NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm guessing the majority of people here are either atheist or christian but I'm curious to see what other religions are here.

Atheism is not a religion.

Athiesm has to be in there, unless he'd but a N/A feild, but he did leave out Buddhism, how terrible !

Atheism is not a religion.

deal with it

"Not religious" would be correct, atheism isnt a religion.

How could you forget to include Buddhism, while including a minority like Wicca and Satanism?

Either way, I'm both a practicing Buddhist, and an atheist. There's no conflict, as both agree on the absence of a supreme being.

Athiesm has to be in there, unless he'd but a N/A feild, but he did leave out Buddhism, how terrible !

damnit!! I knew I was forgetting something important

Atheism is not a religion.

*chortle* It only took one reply, for this thread!

The religion I am considered to be? My cultural background? Or is it what I consider myself to be?

I worship The Fonz. I guess than make me a Fonzian.

Atheism is not a religion.

Maybe it is maybe it isn't, but for the sake of convenience it's useful to treat it as one.

The religion I am considered to be? My cultural background? Or is it what I consider myself to be?

your own personal faith

The religion I am considered to be? My cultural background? Or is it what I consider myself to be?
EDIT: Not that I think there are many Jews/Muslims/Christians from Satanist families out in the world.

your own personal faith
I don't have one of those, which does not make me an Atheist.

I worship The Fonz. I guess than make me a Fonzian.

'Eeeeey! The Fonz is teh shit.

I chose "pagan/wiccan", though I'd go back in time and strangle Gardner if I had the chance.

Agnostic. Technically a Catholic, however...

Athiesm has to be in there, unless he'd but a N/A feild, but he did leave out Buddhism, how terrible !

And Hinduism and Taoism.

I was touched by the Flying Spaghetti Monster's noodly appendage. What does that make me?

Atheism is not a religion.

That really depends on your definition of religion. Mine is "a combination of your morals, and what you believe started the universe". By that definition, athiesm is, in fact, a religion. I'm a Christian myself, although I also incorporate some Toaist principles.

I admit the poll is fucked up, sorry :D

And Hinduism and Thaoism.

What the hell. Thaoism? You mean Toaism? Because it isn't even pronounced "thaoism". It's actually pronounced "daoism" so you really can't excuse that kind of misspelling.;)

christian-protestant-southern baptist.

That really depends on your definition of religion. Mine is "a combination of your morals, and what you believe started the universe". By that definition, athiesm is, in fact, a religion.

Atheism really has nothing to do with ones morals or ethics, it's merely a statement of disbelief in the existence of Deities. Nor in fact does it say much on the beginnings of the universe, it merely indirectly rules out divine intervention.

I am both Unitarian Universalist and Atheist which is not a conflict since the point of UU is to find out what you believe from all the religions and I found out that I believe in nothing.;)

I'm a Buddhist.

I'm catholic

What the hell. Thaoism? You mean Toaism? Because it isn't even pronounced "thaoism". It's actually pronounced "daoism" so you really can't excuse that kind of misspelling.;)

I don't know how that could happen. But "Toaism" isn't that much better. ;)

I was touched by the Flying Spaghetti Monster's noodly appendage. What does that make me?
A cliche?

How could you forget to include Buddhism, while including a minority like Wicca and Satanism?

Either way, I'm both a practicing Buddhist, and an atheist. There's no conflict, as both agree on the absence of a supreme being.

Last I heard, Wicca is growing faster than Catholicism in Canada. :P

Agnostic. Technically a Catholic, however...

I will NEVER understand Catholicism for this very reason. Although I have met several who say they don't believe, or don't believe in Catholic dogma and practices, they still CALL themselves Catholics. WHY!? Be FREE of these constricting titles! If you don't follow it, don't call yourself one!
Makes me wonder if Catholicism is ACTUALLY as big a religion as they say it is, when they have people who don't believe/practice it saying that they are Catholics.

I'm not voting in the poll because of its glaring faults.

There is no "agnostic", so I guess I'm going to go with atheist.

OK... who voted Satanist? I want to start the convert-o-matic up....

OK... who voted Satanist? I want to start the convert-o-matic up....

that would be me

that would be me

ok, let's start of with the basics, why do you worship satan, a spirit that represents all evil and suffering in the world?

through my intensive course, we'll have you a born-again Christian in no time...

ok, let's start of with the basics, why do you worship satan, a spirit that represents all evil and suffering in the world?

through my intensive course, we'll have you a born-again Christian in no time...
okay, he can be a satanist and not even believe that there is a "satan"

you should ask what type of satanist, maybe he just worships himself.

I'm agnostic, but as I didn't find any option like that, I got onto atheist...

BTW, atheism isn't a religion...

christian-protestant-southern baptist.
Ditto

This poll needs a myrth option

Where's Hinduism or Sikhism? That poll is not representative at all.

This poll needs a myrth option

lol :D :D

Atheism is not a religion.

And black is not a colour, just the abscence of light (according to some annoying art students when we were discussing favourite colours) Atheism just sounds better than saying 'none' on these polls.

And black is not a colour, just the abscence of light (according to some annoying art students when we were discussing favourite colours) Atheism just sounds better than saying 'none' on these polls.

I agree completely. Black not a color, neither is white.

I don't have one of those, which does not make me an Atheist.
Actually, I think you'll either have to elaborate, or accept that it does.

Baha'i.

Agnostic. As that's not in the poll, I voted "other"

Actually, I think you'll either have to elaborate, or accept that it does.
No, if he is an agnostic then, unlike an atheist, he doesn't presume to know more about the fundamental nature of the Universe then 95% of the human population (then and now), but doesn't believe that just because everyone thinks something then they are right.
Atheists are arrogant and the Religious are unoriginal. Agnostics have the best of both!
No, wait, that didn't sound right at all.

Ditto
really? cool. they don't like us around here though. ;)

Actually, I think you'll either have to elaborate, or accept that it does.

actually, atheist means you don't believe in any god. Then, buddhists -are- atheists. You can simply believe in a god and do not have a religion, right??

none.

Agnostic.

No, if he is an agnostic then, unlike an atheist, he doesn't presume to know more about the fundamental nature of the Universe then 95% of the human population (then and now), but doesn't believe that just because everyone thinks something then they are right.
Atheists are arrogant and the Religious are unoriginal. Agnostics have the best of both!
No, wait, that didn't sound right at all.

interesting, cause i m agnostic...

ok, let's start of with the basics, why do you worship satan, a spirit that represents all evil and suffering in the world?

through my intensive course, we'll have you a born-again Christian in no time...

I'm a satanist not a luciferian
http://www.churchofsatan.com

LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.
I put Christian down becuse we follow Christ. (Which is the meaning of the term).

Some Buddhist do believe in gods (Buddha did).

Interesting poll rusults.

Athiest, with satanic and buddhist leanings

LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.
I put Christian down becuse we follow Christ. (Which is the meaning of the term).

Some Buddhist do believe in gods (Buddha did).

Interesting poll rusults.

Buddha wasn't buddhist, he was hinduist...

Christian--Protestant--Non-denominational

Probably closer to a moderate Baptist than anything, but still not associated with them officially.

Couldn't vote for any of the choices. I have no religion. I am without belief in the supernatural.

Couldn't vote for any of the choices. I have no religion. I am without belief in the supernatural.

So that would be athiesm? Or perhaps nihilism (as far as religion goes)?

So that would be athiesm? Or perhaps nihilism (as far as religion goes)?
I am an atheist. Atheism is not a religion.

well, it isn't but who cares?? it is just to vote...

I really have no idea WHAT to call myself in this thread.... I was raised christian, but don't hold any common beleifs with that church except for the fact i beleive Jesus lived. from there nothing is the same. I suppose i am mostly pagan, though i couldn't tell you what type of pagan other than to call it "eclectic". i also follow some buddhist and hindu teachings, along with quite a bit of celtic spirituality. I used to follow Taoism as well, but that doesn't jive with me very well anymore either. I suppose i'm kind of a gigantic jigsaw puzzle of everything that i have learned about different religions and how they apply to the world around me. It makes explaining myself rather interesting in situations like this one, lol.

well, it isn't but who cares?? it is just to vote...

I guess I get picky around election time
:)

You should have made this a public poll, fool.

BTW, Christian here.

How could you forget to include Buddhism, while including a minority like Wicca and Satanism?

Either way, I'm both a practicing Buddhist, and an atheist. There's no conflict, as both agree on the absence of a supreme being.

nice

Druid

I was touched by the Flying Spaghetti Monster's noodly appendage. What does that make me?
A pastafarian

Buddha wasn't buddhist, he was hinduist...
What are you talking about, Shakyamuni Buddha was no longer a Hindu when he had his enlightenment.

Why is Satanism always in these polls before something much larger and more mainstream like Taosim or Shinto?

Myself, I'm a deist-Taoist. I know the Divine exists (I've seen enough proof to convince me), but I don't claim to have Its phone number. I also see the tendency for equilibrium in the world. So, deist-Taoist. Plus, it's kinda fun to say.

A pastafarian

That is the greatest fucking pun I have ever heard.

A pastafarian
That is the greatest fucking pun I have ever heard.

Meh. I hope you were being sarcastic.

The whole pastafarian routine was mildly amusing for the first few weeks, but now it's just another boring pseudo-satirical 'atheist rebellion' cliche.

Yawn. Get a new schtick, guys.

How could you foret Sikhism? Its the fifth-largest religion in the world and yet it's not on the thing. God damn it. But yeah, I'm Sikh.

That is the greatest fucking pun I have ever heard.
http://www.venganza.org/ thats where it came from :) I wish I could have claimed origional creation

Meh. I hope you were being sarcastic.

The whole pastafarian routine was mildly amusing for the first few weeks, but now it's just another boring pseudo-satirical 'atheist rebellion' cliche.

Yawn. Get a new schtick, guys.
Why? specially when this one highlights the idiocy of ID so well

Non-abrahamic agnostic/existentialist.

What are you talking about, Shakyamuni Buddha was no longer a Hindu when he had his enlightenment.
Quite so. He wasn't just "buddha", he was a buddha, following buddhist principles, as he laid them out. He did say there'd been at least five before him, and there'd be more afterwards.

Why? specially when this one highlights the idiocy of ID so well

Well, it sort of does, which is certainly admirable. That doesn't stop the routine from being tired and boring, though. That's the problem with politics-through-satire. It's got a pretty short shelf life.

Meh. I hope you were being sarcastic.

The whole pastafarian routine was mildly amusing for the first few weeks, but now it's just another boring pseudo-satirical 'atheist rebellion' cliche.

Yawn. Get a new schtick, guys.

Gee-golly, there, Skeezix, sorry to have intruded upon your comedy domain. I'd never heard the joke before. How's about unclenching and letting the rest of us laugh?

Gee-golly, there, Skeezix, sorry to have intruded upon your comedy domain. I'd never heard the joke before. How's about unclenching and letting the rest of us laugh?

No thanks. I'm the only one allowed to laugh.

I'm a satanist and an atheist, but I voted satanist because the former implies the latter. (However, I'm a moral and ethical satanist only. I do not believe in ritual magic or any of that other nonsense).

I'm a satanist and an atheist, but I voted satanist because the former implies the latter. (However, I'm a moral and ethical satanist only. I do not believe in ritual magic or any of that other nonsense).

same here mate

Unitarian Universalist (UU)

I'd consider myself closest to panentheism, but I have a certain fondness for Hinduism (which wasn't included as an option).

I'd consider myself closest to panentheism, but I have a certain fondness for Hinduism (which wasn't included as an option).

Something always gets left out.

Atheism is not a religion.
It is in the sense that you have faith in it. You have to have faith in something. Having faith in nothing is still faith.

Athiesm has to be in there, unless he'd but a N/A feild, but he did leave out Buddhism, how terrible !

Sorry, but Buddhism isnt a religion like atheism isn't. It has no god to worship. It is more a way to live.

Minuta']Sorry, but Buddhism isnt a religion like atheism isn't. It has no god to worship. It is more a way to live.

If you wish to define religion as having to contain a god to worship, so be it. I disagree with you. I would differentiate religion from philosophy in that religion contains rituals that are practiced with the goal of increasing one's spiritual awareness. By that definition, Buddhism would definitely be a religion.

If you are saying that religion and how one lives are separate things, then I think you are missing out on the point of religion entirely. With any religion, the distinction between its practice and everyday life should be indistinguishable.

Did you know this argument has been going for centuries? But there a variety of things in my mind that need to be fulfilled for it to be a religion, and not all the boxes are ticked.

I am a Buddhist.

I am a Buddhist.

Would you call it a religion? Since you are a Buddhist it may be interesting to hear your view.

Minuta']Would you call it a religion? Since you are a Buddhist it may be interesting to hear your view.

Some schools of Buddhist Thought could be refered to as religions since some DO worship the Buddha and various deities. Others are more Atheist in their views of a God(s) and could simply be called a lifestyle.

I don't subscribe to one school of Buddhist thought or worship, I consider the Buddha to be the greatest human being to of ever of existed since he found a Path to Enlightenment and walked that path for his entire life. And he didn't have to call himself "the Son of God" to get people to listen to him either.

If you wish to define religion as having to contain a god to worship, so be it. I disagree with you. I would differentiate religion from philosophy in that religion contains rituals that are practiced with the goal of increasing one's spiritual awareness. By that definition, Buddhism would definitely be a religion.

If you are saying that religion and how one lives are separate things, then I think you are missing out on the point of religion entirely. With any religion, the distinction between its practice and everyday life should be indistinguishable.
I agree. Religion is about us, not about divinity.

I think bhudism is considered a religion by international standards.

No, if he is an agnostic then, unlike an atheist, he doesn't presume to know more about the fundamental nature of the Universe then 95% of the human population (then and now), but doesn't believe that just because everyone thinks something then they are right.
Atheists are arrogant and the Religious are unoriginal. Agnostics have the best of both!
No, wait, that didn't sound right at all.
There's God-believing agnostics & atheist agnostics. Atheists do not by definition claim Gods can't exist. They just don't think believe in any of them.

Demp is a perfect example of a God-believing agnostic. UT is a perfect example of an agnostic atheist.

Agnosticism just means you don't believe it's possible to know whether God(s) exist or not. It does not say anything about your personal belief.

If someone does not know whether God(s) exist, and thus doesn't worthship any of them, then that person is an atheist.

Weak Agnosticism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weak_agnosticism).

Until someone provides me with reproducible and peer reviewed data demonstrating the existance or non-existance of a diety, I must assert that I cannot draw a meaningful conclusion. I must also assert that Strong Atheists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_atheism) and Theists are equally religious.

Agnosticism just means you don't believe it's possible to know whether God(s) exist or not.


That would be Strong Agnosticism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_agnosticism). Weak Agnosticism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weak_agnosticism) maintains that while it may be possible to know whether a diety exists, no one has actually demonstrated such, and so judgement either way must be reserved.

It is in the sense that you have faith in it. You have to have faith in something. Having faith in nothing is still faith.
No it's not. Faith is a belief in something. Atheism is a lack of belief. It defines what a person is not, not what a person is.

No it's not. Faith is a belief in something. Atheism is a lack of belief. It defines what a person is not, not what a person is.
check and mate

I chose "Other". Not sure that there's really a word for what I am.

I don't know whether or not there's a god (although I'm inclined to think there isn't), but I don't care. If there is a God he, she, or it has no right to tell me what's right or wrong (I have to make those judgements myself), no right to punish me for doing that which they dissagree with, and if they have a problem with that, they can kiss my ass.

I am a practicing Roman Catholic, I have studied Athiesm and Agnosticism and found them Bogus and unfullfilling, and quite frankly for the Stupids unwilling to look deep and far for the most part.

I chose "Other". Not sure that there's really a word for what I am.

I don't know whether or not there's a god (although I'm inclined to think there isn't), but I don't care. If there is a God he, she, or it has no right to tell me what's right or wrong (I have to make those judgements myself), no right to punish me for doing that which they dissagree with, and if they have a problem with that, they can kiss my ass.

you should look into satanism

I've started a religious group at my school called the Praetora. It essentially takes capitalism and pragmaticism to a religious level.

I am a practicing Roman Catholic, I have studied Athiesm and Agnosticism and found them Bogus and unfullfilling, and quite frankly for the Stupids unwilling to look deep and far for the most part.

How did you go about studying atheism and agnosticism, and how did you come to the conclusion that they are for "the Stupids," but that your particular belief is not? Be specific.

How did you go about studying atheism and agnosticism, and how did you come to the conclusion that they are for "the Stupids," but that your particular belief is not? Be specific.Probably because they claim to believe in nothing, but everyone has some sort of personal code of behavior on some level.

Probably because they claim to believe in nothing, but everyone has some sort of personal code of behavior on some level.

I've never heard an atheist say that they believed in nothing; simply that they don't believe in a god or gods. Believing in nothing is called Nihilism. Most atheists believe that morality and ethics derive from the necessity of human interaction rather than divine precept, which is hardly a claim of believing in nothing at all.

why does this poll miss out important world religions like hinduism and buddhism, yet include fringe beliefs like paganism and satanism?

if you are baptized a catholic then you are a catholic. so i guess i am a catholic.

need better poll choices. dont put hokey religions on there.

(officially the only time you cn use hokey and not laugh:D )

I am a practicing Roman Catholic, I have studied Athiesm and Agnosticism and found them Bogus and unfullfilling, and quite frankly for the Stupids unwilling to look deep and far for the most part.
Which is a kind of ironic statement.

For example, your Catholic church has long held that true belief is agnostic. The argument is something like; if you have proof of God, then you have knowledge, not faith.

Another example would be that though most atheists are too polite to call you an ignorant superstitious tool, many feel that you are. Because while you studied the bible & listened to your priests, atheists studied reality. And reality contradicts almost everything people like you claim.

Even your church admits that faith isn't reasonable. Hell, they seem to be proud of it. So calling people stupid for not believing in something that contradicts everything they know, seems quite arrogant, and well.. Foolish in the extreme.

I am a practicing Roman Catholic, I have studied Athiesm and Agnosticism and found them Bogus and unfullfilling, and quite frankly for the Stupids unwilling to look deep and far for the most part.
If it's for "the stupids", why is it that there is a correlation between level of education and non-belief? The higher up the educational ladder you look, the more atheists you find.

Religion, on the other hand, has usually prospered more amongst the uneducated and illiterate, and even today it is in the poorly-educated third world where it is still gaining ground.

Agnostic. Technically a Catholic, however...

I'm an agnostic as well.

Deist who tries to apply the teachings of Christ.
not Christian.

In response to those who say atheism is not a religion, an atheist constantly thinks of God, albeit from a position of denial

In response to those who say atheism is not a religion, an atheist constantly thinks of God, albeit from a position of denial
No he doesn't. Some atheists think about the God-question a lot; most don't. Most either don't care, and have lives to get on with, or think the whole question is too silly to pointless to spend time on. Why would they constantly think about a non-existent god rather than Santa Claus or any other fiction?

I'm Orthodox Muslim, nothing less, nothing more

Atheism really has nothing to do with ones morals or ethics, it's merely a statement of disbelief in the existence of Deities. Nor in fact does it say much on the beginnings of the universe, it merely indirectly rules out divine intervention.I am curious,from whence does an athiest get his sense of right and wrong, i mean can morals be separated from religious beliefs?

you forgot agnostic, and hinduism

and yes, i truly beleive that altho' religion can be important for moral development, it is not necessary.

You still have friends, family, teachers and so forth.

Challah Back!

agnosticism should be a choice

:p Athiesm has to be in there, unless he'd but a N/A feild, but he did leave out Buddhism, how terrible !
Not really, Buddhism not being a religion actually.

I'm Orthodox Muslim, nothing less, nothing more
Ok, but do you mean Sunnite (Hanafi, Shafii, Maliki or Hanbali), Shiite, Khariji, Zaydi, Alawite, Ahmadi, Alevite, Ibadi, Bohra, Qadiani, Bektashi or Druze maybe ?

I am an Atheist, sometimes I lean towards an almost agnostic view as well, but I am primarily Buddhist in my beliefs.

I am curious,from whence does an athiest get his sense of right and wrong, i mean can morals be separated from religious beliefs?
We get it from a combination of instinct, social education and experience, just like everybody else.

The only difference is that we don't have the idea that it comes from on-high built into our social education, because there's not the slightest shred of evidence that morality originated anywhere but in the minds and instincts of man and his predecessors.

I am curious,from whence does an athiest get his sense of right and wrong, i mean can morals be separated from religious beliefs?
Morals can definately be seperated from religious beliefs. And many times often work better outside religion as they are not twisted by intepretation of some line or anotherin whatever holy book you're refering to. Also if you follow a lot of morality laid down in some holy books you will find yourself doing quite a few things that would be severely frowned upon in this day and age. Morality from a non religious point of view can also be better as people do not thik they have a god given right (literally) to do whatever they do based on selective intepretation and reading fo their holy books.

Generally a good goide to non-religious morality:
Things that harm people = bad.
Things that help people = good.
Things that make all involved happy = good (most of the time - you know when you see it when this is not true)

^^These are very simplified.

If it's for "the stupids", why is it that there is a correlation between level of education and non-belief? The higher up the educational ladder you look, the more atheists you find.
I hope you realise how stupid and uneducated that statement is. Correlation is not causation.

Bradlian

I hope you realise how stupid and uneducated that statement is. Correlation is not causation.
I hope you realise how stupid your reply is, answering a point I didn't put. :) I said nothing about causation - only that there are more atheists among better educated people, therefore if you meet an atheist at random, s/he is less likely to be a "stupid" than a random believer is.

Oh how we humans like to split hairs. But it is fun in a way isn't, communicating even if it is the same only different.

As for me Atheist in that I don'y follow Creationism, believing more that the universe happaned just cause it could.
Morality I think is wholly dependent upon perception.
Intelligence of practitioners can not determine validity of a belief system, they have all had their geniuses in one field of life or another, and they've all had their mindless fanatics.
On a side note I can't take a religion that a carney started seriously, in that I epxect it to be a trick or scheme, cause thats what carneys do.