religion and hippies

:agree: Maybe these posters who continuously diss religion and religious people may have had some unpleasant experiences with religious people in the past, but what they fail (or perhaps refuse) to see is that not everyone will acually try to impose their faith on you.

It's really unfair to us who do not impose on anyone and who do respect other people's beliefs including atheism. These posters are just as bad as the fundamentalists that they look upon with disdain.

 

Very true, musikero. I get that feeling a lot on this forum. People take a liberal, progressive or 'hippie' point of view and talk about it with the same stubbornness as the typical fundamentalist indeed. Probably because they think liberal or progressive is always better?
Nothing wrong with doubting religion of course, just don't diss the people who belief if they aren't bothering you or society. I have to agree people shouldn't live their life by rules of the pope or the dalai lama or anybody else. See of them as guidelines, but always think for yourself. A belief is personal. And if you see people do live their life by it, just let them be. It's their life.

 

Well said.

I am the unforgiven.

 

Off topic: You just made me think of an old Metallica song. "...So I dub thee unforgiven"

 

What is NEW AGE but a newer version of a hippy? eh? riddle me that.
religion isn't freedom, it does limit any one follower. but, it also acts as a set of morals to live by. not rules, persay, but religion answers most questions a person would have about morality. Buddhism is my choice as a "set or morals" because it is very lenient. i like the fact that everything is chill...so relaxed...so...free. It presents the very basic idea that everything will resolve itself in time, and that time is just an object that should not be a factor in life, nor should any personal belonging be. it teaches one to let go of material items and be happy with living. i think ive made my point although i could go on forever..

-peace:rainbow:

 

From what I've seen of religion, yes. Of course, I do not know every religion that's ever been in existence. However, I just can't see how religion would be true.

Plus I hate the intolerance that the extremists Christians have spread.

 

Sorry if anyone has said this already (I havent read the whole thread >.<):

One of the facets of the hippie is, I think, to live how you want. There isnt an...ideal hippie religion.

Me, well...religion doesnt suit me. The idea of consigning myself to some group and set of unwavering rules isnt that great, I dont think.

Though, a religion doesnt just have to be made up of a bunch of rules and rituals. There could be religions where the follower is simply required to believe in certain deities and what. It can be absent of temples and sacred rites, lol.

Note: Buddhism isnt really a religion

 

RELIGION has become a tool for those who wish to standardize life and box up your
creativity and emotions in to thier personal ideas and so i believe that religion can
only be fruitful when it is not a way to constrict your life but when it breaks through these boxes and frees you from thier grasp so that you may enlighten yourself and hopefully others.

 

i believe that religion should neither be shot down, nor put up on a pedestal. personally, i am roman catholic, but this does not mean, AT ALL, that i believe in all that the church says, or even ANY of it. i don't really believe that i have a religion, because i believe in many different philosophies, such as reincarnation, karma, the ideals of peace, love, and harmony of the hippies, pro-choice, standards of community service and love of thy neighbor set by the christian religion, and i believe in a higher power. one should not stereotype religious people, because then you become one of the hypocrites you despise. let everyone to live their lives the way they want to, and everyone would be at peace with themselves and the world. no one needs religion; all you need is a love for everyone and everything on earth, a respect for others, and compassion. religion should not be a way of life if it leads to dissonance and violence, but just a guide as to how one can best serve their fellow human beings and make the world a better place.

 

Religions don't necessarily keep you from being free. I follow a religion and care deeply about it, but I find myself being free to do what I wish (to an extent, of course---there are always "extents" no matter what).

 

Well honestly I think it depends on the religion. Some religions definitely tie you down and give you many barriers in life, but other religions are all about being free, and living your life they way you want to live it.

Me, I was raised Catholic. But, that definitely wasn't for me. To many ridiculous rules and ideas, that had nothing to do with what I found important in life. So I started studying Buddhism/Hare Krishna. That religion also had barriers, but their a lot more...centered if you will. And that religion doesn't tie me down or make me feel like I should do something that I don't want to do. I'm completely myself with that religion and I love it.

 

in one way i think that religion does stop you from being free because there are so many rules in religions. My grandmother on my dad's side of the family used to tell me as a young child that i would go to hell because i was not baptised. on the other hand religion is a "free' thing. it is your free choice wether or not to join these religions or to be free and not!

 

I think that religion is a form of wall. It stops us from being ourselves and to express ourselves. It stops us from believing in ourselves and makes us believe that all we have done is thanks to a "higher being". Religion isn't necessary at all and that we need to believe in ourselves in order to do great things. We could help others, love others, forgive others, etc. with just believing we could do it. 'Cause really, it's all in our mind.

 

its my opinion that we need to be open to spirituality, but not necessarily a 'religion'. i cannot fit into any religion 100% and i don't think anyone else can either, though many certainly try. right and wrong are not always as black and white as they may seem and i can't believe something just because someone says its true, i have to follow my heart.

 

I am a religious man, and I have no belief that God helps me do things. I do believe that God can help me if I pray for it, but why would I do that? The Lord helpeth he ho helpeth himself it says in the bible, so I am helping myself to achieve what I want. Blindly turning to a god(ess) for help, or blindly believing that all you achieve is because of some greater powers help is folly.

You are your own master in life (that is also in the bible, you know, free will and all that jazz), and you are free to live out your life as you choose, and do the things you choose without God intervening. The only thing is that you have to pay for wrongdoings you have comitted in your life in the afterlife.

Of course, now I am speaking out of a christian point of view so it doesn't apply to every religion in existence and hence serves only as a pointer to prove that you should read a bit more before you open your mouth.