NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay. After looking at the last thread, and being very displeased with some of the choices, as well as taking other posters' input into consideration, I've come up with the new and improved religious breakdown poll.

"Church of Evil"...

WTF? And Why can you pick multiple religions?

The CoE is a branch of Satanism. And I allowed for multiple religions in case someone honestly follows several paths. I know several Christians with very agnostic mindsets, as well as pagans that borrow from multiple sources, and at least one atheist who borrows from Buddhism for the purposes of meditation and personal discipline.

Threads with copied ideas are generally frowned upon, whether they're an improvement or not.

Okay. I'll keep that in mind for the future, but the thread I branched off from was hardly the first religion-based thread on these forums. After all, how many evolution debates are typically clogging the thread lists?

Okay. I'll keep that in mind for the future, but the thread I branched off from was hardly the first religion-based thread on these forums. After all, how many evolution debates are typically clogging the thread lists?

Hmm, they're all a little bit different. A different question, a different rant, etc.

Maybe I'm wrong, but if I were a mod, I would say this one isn't different enough.

I follow all religions and political philosophies simultaneously, I am an istist.

*looks at poll choices*

It's basically the same as the other poll, and it is missing about as much.

No Sikhism, no Bahá'í Faith, no Jainism, no Shinto...

Also, you realise that copycat threads are frowned down upon, right?

Yes, I was just made aware that copycat threads are frowned upon. In creating this poll, I hoped to improve upon the original, which contained four different branches of Christianity. I realize that it would be virtually impossible to include every choice. Hence why anyone is invited to choose "other" and post a description. I'm honestly fascinated by religion, and tried to fit as much diversity into my 10 choices as I could.
I didn't want to lump Judaism and Christianity together, since there are some fundamental differences.
I felt comfortable lumping Shamanism and Wicca together with paganism, since the first two are pagan belief systems.
etc.

Again: atheism is not a religion.

Again: atheism is not a religion.
Yeah, but if it weren't there, the you'd have complained that there was no option that an atheist could choose and complain that "not all people worship fairy stories."

It's like how black is the absence of color, but still is refered to as a color colloquially.

Atheism may not be a religion as typically viewed, but it is still a belief system regarding a higher power. Just as a Christian believes that there is a God, soul, Heaven, etc, an Atheist believes that there is nothing. Look up the definition of "religion." Dictionary.com's definition definitely supports Atheism as a religion.

Ignostic.

It means I don't care whether or not there is a God. Either way, I choose to ignore him.

Again: atheism is not a religion.

Fass, are you ever not complaining?

Fass, are you ever not complaining?

I don't think he knows how to do much else.

Fass, are you ever not complaining?

Are you ever not asking stupid questions?

Yeah, but if it weren't there, the you'd have complained that there was no option that an atheist could choose and complain that "not all people worship fairy stories."

That's why a proper poll option would be "I don't have a religion, I'm atheist."

Are you ever not asking stupid questions?

...I'll take that as a 'no'.

...I'll take that as a 'no'.

Reciprocated.

I'm agnostic. If I have a religion, I'd say that secular humanism would be an apt description.

I'm a (shinto-ized) buddhist or agnostic, depending on my mood and who I'm with.

I'm a (shinto-ized) buddhist or agnostic, depending on my mood and who I'm with.

So... you're a closet heretic? :D

I'm agnostic. If I have a religion, I'd say that secular humanism would be an apt description.

Except of course that secular humanism isn't a religion, and the term itself was coined to make a distinction from "religious humanism".

Christian (Lutheran), but a sane one. I don't take the Bible literally, I believe in evolution, I support gay marriage, I 100% oppose teaching "Intelligent Design," and if I could, I fully secularize the government, including removing "In God We Trust" from U.S. currency.

So... you're a closet heretic? :D

Totally.

:p

More like undecided teenager...

Except of course that secular humanism isn't a religion, and the term itself was coined to make a distinction from "religious humanism".

I use the broader definition of the term "religion" to reflect the fact that it's the core of my belief system and all of my other positions are affected by that core philosophy.

I use the broader definition of the term "religion" to reflect the fact that it's the core of my belief system and all of my other positions are affected by that core philosophy.

That's an unnecessary and regrettable dilution of the word's meaning.

Again: atheism is not a religion.

atheism is a non-prophet organization

Voted for everything.

Finally Agnosticism is in its own spot. Agnosticism and Atheism are far from the same.

That's an unnecessary and regrettable dilution of the word's meaning.

It's an important one, though, because in the US religions are tax exempt and that saves such organizations a lot of money that could be better spent in other places.

Thelema
A religion, if you prefer to call it that, founded in 1904 e.v. with the reception of Liber AL vel Legis or The Book of the Law in Cairo by Aleister Crowley. The Book of the Law is our central & most important holy book, but it is not the only holy book. A central tenet to which all Thelemites adhere is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." (AL I:40) and "Love is the law, love under will." (AL I:57).

For a much more lucid and succinct explanation of these tenets and more than I can provide you, Thelema101 (http://www.thelema101.com/) is an excellent resource for a cursory overview of Thelema, more detailed information can be reaped from both wikipedia and thelemapedia.


Wiki:Thelema (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema)
Thelemapedia (http://www.thelemapedia.org/index.php/Main_Page)

The best (& Thelemic) podcast is Thelema Coast to Coast (http://www.thelemacoasttocoast.com), whose slogan is "Occultism without Apologies." An excellent contemporary Thelemic resource.

J.

Gnosticism. God is a right bastard and we must meditate and gain personal spiritual knowledge in order to escape this hellhole in the end.

Atheism may not be a religion as typically viewed, but it is still a belief system regarding a higher power. Just as a Christian believes that there is a God, soul, Heaven, etc, an Atheist believes that there is nothing. Look up the definition of "religion." Dictionary.com's definition definitely supports Atheism as a religion.

There is no "system" of atheism. It's just "Do you believe in God?" followed by, "Nah."

And yeah, dictionary defintion. Let's see:

1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

You could bend this so being a Democrat is a religion, or being nice to people is a religion, or being against war is a religion. So, you need to put any and all of those on the poll too.... any cause or principle that someone could hold to with ardor. GL HF. :)

I'm a Bahá'í (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27%C3%AD), myself, although I do support gay marriage. The thing that people tend to forget/neglect (sofar as I've seen) is that while drinking alcohol and taking non-prescription drugs etc are forbidden within the religion we are taught not to judge or condemn people outside the religion who do.

I also feel I should point out that while Satanism and The Church of Evil are the same, The Church of Satan (don't have a link right know) is actually quite virtuous etc, and just have a poor choice of name heh.

Hehe. I voted all the options :D I love multi option polls

Hehe. I voted all the options :D I love multi option polls

*points*

A lying Christian.
:p

It's an important one, though, because in the US religions are tax exempt and that saves such organizations a lot of money that could be better spent in other places.

I suppose only the US government could be dumb enough to buy that line of reasoning.

Well, I tend to view athiesm as a religion, merely because it has a set belief.

But agnosticism? We don't even know what it is that we believe. :D

I suppose only the US government could be dumb enough to buy that line of reasoning.

Hey! Thailand, Taiwan, Spain, Australia, & Canada recognized Scientology as a religion, too!

::drum strike::

:D

Devout Muslim.

I guess you could call me a Deist...but I don't think it fits me...I'm just myself...the "Church of Me-ism". :p

Heuristic solipsism.

It means that for the purpose of keeping me motivated and (naively) confident about my life, I am God.

Anybody wants to start worshiping? ;)

I follow all religions and political philosophies simultaneously, I am an istist.

Good one.:D

irish druid idea of spirituality with catholic values with respect for hare krsna's as fav organised religion.

I approve of religious breakdown. *nods*

I voted for all. But I don't adhere to any of them very well :)
"Malkavian Lunacy"? Isn't that redundant?

Well, I tend to view athiesm as a religion, merely because it has a set belief.

Being atheist only has one requisite, and that is the absence of a belief in a god. By your logic everyone who does not believe in any one thing are part of the same religion.

Being atheist only has one requisite, and that is the absence of a belief in a god. By your logic everyone who does not believe in any one thing are part of the same religion.

It's a concept, not a real thing, like a rock. This is like arguing about whether anarchy is a form of government. They're both imaginary, so what does it matter?

I voted for all. But I don't adhere to any of them very well :)
"Malkavian Lunacy"? Isn't that redundant?

Eh, I suppose it may seem a bit redundant. However, I wanted to make it clear that my people follow a very specific form of Lunacy. After all, Malks aren't actually insane, we just see a bit more of reality than anyone else...

I'm Roman Catholic.

I suppose only the US government could be dumb enough to buy that line of reasoning.

It's the US government.

Being atheist only has one requisite, and that is the absence of a belief in a god. By your logic everyone who does not believe in any one thing are part of the same religion.

There's a distinction. The difference is what is being believed in. It's philosophy. Religions are a specific form of philosophy regarding a person's spiritual beliefs. The existence/ non-existence of god would fall under a spiritual belief.

Anyway, that's my reasoning.

Eh, I suppose it may seem a bit redundant. However, I wanted to make it clear that my people follow a very specific form of Lunacy. After all, Malks aren't actually insane, we just see a bit more of reality than anyone else...

Until you realize that you've been pranked ;)

Agnostic, leaning towards atheist.

Eh, I suppose it may seem a bit redundant. However, I wanted to make it clear that my people follow a very specific form of Lunacy. After all, Malks aren't actually insane, we just see a bit more of reality than anyone else...

Oh dear, I actually know what you're talking about.

But I claim defence in that I only played the computer game. *hides*

Agnostic, leaning towards atheist.



Oh dear, I actually know what you're talking about.

But I claim defence in that I only played the computer game. *hides*

Which computer game? Redemption introduced me to the pen and paper. It's what I like to call a "gateway RPG." The seemingly innocent and light videogame leads to abuse of the harder tabletop stuff...

YAAAAAH!

Atheism is teh WINZOR!:cool:

"Church of Evil"...

WTF? And Why can you pick multiple religions?

Dont be mad because he is obviously more informed and open minded then you.

Why cant someone be Christian Buddhist?

Or a Wiccan Buddhist?

Oh and Mak, nice find on the CoE good digging.

I don't know if 'religion' is the proper word for what I believe, but I selected christian because I have a christian faith. *nod

Atheist.

But less militant about it than I used to be.

I don't know if 'religion' is the proper word for what I believe, but I selected christian because I have a christian faith. *nod

www.churchofnakedmudwrestling.com

www.churchofnakedmudwrestling.com

You have absolutely no idea how upset I was that the link wasn't real. :(

I would have converted in a heartbeat. *nod*

You have absolutely no idea how upset I was that the link wasn't real. :(

I would have converted in a heartbeat. *nod*

Is it ironic that I knew you WOULD click such a link?

Or was it a clever mind-control device planted cleverly on a 404 page?

Mu-huhahahaha.

Is it ironic that I knew you WOULD click such a link?

Or was it a clever mind-control device planted cleverly on a 404 page?

Mu-huhahahaha.

:eek:

Ah, what am I worried about? I can't even control my mind. :D

None.

:eek:

Ah, what am I worried about? I can't even control my mind. :D

Hmmm...

Do you have a sudden craving for circus peanuts, or a sudden need to wet yourself?

Hmmm...

Do you have a sudden craving for circus peanuts, or a sudden need to wet yourself?

I had that last night. *nod*

P.S.: Why do you ask? *eyes narrow*

Taoism. It's the one that has the yin-yang as the most reconized symbol. I would tell you more about it, but I'm tired and it would take way too much time. :p