Re: The answer varies with how you define the term.
kHz1000 Send a noteboard - 19/05/2011 02:43:41 PM
It's usually possible for people with even the most orthodox beliefs to be devout but unobservant (and vice versa). If "being religious" requires liturgies and service for you, then obviously their observance, but otherwise it probably isn't. In the latter case, finding a good church invariably aids and edifies ones religion, but is not strictly necessary. I would say that belief in a deity or deities and at least SOME doctrinal tenets on the subject are required, except that many people attend (or even lead) religious services despite little or no beliefs about any deity. In those cases liturgical forms are usually necessary, yet belief in a deity is not only optional, but sometimes an active impediment.
I think I need to explain something first. I've _always_ been an atheist, both by choice and because it runs in the family. But, more or less recently, I've got interested in paganism. I don't mean crap like New Age or Wicca, though. That's for sure. Now I can't see if my interest is just random curiosity or if I actually might be a pagan (silly word defined by invading armies. Those pagans were here first
)I think that religion is a)rituals and b)belief. I think I should show the gods somehow that I care and believe. If I don't, well, then they mean nothing to me. I don't care about the Christian god or some Voodoo god, for example. They've nothing to do with me. Very polytheistic and very liberal. I don't think the gods would give humans a rule book to follow or that they care terribly what choices we make.
Christianity seems very centered on humans, whereas I think that well, air and water and forests have their own gods. And don't Christians think that their god is in everything, too? But my gods wouldn't constantly peek over my shoulder.
Obviously these no value in just going through the motions. Religious practise woud be meaningless if I don't believe that there really are gods. And how do I believe? How do I know if I believe? I can't buy faith.
Seems to me that I'm somewhere between an agnostic and a believer. Perhaps I'm very inflexible, but I hate the feeling of uncertainty.
Joining a religious group doesn't seem very enticing. It's a bit icky, just like joining a political party. I don't want my beliefs to be fed or culled or dictated by someone else.
Let me just end this shambolic message by saying, that I'm not a crazy hippie. I'm planning a career in the natural sciences (I've applied to a few universities and am studying for my entrance examinations). I believe that mixing religion with science should be stopped before it even begins. (Though I'm not surprised that people do that. An animal's body is such an amaxing machine, take for example the RAA system. Wicked. And of course the body is more than just a biological machine. Makes you wonder how all that got built from mostly C, H, O and N).
How do you know you're religious? *NM*
- 18/05/2011 08:01:15 PM
533 Views
The answer varies with how you define the term.
- 18/05/2011 10:14:59 PM
661 Views
Re: The answer varies with how you define the term.
- 19/05/2011 02:43:41 PM
396 Views
When the cities rise from the earth on Giant Alien Robotic Legs...
- 19/05/2011 12:21:56 AM
418 Views
When you keep giving money to people who tell you nice stories *NM*
- 19/05/2011 12:43:22 AM
204 Views
Hollywood is a religion? And Terry Pratchett? An my TV? I'm multireligious! *NM*
- 19/05/2011 04:09:18 PM
187 Views
You feel compelled to talk to God and it isn't because you're about to die. *NM*
- 19/05/2011 02:03:42 AM
198 Views
I guess you'll find out when the Rapture rolls along. *NM*
- 19/05/2011 02:35:00 AM
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supposedly, Saturday. who knew? too bad chat isn't available, best rapture party ever! *NM*
- 20/05/2011 03:25:40 AM
194 Views
When you value your traditions and good works more than what Christ actually taught.
- 19/05/2011 03:14:38 PM
694 Views