English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

People frequently talk about certain groups being really "out there" ("wacky" or "strange" might be synonyms) in their beliefs. How do define an "out there" belief? What kinds of beliefs do you consider being "out there" and what makes them different from "normal" beliefs?

Please don't respond with "I accept all religions. I don't consider any belief to be wacky." If that is the case, the question really doesn't apply to you. Likewise, I don't need ten atheists telling me that all religious beliefs are wacky.

I'm not trying to show anyone that they are intolerant or anything like that. The fact is most people categorize beliefs in some way (even if we don't think it PC to do so), and I'm interested in how people draw the line. As an example, I was teaching a class in which students expressed that it was bizarre for anyone to think that God could be in a spaceship, yet they generally accepted God in a burning bush as quite normal (even if they didn't believe in it).

2007-07-26 07:20:43 · 5 answers · asked by Nightwind 7 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

I'm looking for specifics. What do you find strange about scientology, wicca, LDS, etc? Just saying that a certain religion is strange really doesn't clarify anything. (and if you can't answer that, might you want to rethink why you're labeling those faiths as strange?)

2007-07-26 15:18:01 · update #1

5 answers

Scientology.

2007-07-26 07:23:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Eko 4 · 0 0

I personally categorize religions as one's own interpretation of the concept of God.everyone desires one world view on the concept.One essential concept is the separation between man and God. A religion that's "out there" is a religion with strange practices and strange overall beliefs or "rules" that make the religion unique in a certain way.The problem with sosceity and God is misunderstanding the representation of God and oneself,understanding that it is only one not bi.The understanding that that God simply is...Religions only make the concept of God more difficult to understand,more unreachable and thats why practices often get more bizarre.
as preachers try to convey their concepts on a daily basis throught prayer and church meetings. If you were to ask me have you seen the Lord thy God my answer would be yes every day ,and everywhere I see the Lord God When I look ijn the mirror I see God when I see the birds in the park I see God to the housefly bothering my shoulder is God Isee God everywhere I go because we are part of God which is the universe.Every living creature on the planet and universe is God It is not seperate it is all one ONE ENTITY.You can say I am agnostic I believe in the Lord Thy Godbut not religion I separate the two for I don't need religion to believe in God.
Energy cannot be created nor destroyed only change form.That is God God is not a man or a woman God is... .

2007-07-27 06:30:56 · answer #2 · answered by jammin2rythim 1 · 0 0

"Greetings" Nightwind,

"Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again"

I was asked to respond to your question and I will do my best. As you may be aware, I am a Pagan. I will base my answer on the foundation upon which my belief system is built.

As far as many are concerned, I would be called "Out There"
What I call "Out There" Is any group or belief system that,

1) Claims that their system is the only Truth.

2) Claims that their leaders "know" the will of that which they choose to call "god"

3) Any group/faith that acts against the best interests of their members.

4) Any group or leader that stands in diametric opposition to the "True Will" of even one of it's members.

5) 6) 7) Ad Infinitum. i.e. Ad Nausium. The list could go on and on.


A belief system / religion is something that should bring true
joy to ones life, never places any intentionally into danger, and nurtures all that is a part of our wondrous world. Even the things that at first look seem bad. Fore, there must always be balance.

"Brightest Blessings"
Mark

2007-07-26 10:28:28 · answer #3 · answered by tddmrk5 2 · 0 0

Any religion that teaches immortality of the soul, resurrection, miracles, an omniscient, omnipotent creator, pre-ordination, the existence of supernatural beings,etc.

2007-07-26 07:27:45 · answer #4 · answered by TeeHee 3 · 0 0

scientology, wiccans, mormons and currently im a christian but Jehovah's Witness and LDS <--- im really confused about the last two's "doctrines"

2007-07-26 07:26:31 · answer #5 · answered by Je t'aime ♥ 5 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers