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I've been practicing Hinduism for about 2.5 years. And studying seriously for about a year. I was so sure that this was what I wanted, but I'm really not sure anymore.

If someone were to take religious vows, or take initiation into a particular religious school, but later on down the road they realized that they weren't ready or that they made a mistake, could it be chucked up to impermanence and the fact that maybe they made such a major spiritual step too...

I've been reading up on non-Vedanta philosophy and came across Samhkya. No matter much I look into it, I just can't figure out exactly what is proposes. Is it actually "atheistic"? Many say that it is a non-theistic form of Hinduism that proposes mind-matter duality. Yet, while it rejects an...

Fair enough. :)

Thank you so much for the answers, everyone. :) Yeah, I've always assumed that it was a form of spiritual elitism for someone (especially from the west) to say that the way millions of devotees practice their religion is "wrong". Being from the west, it's just so disheartening to hear people...

So, what I'm understanding is that it's fine to do either? At least from an objective standpoint? That's very interesting. So basically, cult-worship is when people worship a human as a divine being? Wouldn't you say that's different than someone who simply reveres a being for the sake of...

Many secular western Buddhists claim that God (at least in the idea of a creator God) is incompatible with Buddhism. That the millions of Buddhist worldwide who revere and pray to the various gods/Devas/Boddisattvas are superstioius and completely going against what Buddha taught. Yet, those...

Thank you so much for the answers. :) Branching from your answers, I have some questions. 1.) While they may not care if other Hindus have murthis, would you say that a Virashaiva would never have any on his or her altar? Or would it depend on how strict they are? Specifically ones of Ganesha...

I have some questions about ViraShaivism/Lingayatism. I've asked on other fourms and sites, but haven't gotten distinct (but sometimes I've gotten conflicting) answers. 1.) They're considered monotheistic with worship centered on Shiva in lingam form. However, are they against the use of...

1.) What are the basic teachings of Zoroaster? 2.) Is Zoroastrianism meant to be taken literally? Or more mystically? For example, how many people still believe in it's end of the world and afterlife teachings as literal? As well as it's scriptures? 3.) Are there any prophets after...

One more question: Is it true that Gnosticism is a form of "metaphysical anti-semetism"?

As far as I know, "Gnosticism" can refer to either Gnostic Christianity or as an umbrella term for multiple knowledge seeking path with ties to early Christianity. I'm more concerned with the latter, but anyone with answers feel free to answer. :) 1.) Does Gnosticism have to be inherently...

I'm currently reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

That's true. As you may know, Tibetan Buddhism has massive Bon and Hindu influence. However, that being said, good luck in telling some Buddhists that Tibetan, or any other school for that matter, is in any way theistic.

Buddhism as a religion/philosophy is completely neutral to the idea of "God". However, as far as I'm concerned, if a Buddhist wants to believe in God, then what's the harm in doing so? I was a Buddhist for a couple of years, as well as a member of a Buddhist forum in said amount of time, and...

The last movie I saw recently was How to Train your Dragon 2. Much better than I thought it was going to be.

I have a couple. One is Dreamwork's The Prince of Egypt. Even if one is a diehard anti-theist, there is so much to love about this movie. It's just so beautifully made. Another is a Satoshi Kon film called Tokyo Godfathers. It's not strictly religious per se, but it does reference God, as...

Dragon Ball Z Abridged.

It really depends on the Sampraday (school) and individual Hindu who answers this question. Some schools are strictly monotheistic, some monistic, others soft polytheistic (like what you described above), some hard polytheistic, and others Henotheistic (which, I think, is the dominant view)...

I love it when Chicken Alfredo is cold. Seriously, Alfredo that's been in the refrigerator overnight is the best.