does your religion or belief system validate you as an individual?

Question

Does your belief celebrate individuality or do you think you are "part of a whole"?

Answer 1

I see the trend here as 'both.' That is my answer as well, and ultimately it makes logical sense that that would be the case seeing as how religion positions individuals within a larger framework, whether it be fate, God, or nature. My belief is that I am me; I have all the tools, and heart, and power within me to find fulfillment and contentment, but my place in this world is governed by something larger than me as the individual. So while my faith does indeed celebrate the worth of individuals, it is the latter "part of a whole" envisioning that gives causation and substance to my individual life.

Answer 2

Both. Christianity works on the basis of building the individual self in order to foster a stronger structure as a collective "whole" which is called "one body in Christ". After all, the overall strength of a chain depends on the strength of its individual links

Answer 3

No. I am validated by God himself as an individual. He created me and not a particular organization. These other things can be important, but the ultimate validation is that The Master did the handiwork.

Answer 4

I belong to a group of UU's who say both in thier shared values and 7 principles and purposes

I attend not to validate myself, but to be part of community among others who will respect my choices, even if humanist, atheist, pagan, muslim, christian, etc

while each are individuals, as a whole we realize we cannot live without each other and see exclusion as devisive and destructive to humanity

Answer 5

I believe whatever you find to be truth makes you an individual in your own right. Of course, millions of people around the world will share your view, but if you feel what you beleive is true and good, it can make you feel as an indivudal if you are surronded by people who do things because it is only what they know.

Answer 6

regardless of my religion I am an individual, I have my own like and dislikes, and if you knew me you would know I am not afraid of being an individual.

I am also part of a family, and yes a church family too and as such belong to a group, and i work with that group and as such the family is made stronger by the fact that they are together and also we are given room to be individuals.

Answer 7

My religion definitely celebrates individuality, but only our actions are able to 'validate' us.

Answer 8

I am validated as an individual, when Tiberius announced that the whole world should be counted - not just the adult males.

Answer 9

Yes, mine is highly individual, thank you. In fact, you might say I have a personal religion which is not shared by anyone else at all. Or you could group me in with other witches under the rubric "Wicca," even though we each have our own quirky ways.

Answer 10

My religion deals with the intentions of the individual. Islam is in our hearts as individuals...but what can i say, with terrorists on the the prowl, their form of Islam is precieved as all of Islam. and this is far from true...as i say Islam is about our intentions and comes from our hearts as individuals...not as a group. some believe the extream way and others don't...this is why we are going to be judged as individuals by our actions and deeds and not judged as a group...