NationStates Jolt Archive

I am Roman Catholicism.

No poll?? Awwwwww... too bad.

Non-practicing, except for occasional meditation... I don't really belong to any specific religion though... it's probably easier to list what I don't take ideas from atm...:p

I am a lutheran
;)

yes, god is just a charactor made up by humans to sheild them from the unknown.

One of the greatest fears humans have is the fear of the unknown. Creating a god answers these questions.

How was the earth created?
how were humans created?
ect...

which is somewhat very ignorant..Not necessarily. If one does not have access to information the existence of spirits and deities is a reasonable explanation for phenomena. Stone age humans had every reason to believe in powers greater than themselves.
And such beliefs have evolved over time and finally ended up in the pantheon(s) of bronze age civilizations, and still creation myths were likely explanations for the existence of the world and humanity.

I am a lutheranNobody's perfect.

yes, i believe i am an athiest buddhist. I believe some what buddhist's believes, tho not in a upper god. Meditation is very good for the soul, which i try to do once a week.

i wouldn't say its reasonable. The ones who made it up will say its resonable. Yes they have every reason, thats not my point. i'm saying that humans created god, 1, and 2 because of the fear of the unknown. It is a human instinct to believe something to help their fear.

Agnostic Atheist

Agnostic because I don't KNOW if there is a god. I don't have the ego to say I know EVERYTHING. Root word 'gnostic'.. meaning 'Of, relating to, or possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge.' Really.. no one has spiritual knowledge.. they have beliefs.

Atheist because I don't BELIEVE in a god. There is zero falsifiable evidence. Root word 'theist'.. meaning 'belief in God: belief that one God created and rules humans and the world'. We're basically ALL agnostics. you can be a theist or atheist agnostic.

Agnostic Atheist

Agnostic because I don't KNOW if there is a god. I don't have the ego to say I know EVERYTHING. Root word 'gnostic'.. meaning 'Of, relating to, or possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge.' Really.. no one has spiritual knowledge.. they have beliefs.

Atheist because I don't BELIEVE in a god. There is zero falsifiable evidence. Root word 'theist'.. meaning 'belief in God: belief that one God created and rules humans and the world'. We're basically ALL agnostics. you can be a theist or atheist agnostic.

ok one question- how can not believe their is no god at all, but then you don't know their is a god.

ok one question- how can not believe their is no god at all, but then you don't know their is a god.

How can one what? :confused:

ok one question- how can not believe their is no god at all, but then you don't know their is a god.

the same way one believes there is a God, but knows she doesn't really know if there is one or not.

there, their, they're <--- three different words.

Plus, I believe that Paganism and buddhism should be the founding religions, because of the neutral beliefs, rather than the main ones we have niowadays.



Grudamn for these rants of mine. I like to blow of steam, and get some of this stuff out. see what I mean? :rolleyes:

that was a very civil rant.

what is a founding religion?

Most Catholics don't do the whole 'adoration' thing.

And the split between Anglicans and Catholics was due entirely to politics. Pretty much because Henry VIII of England was mad that the Pope wouldn't annul his marriage.

You don't need to tell me what the host is. You seem to be assuming that I retained none of the things I was told in sunday school (not that I believe any of them anymore, anyway, though).

In practice, the two denominations are virtually identical. To say that there is any real difference between them besides politics is just stupid. The Anglican church exists only because of politics. Henry VIII was a staunch Catholic before getting mad over not being able to annul his marriage. Without that reason to split, he would probably have continued to be.

Actually, A LOT of Catholics do the "whole adoration thing". At my mother's church, they have Perpetual Adoration, meaning someone is ALWAYS there in front of it worshipping.

Yes, the original split was entirely political, but during the reign of Elizabeth I and after, Protestant reforms were enacted, one of those being that Transubstantiation does not occur. To Catholics, this is an important doctrine that they refuse to concede and is precisely why others cannot take communion in a Catholic Church, because they don't believe what Catholics believe in terms of the status of the Eucharist.

I've never, ever heard that Protestants don't consider Catholics to be Christian...my understanding is that one who worships Christ is a Christian. All Catholics are Christian, not all Christians are Catholic.

Something to consider, for everyone who is debating on largest denomination, is that if you EVER were baptized in a Catholic church, you are on the "rolls" as a Catholic, even if you have fallen away, or moved to a different denomination, or whatever. The actual number of Catholics is probably quite lower than what the Vatican claims. As there is no "central office" for Protestants, there is no comprehensive "list" (basically numbers) so a census type thing would be taken from individual churches rolls. While they might contain people who have fallen away, very often, protestant churches cull their rolls, because it's expensive to do all the mailings and such to members who aren't active, and won't be active. It's a more accurate representation.

For example...my husband would still be counted among Catholics, even though he no longer practices, and is a member at our church, which is protestant. My parents, who are no longer members of any church, would not be counted, since the church they once belonged to has culled them from the roll. (though again, it would be an inaccurate count, because my parents still consider themselves protestant people, they just don't go to church.)

Well evidently you've never been introduced to some of our crazier Evangelical friends. Most Pentacostals for instance, claim Catholics are going to Hell. Quite a few Baptists also take that stance, though it varies amongst them.

Nondenominational Christian

jewish

Well evidently you've never been introduced to some of our crazier Evangelical friends. Most Pentacostals for instance, claim Catholics are going to Hell. Quite a few Baptists also take that stance, though it varies amongst them.

Every faith has its crazies.

Actually, A LOT of Catholics do the "whole adoration thing". At my mother's church, they have Perpetual Adoration, meaning someone is ALWAYS there in front of it worshipping.

Yes, the original split was entirely political, but during the reign of Elizabeth I and after, Protestant reforms were enacted, one of those being that Transubstantiation does not occur. To Catholics, this is an important doctrine that they refuse to concede and is precisely why others cannot take communion in a Catholic Church, because they don't believe what Catholics believe in terms of the status of the Eucharist.

You seem to place a lot of importance on dogma and not much one what individual worshipers actually do, but only when it suits you.

You seem to place a lot of importance on dogma and not much one what individual worshipers actually do, but only when it suits you.

No, my whole point all along was that while one can find a few similarities in terms in dividing up Christians and Muslims, overall they are not actually comparable. Each sect of Christianity, no matter how close they are, have there own tenets that they are supposed to believe and follow, whether or not their followers actually believe everything they are supposed to or know everything their faith says they believe.

Muslims on the other hand, cannot be divided in such a manner. One makes one a Sunni or a Shiite does not necessarily involve what they believe, and because there is no set of dogma for all Shiite groups, and since there is no set of dogma for Sunnis at all (other than just what Islam itself teaches by drawing from the Qur'an and Hadith) one cannot always readily identify who is Shiite and who is Sunni. There is no central leadership in Islam, and no universal regulatory agency that Muslims have to obey, no matter what they identify as.

I'm animist polytheist.

No, my whole point all along was that while one can find a few similarities in terms in dividing up Christians and Muslims, overall they are not actually comparable. Each sect of Christianity, no matter how close they are, have there own tenets that they are supposed to believe and follow, whether or not their followers actually believe everything they are supposed to or know everything their faith says they believe.

Muslims on the other hand, cannot be divided in such a manner. One makes one a Sunni or a Shiite does not necessarily involve what they believe, and because there is no set of dogma for all Shiite groups, and since there is no set of dogma for Sunnis at all (other than just what Islam itself teaches by drawing from the Qur'an and Hadith) one cannot always readily identify who is Shiite and who is Sunni. There is no central leadership in Islam, and no universal regulatory agency that Muslims have to obey, no matter what they identify as.

It seems then that the closest thing to compare you to in terms of the structure of your religion would be Protestant non-denominational Christians, or Protestant Fundamentalists. They have no official structure, and while they generally have pastors, they do not have to believe the same thing as them, and are generally left to interpret the Bible on their own. Is this similar to your situation? Replacing the Bible with the Quran of course.

PS. Btw, is it supposed to be spelled Quran or Koran or Q'ran? I have read all three before.

It seems then that the closest thing to compare you to in terms of the structure of your religion would be Protestant non-denominational Christians, or Protestant Fundamentalists. They have no official structure, and while they generally have pastors, they do not have to believe the same thing as them, and are generally left to interpret the Bible on their own. Is this similar to your situation? Replacing the Bible with the Quran of course.

PS. Btw, is it supposed to be spelled Quran or Koran or Q'ran? I have read all three before.

Well, the religion is protected in this sense I think. The influence of leaders is severely retarded since we don't have a central leader, so it's unlikely that we can be used as an entire group for devious purposes.

Well, you can say Quran or Koran I suppose in English. Qur'an with the apostrophe is the truly correct Romanization however.

Well, the religion is protected in this sense I think. The influence of leaders is severely retarded since we don't have a central leader, so it's unlikely that we can be used as an entire group for devious purposes.



I was not trying to insinuate that you were up to anything devious, just asking a question. I have tried to study other religions whenever I get the chance, and while I know a fair amount on most major Christian religions and Judaism, I know almost nothing about Islam or Eastern Asian religions.

Neo-Pagan. Asatru, to be exact.

Agnostic athiest. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnostic_atheism)

My Christian fundie aunt calls us "fagnostics" and "gaytheists" and is only partially joking about it. Other than that and her strong aversion to people with skin darker than her's, she's a great person.

No, my whole point all along was that while one can find a few similarities in terms in dividing up Christians and Muslims, overall they are not actually comparable. Each sect of Christianity, no matter how close they are, have there own tenets that they are supposed to believe and follow, whether or not their followers actually believe everything they are supposed to or know everything their faith says they believe.

Muslims on the other hand, cannot be divided in such a manner. One makes one a Sunni or a Shiite does not necessarily involve what they believe, and because there is no set of dogma for all Shiite groups, and since there is no set of dogma for Sunnis at all (other than just what Islam itself teaches by drawing from the Qur'an and Hadith) one cannot always readily identify who is Shiite and who is Sunni. There is no central leadership in Islam, and no universal regulatory agency that Muslims have to obey, no matter what they identify as.

Then why do they take as much glee in destroying each other as Catholics and Protestants ever have?

Then why do they take as much glee in destroying each other as Catholics and Protestants ever have?

Well, to be fair, Callisdrun, most people only need an excuse to kill their neighbors, and "Die, heretic!" is certainly as good an excuse as any other.

Then why do they take as much glee in destroying each other as Catholics and Protestants ever have?

Because of the line of sucession after the death of the Prophet Mohammed. That was when the Sunnis and Shiites split apart and have been killing eachother ever since.

It's a tad confusing, but I am stating the order of how much my brain went through.

Ex-Christian, Ex-Agnostic, Ex-Satanist, Ex-Agnostic, now, leaning toward Atheism.

I'm still unsure.

Dictatorship of Howitz
Holmen
DOCTATOR!:sniper:

I'm Sunni Muslim.

Because of the line of sucession after the death of the Prophet Mohammed. That was when the Sunnis and Shiites split apart and have been killing eachother ever since.

That is a misconception. While the Shia/Sunni schism began over succession to the Caliphate, they have not been killing each other ever since. There is a problem in Iraq because of different things, including but not limited to, oil, a few idiots on the Arab side who started a conflict, and imperialism. Most Muslims just see each other as brothers and sisters, and great examples of where they get along include Lebanon and Pakistan. In those places, Shia and Sunnis are often indistinguishable based on their beliefs.

I'm Evangelical Christian.

Then why do they take as much glee in destroying each other as Catholics and Protestants ever have?

Iraq is a unique situation. No one can exactly pinpoint when the Shia/Sunni problems started in modern times in that country, but it's not really a problem outside of Iraq.

You'd be surprised what can turn communities against each other that has nothing to do with actual religious beliefs. For instance, the Salem Witch Trials are now known to have been motivated by a certain part of the town against the other based on the other side wanting their own church building and grabs for land. It was literally one side against the other, but had nothing to do with actual doctrine.

I am no religeon...
But i believe in Werewolves...
For I am one
*snarls*

Iraq is a unique situation. No one can exactly pinpoint when the Shia/Sunni problems started in modern times in that country, but it's not really a problem outside of Iraq.

You'd be surprised what can turn communities against each other that has nothing to do with actual religious beliefs. For instance, the Salem Witch Trials are now known to have been motivated by a certain part of the town against the other based on the other side wanting their own church building and grabs for land. It was literally one side against the other, but had nothing to do with actual doctrine.

There have been Sunni/Shiite conflicts before. You seem to be implying that Iraq is the only time this has ever happened.

Are folks creating new NS accounts just to post in this thread?? :eek:

There have been Sunni/Shiite conflicts before. You seem to be implying that Iraq is the only time this has ever happened.

No, I didn't imply that. What I said was, it was never continuous, or even close to continuous, and in modern times, Iraq is basically the only place with a problem and it has nothing to do with their theology. It is the result of many things, not limited to but including imperialism, Baathists like Saddam Hussein, oil revenues and lust for power.

None whatsoever.

and in modern times, Iraq is basically the only place with a problem and it has nothing to do with their theology. It is the result of many things, not limited to but including imperialism, Baathists like Saddam Hussein, oil revenues and lust for power.

Since Islamic theology arguably includes hadiths, your statement that Shia-Sunni split does not include theology is false - since Shia and Sunnis have different sets of hadiths that they credit has authentic. Sunni hadiths by Bukhari, Ayesha etc have no credibility with Shias.

Plus, you are ignoring the situation of Shias in places like Pak, Afg etc.

The sunni taliban massacred 1000s of shia hazara, every year during ashura shia processions get attacked by sunnis in many places of Pakistan - it's almost as ritual as madham in places like Hangu etc and I find your attempt at pooh-poohing real conflicts between shias and sunnis (which has killed thousands) as mildly.......disgusting.

Added Later: I really dunno why you do this, you have done this before in another thread too...

What's your problem in admitting facts about unpleasant stuff in muslim history and current events in muslim areas, especially since it is not a reflection of Islam but a reflection of history and human failings.

Since Islamic theology arguably includes hadiths, your statement that Shia-Sunni split does not include theology is false - since Shia and Sunnis have different sets of hadiths that they credit has authentic. Sunni hadiths by Bukhari, Ayesha etc have no credibility with Shias.

Plus, you are ignoring the situation of Shias in places like Pak, Afg etc.

The sunni taliban massacred 1000s of shia hazara, every year during ashura shia processions get attacked by sunnis in many places of Pakistan - it's almost as ritual as madham in places like Hangu etc and I find your attempt at pooh-poohing real conflicts between shias and sunnis (which has killed thousands) as mildly.......disgusting.

Added Later: I really dunno why you do this, you have done this before in another thread too...

What's your problem in admitting facts about unpleasant stuff in muslim history and current events in muslim areas, especially since it is not a reflection of Islam but a reflection of history and human failings.

Because Islam is the true religion and they go to great pains to hide their discord though it is evident no matter what they try to do. That is like trying to sugarcoat the Protestant/Catholic fighting in Northern Ireland. You just can not do so.

It is high time that all religions fess up that there are problems and work to solve them without adding more bloodshed to the list.

And that is coming from a Christian.

Because Islam is the true religion and they go to great pains to hide their discord though it is evident no matter what they try to do. That is like trying to sugarcoat the Protestant/Catholic fighting in Northern Ireland. You just can not do so.

It is high time that all religions fess up that there are problems and work to solve them without adding more bloodshed to the list.

And that is coming from a Christian.

And that is, sadly, an impossibility. As long as religions hold themselves to be the sole bastions of truth and morality, and to have a monopoly on virtue, there will be bloodshed.

And that is, sadly, an impossibility. As long as religions hold themselves to be the sole bastions of truth and morality, and to have a monopoly on virtue, there will be bloodshed.

This maybe sacriligious and I may get punished for saying this but in reality, truth is in the eye of the beholder. Do I want to win soles for Christ? yes I do but no one should force another to convert.

Sadly, I agree with you 100%

Since Islamic theology arguably includes hadiths, your statement that Shia-Sunni split does not include theology is false - since Shia and Sunnis have different sets of hadiths that they credit has authentic. Sunni hadiths by Bukhari, Ayesha etc have no credibility with Shias.

Plus, you are ignoring the situation of Shias in places like Pak, Afg etc.

The sunni taliban massacred 1000s of shia hazara, every year during ashura shia processions get attacked by sunnis in many places of Pakistan - it's almost as ritual as madham in places like Hangu etc and I find your attempt at pooh-poohing real conflicts between shias and sunnis (which has killed thousands) as mildly.......disgusting.

Added Later: I really dunno why you do this, you have done this before in another thread too...

What's your problem in admitting facts about unpleasant stuff in muslim history and current events in muslim areas, especially since it is not a reflection of Islam but a reflection of history and human failings.

What I was saying was, if you read ALL the posts, is that while SOME Shia do believe different things than Sunnis, not ALL OF THEM DO. Which is why it is hard to determine what is Shia and what is Sunni, because one might identify as a Shia do to culture (like the Hazaras in Afghanistan) regardless of whether or not what they actually believe is the same as their Sunni neighbors.

I know Pakistanis, and some of them are Shia and all of the Sunni ones have Shia relatives. While there may be some isolated incidents in Pakistan, according to all of the people I know (both Sunni and Shia) this affiliation is usually due to paternal heritage, which is why you have Sunnis and Shia in the same extended family.

In Afghanistan, the Hazaras were persecuted by racist Pashtuns because of their Mongol heritage, not because they were Shia. Some Tajiks and Pashtuns are also Shia, and they weren't persecuted. That is racism, and the fact that MOST Hazaras and MOST Pashtuns are Shia and Sunni respectively is coincidental.

Obviously you don't know a damn thing about anything that goes on, or peoples' motivations. Especially with the Afghanistan issue.

EDIT: To directly engage in the Hadith question, all literature is available to the individual Muslim. It is up to the individual Muslim to read the Hadith and determine for him/herself what he believes to be valid. There are different schools of thought, and all of them are valid provided they don't violate the Qur'an. This is why I was saying there is no clear cut theological divide. One who identifies himself as a Sunni might share most of their individual beliefs with a Shia (and by beliefs, meaning about things God didn't actually mention in the Qur'an) rather than with a fellow Sunni.

Identification as a Shia is very complex. Sometimes it results because of ancient political alliances certain tribes or peoples made, or because they are the descendants of the first Shia which arose purely over the succession to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) or because they truly belong to a group of people who differ significantly from Sunnis when it comes to theology. Because all of these reasons exist, it is impossible to find a clear cut set of beliefs for Shia Muslims.

Because Islam is the true religion and they go to great pains to hide their discord though it is evident no matter what they try to do. That is like trying to sugarcoat the Protestant/Catholic fighting in Northern Ireland. You just can not do so.

It is high time that all religions fess up that there are problems and work to solve them without adding more bloodshed to the list.

And that is coming from a Christian.

Nope, that's not true. This whole conversation started out because someone tried to compare the differences in Catholic and Protestant theology to those in Sunni and Shia theology. My point was, you can't always find a clear cut difference. In some branches of Shias, you can, and I said that. But many people who identify as Shia are often indistinguishable from Sunnis, and that was my point.

And someone else then tried to insinuate that they had been fighting since the beginning, which is simply not the case. It's been explained, and thoroughly, throughout this entire forum.

EDIT: oh, of course there are problems. it just so happens that in Iraq it has NOTHING to do with what they actually believe (the same in Northern Ireland for that matter). In Iraq, because of imperialism and Baathism, and grabs for oil, Sunnis and Shia have become almost separate ethnic communities based on Sunni and Shia, whether or not they worship the same way. In Northern Ireland, while I suppose on the base they worship differently, many of them are now Atheists and Agnostics and still identify as Protestants and Catholics in an ethnic sense (which I suppose is a bit more valid, because the Catholics are usually Irish, and the Protestants usually descendants of invaders, but still, you get the point).

And someone else then tried to insinuate that they had been fighting since the beginning, which is simply not the case. It's been explained, and thoroughly, throughout this entire forum.

Actually no it has not been done so thoroughly. History tells us differently.

Sunni and Shi'a have fought at many points in history, but it's certainly not a constant bloodbath. Even in Iraq, there's a lot of intermarriage between Sunni and Shi'a Iraqis, which presents some problems now that conflict has broken out. And it's been the same case with Catholics and Protestants. There's a natural tension between different sects within the same faith in close proximity to each other. It doesn't really mean anything.

prodestants arnt christian! yeah!

prodestants arnt christian! yeah!

:confused:

I'm a deist

Actually no it has not been done so thoroughly. History tells us differently.

Except you don't know history. Go read it please.

Except you don't know history. Go read it please.

Actually, I do know history. I know quite alot about it. I do know that the Sunnis and the Shia's have spent alot of time fighting eachother. Do you deny that they have not?

nihilist. so what?

Actually, I do know history. I know quite alot about it. I do know that the Sunnis and the Shia's have spent alot of time fighting eachother. Do you deny that they have not?

Other than the initial split and very recent history, the Sunnis and Shias have not fought much.

Pantheist-pagan mix, with an Otherkin belief on top of that. Not really religions, but eh.

hey i was just wondering, is any one a buddhist or taoist ect..? because i would like to know more about these religions. I dont believe in a god, but a lot of the buddhist teachings are on my lines

What I was saying was, if you read ALL the posts, is that while SOME Shia do believe different things than Sunnis, not ALL OF THEM DO.

Which must be why they don't call themselves shia and shia's call themselves sunni because they don't believe in different things than sunnis because they are all just sunnis and call themselves shia just for the fun of it or....oh wait..:confused:


Which is why it is hard to determine what is Shia and what is Sunni, because one might identify as a Shia do to culture (like the Hazaras in Afghanistan) regardless of whether or not what they actually believe is the same as their Sunni neighbors.

Which is why they usually go to different mosques (except the popular ones like Mecca and historical mosques). Which is why they have different law boards even in non-islamic countries like India. Oh wait..

While there may be some isolated incidents in Pakistan, according to all of the people I know (both Sunni and Shia) this affiliation is usually due to paternal heritage, which is why you have Sunnis and Shia in the same extended family

NONE of this take away the FACT that there are REAL problems resulting in REAL killings EVERY EFFING YEAR.

I remember telling this before but it seems like you have some problems remembering.

Do you wanna discuss Lashkar-e-Jangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba ?


In Afghanistan, the Hazaras were persecuted by racist Pashtuns because of their Mongol heritage, not because they were Shia.

Which is why Hazara Shias were not killed before the advent of Deobandi Sunni taliban by the Pashtun cadres who made up most of taliban. Oh wait...




Obviously you don't know a damn thing about anything that goes on, or peoples' motivations. Especially with the Afghanistan issue.

LOL.

EDIT: To directly engage in the Hadith question, all literature is available to the individual Muslim. It is up to the individual Muslim to read the Hadith and determine for him/herself what he believes to be valid.

That is why the Shia have marja system. Oh wait..

You are again indulging in white-washing historical and current events because YOU feel that it makes Islam look bad, when most people (certainly myself), look at it only from a historical perspective and not a judgement on the religion per se. And I don't remember making a claim that ALL shias and sunnis are extreme poles and at each other's throat. It is you who is making that claim on behalf of me and some other posters and then proceeding to make grand claims of how it is the opposite of that.....when the truth is somewhere in the middle.

This is just your insecurity compelling you to defend the indefensible.

So, I am seeking advice and since I don't see the need to make a thread out of it I'll ask on here.

One of my pagan friends (she's Wiccan) invited me to sit in with her group (or coven) tomorrow night. Now for the pagans or Wiccan here on NSG, do you guys have any advice beside ones that really would just fall under common sense?

So, I am seeking advice and since I don't see the need to make a thread out of it I'll ask on here.

One of my pagan friends (she's Wiccan) invited me to sit in with her group (or coven) tomorrow night. Now for the pagans or Wiccan here on NSG, do you guys have any advice beside ones that really would just fall under common sense?

Bring a pasta salad. :)

What kind of advice were you hoping for? What sort of thing are you worried about?

Bring a pasta salad. :)

What kind of advice were you hoping for? What sort of thing are you worried about?

Well this is new to me, and I do not want to not only piss off my friend but piss off her friends as well. So I guess what I'm asking is for an insight of what usually take place at these meetings. My friend told me that they are working on the "Book of Shadows" which Wiki tells me is a book of spells and ritual. So yea.

So, I am seeking advice and since I don't see the need to make a thread out of it I'll ask on here.

One of my pagan friends (she's Wiccan) invited me to sit in with her group (or coven) tomorrow night. Now for the pagans or Wiccan here on NSG, do you guys have any advice beside ones that really would just fall under common sense?

Advice about what? Just don't tell her she's going to hell or say demeaning things about her beliefs and I don't see how there would be a problem.

snip

Massive owning.

Advice about what? Just don't tell her she's going to hell or say demeaning things about her beliefs and I don't see how there would be a problem.

Trust me, I do not plan on doing any of that. That's what I would call common sense items.

Secular Humanist.

Trust me, I do not plan on doing any of that. That's what I would call common sense items.

Well, that's pretty much all there is to it. In many situations the best advice is just to be polite and respectful.

Well, that's pretty much all there is to it. In many situations the best advice is just to be polite and respectful.

Cool.

Well this is new to me, and I do not want to not only piss off my friend but piss off her friends as well. So I guess what I'm asking is for an insight of what usually take place at these meetings. My friend told me that they are working on the "Book of Shadows" which Wiki tells me is a book of spells and ritual. So yea.
I'm not a Wiccan, but I've attended many Wiccan rituals. Usually, they do not invite outsiders to important rituals or festivals where things go on that might make an outsider uncomfortable, such as working naked, for traditions that do that.

You should just ask your friends up front what will happen at the meeting and what you should expect. I think, in all social situations, it's better to admit that you are unsure of yourself and ask questions beforehand. That's way more polite than creating an awkward situation during the event itself.

And I was serious about that pasta salad, or whatever kind of potluck food you like. All the Wiccan rituals I have attended have included a meal as part of the festivities.

I've also attended Christian religious events in which I had no idea what to do or what to expect. I strongly advise asking your hosts for advice beforehand, and during the event, keeping your mouth shut unless invited to speak and following the lead of your hosts.

Which must be why they don't call themselves shia and shia's call themselves sunni because they don't believe in different things than sunnis because they are all just sunnis and call themselves shia just for the fun of it or....oh wait..:confused:

Shia and Sunni began as a difference in politics. For SOME Shias and Sunnis, the only difference is how they view the Caliphate. That's how it started, or have you read up on it?


Which is why they usually go to different mosques (except the popular ones like Mecca and historical mosques). Which is why they have different law boards even in non-islamic countries like India. Oh wait..

People who share similar ideas or cultural aspects do tend to go to the same mosque. There are Albanian, Black, Urdu-speaking, Bosnian, etc. mosques in the United States but it doesn't mean they believe anything different. People (regardless of their affiliation) also tend to attend a mosque with similar ideals, regardless of what they identify as. But you wouldn't know that.

On another note, at MY mosque there are several people who identify as Shias.



NONE of this take away the FACT that there are REAL problems resulting in REAL killings EVERY EFFING YEAR.

I remember telling this before but it seems like you have some problems remembering.

Do you wanna discuss Lashkar-e-Jangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba ?

The fact that their are idiots in every faith doesn't mean there are problems in the actual COMMUNITIES. That's like saying Hindus and Muslims constantly don't get along in India because of the idiots that cause problems in both communities. The vast majority of those incidents occur because of terrorist organizations, not because there is conflict between normal members of both communities, and what you have mentioned proves that.




Which is why Hazara Shias were not killed before the advent of Deobandi Sunni taliban by the Pashtun cadres who made up most of taliban. Oh wait...

The Taliban was known for it's racism. Find an incident of the Taliban massacring the minority Shia Pashtuns and Tajiks, and then get back to me.

I am a Fat Jewboy!

Mormon (Christian)

snip

So the same scale differences that result in violence are minor when they're in Islam but major when they're in Christianity? Don't be a hypocrite. This whole time you've been exaggerating the differences between Christian denominations while glossing over the Sunni/Shiite split.