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Your Religion
- Thread starter WhatandWhy
- Start date
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Why is it that Jehovah's Witnesses so seldom state their religion on forums like this?
Runewolf1973
Materialism/Animism
My guess is that it is a rather tedious and time consuming task constantly quoting and typing out passages from their bible. It is big book.
Morse
To Extinguish
I've never used the term before, but I supposed I'd be called an Eclectic Pagan, as stated earlier, I borrow different concepts or simply make up my own based on what I consider correct. As I grow and develop, so does my personal set of tenets.
- A higher power exists.
-Religion is personal.
-The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Like a machine, this higher power cannot be conceived clearly by the parts of it alone.
-I always seek knowledge and learning. Knowledge is the driving force behind sentience and the platform for growth. This wasn't born so much out of theory so much as a personal craving to learn things others do not (this is what occultists base their religion off of I believe).
-Because we cannot properly conceive said higher power, it is imprudent to draw hasty conclusions or attempt to interpret or understand it or his deeds
-Because religion is personal, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, preachers and priests are unnecessary if not rude and unwanted.
-Organized religion is unnecessary, if every person has their own personal connection with their deity, and everybody's beliefs differ, there is no practical use for organized religion other than to speculate and debate beliefs.
-Never take another's life. No person has the right to steal the breath from another being.
-Evolution and Science do not and need not contradict religion.
-Seek personal attainment as well as inspire others to do so for themselves. The goal is not to teach people, but inspire them to learn.
There are a few more points, and each of these was pretty brief. I am considering making a page for it, but that seems rather arrogant of me considering this isn't really a religion ordained by anybody but me.
- A higher power exists.
-Religion is personal.
-The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Like a machine, this higher power cannot be conceived clearly by the parts of it alone.
-I always seek knowledge and learning. Knowledge is the driving force behind sentience and the platform for growth. This wasn't born so much out of theory so much as a personal craving to learn things others do not (this is what occultists base their religion off of I believe).
-Because we cannot properly conceive said higher power, it is imprudent to draw hasty conclusions or attempt to interpret or understand it or his deeds
-Because religion is personal, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, preachers and priests are unnecessary if not rude and unwanted.
-Organized religion is unnecessary, if every person has their own personal connection with their deity, and everybody's beliefs differ, there is no practical use for organized religion other than to speculate and debate beliefs.
-Never take another's life. No person has the right to steal the breath from another being.
-Evolution and Science do not and need not contradict religion.
-Seek personal attainment as well as inspire others to do so for themselves. The goal is not to teach people, but inspire them to learn.
There are a few more points, and each of these was pretty brief. I am considering making a page for it, but that seems rather arrogant of me considering this isn't really a religion ordained by anybody but me.
Runewolf1973
Materialism/Animism
So what? I like your belief. I think you are on a good path.
Gentoo
The Feisty Penguin
I'm glad I'm not the only eclectic here
I agree with many, all in fact, of your points. And don't let that stop you, it hasn't stopped anyone else here with totally unique views 
www.watchtower.org.
There are many sites opposing our faith but the above site is where you can find the truth about us. (Matthew 5:11,12)
Cheers
Jehovah's witnesses are well known world wide for preaching the good news of God's Kingdom and their advocacy of Bible truth. I am proud and honored to be a witness for Jehovah. Many people have been told lies about Jws, and manifest animosity without knowing what we really teach or stand for. But all of Jws are proud to bear this meaningful name that identifies the God we worship and for whom we are witnesses (Isaiah 43:10-12)
Just_me_Mike
Well-Known Member
I believe there is only one truth, and it is found in the bible. I believe that all other religions are under the power of Satan.
However, Satan must be understood as a being that is not apparently evil or bad. Satan can be as gentle as a new born baby and as fresh smelling as a rose in bloom. It is in this way that all other religions are created, so that we all argue with each other.
The tactic that is involved is if all religions can more or less look humane, and actually make the bible horrific, the battle has been one. This is what is taught in the bible, and is what we see indeed throughout the world. Just look around the RF, there are Hindus, Taoist, Jews, and all sorts that are SUPER DUPER pleasant people. So who would EVER guess what they are following is somehow created by big bad Satan.
Anyway, that is where I am at right now, and I wish you the best in your journey!
However, Satan must be understood as a being that is not apparently evil or bad. Satan can be as gentle as a new born baby and as fresh smelling as a rose in bloom. It is in this way that all other religions are created, so that we all argue with each other.
The tactic that is involved is if all religions can more or less look humane, and actually make the bible horrific, the battle has been one. This is what is taught in the bible, and is what we see indeed throughout the world. Just look around the RF, there are Hindus, Taoist, Jews, and all sorts that are SUPER DUPER pleasant people. So who would EVER guess what they are following is somehow created by big bad Satan.
Anyway, that is where I am at right now, and I wish you the best in your journey!
Mr Cheese
Well-Known Member
Gnosticism...
Gnosticism is a syncretic religion...
I lean more toward a mystical approach as opposed to a modern hermetic/Occult approach...
For me Gnosticism is about achieving Gnosis. Gnosis is a greek work meaning knowledge. It is not mundane intellectual knowledge (episteme) but knowledge of the divien, experiental knowledge of the divine. Thomas Aquinas once defined mysticism as experiental knowledge of the divine.
Gnosticism proposes that the only way to know anything, is to become it. Thus the "goal" of Gnosticism is unification with God.
The principles of Gnosticism can be found in many of the worlds religions including:
Christianity (more esoteric and mystical, neverthe less christianty, akin more to that which is practised in a monestry)
Buddhism
Hindusim
Islam (again more in an esopteric form, although of the 3 abrahamic religions, Islam is perhaps most in line with Gnosticism in that it insists on the ineffible nature of the divine)
JUdaism(again more esoteric forms, see kabbalic concepts such as Ain Sof for example, and texts such as the Bahir Illumination)
And many others
.........
“He who sees himself only on the outside,
not within, becomes small himself and makes others small.”
–Mani (turfan fragment M 801)
Gnosticism is a syncretic religion...
I lean more toward a mystical approach as opposed to a modern hermetic/Occult approach...
For me Gnosticism is about achieving Gnosis. Gnosis is a greek work meaning knowledge. It is not mundane intellectual knowledge (episteme) but knowledge of the divien, experiental knowledge of the divine. Thomas Aquinas once defined mysticism as experiental knowledge of the divine.
Gnosticism proposes that the only way to know anything, is to become it. Thus the "goal" of Gnosticism is unification with God.
The principles of Gnosticism can be found in many of the worlds religions including:
Christianity (more esoteric and mystical, neverthe less christianty, akin more to that which is practised in a monestry)
Buddhism
Hindusim
Islam (again more in an esopteric form, although of the 3 abrahamic religions, Islam is perhaps most in line with Gnosticism in that it insists on the ineffible nature of the divine)
JUdaism(again more esoteric forms, see kabbalic concepts such as Ain Sof for example, and texts such as the Bahir Illumination)
And many others
.........
“He who sees himself only on the outside,
not within, becomes small himself and makes others small.”
–Mani (turfan fragment M 801)
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
I know that. Many people have been told lies about what members of my Church believe, too. We have that much in common.
Saifaljaidi
New Member
The host of this thread said what other RELIGIONS people are affiliated to. What you just gave us is what you beleave in. I donot think a movement should be called a religion unless and until there is a superior being above the followers. You feel me?
Wow, that was a very ignorant and inappropriate thing to say.
Breathe
Hostis humani generis
I don't have a religion as of yet, but here's what I currently believe.
- One Supreme God, Creator of the world. Knows about the world and may occasionally do stuff within it, but I doubt miracles happen very often. And I don't think ultra-miracles such as flying in the sky and stuff happen
- An afterlife, most likely reincarnation until liberation from the reincarnation cycle.
- No such thing as eternal hell. I find eternal hell to be an offensive view.
- Said Deity has no gender nor form. I hold a panentheistic view that we are within God, but God transcends the Universe; and I also hold the view that God is our ultimate reality, the Personal Teacher and Impersonal Creator.
- Evolution, big bang, all that science-y goodness
- Aliens, angels, stuff like that.
- Meditation
- At the moment, my view is that we have a soul, which is eternal from when it's created (unless it's destroyed)
- Oh, and I think Jesus is cool. He's my favourite guru
- I don't believe in a book that is literally God's word/s, but I believe that some books describe people attempting to reach the Divine. Humans trying to reach God, and words to God, but not of God. Or something. I'll get back to this one sometime.
- Many paths to God
- God doesn't care what religion you follow (why would God?)
- Equality of all, regardless of race, creed, and sex. No "Chosen People" or anything like that.
Morse
To Extinguish
I don't have a religion as of yet, but here's what I currently believe.
I suppose I'm sort of Hindu-Sikh-Buddhist with some Christian influences?
- One Supreme God, Creator of the world. Knows about the world and may occasionally do stuff within it, but I doubt miracles happen very often.
- An afterlife, most likely reincarnation until liberation from the reincarnation cycle.
- No such thing as eternal hell. I find eternal hell to be an offensive view.
- Said Deity has no gender nor form. I hold a panentheistic view that we are within God, but God transcends the Universe; and I also hold the view that God is our ultimate reality, the Personal Teacher and Impersonal Creator.
- Evolution, big bang, all that science-y goodness
- Aliens, angels, stuff like that.
- Meditation
- At the moment, my view is that we have a soul, which is eternal from when it's created (unless it's destroyed)
- Oh, and I think Jesus is cool. He's my favourite guru
- I don't believe in a book that is literally God's word/s, but I believe that some books describe people attempting to reach the Divine. Humans trying to reach God, and words to God, but not of God. Or something. I'll get back to this one sometime.
- Many paths to God
- God doesn't care what religion you follow (why would God?)
- Equality of all, regardless of race, creed, and sex. No "Chosen People" or anything like that.
I like it. Very eclectic.
WhatandWhy
Member
I am sorry but I did ask for the core beliefs, which she generously took the time to provide me with. Please remember this thread was made so I (and anyone else) could further understand religions.
Peace
Dena
Active Member
I waffle between this and thinking it doesn't matter what religion you adhere to so long as it brings you near to God. If that is the case, I still feel the teachings of Judaism and Noahidism are the right one for ME but not necessarily for the next guy. So I guess you could say, either way, I'm into Judaism and how it applies to me.
te_lanus
Alien Hybrid
My "faith's" core Religious beliefs at the moment are:
- Supreme God, El/YHWH with with Ashera, His wife
- Their Son: Jesus
- Lesser Gods: Mot, Baal, Anat, Venus, Shapash.
- The Bible is one of many books inspired by God. Others like Gospel of Thomas, Phillip, and Truth is too
- The Law of three, what ever you do comes back threefold.
- And whatever feels right