I am a philosophical Taoist. I do not believe in the existence of god or gods as theists would describe it/them. I do believe that everything within this pocket of space time we call the universe is interconnected. I do not believe that there is any innate purpose to existence, but that sentient beings find purpose for their own existence.
The Tao te Ching is fascinating. I was introduced by Alan Watts a long time ago. He and DT Suzuki warped my head for decades - in good way. But I was never a Taoist or a Buddhist. I'm kind of like just a.... kickin along the cobblestones - lookin fer fun and feelin groovy - hello lampost - what ya knowin? - I come to watch yer flowers growin - kinda guy, I guess.
I'm sort of a Taoist but I approach Taoism as a philosophy rather than as a religion, and so technically I have no religion at all.
I view it as a way to live ones life, since that is what is ultimately important. I agree with you about approaching it as a philosophy rather than religion.
Same here after I studied Eastern philosophy, found out I didn't need supernatural beings threatening me to be a moral person.
For some people it is... a religion of laughing at others and calling them silly. A belief in others' stupidity.
It is... an exaggerated worship of human life/ body/ money + extensive harvesting of its primal instincts. A subconscious philosophy of an individualistic animal. Anything can be a religion.
No. Just, no. "The typical dictionary definition of religion refers to a "belief in, or the worship of, a god or gods" Tell me, what gods do atheists worship? - - - Updated - - - You cant just call regular activities part of somebodies religion lol its just not true, some people truly do not have any religion whatsoever. Your definition of religion is far too broad when it reality its much more specific and deals with the worshiping of gods not just how you act in society.
Themselves. - - - Updated - - - They treat their regular activities as the only thing that is worth believing in.
I am a very devout, traditional, orthodox, conservative, and charismatic Roman Catholic so that would make me a Theist. I very strongly believe in the Most Holy Trinity.
The belief that god exist but doesn't pay any attention to people. A non-religious god so to speak. Every deist would have a slightly different interpretation of course.
I have no bloody clue where I fall. Over the years, I've been raised in a Methodist church. But I've branched out with my own interpretations. Now, I believe I'm a thorough mix of agnostic, scientific, and Christian. It works for me.
The idea that there is some sort of higher power which is the creator and orderer of the universe, but that does not play an interventionist role in the daily happenings on earth. That is an absurd oversimplification of course. This would be a moment when google would be your friend, but in one sentence that is basically what it is.
Deists are united in their rejection of religious dogma... the Bible, crucifix, heaven & hell, special revelations... etc. Deists use their God given intelligence to find their own answers to the question of God whereas organized religion follows the predetermined path of religious dogma. Because of this no two Deists have exactly the same views of God... nor are we required to.
I don't understand where this "you can't be scientific without being religious" idea came from... but it's ridiculous. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably have studied Physics or some school of Engineering, but I'd still have my religious beliefs. Hell, I studied Anthropology and read the Biblical Archaeology Society magazine (which provides evidence for and against the writings in the Bible - proving some things were true and providing further insight into other things that may not be accurate), and I still believe in a Christian God. Maybe it's a denominational thing? If you ask me, every denomination has its faults - the Catholic Church would have many... which is why so many denominations of Christianity even exist. I was raised in the Methodist Church and am a member of one in my own community, but I certainly don't agree with many of the viewpoints in the church hierarchy. In fact, I don't believe you need to go to church to have a relationship with God, but church certainly provides an opportunity to meet/greet with others in your community, in addition to getting a weekly dose of scripture + sermon (which is usually entertaining at the least).
Agnosticism or atheism aren't opinions on the same axis like capitalism and socialism. Theism and atheism are belief or lack thereof, gnosticism and agnosticism are knowledge and lack thereof. I am an agnostic atheist. I don't believe a god exists and I don't have to prove it in any way, because it is a matter of belief.
Perhaps the poll should be recast as follows: 1) Most probably there are no gods. 2) Most probably there's only one god. 3) Most probably there are 2 or more gods. 4) No probably about it, I KNOW how many gods there are.
This is a bad religion poll. It only describes your stance towards the idea of a deity - there is no listing of actual religions. Where's the Christianity, Islam and Sikhism? Where's Tao and Hindu and Inuit? Where's actual religions?
I'm agnostic/apathetic. I find most religious folks to be hypocrites, and most atheist to be arrogant pricks. I do however try to live by Jesus's whole do onto others as you would have them do onto you outlook. If it turns out there is a god, and he doesn't take the fact that I've tried to be a good person into account, I guess ill have plenty company in hell.