A list of other religions and faiths not on the main forum (ritual, Creator)

[Green Gaia]

Confucianism
Jainism
Shinto
Sikhism
Taoism
Vodun (Voodoo)
Asatru (Norse Paganism)
Druidism
Goddess Worship
Caodaism
Damanhur Community
Druse
Eckankar
Gnosticism
(Gypsies), Rom, Roma, Romani, Rroma
Hare Krishna - ISKCON
Lukumi
Macumba
Mowahhidoon
Native American Spirituality
New Age
Osho
Rom, Roma, Romani, Rroma, (Gypsies)
Santeria
Satanism; The Church of Satan
Thelema
The Creativity Movement (formerly called World Church of the Creator)
Zoroastrianism
Atheism, Agnosticism and Humanism
Teachings of Dadaji
Deism
Falun Dafa and Falun Gong
Goths
Objectivism
Universism


Rex: I know little to nothing about most of these I have listed here, but in the spirit of learning, any of these you wish to make a forum for, I will post an intro about the basic beliefs and history of the religion if you would like me to, unless you want to do it yourself :wink:

Also, should the various Christian denominations be divided up and have their own forums?

[Rex]

These are all questions we are going to have to deal with very soon.

We are still in talks about doing some of this.

and this is some great info!!!

Thanks for the help!

[Lightkeeper]

Does anyone know anything about Christian Science? I am interested in the healing aspect of it.

[anders]

Dear Maize,

Random comments on your list:

I would be interested in a section on Sikhism. Out of the world religions I have come across, it has a rather unique egalitarian view - all genders, colours, castes, creeds, professions, whatever, are considered equal - and they practise that view.

Not only Christians might need several subgruops, but the question will be: whose views on who is who should be followed? You mention the Muwahhiduun in your list. The internationally recognised experts on Islam, John L. Esposito (U. of Georgtetown, USA) and Jan Hjärpe (U. of Lund, Sweden) seem to regard them as a true Islamic reformation movement. (Did you know that M. may be translated as "unitarians"?) And to what extent could they be equated with Wahhabites?

On the other hand, I fully agree with you that the Druse religion is a separate entity, despite the fact that several dictionaries group it under Islam.

I wonder if all Hindus regard ISKCON as real Hindus...

Falun Dafa/Falun Gong adherent seem anxious to present themselves as not belonging to a religion. Curiously, from a linguist's point of view, the name Falun Dafa looks unmistakeably Buddhist. Many Buddhists would probably not agree that this describes the views of FD/FG.

To what extent could present-day Parsis be regarded as Zoroastrianists?

Many thanks for an interesting list

Anders

[Runt]

Whose views on who is who should be followed?

I think each group should be allowed to define themself, rather than having an "outsider" try to define them.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Runt

I think each group should be allowed to define themself, rather than having an "outsider" try to define them.

Absolutely. What I meant in the first post to Rex, was if there was a forum he wanted to create, but no one here yet of that religion, I would look up come basic info on the group and post that to get things started. But... I guess if there is no one here of that religion, there's not a pressing need to have a forum devoted to it. LOL

I was looking for an excuse to do some "homework" :lol:

[Engyo]

Lightkeeper -

I was raised Christian Scientist, but my mom wasn't fanatical - we went to doctors and so on.

Maize -

A few more:

Bon (traditional tibetan before buddhism)

New Thought (often considered part of Christianity)
Christian Science is sometimes classified here; also Religious Science (Ernest Holmes) and the like. I think Unity comes in here somewhere as well but could be wrong about that.

Native Central/South American (Aztec/Incan/Mayan)

In regards to subdivisions: I am a member of a Buddhism forum similar to this one which has been open for 9 months; there are almost 2000 members with over 40,000 posts so far. There are some 6 major traditions of Buddhism broken out, and countless differing sects within those traditions. Over the 6 months I have been a member there, I have watched it divide, and divide again, in response to the needs of the members. I think as the membership grows here, the need for this will become evident, especially where and when. If you make artificial subdivisions that are meaningless to your membership, you are spinning your wheels.

[Runt]

Originally Posted by Maize

I was looking for an excuse to do some "homework"

LOL. Perhaps you could help by recruiting more people to the forums. That way, there will be more members here, more posts you can do research for, more people to argue with you, and a need for more general religion forums. As Engyo said, it is pointless to put up forums for religions nobody yet cares to comment about.

[anders]

Namaste, EnGyo bhai!

Bon (or Bön) is interesting, among other things bescause of the harmonious interaction with Tibetan Buddhism. I have seen a picture of the Dalai Lama in Bon ceremonial costume. An Internet search for "Bon Monastery" is helpful.

Namaste

Anders

[Master Vigil]

I study Taoism and Zen as well. I would love to have a forum about them. Even though Zen is part of buddhism and one cannot exist without the other. There is alot of Zen that can be practiced apart from any certain religion. Finding Zen in anything, Zen archery, Zen painting, Zen poetry, Zen martial arts... etc... Also, native american would be great and also maybe some mysticism. Again mysticism is part of all religions but alone can have many helpful characteristics. And would be interesting to hear different religious mystical experiences.