Choosing a faith

[bowerbird]

Okay, so for many choosing a faith is not something that they have ever thought about but I was raised in a non-religious household. My father used to say that the last time he went to church they married him and he hadn't been game to go back since.:p

I have played around with religions on and off all my life and have found myself drawn to Buddhism. Why? Because of it's deep philosophical underpinnings and because of it's inherent belief in peace - and committment to it. I remember a sad case I nursed where the family was buddhist and I asked if we could arrange for some religious support knowing, that in that town at that time, there was no buddhist temple. The reply was "there is no buddhist temple here so here we are catholic" Many oriental religions are inclusive and do accept that all paths lead to god/buddha.

So my question/mental exercise for you today is to imagine you are in a different country and your church is not represented in that country. What would you do? Would you continue to pray alone or would you seek out another church and see what world view they have?

[JoeR]

I suspect that mindset would be difficult to get into for most Westerners.

[neo of the mind]

In Christianity there is only one path to God and that is through Jesus. That is not a gray area for a Christian nor can it be put on suspension due to circumstances. So, as a Christian, I would pray by myself since my beliefs are more important than religious observance or fellowship.

People must remember that when you actually become a Christian, you have found the truth, there is no reason whatsover to seek out other "world views" for a different truth because there can only be one truth. Other religions, namely Eastern, can have multiple and contradicting truths and be correct to it's teaching, but not Christianity. Christians can and should learn, not practice, about some other religions, in order to understand other people better, but that is the scope of it, in my opinion.

[Lumpen Prole]

I don't have a religion so nothing would change for me. :o

[Slipped Mickey]

One doesn't have to go to a Buddhist temple to be a Buddhist or to practice Buddhism. Certainly it helps.

Many years ago I decided that I couldn't accept faith in something that I couldn't prove and that seemed quite a stretch for me to believe. There's nothing wrong with Christianity, it just didn't work for me.

I drifted away from Christianity and actually stumbled onto Buddhism somewhat by accident. Buddhism is logical. It makes sense. It is by and large a peaceful religion. I like what a Buddhist monk once told me about searching for the right sangha. He said, "their practice should be turn no one away, make no one stay."

It isn't easy to make a drastic switch from the religion in which you were raised. People want to know why, they don't understand. There's pressure to conform.

Most people are socialized into the religion of their parents from the day they are born. As such they grow up accepting whatever they were taught and whatever family and friends believe. There isn't much pressure to accept what you've always been taught.

There are many paths and one destination. Each path leads to the same place. Each person must walk his/her own path.

[Atticus]

I'm kind of ecumenical, in that I look for the commonalities between religions, so I probably don't have a problem exploring other views--even though my overarching religious tradition is Christian.

Actually, when I talked to a Buddhist friend about this question, and we talked about what I thought was most important about what religion provides to us and asks of us, he told me mine was a Buddhist project. I think wanted to make people more compassionate--that's the basic Buddhist intention, no?

[Kong]

I'd go with the flow until I got bored or learned something useful - blend in and adapt like a chameleon.

[Sidgaf]

Faith for me comes from within, not from a book.

I myself really have no use for organized religious, but some do. And when organized religious does good it can move a mountain, well atleast build a hospital.

http://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/0,2569,460_3202_5798,00.html

(This has been a PSA for a cause I support :) )

[mataj]

I'd warmly recommed Cthulvianity, or some other similar disorganized religion.

http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu//nrms/neophile.html



If organized religion is the opium of the masses, then disorganized religion is the marijuana of the lunatic fringe. (Kerry Thornley)

[The Big Bog]

First, I'd find the largest and most popular church possible in the town where I lived. As the need to be popular IS my religion, I'd make a substantial monetary donation to my new church right off the bat so as to firmly establish my place in the pecking order and ensure that I was embraced by all the movers and shakers. I'm shameless. I'll worship Christ or a Coke bottle that fell out of the sky--whatever you want. Just give me clout.

Seriously, I don't subscribe to any one singular body of religious thought. So I would have no trouble adapting my religious views wherever it was that I went, as I am my own church. Or at least, I take my church with me wherever I go.

I don't believe that anyone has a monopoly on Truth yet. At least not that I know of. :confused:

[mataj]

First, I'd find the largest and most popular church possible in the town where I lived. As the need to be popular IS my religion, I'd make a substantial monetary donation to my new church right off the bat so as to firmly establish my place in the pecking order and ensure that I was embraced by all the movers and shakers. I'm shameless. I'll worship Christ or a Coke bottle that fell out of the sky--whatever you want. Just give me clout.I envy your theatrical talent. You are an ideal believer.

I'm spiritually blind, unable to accept any religion into may heart, because I can't pull faces in convincing manner.

http://sca.berkeley.edu/album/2005_01_08_-_Kingdom_of_the_West_-_Twelfth_Night_Coronation/2005_01_08_-_03_54_44_-_C00_pious_bridget_pre.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/Janiegrl/pious.jpg
http://sca.berkeley.edu/album/2005_01_08_-_Kingdom_of_the_West_-_Twelfth_Night_Coronation/2005_01_09_-_23_05_20_-_C00_pious_hannah_pre.jpg
http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/fullfaith/images/pious_member.jpg

[The Big Bog]

I envy your theatrical talent.
Meh. Who says it's theater? I have a cousin who recently sold his house in California, moved back to Kentucky, and did just that. They picked the biggest church in Bowling Green they could find and made this ungodly donation from the gain they got from selling their house in California.

Now I ask, why would you make a donation of $20,000 to a church you had never attended in your entire life if not but to buy clout?

[mataj]

Meh. Who says it's theater? I have a cousin who recently sold his house in California, moved back to Kentucky, and did just that. They picked the biggest church in Bowling Green they could find and made this ungodly donation from the gain they got from selling their house in California.

Now I ask, why would you make a donation of $20,000 to a church you had never attended in your entire life if not but to buy clout?And I ask, why would you make any donation to any church if not but to buy clout?

[neo of the mind]

And I ask, why would you make any donation to any church if not but to buy clout?

This is just a wild guess.....

Because a church is not able to pay bills and operate without donations.

Those that want the church to operate will make donations.

[The Big Bog]

And I ask, why would you make any donation to any church if not but to buy clout?
I dunno. Maybe because you just happen to like the church you’re at? Because you have an intrinsically generous nature? Because you're sophisticated enough to realize that every mega-church pastor should own a set of fine quality Ping golf clubs?

[neo of the mind]

Because you're sophisticated enough to realize that every mega-church pastor should own a set of fine quality Ping golf clubs?

Oh, that's it, you nailed it, that is why people tithe to a church, most as a hardship to themselves, so that the pastor can have a nice set of golf clubs.

[The Big Bog]

Oh, that's it, you nailed it, that is why people tithe to a church, most as a hardship to themselves, so that the pastor can have a nice set of golf clubs.
As I feel that I have inadvertently taken a thread that was meant to be one for innocuous, noncombative discussion of personal faith into combative territory, I'm going to surrender my point and let you have this one.

My points might be better suited for another thread.

[Atticus]

Oh, that's it, you nailed it, that is why people tithe to a church, most as a hardship to themselves, so that the pastor can have a nice set of golf clubs.Well, of course not. But then, if I discovered the pastor DID have such a set, I might reconsider.....while many, it's clear, do not.

[neo of the mind]

As I feel that I have inadvertently taken a thread that was meant to be one for innocuous, noncombative discussion of personal faith into combative territory, I'm going to surrender my point and let you have this one.

My points might be better suited for another thread.

Wow. I am quite impressed. I give you kudos for your statement. It is rather rare and refreshing on the forum and hopefully we all can realize these moments when they come to pass and do likewise instead of the norm.

Thank you.

[towski]

I had a similar argument with a friend of mine recently regarding the compensation for non-profit employees and executives.

IMHO, both for non profit execs and church leaders, there is a fine line to walk regarding compensation. On one hand, it's bad public image for these leaders to live the "high life". However, in order to attract the best and brightest into these fields, an at least competitive compensation and benefits package must be available. I don't begrudge a successful church leader his set of pings, anymore than I begrudge the head of the local united way driving a lexus.

[bowerbird]

I had a similar argument with a friend of mine recently regarding the compensation for non-profit employees and executives.

IMHO, both for non profit execs and church leaders, there is a fine line to walk regarding compensation. On one hand, it's bad public image for these leaders to live the "high life". However, in order to attract the best and brightest into these fields, an at least competitive compensation and benefits package must be available. I don't begrudge a successful church leader his set of pings, anymore than I begrudge the head of the local united way driving a lexus.

Hmmmm - mind you though, this was one of the points that turned me from christianity in the first place. Went to a very poor pacific nation and saw a huge ornate church in the middle of hovels. I could not reconcile that. There is a story in "Zen Flesh Zen Bones" of a monk who wanted to build a temple. Four times he raised the money only to have some horrific natural disaster occur at the last moment and to give the money away. The fifth time he raised the money he was successful in building his temple but it is said his last temple was not as great as the first four.

[neo of the mind]

"this was one of the points that turned me from christianity in the first place."

So when you say that, do you just mean you practiced the religion and went along with it, without believing in Jesus or do you actually think you were a Christian?

[Craig]

So my question/mental exercise for you today is to imagine you are in a different country and your church is not represented in that country. What would you do? Would you continue to pray alone or would you seek out another church and see what world view they have?

I'd have to say that I'd probably check out the other church, just judging by the fact that I generally find religions to be interesting and I'd probably want to know more. I honestly cannot say whether I would become a member or not, but I would check it out.

[Izdaari]

As a Christian, I do believe it offers something special that other faiths don't... else I wouldn't be one. But that doesn't mean I consider others worthless.

I find much of value in Zen and Taoism, and nothing that conflicts with Christianity, and so I'd have no problem attending their services. Um, I don't think Taoists have services... but the point stands.

I also have no problem attending a synagogue. The Jewish faith and mine differ on the matter of the messiah, but we still worship the God of Abraham and Moses. The same is technically true of Islam, but I'm not comfortable with where Muhammed took it.

[timlea]

If you were to choose by icons alone. Jesus dying on the cross = bad. Budda fat and laughing = good. Krishna with all those arms = what the hell?

[JoeR]

Krishna with all those arms = what the hell?

More arms to hug with. :D

[neo of the mind]

If you were to choose by icons alone. Jesus dying on the cross = bad. Budda fat and laughing = good. Krishna with all those arms = what the hell?

Actually, a God doing what we could not do on our own for our benefit is more appealing then a fat guy or an octupus.

[Craig]

Actually, a God doing what we could not do on our own for our benefit is more appealing then a fat guy or an octupus.

That's not based upon the imagery of the icons alone though; your statement is based upon an understanding of what the icons represent in Christianity.

[neo of the mind]

That's not based upon the imagery of the icons alone though; your statement is based upon an understanding of what the icons represent in Christianity.

Yeah ok, you win that debate.

[GI Joe]

I don't have a religion so nothing would change for me. :o

im with ya buddy

[julierep]

I would pray alone. I would pay a visit to the different religions just for historical reasons. Other than that, I would have no desire to convert.

[bowerbird]

I would pray alone. I would pay a visit to the different religions just for historical reasons. Other than that, I would have no desire to convert.

Not really about converting Julie - the Buddhists I talked about remained Buddhists but worshiped in a Catholic church. I guess, on reflection, I am asking people how tolerant and open minded they are.

Some really really great responses here.

[julierep]

Not really about converting Julie - the Buddhists I talked about remained Buddhists but worshiped in a Catholic church. I guess, on reflection, I am asking people how tolerant and open minded they are.

Some really really great responses here.

If I was able to worship Christianity in a Buddhist Temple, then most certainly I would. I respect Buddhists and their teachings. I think they have a lot of wisdom and "food for thought."

[bowerbird]

If I was able to worship Christianity in a Buddhist Temple, then most certainly I would. I respect Buddhists and their teachings. I think they have a lot of wisdom and "food for thought."

If I had time I think I would like to visit a LOT of different religions - just to see what people find important at the core of thier beliefs. Usually though if you start from mutual respect, like you suggested - you can get so, so much more and the world gets bigger.

[Slipped Mickey]

Actually, a God doing what we could not do on our own for our benefit is more appealing then a fat guy or an octupus.


A correction in misunderstanding. Buddha is not a god and certainly not the god. Buddhists don't believe in the Judeo-Christian concept of God. Buddhists don't worship Buddha.

"If you meet Buddha on the path, kill him."

[bowerbird]

A correction in misunderstanding. Buddha is not a god and certainly not the god. Buddhists don't believe in the Judeo-Christian concept of God. Buddhists don't worship Buddha.

"If you meet Buddha on the path, kill him."

We are all buddha

The true story of the laughing buddha is more anologous to Santa Claus than to Jesus. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~paddler/bodhisattva/budlaugh.htm

[Slipped Mickey]

Indeed we all have buddha nature. We all are "God", not parts but ONE, total. Even to consider the concept is limiting. LOL! It took me a while before I could wrap my brain around that.

If there is not all then the something else. To what do you compare ALL? All is itself a comparison. Even to conceive it is limiting. We are, everything is, One.

[Slipped Mickey]

bowerbird,

Buddhism is rather mainstream in Oz compared to America, wouldn't you say? Do you or have you experienced resistence to your conversion?

[bowerbird]

Don't laugh but Buddhism got a BIG boost here because of Monkey. Monkey is a Japanese serial for kids (made BBC style - lots of cardboard scenery) about the monk Tripitaka and his journey to bring the scriptures to the East.

http://www.monkeyheaven.com/

Monkey ended with having a huge following among many Australians who were fascinated with series and some of the underlying philosophy behind it.

It does not hurt too that we have a large Asian population that is also influencing our culture.

http://www.buddhabirthdayfestival.com.au/bbforigin.htm

[Slipped Mickey]

Don't laugh but Buddhism got a BIG boost here because of Monkey. Monkey is a Japanese serial for kids (made BBC style - lots of cardboard scenery) about the monk Tripitaka and his journey to bring the scriptures to the East.

http://www.monkeyheaven.com/

Monkey ended with having a huge following among many Australians who were fascinated with series and some of the underlying philosophy behind it.

It does not hurt too that we have a large Asian population that is also influencing our culture.

http://www.buddhabirthdayfestival.com.au/bbforigin.htm

Wow! Great links! I really appreciate that.

We'd never be able to have a show like Monkey on TV here in the U.S. It would be cencorsed and cancelled before it ever made it on the air. The fundamentalist Christians are much too influential and thus the freedom to have a television show like that, especially for children, is unthinkable.

I for one think a show such as Monkey can do much more good than harm. Let's hope America follows your lead.

Mick

[neo of the mind]

"The fundamentalist Christians are much too influential and thus the freedom to have a television show like that, especially for children, is unthinkable."

Have you watched the "childrens" shows lately? Your giving "fundamentalist Christians" too much clout. It's all about the money.....

[DRMIZER]

As a Deist I'm never in a "different" place. Spiritually there is no different place. Deism is simply a belief in God. Deists can worship in any religion they wish so long as they honor the creation of the Divine nature of God. Nature is our bible and strengthens our concept of a creator.

Dogma is a place of "difference" for me. :)

[Strel]

I'd go with the flow until I got bored or learned something useful - blend in and adapt like a chameleon.



So you're a Taoist then?:confused: