Exercise in Restraint: What Religion Do You Believe In?

[Tancata]

I'm not religious at all, but I do think theology is interesting.

I have a friend who used to be a devout Protestant, but since studying theology at university he has become progressively less religious. Our conversations just get more and more stimulating as the terms pass  . 

[BachQ]

Hedonism

[wtf]

I still have faith in Scriabin and his final mystery.

[Solitary Wanderer]

Nature...the birds & bees, a beautiful landscape, the sound of the wind in the trees, lapping water...

or maybe

I'm a Pragmatic Agnostic

[mahlertitan]

gee, i don't know, i am still waiting for a good one to come up...

[JoshLilly]

I would have thought PSmith08 would be a hedonist.

[Dungeon Master]

No religion. Atheist.

And atheism is no more a religion than not playing chess is a sport.

[Gurn Blanston]

No religion. Atheist.

And atheism is no more a religion than not playing chess is a sport.

But not playing chess IS a sport...

[hornteacher]

I was raised Protestant but attended Catholic School growing up.  To this day I believe in a higher power or Divine Presence but do not follow any particular organized religion.  I believe that my relationship with my God is personal and that my code of ethics should not be dictated by any religious organization.

Is there a name for this type of faith?

[Sean]

I was raised as a Catholic, but like all religions based on dogma and set principles it's necessarily only an angle on spiritual truth, and inherently antagonistic towards all other religions (antagonism ultimately becoming pure hatred and extreme intollerance) . The Abrahamic religions of Christianty and Islam are the worst, justifying centuries of repression, torture, murder and inhumanity, Judaism escaping slighly being based on race and hence not proselytical.

The dharmic religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism etc are either less dogmatic, don't hold with God at all or have tollerance of other systems specifically built into them.

[mahlertitan]

the church of latter day saints looked good for a while, but now they don't even practice polygamy anymore... so, there is little point believing it)

[david johnson]

i'm a christian, a member of the church of Christ.  it shares many common beliefs among it's variants, but is not denominational...no central hq, no national board, etc.

dj

[Bonehelm]

Religions are overrated. But that is not to say Bruckner is...'cause he's not.

So there, I believe in Brucknerism...

[M forever]

I see your point. I wonder if that applies to most whom study religions outside their own faith. My studies of the various Far and Near Eastern religions has definitely done as you said: promoted a deeper love of my own beliefs. Those studies also helped me to love others, in part due to my learning just how intricate and complex the foundations of practically any World Religion are. I learned that people don't usually persevere in any religion unless they find aspects of it they find fulfilling on a personal level. As such, these aforementioned variables taught me that I'm no better than anyone else: most other people (no, most everybody) have essentially similar feelings of desire, hope, love, and faith.

The last was an especially important thing for me to learn. I no longer dismissed others out of hand.

Maybe that's the first step we all can take toward stopping the hate and warfare. Understanding. Compassion. Wanting to help, regardless of anything.

Sanctus Simplicatus, eh?

I can understand how immersion in and study of a complex belief system as well as studies of other belief systems can give you that kind of insight into the deeper, common nature of all these and therefore promote tolerance of them. But if you see those deeper layers common to many of them, why don't you just go one step further and let go of that one dogmatic belief system? If you reach this level of insight and tolerance of others and other spiritual expressions, what need is there to adhere to just one of them?

As readers of these pages know, I don't blieve in any form of organized religion, but I find them all interesting as complex and varied mythological expressions of the same deeper human truth. Which means that I don't think that there is anything "supernatural" behind the world or the sacred texts on which religions base themselves on. But lots of things we don't understand yet which we can reach for and maybe experience in ways which I guess some would call "mystical". So basically, I think those belief systems are all about people, and very obviously made by people for people, not given by or actually about any deities.

I do however "believe", if that is the right word in this context, in love, as kitschy as that may sound. And since I currently don't have a girlfriend/wife anymore, I don't have a religion, when I have one, then she is my religion.

[Haffner]

I am a practicing Roman Catholic who has a deep reverence for St. Ignatius of Loyola--my confirmation saint--as well as the Jesuit order, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Josemaria Escriva (founder of Opus Dei). Theologically I have no qualms with the Church, but on the political end I do have some issues (I won't name them).

I try to observe all the various aspects of Catholicism (confess, weekly mass attendance with holy days of obligiation, etc.) but I can never remember to not eat meat on Fridays!

So I do the special penance instead.

I love the writings of St. Ignatius, and I just watched another movie recently about Sts. Therese and Bernadette.

I too consider the political dealings of the Church to often be very wrong and not-thought-through-enough. I am, however, also very much in love with the Theology and by and large the practices as well.

I am particularly devoted, Mass more than once a week, consecrations to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts 5-6 times a week, a full Rosary at least 7 times a week...

but I don't see myself as being any quicker toward getting "into Heaven" because of such devotion. I do it because it makes me understand Love better, and it makes me feel marvelous.

[Haffner]

I was raised Protestant but attended Catholic School growing up.  To this day I believe in a higher power or Divine Presence but do not follow any particular organized religion.  I believe that my relationship with my God is personal and that my code of ethics should not be dictated by any religious organization.

Is there a name for this type of faith?

You could arguably be referred to as a secular Baptist.

[BachQ]

Saulism.

[hornteacher]

No, and I think that's a good thing. Simplicity in these things is best. It sure seems strange to have a middle man between us and our higher power, no?

I agree.  Wise as always my friend.

[Haffner]

No, and I think that's a good thing. Simplicity in these things is best. It sure seems strange to have a middle man between us and our higher power, no?

I'm not sure, but I think it's my very respected friend George of GMG Forums whom I think sported the most wise signature "There are as many religions as there are people" (Gandhi).

I pray that everyone finds their way to Love. I really don't care how they find it.

[Haffner]

I can understand how immersion in and study of a complex belief system as well as studies of other belief systems can give you that kind of insight into the deeper, common nature of all these and therefore promote tolerance of them. But if you see those deeper layers common to many of them, why don't you just go one step further and let go of that one dogmatic belief system? If you reach this level of insight and tolerance of others and other spiritual expressions, what need is there to adhere to just one of them?

As readers of these pages know, I don't blieve in any form of organized religion, but I find them all interesting as complex and varied mythological expressions of the same deeper human truth. Which means that I don't think that there is anything "supernatural" behind the world or the sacred texts on which religions base themselves on. But lots of things we don't understand yet which we can reach for and maybe experience in ways which I guess some would call "mystical". So basically, I think those belief systems are all about people, and very obviously made by people for people, not given by or actually about any deities.

I do however "believe", if that is the right word in this context, in love, as kitschy as that may sound. And since I currently don't have a girlfriend/wife anymore, I don't have a religion, when I have one, then she is my religion.

You don't sound kitschy at all, and I believe there is so much wisdom in what you have written. Please forgive me in advance if this strikes you the wrong way, but it still sounds to me as though you believe in Love.

It hasn't deserted you, my very wise friend. I pray you start "feeling" Love again; though it's often hard to believe when one doesn't "feel" it, Love never left you.