Religions

[AKA2D '91]

Many of us practice some kind of religion. Yet, is there any particular religion that you find intriguing or you would not mind RESEARCHING OTHER than what you are currently practicing?

I'm not asking or saying that you have to AGREE with its principles, but you would like to know more about it.

[DreamfulOne]

I would have to say Judaism . The reason being they believe most things that Christians believe as well as are another persecuted group. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for they shall see God" (can't remember exact scripture but its in the Beattitudes). There are subsections within Judaism that believe that Jesus is Lord. I don't think that I can stray away from what I consider to be the truth to follow/practice another religion without some type of belief in the eternal existance of Jesus.

However, I would research Satanism. Reason being, to truly defend your own practices and beliefs you would have to understand the opposite.

[ClassyLady]

I would have to say Islam. The are a lot of Muslims in my hometown, but they all seem to practice Islam differently.

Some women cover just their head and neck. Some cover their entire body with nothing but their eyes and hands showing. And, some don't cover themselves at all. Some men don't trim the hair from their face. Some men wear the traditional long robe and pants.

I am going to find out the answers to these for myself. But, if anyone here knows why, please, don't hesitate to respond.

[straightBOS]

I Love being an Anglican...but I certainly find Rastafarianism intriguing. I have so many converts in my fam. The Rasta lifestyle, the REAL Rasta life, is about clean living and humility.

It seems a lot more honest than a lot of other religious lives, but I just can't get with the Selassie is lord thing.

BTW, this is a very good topic.

[Ideal08]

I agree, StraightBOS, this is a good topic.

I would choose the Bahai faith. I had a friend from high school who practiced this faith, and I went to a lot of events with him. This was when I was searching for something other than what I was forced to do growing up, basically. Anywho, it's REALLY interesting. It's about equality across the board, racial, gender, etc. It's SO diverse, I can't even begin to explain it to you. They follow the teachings of Baha'ulah (sp?). They don't have a clergy (so they say, I disagree), and they don't have "churches." They meet at other people's homes and study and what not. They have firesides, youth groups, it's just really fun and kind of enlightening in a way. A true rush of positivity and IDEALism.

[Poplife]

Definitely,Buddhism.

It's really the only one I have not really read a lot about. My Hindu knowledge could use some brushing up on.

[Special1920]

Don't know if this is a religion, but what is this 5%er stuff? I did a brief search on it a year ago, because I had an impressionable 21 year old cousin, being sucked into it.

[ososuave]

Many native eastern relgions have been around far longer than their western counterparts. Many of them seek out answers more internally than externally. Some of them do facinate me.

BUDDISIM-beliving this life is a dream and only through profound meditation can one reach inside themselves and wake up to the actual reality. (laymen terms)
THINK: The movie Matrix
DID YOU KNOW: Buddists aren't worshiping "The Budda" when they bow and meditate in front of it. They are trying to copy it's existence in this reality (still, quiet, not affected by this world), it is a goal for them to reach.

TAOISIM- the belief there is no wrong or right, on or off, hot or cold, soft or hard, etc...there only IS. (once again short version)
THINK: If everyday was a sunny day, what is a sunny day? There must also be cloudy days for the sunny days to exist. Moreover, what is a sunny day to one might be a cloudy day to another. Therefore evil must but present for good to exist, and both are relative to eachother.
DID YOU KNOW: The Yin/Yang symbol usually associated with the martial arts is actually the symbol of Taoism. (For one to be the perfect fighter there must be an equal amount of speed and strength, finesse and agression, concretness and dexterity)

...and I can't forget the need to reasearch Christanity, I find more of us christians that don't know anything significant about thier own supposed relgion than any other practiced relgion I know of. I don't know of anybody who has died from reading thier bible, it won't kill ya... trust me.

[ososuave]

Originally posted by Special1920
Don't know if this is a religion, but what is this 5%er stuff? I did a brief search on it a year ago, because I had an impressionable 21 year old cousin, being sucked into it.

I may be incorrect but I think it's based on:

80% of the people not knowing the truth, following what they are told and not knowing to ask questions. Easily lead like sheep. (average relgious person...Christian, Islam, etc.)

15% of the people knowing the truth but teaching a lie. Leading the sheep astray. Profiting from the indiscretions. (preachers and teahcers of Christianity, Islam, Masons, etc.)

Which leaves 5% (the poor rightoeus teachers) that do not profit from "lies" but spread the "truth" that man is God, and God is man... and namely the black man. All others are Man(kind) because they come from black man.

A story... when the Buzz Aldren, a white mason, landed on the moon for America. He stated, "It is a small step for man, a giant leap for mankind." ... a "God" of 5% would say he was refering to the Eygptians (black africans) who had supposedly already been there and mapped the stars thousand of years earlier. Therefore no big whoop to them but a real biggie for "mankind" like himself that are need of catching up.

[Poplife]

Originally posted by ososuave
Many native eastern relgions have been around far longer than their western counterparts. Many of them seek out answers more internally than externally. Some of them do facinate me.

BUDDISIM-beliving this life is a dream and only through profound meditation can one reach inside themselves and wake up to the actual reality. (laymen terms)
THINK: The movie Matrix
DID YOU KNOW: Buddists aren't worshiping "The Budda" when they bow and meditate in front of it. They are trying to copy it's existence in this reality (still, quiet, not affected by this world), it is a goal for them to reach.

I wonder how many Buddist actually reach enlightenment. And if there really is an alternate reality, would you really want to be aware of it when everyone else is not? It seems like it would be lonely. Although I remember being told it was blissful.

[PenguinTrax]

Originally posted by DreamfulOne
There are subsections within Judaism that believe that Jesus is Lord.

Jews consider these 'subsections', as you call them, to be Christian. The Messianic movement, including Jews for Jesus and others, are Christian organizations that incorporate Jewish cultural traditions. Because of their belief in Jesus as a Messiah or son of G-d, these people are not Jewish as that belief is the contradictory to Judaic doctrine.

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about Judaism.

Barbara

[The Original Ape]

I would have to say ISLAM. As I understand it, it is A WAY OF LIFE, not a religion. It is the purest form of life; uncontaminated by such factors as interpretation from one language to another.

There are some ways of life by some Native American people that I find interesting too, particularly the Seminole and Creek people.

[ososuave]

Originally posted by Poplife



I wonder how many Buddist actually reach enlightenment. And if there really is an alternate reality, would you really want to be aware of it when everyone else is not? It seems like it would be lonely. Although I remember being told it was blissful.

I don't know how many but I know of some who say that it has happened. I'm reminded of a picture I saw that was shown around the world with a Buddist monk set ablaze while he sat perfectly still with his legs crossed in the meditation position. He set the fire himself and sat there meditating unitl he burned completely up. He was protesting the Vietnam War. I found a small copy of the picture on this site: http://www.shirazad.com/who/john/essay.htm

[Diva_56]

Well if anyone has seen me post on Greekchat they know that Diva_56 is of Christian faith.

I think my background is interesting being that I dabbled with Buddism and Satanism


Wait before you take out the crosses...

Satanism when I practiced it was more of a conceptual way of life and the basic premise of it really was to question everything. Believe it or not there is a satanic bible and I also chanted every day and practiced meditation with a high school friend when I was in HS.

Let me clarify for you still confused. There are your actual satan worshippers that bow down (That's what you do to worship someone) and worship Satan, and there are people who pratice Satanism philosophy. Satanism is more of a intellect's endeavor while those who pratice satanism are very interested in psychology, astrology and the fall of Satan and why. It is a real trip. When I finally came to my senses and found that Jesus Is LORD I finally felt the peace that I wanted that i did not recieve from praticing those other religions. To me it is fruitless. But that is just me and the other millions of Christians in the world.



Of course through the guidance of the Holy Sprit I do see things very differently that just 5 yrs ago. I guess you can chuck it up to being a stupid teenager

[SeriousAKA]

I'm intrigued by all religions. I am a firm believer that no matter how we say it or who we say it to, there is one God and we all worship Him. However, I would really like to learn more about Buddhism and Hinduism.