What Religion Would You Choose If You Had To Change

[McDoogins]

Or if you're an atheist like me, if you had to get a religion period.

I would probably choose Confucianism because I really enjoyed the poetry in The Analects.

One the quotes that grabbed me was something along the lines of proper character in a person being formed by the rites as being the same as a simple garment being decorated with dye.

The point was just so concise that I've kept it with me ever since

So, what one would you pick? Would you pick something the polar opposite of your beliefs just to see what it was all about or would you pick something as close as possible to your beliefs?

 

[Quintessence]

A complicated question to ask one who regards religion (done properly) as an all-encompassing way of life. It is like asking me "who would you be if you could be someone else entirely and have a completely different life?"

I would be a tree. Probably an oak tree.

 

[Vouthon]

Hmm...I'm dubious about such fantasy thought experiments but I'll suspend reality and give it a go...I would probably be a Buddhist. It has similar ethics to Christianity. I think that if my belief in God were taken out of the mix and if I can suspend my disbelief in rebirth for a moment, then the basic worldview of Buddhism makes perfect sense to me. Life is impermanent. Check. This causes suffering as we cling to changeable things. Check. Suffering is caused by attachments born of cravings. Check. The Noble Eightfold Path and the Dharma provide a way out of suffering/samsara to attain nirvana, the state of unconditioned joy. Yep, sounds good. I like it and if I were not a Catholic, and a dedicated contemplative one at that, Buddhism would probably make sense to me as alternative possible worldview....

 

[Valjean]

Does Pastafarianism count?

Seriously, though, Buddhism would work for me.

 

[McDoogins]

Does Pastafarianism count?

Seriously, though, Buddhism would work for me.

Nope, that's irreligion.

Nice try though.

 

[Valjean]

But it's got a deity, a historical mythology, doctrine -- what else does a religion require?

 

[Riverwolf]

A complicated question to ask one who regards religion (done properly) as an all-encompassing way of life. It is like asking me "who would you be if you could be someone else entirely and have a completely different life?"

I would be a tree. Probably an oak tree.

That answer, pretty much.

 

[McDoogins]

It's a joke religion, you know that as well as I do.

 

[LuisDantas]

It's a joke religion, you know that as well as I do.

And that is an objection?

Are you quite certain about that?

In my case - lots of options, I guess. Dudeism, Hinduism, Taoism, even Shinto.

 

[George-ananda]

I would pick Buddhism; a school that is compatible and complimentary to what I learned in my studies of theosophy, the paranormal and spirituality.

 

[psychoslice]

Buddhism for sure.

 

[Valjean]

It's a joke religion, you know that as well as I do.

Yes, but the joke was that it had all the features of a traditional religion and was thus, essentially, indistinguishable from them.
Now Bokononism, that I'd agree was a joke religion.

 

[McDoogins]

Yes, but the joke was that it had all the features of a traditional religion and was thus, essentially, indistinguishable from them.
Now Bokononism, that I'd agree was a joke religion.

Knew that sounded familiar. Most people wouldn't be comfortable touching each others feet even in a religious context haha.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Perhaps Buddhism.

 

[Quintessence]

That answer, pretty much.

Even the part about trees?

I think contemporary Pagans cheat. We can basically go "well, just some other flavor of Paganism that would not really be all that different from what I'm doing right now. I think I'll just worship the Greek gods this year..."

 

[Riverwolf]

Even the part about trees?

I think contemporary Pagans cheat. We can basically go "well, just some other flavor of Paganism that would not really be all that different from what I'm doing right now. I think I'll just worship the Greek gods this year..."

LOL I think that's a result of the pluralism and soft syncretic aspects that are inherent to most polytheisms. ^_^

Not sure if I'd be an Oak, though. I dunno what Tree I'd like to be.

 

[StarryNightshade]

What Religion Would You Choose If You Had To Change

Honestly? Probably Judaism.

 

[Curious George]

Or if you're an atheist like me, if you had to get a religion period.

I would probably choose Confucianism because I really enjoyed the poetry in The Analects.

One the quotes that grabbed me was something along the lines of proper character in a person being formed by the rites as being the same as a simple garment being decorated with dye.

The point was just so concise that I've kept it with me ever since

So, what one would you pick? Would you pick something the polar opposite of your beliefs just to see what it was all about or would you pick something as close as possible to your beliefs?

Hinduism or Jainism.

 

[McDoogins]

Even the part about trees?

I think contemporary Pagans cheat. We can basically go "well, just some other flavor of Paganism that would not really be all that different from what I'm doing right now. I think I'll just worship the Greek gods this year..."

Same thing with Hindus and they're all encompassing gods.

If you can go the length to be a Bahai Faith member, they believe all the prophets were right, plus they're own so it's like a religious conglomerate.

 

[psychoslice]

For me its good to see hardly anyone wanting to be a Christian, yea yea.