And at the same time remain as an arm-chair Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu ---that is to say, just read about the religions,current activities, attending the various houses of worship to listen to certain gems of teachings? Am i breaking any serious 'laws' or will i be 'damned' ?
2007-11-05 05:56:57 · 26 answers · asked by Dolphin-Bird Lover8-88 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The only way you can be breaking any serious "laws" or be "damned" is if there is Absolute Truth out there. It doesn't matter whether you believe in Absolute Truth (God) or not, it will exist regardless...so it seems to me like you're asking (indirectly) if there's a God. My answer is, look around you. Explore the world--the infinite depths of the universe, the infinite depths of the living cell...how everything fits together flawlessly and how nobody can begin to explain or describe exactly what life is or how it was formed...This world is too complex to have created itself. If you're really searching, I suggest http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/ which is an awesome site loaded with information.
2007-11-05 06:20:14 · answer #1 · answered by Saved 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is OK to be anything you want..But I don't understand how someone could be any of the following Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu ,, and an atheist. An Atheist doesn't believe in God or the supernatural..Doesn't that make any other religion out of the question. I know they say Buddhist is an atheist religion but it does have other supernatural beliefs like reincarnation etc.
Atheism is a doctrine that states that nothing exists but natural phenomena (matter), that thought is a property or function of matter, and that death irreversibly and totally terminates individual organic units. This definition means that there are no forces, phenomena, or entities which exist outside of or apart from physical nature, or which transcend nature, or are “super” natural, nor can there be. Humankind is on its own.
2007-11-05 06:27:16 · answer #2 · answered by PROBLEM 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Uh... if you're an Atheist, then you believe that after death, you just.. die, rot away, the end. So, um, there are no "laws" to break and no one to "damn" you?
Or, are you maybe agnostic?
Anyway, there is nothing wrong with reading about different religions. Especially in Buddhism. In something like Christianity, it wouldn't be ok to FOLLOW the other religions, but there is nothing against reading about them. :\
Different religions actually have MUCH to offer. Being able to attend them by freewill rather than out of fear just allows you to get the most out of them. ;) It gives you multiple perspectives, gets you thinking... nothing wrong with it.
In other news: people like Bob N really piss me off. You say "God" and they automatically assume you're speaking of their god, because the Christian god is Teh Only God. Realize that the world is bigger than your tiny little brain and that there are more religions than Christianity in the world.
And, Sir Oliver Cromwell, you clearly aren't trying very hard. Look past the fact that what you're reading is a "religion."
2007-11-05 06:08:47 · answer #3 · answered by Jherek 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only by proclaiming "there is no G-d" are you placing yourself in danger. "Keeping up" with world religions is encouraged by (most) open faiths, as there is no completely unworthy idea. Even Atheism has yielded a few nuggets, in that it has forced believers to review commitments and beliefs. Many accepted dogmas have been found unworthy through review, lest today a new Torquemada would be ringing your doorbell!
2007-11-05 06:06:16 · answer #4 · answered by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, who's your 'God-of-the-week'? I'm sure you could find a "gem of teaching" which could be used to justify such a foolish lack of commitment.
Otherwise, oh well you won't "be Damned"; there is no 'God' right?
Sit back in your "arm-chair", relax and don't worry, hypocrisy is not against the law.
2007-11-05 06:35:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You would not be asking yourself this question if you did not think that there was something to these religions. Keep attending and reading, you will find the truth within you.
2007-11-05 06:06:38 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no harm in learning about other beliefs. In fact, it can be enlightening and beneficial. Some people get weirded out when an "outsider" comes in to observe, but I think that's only because they have something to hide.
2007-11-05 06:02:10 · answer #7 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know which laws you would be breaking. Do the atheists believe you can be damned? That would be kind of ironic don't you think?
2007-11-05 05:59:59 · answer #8 · answered by moonman 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't see any problem at all with you attending services, listening to sermons to learn from them, or reading religious books in an effort to learn.
2007-11-05 06:10:31 · answer #9 · answered by Chantal G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of people do that. They don't believe but still go for the community. If you think you will be 'damned' though, you are not an atheist.
2007-11-05 06:00:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋