NationStates Jolt Archive

. . . other than the one you already have, which would you pick?

For the sake of argument, say that atheism and agnosticism are "religions", and try to pick something substantially different from your current religion (don't just change from Protestant to Catholic, or Sunni to Shiite).

Me? I'm Protestant Christian now, but for a second choice I'd take deism.

Bahai or Jainism. Also good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism - just because of JPII and Natzinger about "the judaic-christian roots of Europe blah blah blah".

Agnostic to Satanist.

I like satanism except for the "Hail Satan" part. :/

Ignostic to Wiccan/Neo-Pagan.

. . . other than the one you already have, which would you pick?

For the sake of argument, say that atheism and agnosticism are "religions", and try to pick something substantially different from your current religion (don't just change from Protestant to Catholic, or Sunni to Shiite).

Me? I'm Protestant Christian now, but for a second choice I'd take deism.

Norse or Aztec paganism. If I have to pick a religion it better be badass.

I'd switch to Pasatafarianism. Well, switch back.

good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism.

Good call. That would be my third choice.

Ignostic to Wiccan/Neo-Pagan.

Ignostic?

Pasatafarianism. Actually it would probably be even better than being atheist as I am now... I would get to mock religion on a daily basis :)

Probably Buddhism.

I would mix several polytheistic religions into one.

Hail Athena who tamed the mighty wolf Fenrir!

The mighty elephant ganesha wolf Fenrir of Anubis!

Good call. That would be my third choice.



Ignostic?

Ignostic - worship of fire (ignis).;)

I would mix several polytheistic religions into one.

Hail Athena who tamed the mighty wolf Fenrir!

Cabraism.

We believe in choclate and sex. Lots of both.

Ignostic?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignostic

Basically, not only, "I don't know," but "I don't know why it's so important."

Cabraism.

We believe in choclate and sex. Lots of both.

eat lot of choclate then go burn it all off with sex that is smart and fun

I'd have to choose the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. For more info on this religion, visit www.venganza.org or start at www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/

http://www.venganza.org/flash/guidetopastafarianismpreloaded.swf is a good guide to Pastafarianism, as well.

All Hail His Noodly Appendage!

Frisbeetarianism

Asatru. I never liked the idea of deities & the supernatural, but at least this lot doesn't pretend to be likable, and the afterlife's not some permanent state of limbo (which I'm pretty sure'd get boring, no matter how blissful or torturous).

eat lot of choclate then go burn it all off with sex that is smart and fun

Hehe... I don't see the point in believing things that aren't fun and smart. :D

Hehe... I don't see the point in believing things that aren't fun and smart. :D

the same :D

Agnostic to Satanist.

I like satanism except for the "Hail Satan" part. :/

But LaVeyan Satanism is atheist in nature and treats Satan as purely symbolic.

Asatru. I never liked the idea of deities & the supernatural, but at least this lot doesn't pretend to be likable, and the afterlife's not some permanent state of limbo (which I'm pretty sure'd get boring, no matter how blissful or torturous).

Yeah, i'd pick some funky pagan religion like that.

I'd choose Jainism, maybe.

But LaVeyan Satanism is atheist in nature and treats Satan as purely symbolic.

My loyalty lies with no supernatural figure especially if I recognize that it probably doesn't exist. Symbolic or not.

I just saw someone spell out "phycoligy". My faith in humanity has just died in a very shameful way.

Asatru. I never liked the idea of deities & the supernatural, but at least this lot doesn't pretend to be likable, and the afterlife's not some permanent state of limbo (which I'm pretty sure'd get boring, no matter how blissful or torturous).

I'd pick Asatru as well, but mostly for the ritual beer drinking.

My loyalty lies with no supernatural figure especially if I recognize that it probably doesn't exist. Symbolic or not.
But see...that particular branch of Satanism doesn't believe in giving loyalty to anything but yourself.

I'd pick Asatru as well, but mostly for the ritual beer drinking.

Ritual beer drinking? Sold!

Baha'i most likely.

Ritual beer drinking? Sold!

I had a buddy in the Army who was Asatru and he told me they had rituals involving drinking mead and beer. He made his own mead in his basement.

I had a buddy in the Army who was Asatru and he told me they had rituals involving drinking mead and beer. He made his own mead in his basement.

Do they have fertility festivals and naked dancing around bonfires like other self-respecting pagan religions?

the closest thing i can think of to the exact opposite of the kind of genericly spiritual agnostic i am would have to be something pretty greusome and horrendous, like the kind of megalomaniac pseudo-christian fanatics bush's major promoters and backers and hitler both seem to have been.

sorry if the comparison may have become something of a cleche', but this is an instance and a context that makes it pretty unavoidable.

i wouldn't mind being shinto, daoist, indiginous, hindu, buddist, or even on my own terms some sort of neopagan. all of these however, are in more ways then not, fairly similar to how i already see myself. i've even BEEN a baha'i and maintain close friendly ties with them. and seem to be on reasonably good terms with the few siekhs i know. (same goes for most islamists and even the few christians i've ever met who were actualy honest with themselves and at least a little bit honestly knowledgable about their own faith, and not just idiots who called themselves that because it never occured to them that anything else might not be worthy of their blindly assumed condemnation)

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

Jooism. I could put up with the lack of ham for the sake of a sane mind.
I had a buddy in the Army who was Asatru and he told me they had rituals involving drinking mead and beer. He made his own mead in his basement. They're the white powa ones, aren't they? Mead and beer would seem to fit… :p

I just can't see myself being bothered with any of them. What's one that's fun, but doesn't involve any serious worship?

I just can't see myself being bothered with any of them. What's one that's fun, but doesn't involve any serious worship?

Cabraism:

Sex is prayer.
Eating chocolate is prayer.
White chocolate - we haven't decided yet.

I'd pick Asatru as well, but mostly for the ritual beer drinking.And here I was struggeling to think up nice interlektual reasons to cover that up.

Do they have fertility festivals and naked dancing around bonfires like other self-respecting pagan religions?Yes & no. Depends a lot on your source material. Asatru's a reborn religion, meaning all but the must general knowledge was lost to the machinations of Christianity.

There's good evidence, however, that must places had various fertility festivals, like week long orgies of beer, food & sex (not necessarily in that order). Prized critters and/or servants/thralls/slaves may have been sacrificed as well.

Ritualistic fighting seems to been on the calender as well.

I know some people who practice the religion, though they omit the sacrificing.. Probably for legal reasons.

Cabraism:

Sex is prayer.
Eating chocolate is prayer.
White chocolate - we haven't decided yet.
You should merge as the dessert religion to pastafarianism.

Some form of Paganism, maybe Neo-pagan, or Buddhism.

Other than that, I could go by my own path. Which is along the line of these two.

Cabraism:

Sex is prayer.
Eating chocolate is prayer.
White chocolate - we haven't decided yet.

please don't make me eat white chocolate thats all i could have as a kid till 11

Cabraism:

Sex is prayer.
Eating chocolate is prayer.
White chocolate - we haven't decided yet. I think Sufis already do all of those as prayer. And spinning around.

Some religion that I randomly come up with.

You should merge as the dessert religion to pastafarianism.

Hmmm ... pasta. Good.
Chocolate. Good.
Sex. Gooooooooooood...

I think I could live with that. :D

I would pick Wodenism

I think Sufis already do all of those as prayer. And spinning around.

Wouldn't that make the sex a bit tricky?

Wouldn't that make the sex a bit tricky? Not all at once, I think. Have you ever tried to eat chocolate while spinning around?

Actually, I think I did that once.

Hmmm ... pasta. Good.
Chocolate. Good.
Sex. Gooooooooooood...

I think I could live with that. :D
"Touched by his noodly appendage" takes on another dimension! (or was it always supposed to contain innuendo? I suppose it was...)

I just can't see myself being bothered with any of them. What's one that's fun, but doesn't involve any serious worship?
Fnord
Discordianism.

Not all at once, I think. Have you ever tried to eat chocolate while spinning around?

Actually, I think I did that once.

is it fun like trying to eat some with a dog after you

Asatru. I never liked the idea of deities & the supernatural, but at least this lot doesn't pretend to be likable, and the afterlife's not some permanent state of limbo (which I'm pretty sure'd get boring, no matter how blissful or torturous).

I'd pick Asatru as well, but mostly for the ritual beer drinking.

I'd pick Asatru as well...

...perhaps we should start our own NS Kindred?? :p

Greeks > Norse. :p

But Celtic religions are better than both. You can even be gay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_peoples#Celtic_sexual_practices) in them without losing your macho!

"Touched by his noodly appendage" takes on another dimension! (or was it always supposed to contain innuendo? I suppose it was...)

It gives "al dente" a whole new meaning :D

But Celtic religions are better than both. You can even be gay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_peoples#Celtic_sexual_practices) in them without losing your macho!
Pfft, Greek culture had pedophilia too.

Wait... :eek:

Oookaaay, maybe neither of those.

It gives "al dente" a whole new meaning :D
lol! :D

Greeks > Norse. :p

Perhaps...

...but, Norse Gods > Greek Gods

:p

Perhaps...

...but, Norse Gods > Greek Gods

:p

so Þórr is zeus

Norse afterlife kicks ass though. Drinking, whoring & fighting 'til Ragnarok.

I'd pick Asatru as well...

...perhaps we should start our own NS Kindred?? :p

It'd go well with my retirement plan, which consists of sailing around the Great Lakes in a longboat and pillaging small coastal villages.

Norse afterlife kicks ass though. Drinking, whoring & fighting 'til Ragnarok.

Only if you die in battle... ;)

It'd go well with my retirement plan, which consists of sailing around the Great Lakes in a longboat and pillaging small coastal villages.

I'm SO in! :D

Norse afterlife kicks ass though. Drinking, whoring & fighting 'til Ragnarok.
what fun afterlife
It'd go well with my retirement plan, which consists of sailing around the Great Lakes in a longboat and pillaging small coastal villages.
nice

Only if you die in battle... ;)Die heroically in battle, you mean. But yes. Lucky for me, I've not converted yet, but I have a plan even so. Unfortunately I just realised I prolly can't divulge the details without getting banned, as it might be construed as me endorsing killing neo-Nazis for shits & giggles.

Die heroically in battle, you mean.

Really? It was my understanding that the manner of death didn't matter, so long as it was in battle. :confused:

Really? It was my understanding that the manner of death didn't matter, so long as it was in battle. :confused:

I wonder if there's a specific definition of battle. Does it count if you get knifed in a bar fight or trampled in a soccer riot?

Holy shite. Everyone's gone atavist.

I wonder if there's a specific definition of battle. Does it count if you get knifed in a bar fight or trampled in a soccer riot? Given that the Romans complained about the German's willingness to fight for no apparent reason…

I wonder if there's a specific definition of battle. Does it count if you get knifed in a bar fight or trampled in a soccer riot?

Did the vikings even have soccer?

Did the vikings even have soccer?

they use a skull as a ball

Holy shite. Everyone's gone atavist.

Given that the Romans complained about the German's willingness to fight for no apparent reason…

What is this "atavist" anyway?

If I couldn't be Christian, I'd be Atheist or make something up.

What is this "atavist" anyway? Throwback. The ideal atavist would be not so thrown back he turns into a caveman, but just thrown back enough so he loses the 90s effeminate effete Roman behaviour.

If I had to be something other than atheist, I'd pick agnostic. :D:D:D

Whichever one will allow me to drink, and demand the least time commitment.

Throwback. The ideal atavist would be not so thrown back he turns into a caveman, but just thrown back enough so he loses the 90s effeminate effete Roman behaviour.

Teeheehee, crazy.

I suppose I'm technically agnostic, since I don't know what religion I follow. I mean, I know what I believe, but I haven't found an organized religion that preaches it, and I'm not about to organize one myself. So I don't know what I am. So if I could change from that to a religion that preaches the things I believe, that's what I'd do, if such a religion existed. I'd be more vague if I could, but I don't think that's possible. :p

In the meantime, I've settled for good old Greek Stoicism as a reasonable substitute. It's more of a philosophy than a religion, and can actually be reconciled with a lot of existing religions without too much distortion, but for now it provides me with an acceptable framework for my beliefs until I can figure out where to go from here.

Buhddism... all the way.

Buhddism... all the way.

Buddhism

It would have to be 道教 or 道家 but the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism is where I'm at.

BTW, Chingie, nothing personal, but I do take issue with your sig: "If I was born where they were born, taught what they were taught, I'd believe what they believe." I mean, I was born where they were born and taught what they were taught, but nonetheless I don't believe what they believe. Not even close. ("They" being Southern Baptists, for the most part.)

This has been a test of the Emergency Thread Hijack System. Had this been an actual thread hijack, this thread would now spiral off into a tangential discussion only minimally related to the original topic. This concludes this test of the Emergency Thread Hijack System.
:D

Really? It was my understanding that the manner of death didn't matter, so long as it was in battle. :confused:No. Very far from it in fact, though my heroism comment may be misleading. Vikings had rules of engagement, so to speak. Living by those rules was the way to improve social standing. Dying by them was the way to Valhal. The rules aren't exactly clear, but they're not wholly unknown either. It was a combination of typical tribal honour concepts, heirachy & horde preservation. In other words, the heroism of vikings is probably near the exact opposite of what a present day wanker would consider heroism.

Some blame much of the legendary ferocity of viking hordes on this system, because it, at least in theory, made the individuals unbreakable & encouraged them to commit atrocities. It was, after all, a lot more than just certain death & 72 sexually repressed virgins (or grapes or whatever).

It was, after all, a lot more than just certain death & 72 sexually repressed virgins (or grapes or whatever).

Never undestood why somebody would want to spend eternity with 72 virgins to begin with. Now, make it 72 women who were experienced and knew what they were doing, and then you've got something. ;)

If you were so willing to switch religions then you must be not too faithful to begin with. :p

Maybe one of those South Pacific Cargo Religions.

Never undestood why somebody would want to spend eternity with 72 virgins to begin with. Now, make it 72 women who were experienced and knew what they were doing, and then you've got something. ;)Yea well.. Imagine how my Muslim girlfriend feels about it.

. . . other than the one you already have, which would you pick?

For the sake of argument, say that atheism and agnosticism are "religions", and try to pick something substantially different from your current religion (don't just change from Protestant to Catholic, or Sunni to Shiite).

Me? I'm Protestant Christian now, but for a second choice I'd take deism.

Deism is cool, but I'd go with Buddhism if I couldn't be Catholic. There are a lot of elements of Buddhism that appeal to me.

BTW, Chingie, nothing personal, but I do take issue with your sig: "If I was born where they were born, taught what they were taught, I'd believe what they believe." I mean, I was born where they were born and taught what they were taught, but nonetheless I don't believe what they believe. Not even close. ("They" being Southern Baptists, for the most part.)

Well then I'd believe what you believe. :fluffle:

Buddhism. The good kind, not the elitist dickhead kind.

If I couldn't invent my own, then either something eastern like Buddhism or Taoism, or one of the old polytheistic religions. If I could invent my own, I would probably take elements from all of these and probably some fictional religions too.

Pagan. I'm already pretty close to it now.

well if i couldnt be a catholic atheist, i guess id have to go with islam

not one of those middle east centered sects but my own americanized version where there is a more western version of modesty and women's place in society

but who can argue with a religion whose basis is sumission to the will of god? supposing that one believes in god.

Well I'm a protestant christian, but I'd have to say either buddhism or Hare Krishna as a second choice. Both preach tolerance and acceptance. And you rub Buddha's belly for good luck. How cool is that?

if i really really had to have a religion, probably buddhism, or daoism.

Satanism. I'd remain agnostic, and my philosophy is largely well-aligned to theirs.

. . . other than the one you already have, which would you pick?

For the sake of argument, say that atheism and agnosticism are "religions", and try to pick something substantially different from your current religion (don't just change from Protestant to Catholic, or Sunni to Shiite).

Me? I'm Protestant Christian now, but for a second choice I'd take deism.

I'd probably join the Church of Satan. I'm atheist now, so it isn't a huge jump, but the focus on rituals and dressing up like it's halloween year round would be a major change for me.

Also good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism

Ah yes, the ones with the primary god who was constantly cheating on his wife, and the others who were constantly squabbling amongst themselves, all the while arbitrarily inflicting sufferings on hapless mortals. :rolleyes:

The early Christian writers decisively proved the moral superiority of Christianity over "good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism". That's one reason why "good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism" died out. Try reading up on that sometime.

If I ever left the Catholic Chuch, it would probably be either for Judaism or Zen Buddhism. Yes, I know they're totally different, but they both have aspects that I find of interest.

I'd pick the one where I'm God

is there a Church dedicated to sex? Tantric Buhddism or something?

Maybe I'd try shamanism. If I had to pick a Christianish church it might be a Unitarian Universalist .

Oh one of my more depressed days I might try Heavens Gate.

I would switch from Catholicism to Buddhism

......................or i would make my own religion whose holy trinity consists of Chuck Norris, Bob Saget, and Jack Bauer and church members give out Pancakes and Waffles to the good and righteous.

Ah yes, the ones with the primary god who was constantly cheating on his wife, and the others who were constantly squabbling amongst themselves, all the while arbitrarily inflicting sufferings on hapless mortals. :rolleyes:

Yes. They at least did not pretend to be flawless and perfect and allgood.
The Christian God otoh tortures for fun, and wants us to praise Him for it.

Agnostic to Taoist.

From atheist to zoroastrianism.

Probably Judaism, because it has the relationship with the one true God and no partners. or maybe buddhism just because. That said I'm going to stick with Islam, nothing will change that.

I'm a Unitarian Universalist, but I guess I'd go with Asatru.

The Force!

Ah yes, the ones with the primary god who was constantly cheating on his wife, and the others who were constantly squabbling amongst themselves, all the while arbitrarily inflicting sufferings on hapless mortals. :rolleyes:

The early Christian writers decisively proved the moral superiority of Christianity over "good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism". That's one reason why "good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism" died out. Try reading up on that sometime.

This is because, pre-Augustine, morality was held separate from faith. The Greco-Roman gods did not determine the nature of morality in the universe in the eyes of the ancient Greeks, much like the actions of the gods in Hindu scripture aren't the sole basis of Hindu morality. That, in fact, tends to be a solely western Judeo-Christian/Islamic thing.

Define early Christian writers, and how did they prove their moral superiority? Have you compared the work of, say, Saint Augustine to that of Plato and Aristotle? You'll find there are a lot of similarities. Largely because Augustine derived much of his work on ethics and morality directly from the work of the Ancient Greek philosophers. Augustinian morality is just a Christification of Greek morality, dressed up to look unique and superior.

Ah yes, the ones with the primary god who was constantly cheating on his wife, and the others who were constantly squabbling amongst themselves, all the while arbitrarily inflicting sufferings on hapless mortals. :rolleyes:

The early Christian writers decisively proved the moral superiority of Christianity over "good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism". That's one reason why "good old-fashioned Roman/Greek polytheism" died out. Try reading up on that sometime.

A God who is perfect, all loving and morally superior is a God I want absolutely nothing to do with. My Gods are personal, human-like beings, just as imperfect, emotionally varied and morally ambiguous/neutral as I am.

Church of Vi instead of church of Emacs :)

I would make one up.

I'd pick the one where I'm God Panentheism or diesm.


I'd pick UU for myself.

Atheist to fundamentalist Christian. I know all of their arguements, fallacies and deceptions so well, I might well be the next Ted Haggard.

I would make one up.
This would make you different to everybody else how?... ;)

This would make you different to everybody else how?... ;)

I'd be honest about it.

Atheist to fundamentalist Christian. I know all of their arguements, fallacies and deceptions so well, I might well be the next Ted Haggard.

So, soon you'll start taking crystal meth and getting massages from gay prostitutes while being interviewed for a documentary about uber-Christian psycho training camps?

Roman Catholic.

Masturbationism.

id change from roman catholic to bhuddism. bhuddism is so much better. all u need to do is sit on a mat. better then the sit/stand/kneel and the really long holiday masses.

So, soon you'll start taking crystal meth and getting massages from gay prostitutes while being interviewed for a documentary about uber-Christian psycho training camps?

that does have a certain allure...

Agnostic to Buddhist.

SCIENCE the new awesome religion.

Greater Somalia SCIENCE the new awesome religion.

good answer...I'm an atheist/humanist , If science were disallowed I'd be a Buddhist...

So, soon you'll start taking crystal meth and getting massages from gay prostitutes while being interviewed for a documentary about uber-Christian psycho training camps?
But I won't inhale.

Only if you die in battle... ;)

So you run around randomly attacking people until someone kills you.