Trying to find my way!

PyreBorn · Sep 27, 2010

So I'm at a point where I'm not sure what religion is best for me anymore. I grew up as Roman Catholic, and later converted to Buddhism, and have been such for 7 or so years now trying to find a certain school of thought that fit me.

Recently I was in a debate at the bar...I don't know how so many random guys started debating religious beliefs...but oh well, and someone mentioned their belief that every religion is in some way right.

From what I remember him saying, all religious beings, afterlives, etc are manifestations created through the will of humans on the cosmos (for a lack of better term).

I'm not really sure if I'm at the point where I'm not a Buddhist anymore, but what I heard from this guy just seemed to strike me as an answer to many questions I've had throughout my life, and I'd really enjoy reading and studying religions based (at least somewhat) around these ideals. All I really know is that I spent a long time between Catholicism and Buddhism, so reading on anything and everything that might fit is absolutely no problem for me, I like to take my time when trying to figure out if my beliefs are changing, or if it's just curiosity.

Also, if anyone would like more information on anything specific that I'm at crossroads about to help with the search for a belief system, I'd be more than happy to answer.

Thanks for any help,
Pyre

Requia · Sep 27, 2010

If you want stuff to read I'll make my obligatory push on Discordianism. Look up the Principia Discordia (the jokes are dated, but the only place that covers all the concepts), Black Iron Prison (the least obfuscated of the Discordian works), and Chao te Ching (good introductory work if you're willing to puzzle through the intentionally cryptic statements, not yet released, but there are rough drafts floating around the net).

Edit http://www.scribd.com/doc/34652650/Chao-te-Ching

Gauss · Nov 12, 2010

I was raised Christian and saw some very strange things among the clergy that pretty much took away my belief in Christianity.

I searched and searched for many years and then I found this book about self-cultivation called Zhuan Falun. It is an amazing book and holds the truth about human life(reincarnation, third eye, supernormal powers, how to be a good person etc etc) I believe. It aims at Body-Mind-Soul cultivation and its benefits for health, serenity and wisdom is just amazing I find.

The cultivation method is called Falun Dafa and has spread to more than 100 countries in less than 20 years with about 100 million practitioners.

Read Zhuan Falun here:

Download Falun Dafa Falun Gong books and articles: books

Wish you good luck in your search!

MathewJames · Nov 18, 2010

I was saddly raised Roman Catholic also. I remember a time in my life that I thought only catholics had a lock down on eternal peace. But that never seamed right to me, so I searched out other religions. Studied every one I could find and tried their practises for short periods of times.

At the end of the day, they are mostly all the same. The religions that have a GOD anyway. GOD only wants humanity to remember what GOD has given us. In my opinion, the differences between faiths are mostly how people talk about them.

A person can look for what they have in common with another religion. If that is done, the religions begin to look alike. Or, a person can look for differences, and that is were most of the conflicts grow.

VenatorAnima · Nov 18, 2010

I was raised Christian, but never really felt like I fit in with Christian folk.
I am on a journey to discover what I believe... I still struggle every day with
this little voice inside my head that says "you should believe (or that) because that is how you were raised."

Boethiah · Nov 26, 2010

If you think that all religions are inspired by God (however you may view It), then it might be worth the time to look into the Baha'i Faith. Baha'is believe that most religions are from God, and that their founders are Manifestations of God who taught a specific spiritual teaching in a suitable time in a suitable place. That is a bit different though from what you expressed.

To be honest, it really is a lot about viewpoint. How humans believe in God could be the human perceiving something and interpreting it as God, or God giving humans a message and humans not interpreting it right, etc. As said, differences become more and more apparent when you focus on them. The same goes for similarities.

I'd also consider reading up on Unitarian Universalism. I suppose it would be important to investigate how you view the relationship between humans, Earth, and the divine.

Suggestions.

Twilight Hue · Nov 26, 2010

PyreBorn said:
So I'm at a point where I'm not sure what religion is best for me anymore. I grew up as Roman Catholic, and later converted to Buddhism, and have been such for 7 or so years now trying to find a certain school of thought that fit me.

Recently I was in a debate at the bar...I don't know how so many random guys started debating religious beliefs...but oh well, and someone mentioned their belief that every religion is in some way right.

From what I remember him saying, all religious beings, afterlives, etc are manifestations created through the will of humans on the cosmos (for a lack of better term).

I'm not really sure if I'm at the point where I'm not a Buddhist anymore, but what I heard from this guy just seemed to strike me as an answer to many questions I've had throughout my life, and I'd really enjoy reading and studying religions based (at least somewhat) around these ideals. All I really know is that I spent a long time between Catholicism and Buddhism, so reading on anything and everything that might fit is absolutely no problem for me, I like to take my time when trying to figure out if my beliefs are changing, or if it's just curiosity.

Also, if anyone would like more information on anything specific that I'm at crossroads about to help with the search for a belief system, I'd be more than happy to answer.

Thanks for any help,
Pyre

I left Christianity and adopted a Buddhist practice, but don't let the designation fool ya as I'm not a total conformist due to my middle circumference obscuring the zafu. Plus I like pizza and Chinese take outs. Incidentally, didn't anyone tell you that Buddhist practice is really Hotel California?
"You can check out as many times you like, but you can never leave."

Honestly, its all about finding things out for yourself isn't it? Try to realize your own view and cut your own path, rather than just simply trying to fit in with anothers definition. Be free little birdy.

URAVIP2ME · Nov 26, 2010

PyreBorn said:
From what I remember him saying, all religious beings, afterlives, etc are manifestations created through the will of humans on the cosmos (for a lack of better term).
Pyre

If one traces mankind's religious family tree back to its roots in Mesopotamia we find at the base the will of pagan human concepts and ideas about 'afterlife' becoming a common overlapping thread in the world's religions today because as those people migrated world wide from ancient pagan Babylon they took with them their false religious ideas and practices and spread them world wide into a greater religious Babylon or Babylon the Great.

The 'afterlife' in Scripture is not about an immortal soul but in resurrection.
There is a difference. Scripture does Not teach an immortal soul but that the soul that sins dies. -Ezekiel 18vs4,20; Acts 3v23.

A dead soul, or lifeless soul, can only come back to life through a resurrection.
Jesus resurrected people back to life to be among the living right here on earth to show there will be a resurrection.- [Acts 24v15].
That 'will be' future resurrection will be for the majority of mankind during Jesus 1000-year reign over earth. Only some being part of the first resurrection or earlier resurrection to heaven to rule with Jesus.
-Rev 5vs9,10;20v6; Daniel 7vs13,14,18; 2v44

So, only what the Bible really teaches is the: will of God.
All the rest are the: will of humans.

Nothing · Nov 27, 2010

PyreBorn said:
So I'm at a point where I'm not sure what religion is best for me anymore. I grew up as Roman Catholic, and later converted to Buddhism, and have been such for 7 or so years now trying to find a certain school of thought that fit me.

Recently I was in a debate at the bar...I don't know how so many random guys started debating religious beliefs...but oh well, and someone mentioned their belief that every religion is in some way right.

From what I remember him saying, all religious beings, afterlives, etc are manifestations created through the will of humans on the cosmos (for a lack of better term).

I'm not really sure if I'm at the point where I'm not a Buddhist anymore, but what I heard from this guy just seemed to strike me as an answer to many questions I've had throughout my life, and I'd really enjoy reading and studying religions based (at least somewhat) around these ideals. All I really know is that I spent a long time between Catholicism and Buddhism, so reading on anything and everything that might fit is absolutely no problem for me, I like to take my time when trying to figure out if my beliefs are changing, or if it's just curiosity.

Also, if anyone would like more information on anything specific that I'm at crossroads about to help with the search for a belief system, I'd be more than happy to answer.

Thanks for any help,
Pyre

To me it appears that the school of thought you are using in this thread works quite well for you. The fact that you are aware of these changes within you is awsome in itself, but the fact that you are curious about them rather then fearful is even better. That what the guy said at the bar struck you as profound is also a good thing for it brought you to greater inner awareness. But still, even better yet, You had an open mind in the first place. Questioning whether or not you are a Buddist is no doubt very troubling for it is what you have believed you have been for several years.
"Every religion is in some way right" is what the guy said that stuck with you. It stuck with you because on some level you know it's true. Every religion IS in some way right because truth and wisdom are universal and so therefore must reside within all of them. But I am sure you already know this.
I don't believe your dilema is one of identity, but one of definition. Maybe I'm going too far, and if so then I ask your forgiveness, and so I ask you, are you looking for a religion to define your beliefs or are you looking for beliefs as defined by a particular religion? My own experience has been futile either way.
Why not ask yourself what you already have?
What I see is an open mind that allows you to see Truth in what is being said. Your inner awareness allows you a degree of objectivity about "self" which as I'm sure you know MUST be present to evolve spiritually. And most importantly you have a genuine desire to evolve spiritually or else you wouldn't have started this thread in the first place!
Permit me to offer you THIS to speculate: If "Every religion is in some way right" then perhaps there is nothing that needs to be defined. Perhaps the next stage of your spiritual evolution is beyond definition. Maybe it is not supposed to be defined.

jarofthoughts · Nov 27, 2010

PyreBorn said:
So I'm at a point where I'm not sure what religion is best for me anymore. I grew up as Roman Catholic, and later converted to Buddhism, and have been such for 7 or so years now trying to find a certain school of thought that fit me.

Also, if anyone would like more information on anything specific that I'm at crossroads about to help with the search for a belief system, I'd be more than happy to answer.

Thanks for any help,
Pyre

The school of thought I follow has been demonstrably proven to have the best explanation for the human condition, the universe and all that governs it that we currently have.
It has countless practical applications that has changed the way we live our lives more than anyone could have imagined.
This method of thinking has saved millions of lives, cured diseases and given us insight and power almost beyond belief.
It has brought us understanding not only of the cosmos, but even the very building blocks that make up everything and it has given us unprecedented knowledge of where we come from and what we are.

This school of thought is called Science.

You should look into it.

The Neo Nerd · Nov 27, 2010

PyreBorn said:
So I'm at a point where I'm not sure what religion is best for me anymore. I grew up as Roman Catholic, and later converted to Buddhism, and have been such for 7 or so years now trying to find a certain school of thought that fit me.

Recently I was in a debate at the bar...I don't know how so many random guys started debating religious beliefs...but oh well, and someone mentioned their belief that every religion is in some way right.

From what I remember him saying, all religious beings, afterlives, etc are manifestations created through the will of humans on the cosmos (for a lack of better term).

I'm not really sure if I'm at the point where I'm not a Buddhist anymore, but what I heard from this guy just seemed to strike me as an answer to many questions I've had throughout my life, and I'd really enjoy reading and studying religions based (at least somewhat) around these ideals. All I really know is that I spent a long time between Catholicism and Buddhism, so reading on anything and everything that might fit is absolutely no problem for me, I like to take my time when trying to figure out if my beliefs are changing, or if it's just curiosity.

Also, if anyone would like more information on anything specific that I'm at crossroads about to help with the search for a belief system, I'd be more than happy to answer.

Thanks for any help,
Pyre

Hi Pyreborn,

I have one question for you.

"Do you need to have a religion, is it more important to change your beliefs to a certain religion or have your own beliefs"

When i was younger i turned away from the socially accepted religion in australia which is christianity. I looked at buddhism, wicca/witchcraft and shamanism. But none of them fit my beliefs so i turned away from them and kept looking. Finally i decided that i had my beliefs and it was pointless trying to chose a religion and then try and believe in their beliefs just so i could be part of a group.

Fortunately i found people who believed exactly as i do and was pretty happy with that.

Basically what i'm saying here is believe what you believe and if you find people who believe the same as you then you get lucky.

-Q

PyreBorn · Feb 4, 2011

This is probably raising a thread from the dead, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone for taking time to reply to me. I'm sorry it took so long to reply, I lost the means to afford internet for a while.

I found my way out of the mess I was in over everything, and I believe someone mentioned the reason. It was me stuck on definitions more than anything. At this point I use vague definitions only to help others with a rough idea of my thoughts.

Nowhere Man said:
I left Christianity and adopted a Buddhist practice, but don't let the designation fool ya as I'm not a total conformist due to my middle circumference obscuring the zafu. Plus I like pizza and Chinese take outs. Incidentally, didn't anyone tell you that Buddhist practice is really Hotel California?
"You can check out as many times you like, but you can never leave."

Honestly, its all about finding things out for yourself isn't it? Try to realize your own view and cut your own path, rather than just simply trying to fit in with anothers definition. Be free little birdy.

I find that quote to be quite true, no matter where I go, the Buddhist in me sticks around

Nothing said:
To me it appears that the school of thought you are using in this thread works quite well for you. The fact that you are aware of these changes within you is awsome in itself, but the fact that you are curious about them rather then fearful is even better. That what the guy said at the bar struck you as profound is also a good thing for it brought you to greater inner awareness. But still, even better yet, You had an open mind in the first place. Questioning whether or not you are a Buddist is no doubt very troubling for it is what you have believed you have been for several years.
"Every religion is in some way right" is what the guy said that stuck with you. It stuck with you because on some level you know it's true. Every religion IS in some way right because truth and wisdom are universal and so therefore must reside within all of them. But I am sure you already know this.
I don't believe your dilema is one of identity, but one of definition. Maybe I'm going too far, and if so then I ask your forgiveness, and so I ask you, are you looking for a religion to define your beliefs or are you looking for beliefs as defined by a particular religion? My own experience has been futile either way.
Why not ask yourself what you already have?
What I see is an open mind that allows you to see Truth in what is being said. Your inner awareness allows you a degree of objectivity about "self" which as I'm sure you know MUST be present to evolve spiritually. And most importantly you have a genuine desire to evolve spiritually or else you wouldn't have started this thread in the first place!
Permit me to offer you THIS to speculate: If "Every religion is in some way right" then perhaps there is nothing that needs to be defined. Perhaps the next stage of your spiritual evolution is beyond definition. Maybe it is not supposed to be defined.

This post summed up much of what I began to figure out on my own, and it helped me a lot upon returning to these forums to see that others had saw in me what I found in myself.

Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone that took time to help, it is appreciated.

Peace,
Pyre

ConfusedKuri · Feb 5, 2011

I can feel your dilemma!

I grew up a Roman-Catholic too, when I was still a child I was quite active within the church, later it changed and I lost faith in God. I searched through many different religions and ended up with Islam. I guess I chose it because I felt convinced and it was not too different from Christianity. After spending 5 years within the faith I realise it's way too restrictive for someone like me. Too many rules, too many rituals, it all seems so organised through and through there were moments I felt I couldn't breathe. At one point I was such a fundamentalist I almost lost my humanity.

I'm shifting towards Hinduism, for it delivers me many options and is not restricted, plus I value the philosophy and wisdom within it.

I really hope you manage to find your path and spiritual connection with God.

ashes_to_ashes · Feb 6, 2011

PyreBorn said:
So I'm at a point where I'm not sure what religion is best for me anymore. I grew up as Roman Catholic, and later converted to Buddhism, and have been such for 7 or so years now trying to find a certain school of thought that fit me.

Recently I was in a debate at the bar...I don't know how so many random guys started debating religious beliefs...but oh well, and someone mentioned their belief that every religion is in some way right.

From what I remember him saying, all religious beings, afterlives, etc are manifestations created through the will of humans on the cosmos (for a lack of better term).

I'm not really sure if I'm at the point where I'm not a Buddhist anymore, but what I heard from this guy just seemed to strike me as an answer to many questions I've had throughout my life, and I'd really enjoy reading and studying religions based (at least somewhat) around these ideals. All I really know is that I spent a long time between Catholicism and Buddhism, so reading on anything and everything that might fit is absolutely no problem for me, I like to take my time when trying to figure out if my beliefs are changing, or if it's just curiosity.

Also, if anyone would like more information on anything specific that I'm at crossroads about to help with the search for a belief system, I'd be more than happy to answer.

Thanks for any help,
Pyre

I was raised Roman Catholic too. Then I became an atheist. My final "religion" has ended up being pantheism. Pantheism is the idea that god and the universe are one in the same. Our concept of god, the universe, and self, are all physically the same. The only thing that exists is our own conscient thought. Using this philosophy, one could create a universe simply by imagining it. I know it is a very strange and abstract way of looking at things, and before you think I flew over the coocoo nest, I would like to inform you that quantum physics and quantum mechanics both allow this type of theory even in a natrualistic viewpoint of the universe.

Anyways, just some food for thought.

jarofthoughts · Feb 6, 2011

ashes_to_ashes said:
I was raised Roman Catholic too. Then I became an atheist. My final "religion" has ended up being pantheism. Pantheism is the idea that god and the universe are one in the same. Our concept of god, the universe, and self, are all physically the same. The only thing that exists is our own conscient thought. Using this philosophy, one could create a universe simply by imagining it. I know it is a very strange and abstract way of looking at things, and before you think I flew over the coocoo nest, I would like to inform you that quantum physics and quantum mechanics both allow this type of theory even in a natrualistic viewpoint of the universe.

Anyways, just some food for thought.

How does Quantum physics allow for you to create a universe simply by imagining it?
I've read a few books on the subject and I've never seen the justification for that... :sarcastic

ashes_to_ashes · Feb 6, 2011

jarofthoughts said:
How does Quantum physics allow for you to create a universe simply by imagining it?
I've read a few books on the subject and I've never seen the justification for that... :sarcastic

Basically as I understand it, it is that the equations of quantum mechanics have places where instead of the equation giving just one single result for what happens next, it gives a probability distribution. One way to interpret this is to say that when this happens, the universe picks an item from the probability distribution "at random". The multiple universes "interpretation" looks at these same equations, but it interprets the meaning differently: worlds-of-the-mind simply assumes that every item in the probability distribution's ensemble actually exists as a parallel universe, and since from the perspective of an observer inside one of these universes the universe they're in is effectively "random" this makes it appear to the observer that the wavefunction collapsed randomly. Every single universe in this ensemble follows the exact same laws of physics because every single one is a valid solution to the equations of quantum physics; it's just that in a very small portion of these universes some very unlikely things (maybe even pathologically unlikely) have happened as the outcomes of quantum randomness.

jarofthoughts · Feb 7, 2011

ashes_to_ashes said:
Basically as I understand it, it is that the equations of quantum mechanics have places where instead of the equation giving just one single result for what happens next, it gives a probability distribution.

Essentially correct.

ashes_to_ashes said:
One way to interpret this is to say that when this happens, the universe picks an item from the probability distribution "at random".

Although there may yet be other, underlying structures that we have not discovered yet. Let's see if String theory pans out.

ashes_to_ashes said:
The multiple universes "interpretation" looks at these same equations, but it interprets the meaning differently: worlds-of-the-mind simply assumes that every item in the probability distribution's ensemble actually exists as a parallel universe, and since from the perspective of an observer inside one of these universes the universe they're in is effectively "random" this makes it appear to the observer that the wavefunction collapsed randomly.

You are thinking about the Many-worlds interpretation (Many-worlds interpretation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), not to be confused with the Multiverse theory. Otherwise essentially correct.

ashes_to_ashes said:
Every single universe in this ensemble follows the exact same laws of physics because every single one is a valid solution to the equations of quantum physics; it's just that in a very small portion of these universes some very unlikely things (maybe even pathologically unlikely) have happened as the outcomes of quantum randomness.

Also essentially correct.

Now, how does any of this allow you to create a universe just by imagining it? :sarcastic

ashes_to_ashes · Feb 7, 2011

jarofthoughts said:
Now, how does any of this allow you to create a universe just by imagining it?

Because pantheistic solipsism is physically possible. It is essentially, in Layman's terms, stating that our minds are constantly dreaming that they are awake. It's like that episode of House where Dr. House goes into a coma, but while in his coma, is dreaming that he is having conscience thought, but there is no way to tell if he is living in reality.
Thus, when applying this to ourselves, since it is physically possible for the same thing happening to you or me, then any concept of reality or of a parallel universe could exist, because there is a chance that our concept of reality is being unconsciously imagined by our minds.

LuisDantas · Feb 7, 2011

Sounds much like something Michael Moorcock would write.

jarofthoughts · Feb 7, 2011

ashes_to_ashes said:
Because pantheistic solipsism is physically possible. It is essentially, in Layman's terms, stating that our minds are constantly dreaming that they are awake. It's like that episode of House where Dr. House goes into a coma, but while in his coma, is dreaming that he is having conscience thought, but there is no way to tell if he is living in reality.
Thus, when applying this to ourselves, since it is physically possible for the same thing happening to you or me, then any concept of reality or of a parallel universe could exist, because there is a chance that our concept of reality is being unconsciously imagined by our minds.

Sure, but by that reasoning the Matrix might just as well be real.
The point though, is that there is no reason to think that this is the case.
I've said earlier in other posts that even science has to make at least one assumption before it can get started: That observed reality is real.
And until there is some evidence that this is not the case, why would one think otherwise?

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