We would all agree that the universe is beautiful, spectacular, fascinating, awe-inspiring... Isn't that enough?  Why do people have to believe there are inevident mythical creatures as well, like gods and goddesses, angels and demons, spirits, ghosts, fairies and so on - a whole vast menagerie of imaginary entities?  Isn't reality enough to inspire someone for a thousand lifetimes, all on its own?
130291
It is for me, pretty much. :-)  NASA rocks with their excellent science pictures---great monitor wallpaper!  Tho, while I am a very creative person, my creativity comes out mostly in my poetry and opinion essays.  I don't tunnel much of my creativity to my "beliefs"---i.e. believing in fairies or whatnot, even if I find pictures of fairies pretty sometimes.\n\nOnly way I tunnel my creativity to my atheistic beliefs is if I do a self-prayer on my altar or light a candle cuz I need emotional calm or to refocus my thoughts on an issue or project or a need.
417731
I am a believer in reincarnation. It would explain why children come into the world with such distinct personalities, and also why people have such odd phobias. There is scientific evidence (none of it conclusive) that reinforces my belief as well. I also believe that there are many places in the Universe where one may incarnate, and that a lot of beings from other places are choosing to live lives here now. I'm flirting with the idea that I'm from one of those other places, because I'm so drawn to the idea of extraterrestrial life.
517651
I believe in the Goddess and God, who are represented through multiple goddesses and gods because the actual Goddess and God are too huge for our human minds to comprehend.  I really believe there has to be some sort of creative force behind everything, since nature is truly beautiful to behold and the energy of Goddess/God is in everything and can be tangibly felt.  I am Wiccan.\n\nEvolution:  I don't think Wicca has a particular stance on evolution.  It says the Goddess and God created everything and are in everything, but as for a specific creation "myth" that I hold to be true above all others there isn't one.  That's because they're "myths" - the way we explain things that we can't otherwise explain.  I think it's entirely valid that the Divine whipped up a soup that would continually evolve into what we have now, and will continue to evolve, but do I believe they plunked us down here fully formed?  No.  Where would be the natural beauty in that?\n\nLife after death: is certain.  There is a spiritual plane above this on which we exist after death.  It's sort of a metaphysical locker room where you go to debrief between your lives, think about what you've learned, and decide when you want to come back down to work out what you didn't learn.\n\nHomosexuality: only "bad" if it's causing harm to someone.  I.e. if you've got homosexuals running around having multiple partners, not using protection and spreading disease, that is "bad".  But it's just as "bad" for heterosexuals who run around having multiple partners, not using protection and spreading disease.  If they're not harming anyone - and most of the gay people I know aren't - why are we discussing it?  What people do in their bedrooms is not anyone else's business.\n\nPrayer: we call it ritual or spellwork.  It's a respectful communing with the Goddess/God to ask them for help with whatever is blocked in your life.\n\nThe origin of the universe:  There was originally a Godhead.  This Godhead split into the Goddess and God - a balance - and the Goddess and God created everything in the universe and on Earth.  Therefore, there is masculine and feminine in all aspects of life.  Some things have more feminine, some more masculine, but the aspects of both are in all.  It is the balance of the masculine and feminine that creates the harmony and beauty of nature.\n\nOther religions/belief systems:  They're fine.  We're all headed to the same place.  The only thing that really matters is if we're harming others on the way to the same place.  If your religion or members of your religion are harmful to others, then it is causing a problem and is not necessarily a "good" thing for humanity or nature.\n\nBright blessings!\n)O(
87299
if God shows up in human form. people will think he's/she's insane. but if the God shows up in a bright light with booming voice people would either gets scared and sh#t there pants and create chaos or they would be mesmerized and follow the voice.  \n\nBut,if I saw God in any form, I would ask God why did he create the universe? is it because he's/she's bored? is there other life forms somewhere in the universe? does he/she have magic trick?
645224
If god created us in his image ? He must have been pretty confused . He did not get it right as we are all different.Most of us are ugly and decrepit and crazy Maybe that's why there are so many gods and religions ? Man a god like creature. NEVER
18252
"Any sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clarke.\n\nWhen I was younger, I read a LOT about witchcraft, ghosts, magic (not stage magic, which didn't interest me), superstition and similar subjects.  \n\nWhat I learned from all of this reading is that there is such a thing as magic...  but it has a firm foundation in how people think.  It is not "supernatural", it is natural.  We just don't know the full science behind it.  Shamans, I think, understood some of this, and also understood that approaching it rationally would make the magic weaker.
36905
I believe it is because people feel the need to believe in something. They need answers to the unexplained. And they need to feel that if something happens to them it is a result of some eerie fate, and not just something that happened just because.
515257
Is there any reason that they could not exist in a parallel universe?  But yes, I have seen a real, live one.  He is dead now.  You can look up Unicorn in google and actually see his picture.  His name was Lancelot.  But he couldn't fly.
649087
YES!!! I belive in all of it\n\nTo those that have answered....I have quoted and responded to your words....\n\n"Much of this stuff dos indeed exist--but as a true Christina I stay clear pof such demonic stuff. "\n Ghosts, Magic, witches, wizards etc are NOT DEMONIC stuff! Ghosts are our astral form if you will, and is not concidered any form of the devil! Second, MAGIC is everywhere, Christians call it a Miracle! You can not deny MAGIC if so would be denying GOD! (I reference to God because he said he was a TRUE CHRISTIAN)\n\n"As entertaining as it looks, no. You have to believe in one or the other - God or the devil. "\nUm, WHAT?! Read explanation above! \nWitches are not Devil Worshipers in the first place (and devil worshipers dont always do EVIL! I have a friend who is and has never done harm to anything!) Wizards are a form of Witch but not exactly. A male and female can be called a witch. I do not know about wizards for I have not read up on them as much!\n\n"ghosts: most fall into one of a few categories, ie residual or one that is like a video loop that is replayed from time to time....there \nis no, and can be no interaction with it, it is just a moment in time that reappears....poltergeist: this is a nasty one that gets physical\nwith victims; typical "haunt": an entity with some form, perhaps\nthe visual of someone who hasn't crossed over\nmagic: depends on your definition....magic, miracles happen daily\nthey're just small and only noticeable to those that they happen\nfor/to..\nwitches: are we talking Wicca...the religion of nature?...or are\nwe talking hollywood?\nwizards: usually had more to do with alchemy and chemistry than\nmagic..... "\nHe has the better view out of anyone that I have read thus far. I give you much kuddos! Thanks for helping me explain what I wanted to say!
562477
A better question is why do people choose to label themselves at all? Why do people call themselves one thing when truly it doesn't fit in with their own beliefs? lol. I know some Atheist that say they don't believe in God but really they believe in something so is it just the name "GOD" that they don't believe in? People can never fit in under some label and general description. We are all too unique for that. \nLove & Light\nSharon\nOne Planet = One People
307713
I think like yourself. The Cosmos is wondrous and awe-inspiring as it is, we don't need no further supernatural!!
653403
What is God?\n\nIt's a good question, but it's impossible to answer. Does anybody really understand the nature of a being that can create universes? It's beyond my capability, and I suspect it is beyond any human capability, to understand.
293063
As regards the supernatural, it's near impossible to convince anyone that they are wrong be they cynic or believer.  I'm fairly certain that many Psychics believe they are on the level and there are certainly plenty of genuine con-artists who take advantage of believers.
424830
Since pre-history, human beings have had the need and desire to understand the world around them.  The most efficient way to do so was to adopt myth into their daily lives.  These myths speak the archetypal language of the psyche/soul, and, as such, transcend language and culture.  The same figures, the same stories, the same message can be found in the mythology of all religions.\n\nThere are some wonderful books on the subject by comparitive mythologist Joseph Campbell.\n\nThere is no need for confusion.  I would suggest that you believe the way you are most comfortable believing, the way that brings the most meaning into your life.  That is the reason for faith and religion.
467292
I agree. I think deities are metaphors for something too immense, infinite, and eternal for the human mind to understand. It's a way of trying to comprehend the incomprehensible, to define the indefinable. And think the more we define it, the further we get from the truth.
283278
Like communism, it sounds great IN THEORY. However, there is the small detail of how could anyone convince people that the things that they've held in such high regard their entire lives to be false. And keep in mind these aren't just theories about what COULD be to them, they are FACTS. Like gravity or mathematics, for some people belief in some higher being is just as constant and valid. But if you can think of a way for it to happen, I'm right with ya.
461797
I never heard of that one before, but I can tell you one thing:\nNearly everything that can be explained in terms of magic can also be explained in terms of scientifical skepticism, so the only person to make a valid judgement is the on who experienced it.\nIn my view all too many people are so afraid of the possibility of "paranormal" occurences that they prefer denial and/or the most strenuous "scientific" explanation.