Islam or Judaism

[It Aint Necessarily So]

And who told you that Muslims marry their girls at the age of 6 other than few cases in Yemen
and not even 6.

But look to the reality of child abuse in the other parts of the world where millions
of children are abused, not because of religion but due to human savagery.
Child Prostitution - Brazil

I agree with you if your position is that Mohammad was within societal norms for his time and place, whatever he did. He could not have commanded the respect a leader needs to do the things that he did as a general and theologian if he were perceived of as a pedophile as would be the case today.

But I think you weaken your case by pointing to clearly immoral acts and saying, "Look, the Brazilians abuse children, too"

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

Just do what feels right to you.

If you still can't figure anything out buy some ice cream.

Your tagline, הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם, פֶּן יִפְתֶּה לְבַבְכֶם; וְסַרְתֶּם, וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם, לָהֶם, which I can't translate, reminded me of a funny and apparently true story. Coca-cola put up a billboard in a Middle Eastern country with three panels each containing a photograph, but no words.

On the left was a man with beads of sweat looking distressed, haggard and bedraggled. In the middle, he's got his head tipped all the way back with eyes close pouring a Coke down his throat. On the far right, he has a look of relief and satisfaction.

Why did this sign fail?

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

A
L
E
R
T

Answer: They read right to left. Oops!

 

[Flankerl]

Your tagline, הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם, פֶּן יִפְתֶּה לְבַבְכֶם; וְסַרְתֶּם, וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם, לָהֶם, which I can't translate

Devarim 11:16
Beware, lest your heart be misled, and you turn away and worship strange gods and prostrate yourselves before them

 

[FearGod]

I agree with you if your position is that Mohammad was within societal norms for his time and place, whatever he did. He could not have commanded the respect a leader needs to do the things that he did as a general and theologian if he were perceived of as a pedophile as would be the case today.

The prophet married Khadija when she was 40 years old and he lived with her
a happy life for 25 years, how that is a pedophile.

But I think you weaken your case by pointing to clearly immoral acts and saying, "Look, the Brazilians abuse children, too"

I'm talking about the product of the community, we can see bad people abusing
millions of children in some parts of the world while finding few marriage cases
in Yemen as a catastrophe.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

What are your references for this crap?

A report which was compiled for the 26th session of the Human Rights Council by a London-based NGO called Justice for Iran. Their purpose is to hold the Iranian Government to account for the abuses it perpetuates upon Iran's citizens. Early marriages are just the tip of the iceberg. Justice for Iran has also raised awareness of virgin political prisoners being raped prior to execution.

Regardless of legal or illegal, it shows how bad are people in the other parts of the world,
do you think that people should become good because of the laws and then I wonder
that you have issues with religion and the freedom to behave.

I think the law should defend what is moral regardless what people believe. And by 'moral' I mean that which cause the least objective harm and infringes on rights only with good reason. I also think people should want to be good regardless of what the law of the land is though I do appreciate good is a rather subjective term subject to our own biases.

Is zen Buddhism a religion or a secular philosophy? I think it's the latter.

Well there are set rituals and methods of practise involved with Zen so I'd say it's a religion. Also, Zen (as well as wider Buddhism) possesses much of the infrastructure often associated with religion like temples, shrines & monasteries.

Taoism and Confucianism seem superficially appealing as well, but I believe that they're both godless philosophies as well.

I suggest you read up on both of these belief systems - Zen Buddhism as well. Taoism is divided into religious Taoism (daojiao) which has numerous gods and philosophical Taoism (daojia). Religious Taoism has religious infrastucture such as temples & monasteries Taoist deities include the Yellow Emperor, Fuxi and the Three Pure Ones. Confucianism is a secular philosophy, not in that it is godless, but in that does not emphasise one form of theism over another. Confucianism was formed in a culture that venerated Heaven (tian) as a sort of pantheist view of the Universe as well as focussing on rituals involving the spirits of one's ancestors but this doesn't mean one must also venerate Heaven or perform ancestor worship in order to be a Confucian. One could be a Confucian and be a practising Muslim, Christian, Jew or even an atheist. Confucianism focuses more on how a person comports themselves in society - not what gods they worship. Indeed, one of the more widely known Confucian sayings is "If you do not know how to serve the living, how can you serve the dead?"

 

[FearGod]

A report which was compiled for the 26th session of the Human Rights Council by a London-based NGO called Justice for Iran. Their purpose is to hold the Iranian Government to account for the abuses it perpetuates upon Iran's citizens. Early marriages are just the tip of the iceberg. Justice for Iran has also raised awareness of virgin political prisoners being raped prior to execution.

That's politics, do you trust the news when it says that the September 11 attacks
were an inside job and Daesh was an American game ..etc

I think the law should defend what is moral regardless what people believe. And by 'moral' I mean that which cause the least objective harm and infringes on rights only with good reason. I also think people should want to be good regardless of what the law of the land is though I do appreciate good is a rather subjective term subject to our own biases.

And regardless of the laws, still the fact is that millions of children are abused
by the bad people all around the world, who to blame, the laws or the bad community.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

That's politics,

Which happens at the behest of Iran's religious government. You can't separate religion from politics in a theocracy - especially not when child marriages, according to Muslim scholars, have a basis in the Sunnah because of Muhammad's marriage to Aisha. And before you say it: yes, the Shia do not look kindly on Aisha because of sectarian politics after Muhammad's death. That doesn't change the fact Muhammad married & had sex with her when she was a child. Aisha may not be the most popular name in Shia theology circles but Muhammad's example is (presumably) more important.

do you trust the news when it says that the September 11 attacks
were an inside job

No but then I've never known the news to say that. Saying the 9/11 attacks were an inside job is either conspiracy theorists trying desperately to blame the Bush administration and Muslims trying desperately to blame anyone else but themselves. As per usual.

and Daesh was an American game ..etc

I think Islamic State has been aided by the Americans - I'm more certain it has been aided by America's Muslim allies like Saudi Arabia. I do think America bares no small share of the responsibility for Islamic State's existence - given that the American government funded Al Qaeda & other similar groups during its early years - and helped set the stage in post-Saddam Iraq for Al Qaeda to become more powerful.

And regardless of the laws, still the fact is that millions of children are abused
by the bad people all around the world, who to blame, the laws or the bad community.

But the difference is Islamic countries permit & enable it - they see it as virtuous.

I don't believe that I have to approach God by a fixed posture, I approach God all the times
regardless of position, so no I don't need to.

So bid'ah it is, then.

 

[FearGod]

Which happens at the behest of Iran's religious government. You can't separate religion from politics in a theocracy - especially not when child marriages, according to Muslim scholars, have a basis in the Sunnah because of Muhammad's marriage to Aisha. And before you say it: yes, the Shia do not look kindly on Aisha because of sectarian politics after Muhammad's death. That doesn't change the fact Muhammad married & had sex with her when she was a child. Aisha may not be the most popular name in Shia theology circles but Muhammad's example is (presumably) more important.

According to your view in taking the messenger as example then all girls
are married in the year 6, but that isn't the case regardless if religion
permit it or not whereas in the other parts of the world they make
illegal sex with children (child prostitution) even though it isn't permitted
which means that the society itself is immoral regardless of the laws,
the laws won't make a bad person a good one.

No but then I've never known the news to say that. Saying the 9/11 attacks were an inside job is either conspiracy theorists trying desperately to blame the Bush administration and Muslims trying desperately to blame anyone else but themselves. As per usual.

Actually it isn't Muslims who say that it was an inside job but it's some Americans, so
don't always accuse Muslims just because you hate the noble societies.

.

I think Islamic State has been aided by the Americans - I'm more certain it has been aided by America's Muslim allies like Saudi Arabia. I do think America bares no small share of the responsibility for Islamic State's existence - given that the American government funded Al Qaeda & other similar groups during its early years - and helped set the stage in post-Saddam Iraq for Al Qaeda to become more powerful.

That's just thoughts, but America is fighting the Syrian government by the rebels,
it's all about politics and religion was a tool.

But the difference is Islamic countries permit & enable it - they see it as virtuous.

In this case you have to see millions of girls married at the age of 6 and it'll be
much easier than the millions abused in the other parts of the world, reality
proves you wrong except if you have a legit statistic showing that most of
the girls in the Muslim world marry at the age of 6 or in childhood which isn't the case.

So bid'ah it is, then.

I'm a Muslim believing that God sent his message the quran by his messenger,full-stop

 

[LuisDantas]

We believe Abraham was Muslim. We are all was born as Muslims.

And it is definitely a good thing for that specific couple of beliefs to be clearly stated and widespread.

 

[Moishe3rd]

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

We all come with the baggage of our lives in our points of view.
So - as for me - I am an ("ultra") Orthodox Jew; 13th generation American; "Right Wing Conservative Republican;" who was brought up as a very well churched Episcopalian Christian and who studied and practiced many different forms of religions as a young man.

And - one thing I learned when I was studying the esoteric works of Gurdjieff; Ouspensky; et al, 35 odd years ago, was that G-d (and YOU) Chose to be born into the religion of your parents; Chose your parents; Chose the Time you were born into; Chose the Place; etc.
And, that is is incumbent upon us all to fully explore and practice the religion into which we were born before (or not) rejecting it. Which means do it all the way.
Which would mean, in your case, to try and participate fully into the Muslim sect; School; division; etc. into which you were born and to try and discover WHY G-d Chose that for you and therefore Why you should embrace it or reject it.
Experiment. Could it hurt? Might it help?

This is precisely what I did about 35 years ago - I joined my local Episcopal Church; was on the Board of Directors (the Vestry); taught Sunday School; sang in the choir; was a lay minister; attended a weekly bible study group; and participated in every way that I could.
And - about 24 years ago, I became a Torah observant Jew. But - that's another story.
Good luck!

 

[shunyadragon]

There is the option of the Baha'i Faith.

 

[Akivah]

I actually checked out Jewish headscarves too and they look pretty neat! I'm trying to convince the part of myself that misses the hijab that these are just as good, buuut I've yet to reach any middle ground with myself. I might still try it out anyways just to give it a go, but I still really want my hijab back.

Sorry, I must sound like an absolute mess.

You sound conflicted and confused to me. IMO, you are in no state to make changes to your religion right now. That is a major decision with huge ramifications on yourself and your family. Stick with Islam for now. Major life changes should be made with a clear head and heart.

 

[sealchan]

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

When faced with a difficult decision, if you have time, don't choose! Do both in some way or mix and match. God is there either way.

Maybe, at some point, some mosque or synagogue will draw you in to full devotion...it doesn't matter. Wait until God tells you more definitively to go one way or the other. Or, perhaps, you are to become some kind of piece of a bridge of peace between two often mutually belligerent religious cultures.

In which case you may walk in the path of Jesus who took on the fullness of truth such that he was hated by his own and by others. No less did he stand for the truth for not being transparent to different perspectives or faiths.

 

[Shlomoh]

Makes no difference which you ultimately choose. All religions are true. Take away the details, they all aspire to reach a greater understanding to the meaning of life. The differences mainly are not in the religion but in the communities. That you miss your Muslim community is no surprise

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

According to your view in taking the messenger as example then all girls
are married in the year 6, but that isn't the case regardless if religion
permit it or not

You're setting up & knocking down a strawman of your own making. The above is not my view - my view is that child abuse is socially permitted in Iran (and other Muslim countries) because Islam sanctions it.

whereas in the other parts of the world they make
illegal sex with children (child prostitution) even though it isn't permitted
which means that the society itself is immoral regardless of the laws,
the laws won't make a bad person a good one.

It's impossible to judge a law's effectiveness by counting the number of times a potential crime isn't committed.

Actually it isn't Muslims who say that it was an inside job but it's some Americans,

Oh no, don't get me wrong. I don't believe Muslims think only think this. That would be silly. There are plenty of Muslims who seem all-too-eager to point the finger at Mossad, Israel, the Zionist banking elite or the Jews in general rather than face up to the notion that devout Muslims murdered 3,000 civilians for no reason.

so don't always accuse Muslims just because you hate the noble societies.

Not sure I'd call societies that legally permit men to molest little girls because they've married them 'noble' but I guess it's a matter of perspective.

That's just thoughts, but America is fighting the Syrian government by the rebels,
it's all about politics and religion was a tool.

Sorry but trying to dismiss the blame on religion & politics when these are the main things motivating people to fight is silly.

In this case you have to see millions of girls married at the age of 6 and it'll be
much easier than the millions abused in the other parts of the world, reality
proves you wrong except if you have a legit statistic showing that most of
the girls in the Muslim world marry at the age of 6 or in childhood which isn't the case.

No we don't because my original claim was neither "Child abuse happens more in the Muslim world than it does in the non-Muslim world" nor was it "Islam mandates that all girls be married at the age of 6".

My claim was "child marriages (which is a form of abuse) is religiously sanctioned in the Muslim world". The fact Iran allows girls to be married off at the age of 9; the fact that Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology said laws prohibiting underage marriage are un-Islamic; the fact that Saudi Arabia's most senior religious leader of the time, Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh, crushed a law banning marriages to girls under the age of 15, stating Islam does not prohibit Muslim men from such things - all prove my point. Child abuse is sanctioned by both religion & law under Islam.

Stop getting all defensive & deflecting from your religion's problems.

 

[FearGod]

You're setting up & knocking down a strawman of your own making. The above is not my view - my view is that child abuse is socially permitted in Iran (and other Muslim countries) because Islam sanctions it.

Where is your evidence and the legit statistic which proves that children are sexually abused
due to Islam?

Sexual Abuse/ RAINN

It's impossible to judge a law's effectiveness by counting the number of times a potential crime isn't committed.

We're discussing the moral of people in the other parts of the world, but you can't see it and
you have no problem with it because you don't care about how many millions of children are
sexually abused but what you care about is offending Islam, sick

Oh no, don't get me wrong. I don't believe Muslims think only think this. That would be silly. There are plenty of Muslims who seem all-too-eager to point the finger at Mossad, Israel, the Zionist banking elite or the Jews in general rather than face up to the notion that devout Muslims murdered 3,000 civilians for no reason.

Do you mean that Muslims are the ones who make such kind of videos and researches?

Not sure I'd call societies that legally permit men to molest little girls because they've married them 'noble' but I guess it's a matter of perspective.

And what you call the society that sexually abuse children regardless of the laws, do you call
it a noble because of the law even though the society itself is immoral, I asked for a legit
statistic about the children who were abused in the Muslim world, but what you offer is
the same nonsense "Islam is bad", you have nothing to prove other than confirming
your hate to Islam every now and then.

Sorry but trying to dismiss the blame on religion & politics when these are the main things motivating people to fight is silly.

What motivate people is money? the same reason that a soldier will fight to get a good salary.

No we don't because my original claim was neither "Child abuse happens more in the Muslim world than it does in the non-Muslim world" nor was it "Islam mandates that all girls be married at the age of 6".

My claim was "child marriages (which is a form of abuse) is religiously sanctioned in the Muslim world". The fact Iran allows girls to be married off at the age of 9; the fact that Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology said laws prohibiting underage marriage are un-Islamic; the fact that Saudi Arabia's most senior religious leader of the time, Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh, crushed a law banning marriages to girls under the age of 15, stating Islam does not prohibit Muslim men from such things - all prove my point. Child abuse is sanctioned by both religion & law under Islam.

Stop getting all defensive & deflecting from your religion's problems.

We don't listen to the scholars, that's a silly point.
Do you think that Muslims will accept to marry their girls at early age because one scholar says
Islam permits it, then you don't know the Islam world other than listening to the media.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Where is your evidence and the legit statistic which proves that children are sexually abused
due to Islam?

I've already given you some. Not my fault if you won't read the source.

We're discussing the moral of people in the other parts of the world,

No, that's what you're trying to do. That's what you always do when someone brings up a problem with Islam: you deflect. That's all you know how to do because in order to address a problem you have to admit it's there in there first place. And since Islam is apparently perfect you can't do that.

but you can't see it and
you have no problem with it because you don't care about how many millions of children are
sexually abused but what you care about is offending Islam, sick

I do care, actually. It's one of the worst social crises humans are facing right now. I'm of the fervent belief the Catholic Church should be classed as a criminal organisation and its assets - all its assets including records- be subject to seizure and its high-ranking clergy detained, questioned and, where possible, charged for being involved in a paedophile ring.

What I also dislike is the fact that some societies pretending themselves civilisations & the height of human morality

Do you mean that Muslims are the ones who make such kind of videos and researches?

Oh no, no, no. I should clarify again that I don't think it's only Muslims who take moronic positions like 9/11 conspiracy theories seriously. Plenty of non-Muslims do too. I'm pointing out that when Muslims do so it seems to be a part of a wider pattern called 'Blame literally everybody else'.

And what you call the society that sexually abuse children regardless of the laws,

I say the society is still immoral but at least they view child abuse as a crime and punish people who are caught doing it. As opposed to Muslim countries where it's facilitated through child marriage.

do you call it a noble because of the law even though the society itself is immoral,

I think societies where child abuse is illegal are more morally developed than those where it not only isn't a crime, it's religiously permitted.

I asked for a legit
statistic about the children who were abused in the Muslim world,

Last time I checked, Iran is part of the Muslim world. So is Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Not my fault if you're not even willing to admit there's a problem...

but what you offer is
the same nonsense "Islam is bad",

I've offered you multiple links addressing the fact child marriage is a real problem in Muslim countries. I'm not taking the blame if you're hopelessly bigoted to the point you won't even read them or actually take on board what they say. If you're going to view a religion as perfect despite the fact it allows men to rape young girls then I'll be honest, I'm not sure what your criteria for 'bad' really are.

you have nothing to prove other than confirming
your hate to Islam every now and then.

Actually I made a specific claim about Islam - that it encourages child abuse. And I've evidenced that quite efficiently. The burden isn't on me to force you to look at that evidence.

What motivate people is money? the same reason that a soldier will fight to get a good salary.

People aren't so one-dimensional. They can have motives other than the desire for wealth. Motives such as their religious beliefs.

We don't listen to the scholars, that's a silly point.

Really? Muslims don't listen to scholars at all? That's very interesting - I didn't know you spoke for all Muslims.

Do you think that Muslims will accept to marry their girls at early age because one scholar says
Islam permits it, then you don't know the Islam world other than listening to the media.

Well, first off, that seems to be what has happened in Saudi Arabia - one clergyman has enough authority to overrule the rest of the Government. But it's possible he was speaking on behalf of a larger body of scholars and anyway that's only in Saudi Arabia - hardly a pattern. Pakistan, & Iran's government, on the other hand, are made up of multiple scholars (hence the Council of Islamic Ideology for Pakistan and Iran's Assembly of Experts (which is comprised of mujtahids - which are Islamic scholars)), so no, I don't think most Muslims would do it because one scholar says it's okay.

 

[SearchingForGod]

ALRIGHT EVERYONE, WAIT JUST A MINUTE!!!

There. Didn't mean to yell, but for anyone who was still interested in what I had to say, I just wanted to give a bit of a response to everything that you guys have said to me.
​

It's been a challenging few weeks for me trying to pin down where I'm going spiritually, and a big part of that is because I have racing thoughts. That makes it difficult for me to focus, and so to everyone who told me to just wait for the answers to come to me, I'd have to say that you are right. I feel like I'm rushing through this (not exactly of my own will) which is why I felt so pressured to make a decision. But, rest assured, I have my entire life to make a decision. And, ultimately, I think G-d really does see that I'm trying and appreciates the effort I'm trying to put into this. So, with all that being said, I'm grateful to everyone who posted a reply. Thank you for giving me good advice and reminding me to take a step back.

Now, feel free to keep debating amongst each other. This is an interesting read.

​

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

I suggest you read up on both of these belief systems - Zen Buddhism as well. Taoism is divided into religious Taoism (daojiao) which has numerous gods and philosophical Taoism (daojia). Religious Taoism has religious infrastucture such as temples & monasteries Taoist deities include the Yellow Emperor, Fuxi and the Three Pure Ones. Confucianism is a secular philosophy, not in that it is godless, but in that does not emphasise one form of theism over another. Confucianism was formed in a culture that venerated Heaven (tian) as a sort of pantheist view of the Universe as well as focussing on rituals involving the spirits of one's ancestors but this doesn't mean one must also venerate Heaven or perform ancestor worship in order to be a Confucian. One could be a Confucian and be a practising Muslim, Christian, Jew or even an atheist. Confucianism focuses more on how a person comports themselves in society - not what gods they worship. Indeed, one of the more widely known Confucian sayings is "If you do not know how to serve the living, how can you serve the dead?"

Thanks, but it's not a priority for me. I'm very satisfied with my present worldview, how it has informed my choices to date, and the results that followed. I am happy, satisfied, and want nothing that I don't have. My tastes are simple,as is my life.

I did my searching in my twenties and thirties, at which time I looked at many of the worlds' religions in a relatively superficial sense. I also examined assorted philosophies.

It was a profitable endeavor. I found satisfactory answers.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Thanks, but it's not a priority for me. I'm very satisfied with my present worldview, how it has informed my choices to date, and the results that followed. I am happy, satisfied, and want nothing that I don't have. My tastes are simple,as is my life.

I did my searching in my twenties and thirties, at which time I looked at many of the worlds' religions in a relatively superficial sense. I also examined assorted philosophies.

It was a profitable endeavor. I found satisfactory answers.

I meant so you could become better informed on the fact that they're not as godless as you seem to think.