Belief-o-matic: What is your religion (or non-religion)

[frood]

You can have up to three votes. Make sure to use the test at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

I wonder if some will find some surprises?

I came out Secular Humanist (100%)

I DO NOT want this to become a debate between different beliefs. Let’s just find out what we are.

Anyway though, here’s the description of secular humanists:

Belief in Deity
Not considered important. Most Humanists are atheists or agnostics.

• Incarnations
Same as above.

• Origin of Universe and Life
The scientific method is most respected as the means for revealing the mysteries of the origins of the universe and life.

• After Death
An afterlife or spiritual existence after death is not recognized.

• Why Evil?
No concept of “evil.” Reasons for wrongdoing are explored through scientific methods, e.g. through study of sociology, psychology, criminology.

• Salvation
No concept of afterlife or spiritual liberation or salvation. Realizing ones personal potential and working for the betterment of humanity through ethical consciousness and social works are considered paramount, but from a naturalistic rather than supernatural standpoint.

• Undeserved Suffering
No spiritual reasons but rather a matter of human vulnerability to misfortune, illness, and victimization.

• Contemporary Issues
The American Humanist Association endorses elective abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.

[dezrtfish]

Aparently I go for Theravada Buddhism, I have no idea what that it, but it must be the bomb digity!

[Jermofoot]

Holy crap, that’s a lot of list!  I’ll have to check this out…

[rjclayton]

What Unitarian Universalists Believe

• Belief in Deity
Very diverse beliefs–Unitarian/Universalists welcome all deity beliefs as well as nontheistic beliefs. Some congregations are formed for those who share a common belief, e.g. Christianity.

• Incarnations
Very diverse beliefs, including belief in no incarnations, or that all are the embodiment of God. Some believe Christ is God’s Son, or not Son but “Wayshower.”

• Origin of Universe and Life
Diverse beliefs, but most believe in the Bible as symbolic and that natural processes account for origins.

• After Death
Diverse beliefs, but most believe that heaven and hell are not places but are symbolic. Some believe heaven and hell are states of consciousness either in life or continuing after death; some believe in reincarnation; some believe that afterlife is nonexistent or not known or not important, as actions in life are all that matter.

• Why Evil?
Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good but also with free will and an imperfect nature that leads some to immoral behavior. Diverse beliefs. Some believe wrong is committed when people distance themselves from God. Some believe in “karma,” that what goes around comes around. Some believe wrongdoing is a matter of human nature, psychology, sociology, etc.

• Salvation
Some believe in salvation through faith in God and Jesus Christ, along with doing good works and doing no harm to others. Many believe all will be saved, as God is good and forgiving. Some believe in reincarnation and the necessity to eliminate personal greed or to learn all of life’s lessons before achieving enlightenment or salvation. For some, the concepts of salvation or enlightenment are irrelevant or disbelieved.

• Undeserving Suffering
Diverse beliefs. Most Unitarians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God’s plan, will, or design, even if we don’t immediately understand it. Some don’t believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need.

• Contemporary Issues
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s stance is to protect the personal right to choose abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.

[balungaloaf]

ho-ho.  something that works.  100% roman catholic and eastern orthodox.  somehow 93%  on quaker.  ?

scientology on the bottom, where it belongs.  nice nice.

50% unitarianism.  thats odd, should be lower.  if anybody is right on religion, i know one thing, its not the unitarians.

[Baghdaddy]

@froodster:

You can have up to three votes. Make sure to use the test at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

I wonder if some will find some surprises?

I came out Secular Humanist (100%)

I DO NOT want this to become a debate between different beliefs. Let’s just find out what we are.

Anyway though, here’s the description of secular humanists:

Belief in Deity
Not considered important. Most Humanists are atheists or agnostics.

• Incarnations
Same as above.

• Origin of Universe and Life
The scientific method is most respected as the means for revealing the mysteries of the origins of the universe and life.

• After Death
An afterlife or spiritual existence after death is not recognized.

• Why Evil?
No concept of “evil.” Reasons for wrongdoing are explored through scientific methods, e.g. through study of sociology, psychology, criminology.

• Salvation
No concept of afterlife or spiritual liberation or salvation. Realizing ones personal potential and working for the betterment of humanity through ethical consciousness and social works are considered paramount, but from a naturalistic rather than supernatural standpoint.

• Undeserved Suffering
No spiritual reasons but rather a matter of human vulnerability to misfortune, illness, and victimization.

• Contemporary Issues
The American Humanist Association endorses elective abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.

That makes two of us.

[Guest]

Surprise, surprise…

100% Neo-Pagan

Neo-Pagans are a community of faiths bringing ancient Pagan and magickal traditions to the modern age–including mostly Wicca but also Druidism, Asatru, Shamanism, neo-Native American, and more. Neo-Pagan is an umbrella term for various and diverse beliefs with many elements in common. Some Neo-Pagans find no incongruence practicing Neo-Paganism along with adherence to another faith, such as Christianity or Judaism.

• Belief in Deity
Some believe in a Supreme Being. Many believe in God and Goddess–a duality. Many believe there are countless spirit beings, gods and goddesses, in the cosmos and within all of nature–God is all and within all; all are one God. The Great Mother Earth, or Mother Nature, is highly worshipped. Divinity is immanent and may become manifest within anyone at any time through various methods.

• Incarnations
No human incarnations are worshipped in particular, as all of nature and the universe are considered embodiments of God and Goddess, or of gods and goddesses, worthy of respect, reverence, or worship.

• Origin of Universe and Life
Generally, there is no conflict between observations revealed through science and Neo-Pagan beliefs on origins of the physical universe and of man. Many believe in a supreme intelligence that created a duality of God/Goddess who then created a spirit world of gods and goddesses as well as all of the universe and nature.

• After Death
Many believe in reincarnation after some rest and recovery in the “Otherworld.” There is generally no concept of hell as a place of punishment, but some believe wrongdoing can trap the soul in state of suffering after death. Some (Wicca) believe the soul joins their dead ancestors who watch over and protect their family. Some believe that life energy continues in some, if unknown, form. Some believe in various spiritual resting places. Many say we don’t or can’t know what happens after death.

• Why Evil?
“Evil” is imbalance. Most believe there is no evil but rather that people sometimes make mistakes. Wrongdoing results when we forget we are one with the universal spirit.

• Salvation
The concept of “salvation” is essentially irrelevant; rather the belief that people can attain spiritual balance and harmony with each other and nature. The path includes group ceremonies, dances, songs/chants, prayers, meditation, trance, altered states of consciousness, the metaphysical, magic, invoking or evoking deities or spirits, Tantric practices. Intercessors are commonly used: psychics, seers, shamans, tarot, Oui-Ja board. Ethical choices are influenced by a belief that one is rewarded or punished within this or after this lifetime for one’s choices and an ethical code to do no harm.

• Undeserved Suffering
Most do not believe in Satan or any spirit being as the cause of suffering. Some believe in a karma-like principle, that choosing to live a life of wrongdoing and pain will naturally result in suffering in this or later lifetimes. Many view suffering as a result of spiritual imbalance in one’s life or on the planet or in the universe. The focus is generally on healing suffering rather than answering definitively why it exists.

• Contemporary Issues
Abortion is not condemned, as there is no official doctrine; beliefs about abortion range the full spectrum. Views on divorce, homosexuality, and gender equality are generally very supportive of human differences, equality, and personal choice. Many believe that involvement in community action, especially regarding environmental concerns, is integral to the belief in human interdependence and worship of the Earth Mother.

Unitarian was a distant second at 77%

[Coronel Cool]

Since constructivism was not considered a constructive option in the poll construction, I believe that I have no constructive reasons to find any reasons for my participation in the poll construction particularly constructive. :roll:

[frood]

Constructivism? What sort of animal is that?

[666]

Secular Humanist……that makes three of us… And I thought I was an atheist. I keep learning new things here  :-D This place is GREAT.

[frood]

My wife just did it, and she’s apparently 100% neo-pagan. Interesting, since she’s never heard of that. But she’s also 85% mainline liberal protestant Christian. We were both raised mennonite. We’re both heretics I guess, she just believes in more of a spirit world than I do.

[Guest]

Us Pagans are taking over the world!

[Loquacious P. Glib]

Mahayana Buddhism beaaaatches. Now excuse me, I have to go immolate myself to protest the Iraq war.

[Janus1]

I feel like Buddhism as an organized religion has corrupted the original intentions of Siddartha as much as any other religion. Generally, Buddhists haven’t been responsible for nearly as much death or intolerance when compared to Western religions, but the ritualization, celebration of festivals, and dogmatization of certain beliefs and practices corrupts the spirit of the religion as originally intended. People of all faiths need to realize that whatever was originally said and meant by their messiah (or prophet, or God, etc.), their religion as it exists today is a far cry from it, even if it tried to stay as true as possible. Keep in mind that this is coming from a non-practitioner, who holds no religious beliefs…but I have studied Buddhism (briefly) and found a lot in it that I respect and admire, even if I don’t subscribe to its view of the cosmos and religious beliefs.

I’m kind of rambling, I think all I’m trying to say is, in every religion, there is a core belief or ideal that has some good and truth to it, whether or not you buy its view of the universe, but the religions as they are practiced today, with all the rituals and dogmas are perverted (in the sense of changed, not necessarily to the point of being wholly without benefit) from this core.

[cyan]

It said i should be Jewish. right now i am christian.  a distant tenth place. 
1. Orthodox Judaism (100%)  (makes less sense)
2. Reform Judaism (96%)      (makes more sense)
3. Sikhism (94%)                  (not really)       
4. Islam (92%)                    (wtf, not that conservitive)
….  5. - 9.                                (double wtf)
10. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant  (66%)  ( chruch of england)

[cyan]

@dezrtfish:

Aparently I go for Theravada Buddhism, I have no idea what that it, but it must be the bomb digity!

are you monotheistic? because that is polythestic.

[Baghdaddy]

@ncscswitch:

Us Pagans are taking over the world!

Don’t think so!!!

Secular Humanist has four votes so far.

[ezto]

@Baghdaddy:

@froodster:

You can have up to three votes. Make sure to use the test at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

I wonder if some will find some surprises?

I came out Secular Humanist (100%)

I DO NOT want this to become a debate between different beliefs. Let’s just find out what we are.

Anyway though, here’s the description of secular humanists:

Belief in Deity
Not considered important. Most Humanists are atheists or agnostics.

• Incarnations
Same as above.

• Origin of Universe and Life
The scientific method is most respected as the means for revealing the mysteries of the origins of the universe and life.

• After Death
An afterlife or spiritual existence after death is not recognized.

• Why Evil?
No concept of “evil.” Reasons for wrongdoing are explored through scientific methods, e.g. through study of sociology, psychology, criminology.

• Salvation
No concept of afterlife or spiritual liberation or salvation. Realizing ones personal potential and working for the betterment of humanity through ethical consciousness and social works are considered paramount, but from a naturalistic rather than supernatural standpoint.

• Undeserved Suffering
No spiritual reasons but rather a matter of human vulnerability to misfortune, illness, and victimization.

• Contemporary Issues
The American Humanist Association endorses elective abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.

That makes two of us.

That makes 3 of us

[Baghdaddy]

@ezto:

@Baghdaddy:

@froodster:

You can have up to three votes. Make sure to use the test at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

I wonder if some will find some surprises?

I came out Secular Humanist (100%)

I DO NOT want this to become a debate between different beliefs. Let’s just find out what we are.

Anyway though, here’s the description of secular humanists:

Belief in Deity
Not considered important. Most Humanists are atheists or agnostics.

• Incarnations
Same as above.

• Origin of Universe and Life
The scientific method is most respected as the means for revealing the mysteries of the origins of the universe and life.

• After Death
An afterlife or spiritual existence after death is not recognized.

• Why Evil?
No concept of “evil.” Reasons for wrongdoing are explored through scientific methods, e.g. through study of sociology, psychology, criminology.

• Salvation
No concept of afterlife or spiritual liberation or salvation. Realizing ones personal potential and working for the betterment of humanity through ethical consciousness and social works are considered paramount, but from a naturalistic rather than supernatural standpoint.

• Undeserved Suffering
No spiritual reasons but rather a matter of human vulnerability to misfortune, illness, and victimization.

• Contemporary Issues
The American Humanist Association endorses elective abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.

That makes two of us.

That makes 3 of us

Actually JWW is also Secular Humanist for four and there is an unidentified 5th vote.  Nearest other group is 2 votes.  >20% of the board is Secular Humanist.

[666]

@cyan:

It said i should be Jewish. right now i am christian.  a distant tenth place. 
1. Orthodox Judaism (100%)  (makes less sense)
2. Reform Judaism (96%)       (makes more sense)
3. Sikhism (94%)                  (not really)         
4. Islam (92%)                     (wtf, not that conservitive)
….  5. - 9.                                (double wtf)
10. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant  (66%)  ( chruch of england)

That is pretty funny CYAN.  :lol:  I wonder what your parents or grandparents would think of this :? I’ll send you the old testament, in hebrew,  :lol:  for you to review.