Is this acceptable?

[rainyday240]

I think its ok to make up your own religion by taking bits from ones that you like....so its ok to be a wiccan-like, new agey taoist who uses buddhist alterwares?

ya maybe?

thanks
Tracy

[Cloudminerva]

It's all in what you believe :) I am apart of Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. I also like aspects of Islam, Rastafari, Tao, and tribal spirituality. I understand the unity between all of these. I prefer to not label myself with any name but just seek the truth of different religions in any way that I can.


I have read from the Bible, Bhagavad-Gita, Rigveda, Tibetan Book of the Dead,Quaran,Tao philosophy, Native American and Aboriginal spirituality, and currently the Book of the Law.

You will find amazing similarity with these! They piece together as a puzzle. Make your spirituality as you feel it.

Ben.

[NatureFreak412]

i so feel ya on this one

[Sunburst]

Catholicism/Christianity, Tribal spirituality, Buddhism, and Wicca, here! Those are the main faiths my beliefs are based on, mostly the first one and the last one:)Yes, do not be tied down or bound, find God (or whatever you're searching for )on a personal level, don't do what other people are doing if it doesn't feel right. Learn to realize and understand what feels riight and what doesn't.:)

[Sage-Phoenix]

Well sure why not, I've been doing that for ages :)

[TelimTor]

x

[cerridwen]

I don't see anything wrong with that... although there are some purists who think that's blasphemous...

[Bikshu]

If religions are boxes of tools. It would only make sense to pick the ones that best fit your hands. Some tools aren't compatible though

[barefoot_boo]

That's fine as long as you are clear that you are following a totally unique and eclectic faith. What's not ok (imo) is to take what you want of various faiths (only the bits that suit you), merge them all together and then call them something which is a distinct faith system in its own right (such as Wicca). That is highly disrespectful.

[LotusGem]

I think it's completely acceptable. In fact, I think it's preferable to pick and mix bits of different religions, because that way your spirituality will be more personally suited to you. I'm a witch/pagan/buddhist who uses christian prayers.

[Myranya]

That's fine as long as you are clear that you are following a totally unique and eclectic faith. What's not ok (imo) is to take what you want of various faiths (only the bits that suit you), merge them all together and then call them something which is a distinct faith system in its own right (such as Wicca). That is highly disrespectful.
Sometimes I call myself Wicca when I really don't want to explain/don't have the time to explain I take bits from various faiths. In no way do I mean to be disrespectful, but people love labels; sometimes I will suit them to avoid discussion/confrontation. And far most of my belief is Wicca, but I do put some Native Indian bits & other bits in it.

[Bikshu]

If you really want to do this though, you have to ask yourself lots of questions.

Here is what I do, when incorporating something new into my buddhist beliefs.

1-Rephrase it.
2-Rephrase it.
3-Is it the same as something already in my religion?
4-If it is, what how can I add to my understanding of the concept already in my religion

You'll find that any single religion has the whole truth, but sometimes it takes study of something foreign to see it.

[TrippinBTM]

I think its ok to make up your own religion by taking bits from ones that you like....so its ok to be a wiccan-like, new agey taoist who uses buddhist alterwares?

ya maybe?

thanks
TracyYes, and no.

Yes, because it's always great to find your own path, not just stay in one religion because that's "what's done"

No, because religions are other people's paths (each religion sort of a composite of many people). Meditate, look within, find your own self, examine it, get to know it, se eit for what it is. I'm working on tit myself so I don't have all the answers. But use religions as a guide, but not as truth. Don't cobble together a philosophy based on a bit from Taoism, a bit from Hinduism, a bit from Christianity, a bit from Islam. use these things (the things you agree with) as a guide (it must mean something to you for a reason) and go from there. Religion is a start, not an end. :)

EDIT: Bikshu has a point. All religions point in the same direction. I stand by what I said: religions are a start, not an end. They point towards the Truth, the Holy, the Divine, the Unity (call it whatever the fuck you want). Religions, like words, are symbols, signposts, that guide you towards the true goal. Every religion has it's own way of doing this, thus they are all right and true. But they are wrong in thinking they are the ONLY way to find Truth. Truth could never be so narrow.

[hnugginbuggin]

i second bikshu!!!

creativity and truthfullness rock.

@

[Kharakov]

I think its ok to make up your own religion by taking bits from ones that you like....so its ok to be a wiccan-like, new agey taoist who uses buddhist alterwares? I dunno. When I eat pork and sauerkraut I like to chop the pork loin into chunks, mix the sauerkraut, loin, baked beans and mashed potatos up and it tastes great. My girlfriend says it's gross when I do that though, so I open my mouth and show the chewed up food to her like a kid :p.

She is so funny, she likes to keep all the food seperated on her plate, or use those wierd plates that seperate the food into little compartments.

To each their own...

[NatureFreak412]

Thats what I did, the only truth is what seems true to you.

I took stuff from wicca, druidry, native american shamanism, christianity, buddhism, and many other "religions" to create my own unique spirituality that is the right path to me.

I consider myself druid for the most part tho.

[Sebbi]

TelimTor - I have another rule to add:


"An thou harm none, do what thou whilst"

[DreamerSpirit]

My religion is a big mish-mash of diffrent beliefs... Buddhism, Daoism, Wicca, Multiple forms of Shamanism, and plenty of other tidbits. I consider myself Pagan, because Paganism, like Christianity, is just a parent belief system with many smaller branches and sects of it, and many of my beliefs are indeed quite Pagan.

[Goatman88]

Spirituality is supposed to be a tool to reach heaven, nirvana, afterlife, whatevere you want to call it. Some tools are made for the job, some arent. Its picking the right ones for you that is important.

[BlackBillBlake]

Spirituality is supposed to be a tool to reach heaven, nirvana, afterlife, whatevere you want to call it. .
Don't forget this life now - spirituality can help us live better and more fulfilling lives here and now. I always thought that was one of the distinguishing features of 'new-age' spirituality. Don't wait to go to heaven when you die - let's make a heaven here.

[MollyBloom]

If you really want to do this though, you have to ask yourself lots of questions.

Here is what I do, when incorporating something new into my buddhist beliefs.

1-Rephrase it.
2-Rephrase it.
3-Is it the same as something already in my religion?
4-If it is, what how can I add to my understanding of the concept already in my religion

You'll find that any single religion has the whole truth, but sometimes it takes study of something foreign to see it.
Yes. I think this is the most profound and right-on statement I've read on these hipforums. ...ever. Thanks for bringing me this moment Bikshu :):)