If you had your own religion...

[Pimpmaster McSlap-Bitch]

If you had your own religion, what kind of religion would it be? Would it be an already existing religion with a couple of changes or something completely unique? What would be it`s symbol? What would be the point or goal of your religion, if any? Who or what would it be in worship of and how would the followers worship? What would be the main doctrine and your religions sins and virtues?

[Ancient Goddess]

As I'm sure I've mentioned in some of the other threads dealing upon religion, I believe in a religion that's somewhat Christian and non-Christian beliefs. Would that qualify as my own religion?

I believe in Jesus, God, Heaven and Hell. That's pretty much it. The details, principles, and morality of Christianity are where my own beliefs differ.

[Pimpmaster McSlap-Bitch]

The Seekers

My religion would be a religion of universal learning. Following my few basic teachings (whatever they may be - question everything, for example), one would seek to learn new things rather than live learning about whatever happens to pass by their attention (which a lot of people don`t do either). Emphasis is on both depth and breadth of knowledge equally.

It's a religion of the modern age; at the flick of a switch, the modern man opens up a window to infinate information, endless libraries of knowledge, theories and opinions, yet it almost seems as if we learn nothing. Never before in history has man had it this good, where information is given to us, and information sought might as well be the way it is so easy to find. But it wouldn`t be a religion of sitting in front of the TV or computer all day; learning from experience would be equally emphasized, and through the application of knowledge to experience one would become wise.

Openmindedness and doubt would be core virtues in my religion. Discrimination against informatiom would be sinful; even if information is knowingly incorrect, the act of acknowledging it alone might inspire something of learning in the learner. Wise men would be priests - these wouldn`t be sworn (like bishops) in as much as they`d be naturally recognized and praised.

The symbol would be a circle. Just seems obvious to me.

I`m an adherent to my own religion. I call myself a seeker for some reason, dunno when I started using the term, but hey. Maybe I`ll grow out of it one day... I hope I don`t.

[Makku]

My balls are HUGE!!!] Hey Mak
Makkura] Yo.
My balls are HUGE!!!] I`ve got a question for you
Makkura] Shoot.
My balls are HUGE!!!] If you could create your own religion, what would it be?
Makkura] A religion devoted to the pursuit of all things pleasurable.
Makkura] An organized, holy hedonism.
Makkura] Hands down.
Makkura] No question about it.

[animascura]

So i read the first post, and now i'll post my thoughts, and afterwards, i will read all of your lesse---erm....equally valuable opinions =p


So listen to my rantings???

I"ll startwith criteria. What is a religion? It seems to me that the major religions talked about are Christianity, Catholisism, jewdaism, muslim, and others. It has often been argued with me that cults and religions are very different things, mainly because religious people frowned upon cults and the lost souls captured by their gimmicks. But when i look at it, the major religions are just organized cults on a grand-scale, are they not? When they argued cults with me they said that some "leader" made something up just to get money from other people.
I look at most churches, you donate money right? Towards the end of mass they pass around the collection bin and you put in what you can. There is a leader telling you stories, so this argument against 'cults' holds no water. Also, i have seen other so-called "cults" that require no donations. They are called cults by those who would oppose their beliefs, but it is just a set of ideas that some people trust in. I don't think that you can call these ideas invalid or wrong. In fact, i think that those beliefs should in a way be praised, even though they are not accepted, because they fill a person with purpose and help then grow within themselves and fulfill their calling in this life, whatever that may be.

I'm not exactly sure what i'm ranting about, and i have about 30 screaming 12 year olds in and out of the room the entire day, so my thoughts may be a bit scattered. So what defines a religion. I think that a religion is a set of ideas that you believe in. The fact that you take something, or someone, and legitimately trust your future to them, that is a religion.

make sense? TO me it does but i don't think i used the right words to explain it.

So what would my religion be...
It would be a religion governed by...i'm not sure what to calle it. It's just a generic god, something watching over and governing. He is omniscient andomnipotent but doesn't do much. He is not there to judge or punish, but he will help you once in awhile by influencing events happenning around you. Call it luck, karma, whatever you want. This god present opportunities and then people themselves use those opportunities however they see fit. There would be nothing to worship, nothing to reveere. THe whole pomp and circumstance of religion, all the rituals, the complete governance over our lives, i don't like all of that. I am growing confused by some of the things i hear. Jesus loves you as long as you hold him in your heart. Well why then must we go to church for one hour every week, and listen to a lecture by another human. Hear his interpretation of life, it's mysteries, and the bible. Why must i give money to the church. Jesus will never see any of that money, he doesn't need that money, why can't i take my money and use it to further grow closer to god. A puritan idea is one that doing what you do in life and working hard is showing your love for God. If you were a blacksmith, and got up every day to perform your duties and did them well, that would please God. you didn't have to give him 10% of what you earned every day to show reverance. There would be no sacrifices of animals, virgins, or riches. I guess in a way my religion is close to aetheism, with the exception of an aknowledgement that there is something greater than us. Like a game of "The Sims," except the player sits back and watches mostly, instead of telling them what to do. The point of religion, would be to get through life. There are ofcourse consequences to every thing you did. The forces that governed nature would be part of this god. he would work at the smallest level. Is 'it' the one that keeps molecules together? Who decides how atoms of one kind will interact with another. That is all left up to science. 'It' created these atoms, assigned them the properties that would govern them, and then let things unfold for themselves.
Is 'it' the one that decides you will go to jail, or go to 'hell' once you die if you ever shoot a gun? No, society determines this. He may present opportunities which will help you turn your life around. Someday something will suddenly make sense, you will become a born-again. But after this moment you will not devote your life to praising 'It.' your life would be devoted trying to make the most of your opportunity.

'If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, you don't stand around telling everyone about life and the lemons it gave you.'

Can anyone make sense of my rantings? I think i've said about enough. now it's time for me to read your ideas =p XD


p.s. (i'm baaaaaaaaaaaacccckkkkkkk i hope)