NationStates Jolt Archive


New Religion Poll:

Romedom
06-08-2004, 00:32
Both polls so far have wrongly classified things together, so here is another modification so unrelated things aren't in the same group, such as Catholicism and Evangelical Christians.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 00:36
And, yet again, Friends, Mennonites and Bretheren are left off the list.
Romedom
06-08-2004, 00:37
Aren't Mennonites Protestant? I thought they were either the Amish or similar to them. I thought they are Bible believing Christians.
Nadejda 2
06-08-2004, 00:39
Oh my gosh my religion is left off the list!!! Please...get over it people..
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 00:40
Aren't Mennonites Protestant? I thought they were either the Amish or similar to them. I thought they are Bible believing Christians.

Anabaptists, actually, although I guess that would fall under Protestant in a general way. Regardless, us peach testiment churches always get short shrift when it comes to polls. :)

http://www.mennoniteusa.org/
Woomania
06-08-2004, 00:40
Athiest highest...You people have no faith. Why arn't Satanists there!!! =P j/k im Catholic.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 00:40
Oh my gosh my religion is left off the list!!! Please...get over it people..

Oh dry up, Nadejda. I was kidding.
Romedom
06-08-2004, 00:42
By definition, any Christian who is not Catholic or Eastern Orthodox is Protestant. If you were not protesting against the original Catholic faith, you would be Catholic. Therefore, by not being Catholic, it is an act of protest. Maybe these days it isn't seen that way, but no Protestant group would exist if they weren't protesting.
Romedom
06-08-2004, 00:43
If people are wondering about the Pagan category, it includes polytheistic religions (which by definition are Pagan), and it includes witches and wizards. AKA the people who were burned in the Middle Ages.
Romedom
06-08-2004, 00:46
The amount of unbelievers is ridiculous. I bet even 5 years ago Atheists would be the minority on this poll. It's all a fad that teens are into that it's cool to not be Christian or to have some weird pagan religion that gets attention.
Amerigo
06-08-2004, 00:47
Not another religion poll...

And you still lumped atheism and agnosticism together... So I don't really see how this improved the last poll.
Romedom
06-08-2004, 00:50
It improved it because non-related Christians are not together, and there aren't reduncencies like having Christian and then having Catholic. Atheists and Agnostics are all unbelievers, so they can be put together.
Keruvalia
06-08-2004, 00:51
Once again ... "Jew" and "Muslim" are not religions ...

Judaism and Islam are religions.

I am Jewish, but I do not practice Judaism. Get it?

Guess someone needs to try again.
Amerigo
06-08-2004, 00:52
It improved it because non-related Christians are not together, and there aren't reduncencies like having Christian and then having Catholic. Atheists and Agnostics are all unbelievers, so they can be put together.
Agnostics are not nonbelievers. Some agnostics believe in a God but are not as confident as theists because it cannot be proven. Thus agnostics believe that the existance of God cannot be proven and a God may or may not in fact exist.
Kamsaki
06-08-2004, 00:54
It improved it because non-related Christians are not together, and there aren't reduncencies like having Christian and then having Catholic. Atheists and Agnostics are all unbelievers, so they can be put together.

Minor difference. Athiest is a defined belief of hostility against organised religion. Agnostic is more of a half-way house; an Agnostic isn't sure what he believes, has a spiritual need that hasn't been met by existing sects, doesn't care one way or the other or is in transit between different faiths. The two groups would probably be offended by people mixing them up.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 00:57
Minor difference. Athiest is a defined belief of hostility against organised religion. Agnostic is more of a half-way house; an Agnostic isn't sure what he believes, has a spiritual need that hasn't been met by existing sects, doesn't care one way or the other or is in transit between different faiths. The two groups would probably be offended by people mixing them up.

Just to quibble, my understanding of agnosticism isn't "uncertainty of belief" per se, but more a position that God's existance can not be proved sufficiently either way. It may exist, it may not. However, because there is no real proof in either category, the question is, essentially, moot and doesn't directly affect one's everyday life. It's probably the most generally rational position to take regarding religious matters.
Edessia
06-08-2004, 01:02
yeah guys seriously this shit is getting insnae and evangelical christians have a lot to do with catholicism, there one of the 4 major sects in the catholic church, god putting in these polls ahs become annoying i swear nothing sparks a debate or argument or controversy faster then religon (remember passions of jesus christ?)
QahJoh
06-08-2004, 01:18
Minor difference. Athiest is a defined belief of hostility against organised religion. Agnostic is more of a half-way house; an Agnostic isn't sure what he believes, has a spiritual need that hasn't been met by existing sects, doesn't care one way or the other or is in transit between different faiths. The two groups would probably be offended by people mixing them up.

I disagree with your characterization of atheists. My impression is that while agnostics remain unsure or undecided about the nature of God, religion, etc., atheists have come to the conclusion that God does not exist. This does not in itself imply hostility, merely disbelief.

The amount of unbelievers is ridiculous.

Why? Why is being a nonbeliever (more respectful than "unbeliever") any more ridiculous than being a Catholic or a Sikh?

I bet even 5 years ago Atheists would be the minority on this poll.

Why? Explain.

It's all a fad that teens are into that it's cool to not be Christian or to have some weird pagan religion that gets attention.

That's a rather absurd- and insulting- assertion. How about taking a hard look at Christianity and why it seems to be turning off more and more American youth? What makes you dismiss this as a "fad"? I'd say this is more of a trend that has been growing over the past several decades.

Besides, there are plenty of elements in every religion- including yours- which could be described as "weird".

You seem to have a real chip on your shoulder. I'd be interested in hearing more about why.
Conceptualists
06-08-2004, 01:22
If people are wondering about the Pagan category, it includes polytheistic religions (which by definition are Pagan), and it includes witches and wizards. AKA the people who were burned in the Middle Ages.

Firstly, modern witches are completely different to those that were burned in the middle ages. Other then the name, they have nothing in common.

Also you missed out dualists.
Crabcake Baba Ganoush
06-08-2004, 01:25
I know that god exists. I play poker with him, Jesus, Lucifer, and Buddha every Sunday.
Cherry Ridge
06-08-2004, 01:26
Roman Catholic
Conceptualists
06-08-2004, 01:26
I know that god exists. I play poker with him, Jesus, Lucifer, and Buddha every Sunday.
How high do the stakes go?
Amerigo
06-08-2004, 01:28
I know that god exists. I play poker with him, Jesus, Lucifer, and Buddha every Sunday.
Damn, with celebrities like that, I want in!
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 01:29
The amount of unbelievers is ridiculous. I bet even 5 years ago Atheists would be the minority on this poll. It's all a fad that teens are into that it's cool to not be Christian or to have some weird pagan religion that gets attention.

erm, I'm pagan and about 3 people know and I don't flaunt it - sometimes people actually switch religions because it makes sense.
QahJoh
06-08-2004, 01:30
Damn, with celebrities like that, I want in!

You could become a Scientologist... or join the Kabbalah Center.
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 01:32
Just to quibble, my understanding of agnosticism isn't "uncertainty of belief" per se, but more a position that God's existance can not be proved sufficiently either way. It may exist, it may not. However, because there is no real proof in either category, the question is, essentially, moot and doesn't directly affect one's everyday life. It's probably the most generally rational position to take regarding religious matters.

gnostic means knowing in greek. the prefix a negates the following word. Agnosticism literally means "not knowing"
Amerigo
06-08-2004, 01:33
You could become a Scientologist... or join the Kabbalah Center.
Speaking of which, Scientologists are omitted!
Conceptualists
06-08-2004, 01:34
gnostic means knowing in greek. the prefix a negates the following word. Agnosticism literally means "not knowing"
One of the benefits of being Gnostic, nobody can be arsed questioning your religious beliefs because they mix up gnostic with agnostic.
Bottle
06-08-2004, 01:36
Agnostics are not nonbelievers. Some agnostics believe in a God but are not as confident as theists because it cannot be proven. Thus agnostics believe that the existance of God cannot be proven and a God may or may not in fact exist.

closer, but still wrong.

an agnostic believes there is no conclusive evidence either way, and therefore it is not logical to make any statements about God. some agnostics choose to hold loose beliefs in God, but they must (by definition) acknowledge that this choice is not logical and is purely an emotional or "faith-based" decision.

atheists believe that there IS NOT a God or gods. ideologically, saying that atheists and agnostics can be lumped together based on their "non-belief" is like saying that Muslims and Christians can be lumped together because they are believers; it is extremely insulting, and only serves to display the thread founder's ignorance of either belief system. it would be more appropriate to lump "believers" with atheists than it would be to lump atheists and agnostics together.

i am agnostic, and i take as much exception to atheists as to religious persons because i believe it is dishonest for anybody to fool themselves into thinking they can make truth claims about the existence of a god or gods. to claim that there IS NOT God is just as unsupported as to claim there IS God, and both are equally unacceptable to me. when people lump atheists and agnostics together i simply return the favor by telling them that Islam and Hinduism and Christianity are the same thing and shouldn't be distinguished.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 01:36
gnostic means knowing in greek. the prefix a negates the following word. Agnosticism literally means "not knowing"

Sure, fine, but I'm talking about the school of thought that I generally understand to be the agnostic stance on the subject of God.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 01:37
closer, but still wrong.

an agnostic believes there is no conclusive evidence either way, and therefore it is not logical to make any statements about God. some agnostics choose to hold loose beliefs in God, but they must (by definition) acknowledge that this choice is not logical and is purely an emotional or "faith-based" decision.

atheists believe that there IS NOT a God or gods. ideologically, saying that atheists and agnostics can be lumped together based on their "non-belief" is like saying that Muslims and Christians can be lumped together because they are believers; it is extremely insulting, and only serves to display the thread founder's ignorance of either belief system. it would be more appropriate to lump "believers" with atheists than it would be to lump atheists and agnostics together.

i am agnostic, and i take as much exception to atheists as to religious persons because i believe it is dishonest for anybody to fool themselves into thinking they can make truth claims about the existence of a god or gods. to claim that there IS NOT God is just as unsupported as to claim there IS God, and both are equally unacceptable to me. when people lump atheists and agnostics together i simply return the favor by telling them that Islam and Hinduism and Christianity are the same thing and shouldn't be distinguished.

Wait, I thought you were athiest?
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 01:37
The amount of unbelievers is ridiculous. I bet even 5 years ago Atheists would be the minority on this poll. It's all a fad that teens are into that it's cool to not be Christian or to have some weird pagan religion that gets attention.

I hope you're aware that christianity evolved from the PAGAN mystery cults of Adonis/Tamuz, Mythras, Dyonisus, and Isis - with a healthy jewish gnostic influence mixed in. The followers of Dionysus (who was crucified) drank wine which symbolized his blood and ate bread, his body, in a sacred meal. Adonis/Tamuz was born in the very cave in Bethlehem that there is now a christian church in on december 25th (there was a cult center for him there) - Isis gave birth on december 25th to her son, who was killed and rose again - and she was called MATA MERI...the entirety of christianity is just rehashed paganism - christians are merely confused pagans, as far as I'm concerned.
Bottle
06-08-2004, 01:38
gnostic means knowing in greek. the prefix a negates the following word. Agnosticism literally means "not knowing"
no, the literal translation of the root words means "not knowing." like most English words, the root translation no longer has direct meaning, and the term has come to be used with a different definition. if we actually used the root definitions of all English words then you would end up speaking a different language.
Wehling
06-08-2004, 01:38
if a "right" god does exist than there would minimum 65% of the world population believe in a "wrong thing", and so i think it doesn´t matter which religion you are from or not, the only right religion is the religion you are getting lucky with
Amerigo
06-08-2004, 01:38
closer, but still wrong.

an agnostic believes there is no conclusive evidence either way, and therefore it is not logical to make any statements about God. some agnostics choose to hold loose beliefs in God, but they must (by definition) acknowledge that this choice is not logical and is purely an emotional or "faith-based" decision.

atheists believe that there IS NOT a God or gods. ideologically, saying that atheists and agnostics can be lumped together based on their "non-belief" is like saying that Muslims and Christians can be lumped together because they are believers; it is extremely insulting, and only serves to display the thread founder's ignorance of either belief system. it would be more appropriate to lump "believers" with atheists than it would be to lump atheists and agnostics together.

i am agnostic, and i take as much exception to atheists as to religious persons because i believe it is dishonest for anybody to fool themselves into thinking they can make truth claims about the existence of a god or gods. to claim that there IS NOT God is just as unsupported as to claim there IS God, and both are equally unacceptable to me. when people lump atheists and agnostics together i simply return the favor by telling them that Islam and Hinduism and Christianity are the same thing and shouldn't be distinguished.
How is what I said wrong? I said the exact same thing. Only in three sentences.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 01:40
if a "right" god does exist than there would minimum 65% of the world population believe in a "wrong thing", and so i think it doesn´t matter which religion you are from or not, the only right religion is the religion you are getting lucky with

Heh, are you implying that the best God is a cheap date? :)
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 01:40
Sure, fine, but I'm talking about the school of thought that I generally understand to be the agnostic stance on the subject of God.
understood, I was just being anal - prattle away =)
Bottle
06-08-2004, 01:41
Wait, I thought you were athiest?

nope. i was at one time, but as a scientist i realized i cannot be atheist. i cannot disprove God, just as i cannot prove God, so i cannot make a truth claim either way. however, i do think that most current conceptions of God (those advanced by all major religions) can be logically disproven or cosmologically demonstrated to be absurd, so in that sense i am atheist because i think all structured definitions proposed thus far CAN be proven wrong.
Keruvalia
06-08-2004, 01:42
If people are wondering about the Pagan category, it includes polytheistic religions (which by definition are Pagan), and it includes witches and wizards. AKA the people who were burned in the Middle Ages.

The majority of people burrned at the stake in the Middle Ages were Christians, not Witches. Most of them were unmarried Christian women who owned land that the government wanted. A quick accusation and *poof* all land is forfeit.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 01:43
nope. i was at one time, but as a scientist i realized i cannot be atheist. i cannot disprove God, just as i cannot prove God, so i cannot make a truth claim either way. however, i do think that most current conceptions of God (those advanced by all major religions) can be logically disproven or cosmologically demonstrated to be absurd, so in that sense i am atheist because i think all structured definitions proposed thus far CAN be proven wrong.

Ah, fair enough. Thanks for setting me straight and my continued respect for your logic and willingness to change your views continues to grow. :)
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 01:43
understood, I was just being anal - prattle away =)

Hehe, will do!
Conceptualists
06-08-2004, 01:44
The majority of people burrned at the stake in the Middle Ages were Christians, not Witches. Most of them were unmarried Christian women who owned land that the government wanted. A quick accusation and *poof* all land is forfeit.
Not even the government, just neighbours hoping to better themselves.

Also, it was a good way to get rid of 'weirdos' and women who knew to much (not in a conspirurial way, just very knowledgable)
QahJoh
06-08-2004, 01:44
The majority of people burrned at the stake in the Middle Ages were Christians, not Witches.

A fair amount of Jews and Crypto-Jews, too.
Novvs Atlantis
06-08-2004, 01:45
I am of the Religio Romana.
Conceptualists
06-08-2004, 01:46
Basically, anyone not liked was burned at the stake.
Bottle
06-08-2004, 01:46
How is what I said wrong? I said the exact same thing. Only in three sentences.
an agnostic who chooses to believe is not "less confident" than any other believer, they are simply more aware and accepting of their reasons for faith. they must admit that they are making a purely emotional decision, and that there is no grounds for their faith. while that is much more honest than any other way of believing, it is also extremely rare. not many people are capable of actual faith; most people need to convince themselves they are being rational about their superstitions, whereas an agnostic believer fully realizes the absurdity of their belief.

most people who claim to be "agnostic believers" are actually just watered-down believers who like to feel outside of the mainstream; they haven't actually used agnostic principles at all in their decision, they just are "agnostic" about what their God specifically is. they're actually just believers who want to create God more in their own image, and they don't like the pictures of God presented by most religions. that's not agnosticism because they don't admit the logical falacy of their own belief.

it's a subtle but crucial distinction. agnosticism is a subtle path, though, and people are generally miseducated about it...the fact that people continually lump agnosticism with atheism doesn't help matters :P.
Keruvalia
06-08-2004, 01:46
The amount of unbelievers is ridiculous. I bet even 5 years ago Atheists would be the minority on this poll. It's all a fad that teens are into that it's cool to not be Christian or to have some weird pagan religion that gets attention.

Ummm ... Buddhists are atheists ... is Buddhism (which predates Christianity by 600 years) a teen fad?

Also, I come from a Pagan family and I'm 32 ... is my Paganism (based on my Caddo heritage - which predates Christianity by untold thousands of years) a teen fad?
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 01:52
Ummm ... Buddhists are atheists ... is Buddhism (which predates Christianity by 600 years) a teen fad?

Also, I come from a Pagan family and I'm 32 ... is my Paganism (based on my Caddo heritage - which predates Christianity by untold thousands of years) a teen fad?

Caddo? Native American maybe?? what is it? (sorry, I really should know)
Amerigo
06-08-2004, 01:53
an agnostic who chooses to believe is not "less confident" than any other believer, they are simply more aware and accepting of their reasons for faith. they must admit that they are making a purely emotional decision, and that there is no grounds for their faith. while that is much more honest than any other way of believing, it is also extremely rare. not many people are capable of actual faith; most people need to convince themselves they are being rational about their superstitions, whereas an agnostic believer fully realizes the absurdity of their belief.

most people who claim to be "agnostic believers" are actually just watered-down believers who like to feel outside of the mainstream; they haven't actually used agnostic principles at all in their decision, they just are "agnostic" about what their God specifically is. they're actually just believers who want to create God more in their own image, and they don't like the pictures of God presented by most religions. that's not agnosticism because they don't admit the logical falacy of their own belief.

it's a subtle but crucial distinction. agnosticism is a subtle path, though, and people are generally miseducated about it...the fact that people continually lump agnosticism with atheism doesn't help matters :P.
That's just nitpicking. I said they are less confident because it "can not be proven". You concentrate more on the less confident part rather than the "can not be proven". I said less confident because I did not want to write an entire paragraph explaining my wording. I tried to shorten my thoughts and that was the outcome.
Berkylvania
06-08-2004, 01:53
Ummm ... Buddhists are atheists ... is Buddhism (which predates Christianity by 600 years) a teen fad?

Also, I come from a Pagan family and I'm 32 ... is my Paganism (based on my Caddo heritage - which predates Christianity by untold thousands of years) a teen fad?

I guess it all really depends on if you read Tiger Beat or not.
Bottle
06-08-2004, 01:54
The amount of unbelievers is ridiculous. I bet even 5 years ago Atheists would be the minority on this poll. It's all a fad that teens are into that it's cool to not be Christian or to have some weird pagan religion that gets attention.

as opposed to the 90% of American Christians who still belong to the same religion they were born into, essentially proving that they are "believers" purely out of habit. after all, can all those people have taken a good, serious, in-depth look at their faith and ALL have decided that they just happened to be born into the one true faith? :P

i'll take teen fad atheism over habit-entrenched superstition any day of the week, thanks.
Cadbury and Avalon
06-08-2004, 01:55
Minor difference. Athiest is a defined belief of hostility against organised religion. Agnostic is more of a half-way house; an Agnostic isn't sure what he believes, has a spiritual need that hasn't been met by existing sects, doesn't care one way or the other or is in transit between different faiths. The two groups would probably be offended by people mixing them up.

With respect, I would like to clarify that Atheism is not about hostility against organised religion. Rather, Atheists simply do not believe in god(s). Moreover, Atheists often do not believe in anything mystical or supernatural. I for one consider myself a positive Atheist and I do not try to take peoples faith from them. Just as I do not wish to have peoples faith pushed on me.
Miraldi
06-08-2004, 01:55
Why are there not separate categories for Athiest and Agnostic?

Athiest does not believe in a supreme being(s).

Agnostic is someone who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.

Oh, and hello all, my first (of many, I'm sure) posts!
Keruvalia
06-08-2004, 01:56
Caddo? Native American maybe?? what is it? (sorry, I really should know)

Nod ... the Caddo are a Northeast Texas Native American tribe.

http://www.texasindians.com/caddo.htm
Bottle
06-08-2004, 01:57
That's just nitpicking. I said they are less confident because it "can not be proven". You concentrate more on the less confident part rather than the "can not be proven". I said less confident because I did not want to write an entire paragraph explaining my wording. I tried to shorten my thoughts and that was the outcome.

meh, you shorten things and you lose important info. you make think it's nitpicking, but to somebody who holds agnosticism as the important "religious" belief in their life it is a crucial point. to me, the distinction i outlined is the difference between honesty and lies, between reason and faith, between a life well-spent and a life wasted. you might think it doesn't matter, but i do. you don't have to care, but you do have to accept that i will contradict you when you fudge a bit on important details.

i understand you weren't trying to be rude and that you probably have the right ideas in mind, but other people wouldn't know that if they just read your post. i believe it is important to clear this stuff up, and i am more than willing to take the time to write a few paragraphs. if you aren't then that's fine, but don't get testy when i clarify things you misrepresented. i'm not attacking you.
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 01:57
Nod ... the Caddo are a Northeast Texas Native American tribe.

http://www.texasindians.com/caddo.htm

ah, I'll look into it, thanks =)
Kryozerkia
06-08-2004, 01:59
--deleted--

And... well...see otehr threads for my answer.
Amerigo
06-08-2004, 02:02
meh, you shorten things and you lose important info. you make think it's nitpicking, but to somebody who holds agnosticism as the important "religious" belief in their life it is a crucial point. to me, the distinction i outlined is the difference between honesty and lies, between reason and faith, between a life well-spent and a life wasted. you might think it doesn't matter, but i do. you don't have to care, but you do have to accept that i will contradict you when you fudge a bit on important details.

i understand you weren't trying to be rude and that you probably have the right ideas in mind, but other people wouldn't know that if they just read your post. i believe it is important to clear this stuff up, and i am more than willing to take the time to write a few paragraphs. if you aren't then that's fine, but don't get testy when i clarify things you misrepresented. i'm not attacking you.

Fine... fine... I guess the "Close but wrong" part kinda got to me.
Let's just forget it about it.
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 02:03
Nod ... the Caddo are a Northeast Texas Native American tribe.

http://www.texasindians.com/caddo.htm

oh I've seen some mounds in arkansas, where I live, I'm allways interested in native american religions - I'm an ecclectic myself and so much of what they beleive(d) sounds like other ancient religions - the local Quapaw people and (I beleive) the greater Souix family have beleifs that are alot like my own and taoist ideas. Fascinating people - the pottery is lovely, by the way.
Bottle
06-08-2004, 02:04
Fine... fine... I guess the "Close but wrong" part kinda got to me.
Let's just forget it about it.
no prob, sorry if i got your goat...i don't mean to piss people off, i just wish my belief system was better understood. obviously i believe it because i think it's a great system of thought, and i feel sad when people don't know about it or understand it correctly. sorry if my agnostic evangelism got on your nerves, i can understand how it might. i'm an abrasive bitch in some ways.
Keruvalia
06-08-2004, 02:04
ah, I'll look into it, thanks =)

We're one of the few tribes that rejected reservations and the Dawes Rolls and many of us still live on tribal lands. Of course, we had to *purchase* the land back from the US Government ... but ... oh well.
Crabcake Baba Ganoush
06-08-2004, 02:07
I’m a scavenger. I take all the good parts of many religions and put them all together using spare parts from an old bicycle, a toaster, a frying pan, and tissue boxes. I keep adding to it whenever I get something new to play with.
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 02:08
We're one of the few tribes that rejected reservations and the Dawes Rolls and many of us still live on tribal lands. Of course, we had to *purchase* the land back from the US Government ... but ... oh well.

I'm constantly amazed at how little attention the WRONGS that native americans endured - ranging from theivery to genocide, get from the american public in general. It's a huge shame - I'm glad you found a way to stay on your own land...allthough it's obnoxious you had to pay for the priveledge.
The Land of the Hats
06-08-2004, 02:13
I´m Taoist, but I think it is more a philosophy than a religion

http://www.filosofie-oostwest.nl/fwim/tao.jpg
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 02:16
I´m Taoist, but I think it is more a philosophy than a religion

http://www.filosofie-oostwest.nl/fwim/tao.jpg

Taoism rocks, I know alltogether too little about it.
Poetic_stina
06-08-2004, 02:17
As a student of Wicca, I am still appalled to find that some people still view paganism as a teen fad. True, some teens may turn to it to rebel against the restrictive binds their parents impose against them, but ask any pagan above the age of 20....of which there are many....why they choose to follow the path they are on. There are an incredible amount of unfounded beliefs about the pagan path from those not on it, way too many to mention here. It is not about the Hollywood special effects you see, such as summoning Mannow (sp?) in the Craft, or flying around on brooms playing games in Harry Potter. My religion allows me to believe and to use the powers of the earth to make the world I live in a more peaceful, beautiful place for us all.
Keruvalia
06-08-2004, 02:21
I'm constantly amazed at how little attention the WRONGS that native americans endured - ranging from theivery to genocide, get from the american public in general. It's a huge shame - I'm glad you found a way to stay on your own land...allthough it's obnoxious you had to pay for the priveledge.


Nod ... a lot of people tend to forget that there were already people here when the Colonists started showing up. The Caddo have always been a rather peaceful bunch of folks - farmers more than anything - and had treaties with the surrounding tribes called taysha, which means "ally". In the 17th century the Spanish knew the westernmost Caddo peoples as "the great kingdom of Tejas" and the name lived on to become the name of the 28th state of the United States—Texas. :eek: The Spaniards took a census of the Caddo before taking over Texas and they numbered us at 140,000 and change. Nowadays there are only around 500 left of pure blood and a total of about 4,000 of mixed blood accounted for.

However, not everyone who is a Native American knows they are Native American! So there could be tens of thousands of us left ... they just haven't stood up to be counted.

We believe that if you have even a drop of Caddo blood, you *are* Caddo.

You might also be interested to know that Caddo Lake is the *only* lake in the entire state of Texas that is not manmade.
BAAWA
06-08-2004, 02:21
The amount of unbelievers is ridiculous. I bet even 5 years ago Atheists would be the minority on this poll. It's all a fad that teens are into that it's cool to not be Christian or to have some weird pagan religion that gets attention.
So this 30 year-old atheist who has been an atheist for the past 12 years is just in some teen fad? And all my friends on alt.atheism who are over 40 are just part of a teen fad, too?

Get fucking crucial.
Anticarnivoria
06-08-2004, 02:26
Nod ... a lot of people tend to forget that there were already people here when the Colonists started showing up. The Caddo have always been a rather peaceful bunch of folks - farmers more than anything - and had treaties with the surrounding tribes called taysha, which means "ally". In the 17th century the Spanish knew the westernmost Caddo peoples as "the great kingdom of Tejas" and the name lived on to become the name of the 28th state of the United States—Texas. :eek: The Spaniards took a census of the Caddo before taking over Texas and they numbered us at 140,000 and change. Nowadays there are only around 500 left of pure blood and a total of about 4,000 of mixed blood accounted for.

However, not everyone who is a Native American knows they are Native American! So there could be tens of thousands of us left ... they just haven't stood up to be counted.

We believe that if you have even a drop of Caddo blood, you *are* Caddo.

we know of at least one native american in the family - a quaker married one in the 1600s in pennsylvania...susquahana tribe I'm guessing but I really have no idea...heh, it's a drop - but decidedly not a caddo drop. oh well, I added you to my dossier
Keruvalia
06-08-2004, 02:29
flying around on brooms

I don't want to be any part of a religion that doesn't let me fly around on brooms.
:p
The Land of the Hats
06-08-2004, 02:33
It´s good to know that someone else can see we (Spanish) weren´t the bad guys in the Americas.

If you go to South an Central America you could see tons of natives at the streets, just take a look at any US city to feel what the English made with the natives.
Arenestho
06-08-2004, 02:40
There is no other on that poll and it is in no way complete.