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 Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:30 pm
So I have a question for everyone. What do you do when you know about just about all of the world's major religions, including some pigeon ones, and you still find yourself confused as to what you should believe in? I know that I believe that there is something bigger than myself out there, but I'm just not sure what to think. Any suggestions as to the next rout to go in my spiritual quest for enlightenment?
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:33 pm
well, first try thinking outside the box. belief shouldn't have to be determined by religion. every religion in the world was once nothing more than a radical idea. in the end, those who are "right" are the ones who follow their own heart and mind, rather than the words of some preacher or prophet.
that isn't to say that you can't learn something from someone else, or even that they can't be right, or that you can't believe them or adopt it... but what you believe should be what makes sense to you.
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 10:10 pm
Why don't you list the religions you've looked at and why you don't feel they are right for you and we can work from there. Also there's nothing wrong with being an eclectic.
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:50 pm
The religions I've looked into are:
Christianity-I was raised in a non church going Christian household that believed that nature was our church, not a building.
Judaism-not so much into the whole no Jesus thing...since I was raised Christian, if I'm picking one, it would be Christianity.
Islam-I don't agree with a lot of things that they teach.....seems to be my problem with most "religions".
Eastern religions-Buddhism: I can't be a vegan so that's out, Hinduism: Not all into the cast that it requires from it's followers, Jainism: I love things, but I will kill bugs if they start to annoy me, Confucianism: This sort of goes along with Buddhism in that I don't disagree with most of it, but just don't agree with all of it, Shintoism: I find this one the closest to what I agree with, but I'm just not sure of the specifics.
Pigeon religions-Norse, Roman, Greek, Wicca, general Earth worshiping. I tend to have issues with the sacrifices that these ask for to keep the gods or spirits happy. I don't like to kill things unless it is for food or mercy.
I guess that I believe in something greater than myself, and that what ever that thing is lives in everything. I believe that you can seek help from your ancestors when needed. I also believe that you should live by the general truths that run through most of these religions: Don't steal, don't murder, love your fellow man and the Earth that supports us, treat others as you would want to be treated. See the problems I'm having?
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:05 am
peace16829 The religions I've looked into are: Christianity-I was raised in a non church going Christian household that believed that nature was our church, not a building. Judaism-not so much into the whole no Jesus thing...since I was raised Christian, if I'm picking one, it would be Christianity. Islam-I don't agree with a lot of things that they teach.....seems to be my problem with most "religions". Eastern religions-Buddhism: I can't be a vegan so that's out, Hinduism: Not all into the cast that it requires from it's followers, Jainism: I love things, but I will kill bugs if they start to annoy me, Confucianism: This sort of goes along with Buddhism in that I don't disagree with most of it, but just don't agree with all of it, Shintoism: I find this one the closest to what I agree with, but I'm just not sure of the specifics. Pigeon religions-Norse, Roman, Greek, Wicca, general Earth worshiping. I tend to have issues with the sacrifices that these ask for to keep the gods or spirits happy. I don't like to kill things unless it is for food or mercy. I guess that I believe in something greater than myself, and that what ever that thing is lives in everything. I believe that you can seek help from your ancestors when needed. I also believe that you should live by the general truths that run through most of these religions: Don't steal, don't murder, love your fellow man and the Earth that supports us, treat others as you would want to be treated. See the problems I'm having?
Isn't it possible, even probable, that all of the major religions are wrong anyway? Each group is equally certain that it is the correct path to God.
Essentially my point is, if you know what you believe, does it need a name?
I see nothing wrong with continuing believing what you believe now and telling people you're an eclectic Pagan when they ask.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:14 am
That's a great idea! Thanks so much.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:27 am
peace16829 Christianity-I was raised in a non church going Christian household that believed that nature was our church, not a building. Okay that doesn't tell why you don't agree with Christianity though. Quote: Judaism-not so much into the whole no Jesus thing...since I was raised Christian, if I'm picking one, it would be Christianity. Fair enough though there is a subforum here concerning Judaism if you had specific questions concerning their religion. Quote: Islam-I don't agree with a lot of things that they teach.....seems to be my problem with most "religions". Don't know muuch about Islam but fair enough. Also there is a subforum on Islam if you have specific questions or wanting to know how they defend the beliefs and practices that you don't agree with. Quote: Eastern religions-Buddhism: I can't be a vegan so that's out I don't think being a vegetarian is required except in a few sects you may want to PM some of the local Buddhist here or find a link to Loving Kindness guild here. Quote: Hinduism: Not all into the cast that it requires from it's followers I'm not sure how the caste system works now but I think it's seen as more spiritual than literal now. There's one person her that I think is very familiar with Hinduism, Wrath of Ezekiel, who might be able to answer any questions concerning the caste system or where to look to find out more about it. Quote: Jainism: I love things, but I will kill bugs if they start to annoy me, Don't know enough about it to comment but fair enough. Quote: Confucianism: This sort of goes along with Buddhism in that I don't disagree with most of it, but just don't agree with all of it, Not sure if it's a religion or if everything has to be accepted for you to practice it. Then again I don't know. Quote: Shintoism: I find this one the closest to what I agree with, but I'm just not sure of the specifics. Very diverse in there view but I hear that you many of the spirits in Shintoism do not like Westerns. Especially given the fact that there are purification rituals for when a Westerner has entered a Shinto Temple. Quote: Pigeon religions-Norse, Roman, Greek, Wicca, general Earth worshiping. I tend to have issues with the sacrifices that these ask for to keep the gods or spirits happy. I don't like to kill things unless it is for food or mercy. Too diverse to lump together honestly but those that do do sacrifices and offerings are mostly food based from what I understand, You'd have to let one of the Pagans here better address this. Also other than time and possibly money, I'm not familiar with any sacrifices in Wicca, though they are selective about membership and you have to be comfortable with sex if you wish to practice it. Quote: I guess that I believe in something greater than myself, and that what ever that thing is lives in everything. I believe that you can seek help from your ancestors when needed. I also believe that you should live by the general truths that run through most of these religions: Don't steal, don't murder, love your fellow man and the Earth that supports us, treat others as you would want to be treated. See the problems I'm having? I don't see anything here that contradicts a Christian (if you accept saints) or possibly even a Buddhist stance. Where the two religions diverge is where it comes to God or higher power. In the Christian context this God is personal, i.e. an actual being. In the Buddhist perspective this God is an impersonal force of nature often equated with the universe itself. Where you might want to look would depend on how you interpret God. If you interpret God as being personal, I'd look into Christianity again (feel free to PM or post here if you have specific questions concerning this religion since it's the one I'm most familiar with). If you interpret God as a force, you might want to look at Buddhism again and find a sect that doesn't require you to be a vegetarian. Edit: Or you can go with brainssoup's advice too. Nothing wrong with being an eclectic pagan or eclectic Christain either.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 1:12 am
the eastern religions tend to be alot more flexible in their practices than western religions, and you shouldn't have any trouble in being ecclectic about them. in fact, it is common in Asia that the different religions are melded or observed as a different expression of teh same belief from practitioners of one faith to practitioners of the next.
my stepdad was born and raised Hindi, and he knows nothing of the caste system. it isn't a religious thing, it's a cultural thing in India. Hinduism isn't as much about the social caste, though it includes it mythologically.
and the Pagan and Earth-Based religions are not all about sacrifices. they are the most ecclectic in general by far. many practitioners consider Praying itself to be a suitable "sacrifice" to please their gods and spirits. others may light incense and call it enough. still others will pour wine in a glass and offer it to their gods. and finally, there are cases where food or candy is left out for the Gods or Spirits. ritual animal sacrifice is largely abandoned in modern times, and even the older practices that include such things are largely exaggerated by ignorant people who don't know anything about these religions.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:01 am
Why do you feel the need to commit to a religion?
Why not just be an agnostic about it all? It's okay to learn & discuss religion but not have one yourself.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:17 am
Just follow your heart. Whatever you believe will eventually come to you.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 4:34 pm
Thanks everyone. I don't think that I made myself clear on the pigeon thing...I know that sacrifice can come in many forms, and I also know that not all of the pagan religions require it, that was only an example. Sorry it caused so much confusion.
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 7:28 am
Late to the party, but my $0.02: If Buddhists absolutely have to be Vegan, the Buddha himself never followed the path. He, and the monks around him, all ate meat given them by lay followers during alms rounds, because when someone else supplies food for you and it's all you eat, you don't want to turn anything down. They liked that people gave vegetarian when they could (not Vegan, those are two different classes of food), but so long as the meat wasn't killed and prepped specifically for them, it was more than allowable and still got consumed.
I'm preference vegetarian - I prefer vegetarian food, but I will consume meat and meat products if they are served. I find it's a nice halfway point. I know many other Buddhists who aren't even that. 3nodding
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:42 pm
I am in the exact same situation ^^
I have heard many terms, like "salad-bar religion" (meaning you take a bit of each piece), but I have not been concerned by them.
I believe a specific set of things that no one religion agrees with. I find it helpful to ask myself: what is the purpose of religion?
The answer I happen to come up with is: to create harmony and peace for myself, my community, and the world.
While focusing on that purpose, I see myself as being free to believe and worship in any way I see fit.
Good luck! I know it can be hard sometimes - I find disapproval amongst family and friends alike, and it hurts - but you have to live in such a way that you can look yourself in the mirror and smile.
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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:48 pm
peace16829 So I have a question for everyone. What do you do when you know about just about all of the world's major religions, including some pigeon ones, and you still find yourself confused as to what you should believe in? I know that I believe that there is something bigger than myself out there, but I'm just not sure what to think. Any suggestions as to the next rout to go in my spiritual quest for enlightenment? Think. Sit in your house, away from any and all distractions, and just think. What do I want my God to be? What do I want my God to do? Is their a religion in which shows these attributes for my God? Is their an afterlife? If so, what is that afterlife and is their a hell as well? If so, who goes their? Does this God want praise? How does he feel about abortion, homosexuality, murder, etc.? Things of that nature. If you still can't find one, I'd say "******** it" and make my own. xD
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Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 5:58 pm
Old Man Ryver Think. Sit in your house, away from any and all distractions, and just think. What do I want my God to be? What do I want my God to do? Is their a religion in which shows these attributes for my God? Is their an afterlife? If so, what is that afterlife and is their a hell as well? If so, who goes their? Does this God want praise? How does he feel about abortion, homosexuality, murder, etc.? First, you should think about the reasons for believing that this God even exists. Are there any real reasons, besides emotional ones?
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