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More of What We Really Think

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
As a follow on from Just George's thread, here are some more questions about your religious beliefs.

1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post some of your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?
 
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PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post someone your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

Hmmmmmmm..... I don't think I do.

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

When I call myself a New Age Hindu who subscribes to some Left Hand Path philosophies, I think it usually covers just about everything for me. There is one Bible verse I really like though. It goes something like this: Do not cast your pearls before swine.

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

For me it's mostly spiritual. I have some ebooks on stuff Hindus believe, but I really wouldn't call it academic, they're more interesting ebooks I buy whenever Google Play feels like giving its users free eBooks credit to get them to buy more.

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

My current faith makes it hard to just say something and have other people relate to me. Almost no one on here is a New Age Hindu with Left-Hand Path philosophies - okay there probably are some, but it's probably only a few and they probably hang out in diverse places on here where we don't really talk to each other.

There's also an awkward situation I feel I often experience. People will sometimes get on and talk like they're speaking against all religions, but seem to only be talking about Christianity. I could correct them, but then that may look like I'm trying to direct hot coals at Christianity. Or I could not correct them, then faiths like Hinduism get a bad rap for stuff it doesn't usually do.

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

I'd have to think pretty hard on things I don't do!

(Just kidding.)

Ummm..... I pray for people but not too often, only when they ask. My lack of prayer and preferring other means of conveying things like good wishes, might be something to mention. I may have a form of prayer I use, but it's much different than what most people know as prayer, and has to do with connecting with energy.
 

SigurdReginson

Grēne Mann
Premium Member
As a follow on from Just George's thread, here are some more questions about your religious beliefs.

1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post someone your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

1. I do have a fondness for the various western/northern Germanic languages, but modern English works for me just fine. :D I do utilize my own runes, though. I'll post them for anyone who's interested in such things. If folks can read runes, they may be able to decipher some of it. My runes are based on the old English ones, and I've brought them into the 21st century using the old ones as a foundation. The vowels will be different in accordance with the great vowel shift. :)

2. Absolutely. Whether I realize it or not, my previous experiences as a Christian absolutely have influenced things. I'd say Norse Paganism has had the most impact in my life so far, but I've gleaned other ideas from different paths that I've tread in the past.

3. I do read academic books, though I don't give them any extra credence in my path. I take an idea given on a subject, learn about it, then with that information I carve my own way.

4. Well... I suppose I will never really tell anyone I know in life more about my path than I feel comfortable with sharing, since most would never understand/relate. That said, we all have things about our lives that we keep to ourselves. I've made peace with the idea that I walk my path alone, though it took a while to get there coming from a past where community mattered (Christianity). Other than that, I'm good. :D

5. Prayer. It's so formal... If I were to interact with a spirit, I'd tell em to pull up a chair and crack open a beer with me. I guess my rituals would look a little different than most, but I haven't done anything like that in a long time. As a current atheist, I haven't done any rituals or spiritual practices in a while (outside of runecraft), though that can always change in the future. :)

IMG_20210711_075450933.jpg
 
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Secret Chief

nirvana is samsara
1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post someone your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?
No.

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).
No. (Stoicism yes, but not any religion).

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?
Don't know about "academic" or "spiritual." The 8fold path is for living, although obviously you need the finger, but it ain't the moon. I have books on suttas/sutras and other works etc but after about 40 years I don't feel the need to be studying them greatly, deluded as I am. When you've caught the fish you don't need the net. I'll get me coat.

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?
No.

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?
None.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
How about you, @Rival? :D
I guess I'll do my own then :)

1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post some of your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?
I wouldn't say any flavour of the Ancient Egyptian language is sacred to me (as it was spoken for ~3,000 years it is not static, hence 'flavour') but I do like using it. I like using the praise phrases such as 'Inodj har-ek/et' (male/female) ('Hail unto you') and 'Iu em hotep' (come in peace).

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).
I have heard other Kemetics talking about some Dharmic practices but I can't say I've really copied any stuff. I still hold food items in my right hand (my dominant hand) when I bless them, taken from Jewish thought.

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?
I study academic works to have a deeper grasp on theology and this helps me connect better to God, so I guess I do.

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?
Being in a minority sucks.

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?
Meditation.
 
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Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post someone your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

No

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

As Christianity is founded on Judaism, the Baha'i Faith is founded on Islam. While having independent scriptures and practices, we can readily draw on Islamic, Christian and Judaic traditions. To some extent we can do the same with Hinduism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism.

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

The Baha'i requires daily prayer, twice daily reading from sacred writings, recitation of the Greatest Name of God 95 times per day and living a moral life. Learning and knowledge are strongly encouraged but Baha'i academics have no special status.

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

I've been treated with prejudice and intolerance on infrequent occasion, usually by Christians. Otherwise I've never felt morally compromised or conflicted.

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

None
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post someone your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?
Runes are sacred to Norse paganism but I am just learning them

Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).
All the time. I follow a syncretic practice of norse paganism mixed with theistic satanism. If I like the wisdom and I understand the context and meaning of it its not a closed practice I'll take some of their wisdom.
Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?
both. Been a little busy to study academic text lately tho so it's more spiritual then academic.

Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?
Yes. I'd get into it but don't want to.
What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do
in regards to my religion or outside of it?
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
There's also an awkward situation I feel I often experience. People will sometimes get on and talk like they're speaking against all religions, but seem to only be talking about Christianity. I could correct them, but then that may look like I'm trying to direct hot coals at Christianity. Or I could not correct them, then faiths like Hinduism get a bad rap for stuff it doesn't usually do.

In the near year I've been on RF, I am flabbergasted at the amount of people that equate 'religion' with Christianity and 'God' as the Abrahamic one.

I'll come back and answer the rest later on today. :)
 

Quagmire

Imaginary talking monkey
Staff member
Premium Member
As a follow on from Just George's thread, here are some more questions about your religious beliefs.

1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post some of your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

1. Silence.

2. I can't think of too many religions that don't offer something useful or beneficial, and to me the best of the lot seem to be universal, like the Golden Rule; or the concept of No Mind in Zen; the active self-awareness of Buddhism; the whole idea of surrendering yourself to something greater than yourself, summed up as Submission in Islam, the concept of Atman in Hinduism. I see all of these concepts reflected or expressed in different ways across all of the major world religions, and probably some of the more obscure ones too. I think in their purest forms all of these religions can be distilled into Mysticism.

Judiasm: possibly odd personal factoid: far as I know I'm not Jewish (although I may be. I'll explain below*) but I practice the Sabbath. Sundown Friday to sundown Saturday I won't work ( moderator work doesn't count) or work out, I try to keep my travel to a minimum, and if I can remember I try to avoid arguing with anybody (debating in RF counts there.)

I also almost never eat pork (but that's mostly because I have a hard time justifying eating something that's more intelligent and more well-mannered than most of my relatives), or shellfish (but that's mostly because I just don't think it's healthy to eat a bottom feeder), and I think the Jewish idea of God, I Am, is closest to my own and I interpret it this way: "You don't need to know what I am, you just need to know that I am". When it comes to God, I think that's about as much as we'll ever be able to wrap our heads around anyway.

*My mother was an orphan. She didn't know anything for certain about her father, but she knew that her mother's family, a family of doctors, had immigrated from Germany in 1935.

My mother's foster family raised her as a strict Catholic: 14 years of Catholic School, the whole bit, so if she had been Jewish, it's possible, if not likely that she would have kept it to herself. My mother passed away when I was 23, long before it ever occurred to me to ask.

*Edit: cool coincidence: the Catholic school that my mother attended for both grammar and high School was named Saint Benedict's in Chicago. This thread is, I think, the first time I'd ever mentioned her Catholic upbringing in the 14 years that I've been here, and just now I noticed this:
Feast of St. Benedict 2021

3. I don't consider myself a member of any religion. If my spiritual beliefs amounted to a religion, I guess you'd have to call it Pot-Luckism.

RF is the only place I read anything religion related these days. :D

4. I was raised Catholic, the Guilt-by-Reason-of-Existence variety. It has and probably still does make it difficult for me to just relax and enjoy myself sometimes.

5. I don't go to church, I don't engage in repetitive prayer as in "Say a zillion Hail Mary's . . ", although there's one short prayer that I try to say everyday, just to be on the safe side.

I also almost never burn people at the stake (anymore)*.

*Unless Site Feedback counts.

.
 
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sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
1. Have you a sacred language or languages?

No.

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

Yes. I found that other perspectives help me round out my own.

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

Spiritual. I don't study academic texts.

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

My struggle to become a better person is real.

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

For me, these are practices that are designed to increase the ego - personal power and the like.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
As a follow on from Just George's thread, here are some more questions about your religious beliefs.

1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post some of your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

1. It isn't mine, but I often encounter prayers/music in Sanskrit, and sometimes Tamil.

2. I don't know. Not that I can think of, but that doesn't mean I don't...

3. I'd say for me, its a mixture of both. The spiritual aspect is more important, but honestly, I like to read. Academics can be fun.

4. I'm a minority in the area. My temple is too far to really take advantage of having a community, and if I want to talk to another Hindu face to face, I have to make a doctor's appointment. (My doctor is a Hindu.)

5. Getting up at Brahmamuhurtha(an hour and a half before sunrise). I am not a morning person, and my time isn't my own, but revolves around what my kids are doing. I get my rest. Its the only form of self care I'm a stickler about.
 

Gargovic Malkav

Well-Known Member
1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post some of your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

Maybe.
I like it when people successfully communicate with people who don't speak their language, with minimal use of words and gestures to keep things simple.
I think that this way people usually try harder to understand each other and tolerate each other's mistakes more easily instead of getting hung up over nuances and talking past each other over differences of opinion.
If this can be called a language, then there is certainly something sacred about it in my opinion.

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

I'm not part of a religious group, so there is no strict sense of "other religion" for me personally, but I'm mainly inspired by Abrahamic scriptures which is why I strongly identify as a monotheist. I treat the Tao Te Ching as an important addition as well, as it puts more emphasis on a mindset I find important while the Abrahamic scriptures are generally more focused on the big picture or the community rather than the individual.
But I can see spiritual kinship and inspiration in virtually anyone in varying degrees depending on what their attitude, demeanor and judgment is like.

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

With academic, do you mean basing my religious views on how it should be interpreted according to acknowledged scholars rather than trying to find all the answers myself?

If so, then no, I wouldn't call my religion very academic.

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

Yes, I explained this in JustGeorge's thread.

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

Personality cults.
Human sacrifice.
Killing or bullying people for having a different idea of divinity or for having no idea of divinity at all.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
With academic, do you mean basing my religious views on how it should be interpreted according to acknowledged scholars rather than trying to find all the answers myself?
I mean, say you had a Pagan faith, would you be reading scholarly books to help you reconstruct it. Not sure what your equivalent would be.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
1. Have you a sacred language or languages? Which, and can you post some of your favourite phrases (even if the language is your own)?

I wouldn't call the language sacred. My scripture just happens to be written in Sanskrit.

I would say the Mahvakyas are among my favorite verses.
  • Prajñānam Brahma - Brahman is (pure) consciousness
  • Ayam Ātmā Brahma - This Self is Brahman
  • Tat Tvam Asi - Thou art that
  • Aham Brahmāsmi - I am Brahman

2. Have you taken from another religion or used some wisdom from theirs as a basis for something within your own? (This is about personal practice, so Christians saying 'we adapted this from Judaism' doesn't count, for example).

Not a religion per se, but I am heavily influenced by Toltec philosophy.

3. Is your religion very academic or more about the purely spiritual side? Do you study academic texts to help you in your faith practice?

Hinduism is both academic and spiritual. It depends on what yoga one follows. I am a jnani, so my practice is more academic. Bhaktis, on the other hand, are more spiritual.

4. Has your faith ever caused you to struggle in life, whether morally or being a minority, having a chequered religious history etc.?

No.

5. What are some religious practices you dislike and don't do?

In my own religion? I can't think of any I necessarily dislike. There are just some that I don't find relevant to my path, as I alluded to in my answer to question #3.
 
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