Ah, religion - my favorite subject!

[serai]

Has been since I was a kid. Here's an interesting survey, gacked from trilliah. Feel free to comment, if you're so inclined.

Religion Definition
are you mono or polytheistic?	Both and neither.
do you subscribe to a major religion?	I have subscriptions to several.
how do you feel about Jesus?	As far as I know, he seemed like a cool guy.
what holy book do you feel is most accurate (Bible, Koran, etc)	Accuracy on the part of humans when it comes to the Great Questions is not possible. We can only know what we believe, and that's different for everyone.
do you believe in reincarnation?	Not in the sense that we come back wearing a new hat. I believe in gardener's reincarnation - we turn into compost, which then fertilizes the universe, so others may grow in our place.
do you believe in the traditional heaven and hell?	As Lincoln once said, "For those that like that sort of thing, I think it is just the sort of thing that they would like."
do you believe in ANY heaven and/or hell?	Well, I plan on a nice vacation in the Blessed Isles after this life is over, if that's what you mean.
do you think the god(s) are vengeful or nice?	I think it is dangerous to try and understand the gods in human terms. That way madness lies.
do you believe in angels?	You mean the kind that are described in the Hebrew bible? Beings whose whole existence is spent eternally praising God, but always with one wing dipped in blood? No, thanks.
do you believe in miracles?	Define "miracle".
do you believe in predestination?	Well, I always try to map out my itinerary when I go on a trip.
do you believe in original sin?	No, I believe in Original Blessing.
do you believe in freedom of will?	Sure, for whatever that's worth. Humans make too much of their will - it's only as effective as the rest of the universe feels like letting it be.
do you believe in souls?	In the sense of something essential that is apart from our bodies? No.
what do you think will happen to you when you die?	My body will decay and become part of the elements (that is, if my family pays attention to my wishes).
do you think there will be an armageddon?	Depends. If you mean, do I think humans will end up destroying our world, could be. If you mean, do I think the gods will wreak havoc in order to punish some folks they don't like, please. They've got bigger things on their plates than keeping track of our little foibles.
why do you think we exist?	Not a clue. I'm too small to know that.
do you believe in life on other planets?	Sure, why not?
do you believe in evolution?	I don't think whether I believe in it or not is relevant. That it happens is clear, 'cause it's happening constantly.
do you think religion and science will always oppose the other?	I don't think they necessarily oppose each other now. It's a matter of perception.
what would you say to God if you met him/her/them today?	Would you like some lemonade?
anything else we should know?	Life is just a bowl of cherries - don't take it serious. Life's too mysterious. You work, you save, you worry so, but you can't take your dough when you go, go, go. So keep repeating "It's the berries." The strongest oak must fall. The sweet things in life to you were just loaned, so how can you lose what you never owned? Life is just a bowl of cherries, so live and laugh and love, live and laugh at it all!
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Comments

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

"Imagine a being whose whole existence is eternally praising God, but always with one wing dipped in blood."

Hmmm. I could write a fic about Elijah off of that.


And that's about as far into the whole religion discussion as I'm going to get, I think..

[trilliah.livejournal.com]

Hi there! Thanks for taking this--and I do feel inclined to comment! :D

I enjoyed your comment about madness lying in trying to define God/gods/goddesses in human terms--it does seem a little foolish, doesn't it? Particularly if we're talking human *language,* which being bilingual I'm certain you know is very very limiting. Interesting indeed. *takes note*

If YOU feel so inclined, would you care to tell me (or email me or something) about the 'several religions' you subscribe to? (Heh...tonight might be the night when I finally learn about that whole curiosity/cat thing...)

I was also particularly touched by "Original Blessing." I believe I will write that down.

Thanks again! :D

Heehee!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

I've piqued your interest. *rubs hands gleefully*

I first realized how illogical it is to try and define the Divine in human terms when I really started hanging out with pagans a lot. They kept going on about the Goddess being the Mother, and defining Her as a human mother. The though started forming in my head that all this parental talk about the Divine paints an extremely poor picture. After all, if any human parent acted towards his/her child the way the gods do towards us, wouldn't the authorities snatch that kid away immediately? I think the Greeks had the right idea about the gods - appease them as much as possible, so they'll leave us the fuck alone!

As to what religions I subscribe to, heh. I usually use the term "paganism", but that's really a copout, as it's far too big an umbrella, and covers just about everything that's not Christian, Jewish or Muslim. So I'll be a bit more specific. I'm partial to Goddess veneration, especially Eris (or Chaos as she's known these days). Taoism is excellent for balancing one's brain. Buddhism is lovely, and I do try very hard to take the Buddha's advice (though sadly, I do not have the focus to do the practice, and therefore cannot call myself a Buddhist). Polytheism is fun, and I still have a deep reverence for the Greek gods, who were my first deeply felt pantheon. I was drawn to the African diaspora for a while, but found those gods too present in the world - that kind of close contact scares me. Jesus's advice was also worth paying attention to, though I do not care for his inheritors. (That's one subscription I let lapse.) And as silly as some find it, I really do think Tolkien came up with a viable religious structure, and I find myself calling on that pantheon now and then. Nienna can certainly be a comfort when I'm in the dark.

And Original Blessing... I refer you to Matthew Fox, ex-Dominican priest and originator of Creation Spirituality. An extraordinary soul, that man. Anyone who's ever felt bereft and disillusioned with Christianity should read his books. He's managed to discover a version of that faith that is filled with love and joy and fellowship and compassion and beauty and reverence for the earth and all its creatures. The phrase comes from him, and I bless him for it. Had he been writing books when I was 14, I might never have stopped being a Catholic.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

If that idea intrigues you, rent The Prophecy, starring Christopher Walken. On the outside, it looks like a sensationalistic horror film, but it's actually a very interesting, layered investigation into certain Catholic beliefs. Some fascinating concepts are explored amidst all the hooha. And Walken as the Archangel Gabriel is a trip!

All that and Viggo too. Check it out. It's quite a ride. ;)

Re: Heehee!

[trilliah.livejournal.com]

*notes Matthew Fox AND your reply, for she must now to bed*

Expect a response tomorrow, though. :D Yay!! This is so great. Thanks so much!