If I weren't X I'd be Y...

wil

wil

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Imagine for some reason... You know longer believed...lost your faith...in your religion...(or maybe lost your disbelief)

What do you think you would do?

Is there another belief that has appealed to you?
 
To me one faith works in conjunction with the other. So for me there'd be nothing to switch to. If I lost faith in one, I'd lose faith in all.
 
Namaste Jesus said:
To me one faith works in conjunction with the other. So for me there'd be nothing to switch to. If I lost faith in one, I'd lose faith in all.
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I can see that...as my understanding is that you run your own religion...a blend of Christianity and Hinduism.... So already one or the other was not enough...yes?
 
It would never happen, but I kind of liked being an agnostic. You can never go wrong saying, "I don't know." I still can't figure out why it ticked people off.
 
wil said:
I can see that...as my understanding is that you run your own religion.
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No Wil, I do not run my own religion. I am a Christian. I do follow certain Hindu principles and observe certain Hindu ceremonies in conjunction with my faith however.
wil said:
So already one or the other was not enough...yes?
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No that's not it either. To me faith is faith. One thing. No matter the label we attach to it or the method in which we choose to practice it.
 
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if somehow Islam was proven false to me, I do not know what would be my following. I guess it would depend on what made me disbelieve. Luckily I am pretty strong in principles and have yet to hear anything that would make me question my faith...
 
I guess I'd go with Aboriginal philosophy. Although some of it's rather close to Christian doctrine so discrediting one might tend to discredit the other. Like Big Joe says though, I've yet to hear anything that'd make me question my faith. So it's really a moot point.
 
I figure most of us are fairly comfortable defending our beliefs...as varied as they are..

I was sort of wondering what else appeals?
 
wil said:
What do you think you would do? Is there another belief that has appealed to you?
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Yes, Buddhism to some extent. But Hinduism gives us the freedom to improvise, so even if I am a strong atheist, I have remained a Hindu.
 
This 'freedom' being totally dependent on the nature of the improvisation. 'Condemn' is a strong word. Some improvisations are just thought to be not such a good idea, but not condemned.
 
Lol...with us you get accused of heresy, blasphemy, and told you are going to hell.,.I'd say that is condemnation... And I've seen it from Catholic to Protestant and back and everywhere in between...
 
Oh I've heard the venom spewed. I'm in hell already. But take Aupmanyav's atheism as an example in Hinduism. Many Hindus will say it is outside of Hinduism, but few will say he should be put on the other side of the village. Everybody has lines drawn in the sand somewhere.
 
wil said:
Lol...
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Ah, my, my, my ... I do wish one day you'd let your view on Christianity be determined by something other than your favourite negative stereotype. If I referenced views on race or colour the way you reference Christianity ... :rolleyes:
 
wil said:
Imagine for some reason... You know longer believed...lost your faith...in your religion...(or maybe lost your disbelief)
What do you think you would do?
Is there another belief that has appealed to you?
Click to expand...
The appeal of my belief is its metaphysical completeness, its inclusivity and its optimism, so any other system would be 'second best' in that sense, unless I underwent some kind of epiphany.
 
Thomas said:
Ah, my, my, my ... I do wish one day you'd let your view on Christianity be determined by something other than your favourite negative stereotype. If I referenced views on race or colour the way you reference Christianity ... :rolleyes:
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Where am I wrong in my statement?
 
wil said:
I figure most of us are fairly comfortable defending our beliefs...as varied as they are..

I was sort of wondering what else appeals?
Click to expand...

I would have to say the Tao, and then Sufi Islam. I love the concept of wu wei ("non-doing", "non-action", "actionless action"), the natural, effortless flow of it. When I feel inadequate or not enough somehow, it reminds me that in a simple path I have everything that I need. Nothing is missing, nothing is left out. I can draw strength from it.

I became somewhat acquainted with Sufi mysticism through the reading of Evelyn Underhill's works. I love much of the writings. Lately I became interested in the life of Rabi'a al 'Adawiyya and ended up purchasing Charles Upton's "Doorkeeper of the Heart: Versions of Rabi'a". I found myself drawn to the story and moved by it. This is one of my favorite short poems that is attributed to her:

"The true Knower looks for a Heart that comes from God alone.
As soon as it is given to him, he gives it back again
So that God can hold it hidden in His Mystery,
Safe from the tampering of human hands."
 
wil said:
Lol...with us you get accused of heresy, blasphemy, and told you are going to hell.,.I'd say that is condemnation... And I've seen it from Catholic to Protestant and back and everywhere in between...
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I know some American Catholics, and they don't think like that. I know some Orthodox too, and they don't think like that either.

It's like me saying Americans burn crosses in their yards and ride round in PU trucks with pointy hoods and shotguns and a rope on the seat ... And I've seen it from Democrats to Republicans and everywhere in between ...

If you still don't see it, don't sweat it. Maybe the climate's different here in the UK.
 
Thomas I don't say all say this....I said it was said... I've been told by folks here that I was going to hell for my beliefs...that shook the dust off at my doorstep...that quit participating due to me becoming a moderator... I got over it...due to all their bs...it is now call me a heretic or blasphemer and I smile...


Sufism...yez... Of course even there I am with the radicals...
 
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