Alternative religions. Anyone follow one?

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Replies

  • foxro
    foxro Posts: 793 Member
    My silly question to the atheist community is if you don't believe in gods or godesses doe this mean you also don't believe in the concept of extraterrestrials(sp?) influenzing the development of early humans and taken as gods ? Does it also then follow do you believe human beings are the highest form of sentient beings in the universe - just asking to know

    I kind of have the opposite question, if you believe in a God do you believe in Aliens???

    I raised the question as there has been much written on the subject like "Chariots of the God"s that attempt to redefine and rationalize God as a being within this universe that is in actuality an Alien. Hence God is not in a "spiritual" world outside of this universe, but living in this universe and we as early humans with no other ways of explaining their nature, noted them as Gods or God. These interventions over time became embelissed and evovled into the modern day religions we have today. Whether I support this is something else, but attempts to rationalize why so many early and separated societies had a common theme that gods or Gods came from the sky or stars.

    I am an atheist because I have not been convinced that a god or gods exist. That in and of itself does not mean that I don't believe in extraterrestrials.

    If the question was put to me simply "Do you believe that there is life on another planet?"

    I would say:

    "I am not aware of any evidence of life on another planet but due to the immense size of the universe and the number of planets that there are it is entirely possible that life may have developed on another planet. That said I doubt very much that aliens have ever flown here."

    Maybe one day we will discover life on another planet and it may even be sentient but I would be shocked if I learned one day that aliens had anything to do with life on this planet.

    Hi Soldier, I always like it when you're on a topic !!. Time for me to come clean. I'm sort of on the opposite side...show me proof that God does not exist. I think maybe the jury is out...science has a long way to go, and in a prior post I was on my soap box about the dynamics of science. Science to me has not proven the non-existence. As science goes on we continue to re-evaluate prior conclusions. Aka the first law of thermodynamics...matter canot be created or destroyed...but yet here we are. The second regarding entropy puts holes into evolution. The big bang ? What came before it ? As we progress and open a layer several other countless layers of complexity appear. And with that more and more questions. To me, science does not have the answer, so I tend to prefer the other explanation of a greater mind that helped put it together.Perhaps both explantions are invalid, but to me it's the best I can go with. Take Care !!!!
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    NO........................................... THERES 1 GOD
    CHRISTIANITY ..........................

    Way to come along and just have explosive diarrhea all over an otherwise peaceful post :D
  • pcastagner
    pcastagner Posts: 1,606 Member
    My silly question to the atheist community is if you don't believe in gods or godesses doe this mean you also don't believe in the concept of extraterrestrials(sp?) influenzing the development of early humans and taken as gods ? Does it also then follow do you believe human beings are the highest form of sentient beings in the universe - just asking to know

    I kind of have the opposite question, if you believe in a God do you believe in Aliens???

    I raised the question as there has been much written on the subject like "Chariots of the God"s that attempt to redefine and rationalize God as a being within this universe that is in actuality an Alien. Hence God is not in a "spiritual" world outside of this universe, but living in this universe and we as early humans with no other ways of explaining their nature, noted them as Gods or God. These interventions over time became embelissed and evovled into the modern day religions we have today. Whether I support this is something else, but attempts to rationalize why so many early and separated societies had a common theme that gods or Gods came from the sky or stars.

    I am an atheist because I have not been convinced that a god or gods exist. That in and of itself does not mean that I don't believe in extraterrestrials.

    If the question was put to me simply "Do you believe that there is life on another planet?"

    I would say:

    "I am not aware of any evidence of life on another planet but due to the immense size of the universe and the number of planets that there are it is entirely possible that life may have developed on another planet. That said I doubt very much that aliens have ever flown here."

    Maybe one day we will discover life on another planet and it may even be sentient but I would be shocked if I learned one day that aliens had anything to do with life on this planet.

    Hi Soldier, I always like it when you're on a topic !!. Time for me to come clean. I'm sort of on the opposite side...show me proof that God does not exist. I think maybe the jury is out...science has a long way to go, and in a prior post I was on my soap box about the dynamics of science. Science to me has not proven the non-existence. As science goes on we continue to re-evaluate prior conclusions. Aka the first law of thermodynamics...matter canot be created or destroyed...but yet here we are. The second regarding entropy puts holes into evolution. The big bang ? What came before it ? As we progress and open a layer several other countless layers of complexity appear. And with that more and more questions. To me, science does not have the answer, so I tend to prefer the other explanation of a greater mind that helped put it together.Perhaps both explantions are invalid, but to me it's the best I can go with. Take Care !!!!

    If your critique of science is that it doesn't have answers, you don't understand science to begin with. Science, by definition, can't do that.
  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
    i haven't gone through all 11 pages here - so i'm sorry if this has already been said. but technically, if you aren't Hindu, you are in a minority religion.

    i'm an ecclectic pagan. fwiw... which isn't much if you're not me.
  • foxro
    foxro Posts: 793 Member
    My silly question to the atheist community is if you don't believe in gods or godesses doe this mean you also don't believe in the concept of extraterrestrials(sp?) influenzing the development of early humans and taken as gods ? Does it also then follow do you believe human beings are the highest form of sentient beings in the universe - just asking to know

    I kind of have the opposite question, if you believe in a God do you believe in Aliens???

    I raised the question as there has been much written on the subject like "Chariots of the God"s that attempt to redefine and rationalize God as a being within this universe that is in actuality an Alien. Hence God is not in a "spiritual" world outside of this universe, but living in this universe and we as early humans with no other ways of explaining their nature, noted them as Gods or God. These interventions over time became embelissed and evovled into the modern day religions we have today. Whether I support this is something else, but attempts to rationalize why so many early and separated societies had a common theme that gods or Gods came from the sky or stars.

    I am an atheist because I have not been convinced that a god or gods exist. That in and of itself does not mean that I don't believe in extraterrestrials.

    If the question was put to me simply "Do you believe that there is life on another planet?"

    I would say:

    "I am not aware of any evidence of life on another planet but due to the immense size of the universe and the number of planets that there are it is entirely possible that life may have developed on another planet. That said I doubt very much that aliens have ever flown here."

    Maybe one day we will discover life on another planet and it may even be sentient but I would be shocked if I learned one day that aliens had anything to do with life on this planet.

    Hi Soldier, I always like it when you're on a topic !!. Time for me to come clean. I'm sort of on the opposite side...show me proof that God does not exist. I think maybe the jury is out...science has a long way to go, and in a prior post I was on my soap box about the dynamics of science. Science to me has not proven the non-existence. As science goes on we continue to re-evaluate prior conclusions. Aka the first law of thermodynamics...matter canot be created or destroyed...but yet here we are. The second regarding entropy puts holes into evolution. The big bang ? What came before it ? As we progress and open a layer several other countless layers of complexity appear. And with that more and more questions. To me, science does not have the answer, so I tend to prefer the other explanation of a greater mind that helped put it together.Perhaps both explantions are invalid, but to me it's the best I can go with. Take Care !!!!

    If your critique of science is that it doesn't have answers, you don't understand science to begin with. Science, by definition, can't do that.

    Well thankyou. I'm an engineer who has spent his career in the sciences of physics, chemistry, water resources etc. I'm relating to soldier my opinion, based on my experience with science and education. If you think I don't know science and how it is influenced, well that's your opinion. Take care !!!
  • Kimdbro
    Kimdbro Posts: 922 Member
    NO........................................... THERES 1 GOD
    CHRISTIANITY ..........................

    Way to come along and just have explosive diarrhea all over an otherwise peaceful post :D

    Exactly what I was thinking... well not exactly. You're use of colorful metaphor was way better than what I had in mind. LOL
  • rebbylicious
    rebbylicious Posts: 621 Member
    a happy balance of Taoism, Zen buddhism, & Kabbalah. I am a reiki Master teacher .I don't believe in a "Deity" type god, but see god as the "life force energy within all". Some consider me "atheist" because I don't believe in a deity. But I believe in a god that has never quite been defined.
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    NO........................................... THERES 1 GOD
    CHRISTIANITY ..........................

    Way to come along and just have explosive diarrhea all over an otherwise peaceful post :D

    Exactly what I was thinking... well not exactly. You're use of colorful metaphor was way better than what I had in mind. LOL

    Thank you, thank you. I try to be as creative as possible.
  • tehboxingkitteh
    tehboxingkitteh Posts: 1,574 Member
    Registered member (10 years) of the official Church of Satan, here.

    I read that as "Official Church of Stan", I was like, who's Stan?! :laugh:
    I read it as santa. I hate how satan and santa are so close in lettering.

    I'm assuming the mainstream religions are the Abrahamic faiths?

    Raised Christian. Currently agnostic. Although I have studied Hinduism.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member

    If your critique of science is that it doesn't have answers, you don't understand science to begin with. Science, by definition, can't do that.

    Well thankyou. I'm an engineer who has spent his career in the sciences of physics, chemistry, water resources etc. I'm relating to soldier my opinion, based on my experience with science and education. If you think I don't know science and how it is influenced, well that's your opinion. Take care !!!
    [/quote]

    I'm the same way despite a solid education in science, understanding of evolution and physiology, fascination for ancient life, and the mass extinction of the Permian. I am very spiritual. Sometimes I feel the divine is in math and science or the ability that we can take our big brains and go almost as far as to manipulate time or as simple as hiking along a glorious canyon and seeing the time capsule of our earth. I remain strong to my Christian beliefs and the teachings of Jesus, but enjoy learning about all the tenants of faith from LDS to Hindu. I know one day my lost child will be reunited in my arms. I find hope and the drive to continue with my life in my faith. In my early years it was quite a reconciliation in my mind to combine science with my faith, but as I became older, more educated, studied more and listened more I have been able to happily combine the two. Knowledge and faith its a beautiful combination!
  • Aello11
    Aello11 Posts: 312 Member
    Took the quiz :) ---


    1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
    2. New Age (93%)
    3. Neo-Pagan (91%)
    4. Mahayana Buddhism (86%)
    5. New Thought (85%)
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    I'm Pastafarian. Peace and love flow through his noodley appendage.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    I'm Rastafarian. Peace and love flow through his noodley appendage.

    Rastafarian or Pastafarian?
  • stephc0711
    stephc0711 Posts: 1,022 Member
    I am mostly Christian, however, I am fairly accepting of the paganistic religions, as well as Buddhism. What I believe is kind of my own little religion...
  • pseudomuffin
    pseudomuffin Posts: 1,058 Member
    Multiversal intelligent design
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    Wow, I took the quiz and got both orthodox and liberal Quakers in my top 4. I'm a nondenominational Christian, so I'm not anything alternative, though it feels like it sometimes :/
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    I'm Rastafarian. Peace and love flow through his noodley appendage.

    Rastafarian or Pastafarian?

    Derp. Edited. >_<
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    I'm Rastafarian. Peace and love flow through his noodley appendage.

    Rastafarian or Pastafarian?

    Derp. Edited. >_<

    I'm gluten free - have to go with rice noodles.
  • freebirdjones
    freebirdjones Posts: 236 Member
    BIBLE

    Basic
    Instructions
    Before
    Leaving
    Earth

    LOL :laugh:
  • StinkyWinkies
    StinkyWinkies Posts: 603 Member
    Took the quiz:

    1. Secular Humanism (100%)
    2. Unitarian Universalism (92%)
    3. Liberal Quakers - Religious Society of Friends (83%)
    4. Non-theist (73%)
    5. Taoism (63%)
    6. Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (62%)

    I can live with the label "Secular Humanis[t]" ... #3 and #6 rather surprised me, but I am open-minded about it. I studied Taoism for 6 years or so.

    I also enjoy studying "World as Myth" Pantheistic multiple-ego solipsism "pantheistic multiple-ego solipsist" or "Rational Anarchist" see http://dwrighsr.tripod.com/heinlein/RatAnarch/

    Or having conversations with others about *why* they believe what they believe.

    Am currently studying to become a Pastafarian Minister.
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    Quiz results:

    1. Secular Humanist
    2. Unitarian Universalist
    3. Liberal Quakers - Religious Society of Friends
    4. Bhuddist

    Non-theist didn't even show up til #6. ODD! I ascribe to Secular Humanism though, so I knew it would be there somewhere. :)
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    NO........................................... THERES 1 GOD
    CHRISTIANITY ..........................

    I'm actually shocked that it took 10 pages for a reply like this.

    Everyone has spoken so well about their beliefs and here you come with a one line, capslocked "there is only one way of life" response. Or, at least it's how it's reading from this end. Kudos to you for being happy and satisfied in your religious choices.
  • MsPudding
    MsPudding Posts: 562 Member
    I believe in nature.

    It's red in tooth and claw. We're clever mammals and part of a ruddy great ecosystem.

    You're born, perhaps you breed, you eat things smaller than you and you avoid being eaten by things bigger than you. You die and your remains add nutrients to the earth.

    I'm also an elective non-breeder; I'm not as hardcore as VHEMT (who believe nobody should breed since our species is too destructive), however I agree with the ISP statement on human population growth - to whit, that it's the greatest challenge facing mankind and that urgent action is needed to lower it.
  • AndreannaTamira
    AndreannaTamira Posts: 35
    I'm Unitarian/Universalist, which tends to be an anything-goes kind of congregation - but I do lean a little more Christian than my fellow UU's. I just think that there's so many threads of each world religion that have similarities in them, that it points to there being a higher truth out there, that maybe all of us can sense if we take the time to listen to it. Wow, I sound like a hippie.

    Seriously though, I basically just look for those grains of truth in all religions, and take what feels right/good/true to me. I have a connection to my Higher Power, and I'm sticking to it.

    Page 8 and you turn up. :) UU here, too. I don't really believe in anything, but I am not as atheist humanist as many in my congregation either. I'd describe myself as somebody who is still looking and trying to find out what they believe in. And sometimes I think that is actually who I am and I'll never fully settle in any one belief or non-belief, so it is great to have a place to come to like the UU church and not be judged and be able to grow and search...
  • AndreannaTamira
    AndreannaTamira Posts: 35
    I am amused by how many people took that test and have Unitarian Universalism as one of the top answers. I think this actually is the test that made me look into UU a few years ago.

    I know for a fact that all of you guys, atheist, agnostics, somewhat spiritual, christian, theist, wiccan and so on would be welcome at my congregation. If UU is part of your top answers, try it out.

    Might be for you, which is great.

    Or might not, which is also great.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    generally my beliefs are Daoist. Mostly because of the attempts to make sense of the universe.

    I have a real issue with people who put their faith in another 'being' (for want of a better word) as if that absolves them of responsibility for their actions.
  • witchy_wife
    witchy_wife Posts: 792 Member

    I have a real issue with people who put their faith in another 'being' (for want of a better word) as if that absolves them of responsibility for their actions.

    I agree, if I went to my chosen Goddess and started asking for forgiveness for my actions she would ***** slap me around the head and tell me to take some personal responsibility lol. :)
  • MaydayParadeGirl
    MaydayParadeGirl Posts: 190 Member
    NO........................................... THERES 1 GOD
    CHRISTIANITY ..........................

    I'm actually shocked that it took 10 pages for a reply like this.

    Everyone has spoken so well about their beliefs and here you come with a one line, capslocked "there is only one way of life" response. Or, at least it's how it's reading from this end. Kudos to you for being happy and satisfied in your religious choices.

    I saw it and was going to say something but refrained as 1) it is their own opinion, even if they shouldn't have basically 'yelled' it at everyone here and 2) i didn't want to risk starting anything. It did fester on my mind however, why would you bother coming into a thread like this, where everything is nice and no one was saying anything negative about your personal beliefs and put that in all caps. It's not the place, nor the time.
  • freebirdjones
    freebirdjones Posts: 236 Member
    I live in Canada, so although I do not believe in any First Nations beliefs they are beautiful and I smudge my house just for good measure LOL

    But here is one Native story passed around that is a great one:


    An Old Cherokee Tale of Two Wolves

    One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.

    One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

    The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.’

    The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’

    The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’

    This is such a lovely story: so simple and yet so true. I think each and every one of us has these two wolves running around inside us. The Evil wolf or the Good Wolf is fed daily by the choices we make with our thoughts. What you think about and dwell upon will in a sense appear in your life and influence your behavior.

    We have a choice, feed the Good Wolf and it will show up in our character, habits and behavior positively. Or feed the Evil Wolf and our whole world will turn negative: like poison, this will slowly eat away at our soul.

    The crucial question is “Which are you feeding today”?
  • barbaratrollman
    barbaratrollman Posts: 317 Member

    To me, being spiritual means acknowledging there is a higher power or powers, with many names given by many peoples, that help guide us along our life journeys. I was raised a particular denomination and while I acknowledge my upbringing, I don't necessarily use the same names for powers or rituals that I did as a child but my intent is that of being the best person I can be to myself and others.

    This! ^

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