NationStates Jolt Archive

What is your religion?

Christian in general, Catholic in particular.

Agnostic Atheist.

i am a protestant. but i dont believe that you have to believe in christ to go to heaven. i believe that you just have to have a good soul.

i'm an agnostic humanist with buddhist leanings.

Protestant Christian. Charismatic.. more or less. I don't believe in denominations... it's all rubbish.

I am Christian, if you wanted to know. And sorry for all you guys out there, there was not enough room for Star Trek religion :lol:

atheist agnostic is not the same thing

athesit, which i am, thinks thier is certianly no god

an agnosit is more complex either no defined relegion or willing to entertain dout

change structure of poll!

Christian.

I worship Anubis, the chibi god of the dead.

Totem worship, nature and the "Great spirit" in general.

This pole is very discriminatory.
I am a Christian, so I voted for Christianity obviously.
However, there are four main categories of religion:

Atheism: the belief there is no god
Pantheism: the belief everything is a god
Polytheism: the belief there are more than one gods
Theism: the belief there is one God

I must point out, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are the only religions with theistic worldviews in existence. Isn't funny how these three are always at the center of everything?

Peace and Love,
- Cefwyn, a humble servant of Adonai

Christian, particularly Catholic

centralized location?

I am a christian - a catholic :D

monotheism is the belief in one god
theism is the belief in a god

I'm Catholic which makes me feel guilty for everything i do :evil:

Aww well. I guess I'm lucky that I'm not very religous.

Polytheism: the belief there are more than one gods

No belief in grammar, though... :P

Theism: the belief there is one God

That's monotheism. Theism is the belief in some kind of God.

I'd also like to object to agnostic and atheist being one option.

Furthermore, Hinduism and Buddhism have far more followers than Judaism - why aren't they on the poll?

or the chinese relgions?

I voted christian, though not a very devout one at times.

Yeah, there should be a few more religions on this poll

I voted christian, though not a very devout one at times.

Yeah, there should be a few more religions on this poll

Roman Catholic

Athiest, as the wonderful custom title proclaims.

or the chinese relgions?

you mean buddhism?

Buddhism originated in Nepal, Tibet, and Butan; not China.

Christian, particularly Roman Catholic.

Pantheist, with parts of Wicca thrown in.

Agnostic (Atheistic Agnostic)

Agnostic Atheist.
I'm an Atheist Atheist! Also, isn't agnostic atheist a bit of a contradiction? An atheist knows that no gods exist. An agnostic is uncertain/believes that it is impossible to know. Can you be certain of something and still believe that it's impossible to be certain?

im more spiritual than anything.
i like to think of myself as a sufi, minus the islam.

I'll vote Christian, but specifically I am a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon)

wow half christian and atheist pretty much I wouldn't of guessed!(though I was expecting christians would be outnumbered)

I'm a christian particularly a free will baptist/souther baptist/missionary baptist we're all pretty much the same the three of the denominations that is.

Not a fan of catholicism are the above denominations so nor am I and the same goes for mormons but thats just me.

I've also messed around and am somewhat non denominational and or seventh day adventist (Not much but raised somewhat that way due to my mother) and uh yeah thats all

Atheist. Unless something even better comes along ? :wink:

- T.R. Kom.

I don't think atheism and agnosticism should be grouped together like that, they're very different.

What is your religion?

Leave it to someone named GEORGE BUSH IS AWESOME to leave out one third of the people in the world: Buddhists. And then there are Hindus too.

At least try and make some effort, you elitist imbecile.

And get off your damn Jesus too. The man didn't even have a single original idea. Stole em all from the Pythagorean Cult and the Jews.

I don't think atheism and agnosticism should be grouped together like that, they're very different.

He doesn't really care. He seems them both as equal enemies to the "true religion" of Christianity.

What is your religion?

Leave it to someone named GEORGE BUSH IS AWESOME to leave out one third of the people in the world: Buddhists. And then there are Hindus too.

At least try and make some effort, you elitist imbecile.

And get off your damn Jesus too. The man didn't even have a single original idea. Stole em all from the Pythagorean Cult and the Jews.

Woah, easy big shooter.

I'll vote Christian, but specifically I am a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon)

Aw. Babe. Don't shoot yourself in the foot.

I'll go for nothingism.

officially im a christian and a lutheran, to be specific, but in reality i am not really religious, and rather look at it as a short term answer for things humanity cannot explain, so basically i am an atheist. I put christian, because im still in grade school and have to listen to my parents order to go to church at least once a year. :P

I'll go for nothingism.

Nihilism?

This pole is very discriminatory.
I am a Christian, so I voted for Christianity obviously.
However, there are four main categories of religion:

Atheism: the belief there is no god
Pantheism: the belief everything is a god
Polytheism: the belief there are more than one gods
Theism: the belief there is one god

I must point out, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are the only religions with theistic worldviews in existence. Isn't funny how these three are always at the center of everything?

Peace and Love,
- Cefwyn, a humble servant of Adonai

Don't forget the difference between deism and theism. Theism says a god interacts daily with humans, whereas deism says a god is simply an outside source.

I'll go for nothingism.

Nihilism?

Nihilism owns. I'm a nihilist during my "period" and an existentialist when I'm masturbating. Or something like that. :p

Happy B-Day 666

Me, I'm proud to be a .naidrocsiD

And aren't I original?

I am God.

(not necessarily a Judeo-Christian or Allah or any other.. just God)

Nihilism owns. I'm a nihilist during my "period" and an existentialist when I'm masturbating. Or something like that. :p

Happy B-Day 666
This is the best post I've ever seen on nationstates

I am agnostic...and of course I think it shouldn't be grouped with atheist. but I do understand the limitations of the polls

I'm a former Christian, now I'm a Diest.

So I choose other :p

A confirmed agnostic.

The ongoing concepts of "God" seem silly to me. A fun toy perhaps but really just a fantasy figure that serves as a blankie for bigger people.

SHL

Lot of us uncertain or godless types around here, huh. (I'm of the uncertain persuasion myself.)

More muslems than Jews? :shock:

Atheism isn't the same as Agnosticism. Atheism is a belief that God doesn't exist, Agnosticism is a belief that God's existance cannot be proven or disproven, and neither support nor denial of either position. (I think that's right?)

That said... I'm not sure what I am, not religious. Religion, as I understand it, is man's organized view of God. Spirituality is a personal relationship with God/spirits/gods/etc. I'd say I'm leaning from atheist to spiritual.

Edit: I like the Brahman (Hindu) view that everything is connected to God. If God created everything, then it all has a part of Him. (Particularly interesting when you think about things that seem 'ungodly'.) BTW, I use 'Him' arbitrarily... God is more of a thing than a being, I believe.

I am God.

(not necessarily a Judeo-Christian or Allah or any other.. just God)

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz? :-p

The nalanuthu of lananara

diversity is the only absolute nature of the tangable and nontangable alike

creative beings have one more nature and that is the desire to create

none of which are infallable but there is more to everything then what you see when you look at it

the more harm there is floating arround the more likely you are to run into it

the more harm you cause the more there is floating arround

nature does not require the nontangable to not exist

the nalanuthu does not require the imposing of names, deffinicians or judgements, just honest unbiased observation

worship is a solitary meditation, though temples and groves are created and maintained to insure quiet places to do so

whatever happens when your body stops breathing and thinking and pumping blood, sooner or later you will again be born into some other sort of life, that might not include memories of this one, just as you might not have been born remembering past ones this time.

it is a big universe, even just the tangable one, and there are uncountable numbers of worlds out there in it, in which you might next time in some form be born.

they are not punishments or rewards.
bennifit is bennifit and harm is harm.

paradise is the condition that exists when harm is not caused.

=^^=
.../\...

I worship random things as convenient. Yesterday it was a bar of soap. Today it is Tony Shaloub.

I'm a Unitarian. That means that I believe in everyone finding the universal truth in the way that makes the most sense to them. I do believe in a higher power, but I'm not comfortable nailing it down with a name or a label, rather I think of it as something that permeates our existence, maybe more of a conscious force than an anthropomorphic being.

Anyway, that's about the size of it.

Some info on unitarian beliefs. (http://www.anzua.org/anzua/Unitarian%20Beliefs.cfm)

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

How do you know that they don't go to purgatory and have a nice chat with Jesus...and then get into heaven?

Catholic/Lutheran/Penticostal/Wiccan

Quite obviously I am a Catholic.

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

Nowhere in the bible does it say that you will go to hell if you do NOT embrace Jesus, nor does it say that you WILL go to heaven if you do. I happen to think Jesus was a good man, and that a lot of what he said has been taken out of context in whatever way is handiest at the moment to those who need to justify what they are doing or saying.

*sigh* i really really hate that the poll has agnostic and atheist as the same option. there is a huge difference, and putting them together is even more silly than putting Christian/Muslim as the same option.

SNIP
I must point out, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are the only religions with theistic worldviews in existence. Isn't funny how these three are always at the center of everything?

Peace and Love,
- Cefwyn, a humble servant of Adonai

By "everything" are you referring to strife, contention and war?

SHL

What is your religion?

Leave it to someone named GEORGE BUSH IS AWESOME to leave out one third of the people in the world: Buddhists. And then there are Hindus too.

At least try and make some effort, you elitist imbecile.

And get off your damn Jesus too. The man didn't even have a single original idea. Stole em all from the Pythagorean Cult and the Jews.

Uh, Jesus was a Jew and what he preached was a reformation of Judism. There are many references to this in the NT. In fact, his adherents were shocked at the prospect of non-Judeans being allowed into their faith.

SHL

The nalanuthu of lananara

diversity is the only absolute nature of the tangable and nontangable alike

creative beings have one more nature and that is the desire to create

none of which are infallable but there is more to everything then what you see when you look at it

the more harm there is floating arround the more likely you are to run into it

the more harm you cause the more there is floating arround

nature does not require the nontangable to not exist

the nalanuthu does not require the imposing of names, deffinicians or judgements, just honest unbiased observation

worship is a solitary meditation, though temples and groves are created and maintained to insure quiet places to do so

whatever happens when your body stops breathing and thinking and pumping blood, sooner or later you will again be born into some other sort of life, that might not include memories of this one, just as you might not have been born remembering past ones this time.

it is a big universe, even just the tangable one, and there are uncountable numbers of worlds out there in it, in which you might next time in some form be born.

they are not punishments or rewards.
bennifit is bennifit and harm is harm.

paradise is the condition that exists when harm is not caused.

=^^=
.../\...

Careful with all that! I'm walking barefoot here.

SHL

I'm a Russian Orthodox follower, though not very religious.

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

Nowhere in the bible does it say that you will go to hell if you do NOT embrace Jesus, nor does it say that you WILL go to heaven if you do. I happen to think Jesus was a good man, and that a lot of what he said has been taken out of context in whatever way is handiest at the moment to those who need to justify what they are doing or saying.

I'll add that a lot of what is attributed to Jesus was affected by editing to make it adhere to church doctrine. Leave out this, add that, alter the other a bit.

Additionally even translations from the Aramaic are at odds with each other. Moffit reads nothing like the King James or even from the German to the Spanish.

So when one sits and reads their Bible they must first be warned that what they are reading is not literally the spoken words of Jesus. http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1226/yeartthou.jpg, etc. are not Aramaic words, they never used that typeface and they didn't use red ink in the manuscripts.

SHL

Originally raised Christian, realized it was a joke, I'm now a Laveyan satanist. And all these arguments about religion simply crack me up. Every religion has good things you can take out of it. Why can't people just chill out and let others think what they want without trying to convert them to their beliefs? I don't buy christianity, but I certainly do not attack or try to change those who are. Ave Satanas!

I am a Glorvanist. I'm probably the only one I've/you will ever meet. It is a dynamic faith that incorporates many of the better ideas from a variety of faiths and belief structures (thesitic to 'pagan' to non-theist to atheistic). At the same time, one is supposed to rid one's self of the barriers the block spiritual expansion. The final goal is to create one's own path. If asked, a Glorvanist may assist others with their searches, but is to avoid forcing their own views on others who do not wish it. Other than that, it starts getting complicated.

So Other is my choice.

Enjoy!

I am a Buddhist

I am a Conservative Southern Baptist

Sorry for not having enough poll options, they really do not fit.

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

Nowhere in the bible does it say that you will go to hell if you do NOT embrace Jesus, nor does it say that you WILL go to heaven if you do. I happen to think Jesus was a good man, and that a lot of what he said has been taken out of context in whatever way is handiest at the moment to those who need to justify what they are doing or saying.

Actually, the Bible does state on several occasions that all who fail to trust Jesus will go to Hell, while all who accept forgivness of sins will be saved. 1st Corinthians 15:2 says, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."
(The "word" Paul preached was that Jesus was the Christ and the only way to gain salvation was through Him.) Matthew 25:46 says, "Then they will go away to enternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
2nd Thessalonians 1:8 says, "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." I'm sure you will find that the passages around these verses will support the verse itself, and are not out of context. Sorry to slap you will all these verses, but hey, you brought it up. O and by the way, God doesn't just sit up on his throne and wait for you to mess up so he can condemn you, as 2nd Peter 3:9 says, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." :)

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

Nowhere in the bible does it say that you will go to hell if you do NOT embrace Jesus, nor does it say that you WILL go to heaven if you do. I happen to think Jesus was a good man, and that a lot of what he said has been taken out of context in whatever way is handiest at the moment to those who need to justify what they are doing or saying.

Actually, the Bible does state on several occasions that all who fail to trust Jesus will go to Hell, while all who accept forgivness of sins will be saved. 1st Corinthians 15:2 says, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."
(The "word" Paul preached was that Jesus was the Christ and the only way to gain salvation was through Him.) Matthew 25:46 says, "Then they will go away to enternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
2nd Thessalonians 1:8 says, "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." I'm sure you will find that the passages around these verses will support the verse itself, and are not out of context. Sorry to slap you will all these verses, but hey, you brought it up. O and by the way, God doesn't just sit up on his throne and wait for you to mess up so he can condemn you, as 2nd Peter 3:9 says, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." :)

:oops:

Woah...SORRY! I only meant to post that ONCE! I dunno why it did it THREE STINKING TIMES! :oops:

I have my own unique view of god, so: Other

I'm a Christian...well..in general,but getting more in-depth,I'm a Methodist,but I like some Baptist ways.Oh & since we're saying scriptures,my favorites are:

Psalms 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God."

and

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world,he gave his only begotten son and who so ever believeth in him shall not perish,but have ever lasting life."

Oh,& I dunno,but I think John 3:16 might help you in the debate about whether or not you'll go to Heaven if you do not believe in Jesus or God.
Well...Enjoy!! :D

i'm an agnostic humanist with buddhist leanings.

A Dutch chocolate cake with sprikles on top may sound special, but it is still just a chocolate cake.

Slap Happy Lunatics:

Of course some things change in translation from one language to another. Everything changes when translated; nothing can be exact.
As for churches changing the words of Jesus, I don't believe that has ever happened. (People may only quote certain sections, but never "alter" anything) If they did, they are ignoring Revelation 22:18-19, which, paraphrased, says it is a sin to change the words of the Bible. As for the red ink issue, umm who cares? Red ink is just a study help to assist people in quickly finding Jesus' words on a page.

Sexy Vixens:
Oh yeah, right..I was sorta skipping that one, but hey i guess it is as good as any other. (It is just soo "over-used", I hesitate to quote it.)

Christian first, Baptist second.

Odd that most of those polled either claim Christianity or Atheism/Agnosticism. By the way, bad move lumping those guys together. They tend to be pretty picky about that sort of thing.

One of my favorite scriptures would have to be Judges 3:31, "After Ehud, came Shamgar, son of Anath, who slew 600 Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel."

It isn't one of my favorites for any enlightening reason, it is one of my favorites because it is one of the most violent verses in the Bible.

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

Nowhere in the bible does it say that you will go to hell if you do NOT embrace Jesus, nor does it say that you WILL go to heaven if you do. I happen to think Jesus was a good man, and that a lot of what he said has been taken out of context in whatever way is handiest at the moment to those who need to justify what they are doing or saying.

Actually, the Bible does state on several occasions that all who fail to trust Jesus will go to Hell, while all who accept forgivness of sins will be saved. 1st Corinthians 15:2 says, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."
(The "word" Paul preached was that Jesus was the Christ and the only way to gain salvation was through Him.) Matthew 25:46 says, "Then they will go away to enternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
2nd Thessalonians 1:8 says, "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." I'm sure you will find that the passages around these verses will support the verse itself, and are not out of context. Sorry to slap you will all these verses, but hey, you brought it up. O and by the way, God doesn't just sit up on his throne and wait for you to mess up so he can condemn you, as 2nd Peter 3:9 says, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." :)

You've misinterpreted what was said. What that is saying is that you must embrace the word of Jesus, not the man as a god. I am wholeheartedly for this. I believe in what he said and did. I bet I wouldn't catch you breaking bread with sinners knowingly. Or loving everyone as you love yourself. The only way to salvation is to understand what you have done in this life, forgive yourself, mend the way you were living your life, and do as the man says, dig? Like being forgiving, not seeing yourself as the most important, superior being on the earth. Basically what he said was to give up the need to be self-important and selfish.

Originally raised Christian, realized it was a joke, I'm now a Laveyan satanist. And all these arguments about religion simply crack me up. Every religion has good things you can take out of it. Why can't people just chill out and let others think what they want without trying to convert them to their beliefs? I don't buy christianity, but I certainly do not attack or try to change those who are. Ave Satanas!

In opposing christianity, you acknowledge it, and focus on it in opposition. This makes satanism a backwards form of christianity, being based on it.

Agnostic.

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.
Why is the Bible necessarily the final word on such matters? You are proving something by its end process, more or less. Besides, as the poster above demonstrated, you are assuming things.

Sorry to go off-topic if such things are not allowed. I'm actually an athiest, myself.

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

Nowhere in the bible does it say that you will go to hell if you do NOT embrace Jesus, nor does it say that you WILL go to heaven if you do. I happen to think Jesus was a good man, and that a lot of what he said has been taken out of context in whatever way is handiest at the moment to those who need to justify what they are doing or saying.

Umm....I seem to remember some line about no one getting to the father except through him....

Checking my handy-dandy Bible I find the following lines: "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stand condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:18 NIV

It comes down to semantics then. I believe that Jesus existed, and that he did good work, and tried to set humanity on the right path. Unfortunately for him, most of humanity likes to nitpick over dogma and scripture rather than live a good life after his example. They'd rather feel superior to others and self-rightious, rather than treat all men as brothers. Nobody gets into heaven that way, and they're only fooling themselves, no one else, if they believe this is the right way to live.

Originally raised Christian, realized it was a joke, I'm now a Laveyan satanist. And all these arguments about religion simply crack me up. Every religion has good things you can take out of it. Why can't people just chill out and let others think what they want without trying to convert them to their beliefs? I don't buy christianity, but I certainly do not attack or try to change those who are. Ave Satanas!

In opposing christianity, you acknowledge it, and focus on it in opposition. This makes satanism a backwards form of christianity, being based on it.

actually leveyan satanism has nothing to do with christianity or satan for that matter.
please educate yourself before you say things like that. thank you.

Originally raised Christian, realized it was a joke, I'm now a Laveyan satanist. And all these arguments about religion simply crack me up. Every religion has good things you can take out of it. Why can't people just chill out and let others think what they want without trying to convert them to their beliefs? I don't buy christianity, but I certainly do not attack or try to change those who are. Ave Satanas!

In opposing christianity, you acknowledge it, and focus on it in opposition. This makes satanism a backwards form of christianity, being based on it.

actually leveyan satanism has nothing to do with christianity or satan for that matter.
please educate yourself before you say things like that. thank you.

I'm assuming that you're basing the "leveyan" bit on the works of Anton Levay? The ex-carnival organist turned author, who wrote the Satanic Bible? I've read it. I stick to my assertion.

but it doesn't actually involve devil worship. the emphasis is more on the self than anything. (my best friend in highschool was one, you dont' know shit it seems)

but it doesn't actually involve devil worship. the emphasis is more on the self than anything. (my best friend in highschool was one, you dont' know shit it seems)

Actually, it does. The focus of his doctrine was that you should "do what thou wilt, that is the whole of the law". Basically that the strong succeed, and those who do not take advantage of the weakness of others to succeed deserve what they get. It is a doctrine based on selfishness. It also mentions many times within the book the christian doctrine it opposes, and according to the christian doctrine, satan, the undeniable source of the word "satanism", is the lord of all temporal things. That is, all things to do with corporal life, earth, not those of the spiritual life. That is surrendered in favor of temporal gain. I do know what I'm talking about, Dakini, far more than you may suspect.

The satanic commandments, as per Anton Lavey.

1. Satan represents indulgence, instead of absinence.

2. Satan represents vital existence, instead of spiritual pipe-dreams.

3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom, instead of hypocritical self-deceit.

4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on ingrates.

5. Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek.

6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible, instead of concern for psychic vampires.

7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his "divine spiritual and intellectual development", has become the most vicious animal of all.

8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, emotional or mental gratification.

9. Satan has been the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years.

Now tell me after having quoted that verbatim, how my assertion is false.

I converted to Orthodox Christianity after several years away from church all together. For me personally, there was something seriously lacking from the Prostestant Evangelical churches I attended in my childhood.

It comes down to semantics then. I believe that Jesus existed, and that he did good work, and tried to set humanity on the right path. Unfortunately for him, most of humanity likes to nitpick over dogma and scripture rather than live a good life after his example. They'd rather feel superior to others and self-rightious, rather than treat all men as brothers. Nobody gets into heaven that way, and they're only fooling themselves, no one else, if they believe this is the right way to live.

Going to have to agree with you at least partially. I agree that one man has no right to think himself above another. I believe, however, that the scripture does matter. It matters to me at least, and I try to live by what it says. My scripture is the Bible. It says to treat my neighbor as I would like to be treated, It says to not judge others when you yourself commit the same sin, and It says that believing in Jesus as my savior is the only way to get into heaven. As a result, that is how I try to live.

because it isn't worship of satan the being, it's satan the symbol, as the symbol of all of what christians deprive themselves of in this worldly existence that satanists heed.
they do not worship satan the mythical being, as christians worship jesus, the mythical being. there is a difference between using a symbol and worship.

I'm sorry if that seemed an accusation. It was more a voicing of disgust toward the people I've seen every time I've gone to church who believe themselves to be superior to others simply because they turn up every Sunday, and yet their treatment of others is horrendous. It's conceit that I can't stand.

because it isn't worship of satan the being, it's satan the symbol, as the symbol of all of what christians deprive themselves of in this worldly existence that satanists heed.
they do not worship satan the mythical being, as christians worship jesus, the mythical being. there is a difference between using a symbol and worship.

What makes you think that the christians speak exclusively of satan as a being and not a symbol of all that keeps people from advancing spiritually? What makes you think that all of us worship Jesus, rather than take his example as the one we would live our lives by? I reassert that satanism simply turns christianity backwards, but is, nonetheless founded on it, even in its rebellion.

I was watching an old interview of Joseph Campbell on PBS last night and he said a couple of very interesting things, but the one that really got me was the assertion that religion gets in the way of spiritual enlightenment because it answers questions for you. The path to enlightenment is through seeking questions to explore--never being satisfied with simple answers. In a sense--to quote the Matrix--it's the question that drives us. Not "What is the Matrix", but rather, the neverending quest for knowledge is what drives us as humans. If we settle for simplistic answers, we cut ourselves woefully short of our potential.

because it isn't worship of satan the being, it's satan the symbol, as the symbol of all of what christians deprive themselves of in this worldly existence that satanists heed.
they do not worship satan the mythical being, as christians worship jesus, the mythical being. there is a difference between using a symbol and worship.

Woah, I am confused. Do believe that Jesus never existed at all, or that he was not divine?

...In a sense--to quote the Matrix--it's the question that drives us. Not "What is the Matrix", but rather, the neverending quest for knowledge is what drives us as humans. If we settle for simplistic answers, we cut ourselves woefully short of our potential.

But then instead of being overly simplistic, we'll end up creating a religion designed to be so fantastically overcomplicated and confusing that everyone will just be left going :?: :? :?: :? , wondering why they spent even the matinee price on such a piece of junk sequel.

Besides, just as with all the "philosophy of the matrix" junk that went around, those at the top will take advantage of the confusion and complexity to consolidate their power and abuse the unclean sinners below.

Eh, too many things in the Bible didn't make sense to me. Of course, most of the time, when people nitpick on it they take thigns out of context to make them seem worst.

So both sides were all muddled -_-

Oh, and I do think that the Christian believe is no Jesus = no heaven :p

While I'm not going to read all the messages, I thought I'd comment on this one as I am an agnostic atheist. Hopefully it hasn't been covered already, if so, appologies for the repeat.

atheist agnostic is not the same thing

athesit, which i am, thinks thier is certianly no god

an agnosit is more complex either no defined relegion or willing to entertain dout

change structure of poll!

Agnostic refers to knowledge, or more accurately, the lack of knowledge, a=no & gnosos=knowledge. Atheist refers to the non-belief in god(s.)

I am an agnostic in that I know of no useful evidence that leads me to believe god(s) exist nor is there conclusive evidence that they don't. Given the qualities of god(s) attributed to them by their followers (the only qualities that I can use as it is not my place to define the theist claims,) it is impossible to determine such existance.

Further, the lack of any evidence for existance vs the relative wealth of plausible evidence against such entities existing, which is not helped by the contradictatory attributes between the different pantheons (and often within a single pantheon,) leaves me unable to assent to any of the theistic claims. Thus, I am an atheist.

There are agnostics who are theist, they don’t know but, the available evidence leads them to theistic belief, as well as those who are atheist, where the same evidence leads them to non-belief. The range from belief to non-belief is broad and each person is posslbley unique in the exact possition to which end they occupy. In reality, we are all agnostics in that there is no verifiable knowledge that god(s) exist.

...In a sense--to quote the Matrix--it's the question that drives us. Not "What is the Matrix", but rather, the neverending quest for knowledge is what drives us as humans. If we settle for simplistic answers, we cut ourselves woefully short of our potential.

But then instead of being overly simplistic, we'll end up creating a religion designed to be so fantastically overcomplicated and confusing that everyone will just be left going :?: :? :?: :? , wondering why they spent even the matinee price on such a piece of junk sequel.

Besides, just as with all the "philosophy of the matrix" junk that went around, those at the top will take advantage of the confusion and complexity to consolidate their power and abuse the unclean sinners below.

That was sort of the heart of the mystery religions. The people who had the capacity to understand were initiated into the mysteries of the spiritual world, and those who had not the capacity were given a simplified version that still contained the basic truths. Not everyone can understand, or is willing to search within and without themselves for the truth, yet they need to feel some connection to spirituality. If you look around at the people you come into contact with, some of them are deeper, and need more, whereas some of them are simpler, and only need to believe without questioning.

...In a sense--to quote the Matrix--it's the question that drives us. Not "What is the Matrix", but rather, the neverending quest for knowledge is what drives us as humans. If we settle for simplistic answers, we cut ourselves woefully short of our potential.

But then instead of being overly simplistic, we'll end up creating a religion designed to be so fantastically overcomplicated and confusing that everyone will just be left going :?: :? :?: :? , wondering why they spent even the matinee price on such a piece of junk sequel.

Besides, just as with all the "philosophy of the matrix" junk that went around, those at the top will take advantage of the confusion and complexity to consolidate their power and abuse the unclean sinners below.Actually, my point was that religion is what gets in the way. No overcomplicated religion. And I certainly wasn't saying that the "philosophy" at the heart of the Matrix was worth following.

No--what I was saying is that at its essence, religion ought to be the personal search for enlightenment, the following of one's bliss, the expansion of one's personal consciousness to the utmost. Don't rely on dime-store charlatans to tell you what's moral--figure it out on your own if you really care.

And if you don't, if you're willing to let someone else promise you paradise or hell, then do that as well. I just think you're selling yourself short if you do.

...In a sense--to quote the Matrix--it's the question that drives us. Not "What is the Matrix", but rather, the neverending quest for knowledge is what drives us as humans. If we settle for simplistic answers, we cut ourselves woefully short of our potential.

But then instead of being overly simplistic, we'll end up creating a religion designed to be so fantastically overcomplicated and confusing that everyone will just be left going :?: :? :?: :? , wondering why they spent even the matinee price on such a piece of junk sequel.

Besides, just as with all the "philosophy of the matrix" junk that went around, those at the top will take advantage of the confusion and complexity to consolidate their power and abuse the unclean sinners below.

That was sort of the heart of the mystery religions. The people who had the capacity to understand were initiated into the mysteries of the spiritual world, and those who had not the capacity were given a simplified version that still contained the basic truths. Not everyone can understand, or is willing to search within and without themselves for the truth, yet they need to feel some connection to spirituality. If you look around at the people you come into contact with, some of them are deeper, and need more, whereas some of them are simpler, and only need to believe without questioning.

Personally, I think one will find more blind belief without question when such "mystery" is incorporated into religous belief. Sure, we can go around acting like we are searching for something more. But eventually those who are only grasping for position will use that "mystery" as an excuse to condemn and demand conformity and compliance, as those who disagree are either too blind to see the truth, too stupid to see the truth, or just never "truely" believed to begin with.

It has been my own experience that those in a religion who are the most studied and who are "deeper" are also the least likely to tolerate (EDIT: being questioned).

Many of the people I've known who were deeply religious were not at the same time deep. This does not mean that their convictions were not strong, it simply meant that they didn't have the inclination or perhaps the ability to question further.

Mystery religions were not usually abused as a means of giving power to those who were initiates. They were a way of making the spiritual realm accessible to each according to their inclination or ability. Some people aren't able to search the Kabbala or the Vedas. They wouldn't know where to begin, and they wouldn't want to. They shouldn't be deprived of their faith due to this, but neither should those who want to and are open-minded enough to do so.

Wiccan here...

Y'know, I figure that if God accepts Agnostics, a sort of finger-crossing Atheism, but thats my opinion, I wouldnt want to worship Him :P

Anti-Catholic, pro-lutheran/calvanist (presb.) athiest :shock:

why anti-catholic? because it is nothing more than an international power structure that is loosely based on the bible. most of what it stands for has no basis in the bible, ie mary, papal infalability, trans-substansation (sp.?), saints as intermediaries, st paul as the founder of the western church etc etc etc

all of this is papal BS.

at least protestants trust in the bible and only the bible. no child molesting man in black or ancient virgin that wears half a ball on his head controls the gates of heaven 8)

that said it's all a load of BS. :lol:

I am more a collector of philosophies than a religous person. My major 'philosophical belief' is Taoism. I do follow the philosophy of Buddhism and Christianity (mainly the new testament). I have a strong moral adversion to any 'religion' because it relies on 'beliefs'. I don't like beliefs because they cause segregation. I don't think you should 'believe' in anything

at the risk of being ostrasized by the community at large, I am...Muslim!

More muslems than Jews? :shock:

that not being the case on this page, I'm still wondering why its a problem :x

*sigh* i really really hate that the poll has agnostic and atheist as the same option. there is a huge difference, and putting them together is even more silly than putting Christian/Muslim as the same option.
I totally agree with you.

Atheists are firm in their belief whilst agnostics are not and ar open to 'believing' as it were. They are, as you say, two very different things.

Athiests are beating out Christians, but just barely!

I believe in myself. Is that not enough?

Athiest. Some, indeed most on here, would say militant. But just an scientific athiest.

My religion is Music.

That's right: Music.

With that said: I am sorry to anyone who is Catholic.

With that said: I really dislike Catholicism.

With that said: I like just about anyother religion, esp. Buddhism, and the Chinese "Religions", which are more a social structure and organized wisdom, but whatever...

With that said: Music is the best religion because Jimi Hendrix was part of it too...

I believe in myself. Is that not enough?

HUMANIST!!!


(By the way, that's not mean as an attack on you!)

Athiests are beating out Christians, but just barely!

But you've put atheists with agnostics. Who's to say that agnostics aren't beating out Christians (instead of atheists)?

Athiests are beating out Christians, but just barely!

But you've put atheists with agnostics. Who's to say that agnostics aren't beating out Christians (instead of atheists)?No kidding--from my conversations with other agnostics around here, I'd say that the two groups are probably equally split.

*Dashes off to make poll*

No kidding--from my conversations with other agnostics around here, I'd say that the two groups are probably equally split.

*Dashes off to make poll*

What, of atheists and agnostics?

No kidding--from my conversations with other agnostics around here, I'd say that the two groups are probably equally split.

*Dashes off to make poll*

What, of atheists and agnostics?Yep--it's already up.

Yep--it's already up.

Yeah, I see. :D

I am one of THE HOLY SHRUB!




(Those who play Starwars Galaxies know this....)

I am a Christian, and I KNOW the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the light, no one goes to the Father except through me." Having a "good soul" has nothing to do with it.

Nowhere in the bible does it say that you will go to hell if you do NOT embrace Jesus, nor does it say that you WILL go to heaven if you do. I happen to think Jesus was a good man, and that a lot of what he said has been taken out of context in whatever way is handiest at the moment to those who need to justify what they are doing or saying.

Actually, the Bible does state on several occasions that all who fail to trust Jesus will go to Hell, while all who accept forgivness of sins will be saved. 1st Corinthians 15:2 says, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."
(The "word" Paul preached was that Jesus was the Christ and the only way to gain salvation was through Him.) Matthew 25:46 says, "Then they will go away to enternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
2nd Thessalonians 1:8 says, "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." I'm sure you will find that the passages around these verses will support the verse itself, and are not out of context. Sorry to slap you will all these verses, but hey, you brought it up. O and by the way, God doesn't just sit up on his throne and wait for you to mess up so he can condemn you, as 2nd Peter 3:9 says, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." :)

You've misinterpreted what was said. What that is saying is that you must embrace the word of Jesus, not the man as a god. I am wholeheartedly for this. I believe in what he said and did. I bet I wouldn't catch you breaking bread with sinners knowingly. Or loving everyone as you love yourself. The only way to salvation is to understand what you have done in this life, forgive yourself, mend the way you were living your life, and do as the man says, dig? Like being forgiving, not seeing yourself as the most important, superior being on the earth. Basically what he said was to give up the need to be self-important and selfish.

Okay... first of all, Jesus is God. Not a god, but the God. Think of it this way. To believe and trust what Jesus said and did, you have to believe that he is the Son of God. Jesus said He was the Son of God, so if you believe he was just a good man, then he was a liar. Jesus said some crazy things for his time, but if you believe that he is the Son of God then what he said makes sense. However if you think that he was just a man, then much of what He said sounds absolutely nuts and crazy, so, then he is a lunatic. So Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic or the Son of God. I dunno about you, but i would not want to follow the words of a liar or lunatic, so if I follow Jesus' teachings, I am accepting that He is the Son of God.

I try not to classify people as "sinners". Also, I try to love everyone as Jesus would, but do you have any idea how hard that is? so, maybe you would'nt "catch" me "breaking bread with sinners" or "loving everyone as i love myself", but you sure would catch me trying.

The only way to salvation is to accept Jesus' forgiveness. You cannot forgive yourself. Forgiveness is someting that must be given. You can't say, slap someone, go home and be like, (to yourself) o i am so sorry, i forgive myself. Because most likely, you havent been forgiven by the person you slapped...so "forgiving youself" is pointless. Mending the way you live is an important part of living for Jesus. You are right that Jesus said to be humble and consider yourself lower than others. But doing that does not get you into Heaven. A person must be forgiven by Jesus, then he can work on being humble etc. A person could be the most considerate, humble, self-less person in the world, but if he has not accepted Jesus' forgiveness, then it is pointless, and he won't recieve salvation.