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Post by cloud on Mar 23, 2006 21:16:38 GMT -5
Alright, it's been quite a while since I've been here, and quite a bit has happened since then...
Now, the question I would like to ask is what makes your religion prominent over any other? Or what makes you so sure of your religion? In other words, debate your religion or beliefs against others. This is obviously purely opinion based question, so if I can get a discussion on this, nothing should be taken as offensive.
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Post by Loriel on Mar 31, 2006 17:28:55 GMT -5
Religion, hm? This would probably be better suited in the religion boards, but anyways. My religion is not prominent over any other. But let me take a look at the definition of religion. I'll provide a couple of definitions:
RELIGION:
a set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices pertaining to supernatural power
an organized system of faith and worship
generally a belief in a deity and practice of worship, action, and/or thought related to that deity. Loosely, any specific system of code of ethics, values, and belief.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
Now looking about that. Hmm...my religion involves me, myself, and I. Sure I believe in the after life and I don't believe in fate (destiny, wryd...whatever you call it). No, I am not a hedonist who seeks pleasure with a devotion. I'm not to fond of the word religion myself. It feels...constricting and slightly conforming. Religion seems to involve rituals and pracitices and is always seems to be found by some spiritual leader.
I choose the word belief over religion because of that. I have a set of beliefs. I'm not Wiccan, but not Christan, not Islamic, not Jewish, not Taoist, not Buddhist, and I am sure as heck that I am not Aethist.
So what do I believe? After life, reincarnation, and I hardly believe in fate. My belief in Fate is that there is very little that is set in stone for the future. I also believe that the past, present, and future co-exist at once, if that makes any sense. I believe in other worlds existing (not just like the astral). But I also believe in the Divine (the Light) as well as the Mother Earth.
Going into my own set of beliefs is complicated and hard to explain. If you want me to explain more, sure ask questions. I don't mind. But I'll leave with a closing quote from someone I know, because it fits for me. We seem to share similar beliefs and I thought for a while, I used to be unique in this.
When asked what religion I claim title to, I generally say "non-denominational pagan." Simply put, I believe in the powers of Nature and use representations of the earth as my "gods" (ie: I will talk with the ocean or the moon rather than towards, "Neptune" or "Diana") Names and rituals are meaningless and trivial to me and so I do not follow Wicca or any other "organized" pagan faith. (not that there's anything wrong with that for others-just not for me) I see my life as a journey of exploration and my magick as the lifeblood of my soul.
Pagan, to me, means that I do not believe in any preconceived writings or teachings (such as the Bible). It means that I do not turn to a personification for my worship, I go straight to the Earth. It means I do not await my turn in Heaven or fear my time in Hell. It means that I believe in magick and mystery. I believe in the older ways of praising and thanking the earth rather than begging forgiveness and mercy of a god.
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Post by cloud on Apr 3, 2006 15:58:52 GMT -5
Some say the world is destined to reach a perfect harmony, a balance between good and bad; others believe this ridiculous. The world is however already in perfect harmony. How could there not be a higher force with this perfect balance…or is it pure science that controls us…My belief- that of an old European way of thinking: these types of questions are never to be rightfully answered, but they are what keep society going.
This sounds atheist, but I would say I'm quite like you in that I don't exactly follow any certain religion but my own beliefs. The only reason most of the more prominent religions survive today is because people continue to be born into them through their families. Their roots are purely unknown. But what are my beliefs? I have no idea myself. There's nothing concrete enough in this world to prove anything so deep, but I would not call myself agnostic either.
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Post by Loriel on Apr 6, 2006 14:57:42 GMT -5
Yesh, I know what you mean. Everybody has hopes and dreams. What is pure balance? When there is peace. Simple as that. I'm not sure where this world is heading, but currenlty, my outlook is pretty pessimistic. Why? I see...and hear...and I hurt. I've had to basicly, block this one connection I have with Gaia (Mother Earth). She is strong, but I am not as strong with her. Life is screaming to the humans, "stop reproducing." But do you think people listen? Nope. Sigh....
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Post by cloud on Apr 9, 2006 19:38:57 GMT -5
Yeah, the problems are increasing exponentially. As the human kind futher's itself knowledge and technology wise, we're furthered in the opposite direction at the same time. There's becoming growing rifts between different viewpoints and growing radicality. I have no doubt we will eradicate the earth within the next few hundred years.
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Post by Loriel on Apr 11, 2006 18:37:47 GMT -5
Probably. But who knows? Maybe there will end up some huge clash between people for technology and people for the earth. I like both...as long as it doesn't harm the Earth. But knowing the Mother, she will start wiping out humans. Already look at her go. She is righting the balance again. Oi. Look out for the Avian Flu. I'll probably be taken with it...but ah well.
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Post by cloud on Apr 12, 2006 21:03:07 GMT -5
I know what you mean but nothing's managed to halt our kind as much as the Black Plague 600 years ago...Earth seems to be fighting a losing battle...
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Post by Loriel on Apr 16, 2006 20:12:38 GMT -5
All to true. But Earth usualy makes things right, or something happens that does. Our history is constanly changing. We all know that there is usually some huge disastor that will really harm this world and change things. The Ice Age...the asteroid thingy that hit earth...erm....the supervolanco...so much more. *shurgs* Then again, I really don't belong here.
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Post by cloud on Apr 17, 2006 20:47:07 GMT -5
I suppose...what do you mean by you don't belong here?
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Post by iolair on Mar 21, 2007 21:58:19 GMT -5
For me, I see it as the like..well, Dungeons and Dragons or the game 'Age of Mythology'. All the gods exist, even more than that...everything is a god to me...but I choose to pick my gods to be the Celtic, and a few of the Norse. ^^
However, it all goes back to one, so it really doesn't matter. xD
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