Is a religious or spiritual belief label necessary?

So I wasn't sure where to post this seeing that the philosophy and religion forum was just a division of different beliefs... but anyways, I just recently realized that I was only believing in what I was raised to believe because... I was raised to believe it. First off I believe that everyone has their own truth, and that no one should be put down or dissed for what they believe. But being at a place of not really knowing what I believe, I was wondering if it's really all that necessary to call yourself something. I mean I believe in aspects of buddhism, but not necessarily re-incarnation, and aspects of agnosticism but not necessarily a lot of the non-spiritual aspects that I've read about. I'm pretty confused honestly.. Is it bad that I'm not being able to fully commit to one thing.. or are these types of labels sometimes unnecessary?

I had a discussion with my guardian today (who is a very dedicated Christian), and he pretty much shot down what I believe, and told me that there is only one truth and that I have to make a decision of what I believe... I didn't think it was necessary... but am I just being foolish??

Anywho, lemme know what y'all think.

thanks.

 

i don't see how a label is necessary... although you do sound like an agnostic to me...

 

Labels are for canned goods not people.

 

no one has to agree with what you believe or even think well of you for believing it. however, it's nice when people respect your right to believe it and leave you alone. that doesn't preclude discussing it when you bring it up, or telling you outright that they disagree with it. so long as it's done with respect, let it go.

 

what makes people crazy is that i'm pretty christian. however, i hate the church. christ, however, whether you think he lived or whatnot, totally beside the point to me. i love the message. but i don't bring it up because people are shitty about it here and i'm just not that kind of christian.

 

You are not being foolish... You do not have to put labels on what you believe at all..

Just follow your heart in what you think or what fascinates you, you shouldn't have to put your beliefs in a category, or limit it to one thing..you can just be... I think religion and what-not separate people (my thoughts)... It's always about the "name of the said religion" and not what you believe inside.. I don't know if this really made any sense so I apologize if it doesn't..

 

KC: interesting.


OP: I think the same goes for philosophical categories. There is no need, actually. I could call myself a skeptic. Only I try not to, because calling yourself something is not skeptical enough.

We have to believe in certain practical things to survive (whatever they are), but they don't have to be canned into a neat little package. And they don't have to be distinguished by some ultimate message, or truth.

Better to remain innocent. Better not to explain the world away in black and white instead of experiencing it directly. My two cents.

 

all i can say is i have faith that everything in the universe will unfold as it should...thats it...

 

Thanks so much guys! It's nice to have some encouragement.

KC: I totally understand about hating the church. and it's cool that you're not pushy or arrogant like many of the Christians I've encountered... (including my family at times).

Mystic: You definitely made sense and I really needed to hear that, thanks

Praxis: I'd never thought of it as "expaining the world away in black and white". I guess because I've been raised in such a black and white world, and early on they instilled a fear of anything outside of the family beliefs, and categorized everything. I'm not sure if that makes sense... but anywho, I really like what you said.


Awesome thoughts guys








I'm being forced to move out of the house now because they said I couldn't stay unless I repented and whatnot. But I'm no liar, and the last thing I would want to do is fake them out or mock their beliefs by pretending. So I might be homeless... but I'd say it's better to be happy and homeless than under religious oppression. ;-)

 

I was an atheist when I was 5, before I knew what an atheist was.

When I was 10, I was told I was wrong and evil for beliving what I did.

When I was 15 I was told there was know right or wrong, and I wasn't really an atheist.

When I was 20 I realised what other people told me didn't matter.

I con't believe that theres a god homegirl. I don't believe that theres a heaven or hell to hinder me. I don't believe my actions will be punished or rewarded. I don't believe I will live on after I die.

So what's left?

What I believe is nothing. Nothing's left. What I believe is that all I have left is the time I have right now.

So What's that mean to me? Let me give you an example.

When I was really young, I had to leave home. Changed my life, and I had no where to go. I thought I'd be homeless. But a friend let me into his home. He and his family. They gave me a place to stay.

I asked him why. He smiled at me and told me, "You don't need a reason to help people."

So if there isn't a purpose to life.. does it matter? We're here. We're all lonely and trying to figure this all out. And theres probably no definite answer. We're just all trying to figure out life.

Don't trust anyone who pretends to have it all figured out homegirl. Lifes confusing and beautiful.

 

To quote Immortal Technique:

"God is not a religion, but a spiritual bond"

 

i dont trust a white haired father figure who cant handle money and more importantly, doesnt give a shit...

 

labels are practical in that they can help you describe a part of your personality in a single word, but no one label is going to cover it all. I don't use any such labels for myself, I just am, and if someone wants to talk about spirituality and such then I'd rather discuss actual thoughts and perspectives than defend or attack some arbitrary label.

another unfortunate thing about such labels is that people, like your guardian, can tend to get defensive about them. before you know it, you have 17 year old girls getting kicked out from home over something as silly as a difference in beliefs.

 

Huh? Who are you talking about?

 

Gandalf. he's talking about Gandalf. I don't trust that fucker either.

 

You are raised on certain beliefs, but eventually you can do your own thinking and develop your own beliefs, there's really nothing wrong in searching...

 

I stopped wondering about all this a year ago..
A waste of time and no concrete result really.

 

Idols are much like labels. Raison d'etres are also much like labels. All they do is snuff out our spontaneity. I believe in clouds and onions. I've said it before.

 

Whats raison d'etres ? :huh:

Edit: Nevermind, found it--> "reason for being"

 

my goodness, you had to look that up? what is this world coming to?