Mixing and Matching Religious Traditions

[DharmaCatLamp]

Howdy.

I've noticed some folks on here seem to have multiple religious tags. I myself would say I have something which incorporates elements from a wide variety of traditions. Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhi to a certain extent even. I have found inspiration in Sufi traditions, Judaism, Paganism as well. Though If I was going to call myself anything at this point it would be a Hindu Taoist. That might sound weird but hey I am a weird cat after all.

Thinking about this got me wondering, how many people here combine various different religious traditions in their practice? What do you mix together? Do you take inspiration from multiple religions but only seriously practice one or do you have an eclectic practice?

If you don't mix is it something like you don't think you need to or does it feel wrong etc?

 

[JustGeorge]

I consider myself Hindu, as my theology matches Hinduism, and most of the God/desses I worship are Hindu. However, my roots are Pagan, and I honor them. There are a few non Hindu deities I worship, as well.

I don't feel any conflict in this.

 

[Viker]

I consider myself pagan, a Diabolist/Diabolater, based in Wicca and Satanism. I don't have a name for my religion itself... don't see a point. I agree that I have mixed traditions. I see them converging into one.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Nope. I'm just a Christian. However, you might catch me wearing a Mjolnir, sunwheel or other European indigenous religious symbols
depending on my mood. That's more a nod to my love of Europe and my heritage, though.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

I consider myself Hindu, as my theology matches Hinduism, and most of the God/desses I worship are Hindu. However, my roots are Pagan, and I honor them. There are a few non Hindu deities I worship, as well.

I don't feel any conflict in this.

Part of what I like about Hinduism is that it is very easy to incorporate a variety of traditions into one set of ideas. Just for my own curiosity sake which pagan gods do you worship? I have personally always had a strong attraction to Freya.

 

[JustGeorge]

Part of what I like about Hinduism is that it is very easy to incorporate a variety of traditions into one set of ideas. Just for my own curiosity sake which pagan gods do you worship? I have personally always had a strong attraction to Freya.

There's a few I interact with at various times, but the one I feel I have a close personal relationship is Ares. I had a strong bond with him before I found Hinduism, and I felt no need to sever that for the sake of fitting into a mold.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Nope. I'm just a Christian. However, you might catch me wearing a Mjolnir, sunwheel or other European indigenous religious symbols
depending on my mood. That's more a nod to my love of Europe and my heritage, though.

I have a sunwheel and a Mjolnir. They are pretty spiffy looking if nothing else and there is nothing wrong with showing some heritage some love.

 

[Aupmanyav]

If you don't mix is it something like you don't think you need to or does it feel wrong etc?

What you do is your right. As for mixing, I 1. do not think it is required and 2. I believe it is wrong.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

What you do is your right. As for mixing, I 1. do not think it is required and 2. I believe it is wrong.

I can respect that. Might I ask you to elaborate on what you mean by wrong?

 

[Twilight Hue]

I don't think mixing is an issue unless your fundamental or dogmatic.

Some religions like Christianity are fiercely exclusive, yet many adherents don't find one religion alone sufficient and complete anymore and incorporated other religions to fill in the gaps and missing pieces to suit.

It's a trend that far more noticeable now than it was in the past.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Might I ask you to elaborate on what you mean by wrong?

My religion provides everything that is needed. It gives me unprecedented freedom of views that even being a strong (one of the strongest) atheist, I remain a part of it. Any admixture can only pollute it.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

My religion provides everything that is needed. It gives me unprecedented freedom of views that even being a strong (one of the strongest) atheist, I remain a part of it. Any admixture can only pollute it.

Okay that makes sense. Thanks for sharing!

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

I don't think mixing is an issue unless your fundamental or dogmatic.

Some religions like Christianity are fiercely exclusive, yet many adherents don't find one religion alone sufficient and complete anymore and incorporated other religions to fill in the gaps and missing pieces to suit.

It's a trend that far more noticeable now than it was in the past.

I think one of the big positives that came with the information age is the connections to different parts of the world. I can only imagine how much harder it would of been to learn about Buddhism or Hinduism back then. I'd be a bag of bones before I could manage to learn all I have now. It's very fortunate!

I also think you are right in that most non dogmatic religions don't really care. We can see the mixing of Buddhism, Daoism and other eastern philosophies which play a part in Chinese life all the way up until now.

 

[crossfire]

Value can be found in any teaching that leads to cultivating a lack of greed, hatred, and/or delusion.

Buddhism is my main religion. However, I will purposefully break the 5th precept on occasion in order for help guard against my developing a "holier than thou" attitude and help to keep my focus on the more important things.

Western occultism has many practices that are helpful in exploring ones psyche and in transforming greed, hatred, or delusion within ones mind. (A major goal within Buddhism.)

Pastafarianism is my political religion, and I will take it up as needed.

Feng shui is useful in keeping my space organized.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I don't mix religious traditions, but I do incorporate philosophies from other traditions that integrate well into my worldview. An example that is the Toltec philosophy, which I incorporate quite liberally into my life.

 

[mangalavara]

If you don't mix is it something like you don't think you need to or does it feel wrong etc?

I don't mix religious traditions, but I do incorporate philosophies from other traditions that integrate well into my worldview. An example that is the Toltec philosophy, which I incorporate quite liberally into my life.

I don't mix religious traditions because I am personally not inclined to be a syncretist.

Salix mentions incorporating 'philosophies from other traditions that integrate well' into his worldview. This reminds me that Hinduism in Bali, for example, integrates elements from the native Bali tradition. In both cases, syncretism is not happening, rather, different forms of Hinduism are being practiced. A Greek Hinduism, for instance, would be Hinduism with perhaps the Attic Calendar, unique Hindu festivals created by Greek Hindus, and the worship of nymphs.

 

[syo]

All religions are correct. I don't turn down religions.

 

[mangalavara]

All religions are correct. I don't turn down religions.

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[JustGeorge]

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[syo]

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Cults have merit.