If you answer "yes", please tell me what kinds of beings you recognize, and how (if ever) humans should interact with each, according to your faith.
Please note: recognizing the existence of something does not mean you actively worship it. It just means you "know" something is there.
ATHIESTS: just say "BOO" or something for your 2 pts. We already know you don't believe in anything other than humans.
2006-09-20 16:38:12 · 11 answers · asked by MamaBear 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, all living things are seen as "sentient beings" in Hinduism. Or to explain it differently:
Hinduism believes that there is one God and that the entire universe and everything in it is the outpouring of God (thus everything manifested out of God) and therefore contains the divine spark of God in it.
Some branches of Hindus say that the devas (Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh, Kali) are just various aspects of the one God while others say that they are either a) beings that assist the one God...like angels in Christianity..that manifested out of God or b) ancient beings that once existed in this dimension of existence but have since moved to a higher dimension and intercede and help us in hopes of elevating us to the same dimension which will ultimately lead back to the one God of which everything is apart. Me, personally, I believe they are just the various attributes/aspects of the one God.
How should humans interact with them?
Humans should treat all things (the entire universe) with the same respect they treat God with.
So that's what Hinduism has to say.
There is a Hindu prayer (it's also used by Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs as well) that is: "may all beings in all the worlds attain peace"
2006-09-20 19:26:23 · answer #1 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many animals are sentient and I recognize them as such. It has nothing to do with religion; they are fellow creatures like we are. I do not believe the "dominate and subdue injunction" in the Old Testament. The abuses and uses of religion are one big reason that many animals, the earth, and our resources are in so much trouble. I do not understand your line of thought about actively worshiping something because it exists. How could I inactively worship something? Your statement makes no sense. My belief, extraneous to religion, tells me that it is nice to be nice to others, and to try not to harm anyone or anything. And that's enough for me.
2006-09-20 16:58:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Boo!
Why would an atheist not believe in other sentient life? They are more likely to that the religious. The Judeo-Christian religions believe that "God" made humans in his image after all. That kinda says that they don't believe in other intelligent life.
2006-09-20 16:41:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spirits, Angles, Presences... whatever you want to call them. They're there. People may feel like their late grandmother is in the room with them.
She probably is.
I'm a Protestant Christian for 2 years and I'm LOVING my life, thank you.
2006-09-20 16:40:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not religious. I am spiritual.. I have seen a flying saucer in the late 1970's. The FBI confirmed my sightings, but that is all they would say....I know there is a "God" of my understanding who rules.....
2006-09-20 16:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by Kitty L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great White Buffalo. My native tribe believes in this being.
2006-09-20 16:40:56 · answer #6 · answered by mrkitties420 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, wicked spirit forces that Jesus cast down from heaven.
2006-09-20 16:44:05 · answer #7 · answered by SpecialK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Islam:
we do recognize unseen beings, but we DO NOT worship them as the one and only thing we have to worship is Allah SWT. alone.
these things are: angels, devils, and jinn.
if I am wrong, please correct me.
2006-09-20 16:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
math is against my religion. can you tell Dr. Moerner that for me?
thanx
2006-09-20 16:39:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
not a religious issue
2006-09-20 16:40:35 · answer #10 · answered by Nemesis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋