If you were religious...

[Darwin]

...your religion would probably be-

edit:There´s a small mistake.
There should have been no separate choise for "pagan religion".
Sorry.

[Dancing David]

nihilist pagan buddhist

[Upchurch]

Probably Unitarian.

My fiancee and I have gone several times and I found it interesting intellectually. We're going to get married in the local Unitarian church.

edited to add:

I could also see myself going the way of "weak" Buddism.

[Darwin]

Thank you.

I´m not all too surprised to notice that religions being selected for so far tend to be more on the "rational" side if I may say so.
Buddhism which could be interpreted as a practice and taoism with relatively little supernatural elements outside of nature,how one ever interprets it (these two being the leading ones so far,in a minimal amount of time)

[c4ts]

Shinto Juddaism would be interesting...

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by c4ts
Shinto Juddaism would be interesting... slight derailment here (sorry Darwin), but speaking of odd combinations.

I had an aquaintence who claimed to be both Wiccan and Catholic. When I remarked that that was impossible, she replied that it was because wicca is about harnessing the natural forces of the [blah, blah blah] and doesn't care what your faith is. I pointed out that it wasn't wicca as incompatible with catholisism that I was talking about. it was that catholisism is specifically incompatible with wicca.

She didn't really have an answer for that one and got mad at me. :(

[Khalid01]

I would be a "faithful" layman Buddhist, not quite sure which type though. Maybe a Theravada or Mahayana, since they are the main stream. I have a great appreciation for Buddhism, it seems to be the most tolerant and selfless religion, I have little to disagree with it. I will never, ever forget the quote of the Buddha; "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." I don't know of anything else found in all religions that comes that close to skepticism. I might also participate in Shinto. I would also really like to participate in Paganism, not amalgated Neo-paganism, but the ancient Paganism that the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians participated in, it's fascinating. But alas, I didn't vote for that either, so count that as a vote for Paganism as well

[Whomp]

Wow, I'm the only ons so far in the "some other folk religion" catagory!

Even among irrational people I don't fit in.

>sniffle<


WHOMP!!!!!

[Yahzi]

See my sig.

But if I were born in the Middle Ages, I almost certainly would have been a Jesuit.

[EdipisReks]

Originally posted by Yahzi
See my sig.

But if I were born in the Middle Ages, I almost certainly would have been a Jesuit.

they did wear some pretty dope smocks.

[Darwin]

Just for the record,I just voted for both buddhism and judaism.

[rustypouch]

For me, I would be Taoist. The relative lack of supernatural elements combined with the simplicity and compassion of their way of thinking appeals to me.

Originally posted by rustypouch
For me, I would be Taoist. The relative lack of supernatural elements combined with the simplicity and compassion of their way of thinking appeals to me.

Do these names

Taiyi
Emperor Guan
The Dipper Mother
Zhenwu
(and MANY more)

mean anything to you?

I agree with Taoism though. It is a truth. The sun gives life, but also causes cancer which takes it away. There are many other examples which so perfectly demonstrate yin and yang concepts, and our egotistical place in the universe.

[rustypouch]

Originally posted by Whodini


Do these names

Taiyi
Emperor Guan
The Dipper Mother
Zhenwu
(and MANY more)

mean anything to you?



I was refering more to taoism as presented in th Tao Te Ching. The orginal book deals very little with elements outside of the physical realm, speaking only of a formless 'life force,' and is more a treatise on how to deal with life. It is only later interpretations where supernatural beings are introduced.

[ehbowen]

Can you vote in this poll if you already are religious, or are you looking for opinions strictly from those who currently are not?

[Darwin]

I wrote this with atheists in mind but please go ahead and vote even if you´re religious.

[Martin]

Originally posted by Whodini
I agree with Taoism though. It is a truth. The sun gives life, but also causes cancer which takes it away. There are many other examples which so perfectly demonstrate yin and yang concepts, and our egotistical place in the universe. Whodini! Welcome back, my friend :)

[JAR]

I chose Judaism. [Edited to add: I don't agree with all of Judaism's rules, but that is the religion that I have the least amount of problems with.]

[Edited to add: If Judaism wasn't an option, I would have chosen Islam.]

I didn't choose a portion of the choices(examples: Christianity, Buddhism) because they were religions that saw pleasure as something to do away with. If we don't have pleasure, how do we enjoy ourselves. The Christian god has a sadistic need to have followers who lead a miserable existence.

Others such as Hinduism, Islam, and pagan religions(examples: Germanic religion and Celtic religion) have practices that are horrifying or ridiculous.

Hinduism has bad practices such as the rigid caste system, the dedication of daughters to temples(these days, the daughters often become prostitutes), and the rule that a widow must commit suicide(I believe this one isn't practiced anymore).

Celtic religion has human sacrifice. That's just horrifying.

I don't like the way Islam allows polygamous marriages. Those marriages just aren't romantic. [Edited to add: Judaism used to allow polygamous marriages. As far as I know, there might still be sects of Judaism that allow polygamy.]

The less sadistic gods are, the more I like them.

[Yahweh]

I voted for Pagan Religion. Only because I like the way earth and nature-based religions think. They dont say that other religions are wrong, they are super nice people, and they talk about Magicks. I only chose that because during college I hung out with the local Wicca Group... but only to see the things they had to say... not like I took the whole Earth Elements and Mother Gaya thing seriously. Alot of teenage girls and women in their 20's tend to like Pagan and Wiccan religions...

[Gregor]

Reformed druid - I've had my eye on this shapely Burford Holly bush recently. . .

[arcticpenguin]

In a previous life I was a Catholic.

[Jet Grind]

I chose the "other" option. If I were to choose a religion, I would most likely be some kind of spiritual pantheist. I can't really choose to be a "scientific" pantheist because that doesn't differ at all from what I am now.

[Fade]

Many (most, actually) Buddhist philosophies are appealing to me. If I had to choose, that's what I would choose. I already incorporate many Buddhist ideals in my life.

[Yahweh]

Christianity 8 16.00%
Islam 0 0%
Judaism 4 8.00%
Shinto 1 2.00%
Buddhism 19 38.00%
Taoism 7 14.00%
Some folk religion,pagan religion,- 2 4.00%
Hinduism 0 0%
Pagan religion 4 8.00%
Other,or some other ethical spiritual group


I didnt choose Buddhism because I dont find Buddha at all an appealing character to look at. I didnt choose Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism because they really really lack overall believability and other sorts like that. Shinto isnt a very scary sounding name... when I write my religion on the census card I want people to be impressed. Taoism just doesnt sound fun. Paganism is the only religion that I felt had the proper effect to it. I say pagan and people say "Excellent, pagans are cool. You must be cool. Hey, your cool." Wiccan and pagan religions are also the ones that take into consideration the importance of the Earth. Just like the female who gives birth to her offspring, Mother Earth gave birth to all that grows and lives on her... is that not the most appealing form of spirituality you have ever heard. And you dont get thrown into a lake of fire if your bad, you just cease to exist or something to that extent.

[shemp]

This question is moot. Only a complete idiot would be religious; I am only a partial idiot.

[Luciana]

I'd choose macumba, an Afro-Brazilian religion, loosely related to voodoo.

No moral lessons anywhere. Sex, booze, cigar, nothing is denied. They don't tell you how to behave, just do whatever it pleases you. Great music too. So, that would be macumba for me. :)

[evildave]

If I were religious, I'd have mindlessly adopted and stuck with whatever religion my parents had introduced me to until I died, like being deliberately fed BSE burgers as a child.

"Christian".

[Darwin]

Never heard of macumba.

I feel a few voters have actually been more or less religious in here.It is hard for me to explain how christianity could have had that many votes if it was not for that.

[evildave]

Suggested reading:
'Viruses of the Mind' (http://www.world-of-dawkins.com/Dawkins/Work/Articles/1993-summervirusesofmind.htm)

It helps explain why many people would check 'Christian'.

It may also be useful likening it to drug abuse, in that you're always a "recovering" Christian after the initial cultural indoctrination into it. You're stuck with that baggage for life, like you were forced to watch every Barney the Dinosaur show end-to-end, over and over again, and you can never quite get that insipid "I wuv yoo" song completely out of your head again.

[Darwin]

Thanks for suggesting.

That would have been my secondth hypothesis.

[jimmygun]

If I were religious I would probably a smug, arrogant, closed-minded bigot who delighted in the God-sent misery and suffering of others. Course, that's just me.

[Peach Jr.]

I voted for "folk religion, pagan, etc." I was a Wiccan for a long while on my journey from Xianity to atheism. We celebrate all the holidays in our house now (more so after having The Littlest Peach home with us).

[Dancing David]

Originally posted by Upchurch
it was that catholisism is specifically incompatible with wicca.

:(

Kind of wierd but there is like this side to catholicism in Mexico that combines the witchcraft with the catholic. Certainly not Wicca, everything is done in the name of the big four, papa, junior, spirit and mom.

As a pagan witch I was always suprised to learn there were 'witches' who practised a catholic mass.

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by Dancing David


Kind of wierd but there is like this side to catholicism in Mexico that combines the witchcraft with the catholic. Certainly not Wicca, everything is done in the name of the big four, papa, junior, spirit and mom.Perhaps, but has the Pope given it a big official thumbs up? Even if not every form of Catholicism takes it's cues from Rome, this aquaintance of mine kept a picture of the Pope in her car, so it would be safe to assume she followed his leadership (kinda)

Originally posted by evildave
Suggested reading:
'Viruses of the Mind' (http://www.world-of-dawkins.com/Dawkins/Work/Articles/1993-summervirusesofmind.htm)

It helps explain why many people would check 'Christian'.

It may also be useful likening it to drug abuse, in that you're always a "recovering" Christian after the initial cultural indoctrination into it. You're stuck with that baggage for life,

Brother... More than a little off-topic. The topic is: "your religion would probably be...?", not "Christian and religion analysis".

-Who

[Yahweh]

Originally posted by Dancing David


Kind of wierd but there is like this side to catholicism in Mexico that combines the witchcraft with the catholic. Certainly not Wicca, everything is done in the name of the big four, papa, junior, spirit and mom.

As a pagan witch I was always suprised to learn there were 'witches' who practised a catholic mass.
... I'm reminded about that South Park episode when the Vatican summoned The Great Queen Spider...

[evildave]

Originally posted by Whodini


Brother... More than a little off-topic. The topic is: "your religion would probably be...?", not "Christian and religion analysis".

-Who

Simple enough.

I answered a statement.

The response was to the statement:

I feel a few voters have actually been more or less religious in here.It is hard for me to explain how christianity could have had that many votes if it was not for that.


It provided a working alternative theory, and the immediate response was


Thanks for suggesting.

That would have been my secondth hypothesis.


Indicating that (at least to the one who started this topic, who is the one who replied) didn't find the question too appallingly 'off topic'.

Now, a conversation about posts being 'off topic' (more than ten days between the previous post and when you joined in with your little "contribution") seems a bit more off-topic to me.

Of course, it is an awfully good link. Thanks for bringing it back to the top page.

[xrayecho]

Originally posted by Yahweh
Alot of teenage girls and women in their 20's tend to like Pagan and Wiccan religions...

That's just a guess on your part, right? Most of the Pagans I hang out with well past their teens and twenties. As long as we're speculating, I'd speculate most of those teenage girls and women in their twenties will end up as church ladies.

[Yahweh]

Originally posted by xrayecho


That's just a guess on your part, right? Most of the Pagans I hang out with well past their teens and twenties. As long as we're speculating, I'd speculate most of those teenage girls and women in their twenties will end up as church ladies.
You are entirely correct. But I still remember every Thursday was the local Wicca Group meeting when I was in college... I wouldnt know if any of them still practice Wiccan.

[Yahweh]

Why has no one mentioned Tacoism yet...

[St_Hereticus]

I think I'd be a Taoist, 'cause Quai Chang Cain was cool! :cool: Also, there semms to be much practical wisdom in Taoism, without all the supernatural mumbo jumbo.

[kittynh]

My daughter is good friends with a Swedenborgian minister. She's really nice, but I haven't a clue what they believe in.

There is a Buddhist monastary in Mass and this big monk was visiting and everyone claimed he is 600 years old. SEriously...

I kept asking, "you mean he's been reincarnated for 600 years?"

no, he's really 600 years old. Oh, and he sleeps on a mountain top with only his little wrap (only he was freezing when I met him, so he had a sweater on). They have a bit of woowoo too.

[crocodile deathroll]

I prefer not to put any "ism" to the end of my system of belief because as soon as I do that it would be like being locked into an answer on the "who wants to be an millionaire show" and it may turn out to be the wrong one.