I Need Help With Choosing A Religion (Please No Scripture Quoting - If I Needed That, I'd Pick Up A Bible)

Question

I feel spiritually devoid, but I am yet to find a religion I can grasp. I hope someone out there will see this & recognizing something that comes close 2 what I desire.

So I love Buddhism 4 the way the religion approaches Karma. The system looses me w/them not believing in a God. The Hindu philosophies believe Buddha was 1 incarnation of their God, & they’re similar 2 the Buddhists in many ways. They loose me w/the “Devotees” concept. 4 the same reason I don’t buy Christ, I don’t do Devotees. I don’t want a mortal conduit as bridge to my God. So, that rules out all Christ-like faiths.

Does anyone know of a religion that:
1) Doesn’t have a sin-back-up-plan (IE Hail Mary’s/Being Saved)
2) Doesn’t dictate miniscule, inconsequential aspects life (IE cursing)
3) Has no Christ-like character between you & the beyond
4) Is all about being respectful/kind to everyone w/out exception.

Please help, I am in a dark place in life right now & a little enlightenment would be nice.

Let's not forget: 5) HAS A GOD.

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions (Even the Satanism and Atheist ones - Satanists have feelings, too). I especially liked the ones that I, myself, would have never thought of looking up (IE Islam, Paganism, Taoism, Deism, and Bahá'í Faiths). I started off favoring the Deism side of things due mainly to Albert Einteins support of the belief. He is a hero of mine. I then, decided to give the Belief-O-Matic a try with a small sense of reluctance. What I found was awesome, though. After a process of elimination, I discovered that the Bahá'í Faiths was exactly what I need. It has a higher power, has incarnations if you so choose to go through them (Includes Buddha, but doesn’t limit you to just that), and has a system of Karma that keeps you responsible for your actions and the impact they have on others lives. I could only choose one answer, but than you especially to both Snout and Stefan in addition to the rest of the well thought out answers that were sent my way!

I would also like to thank the two new entries that show me I don't know as much as I thought about a religion I do love, Buddhism. Thank you for clearing that up!

Answer 1

Deism, though not a formal religion, might just be exactly what you're looking for. If you're looking for a prepackaged deal, though, the Baha'i faith might intrigue you.

If this doesn't look like an issue you're going to resolve over night, you might also want to think about a secular moral system, even if you don't find atheism very palatable. An understanding morality independent of religion might help you with your search, and enrich your understanding of whatever religion you do choose.

Happy hunting.

Answer 2

God is basically a short word with three letters G,O and D.

And many philosophies fill the same short word with very different concepts; from labeling an white bearded old wise man, ruling the universe like a king to labeling abstract principles that are the underlying invisible reality of everything that exists.
So when you are asking for a philosophy not denying God then I ask which version of God?
Buddhism does not deny all concepts about a God, but some of them (for example the concept of god as an individual who created the world single-handedly) because this defined mode of existence is for various reasons impossible and can be refuted with common sense.

on the other hand if one uses the label God in the sense of an underlying reality which permeates all beings and phenomena and possesses the potential of basic goodness then realized buddhist master will assure you of the existence of this "God".
Because its just a word, which needs to be used in accordance with reality and free from fantasies.

Although I am a Buddhist I would suggest you to read Eckart Tolle who explains concepts like karma and god in a very undogmatic way that makes sense. Two books I know are " The Power of Now" and "A New Earth". Maybe the help you on your search. His approach fulfils the 4 criterias you mentioned and gives all responsibility for oneself in ones own hand.

Answer 3

I feel much as you do...I dont need a middleman between me and my God (higher power) The closest spiritual program I have found which allows me to reach my greatest potential as a human being is a 12 step program called "Al-Anon". It is not a religious program and does not dictate how I should think or act. It is a very simple program founded in what I believe is Gods love for her kids but it is not easy to practice. It requires rigorous honesty and uses some of the same literature as other organized religion does but it does not force it down your throat. There is no threat of going to hell if you dont believe.....it is gentle and allows people to grow according to their own higher powers plan. This simple plan offers basic, common sense tools to live in this sometimes crazy world. There is NO judgement from other members of this fellowship where we respect each other (in principle). We are all equals in the fellowship, no matter our socioeconomic status, level of education, color, religion or anything else people use to elevate themselves above others. We are a fellowship of people who have been effected by someone elses drinking of alcohol be they friend, family, boss, lover, husband, child... You can find the website for Al-anon/al-a-teen.org.

Answer 4

Unanswerable the way you framed it, IMHO. Religion is, or should be, about finding what is true. Therefore, preconceptions that there can be no Christ-figure, no detailed morality, no irregularities in the application, no salvation, and no Supremely Valued Thing, actually eliminates all real religion a priori, without considering truth-claims related to each of these objections to standard religion. Good luck. But no, that means there might be bad luck .... hmmmm

Answer 5

Have you heard of the Buddha named Amitabha?

There is a branch of Buddhism called the Pureland teaching. Pureland is a place created by a Buddha, Bodhisattvas and many Buddhism Saints. It is a place superior than the ("God's") heaven because it has been formed by accumulated pure good karma.

Quote from the Amitabha Sutra:
"the lifespan of that Buddha and that of his people extends for measureless, limitless asamkhyeyas of kalpas (a very long period of time). For this reason he is called Amitabha."

"the living beings born in the Land of Utmost Happiness are all avaivartika. Among them are many who in this very life will dwell in Buddhahood. Their number is extremely many; it is incalculable. And only in measureless, limitless asamkyeyas of kalpas could they be counted."

"Shariputra (senior disciple of Buddha), those living beings who hear of this should vow: I wish to be born in that country. And why? Because those who are born there assemble in one place with people whose goodness is unsurpassed. Shariputra, if one has few good roots, blessings, and virtues, one cannot be born in that land."

May you be born in the Amitabha's pureland.


Your statement: "looses me w/them not believing in a God. The Hindu philosophies believe Buddha was 1 incarnation of their God" -- how would it be possible an incarnation of their God denies the existence of their very own God?

Answer 6

It sounds like you have ruled out just about most religions.
My advice in that case would be to not worry about religion, but just keep the faith. Ask God to guide you in the direction He would have you to go. God is the only enlightenment that you need to find what you are looking for. Just trust in God and ask Him to fill you spiritually, and He will help you find your way to enlightenment and fill you with His spirit. God bless. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Answer 7

For now I give you only three web sites to learn the basics. If any thing interests you and you have questions, you are welcome to contact me at my e-mail addess in my profile. I am retired and home most of the times.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in western countries.
Even though western media constantly try to repulse people by their negative propaganda against Islam, after 911 incident more Christians have converted as Muslims than ever before. You owe it to yourself to explore what attracks Christians in Islam.

http://www.islam101.com
http://www.islambasics.com/
http://www.islamreligion.com/

Answer 8

Sounds like you need the Belief O matic.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

Answer 9

Check out Paganism. Pagan religions are peaceful, comforting, tolerant, and enlightening.

Answer 10

Instead of looking for a religion, look for spirituality. Religion is all about dogma and ritual and consensus reality.

Spirituality is about finding your own connection to God and nature.

Spirituality is about about something which exists outside your self. Spirituality is about finding the truth that already exists within yourself.

I have a website about my journey from religion to spirituality at www.shamans-cave.com

Hope that helps!