WHAT'S YOUR RELIGION? Do you like it?

Question

Did you join it yourself, or because your parents were in it?

Answer 1

My religion is Sikhism. It is a fairly new religion originating from India. I am part of it because I believe in its goodness.

Here is some information about it.

Sikhism, the youngest of the world religions, is barely five hundred years old. Its founder, Guru Nanak, was born in 1469. Guru Nanak spread a simple message of "Ek Ong Kar": we are all one, created by the One Creator of all Creation. This was at a time when India was being torn apart by castes, sectarianism, religious factions, and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion, and respected all religions. He expressed the reality that there is one God and many paths, and the Name of God is Truth, "Sat Nam". World Religions

Christianity 2 b
Islam 1.3 b
Hinduism 900 m
Buddhism 360 m
Chinese Trad. 225 m
Primal-indig. 190 m
Sikhism 23 m
Yoruba 20 m
Juche 19 m
Spiritism 14 m
Judaism 14 m
Bahi 6 m
source: adherents.com


Guru Nanak's Hindu and Muslim followers began to be called Sikhs (learners). He taught them to bow only before God, and to link themselves to the Guru, the Light of Truth, who lives always in direct consciousness of God, experiencing no separation. Through words and example, the Guru demonstrates to followers how to experience God within themselves, bringing them from darkness into light. Guru Nanak was a humble bearer of this Light of Truth. He opposed superstition, rituals, social inequality and injustice, renunciation and hypocrisy and inspired seekers by singing divine songs which touched the hearts of the most callous listeners. These songs were recorded, and formed the beginnings of the Sikhs' sacred writings, later to become the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib".

Guru Nanak taught his way of life:
Nam Japa - To get up each day before sunrise, to clean the body, meditate on God’s Name and recite the Guru’s hymns to clean the mind. Throughout the day, continuously remember God’s Name with every breath.
Dharam di Kirat Karni - To work and earn by the sweat of the brow, to live a family way of life, and practice truthfulness and honesty in all dealings.
Vand Ke Chakna - To share the fruits of one’s labor with others before considering oneself. Thus, to live as an inspiration and a support to the entire community.


Read about other basic Sikh Beliefs
Read interesting facts about Sikhism
Read brief Sikh History

The 10 Sikh Gurus
The foundation of Sikhism was laid down by Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak infused his own consciousness into a disciple, who then became Guru, subsequently passing the light on to the next, and so on. The word "Guru" is derived from the root words "Gu", which means darkness or ignorance, and "Ru", which means light or knowledge The Guru is the experience of Truth (God).

Each one of the ten Gurus represents a divine attribute:
Guru Nanak - Humility
Guru Angad - Obedience
Guru Amar Das — Equality
Guru Ram Das - Service
Guru Arjan - Self-Sacrifice
Guru Hargobind - Justice
Guru Har Rai - Mercy
Guru Harkrishan - Purity
Guru Tegh Bahadur - Tranquility
Guru Gobind Singh - Royal Courage
(see more on the 10 Sikh Gurus)
Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru, exemplified the Sikh ideal of the Soldier-Saint. He was also an inspired and prolific writer, courageous warrior, and a source of Divine Wisdom to his Sikhs. "When all other means have failed," he said, "only then is it righteous to take up the sword." He was the defender of the poor, the meek, and the oppressed masses of India.

The Making of the Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh was the last Guru of the Sikhs in human form. He created the Khalsa, a spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood devoted to purity of thought and action. He gave the Khalsa a distinctive external form to remind them of their commitment, and to help them maintain an elevated state of consciousness. Fore more information on Baisakhi click here. Every Sikh baptized as Khalsa vows to wear the Five "K's": more about 5 k's...

Kesh - uncut hair and beard, as given by God, to sustain him or her in higher consciousness; and a turban, the crown of spirituality.

Kangha - a wooden comb to properly groom the hair as a symbol of cleanliness.

Katchera - specially made cotton underwear as a reminder of the commitment to purity.

Kara - a steel circle, worn on the wrist, signifying bondage to Truth and freedom from every other entanglement.

Kirpan - the sword, with which the Khalsa is committed to righteously defend the fine line of the Truth.


Khalsa vowed to have a daily spiritual practice of reading 5 banis (scriptures) more... Khalsa vowed to follow the basic tenants of Bana (uniform), Bani (scripture), Simran (meditative recitation), Seva(service). more... Khalsa also vows to refrain from any sexual relationships outside of marriage, and to refrain from taking meat, tobacco, alcohol, and all other intoxicants. For more information see Rehit Mariyada (Code of Conduct).

Then Guru Gobind Singh infused his own being into the Khalsa, declaring that the Khalsa was now the Guru in all temporal matters. For spiritual matters, the Guruship was given to the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib", a compilation of sacred writings by those who have experienced Truth. For Sikhs, "Siri Guru Granth Sahib" is the living embodiment of the Guru, and is regarded with the utmost reverence and respect wherever it is found. Sikhs all over the world took to the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib" as their living Guru, as the source of spiritual instruction and guidance. More info about Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Read the Siri Guru Granth Sahib

Answer 2

I have a mix of (in chronological order): catholism, taoism, wicca, universalism.

I did catholism because of my parents - and I grew up in a spanish-family setting where there was no other option. Later I moved into taoism because I wanted to get away from all the bad things which religion caused - forcefulness of your nature and spirit - a strigid expectation of what you WILL become, etc. Finally I moved into Wicca because it dedicates itself to the love of humans and nature, and although we're currently living in a world of anti-humanity (which the major 3 "God is one" religions of the world - Jews, Christians and Islamic- preach and force feed to their children) - I still feel that life is intiself abundant, and loving, and that as long as I take care of life it will take care of me.

I've had hard times, but this system of belief at least made me blame myself - and not "other humans" - and thus, I grew better of it, and out of it - and now I'm doing wonderfully well.

Finally, universalism came as a small discovery. I have always thought of "something, (Jesus, Myself, Nature, Etc), will take care of me." Universalism points the following:

Describe God (he's everywhere in everything, makes everything and can be anywhere, never ending cannot be created or destroyed.
Describe Energy - it's everywhere in everything, makes everything and can be anywhere, never ending cannot be created or destroyed. (That's basic science from the 5th grade.)

Thus, I "discovered" something that people have believed in since the days before Christiniaity came around - that the stories of God and all that where just metaphors and allegories to describe to the stupid people of the world how the universe works. Except, that there are more stupid people than intelligent ones.

You know how when you ask a chemical engineer what he does for a living he always gives you a "well, it's kind of like..." story? It's because what he does is so advanced, there is now way he could tell you exact details - he'd lose you. It's the same thing.

Anyway, yeah, that's the answer ;)

Answer 3

Religion:- Religion is a process of ideals and worships which involves a code of ethics and a philosophy of existence. There are many faiths on the planet in these days. Some of those religions are of up to date beginning however such a lot of them are very historical. In truth we all know from historical past that guy has regularly had a faith. Even the primitive guys residing in caves or jungles had a few style of faith. The ideas and rituals in guy's faith have CONTINUALLY advanced and turn out to be extra rational and complex as time went on. The primitive religions of the Cave Man and the Bush Man gave upward push to the today's religions of the beyond 3 thousand years. Today, the essential religions of the arena incorporate: World Religion ----- Originated in Zoroastrianism ----- Iran Confucianism ----- China Hinduism ------ India Taoism ------ China Jainism ------ India Judaism ------ Neat East Christianity ------ Near East Islam ------ Near East Buddhism ------- India Shinto ------- Japan These are the nice religions of the arena which aren't most effective dependable for all our gathered wealth of knowledge, philosophy, ethics, and social and ethical codes, however have motivated the tradition, the language and the ethical attitudes of just about each PERSON residing in these days. Difference among Religious and Non Religious Peoples. a million. The devout men and women feel in some thing whilst the others don't. two. The devout men and women participate in unique acts of worship whilst the others don't. three. The devout men and women look to comply with a unique code for his or her social and ethical behaviour whilst the others don't. four. The devout men and women discover a cause of existence and feature a sure philosophy in the direction of it, whilst the others don't.

Answer 4

I was born Christian because my parents were in it.
But after 25, when I began to learn about other religions, as an academic exercise, noticed that all are more or less the same... with cultural differences and symbols.

I took the best from each and now live with no concerns about religions.... All us are part of the same wonderful Thought of God!

Answer 5

I am a Seventh Day Anti-Cablelist... I am against cable television.

I think TV should come from the sky like the voice of God.

I not only joined myself I created the religion all by myself after scanning hundreds of channels only to find that nothing was on.

You may join my religion as well.. simply hank the cable out of the wall while yelling "I've had all I can stand and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

Bless you my son...

Answer 6

i was a Muslim born in a Muslim family, but now m a Proud Muslim after knowing abt it (as much as i m able to uptill now and GOD Willing will seek to know more abt it) and m proud of Islam. It is the religion of Peace and Humanity. There are misconceptions going around over here, but i guess its because ppl believe those who write books against Islam and believe the media "propaganda" without even giving a single thought abt seeking the Truth. Islam is THE religion and Perfect, NOTHING abt It is at fault, and i can debate abt it with anyone, anytime, any place. if someone interested drop me a line at [e-mail], and i will thank u for even thinking of seeking the truth.

Answer 7

I became a Buddhist several years ago...after being raised as a conservative Catholic, and choosing to enjoy for several years the haven of modern Wicca.

Becoming a Buddhist really wasn't a decision. After experiencing that first, diamond-cut moment of enlightenment, I couldn't have been anything else. And now that I've had that experience, I can never go back to ignorance.

A fact for which I'm grateful, every day.

Answer 8

My mother raised me in the Christian church. After a long time, I realized that Christianity didn't give me the spirituality and peace I wanted. After doing some reading, I found Wicca, one of the Old Religions. I've also read up on Druidism and the Asatru faith, which worships the Norse gods. I find being a Pagan is fulfilling to me and it gives me the peace and spiritual completeness Christianity didn't. I'm a much better person today thanks to it!

Answer 9

Christianity....I found Christ on my own with a little guidance from my parents...they were knew to the faith also and they let me choose my own path...they would never force me into anything as that is not a Christian thing to do....my parents are awesome and I'm glad they were there when I needed them the most...I love Christianity...I would be lost without Christ...would not have my life any other way...He is the light in a dark world

Answer 10

I am Catholic. My parents "shoved" religion down my throat. I nearly ventured away from my upbringing, but found out on my own that my Catholic faith was what I really wanted. I just wanted to be Catholic on my own without someone checking on me to make sure I was going to church. So I moved away and practiced my religion on my own. I started studying my faith and I now know for certain that I am doing the right thing. I can't imagine ever leaving my faith. I know too much now.

Answer 11

I'm LDS. I was brought up in the religion, and then stopped going when I was 20. I started going again when I was 26. I really like the church.