefs?

[Hallistar]

Ah, well I suppose I could try all that, I just meant earlier that even though living a good life isn't such a bad thing, if the reality of it all is that there is a god and one who wants to throw me in hell for not believing in their organized religion and doing things considered against it, then I'd rather prepare for such an inevitability and 'get on their good side', even if it comes at the cost of feeling satisfied with my life. The only way I'd know which to prepare for though is if I knew what happened when I die.

Don't go believing what some organised religion tells you. You have to find the truths about your reality yourself. Go and feel satisfied with your life. Don't let what a book says or what someone else tells you control your life. YOUR life.
We can't be fully prepared for what happens when we die. But we can work on intuition. Be yourself, be individual, and make your life feel worthy. Spirituality is going to be different for each person.
I'm one of those people who believes the journey is the destination, ultimately.

I know, I try to make my life feel worthy, and I'm not saying I live in perpetual fear or anything near that in terms of possible violating something, just the issue of the afterlife and whatnot is something on the 'backburner' of my mind, because eventually I'm going to be a death statistic (unless rapid advances in longetivity are made, then I guess I might have some more years to ponder the issue) and then I'd have to face the implications of whatever is truly out there. I suppose though I will never be able to have proof on what happens in the afterlife, but the issue won't go away for me when I'm reading up on some of the different versions of an afterlife of several religions. It may be my life, but if there really is some kind of god out there that is cruel enough to put people in hell, and for eternity, then I can't change such a hypothetical reality. I guess all I can do is hope for the best and somehow I end up doing something that ends up helping me out when it comes to the topic of an afterlife. Which I guess might be what you were saying all along, but I don't think I can 'discover any truth' that isn't in reconciliation with something else that does happen to be the truth.

[Mosasauria]

It's true for those who accept logic and still have faith. I was at that point not too long ago...

Yeah, I guess I understand. I use to be a deist.

As was I. Then every last bit of faith within me collapsed when I asked myself a few questions.

[Lucent Dawn]

erm..Did you not read what he/she posted before and after?

*shakes head* Yes I did... The problem with the 'New Age' inventions is that it does not help to define what is acceptable "spiritual fufillment." And if a pedophiles version of spiritual fufillment is raping young children, according to their philosophy, what right do we have to deny them that?

And I'm not even going to start on Islam's disgusting version of "spiritual fufillment"...

A pedophile is not receiving spiritual fulfillment.
Only some sort of strange physical kind of fulfillment which is superficial at best. But I've got to go, so I can't elaborate.

[Hallistar]

erm..Did you not read what he/she posted before and after?

*shakes head* Yes I did... The problem with the 'New Age' inventions is that it does not help to define what is acceptable "spiritual fufillment." And if a pedophiles version of spiritual fufillment is raping young children, according to their philosophy, what right do we have to deny them that?

And I'm not even going to start on Islam's disgusting version of "spiritual fufillment"...

yes but new age beliefs are not that much the same as organized religions, some of the new age beliefs I have seen subvert organized religion and people view them as the real way to 'enlightenment'. When it comes to priests and christianity, their spiritual fulfillment won't be the same as the new-agers, and since LD was talking about discovering ones own truth in contrast to organized religion, I said 'did you not read what he/she posted before and after' because the religious component when you mentioned priests raping young boys would not apply to the individualist non-organized-religion spiritual fulfillment part of LD's statements.

[Shaoyuan]

A pedophile is not receiving spiritual fulfillment.

Says who? That's their point of view, maaaaaaaaaan.

[The Merchant Republics]

Yea, you can't blame a kid for being intellectually lazy by following the morality of his parents. However, this is another reason why I support that kids should not be religiously influenced until they grow up to a stage where they can think for themselves what to believe.

One of the few things I agree 100% with Dawkins about.

I don't agree, but merely because I believe the proper thing is not to hide religion from them but to let them learn about all religions and irreligion as well of course. Let them be influenced yes, but let them be openly influenced.

Unfortunately, that's asking a lot from a world where a size-able number of the world barely understands the concept that Islam's Allah is one in the same with Christian's God and no one seems to know that there was more than one Buddha.

[Mosasauria]

A pedophile is not receiving spiritual fulfillment.

Says who? That's their point of view, maaaaaaaaaan.

First time I've agreed with you tonight.

[Genivaria]

A pedophile is not receiving spiritual fulfillment.

Says who? That's their point of view, maaaaaaaaaan.

I thought of making a comment on that, then thought better of it. You didn't seem to.

[Genivaria]

One of the few things I agree 100% with Dawkins about.

I don't agree, but merely because I believe the proper thing is not to hide religion from them but to let them learn about all religions and irreligion as well of course. Let them be influenced yes, but let them be openly influenced.

Unfortunately, that's asking a lot from a world where a size-able number of the world barely understands the concept that Islam's Allah is one in the same with Christian's God and no one seems to know that there was more than one Buddha.

Wait, really!?

[Shaoyuan]

Says who? That's their point of view, maaaaaaaaaan.

I thought of making a comment on that, then thought better of it. You didn't seem to.

Good for you, I guess. That's my problem with vague 'just do what seems right to you' advice.

[New Acardia]

Eastern Orthodox

[The Rich Port]

Well I wasn't keen on the terminology of pantheon, because the concept of the Hindu gods is very different from the Classical Pantheon, which tends to treat Gods as separate entities of their own power, rather than the many facets of a single essential source.

Dharma and the duty you have to your caste sort of turned me off Hinduism, Karma is alright though the Hindu concept of Karma is too far-sighted in my opinion, it punishes wicked lives but in that own sense I can't really rectify it with my own sense of justice. To each his own of course.

No chance of conversion, I like Buddhism, but I don't believe it. There are lots of elements of Buddhism I subscribe to like the use of meditation to attain clarity and knowledge though I reinterpret that through a Christian lens.

Ah, I see... The Hindu texts aren't the easiest to understand, though. Sometimes the deities are separate, other times it lavishes the Oneness we enjoy after achieving nirvana.

Wait... You lead a wicked life... With a sense of justice? Well, why don't you just apply your sense of justice? By thinking something alone, you do not attain justice. You have to act on it.

I also meditate, but it in no way correlates with my prayers to Saraswati. I use it a lot like you, come to think of it. I must confess: I often fall asleep when meditating.

[Lucent Dawn]

I thought of making a comment on that, then thought better of it. You didn't seem to.

Good for you, I guess. That's my problem with vague 'just do what seems right to you' advice.

I understand I've given a vague description, and I would develop my argument in time.
Each for his own, anyways. I'm not going to force someone to my beliefs.

[Zions Rebel Court]

Metaphysical Naturalist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysical_naturalism

[The Halbetan Union]

Super Humanist.

[The Merchant Republics]

Well I wasn't keen on the terminology of pantheon, because the concept of the Hindu gods is very different from the Classical Pantheon, which tends to treat Gods as separate entities of their own power, rather than the many facets of a single essential source.

Dharma and the duty you have to your caste sort of turned me off Hinduism, Karma is alright though the Hindu concept of Karma is too far-sighted in my opinion, it punishes wicked lives but in that own sense I can't really rectify it with my own sense of justice. To each his own of course.

No chance of conversion, I like Buddhism, but I don't believe it. There are lots of elements of Buddhism I subscribe to like the use of meditation to attain clarity and knowledge though I reinterpret that through a Christian lens.

Ah, I see... The Hindu texts aren't the easiest to understand, though. Sometimes the deities are separate, other times it lavishes the Oneness we enjoy after achieving nirvana.

Wait... You lead a wicked life... With a sense of justice? Well, why don't you just apply your sense of justice? By thinking something alone, you do not attain justice. You have to act on it.

I also meditate, but it in no way correlates with my prayers to Saraswati. I use it a lot like you, come to think of it. I must confess: I often fall asleep when meditating.

Sorry I wasn't clear. What I mean to say is that Hinduism to my understanding takes the long view of Karma. You can be for instance because you lived a virtuous previous life be born a king and then from their live a wicked life in luxury but by doing so your next life will be far worse. The Hindu concept of karmic punishment is too long acting for my own tastes. Perhaps it's just that I think that life ought to be a one-shot thing. Rather than a constant cycle headed towards reattaining oneness.

Again, I suppose it's a matter of taste, I'm sure many people would prefer the idea those who inadvertently fell to evil be given another chance.

[Shaoyuan]

Super Humanist.

What's so super about it? >_>

[Felbah]

Protestant.

If you want an even more accurate answer, then I'm Baptist.

[The Halbetan Union]

Super Humanist.

What's so super about it? >_>

It's humanism for super egos.

[The Merchant Republics]

I don't agree, but merely because I believe the proper thing is not to hide religion from them but to let them learn about all religions and irreligion as well of course. Let them be influenced yes, but let them be openly influenced.

Unfortunately, that's asking a lot from a world where a size-able number of the world barely understands the concept that Islam's Allah is one in the same with Christian's God and no one seems to know that there was more than one Buddha.

Wait, really!?

Yes.

The term Buddha means "Enlightened One" most schools of Buddhism consider many people to have achieved this status. Indeed in most schools of Buddhism it is the goal of every person to become a Buddha. Except the understanding is that most people who attain enlightenment will ascend to Nirvana (a state of pure bliss) and only a small number instead stay on Earth to become boddhisatvas, or the Buddhas as we know them, who remain on Earth to show other people the way.

The Buddha who founded Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian Prince, but the fat jolly fellow which many Westerner think of as "the Buddha" is in fact a much later Chinese Buddha. Siddhartha was much skinnier and his depictions show that.

[Seperates]

Yeah, I guess I understand. I use to be a deist.

As was I. Then every last bit of faith within me collapsed when I asked myself a few questions.

Glad to finally have you Mosey.

[Seperates]

Says who? That's their point of view, maaaaaaaaaan.

I thought of making a comment on that, then thought better of it. You didn't seem to.

Political Correctness is for those who can't support their points other wise.

[Mosasauria]

As was I. Then every last bit of faith within me collapsed when I asked myself a few questions.

Glad to finally have you Mosey.

Why?

[The Rich Port]

Ah, I see... The Hindu texts aren't the easiest to understand, though. Sometimes the deities are separate, other times it lavishes the Oneness we enjoy after achieving nirvana.

Wait... You lead a wicked life... With a sense of justice? Well, why don't you just apply your sense of justice? By thinking something alone, you do not attain justice. You have to act on it.

I also meditate, but it in no way correlates with my prayers to Saraswati. I use it a lot like you, come to think of it. I must confess: I often fall asleep when meditating.

Sorry I wasn't clear. What I mean to say is that Hinduism to my understanding takes the long view of Karma. You can be for instance because you lived a virtuous previous life be born a king and then from their live a wicked life in luxury but by doing so your next life will be far worse. The Hindu concept of karmic punishment is too long acting for my own tastes. Perhaps it's just that I think that life ought to be a one-shot thing. Rather than a constant cycle headed towards reattaining oneness.

Again, I suppose it's a matter of taste, I'm sure many people would prefer the idea those who inadvertently fell to evil be given another chance.

... I'm not sure what the problem is. Is it so hard to be a virtuous king?

Not really. I don't believe in a collective oneness, either. I changed religion to match what I thought from the beginning.

[Seperates]

Glad to finally have you Mosey.

Why?

It's nice to see that the agruments we make occasionally cause people to question their beliefs. Gives us a sense of progress.