Tell me about your religion

[Wandered Off]

So do you believe in Natural Laws?

I'm not fond of the term, but I do believe in "common patterns" from which we can extrapolate and predict. I'm not sure whether this is what you are getting at, though.

 

[Reverend Rick]

If my nontheistic philosophical path may count as a religion...



That's a tough one, but I'd have to say that it is seeing this life as sacred, and not a mere means to something else.



There are currently few Eudaimonists in the world. Fellowship with other Eudaimonists is difficult.



Mine isn't a religion.

We don't believe in gods, divine revelation, supernatural realms, afterlives, magic, or disembodied spirits.

Ours is a reason-based and naturalistic philosophical orientation towards life that upholds the heroic sense of life, self-esteem, and the sacredness of happiness in this life.



Possibly Buddhism in certain philosophical respects.



That's difficult to say. Most of them are very far away.



Sure, though conversion isn't perhaps the right word.



That they are rationally convinced it is true.


eudaimonia,

Mark

How did you come to this belief? Don't worry, be happy is kinda cool.

 

[Reverend Rick]

OK, I replied to 5 people yesterday and 5 more today, 15 people have posted. I will do 5 more tomorrow if that is acceptable.

 

[Hema]

Thank you Hema, that was fascinating. Vishnu has incarnated before, correct?

Rama, Krishna, and Buddha would be examples of this?

Yes he has and yes...Rama, Krishna and Buddha were avatars of Vishnu. Hinduism states the universe operates in cycles of creation. The last Avatar of Vishnu in this cycle of creation will be Kalki Avatar. Vishnu in his avatar of Krishna said that when unrighteousness is on the descent he will manifest to reinforce Dharma or righteous living.

 

[Reverend Rick]

I'm not fond of the term, but I do believe in "common patterns" from which we can extrapolate and predict. I'm not sure whether this is what you are getting at, though.

I am happy with that answer. What I have read about your belief, you are spot on.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Yes he has and yes...Rama, Krishna and Buddha were avatars of Vishnu. Hinduism states the universe operates in cycles of creation. The last Avatar of Vishnu in this cycle of creation will be Kalki Avatar. Vishnu in his avatar of Krishna said that when unrighteousness is on the descent he will manifest to reinforce Dharma or righteous living.

So when the need for another avatar arises, Kalki will arrive? Then if things need to be righted again,(this could be thousands of years from now) another cycle of creation begins anew? Will Kalki reveal who the next avatar will be?

 

[Hema]

So when the need for another avatar arises, Kalki will arrive?

:yes:

Then if things need to be righted again,(this could be thousands of years from now) another cycle of creation begins anew?

I have learnt from the Hinduism Forum that Kalki's arrival won't be for thousands of years. Kalki will be the last avatar in this present cycle. He is yet to arrive.

This is taken from: http://www.answers.com/topic/hindu-cosmology. It explains the cycles of creation further.

"the Rig Veda's view of the cosmos also sees one true divine principle self-projecting as the divine word, Vaak, 'birthing' the cosmos that we know, from the monistic Hiranyagarbha or Golden Womb. The Hiranyagarbha is alternatively viewed as Brahma, the creator who was in turn created by God, or as God (Brahman) himself.
The later puranic view asserts that the universe is created, destroyed, and re-created in an eternally repetitive series of cycles. In Hindu cosmology, a universe endures for about 4,320,000,000 years (one day of Brahma, the creator or kalpa) and is then destroyed by fire or water elements. At this point, Brahma rests for one night, just as long as the day. This process, named pralaya (Cataclysm), repeats for 100 Brahma years (311 trillion human years) that represents Brahma's lifespan. It must be noted that Brahma is the creator but not necessarily regarded as God in Hinduism. He is mostly regarded as a creation of God / Brahman.
We are currently believed to be in the 51st year of the present Brahma and so about 155 trillion years have elapsed since He was born as Brahma. After Brahma's "death", it is necessary that another 100 Brahma years pass until he is reborn and the whole creation begins anew. This process is repeated again and again, forever.
Brahma's life is divided in one thousand cycles (Maha Yuga, or the Great Year). Maha Yuga, during which life, including the human race appears and then disappears, has 71 divisions, each made of 14 Manvantara (1000) years. Each Maha Yuga lasts for 4,320,000 years. Manvantara is Manu's cycle, the one who gives birth and governs the human race.
Each Maha Yuga consists of a series of four shorter yugas, or ages. The yugas get progressively worse from a moral point of view as one proceeds from one yuga to another. As a result each yuga is of shorter duration than the age that preceded it. The current Kali Yuga (Iron Age) began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar."

Will Kalki reveal who the next avatar will be?

I honestly don't know but I don't think so. All I know is that he will be the last avatar for this cycle. The Vedas renew themselves at the beginning of each cycle. The ancient Saints, by meditating, heard the sounds of the universe and heard the Vedas. Perhaps in the new cycle, the universe will make it known who the avatars of that new cycle will be.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Thank you Hema, awesome explaination!

 

[Colabomb]

What do you like best?

The Great I AM, Creator of Heaven and Earth, is My Father and my brother. He is my Savior and my God. He offers me both eternal Life, and day to day comfort.

What do you like least?

People have abused the Name of Christ to do things He Himself would find revolting.

What seperates your religion from others?

It contains God's Revelation to Man. it is built on Grace and Mercy, and Justice simultaneously. Through Faith in Christ, I have life.

(I can get along well with non Christian friends, and I can have respect for you. But I cannot truly answer this question without stepping on some toes.)

What is the closest religion to yours?

Judaism or non-orthodox christianity.

What is the furthest religion from yours?

Because we Teach Absolute Right and Wrong, there are many groups that are somewhat the polar opposite to us. But to name.... Perhaps Atheism or the Occult.

Would you welcome people to convert to your religion?

I would Rejoice, as would the Angels of Heaven and the Lord God of Hosts.

What would be the biggest reason they should?

Because our God offers Eternal Life, for so little. Because we have been given a way to avoid facing the full punishment for our Sins. Because Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Please remember this is not a debate.
I will keep reminding myself of this fact.

 

[athanasius]

Thanks or giving me this opportunity. I appreciate when our other good hearted Christian brothers and sisters allow us to wittness to the truth and beauty and awesome power of Jesus Christ and his Church.

What do you like best?
The Mass. There you are present with Jesus at the Cross ,in the upper room, and at the Resurrection all at once. The Holy Eucharist, the real presense of Jesus in a physical, sacramental. corporeal, and spiritual, way always blows my mind. I love the Eucharist. Its my life, my source, my hope. I worship Jesus in this sacrament. It gives me time to reflect. I love my Lord. I also love the other sacraments like Confession which Christ uses to give us grace and healing from our sins. These sacraments to us are how the Cross is applied to us personally! Really all the sacraments especially the Eucharist, the scriptures, Apostolic tradition, and the Church itself which is the body of Christ and the infallible Pillar and foundation of all truth(1 Tim 3:15).

What do you like least?

As a Catholic Theology student. The thing I like least is someof the complex wording that some of our documents use. I understand them, but sometimes others may not. Although alot of stuff by the current Popes(JPII and Benendict XVI) are very readable and understandable to the common faithful Joe sixpack.

What seperates your religion from others?

Alot! Mainly that our religion was founded by Jesus Christ himself in 33 Ad, and Built on the primary rock Jesus and on the secondary Rock of Peter(Matt 16:13-19). and all other Christian religions were founded by Men.. ie Luther, Calvin, Knox, Zwingli, Smith, etc.

What is the closest religion to yours?

Othrodoxy both OO and EO Oriental and Eastern Orthodox. We all share the same roots and have similiar theologies.

What is the furthest religion from yours?

Satanism Ultimately. Satan hates the Catholic church and fears the Virgin Mary and Jesus becuase he knows the power they have over him(Gen 3:15-Rev 12:1-17). NO other Church in the world that I am aware of has had so many satanical attacks on it. Prime case: Many Catholic churchs in the 90's had to post guards in the back of thier churches tyo check to see if people did not steal the Holy Eucharist. Satanist were stealing the Holy Eucharist and vilifying it in satanic ritual and black mass. Stabbing it, defecating on it etc. They were lashing out at Jesus! Most exoricst could also tell you some stories.

Would you welcome people to convert to your religion?

Absolutely! We are the Largest christian church 1.1 Billion menbers and rapidly growing. Many Protestant ministers are studying history and scripture at a deeper level and converting to the catholic church. The coming home network with Marcus Grodi helps take them through the process of converting.

What would be the biggest reason they should?

Truth! They convert because they have found the truth and no other reason.

 

[giant space amoeba]

First of all atheism isnt really a religion (it's like saying theism itself is a religion when really its a beleif system). However i shall answer this the best i can (at a request from a freind) as i have my own personal philosphies.

What do you like best?

That i am acountable for my own thoughts and actions. There are no scapegoats and there is no blame except myself if i do wrong.

What do you like least?

The way atheism is viewed (especialy in the states) as a cold harsh beleif system, how we are seen as selfish and cruel. That we have no love of beauty - which is a lie!

What seperates your religion from others?

As i already said i follow no religion but i have a personal philosophy. I guess each and every person has one actually. I may have similar beleifs to some and not much in common beleifs from others. I like to look into the philosophies and ethics of any and se if they fit mine - if they do, then i have something in common. Though i do like to think of my own ethics from how i observe life and reality around me instead of looking into other religions and philosophies. I like to try base my philosophies on reality as best as possible (haha i try anyway!).

What is the closest religion to yours?

Gosh erm... well i cant think of any really. Maybe Pantheism or UU orsecular humanism (if you can call that a religion)

What is the furthest religion from yours?

Any with strict doctrine AND beleif in a deity. Any that does not alow certain amount of freedom of individual freedom or expression and have rituals you MUST follow. Also any which thinks it should rule society and oppress freedom.

Would you welcome people to convert to your religion?

Well i cant answer this but i would encourage people to think for themselves and open their minds to possibilities. I beleive theists (including followers of Abrahamic faiths) can be fre thinkers as well as atheists. I have seen evidence of this.

What would be the biggest reason they should?

Well... im not one to try and convince people not to beleive so, as long as people are tolerant and acepting (to a point) of other beleifs then im happy.

I have answered to the best of my abilities - i have more but its hard to express!

 

[yuvgotmel]

I have delayed responding to this thread, because I have a tendency to be confused about this sort of thing. I'm doing pretty good to be able to have a "label" even if it is loosely applied. At any rate, I have watched this thread; and I've liked it so far. So, I thought I'd take some time to answer the questions.

What do you like best?

This is where my brain locks up. This is the question that stumped me from the get-go and stalled me from answering in the first place. ...What I like best? ...Well, I get to be myself. I get to learn and grow. I am not restrained by an answer. Tomorrow I might have a different opinion. Next year, I might contridict myself from conclusions I make today. I am dynamic. I am ever-moving. I am mutable and in constant change.

What do you like least?

Skin. Limits. The fact that I still succomb to the opinions of the culture that tell me to feel obligated to things that I do not inherently feel are natural or good for me. Embarrassment for having been wrong.

What seperates your religion from others?

I have no "religion," which is defined as a set of beliefs. I do not adhere to a concrete absolute.

What is the closest religion to yours?

possibly Tantra and/or Gnosticism

What is the furthest religion from yours?

Islam, because it calls for submission (to an external thing) and other things that I disagree with.

Would you welcome people to convert to your religion?

Sure. And I would suggest to those people to study math and cosmology.

What would be the biggest reason they should?

It's logical and allows for evolution instead of stalemating creative thought and movement into higher realms of consciousness.

 

[James the Persian]

all other Christian religions were founded by Men.. ie Luther, Calvin, Knox, Zwingli, Smith, etc.

You quite sure about that?

James

 

[Reverend Rick]

what i like the best is the lack of fear for death, even the ability to influence its energies somewhat...what i like least...? hmmm...toughie, i guess its the isolation, but thats for my own good. what seperates my religion from most others is our affinity for death itself, our spellwork is much different from other occultists as well. the closest would have to be....ummm....satanism i guess. theistic too, not leveyan. and yes, given enough time we would trust a convert, but only after a blood ritual, in which the student is bound to the master. there is no reason, except for what you perceive.

My questions for you are, What is death essence?

What can you tell me about the toll that is put on your body dealing with phantasmals or undead?

 

[Reverend Rick]

I like that my religion has answers for the questions other religions dismiss as "mysteries." I like how it addresses certain issues that the Bible touches on but leaves unresolved. I like how it teaches of a God who really does love all of His children and who will do everything possible -- short of taking away their free will -- to help them find their way back to Him.

I sometimes wish our worship services had a touch of the majesty and pagentry of Catholicism. I am always spellbound when I attend a Catholic mass.

The unique thing about my religion, in my opinion, is that it manages to reconcile two truths which, upon first glance, appear to be in direct opposition. These truths are: (1) There is a "true" religion on the earth today, one which is authorized by Jesus Christ and which teaches that it is only through Him that we can re reconciled to God, and (2) God has designed a plan whereby the vast, vast majority of His children will ultimately come to realize the validity of the first statement.

That's hard to say. I would say that we have different things in common with almost all of the Abrahamic religions. If you would like me to further elaborate, I'll be happy to.

I suppose that would be Satanism.

I'm a Mormon. Need I say more?

We have something of great value. It's as simple as that. We encourage people to hold tightly to all of the truths they already have and to let us see what additional truths we can add to them.

My question for you is about paradise and where people go when they die. Anything you could tell me about New Jerusalem and the millennial kingdom and how that ties to paradise and the marriage of the lamb would be great as well.

 

[Reverend Rick]

read the red

How do Methodists feel about Gay's and Lesbians?

 

[Reverend Rick]

What do you like best?

• The idea of our heritage and potential. We are God's children and have the ability to become like him.

What do you like least?

• Different aspects of the culture.

What seperates your religion from others?

• The idea that God still calls and speaks to living prophets.

What is the closest religion to yours?

• Probably Catholicism. I don't know though. Any Christian religions are pretty close.

What is the furthest religion from yours?

• Atheism

Would you welcome people to convert to your religion?

• Yes.

What would be the biggest reason they should?

• Because they are have a deep conviction that it is true.

Jonny, I've read some of your posts about government interference with religion.

I would love to hear more about your opinions of this as it has applied to the Mormon church.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Probably the closeness to my ancestors or the lessons found in the old poems.

We tend to get grouped with some people that we normally wouldn't wish to be associated with, such as nazis and wiccans.

Well, it's a tribal religion based on the beliefs of the ancient germanic peoples. Can't think of too many others fitting that description.

Any other reconstructionist pagan group fits pretty well, especially Celtic recon. Also ironically fits pretty well with orthodox judaism, as both have some significant folkish concepts.

This is THE stereotypical answer, but probably Christianity. There's the conversion, and the salvation, and the pacifism...There's just a lot that doesn't fit in. Christianity certainly isn't alone though.

Depends. If somebody wants to believe in the Aesir, no skin off my bones. Just please try to keep it serious though. However, if you wish to join MY kindred (or any other folkish heathen group) some ancestral connection to the faith would certainly be a plus.

To come back to the ways of the germanic peoples and to shed off the corruption that Christianity brought to Nord Europe.

So do you celebrate the normal pagan type seasonal holidays? If so, what is your favorite?

 

[BFD_Zayl]

My questions for you are, What is death essence?

What can you tell me about the toll that is put on your body dealing with phantasmals or undead?

Death essence is the energy given off by dead beings and to some extent the realm of the dead itself, much like the way everything in this realm seems to give off life energies. the toll is most often mental stress, which can manifest itself as nightmares, seeing things like shades in the corner of your eye, exhaustion, etc. for the physical part your muscles seem a bit tired, you also have a bit of physical withering in some extreme cases. but only if you do not take proper steps to protect yourself.

 

[michel]

Death essence is the energy given off by dead beings and to some extent the realm of the dead itself, much like the way everything in this realm seems to give off life energies. the toll is most often mental stress, which can manifest itself as nightmares, seeing things like shades in the corner of your eye, exhaustion, etc. for the physical part your muscles seem a bit tired, you also have a bit of physical withering in some extreme cases. but only if you do not take proper steps to protect yourself.

So, the Death of someone somehow creates a "negative" energy? Or are there some that give off good energy?