I just threw it in here because the philosophy thread was here, but I just PMed someone to get it moved. (Also, Blazblue <3) Anyways, I wrote a poem about my particular religious beliefs. I wrote it without verse and it's in paragraph form, but it's still a poem, I think. I refer to my religious belief as "good works", it's more of a moral system that believes in a higher power of some sort. Let me dig up some of my writings... Nomad I am the nomad in the desert, he who wanders without aim, burned by searing winds and scratched by particles of sand that blow as freely as myself from place to place in hopes of finding an answer. I carry enough money to eat, a handful of holy texts, and a head full of disjointed puzzle pieces that spill from my mouth freely and with great consequence. My voice resounds among the shrubs and touches the ears of insects, but makes no vibration past the walls of desert wind. So here I wander, lost and alone, my own master, until I find the answers. Spiritual Thoughts A lot of people attack religion based on the problems that it creates in the world, priding themselves as being “outside of the herd” and “free thinkers” in comparison to the rest of the world. To me, these secular matters should not be confused with the religions themselves. Personally, I dislike the idea of modern organized religion. As an example, let’s take most of protestant Christianity. I nuderstand the purpose of church: a gathering of like minded individuals whose goal is to strengthen one another and catch each other when they stumble based on the word of Jesus Christ. Originally, this was Christ’s concept, however, the idea of preaching to the illiterate and incorporating secular matters into sermons by presenting them as “God’s word” and “what God wants us to do” has become commonplace, and has been since the middle ages. This distracts itself from the concept that the early Christians had in mind: for God to be found in the individual and radiated into others who have reached similar enlightenment, not for others to impose an idea upon the individual. I believe that giving someone a Bible to meet God is more productive than taking them to church. As of right now, I follow no particular religion personally, however, there are some perspectives and beliefs that I tend to take when discussing religion, and these constant beliefs are the foundation of my spiritual path. 1.) There is a divine force. It is not the god of any single religion; it is not a sentient being at all – it is a force only described accurately as “Tao” – the only complete whole in the entirety of reality. It transcends time and space and cannot be quantified by measurement, in fact, it may not exist at all, but the sheer perception of it, the idea of it, causes it to be existent in this reality. 2.) Tao has been perceived by many people in many cultures, and no single perception is correct or incorrect. Tao makes itself known to individuals based on cultural pressures that may make sense to the individual(s) at that point in time. Therefore, any one depiction of Tao such as the Judeo-Christian God is essential idolatry – there is a truth non-restrictive to these secular influences. The overlap in the teachings of many religious systems is the “truth”: the divine whole’s intentions, the key to happiness, and the distilled path unconnected to secular, cultural matters. 3.) The only prominent religious systems originate from visionaries of ancient times, so modern dispute is due to generational removal of association with Tao. The further from contact with the source, the less accurate the observation is. Therefore, we have lost contact with Tao save for a few individuals and should analyze these matters individually for the betterment of the human condition. Happiness is only found in Tao, true happiness at least, and Tao is only found by individual pursuit. 4.) The afterlife is unconfirmed – no one has seen it firsthand, so it cannot be certain what it holds. Tao tells us many things, but personally, I tend to be of the impression that reincarnation occurs. Tao chooses one’s form and future life based on lessons not learned in the present or previous life to ultimately attain unity with Tao itself, also known as Heaven, the escape of reincarnation. Therefore, Tao tries the individual over many lives to perfect the soul with the goal of unity with Tao, the origin and all-pervading force.
I feel that perhaps I should describe my own religious beliefs a bit more in depth, in full detail about why I am torn between the beliefs I am interested in. So here it is, in the best detail I can think of. Agnosticism: This is the most "logical" choice to me. In my mind, there is no real way of knowing if there is a higher entity or not, there is no proof to or against the theory. I don't lean too heavily towards agnosticism, but it is something I certainly think about and wonder about often. Deism: This is the belief I currently identify with. Deism is essentially the logical existance of God. There is no religion, merely God. God is not necassarily sentient, or even omnipotent, it is simply a catch-all term for whatever created us. Whether or not there is an afterlife is pure speculation, but Deists use their own logical deduction to determine that the universe could not exist without some kind of higher entity. One popular analogy is the "blind watchmaker". The universe is like a massive watch or clock that operates entirely on its own without a higher being needing to interfere; however, the clock itself is too complex to have made itself, requiring a watchmaker to have created and wound it. Neo-paganism/Wicca: Recently I have found myself drawn towards European neo-paganism, primarily Wicca. From what I have read, I agree with a large amount of their philosophies and principles. Sadly, I do not know any other Wiccans, nor do I know too much about the actual faith, making conversion (or at least education on the faith) difficult. Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
"What good's religion, when it's each other we despise?" - Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts I don't like religion because I offend people with my carefree nature. Others attempt to push their beliefs onto me or "pray" for me. I am me, and I do not need a guiding belief, only values instilled by my predecessors. I try to respect others' religion, but people tend to make it very hard to do so. My mother was raised between Catholic and Presbyterian, iirc. She ended up not having a religion anyway. I've been to Christian churches when I was younger, but all of the children were rude and obnoxious with the pastors/priests unsympathetic. As a result, I do my best to avoid interacting with Christians, especially Mormons, and others who lead a lifestyle I deem too good willed for me to be around. One of my older sisters is Buddhist. Though our interactions have rarely brought the subject up. My brother and I are non-religious, though I tend to have greatly expanded views whereas he simply doesn't care. We've had it rough, so in light of our world-wizened views, we do not believe in a god. Interestingly, I have a friend who is Muslim (iirc). I don't know how devout he is, but it's never been a problem. I recall him observing a holiday where he was to fast. He attended a party, though he could not drink. I was happy he was faithful.
Protestant Christian here. I choose to believe simply because there is too much coincidence in this world. Ever since I was 5, I have never believed in coincidences. Things happen for a specific reason, whether that be self-discovery, a test of strength (Both Mental and Physical), or a reason to bring people together. I believe that God somehow made me find this site. It's changed my life for the better, and I have met some amazing people and helped them in the same way they helped me. However, I am against the criticism of Gays and Bisexual individual. Nowhere in the Bible have I ever seen a text involving homosexuality being wrong. Even if it is wrong, the bible itself says that "All sins are forgiven in the path of God." These guys need to read the Bible more...
Though technically it says "Thou shalt put no other gods before me", so if you're not Christian you're apparently screwed, regardless of how good a person you are. (That's actually the number 1 reason I'm not Christian) Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
Yeah. If You don't accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior... You're doomed to hell. At least, that's what the book says. So by logic, if Hitler was a Christian (And some accounts claim he was), then he's in Heaven right now. Bull-Frickin-Horse-apples.
I'm Catholic, but don't believe the Bible. I don't believe it to be the word of God, and believe that no matter your faith, if you are a good person, you'll go to Heaven, else you'll go to Hell. I know a lot of good people who don't believe in God, and a lot of nasty people who do believe in God- faith doesn't effect anything. If (if) God exists, I believe he caused the Big bang. Adam and Eve's just a story to me.
^ What he said. If a man lies with a male as with a women, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives. Leviticus 20:13 That seems like bull to me.
There's a good documentary on Netflix Instant Queue, I can't remember what it's called exactly, but it's about the Bible and homosexuality. The scholars in the show determined that what the Jews were referring to in the Old Testament was ritual use of homosexual acts which the Canaanites and other tribes that they warred with used in their rituals. The Hebrew used specifically refers to religious practices in every context. I think that most Christians with a decent head on their shoulders can believe in the allegory behind Adam and Eve. It's a bit much to take it completely at face value.
I don't believe that things happen for a reason. If they do, then tell me why are murders killing people. Does god want those people to die, sure maybe later in life they might cause some big disaster or kill a bunch of people, but we would never know. I just can't see anything in life being predetermined. It really seems like an excuse when people say that. person 1 "A bus crash killed 12 kids" person 2"Things happen for a reason" What reason would there be for 12 kids to die, if later in life they were about to do something wrong, why not strike them down at that moment. It should be possible right. Personal example: what reason would I have to hit a tree head on, 2 minutes from my house and then have 4 people drive by and not help. The crash also granted me a messed up shoulder. I'm not hating on you saikyo or your views, I'm just sharing my opinion on that matter. Seriously hope I didn't offend anyone.
I understand that you're not hating on me or aanything, Pixel. Don't think that. It's just an honest question. It's not about "Why" people kill each other; it's about "How" and how we prevent it. Some guy murders someone from down the street, we use techniques, both old and new, and master them so that even less of these murders happen, or at the very least are contained to a point where it's insignificant (even though any life lost is tragic.) to the human race. These things we call "Murders" only serve to add additional support to the whole conglamorate that is humanity. With one dead, thousands of others benefit from their loss. Same goes for the bus with 12 kids. Somehow, the driver of the Bus made a mistake; we learn from that mistake so that it has less of a chance of happening again. All of these events are a test of strength and determination, in my eyes. Hitler killed 6 million people. What did we learn from that? That we must never allow another radical like him ever become the leader of a country, or something like THAT could happen. Al-Quada terrorists flew planes into the WTC, Pentagon, and the middle of a field in Pennsylvania. What did we learn from that? We learned that there are people out there who are out to hurt us and our people. We also upped our Airport security to be one of the tightest in the planet, right next to Israel. It's not that "everything happens for a reason" per se. It's more "This happened, so what can we make of it?". That's why I choose to believe; because everything that happens in the world, no matter how bad, always leads to good in the end.
I see your point. But why would 12 kids die. Why not just the driver. One life lost and the mistake can be learned from. Why was hitler able to kill his self and not pay for his crimes. Sure we can learn from that mistake, but god could have made him live. And me. Why even if I was supposed to hit that tree for some divine reason. Why did I need the shoulder injury to go with it. It is why people kill not how. It doesn't matter if it's a gun, kife or whatever. The point is a human killed another human, be it for money, fun, revenge or what have you. When something bad happens it doesn't happen for a reason, it happened because of flaws. Flaws in humans, flaws in security, flaws in judgement. I see an Imperfect world, a world that is slowly trying to become perfect. I don't see divine influence in the, I see things didn't work and need to be fixed. So I guess we both have the same view,but just see it in a different way. -- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums
It's because we're trying to be perfect that we end up imperfect. We'll never be perfect. Nobody on this earth is perfect. The human mind and God are two separate things. If you don't believe, you do things on your own. Sometimes, even when you do believe, you go against His word, mainly to save your own hide. Either way, Hitler would have died. He just made things slightly easier for Germany and the world. Instead of seeming like a brave and heroic man, he took the Coward's way out. He died without setting an example, without leaving permanent scars in people's minds, leaving propaganda behind. Should Hitler have died a "hero" instead of a coward, I think we might be living in an entirely different world. We should really talk on Skype, pixel. I feel this conversation could lead somewhere interesting.
I find the Bible to be an epic story, from the perspective of some kind of follower, oracle, or apostle. It seems too extreme, even in the times it was supposedly conceived. I don't hate it and I think it has great rules or morals to live by, but some of it is... [any synonymous adjective of crazy] in parts.
There are such things as "Christian Aetheists" who take the bible as a way to live life. They follow it's practices, but do not believe in a higher power or creation.
Being perfect of course will never be achieved, it is impossible. There will always be flaws no matter what. Hitler would have never been a hero, maybe to the neo nazis, but would things really be that different if he had stood trail. I don't think so. I will say I'm rather glad he was a coward. I'd love to talk on skype. I like being serious, guess most people wouldn't know because I don't come into the serious threads a lot. I don't think I've ever added you, I shall do that when I get home in the morning. -- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums
Thing about that, Hitler, to most Germans, was loved, simply due to the propoganda he spread around. Once they figured out that he killed himself, they realized he was just a coward, and lived in poverty for... a long time, most of them regretting their hatred. Everyone views others differently. Us Americans view Hitler as Evil. Hell, almost everyone does nowadays. But back then... in Germany, he was a hero. He pulled them out of the economic slum, and gave them illusions of a perfect world, that at the time, seemed true. His death would have ended two ways: People banding together, or them separating. If he had died normally... Choice A would have most likely happened.
Now were just talking about maybes. If he had stole trail, whos to say we wouldn't have seen his cowardice on the stand. It would have still be the same think. He dies as a coward. -- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums
What is the world but a bunch of "What ifs", "Maybe's" and "What happens next?" I'll bet the person who discovers otherwise... would be a very, very powerful wo/man.
