Tell me about your religion or belief system :o)?
344904
I am a Soka Gakkai International Lotus Sutra buddhist. We believe that everyone can achieve enlightenment and make no distinction between men and women, rich or poor, young or old, class, race or whatever. \n\nThe founder of my path was Nichiren, a 13th-century Japanese fisherman-monk who thought Buddhism should be democratic and not just belong to the rich, the aristocratic or the priests. Everyone can achieve enlightenment, here in this world, and the best thing is you don't have to live multiple lives to erase bad karma and become happy, you can do so now if you take responsibility for your actions! In order to achieve this we chant "nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo", meaning the spiritual and the material work together for the development of the human soul, symbolized by the lotusflower that starts in the dark and mud and then grows towards the light to open as a beautiful flower. Lotus Sutra Buddhism is said to summarize the whole of Buddhist teachings in one path, and Nichiren summarized Lotus Sutra buddhism in the single mantra mentioned above. SGI is a lay movement that believes World Peace can be achieved through culture and education of the Buddhist values of the Soka Gakkai. (Soka Gakkai means: creating value). The lay movement has no temples but we regularly meet at people's homes, share the amazing experiences we have, eat, drink, dance, sing and celebrate! We chant everyday for as long as we like, and we believe that earthly desires fuel our journey towards enlightenment. (for instance, I might want to have a car. So I get a job and work for one, and on the way I realize I work with others and I learn from them, and after that I may realize that four people can fit into a car and we can travel together! And it can be used for something good like taking a sick old lady to the hospital). And after the car I may want something else, and achieve that, too. And so I develop on to become a kinder, greater-hearted human being.)\n\nIn order to keep the intentions of our movement pure and because of some unhappy experiences in the past, SGI-members do not trade amongst each other. Money is something that should be carefully separated from religious practice.  \n\nI don't feel my life is restricted because of my beliefs. Rather, my vision widens because I learn to understand that my life is connected to that of everyone on this planet and to all life, and in this I have a place and a responsibility to develop with courage, wisdom and compassion, to become a fully human being.   \n\nI believe because I know that everyone on this planet is related. Since material circumstances do not show what I believe, I believe that Love is what binds us all as the human race and other inhabitants of this earth (animals as well). Faith is the all-encompassing instrument, field and tool to demonstrate this.\n\nOur philosophy is not opposed to homosexuality. We look at the soul's journey, and whatever state or situation people are in says something about where they are in their development. Since everyone has the enlightenment potential, we respect the soul's individual path. The ultimate goal for everyone is to become happy. We chant to remember and realize this, while working. So: chanting and undertaking action!\n\nNichiren buddhism contains a very important tale: a nine-year old girl approached the Buddha with a small gift for which he granted her immediate enlightenment. She told all the old wise Indian male scholars and disciples who were sitting around him: "Watch me achieve immediate enlightenment" and changed appearance before their eyes. The Buddha did this to teach them humility, for as you know, women were not considered very worthy by men in India in those times (and still are not, in many places).\n\nSince I've grown up in profoundly multi-religious and multi-cultural societies, I see no deep differences among the religions in this world. Just differences according to place, time and culture. \n
507472
Hello, little daughter! I'm a Non-Denominational Happy Pagan Person. Be happy to answer if I can.
840852
have you got your own religion?\n\n sign me up!
398824
Christianity is a religion.
44333
i am a Muslim what about u
292511
My religion is self-righteousness.  I don't mean this in a holier-than-thou way, but that I follow my conscience.  I, for example, really appreciate the way Sikhs wear scarves inside their temples.  It signifies a respect for diety that I admire.  They also hold open kitchens, where anybody is allowed to eat regardless of religion or race.  Zen buddhists believe that words have absolutely no meaning, and as a huge part of practice, they meditate.  Christians believe in Jesus Christ as the second in the trinity (Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit being the other two).\n\nMyself, I practice Christianity.  But also, I know that there is truth to other religions, and I embrace the traditions that do not conflict with my base beliefs.
556977
I go to Beliefnet a lot. It is not tied to one religion. Here's the link.\n\nhttp://www.beliefnet.com
259502
n wat religion wld tt b?
643299
I don't have any religious beliefs.\nI'm just an all-around believer in the spiritual.\nI have these beliefs because of my personal experiences with religion.
269335
I am a Christian. :)  I wasn't always though. (I'll spare you the gorey details of my sinful life and just focus on religion)\n\nI was raised Roman Catholic.  I received my holy communion when I was young.  About a year before I was to be confirmed, it just fizzled out.\n\nA little while after that a new girl came to our school; her father was a pastor.  I hung out with her a lot and eventually went to her church with her.  It was like nothing I've seen before.  It was very "in your face" and it actually scared me.  The people jumped around and waved their hands in the air and were speaking wildly, it didn't even sound like a real language.  Then one night they told me that I was going to burn in hell forever unless I got saved.  The pressure they put on me was unbearable.  I never remember feeling any love, just judgement because I was not "saved."   As you can imagine that left a VERY BITTER taste in my mouth for Christianity. \n\nThen I studied Wicca.  I worshipped Diana, Helene, Pan, Hecate, and Kernunos.  I practiced white magic during my studies and worship.  That too faded away.\n\nI attempted to study Buddhism but I lost myself in Koans and I just wound up frustrated and confused.\n\nThen I believed in nothing.  I was bitter, at the end of my rope, probably at the worst point in my life.  I hated everything and didn't care one way or another.  I figured that it's fine, we live we die the end.\n\nI dated a guy in the Army and he gave me a painting with "Footprints" on it.  I thought it was cool since it was something that had a hint of hope to it, but I refused to believe what it stood for.\n\nThen one day my world just crashed and I looked at the "footprints" and I fell to my knees crying out to the Lord.  It all made sense.  I confessed my lifelong list of sins.  I begged Christ to forgive me of all my terrible sin.  I asked Him to break me, to come into my heart, to bend my soul to His will.  I asked Him to show me the truth.  I thanked him for giving up so much, for dying on the cross to forgive my sins; for shedding his blood for such an unworthy person.  \nHow did I know what to say?  How did I know it was true?  I tell you, I believe God was with me throughout my entire life and it was at that moment that I finally heard Him and was set free.  He was in my heart all those years, He was with me through it all, He never left me.  It was my time to be set free.\nI've come a long way on my spiritual journey and I know that Jesus is Lord.  I know that God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  I believe that the Bible is the Truth.  I believe God's word with all of my core.  I pray everyday.  I spend time in the Word everyday.  My life has changed so much, it's unbelievable.  My attitude is so much better about everything.  I am doing things that I never thought someone like me could.  So many doors have been opened up.  I am learning so much.  To have a relationship with Jesus Christ is an undescribable, beautiful thing.  The unconditional love and understanding is so wonderful.  To know that God has a place for me in His Kingdom is so wonderful.  \n\nI have tears in my eyes as I write this to you.  Why?  Because I am so overcome with joy sharing this.  Yes it may sound corny to others and yes it's quite lenghty, but that's okay.  It's the Joy of the Lord, which is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).  \n\nNever ever in all my life would I expect to be the woman I am today.  Had I never trusted in the Lord, had I never asked him to come into my life, had I never submitted to God and His will I would be missing out on such a wonderful and perfect thing.\n\nDoes this mean that I'm Ms. Wonderful and everything is just peachy-keen?  Of course not. :)  I have hard days like anyone else.  It is my faith in Jesus Christ and my faith in God's will and His Word which get me through such times.  More often than not am I full of joy.\n
1031064
do you mean RELIGION?  im jewish - a religion based on morals and learning, not on obey something that was written thousands of years ago!
958375
My own beautiful Relgion Hinduism\n\nBut I dont want other religions to perish... I wish all of them helping each other, loving each other so that together we make to HIM\n\nAs a Hindu I believe in वसुधैव कुट्टुम्बकम-- All humanity is my family !
76370
My whole family is christian, but at the moment i consider myself atheist. No one knows about it because i know my family would most likely be upset with me or disapointed. But honestly, at the moment i'm trying to find myself and figure out what i want to do with the rest of my life.. I highly doubt i will stay an atheist forever.
1028875
Absolutely, O Hobbity One! I have things from all sorts of faiths. That's why I call myself a Non-Denominational Happy Pagan Person. God and I have a promise that we keep religion out of our relationship...it just mucks thing sup if we don't...heh heh heh. Tea?
1157910
I'm a human being, an entity all its own. But I respect people's beliefs and such. Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan, Pagan, FSMer, whatever, they're all cool with me.
204954
1. Christ, a great guy, noble and fair teachings, not attached to material stuff... but totally warped by today's Xian churches (some more than others - some denominations I don't know so well. The best I know is Roman Catholic - very removed from primitive Xtianity). The part I like is Jesus' prechings of LOVE. The rest - no thanks.\n\n2. Islam, also an Abrahamic religion, based on the revelations to Muhammad, imposed by force of arms and bloodshed, very discriminative of women. No thanks.\n\n3. Hinduism - very attached to nature and its cycles, a "mother" to buddhism. With commom notions with buddhism (reincarnations, karma, nirvana). Complicated, sophisticated, worthy of study.\n\n4. Judaism - don't know it too well but since it's the origin of Xtian I can imagine. Their god seems a vindicative, jealous and angry one. No thanks.\n\n5. Mormon - That's a Xtian denomination. Not very familiar with its idiosyncrasies.\n\n6. Buddhist - ah, this is good. I mean apart the folkloric part, and you've got to conider the two strems - Therevada and Mahayana. I prefer the ZEN version (part of Therevada). Noble teachings, good advice, unattachment to material stuff, peace, not harming others and ANIMALS, I like it. Best part - NO GOD TO WORSHIP.  More of a philosophy or ethic code than religion. I definitrly could embrace Zen buddhism.\n\n7. Others. All that is related with Nature appeals to me. pagan, wicca, druid, etc. Special mention to NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PANTHEISM. Great if you are disappointed with present day religions. Connection to Nature, the Universe, reverence of the All. No need for a personal god. A philosophy rather than a religion, but with the component of awe, respect, delight, wonder and reverence for Nature and the Universe.\n\nLast word for Taoism - read the TAO-TE-QING. It's beautifully written, and great noble teachings. Unforgettable!! Truly impressive!!
15420
I'm a muslim. I believe in GOD, the creator of everything, and that there is only one GOD. And I believe in all the great prophets; Mohammad, Jesus, Moses, Abraham, and all the others. And I respect all human beings, and wish them well.