What are you?

I have another thread up called "What am I?" trying to find out a definition of my religious/spiritual beliefs, but this is different.
I am interested in different religions and beliefs and would like to know what everyone here belives. If you could supply a brief description of the religion or belief that would be real helpful.
I am not necesserily trying to find a religion, but I love hearing about the believes that different people have.

Zach

 

Since there is something to observe

In me and out of me
Out of me and in me

I testify it is real

 

i believe in evolution and thats about it...i dont think some mystical being put us here on earth i think we evolved just like every other species and unfortunately i dont believe in an afterlife either. well not unfortunately because it makes me appreciate every day im alive

 

I believe we can all be right, and that people are inherently good.

I believe we have souls, and that there is a Spirit in everything from rocks, to trees, to water, to machines.
I believe in miracles, magic, and prayer.
I believe in guardian angels, or guides, whatever you call them.
I believe that we all have our own reality, and they are all unique, so we can all have different views, hold different truths, and all be just as valid, real, and true as anyones.
I believe atheists are just as right as believers like myself.
I believe there are good people in every religion.
I believe that reality is stranger than fiction, mine sure is.
I believe that "Thy will be done" and 'thank you' are the two best prayers.

 

I live for God, and that Jesus died for all our sins!!! Yayyyyy...wooooohoooo...yesssss...God is greatttttt!!!! Thank you Jesus...yipppppyyyyy...alriggggghtttttt!!!!

 

Is that sarcastic or are you really really excited about Jesus?

 

i beleive that god exist, and that he is a mythical creature with incredible power, and that while he did not create the universe, he could have. I beleive that he is not something to be worshipped, but simply a powerful being that is in existence. He is omniscient, yet ruled by emotion. He is a peer to us as a fellow inteligent being.
(i refer to him as he as a force of habit)
I beleive that humans naturally act for survival, as animals do, but inteligence can lead to a better way of life eventually.

In general i beleive science is what makes things happen, but occasionally i beleive that greater powers intervene in the actions of the mind.

i am without religion, yet i beleive god exists, but not in the sense that a religion usually thinks if him, so i think i am an athiest

thats all i can think about in terms of what i beleive. im sure there's more, i just cant think of the other topics right now

 

I'm really, really, REALLY, that EXCITED about my Christian faith!!! I couldn't imagine my life ever without God...Yayyyyyy...woooohhoooooo...Alriggggght...yessssss...He's the greatest!!!! I truly live my life for God!!! I love Him to pieces!!! Praise Jesus!!!

 

I believe that 'God' cannot be communicated-- only experienced and suggested.

 

ZBChrist (and anyone interested):

If you are very interested in different perspectives, there is an extremely good (and extremely confusing!) anime out there (anime = Japanese animated series, for those who don't know) called "Serial Experiments Lain." I finished watching it about a week ago; it's 13 episodes long, and that series (along with the anime movie "Akira," which is also excellent) is, in essence, another "Matrix"-like movie. (Though the plot is different) If you liked the Matrix, check both of those out, you're in for an awesome ride. =)



Myself? I call myself "Gaian-panentheist." It's kind of hard to convey my beliefs, but I'll try my best. I believe not in God as an almighty creator that is omnipresent and omniscient, but rather I believe in a being I have deemed Gaia. Traditionally, "Gaia" was the spirit of the Earth, though for lack of a better word to describe this being, I've expanded that definition to encompass the entire universe, and beyond.

The "panentheist" part expands that belief quite a bit ... I believe that this universe, the matter in it, its energy, its phenomena, its physics and logic and perception -- and even our physical bodies -- were created by, AND are PART OF Gaia; sort of as if Gaia, being the (a?) supreme being, transformed part of herself into this universe, to provide a place for other life; her children, in essence.

However, while I do believe our physical bodies are part of and belong to Gaia, I believe that our spirits are independent of Gaia, and I believe THAT is Gaia's gift to us; life/existance, which is independent of Gaia's will.

I believe that Gaia exists as a sort of ... latent spiritual energy that exists everywhere in the universe; in every nook and cranny, which gives physics and logic and direction to the universe, keeping the universe in an ordered rhythm. However, I also believe that, being independent of Gaia, humans have evolved over time to grow away from Gaia, and become more independent; so independent that we have weakened the spiritual link we once had to Gaia, and that now humankind is disrupting the balance of nature and the universe (just look at what we're doing to our planet! That can't be right).

Beyond that, I DO believe that Gaia created the universe through the Big Bang theory, and I DO believe that humans evolved; not that we were instantaneously created by Gaia. That being said, I believe that Gaia, having the property of existing everywhere in the universe, gives direction to the universe, and decided to -- in a sense -- create the universe under the direction that humans, animals, plants, and such, will eventually evolve.

And then one day, I believe that as the most primitive of animals evolved, Gaia gave (at least) one of these animals a spirit, and we all evolved from this (these?) animals; with reproduction being a means for creating a new spirit as well as a new body. In that essence, I believe that Gaia hasn't held back, and has given mankind some God-like powers, such as the ability to give life if we see so fit.

I also believe that our brains -- the gray-matter in our heads that we don't understand -- is actually a sort of "black box" that allows our spirit to interface with our physical bodies. Undamaged, our brain gives our spirit complete and unrestricted access to our bodies. However, I also believe that deformites and damage naturally limit this control over our bodies, and I believe that retardation (which may even be present to a slight degree in all of us!) is that lack of complete control. I believe that intelligence is not defined in the brain, but is defined by the spirit, and then transferred to the brain (and sometimes that transfer may go wrong, or may have to be limited, due to physical law and direction). I also believe that certain conditions in the brain also reduce (temporarily or permanently) our control, or even force the brain to malfunction, sending mixed or odd experiences and signals to our spirits (marijuana, anyone? How about salvia divinorum?).

What else ... hmm ...

I believe that karma DOES exist, and that karma is an extension of the direction that Gaia gave to our universe, almost as if karma (and beliefs in things such as Murphy's Law) is Gaia's way of keeping the universe and humanity in as much balance as possible.

I don't believe that Gaia expects us to worship her. Instead, I believe that life in her universe is Gaia's gift to us, and that all she desires of us is to use our lives as we see fit, so long as it does not disrupt the balance and direction of reality. I believe that ideally, we are all meant to live naturally, peacefully, and happily.

I also believe that there is an ultimate goal of life. Some people say it's making it into heaven, other people say it is enlightenment, and still others say it is charity. I believe that it is Oneness:

I believe that, as mankind has disrupted our world enough already, the best thing we can do with our lives is restore our weakened ties to Gaia by becoming One with Gaia, and doing Gaia's will here on Earth.

Yes, I know, that sounds EXACTLY like Christianity, but there is a major difference. I believe that Gaia's will is to restore and keep balance and order. I believe that, through Oneness with Gaia, we can restore balance to our world, and THEN live our lives happily as we desire. I believe this is the ultimate tribute to Gaia as well as the ultimate happiness and fulfilment of our lives; to correct the mistakes of ourselves and our kind, and then life peacefully and harmoniously.

So in that respect, Oneness is what we should all strive for -- let me rephrase that -- Oneness is what I should strive for, and if you end up believing as I do, then it is what we should strive for, and that enlightenment, although good, is just another thing we may or may not be able to attain. I believe that enlightenment is the path to becoming a god/dess, and that Gaia's gift of independent life and spirit allows us to seek a similar or even higher status if we so desire and are so able. I find it hard to believe that total enlightenment is attainable on this planet, so ... I am more worried about Oneness than the former.

Other than that, I believe that plants are also part of Gaia's direction to reality, and that plants exist (1) to help keep our world in balance (as you see weeds growing through sidewalk cracks and nature dissolving the unnatural over time), and (2) to provide food and "living quarters" for humans; that being the other part of Gaia's gift to us, beside our individual spirituality.

I also believe that we may move our spirits about in the physical realm as we so desire, but that we have to train our physical bodies to "let go" of our spirit, so that we may wander as an astral or ethereal projection. However, I also believe that if we wander, we must keep at least a small part of our spirits in our bodies to continue (limited) communication with our brains, or else our bodies will eventually die. I do NOT believe in the ability to possess other people's bodies, unless they have completely withdrawn their spirit from their body, and their body is still able to sustain life.

And I think the last thing I haven't discussed is something I am unsure of, or at least undecided about: Death. I do not know what happens when we die (or believe one way or the other); some of my ideas thus far include absorbtion back into Gaia, existance only as spirit, and I'm sure I could think up 10 other possibilities if I had the time and passion (what am I saying? I wrote this whole thing, didn't I? I must have the time and passion ...).

Either way, a big thanks to anyone who made it this far! I think it's your perrogative to demand a lollipop from the receptionist on your way out!



Edit: One more thing (haha) ... for those of you who have tried Salvia divinorum before (and if not ... check it out at erowid.org and sagewisdom.org sometime) ... I am unsure of Salvia's effects and/or purpose. Many people who have tried Salvia have experienced a female presence that is often described as "Lady Sally" or "Mother Salvia," and is often described not as a physical being, but as a spiritual entity reaching out to the user. MANY people have felt this presence, and some believe that this being exists in reality. I would very much like to believe that Mother Salvia is the incarnation of Gaia's consciousness (whereas the "direction" of reality, karma, etc. are products of Gaia's unconsciousness), and that Salvia allows our brains to "let go" of our spirits much easier, and we may interact with this ethereal realm, but given the nature of mind-altering drugs, I am unable to discern the truth behind that belief, so for now, I am dismissing it as a possibility.

Regardless, I have an experience with Salvia to blame for my belief in all of the above, so I owe at least that much to Mother Salvia. =)

 

Here's my take on religion -

Someone once said, "If God did'nt exist, man would've found it necessary to invent Him". I believe that's true, for two reasons. One, and most important - we simply do not want to face the fact that once we're dead, we are dead. Period. No castles in the sky, no eternity. It's painfully human to want to believe in an afterlife and to yearn for immortality. Two, damn near all of us want to believe that we're going to see loved ones who've preceded us in the death department. We simply are not willing to accept that once that coffin's lowered into the ground, we are never going to see the deceased again - ever.

I believe in the "dirt-nap" theory - once you're dead, that's it - the show's over. Kaput. But I consider myself agnostic, not atheistic. I still keep that small spark of hope alive, and try to lead as moral a life as I possibly can.

 

I call myself a rational thinking-vegan. Although I do not completely deny the existence of a God (just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there). And I do speak prayers in times of need. I figure it's better to put out for my needs then to decide already that it can't happen. I think I do have a soul, and so do other animals, they have emotion and feel pain as well. If it weren't true, they would not have survived, like the reason we retaliate when we someone being treated unfairly. I think animals have emotion, but it may be inferior to ours, but it doesn't mean it isn't there. Same with pain. If a dog didn't feel pain, or a cow, it would bang into things and eventualy die, because it would hurt itself and not know until it hurt itself so far that it failed to function. I think I have a sould and I believe in reincarnation. It gives the hope for future generations, that I am not finished with life simply when I am finished with this life. And I do not believe in a "time" when each person has to die, like it's all a picture movie where we each have to play a part, as though time doesn't matter.. Time is what is, and changes does occur within the period of time that is and so long as I can survive, my time is still here, and the "everyone has only so much time on this planet and when it's your time to go, God takes you" way of thinking is a myth. We're products of our lifestyle, mostly.
I do like to think I have some American Indian philosophy in there, and the idea to provide FOR generations to come is a great philosophy to live by. It helps ensure that life will continue on the planet earth, but I feel working with the essence of exactly where we are, and take up the issues present and make works in the now that will give the generations to come a better hope. instead of dwelling on the past or expecting the futures children will do those works. I do believie in and respectspirits. But I don't eat them or condoone using their skins, or thier spirits for that matter. They are there to be respected, not used. Maybe there was a time when the use of skins/meat was necessary or happened in a more respectfull manner, but, with the capitalization of just about anything in this country that makes money, and the lack of humane ways of going about it, I have no choice but to stop doing that them, but to respect they have spirits and enjoy their physical company for the beauty and presence they add to the world.
Im not into heavy religions, especially christianity, because for one, it isn't necessary. And if it isn't, why is it there and doesn't it do more harm than good? I mean religion is what sets people apart from eachother and from Nature, and if all people remained natural the way they were born, we'd have much less seperating us into different categories and there'd be much less reason for war, since we'd have a better chance at all believing in the same way. I've found my way to where I am and I think it is THE right way. It fulfills my spiritual needs, it keeps me in the present and thinking for the betterment of the future. It helps me tolerate the rest of the world, knowing thier shsortcomings and that they truely don't know any better. And it gives me hope of something to show the rest of the world, that CAN be an agreeable way to live for all humans.
I believe in complete fairness of the sexes,as much as it can go, anyways. Women already carry a heavier burdon than men in that they bear the children, and should be given a monetary handicap-compensation for that, and this is what I believe. I also believe that children should belong to their mothers first and foremost, simply because of the scientific fact that it is the women's body that brings it from egg to full life, her blood and bone.
The only thing the man dedicates to that life is a sperm cell, and even though (and I honestely agree that), men need to identify more with parenthood, and they should, but hey, speaking strictly physically here, the guys wad could have just as easily dried up in his hand--The women's uterus is the ONLY other factor adding to the existence of this new life, and she gives alot more to it than an orgasm. All this IS work, and is worth something, the care after it's born too. And you can't put a price on it. All you can do is figure, the mother should have superior rights to custody, like in cases of divorce. There are men out there so vindictive that they will pay an attorney humoungous amounts of money to take the child from her just to hurt her. It happens all the time these days.But if the children were legally deemed the mothers custodial right ahead of the father's, this couldn't happen so easy. I also believe the statutes should change "marriage" to mean "spouse andspouse", not husband and wife. That already signifies an equality and the way the laws are written are the way they will be perceived and husband and wife terminology is unfair. I think same sex marriages are better handled in the closet. It unnatural, although some persons can only find their happiness there. Still, you must consider the message it sends to the everythingness of the social culture we live in, and, what's acceptable--do we accept what is not "right"? Where do you draw the line? If I were giving my child up for adoption, or, if it were going into a foster home, should I have the right to say I don't want my child raised by something as unnatural as two persons of the same sex who make love to eachother, and in their household, that is what is considered normal? I think that is a wrong way to raise a child and if people need someone of the same sex, they should keep it quiet, because THEY ARE THE ONES GOING AGAINST THE NORM. Two people of the same sex cannot make a baby together, and, in the normal course of life, that is the natural thing that love produces. What people do behind closed doors is their business, but when it gets to the point that they want it socially acceptable, I can't dig it because there is nowhere where they draw the line, and these issues DO filter in to the law, and when we're talking the laws we live by, I'd say you have to keep everybody in mind--the betterment of the whole, rather than leaving those against the grain any rights that could affect the rest of us. Like I said, If my child were laced up for adoption, Is it guarenteed I won't lose MY right to say no to a gay couple receiving it? I think if you want to raise children, you shouldn't want to show it something so AGAINST a natural sex life and call it normal. You have to think of what years of that kind of upbringing could do to an otherwise normal child, and if I couldn't leave some coices as to how it were raised, I'd think I'd have rather aborted. At least I wouldn't have to worry about someone else skrewing them up.

 

Lastely, I guess I just wanted to stress, that so long as we accept things we know are wrong, that is the way that this world will go. But when people step out and put up what they know is right, do what they know is right, when they do know, that is the only way improvements will be made. When the people are no longer afraid to say, "I disagree with that", or "I don't like that going on in the world I live in", and admit when something needs to change (I'm for prohibition of alcohol, for instance), then, when there's enough people who are not afraid to admit what they perceive is ight, change can occur as well into our laws. But without the public support, change can't happen. There's too much that won't admit when it's wrong, and that can be alot of trouble. That's why you can't just sit mute while knowing a better way of life. You have to be heard and look for others who agree.

 

Religion causes alot of problems in the world, and I like to hang with free thinkers, at least they won't be preaching Jesus to me. So far as my personal philosophy goes, what I pray/think or say to uplift myself in private, I like to keep private anyways. I would be curious to find out, however, if there is an established "religion" that I fall under as a free-thinkin' vagan. As a free-thinkin' vegan (raw), I don't need a god, I don't even need a stove!

 

cherylanne:

Er, -- just in case you hadn't noticed -- this thread is about religion and God, not about adoption, time, or veganism; please, let's keep time theories on science boards, abortion and life viewpoints on the Love and Sex or Relationship boards and veganism on the vegetarian board, alright? =)

The worst thing that can happen to a thread is for it to lose its focus; that's how threads die, people click on them, realize that something else is being discussed, and become disinterested, leave and never return because they don't understand what it's about anymore, and don't want to read the entire thing to recap.

 

I like free non stinkin vagina. Probably doesn't fall under vagan or veganisms.. I am an omnivore.

 

christiianity rocks!!!
i live my life so excited and hav truely found the peace and satisfaction i searched fro fro so long....i never beleived that i cud b this hp,and god has given me so much of it,that it rubs off on ppl!!!
chrsitianity is not about rules and ristricting ure life but ahving liberty and freedom from feeling the need to get drunk outa ure skull fro momentary happiness!
freedom to b ureself,the person god intended u to b.
god created ppl with variety,u are an idividual so dont ever die a copy,there is no1 else in the world the same as u,with the same dreams and abtiions.
if u think god cant b communicated then u need to change ure thinkin,coz its because of god communicating to me that im still alive today and not dead on my bedroom floor

 

What I never understood about religion and it's stand on drugs an alcohol, is if God made us here on earth, why would he make such things to tempt us? What kind of all-loving, all-powerful god would put us on earth, make marijuana grow, and give us the knowledge and ability to brew alcohol, and then punish us when we used them?

I know if I were to have a child, I would not send him into a room filled with drugs and alcohol and then ground him if he came out drunk or high.

When it comes to marijuana, it seems to me that those who are religious would have real profound experiences when smoking it. I almost always have deep thoughts about things after smoking marijuana, and if you have a heavy religious background, I would imagine that these deep thoughts would be related to God.

I understand that it is illegal, and that is the simple argument for why most religions do not approve of the use of marijuana, but is there another moral issue against it?

 

one thing i lie to point out is that im not religius and god dislikes religion because his restrits ppl in2 traditions and this 'culture box' that they feel they hav live in2,wen the truth is god created all of us individuals,were not all the same,so every1 in churech should not all act,dress,and listen to the same music,god lovingly made us unique......anyways,yes god put things things on earth,but we were the ones that used it for damaging our bodies,alcohol is not a sin,god created wine for us to drink and enjoy.wine is good fro ya,even jesus drank it,its just drunkeness that is a problem and drugs and such,because it causes ppl to lose self control,do things they wouldnt usually do,lose theyre judgemnet n stuff.i dont believe that gode punishes ppl,he never sent jesus to punish anyone,if u read the bible not once did jesus pur out punishment and judgement,but he pured out love and pointed the right way.
i dont think gods intention is to tempt ppl,thats the intention of the devil,coz he doesnt want ppl to know the love of god,but wants to ruin a persons soul and torment them

 

ZBChrist: If you wanna know what I "believe" (I hate to do this, but I'm pressed for time), go back and read my last post in the Philosophy of Religions thread.

As far as religion and drugs and alcohol, check out some of the tribal and shamanistic beliefs of the Americas and Africa. They are almost centered around transient states of mind that we simply call high. They aren't anything like a marijuana high, nor are the necessarily like being drunk, although they can involve both. In India, some of the holiest men around walk through the cities buttnaked and bless people while the people donate hash and food. They own nothing and simply travel around relying on the kindness of others who in turn feed, and sometimes shelter them. Either way hashish is a customary offering to these holy men.

Morality is perhaps best defined as simply a set of cultural values, but there are other ways of looking at it. Just because you are American, doesn't mean you are a Christian, although the American political system upholds predominantly Christian values and is controlled by a Christian majority. If you don't fall into that category, tough shit, eh? This is why I'm trying to understand the issues at hand and hopefully write a book about Science, Metaphysics, Religion, the Modern Ethnocentric Morality of the United States and of the Modern World System (This is not a plug! I haven't even started on the book yet!). I don't claim to have the answers, but I do want to expose some observations I have made and I want to make sure that people are aware of our decline from the progressive movements of the 20th Century. Anyways, I'm outta here man...

Peace