A question for everyone?

Question

Please post your religious preference (or lack thereof--like me) and say something respectful about a different belief than your own. I'll start.... I'm atheist:

The words in "red" from christ are pretty cool, and the Dalai Lama writes amazing books like "The Universe in a Single Atom."

Have some fun with this....

Thumbs up to anyone who got through this *without* saying something negative.

What an amazing response to this question! I've been trying to pick a best answer... but I really can't, there are way too many.

I have never done this before, but I'm going to have to send it to voting...

How great is it that so many could come together and say something positive about others...

Answer 1

I'm atheist.


I respect Buddha for his teachings.

Answer 2

I am an Atheist/Agnostic Humanist. I believe kindness, compassion, diplomacy, and love can overcome evil - just not, perhaps, for everyone. I believe these qualities are the only reason we are alive today. The word "god" has been utilized often to define a person. Gods are exactly what people decide they are. I believe in a spiritual energy that we all contribute to, I even believe it is abundant in nature - but it definitely isn't going around judging everyone and telling them to be vicious to one another. In that sense, I guess God IS someone - someone with a vendetta, it seems, or conversely, someone so giving in nature it is impossible to define him or her with words. I do find it impossible to believe that someone or something on the highest spiritual plane conducts the world like an orchestra. However, if belief in a god gives a person a reason to be more humane and empathic than they may already be, I'm all for it. People with different beliefs are just as special as you and me. =)

I have met kind and intelligent people all across the religious spectrum. Every Wiccan I've met here has been respectful, funny, and honest. I could surely learn a lesson or two from the Buddhists. The Abrahamic religions have some terrific tenets. There are wonderful people everywhere, if one decides to look. You've decided to, and the responses on here are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. This question is without malice or judgement and so are most of the responses here. Lovely.

Some people do just call me a dirty f**ng hippie, though. A bit simplying, but it IS a fine abbreviation of the paragraph above and I'm quite proud to be one.

I've heard "godless whore", too, which has a lovely ring to it.

I have also said things in anger when I've felt my philosophies were being degraded, and felt ashamed of what I said and how I said it. And I sure as heck have been wrong.

Thanks for bringing out the best in people.

Answer 3

I am a Pagan (let's leave it at that!)

Jesus was an amazing man. He was a rebel for all the right reasons and his teachings have guided some of the most remarkable people, like Mother Theresa.

True Islam is a beautiful faith. The parts of the Koran that I have read are wonderfully poetic. People of the Islamic faith were some of our first scientists and the engineers produced beautiful buildings and mosques.

The Jewish faith has endured and survived the worst oppression.
Their faith is a testament to the strength of it's people.They truly understand life and history.

Taoism is one of my favorites. It is simple, mysterious, and majestic all at the same time. Everyone has a place and no one is forgotten.

Most of the atheists I have met here and IRL have been very kind and intelligent. They care about the here and now, jumping right in when folks need help.

There are so many others....each faith has something to teach us all, if you have the courage to look!

Answer 4

I'm an Asatruar and my choices for compliments may not be popular...But I hope someone will enjoy. :-)


Satanism has a refreshingly honest view of life, it's brutally realistic, it doesn't promise things it can't deliver. It's proud, intelligent, and bettering -- if done correctly.

Islam is more internally consistent than most of its Abrahamic cousins, and its basic spiritual emphases seem to be more in the spirit of honest love of God. I have met a few Muslims in person and they seem to be reasonably good and non-fanatic people.

Atheism (Yes, I know it's not a religion. I'm aware it just means lack of belief in Gods), all the atheists I have ever met both online and IRL have been extremely intelligent and have a very good sense of humor. They are also some of the few people I can have discussions with about science and history who are objective.

Wicca is very peaceful and Earth-honoring religion. Every Wiccan I've met has been friendly and kind. They've made Paganism popular and have got people interested in the Old Gods again.

Catholicism has some beautiful rituals and church buildings. Not to mention, I've always liked the rosaries, saints and Mary. I admire the fact that they honor the dead and have been charitable to people in need.

Answer 5

I am Roman Catholic.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bishop Desmond Tutu. I also have a great deal of respect for Judaism in general. The fact that the religion and the people has survived and flourished after thousands of years of persecution and discrimination is very telling.

Sorry to say I do not know enough about religions other than the three monotheistic religions to comment one way or another. That said, I cannot say enough good things about Gandhi.

Answer 6

I'm an atheist. A pretty militant one at that.

I have the utmost respect for the Pagans and Wiccans. Their religion is very positive, and that seems to be reflected in the personalities and the attitudes of the Pagans and Wiccans I've met IRL and here on the board. You guys really practice what you preach and that is so wonderful. If I ever found it in myself to believe in deities, I would aspire to be as you are.

Buddhists are wonderful thoughtful people too. I always love hearing from you guys.

I love that the Satanists are (for the most part) so respectful and intelligent.

In the last few months I've learned a lot about Islam, and while I still disagree with much of it, I've developed a grudging respect for you folks. You are, often, some of the least belligerent people on this forum.

I met two Xians in the four months I've been here who seemed nice. Thanks for showing me that not all Xians follow my preconceived stereotypes of them.

Answer 7

Your concept of mutual respect is refreshing. So here goes. I am a Christian. I respect the Hebrew and Muslim peoples for their dedication to their own faiths. In particular, as a Christian, I feel indebted to the Hebrews. After all, we Christians are "grafted onto the same tree". I have known many pagans, and while I feel they err in their beliefs, I understand why they think the way they do. I came close to taking that path myself once, before I was saved. Now, do I have to say something nice about atheists... well, a few, like you, display open minds on occasion. Your intentions seem good, and I hope you will not take it amiss if I say that I will pray for you. My intentions are good too. I have starred your question. Thank you for opening the dialogue rather than perpetuating the usual myths and insults that fly so freely in this forum.

Answer 8

I am really into nature and unity. I guess you'd call me a Pagan.

I also think the "red" words in the bible are cool, and love the Dalai Lama and Ghandi too. I find the Buddha's teachings really interesting. I love reading the Tao te Ching. I love hearing about indigenous beliefs from all over the world, as they are usually very nature-based.

Answer 9

I don't really know how to answer this question. I became intriqued with the "Religious" category, because I enjoy reading about many different views of spirituality vs. non-spirtuality. I like to think of my self as a free-thinker, that is capable of learning from different view points. I enjoy studying about Buddha, early christian history, and much more.

Answer 10

I'm Pagan (equal parts hedge-witch and coven-trained non-BTW initiatory Tradition).

"In striving to be compassionate to creatures great and small,
I feel kinship with my Buddhist-Jaina brothers and sisters...

In remembering that serving people should be the goal of religion,
I feel kinship with my Baha'i brothers and sisters.
In my respect and reverence for Nature that sustains us,
I feel kinship with my Native American brothers and sisters.
In feeling that these and more are all paths to the same Divinity,
I feel kinship with my Hindu brothers and sisters.
In my love and laughter, joy and pain,
I feel kinship with all my fellow humans.
In my need for nourishment and instinct to live on,
I feel kinship with all beings on the planet.
In my spiritual ecstasy with this wondrous world,
I feel kinship with the Cosmic Whole."

(from : universal reflection - v. v. raman - cape of good hope - 1999)

I love the mystics of any religion - Sufis, Kabbalists, and so on.

I love the ritual of the Mass - whether Orthodox or Roman. I love that Catholics revere Mary.

I love the music of many Baptist churchs - the foot-stomping, hand-clapping, shout out loud kind.

I love the feeling of real community I've experienced in attending services at the local Synagogue. I have also loved the female-bonding I've been part of when I've attended services at the local Mosque.

Answer 11

I'm an atheist.

And most Christians that I meet are pretty decent people. I find them to be quite caring.

However, I must post my theory on why this is.... Christianity in this country, since history is written by the victors, is viewed as "good". Anything else is considered "not so good" or even "evil".

Therefore, good hearted people tend to flock to what they think is "good", whether it truly is or not. In essence, I think it's a shame that so many good hearted people have been duped, and are playing for the wrong team...