Why your religion?

[jesusoneway]

Some Unitarian Universalists believe in a higher power, or a deist creator god who is distant and removed from us. Others believe in a personal god or perhaps even the Christian god. Some are polytheistic pagans or duotheistic. To some people God or the gods are metaphors for aspects of nature or aspects of the mind or self. Others, such as myself, are atheists (though I have pantheistic leanings). Yet others are agnostics or find the entire matter of gods irrelevant to their own spirituality.

In other words, Unitarian Universalists are able to pursue their own spiritual path and search for truth: the religion doesn't tell anyone what to think about gods or even how to define God. It doesn't even tell us whether that question has to have any relevance to us at all.

I don't believe in anything supernatural, but as J Bryson has eloquently explained, if anything is to be be revered with a sense of awe and wonder, it is the universe itself and its natural laws, which is why I say I have pantheistic leanings. I like this statement, quoted from above, and have been making a similar statement for a long time that never ceases to make me wonder:

So how does the universe watch over itself?

 

[jesusoneway]

Animism predates nearly every major religion in the world. It stems from a time when humans were more connected to the earth, nature, and all of existence. At one time humans lived in harmony with the animals, in the "Garden" so to speak, but since then Man has only distanced himself even further from that oneness. I believe that God IS nature and energy, and existence, not some supernatural man-like deity dressed in white robes. If you want to really know what "God" is, then walk with the animals.

How do you reconcile miraculous things that happen?

 

[jesusoneway]

Because I said so! Yeah, you heard me!

Do you have a religion?

 

[jesusoneway]

Easy, just go out and select the correctly falling rainfall, and once you have selected the correct one, use the experience you have gained from that as a template to discover just who has the correct religion. -NM-

But what if there's something that makes each raindrop fall perfectly in the correct spot?

 

[jesusoneway]

I am a Jewish atheist.
as a Jew, we dont really want others to convert to our religion, the arrogant ******** that we are .
as an atheist, I dont have the will to 'open people eyes', I recognize the different religions as existing phenomena in our world.

How is a Jew an atheist?

 

[Rakhel]

Judaism best fit my theological point of view.

 

[jesusoneway]

Mine isn't necessarily the "correct" one as it is not really universal. (the Triforce next to my religion is partially a joke; I don't actually subscribe to whatever as yet nonexistent religion that Hylians may have; mythology does not equal religion! )

While I do believe in the existence of the gods, I do not worship any of them as I view them as simply more complex forms of life, the only one whom I take real notice of is Gaia, the Living Earth.

But my religion doesn't focus on the gods; it focuses on wisdom and philosophy. I believe that wisdom can be found in all things, even where wisdom was not intended, such as a comedy routine. "Polish a turd, it's still a turd!" (from Jeff Dunham's "Arguing with myself" routine)

I also acknowledge Sages, who are people who have spent much of their lives in pursuit of some Truth, whatever that Truth may be, and have relayed it to others. Some notable Sages are Jesus and Buddha. A Sage, however, is different from a philosopher. Philosophers teach their view of the world, and pretty much each one has conflicting ideas of that. Sages don't teach that; they tend to be more practical about their teachings: Jesus's way to God through absolute universal love and faith in God; Buddha's Eightfold Path to Enlightenment.

I do acknowledge the greatness of philosophy as well, and I intend to read more works by philosophers.

It's right for me, because I made it up. But because I made it up, it might not be right for others. (indeed, some have accused it of being a creation of man, and therefore not legit)

Well, I would have to agree with them that it's not legit to me either since you made it up. But I'm pretty pumped because if you think Jesus is a sage, then I am too cause he's in me!

By the way, I got really excited about the triforce/zelda/hylian thing! Great game!

 

[jesusoneway]

My theology: Because it's my current best attempt at understanding an intense and transformative theophany I had when I was quite young.

UU: Because I believe the 7 Principles represent a better way for mankind, because they give me room to grow theologically, and because it's a fantastic community.

What would this theophany have been?

 

[jesusoneway]

You asked for it
Well, in my opinion, all religions are true in a way. Sort of like universalism. At the same time, if you asked God, "Which church is true?" He wouldn't reply, "All of them." A hundred different factions and splinter groups can't all be simultaneously authorized by God. No disrespect, that's just what I think. I have a belief in Jesus Christ that is grounded in personal experience and reading the scriptures. Now, as to why LDS? Well, they have the same organization as Christ's original church he set up during his life on Earth, including a body of apostles leading the church with a prophet at their head and the right to receive divine guidance straight from heaven. They have the keys of the priesthood restored to the earth directly from Peter, James, and John. The fruits of the LDS church are incredible (by their fruits ye shall know them). And because my life has been changed by the testimony of Jesus in the Book of Mormon. And because of the powerful testimony of Joseph Smith, who saw the Father and the Son appear in the spring of 1820. I have never been so profoundly impressed as I did while first reading the account of that singular event.

Just because I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is "the only true and living church" upon the face of the earth, does not mean that I disrespect the others. I feel that the truth of the gospel is spread out through all religions. I believe that people of any religion can find their way to God. Anyone who accepts and seeks after light will continue until the light they have grows brighter and brighter into the perfect day. That perfect day is what I'm looking forward to. If I make it, I am sure that I will be joined by a crowd of all different races, backgrounds, and religions.

So...you sound almost Christian to me...minus the joe smith thing and book of mormon. Tell me more.

 

[jesusoneway]

Judaism best fit my theological point of view.

What's your theological point of view?

 

[Caladan]

How is a Jew an atheist?

Im Jewish by culture primary.

 

[Rakhel]

That Jesus isn't G-d. That science and religion can co-exist(all be it, not many would agree with me). That, and some will disagree with me here too, Judaism does not say it is the only way to G-d. I don't feel I have any boundaries keeping me from being who I want. I can be as feminist as I want and still be feminine at the same time. It suits me.

 

[Riverwolf]

Well, I would have to agree with them that it's not legit to me either since you made it up.

That's okay.

But I'm pretty pumped because if you think Jesus is a sage, then I am too cause he's in me!

Well, Sages as I see them aren't sons of God or "better" than us in any way; they just spent a lot of time trying to figure out a way to happiness, found a way, and relayed it. They're still very much human.

I tend to separate Jesus the Sage from Christ the Son of God.

By the way, I got really excited about the triforce/zelda/hylian thing! Great game!

Indeed!

 

[Storm]

What would this theophany have been?

Intensely personal. Sorry, but I don't know you that well.

 

[Runewolf1973]

How do you reconcile miraculous things that happen?

The human mind is more powerful than we think it is. Animals are smarter than we give them credit. Nature is more powerful than we are prepared to realize. So-called "miracles" happen because humans don't fully understand the nature of things. Basically, everything that exists IS a miracle. God has nothing to do with it.

 

[J Bryson]

Regarding the energy from "the big bang" that you said makes our hearts beat...what energy caused the big bang then?

I don't know. I remain unconvinced whether it was a conscious act on the part of an entity, if it "just happened", or if it was something beyond my comprehension. I also find this question to be a distraction from the very real and pressing needs that we face every single day.

 

[Beaudreaux]

How do you reconcile miraculous things that happen?

What miraculous things?

 

[Beaudreaux]

What about miraculous healings and the such? What about the world itself and the complexity of it?

What miraculous healings?
The complexity of the world is easily understood through Darwinism.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Ok guys. I'm trying to get some info from all different sides about why people say their religion is correct. Just write why you think your religion is the way to go.

As an atheist (via rationalism), I obviously have no religion, but I'll answer anyway.

Atheism is not for everyone - not even a sizable minority of people. You have to be able to apply logic and reason in an honest and consistent fashion. You have to have an intrinsic respect for truth. You have to hold intellectual honesty in high regard. You have to be willing to question everything and have no 'sacred cows'. If these characteristics apply to you, you are probably already an atheist. If they don't, atheism is not for you.

 

[Storm]

As an atheist (via rationalism), I obviously have no religion, but I'll answer anyway.

Atheism is not for everyone - not even a sizable minority of people. You have to be able to apply logic and reason in an honest and consistent fashion. You have to have an intrinsic respect for truth. You have to hold intellectual honesty in high regard. You have to be willing to question everything and have no 'sacred cows'. If these characteristics apply to you, you are probably already an atheist. If they don't, atheism is not for you.

Because, of course, religious people never have such traits. :sarcastic