What is your Religion?

Question

I am trying to learn about different Religions. I know of Christianity, Wicca, and Kemetic. What can you tell me about other beliefs?


Non-believers, I want to know about too.

Answer 1

My 'religion' is Pagan-atheism.

Pagan-atheism in my case is a combination of Scientific Pantheism and Sea of Faith Movement (Christian-atheism/Radical Christianity).

Pantheism is the belief that the divine is present in all, however in the case of Scientific Pantheism the idea is that everything is divine/sacred meaning that there is no divine being but sacredness within everything.

Sea of Faith, and in fact most religious-atheism, is the idea that belief is just that – belief, it also embraces the idea of the New Age, that religion is outdated and people now are more inclined to find their own path and within our multi-cultural society we now take influences, beliefs, practices and ideas from different sources, it makes little sense to restrict yourself to one religions ideas when searching for truths. It's aim is to explore and promote religious faith as a human creation.

I've been Pagan all my life, however did not like just being Pagan, I trained to become Wicca but converted to Neo-wicca about two weeks before my initiation, looked into Asatru for a while, but I discovered Sea of Faith when it was mentioned by my philosophy lecturer in college – I read the work of Don Cupitt (founder of Sea of Faith Movement) and it was identical to my own beliefs…apart from the Christian part of course, so adopted the term 'Pagan-atheist'.

Most people think I claim I am Pagan Atheist, an oxymoron, but once I explain what 'Pagan-atheism' means to me it's amazing how many people understand it and feel a similar way to me – although it doesn't give me a community or place to be like religion tends to be about, it does still give me that little bit of familiarity with other people.

http://www.pantheism.net/paul/index.htm - Scientific Pantheism.
http://www.sofn.org.uk – Sea of Faith.

Answer 2

I am an ignostic, because I don't see why I should believe in anything without proof. I would feel like a fool praying and worshipping an imaginary being of which we have no proof whatsoever. I know some people will come up with the old "Who else could have done this?" type of arguments. But that proves nothing. Just because some question are not answered yet, doesn't mean that the answer has got to be the one religions want. God is a supposition, and I'm into realities.

Answer 3

Eclectic Pagan, and I have a strong appreciation for Kemetic too!

Try some research on the different types of Buddhism; I think you might find that fun. Give American religions a try too, but there are so many of them. I'd recommend starting with something that you could research easily like Mayan or Aztec. Give Greco-Roman Mystery Religions a shot too.

Answer 4

I follow a Celtic Reconstructionist path.
I worship some of the deities that were once worshiped in Celtic-speaking areas during the Iron Age. I am a polytheist and some of my deities are Taranis, Lugh and Epona. Two important tenets of my religion are honor and hospitality (there are more). My religion is offeratory in nature and it provides the structure and methods for me to deepen my relationships with my deities. I believe that deities have both positive and negative traits just like anyone else. I do not believe that any deity is all-knowing or all-powerful. I also believe in land and water spirits/deities. I believe in reincarnation and give daily offerings of incense, food and drink at my family altar. I honor my ancestors. I believe in the symbology of a world tree representing the lower (sea), middle (land), and upper (sky) realms. After death, I believe that I will go to the Otherworld to feast before reincarnating again to learn more. I celebrate four agricultural holidays a year---Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtainne, and Lughnasadh. Although I recognize the solstices and equinoxes, I do not celebrate them as religious holidays.
For more information:
http://paganachd.com/faq/index.html

Answer 5

I am a vodousant. I practice Haitian Vodou. It is hard to go into detail about the religion because there is so much to write. I will try to keep it simple.

We believe in one God, (Bondye). Bondye means Good God. Bondye created everything. We acknowledge this put we do not have service for to Bondye because he too far separate from us.

Because Bondye is busy maintaining the universe "he" (there is no gender just a word I will use) elevated certain spirits to help us in his place called lwa. We serve the lwa and the lwa serve us in return.

We also honor our ancestors in Vodou. To start in Vodou you must first acknowledge and honor your bloodline. Because without them you would not be here. They have the most interest in helping you. Remember they are your family.

Here are a couple of websites that will give you a better understanding of the religion written by Mambos (priestess):

http://www.sosyetedumarche.com/Vodou_Info/vodou_info.html
An American house that practices Haitian Based Vodou

http://members.aol.com/racine125/index1.html#lessons
A Haitian Vodou house in Jacmel, Haiti

Answer 6

I am in the process of converting to Judaism. There are many different ways that Jews chose practice their religion. One form of Orthodox Judaism is known as Chassidism. Chassidic Judaism is a movement that originated in 18th century eastern Europe.

Chassidic Jews are known for their distinctive dress, which makes them look stern and imposing;. Nothing could be farther from the truth, however. As a whole, they are peaceful, gentle and quite joyful in their approach to life. Religious expression among Chassidim is a joyous celebration, and their teachings are infused with mystical interpretations of Torah (The Jewish Bible).

There are many Chassidic Jews in my Orthodox synagogue in Milwaukee Wisconsin, though not everybody who goes there is a Chassid. Here is a link to the website of my synagogue for you to look at if you want:

http://www.bethjehudah.org/

All told, I think Chassidic Judaism is a blast, and I am having more fun than I can possibly tell you!

You can find out more Chassidic Jews on this link:

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

Answer 7

I think what I've been doing is has brought me a long way. Religion is too focused on rules and regulations and it can cause many people to be sidetracked and caught up in conflicts. Try, instead of a Religion, a spiritual relationship with your creator. Close your eyes and talk, the presence is all around you.

Answer 8

Atheist in the vein of agnostic + occam's razor.

Theism says: there is a god, and knows this to be true.
Atheism says: There is no god, and knows this to be true.
Agnosticism says: Man cannot even begin to address the existence of a God, and thus the question is meaningless.
Occam's razor says: The simplest explaination, without invoking the supernatural or unobservable, is usually right.

So -- I believe that man can't even begin to answer the question, and in the absence of evidence, believe in naturalistic explaination over spiritual explaination.

Answer 9

religions are man made. I do know that I'm a believer in the Holy Bible(the Word) and I do beleive in one baptizism. I do beleive in Christ and, have him in my heart. I believe he died and descended into hell and arose again to sit at the right hand of the Father. For me, he is my forgiveness of sins. Then He left behind a gift, "called", The Holy Spirit. Through all things I have victory.

Answer 10

I have none. I do science, and if someone EVER produces some sort of verifiable proof that a particular religion is valid, I might become a believer. So far, no one has even come close.