With out a flame war, or silly name calling, I am wondering where everyone stands here religion wise.

I personally am an Atheist, not a full blown militant one dismissing everything related to religion as false. I am just skeptical. I really enjoy the concept of god from pantheism. I heard it described as the constant laws (gravity, electricity,etc) behind the real world. Like peeling up the corner of a photo to reveal the gears and pulleys.

I am very critical of any literal, fundamental interpretation of the Abrahamic religions. I am a big fan of logic and reason, and all of these don't mix well.

An atheist that thinks of pantheism as a great fit to a man made definition of God. I hate antiscience fundies.

I deal with everything as it comes.

Well, I am moving towards Islam, and my philosophy towards it is the words of a former militant of the Islamic Courts: Islam should be an ocean where everyone can swim. I am actually adopting some parts of Ba'haiism. I believe that there is only one God, but that polytheists like Hindus were correct in following a higher power, but their interpretation of it was somewhat inaccurate. I stick to the principles of Islam faith, though I admit that evolution is undeniable. I firmly believe that it is part of Allah's plan.

I hold a secular worldview, void of the mystical, supernatural or magical. I believe that human beings, not their gods, are responsible for the amount of happiness and suffering in this world. This naturalistic worldview emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion.

While I feel religious tolerance is necessary, I also think that it comes with a certain degree of liability attached to it. Those whose religious freedoms I respect today may be the same ones who try to destroy the way of living I currently enjoy down the line.

I believe that killing in the name of God is the most despicable act a human being could commit.

^^^ what they said

Atheist. I believe that the meaning of life, is to form connections. Life is about meeting as many different kinds of people you can. He who dies with the most friends, wins. Kind of a bit of existentialism thrown in as well (just for fun). All the universe behaves they way it does, because that is the only way it can work. We exist because we had to exist.





[This message has been edited by Aces_and_Eights (edited 03-07-2007).]

I believe in everything.

I'm an atheist. I don't believe in god but I believe in fate and fortune, so I guess you could say I am a fatalist. I hold a secular world view and believe that the laws of science are immutable. I don't believe in the soul or an afterlife, but I don't fear death because I believe I am a three dimensional reflection of a fourth dimensional object. I may cease to exist but the fourth dimensional object that is the sum of my life is eternal.

I dont believe in a higher power - i.e - God

I dont believe in the paranormal, ghosts or spirits and such.

Pretty much see the world as it is in scientific terms.

Thats pretty much it.

I believe in having the most fun you can possibly have in your life. Drink, smoke, do drugs, party, have lots of sex, INDULGE. You only have a sliver of time to live the best life you possibly can before you're a rotting corpse. When you know there isn't an after life, you need to use your time in a way that makes you happy.

Atheist that knows barely anything and is willing to admit it.

quote:Originally posted by gmail:

I believe in having the most fun you can possibly have in your life. Drink, smoke, do drugs, party, have lots of sex, INDULGE. You only have a sliver of time to live the best life you possibly can before you're a rotting corpse. When you know there isn't an after life, you need to use your time in a way that makes you happy.

Aka satanist?

Atheist. No supernatural. No god/ghost/magic. There is no meaning of life, so do what you want.

quote:Originally posted by Lamabot:

Aka satanist?

I think a more accurate description would be that he's a "libertine", like the Marquis De Sade but not as extreme.

I believe everything that exists is made of energy.

I believe that all energy has consciousness. This consciousness is soul and is often called God.

I believe that we are all individuated souls made to forget our true nature for the sake of experiencing ourselves (God) from a fresh perspective.

I don't believe there is punishment, only consequences to learn from that takes us closer to knowing ourselves and our true nature.

I believe there are no such thing as rules.

I believe we are all as free as you want to be and that faith in ourselves as god is the only faith needed.

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---:

I believe everything that exists is made of energy.

I believe that all energy has consciousness. This consciousness is soul and is often called God.

I believe that we are all individuated souls made to forget our true nature for the sake of experiencing ourselves (God) from a fresh perspective.

I don't believe there is punishment, only consequences to learn from that takes us closer to knowing ourselves and our true nature.

I believe there are no such thing as rules.

I believe we are all as free as you want to be and that faith in ourselves as god is the only faith needed.

That reminds me a little bit of Hinduism and Schopenhauer (although it's less pessimistic than Schopenhauer).

I have a distaste for organized religion. I do like to believe in some sort of afterlife. I believe that you should tolerate people of all beliefs, but I prove to be hypocritical in saying that as I find it hard to tolerate those who lack tolerance for others. I tend to assume anyone I haven't met is a complete idiot and probably not worth my time, but there there are very few people I meet that I do not enjoy the company of. I dislike government. I haven't seen any form of government that is without great flaws, but I do not think Anarchy is truly possible. I believe that it is good to challenge authority, because for the most part figures of authority have no better idea of whats going on then those below them.

My use of the word belief is a little off, I tend to kinda follow the idea of what Chris Rock had to say in Dogma, something along the lines of "Its better to have ideas, you can change an idea, its a lot harder to change a belief"

It seemed like most people were talking about spiritual beliefs, but there are a lot of other kinds.

I believe this thread is an awesome idea.

As for the meaning of life, look no further than a physical Anthropology book. Live and reproduce, thats about it. It's a constant across all lifeforms.

Except for everyone's favorite cult.

The Shakers

[This message has been edited by inuteroteen (edited 03-07-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by Hare_Geist:

That reminds me a little bit of Hinduism and Schopenhauer (although it's less pessimistic than Schopenhauer).

Yeah?

I call it I'ism http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

quote:Originally posted by riboflavin:

I tend to kinda follow the idea of what Chris Rock had to say in Dogma, something along the lines of "Its better to have ideas, you can change an idea, its a lot harder to change a belief"



Yes. Although it's easy enough changing beliefs. Mine change, but at the moment I'm happy enough to not philosophise much more about life and just live it a bit more.

[This message has been edited by ---Beany--- (edited 03-07-2007).]

Can't say I believe anything beyond the only constant being change, therefore whatever I believe now will change however,

'at present' I believe there cannot be nothing, that is 'absolute nothing'. 'Nothing' cannot and does not exist, which makes existence the imperative. I need no other explanation for existence.

As there cannot be nothing, there can only be something, that something is 'one'thing, there cannot be another as there can only be the 'one'thing. We are all one, all things are connected, there cannot be nothing so there are no gaps - all things/persons are connected, all part of the 'one'thing.

I do believe there is a 'higher' power, something like the aggregate of all sentient beings, but it is beyond explanation or definition like the Taoists, "The Tao that can be named is not the Tao", and - "He who speaks does not know, he who knows does not speak."

I believe "God" is who/whatever a person 'serves'. Each person has their own god whether it be their own self or something outside of them, it is the controlling principle of their life.

I believe in Jesus, meaning I believe that the "power is in his name"(John 1:12) which means that "God" or the controlling principle of my life is 'help'(Collins Concise Dictionary: Jesus originally via Latin from the Greek Iesous, from Hebrew Yeshua, shortened from Yehoshua - God is Help). The highest expressions of humanity and the best times I have experienced have been either helping or, seeing others helping eachother without any vested interest.

I believe in the Buddha's teachings of 'emptiness' and 'impermanence' and I believe all the above are subject to change!

Peace http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

I'm just part of the system that everyone desperately tries to understand.

I am a Roman Catholic, but with some reservations in regards to the Second Vatican Council. Especially when Our Lady's messages at LaSallette (sp?) and Fatima are taken into consioderation. Have become slightly aligned with LaFebvrists (sp?), attend SSPX Mass but am leaning more towards Franciscan spirituality.

quote:Originally posted by among_the_living:

I dont believe in a higher power - i.e - God

I dont believe in the paranormal, ghosts or spirits and such.

Pretty much see the world as it is in scientific terms.

Thats pretty much it.



This is, in Deepak Chopra's phrase "the superstition of materialism."

In my reality:

1. Ultimate reality is spirit or essence.

2. Time is an illusion, there is only the eternal moment.

3. Death is an illusion; life is eternal.

4. We are All One--therefore, there is no need to hate, fear or envy any other person. Separation is an illusion.

5. We create our own reality even as we experience it, through thought, word, and deed.

6. We are all part of the unified field--or Higher Power, or god, whatever you want to call it--and when we live in a state of grace, or enlightenment, or hozho (as the Dine call it), the entire universe conspires to fullfill our every desire. (Or as the Bible puts it "The kingdom of God is within you" and "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven; then all else will be given unto thee."

7. We all have only two enemies--fear and guilt.