Any Other Religion?

[CokkaiNe]

Is there anyone here that shares a different religious belief other than Christianity? Not saying anything is wrong with it, I was just curious..

[db44]

I was born Jewish, but do not believe in the institution of organized religions. I usually define myself as either "spiritual but not religious" or Agnostic.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

spritual but not religious, yep

[CokkaiNe]

Alright, so you guys believe in God but not organized religion correct?

btw Im Muslim..

[DoubleEdgeSword]

No, I don't believe in a God in any traditional sense.

I think there is some creative force, if you will. But I don't believe in heaven, hell, sin, redemption, of anything having to do with traditional religious beliefs. I don't know what happens when you die. I try to live my life according to certain principles and ethics. But, I am constantly learning, constantly changing.

The Bible is an interesting book, but so is the Koran, the Upanishads, the writings of the Dalai Lama and the the philosophy of Nietzsche, Kant and Spinoza. I find spirituality in great art and music, in the perfect form of a lily, in the angle of the afternoon sun in autumn, in the comfort of a friend.

I also believe that when spirituality is franchised, it becomes less than what it could be.

[db44]

I do believe more so in the God (or devine power) and no organized religions. There are too many religions with too many creationism stories which conflict with one another... All can't be valid, so I believe none are valid.

Factor in how all these peaceful faiths tend to be the roots of most violence and killing throughout the ages, and I find it disheartening to think that this is how God would want his children to act.

My views, if they had to be incorperated into any existing religion, would be Pagan. Love of the environment, of nature... Hey,if the divinity of the Godess as described in The DaVinci Code is true, then why not? ;)

[young again]

I'm Jewish. Which doesn't mean that I believe everything in the Bible or anything like that, it's just who I am, so there you go.

[tiger_rascal]

I have love of the environment and nature, just take a look at some of my pictures. So I could classify as a Pagan? But Im a Christian? Interesting... Im a Christian that loves the beauty of Gods Creation.

;)

[Angelstar28]

I think a lot of the violence that comes from religion is a result of a religion thinking they're superior to everyone else. That's like saying "I'm a Christian and you're not, so that makes me better than you." Which (in most religions) goes against their own beliefs. I think people have done horrible things 'in the name of religion'. That doesn't mean it's what the religion stands for.

As for me, I'm a Christian, but not in the traditional sense. I don't believe you have to dress a certain way, say certain things, celebrate certain traditions to be 'doing right by God'.

Not to say traditions are bad, moreso not neccessary.

I also have a love for nature, art, the beauty of things around me, etc. I try to gain a greater sense of my enviornment and the people I encounter, rather than soley read the Bible and go to Church (which as of now, I don't attend).

I think in any religion, appreciating life is profoundly spiritual.

[CokkaiNe]

Let me say something towards that. I'm Muslim & here in America, let's face it, Muslims are looked at as violent & inhumane towards other people especially non-Muslims. The whole psychological warfare & the media portrays Islamic ppl as all fitting into the mold of terrorists dictators like Osama Bin Laden & Saddaum. It is Not true.

Every religion/belief has their radicals. Just like with Christianity & their gay-bashing fundamentalist that preach that basic human instincts are the same things that will send you to Hell. That doesn't mean that all Christians are like that, because as well all know, there are many many denominations of Christianity because of traditions, interpretations and values that differ from others. It's the same with Islam. You have some people who take devine script out of context & use it to rationalize abasing others or even to build your own personal beliefs out of that text. Therefore you have countries that constrain 'immoral' acts on criminals like beheaddings, stonings, severing of limbs, etc etc...

[Angelstar28]

I agree. You can't take a person or group's actions and base an ENTIRE religion on them.

If a brunette kills a red-head, you can't say "Well all brunettes must be like that. Therefore all brunettes are evil/bad." And vice versa. That is not a fair statement. Most people would laugh at that statement. Yet some of those very people who would find that ridiculous would be the ones condemning entire religions/races on the acts of a few.

People do bad things. People of all races and religions.

[Sinister]

Hendrixian here.

[shining star]

Agnostic atheist. ;)

[bekahbeans]

how can you be an agnostic atheist?

[pinky]

You doubt that there is no God????

[bekahbeans]

then you're just agnostic, not atheist.

[shining star]

No, I personally don't believe in any god or gods, but I'm also open to the idea that there are.

[bekahbeans]

lol, then you're agnostic, not atheist. If you're open to the idea that there could be a god or gods then you are skeptical that there isn't or is. Seems to me an actual atheist would have no doubts.

But why am I even discussing this? Does it matter? heh

a·the·ist:
One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.

ag·nos·tic:
n.

One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something

[shining star]

Everyone is an atheist. A Christian doesn't believe in gods from other religions, that doesn't make them agnostic though.

I am an atheist, not agnostic. I currently do not believe in any gods, but if I am shown solid proof someday, then I may change my position.

I know the definitions, and I know what I am. Thanks.

[oldernow]

A Christian believes in God, therefore they are not Atheist.

[shining star]

You missed the point.

[MerrySunshine]

I get the point . . . actually back in the early days of Christianity, the Romans called them "athiests" because the did not believe in the Roman gods, even though they clearly believed in God. By the definition that says that if a person doesn't believe in somebody else's god/gods (even if they believe in their own God), then everyone is SOME kind of athiest. But by the connotation of the word that a person who is an athiest believes in no god whatsoever, then Christians aren't because they believe in one (just not everyone else's).

[DecemberDream]

I'm converting to Judaism :)

[CokkaiNe]

I thought atheists didn't believe in any god or diety. :confused:

[Sarahbackstreet]

I'm a Muslim too,CokkaiNe.:)

[CokkaiNe]

Salaam :)^^^

[Sarahbackstreet]

Wa'alaykom al salaam:)