Religion/Theology
 

I'm just curious about what some people's perception of the divine is. Feel free to discuss it and debate conflicting views.

uh, that's a rather broad topic. Perhaps you'd care to narrow it down more. Or do a search of previous topics and see if there's one you'd like to ressurect. There have been plenty of religious debates around here.

Do you know which board would be more appropraite to repost this thread?

It's not inappropriate here in this forum.. that's just a BROAD topic.

I think the Divine is GOOD!

See.. not too informative.

LOL! I see your point. What's your faith of choice, if you have one? And if so, why do you choose that to be the truth? If not, why?

Well I am a Chrisitian...I attend a nondenominational/word of faith church. I believe that God is the ultimate creator and in the Creation story. I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus came to earth for my sins, paid for the price for me, was crucified, died, buried, and resurrected. I believe in the Second Coming - that Jesus will resurrect His Church. I believe in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost - with the evidence of speaking in an unknown tongue. I believe in the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit and that everyone is given a measure of faith. I believe in the 5 ministry gifts (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher).

Lol, haven't heard of some of those details...

Roman Catholic, born and raised, and practicing as well. I don't agree with the Church on every issue, but I agree with the doctrine.

I'm a Unitarian Universalist and believe that everyone should work out for themselves their own personal theology. I'd take the "priesthood of every believer" one step further and advocate the "prophethood of every believer."
Yeah, that's a good idea.

I thought you were an atheist.

Concerned that this will turn into an ugly debate of which religion is best or right or whatever, and hoping I'm wrong, I'll play anyway.

I am an Ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church, USA, but have been attending a non-denominational church recently that seems to embrace pretty much any religion that believes in God.

I'm Christian and regularly attend an Episcopal Church. I was born and raised Catholic, but for various reasons began attending Episcopal services, and have found it more to my liking.

That's no dig at Catholics, just my personal choice. I personally don't care what anyone else is; Christian, Atheist, whatever, it's their personal choice.

I attended their church before.

I'm Muslim and was raised Muslim. I'm more 'spiritual' than 'religious' however.

I am a Christian, and I am profoundly thankful!:)

:) I like the way you said that. More "spiritual' than 'religious" could fit me, I suppose.

No. And you know what, I didn't really explain what I believe. I'm a pantheist. I believe that the Universse [creator plus creation combined] is everything, is made of one substance [matter/energy] and that everything is connected. Which is why I believe it is wrong to harm others, etc. You're really hurting yourself.

I also, as an extention of this, believe in re-birth. As far as personal gods/the GOD/ dieitees/goddesses I believe they are real, at least to those who believe in them. For example, if I find comfort in praying to St. Louis then St. Louis' comfort is real to me. I don't pray to St. Louis for comfort, that's just a for instance. But I believe that every person has a right to decide for themselves and live accordingly.

Any scientologists out there?

Some Unitarian Universalists are atheists.

I was raised Presbyterian but am now Buddhist.

I'm Catholic and have been forever. I attend Lutheran services (WELS) fairly regularly with my boyfriend.

Buddhism isn't a religion. It's more of a life-philosophy. Someone could technically be a Buddhist Muslim.

What's your point?

ETA: my question does not imply that I agree with your statement.

Yes, I actually went to a Unitarian Universalist orientation, and I had an athiest in my class. He had recently started practicing Wicca though. Interesting guy.

I think it fits Unitarian Universalism also, which made me interested in their church in the first place. :)

Saying that you were raised Presby but now you're a Buddhist is a non-sequitur. It's like going on the thread about Girl Scouts and saying "I used to be in Girl Scouts, but now I'm on the swim team".

It's nice that you get to tell her what her religion is. You're Pentacostal now, okay?

I didn't say anything about her not being Buddhist. If she's a Buddhist, she's a Buddhist.

No, it isn't a non sequitur.

First, your views of Buddhism have nothing to do with me -- you can think whatever you want about it being a "life-philosophy" (whatever the hell that means), but that doesn't mean that I agree or that your opinion is relevant to me.

Second, even if Buddhism is a "life-philosophy" rather than a religion (a statement with which I disagree), I see no logical reason why it wouldn't be relevant to state that a person used to be X religion and now practices Y "life philosophy" (again, whatever the hell that means).

The original poster here asked people to discuss their "faith of choice." Whatever anyone describes as his or her "faith of choice" is his or her faith of choice. Frankly, I find your statements offensive -- I don't give a rat's ass what you think, but the fact that you would even consider trying to impose your rather limited views of a belief system on me is appalling. I mean, let me get this straight -- you're pretty much saying that what I've identified as my "faith of choice" is not a real religion. Again, I don't give a rat's ass, but saying something like that to anybody is offensive, period.

Today you are not a lawyer. You are a VP of Marketing. I'm sorry if you think you're a lawyer, but I don't think that's a real job. :(

VP of Marketing is just a made-up position! My life is meaningless!

I'm Jewish. Ironically enough, I'm more observant than my parents are.

Buddhism is a religion. I was taught that in my religion class at college as well as in Hebrew school, prep school, and the private Jewish day school that I attended.

I hope you aren't having bad sex on top of that! :eek:

Some of us are Buddhists too. ;)


Want to go get some coffee sometime?

I was raised United Methodist, but converted to Catholicism. I am a practicing and happy Catholic, and again, disagree with church doctrine on certain things, but the faith itself, the teachings about Father Son and Holy Ghost, the communion and intervention of saints, is something that I believe in wholeheartedly.

All of that said, while I love going to Mass every week (and daily mass during finals week (hey, i'm already up, might as well go)), I do go to the non-denominational praise service at OC when I can, simply because it is a lot of fun, less formal, and more contemporary. Although while I was in Northern Ireland, a new group for Catholics on campus was formed (for rosary and saint's days, catholic issues on a methodist campus, etc), and there's become a Jewish Culture Club as well (to help eachother get to temple, celebrate holy days, shabbat, etc).

Are there any taoists on GC?

Oh yeah, I forgot this part. My mom was Jewish, so I did grow up Muslim, but with Jewish cultural overtones, lol.

That's so cool. Did you observe both sets of holidays or how did that work?

I didn't say "it's not a real religion" in the same way people here say that Professional GLOs aren't "real Greeks". It's not classified as a religion because of a lack of dogma and belief in a creator or god. But just because it's not classified as a religion, doesn't mean I'm saying it's some made-up nonsense. Buddhism has some great ideals. And if you want to get really into it, you could argue that ALL religion is "made-up", it had to start somewhere.

As far as it being non-sequitur...like I said, you could be a Buddhist Muslim, or a Buddhist Presbyterian for that matter. I know you probably meant your statement that you left the Presby church and now you are a Buddhist (or to become a Buddhist), but to someone who didn't know that you aren't Christian, that doesn't mean that's what happened. You wouldn't have to leave a Christian church to follow Buddhism.

I know it's your thing to jump to extreme conclusions, but really, you have taken what I've said and ran with it...very, very far away from what I originally said.

Well, we kind of recognized the Jewish holidays and celebrated the Muslim one (basically Ramadan, LOL). A lot of the sayings I grew up with, food, etc. were Jewish though. I think my daughter is more aware of Jewish holidays now than I was growing up, lol. However, I got to spend time with the Jewish side of my family. She hasn't gotten to experience that, unfortunately.

That's really cool.


mental image of a little girl wearing a hijab eating gefilte fish and saying "oy gevalt"

Have I?

Questions:

Why is it your place to tell me that Buddhism is not classified as a religion?

Why are you attempting to speak with such authority on the subject of Buddhism?

Whose definition of "religion" requires belief in a creator or god?

I don't see a difference between saying "it's not a real religion" and saying "it's not a religion." I also completely disagree with the statement that someone can be a Buddhist Muslim or a Buddhist Presbyterian. I do not believe that one can be Buddhist and Christian or any other religion. It's fine if you disagree with me. However, it's not fine if you expect me to accept your statements about Buddhism as true.

Also, despite the fact that you've offended me, I'm trying to be respectful and not resort to personal insults. I would appreciate it if you would do the same.

LOL!! Exactly. I told somebody in a PM one time that I would break my fast with Matzoh, LOL.