1) Which religions encourage individuality, critical thinking, intellectual honesty, and creativity?

Question

2) Which don’t?

Answer 1

Agnosticism, my friend. That's it.

Answer 2

1) Atheism tops the list. According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, religion may be defined as "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith". We ardently believe there is no god. We typically arrive at our conclusion through critical thinking. Atheists come from all walks of life, and we certainly encourage individuality and intellectual honesty. As for creativity, you can find that everwhere.
Buddhism is also a good one for what you are asking.
Christianity has one of those attributes down cold. The men who wrote the Bible certainly were creative and had good imaginations.
Pastafarianism is another great example of what your looking for, and so are the followers of the Church of the SubGenius.

2) Christianity wants you to conform to a high degree. Go into a church on any Sunday, and you'll see how many of the flock do indeed act like sheep. And let's face it, many Christians can't be honest about the origins of the Bible. Usually, the only critical thinking they support is being critical of anyone who believes differently from them. Personally, I think finding god can be a very good thing for some people, but that doesn't mean I have to in order to lead a "good" life.
The Muslim religion is more tolerant, generally speaking, but they still have to conform somewhat.
Judaism is probably the most strict one, so it is unlikely to see any of those attributes with them.

I'm an atheist, in case you care. I support your right to believe anything you want to, and I'll never tell you that you are wrong.

Answer 3

Funk and Wagnals dictionary defines religion to include a fixation on a person, place, thing, or idea or of course a diety. They example: "To him his work was a religion."

Well, there is something nice about fixations; a sense of importance, a sense of security, and a sense of thinking you are right or you are doing the right thing.

Well, there is something not so nice about a fixation; you avoid critical thinking, you lose your individuality, you avoid intellectual honesty, and you certainly don't want to rock the boat; so creativity is your worst enemy.

smiles -

I am not an Atheist, nor a Church Christian. I simply follow, try to follow. Jesus' wisdom and instructions. And, boy oh boy his parables really challenge our critical thinking, intellectual honesty, and introspection. -- sorry for rambling.

Answer 4

I don't think there is a 'religion' that does. At least, not in modern times. Perhaps, the closest one would be Gnosticism.

Most Pagans claim to support those things, but, just like Christians, they don't practice what they preach.

There are some Pagan sects who truly are honest, creative, and cerebral... but you really have took search for them!

Answer 5

It is a short list since most encourage rote learning and blind faith.

Among the Christians I would credit the Jesuits as being open minded and promoting critical thinking.

Overall the Buddhists are the most open minded though, at least the Westernized version of it.

Answer 6

1) I don't know of any *religion* that encourages those things. However, in a relationship with Jesus Christ, He will constantly remind you to test all theories, prove all truth, and be honest with yourself, sometimes painfully honest.
2) Since God detests religion, all religions discourage those good things you have mentioned.

We all have to ask ourselves, "Are we in a religion, or a relationship?" If we are not in a relationship with God, we are wasting time and space. Religion is man made. A pure and loving relationship, be it with your spouse, sibling, parent, friend, etc. comes from God alone. Because God is love. Peace.

Answer 7

The Unitarian religion encourages all of that. We have no dogma, no creeds that anyone must follow or believe in. I'm sure there are others.

The Abrahamic religions are the most stifling.

Answer 8

The Sanatana (eternal) dharma (relagion) of Vedas (to know) give karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga and bhakti yoga etc. . . and encourages the individual to think using one's intelligence honestly and create one's future oneself.

For instance, in the Bhagavad gita, after giving instructions to Arjuna on various topics of karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga and bhakti yoga etc., Lord Sri Krishna tells Arjuna in the last chapter 19.63, yathecchasi tatha kuru—"As you like, you may act".

God does not interfere with the little independence of the living entity. He has given the free will.

Answer 9

Christanity of course, you can share your ideas with other same minded people in church, you will be thought to think for yourself by priests , they will show you how to do that , this will give you intellectual honestly and creativity because you wont swallow anything without understanding it first.

Answer 10

religious traditions with a notable history of religious introspection and free-thinking include.... all of them. all religious traditions have produced philosophers, dissenters, theologians, and independent minds.

some groups (theist or otherwise) you might be interested in are the Unitarians, Quakers, Deists, and Humanists.

Answer 11

Here is a list of the religions who fit your criteria in 1):


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