Is it ok to follow any religion?

[_Z_]

Hand. Hello.

Well I'd say it is ok to follow any religion.
They can't harm you. RIGHT

Not if you are a black magician that believes in performing evil acts! Then it could be said that certain aspects of a given religion may have negative effects e.g. the crusades, witch burning… there are many dark paths people can be lead down thinking it is for the greater good.

etc.

Z

 

[hand]

That is very true!!
You have to carefully understand any religion BEFORE following it.
Well I can't really describe which religion I am practicing.
But I know I followed my parent's path. I really believe in the religion that I follow.

BUT FOR ONE THING THAT I AM SURE Z I DON'T PRACTICE BLACK MAGIC....ECT.

PLUS TO TELL YOU NOT ALL RELIGIONS PRACTICE BLACK MAGIC!!
Some people tend to misunderstand other people's religion. For e.g. in school my friends tend to tease me about the religion I practice (sometimes).

Also MOST religions tend to criticize a different religion that that religion are so and so, it is the wrong path for you to practice and so on.

But they in fact don't really understand what that religion is practicing.
Also they like to say that their religion is the truth and others aren't.

OH FOR ANYONE WHO IS CATHOLIC OF COURSE DON'T FEEL ANGRY IT IS IN FACT TRUE!
For e.g. The Catholic priests, preachers,.... like to say that the Jehovahs are protestants because they like start their own religon (SOMETHING LIKE THAT). Catholics think differently because that is what they are taught. In fact most religions have a different of teaching that is why their followers think so. Catholic priests like to say that their church is THE ONE, HOLY, CATHLOIC, APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
To me most churches are holy.

Almost all the people on earth thinks that the religion that they are practicing are better than others in fact they are all equal. (not black magicians)


Some people tend to believe people who practice rastafarianism smoke marijuana and so on. Not all rastas practice smoking marijuana and so on.


MY OPINION!!! PLUS WHAT I READ AND WHAT MY TEACHERS (WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM) TEACHES ME!!! MY KNOWLEDGE TOO!!!!!!!!

I am very talkative right??

 

[smkolins]

Smkolins,



What happens if your religion became the one and only? Does humanity stay the same for a thousand or a million years?

Certainly not. And my own religion forcasts another religion, indeed an endless series of religions. But that does not mean that endless war is inherent to the prospect of religion.

Nor would that place, of a world with only the Baha'i Faith, mean that the Founders of any Faith, nor the Faith-traditions of the hosts of the world, nor Their Scriptures and import, be dusty on the shelves or burnt in obscure fires.

 

[hand]

Hi smkolins:
I guess I must have said something wrong there.
Well I must correct that error.
ok here it is:
Most churches or religions think that their own churches or religions are better than others.

Thanks smkolins!!

Very much appreciate your kindness. I never did think good before typing.

What religion do you practice smkolin?
You must be very open-minded.

You won't mind my mistake won't you??
Hope to be your friend! ^_6

SORRY IF I JUST WRONGED SOME RELIGION OR PERSON!!

MY OPINION!!

 

[smkolins]

Most churches or religions think that their own churches or religions are better than others.

Thanks smkolins!!

No problem. The world is a big place. Lot's of strange things out here.

What religion do you practice smkolin?
You must be very open-minded.

You won't mind my mistake won't you??
Hope to be your friend! ^_6

I'm a Baha'i, Hand. Openmindedness is a balance - the point is to seek truth wherever it is to be found, but not just pursuing the strange because it is strange. Sometimes the truth stands right in front of you, unseen. Other times it's out in the open and we are digging in the dirt. Freindliness is something Baha'is try to foster, as hard as it may be sometimes:

"Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship"

 

[DrFree]

I think a universal philosophy [or at least a skeleton philosophy], would be better than a universal religion!

I wonder. I'm inclined to doubt that any philosophy could offer many people the kind of spiritual experience that they get from religion, which I take to be much more than a mere passionless set of beliefs. And yes I'm fully aware that philosophical arguments can get quite passionate, just not quite in the same way. Philosophy seems to be essentially adversarial, where religion tends to be unifying (except at the edges).

I also doubt that there will ever be a universal religion, if by that is meant a single set of beliefs and practices that everyone follows. People ain't like that!

I do think that interfaith thinking can lead to something better than a universal religion. This would be a spiritual ecosystem in which people of all faiths respect each other's religious decisions, without acting as though believing something different is some kind of sin.

In such a world all of us believes and practices the faith that they find most spiritually rewarding. At the same time they acknowledge the right of everyone else to do the same. In that world choosing a different religion is never sinful.

There is some evidence that this is possible. Every religion embraces some form of the Golden Rule, even if in practice its application is mandatory only for true believers. At least it's a start.

In my town I'm part of an interfaith organization that spans Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'is, and even us lowly Unitarian Universalists. Working together in such grassroots organizations might be the best way to start breaking down the barriers.

You know, there was a time back in my school days when I thought that such religious freedom and interfaith respect was an essential part of the American Way.

 

[_Z_]

Dr free, hi.



Well I am a philosopher ‘seer’, so philosophy for me is indeed a passion and an art! I throw ideas into the void and answers return, and then I consider and interpret them. It is a very spiritual thing; add to that yoga and meditation or even prayer etc. then I feel I have the ingredients of religion without the dogma. they are all just 'labels' in the end.

I also doubt that there will ever be a universal religion, if by that is meant a single set of beliefs and practices that everyone follows. People ain't like that!

Universal means all! - not one – viva la difference’ are people not naturally universal! It is just that religions confine them.

I do think that interfaith thinking can lead to something better than a universal religion. This would be a spiritual ecosystem in which people of all faiths respect each other's religious decisions, without acting as though believing something different is some kind of sin.

This is what I call the 'universal approach'! Then to expand, people should also feel free to believe in more that one religion or aspects of. If we are presented with two truths, what is wrong with accepting both – thence all = universalism! Nothing needs to be forced – it just needs to be ‘unforced’ which will occur naturally if allowed its freedom.

In my town I'm part of an interfaith organization that spans Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'is, and even us lowly Unitarian Universalists. Working together in such grassroots organizations might be the best way to start breaking down the barriers.

Absolutely [I am glad you are following my vision! ]

You know, there was a time back in my school days when I thought that such religious freedom and interfaith respect was an essential part of the American Way.

Yes indeed – what the hell happened!!!???



thanx for your reply

Z