What would be your "runner-up" religion?

[Delta]

This might be a silly question - but a nice break from the serious questions

Hypothetically speaking of course, if you were to I dunno, get bored with your current religious views and you decided you'd like to follow a new religion. What would it be?

For me, my first choice would be buddhism. To me it is one of the most peaceful religions with the most room for free thought. Much of buddhism can be applied to anyones life - even those with other religious affiliations.

I think once I'm older and past my partying days I'll likely become buddhist. I don't like to "half-ass" things so to speak, so right now buddhism just doesn't work for me. Since a large focus is on having a clear mind, I feel alcohol isn't appropriate.

Anyway, what would be your runner-up religion?

 

[The Parakeet]

Wicca. I've always said that every religion is effectively the same. I might as well join the one that has moderately attractive women get naked and dance in the woods.

I also find Buddhism to be strangely arrogant about understanding the nature of the world. I don't necessarily know why though. Just sort of a gut reaction in which I feel they are out of touch.

 

[Delta]

Wicca. I've always said that every religion is effectively the same. I might as well join the one that has moderately attractive women get naked and dance in the woods.

Well... I can't say I'd turn the opportunity down to be a Wiccan for a night if that's the case

I also find Buddhism to be strangely arrogant about understanding the nature of the world. I don't necessarily know why though. Just sort of a gut reaction in which I feel they are out of touch.[/QUOTE]

I suppose they could be, but then again - every religion to me seems arrogant about understanding the purpose of life and what not. At least buddhists aren't showing up at my door haha

 

[DodgeFB]

Probably become some kind of monk. I already shave my head 9 months of the year. I could live in a temple on a mountain and "look" very wise.

 

[curious]

If I decided not to be an atheist, I might (oh, I'll get crucified for this one) consider scientology. The idea of a religion without a god is appealing. But then, I think Confucianism would work for that.

 

[DodgeFB]

If I decided not to be an atheist, I might (oh, I'll get crucified for this one) consider scientology. The idea of a religion without a god is appealing. But then, I think Confucianism would work for that.

Hey with that "scientology" thing you hang out with the rich and famous.

 

[curious]

I don't think so. They have a whole separate thing for the rich and famous.

Remember the famous Tom Cruise rant? He doesn't even know much about his own religion. The leader who made the statements about psychology that Cruise was refering to didn't say they were opposed to therapy, but that they thought therapists hand out psychotropic drugs too easily, and they don't like the drugs.

I live near Clearwater, Florida, where the world headquarters is located. So I occasionally meet Scientology. I remember two people telling me that there is a course you can take, without joining, that is several weekends of dealing with issues from your past. They pointed out that it was basically really inexpensive intensive therapy, which I thought was interesting.

 

[Delta]

I live near Clearwater, Florida, where the world headquarters is located. So I occasionally meet Scientology. I remember two people telling me that there is a course you can take, without joining, that is several weekends of dealing with issues from your past. They pointed out that it was basically really inexpensive intensive therapy, which I thought was interesting.

That does sound pretty interesting actually - if for no other reason than to see their methods... especially for an inexpensive price because from what I hear - joining and moving up in the religion is very expensive.

 

[Sparks]

I spent three months on a jury listening to ex-members of the upper echelon of Scientology testify in a trial. And senior members (except for L. Ron Hubbard, of course) reply. By the time it was over, we decided to award the complainant a just shy of 30 million dollars. This was some years ago. But I ended up with a lasting dislike of Scientology and the people running at that time.

 

[Delta]

I spent three months on a jury listening to ex-members of the upper echelon of Scientology testify in a trial. And senior members (except for L. Ron Hubbard, of course) reply. By the time it was over, we decided to award the complainant a just shy of 30 million dollars. This was some years ago. But I ended up with a lasting dislike of Scientology and the people running at that time.

Wow! Man, if there was a jury I'd every want to be on, that would be one of them. Sounds like it would be quite interesting... especially with that amount of money involved. I wonder if I can find this online to see what it was all about?

 

[Sparks]

It was a long time ago when I was a young guy.

Here is a link to it: Julie C Titchborne trial

 

[Delta]

It was a long time ago when I was a young guy.

Here is a link to it: Julie C Titchborne trial

Thanks for the link. It seems like a mistrial was granted for it though? Did you follow the case afterwards to see where it went?

That's a pretty hefty sum of money to be fined. I'm wondering if it had something to do with having to pay your way through the ranks to learn new information.

 

[Glee]

I guess my main religion is Christina-Christianity, since I believe in the core-beliefs but not what the mainstream Christians claim the believe. Looking at my beliefs they are more close to Buddhism to Protestantism... So I guess my back-up religion would be Buddhism.

 

[deanhills]

I guess my main religion is Christina-Christianity, since I believe in the core-beliefs but not what the mainstream Christians claim the believe. Looking at my beliefs they are more close to Buddhism to Protestantism... So I guess my back-up religion would be Buddhism.

Mine is also a kind'a universal Christianity. I am interested in Buddhism, but it is possibly too non-theist for me, I would perhaps look at Buddhism more as a philosophy with ethical guidelines than a religion. I can't see a "runner-up religion".

 

[Delta]

Mine is also a kind'a universal Christianity. I am interested in Buddhism, but it is possibly too non-theist for me, I would perhaps look at Buddhism more as a philosophy with ethical guidelines than a religion. I can't see a "runner-up religion".

Well, the good thing with buddhism, is it doesn't really dictate whether you have to, or whether you're allowed, to believe in god(s). Some buddhists believe in a god, others don't - that's another major role in my respect for the religion.

 

[curious]

Technically, Buddhism is a religion without a god, as is Confucianism, and the before-mentioned Scientology. The Buddha was adamant that he was not a god, but a regular human who had achieved enlightenment.

The appealing thing to me is that I would get to come back and try again.

 

[deanhills]

Well, the good thing with buddhism, is it doesn't really dictate whether you have to, or whether you're allowed, to believe in god(s). Some buddhists believe in a god, others don't - that's another major role in my respect for the religion.

Right, I can understand that. Sort of more forgiving. I have felt pretty condemned in the days when I still used to go to church. There are so many rules, I always felt guilty and must say I still have that guilt ingrained in me. Like being guilty even before I have committed "a sin". May just repent in case I have missed out in recognizing a sin I have committed that I was not aware off at the time.

 

[numan]

Zoroastrianism.

So you are a fire worshipper? Or maybe just an arsonist? ---
.

 

[David]

So you are a fire worshipper? Or maybe just an arsonist? ---
.

It's my 3rd choice personally. My runner up would be actual Christianity Following Kosher Law, observing actual holidays and ignoring, in a religious context, BS holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, etc. Basicly remembering that Jesus was a Jew and explicitly said that Jewish Law still applied and that his 'new' covenant was just an extension to gentiles. Of course while Jesus was an awesome hippy, Yahweh is a genocidal asshole and the 2 come as a package so that's out.

 

[Ralph47]

Zoroastrianism.