Do some bronies treat MLP like a religion?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I wouldn't call it either of those, personally. A system of thought is too vague a definition for something like this, and so is a central subject by which one conducts their life. There are many, many systems of thought out there, and just as many central subjects. Science fits those definitions, but religion is not in any way built upon the scientific method.

 

Yes, I may be biased against religion, but thats because I understand that it is immoral, if morality is defined by avoidence of the initiation of force against a person, as was implied to have happened in the above example. We evolved to be biased against that which is destroys us.

 

But if you want a morally neutral definition with very few biases, then we can define a religion as:

 

A ) A system of thought which is not based on reason and evidence, but on the beleif that entities that defy logic exist and control your life.

 

B ) The assumtion that these entities - we know them as Gods - both know and control everything in the universe. This is, in fact, impossible.

 

C ) Building your life around the assumption that Gods will reward you for obedience to your elders and punish you for disobedience. Punishment being why I bring up the use of force.

 

Is that specific and unbiased enough for you?

 

Quite frankly, no. You're clearly intelligent, so you know those statements aren't the least bit neutral or unbiased. I didn't try to make religion sound favorable in my definition, but you're still trying to paint faith in a negative fashion.

 

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You're right, science is a system of thought, but I didn't say science and religion were mutually exclusive, I certainly don't think they are.

 

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Claiming that religion itself is immoral is quite a tall order, one that I don't think this thread is suited for at this moment. Suffice it to say, I don't agree.

 

So for the moment, let's just let the discussion continue and let others decide for themselves how they wish to interpret the OP's intent.

Edited June 10, 2014 by Steel Accord

[Wadusher0 30]

Quite frankly, no. You're clearly intelligent, so you know those statements aren't the least bit neutral or unbiased. I didn't try to make religion sound favorable in my definition, but you're still trying to paint faith in a negative fashion.

I do not wish to seem biased in the statement that religion always includes building your life around telepathically communicating with something you cannot prove exists. Nor do I think it is biased to say that gods defy logic. They do - it is ridiculous and impossible to be all knowing AND all powerful, as gods are typically accepted to be.

 

You're right, science is a system of thought, but I didn't say science and religion were mutually exclusive, I certainly don't think they are.

You still haven't defined what goes on at the core of religion, or how it is distinguished from science.

 

Science is based on the fact that one does not know the truth about something, and begins investigating. Religion is based on the assumption that one does automatically know the truth about that something. This precludes further investigation. This is an entire universe of diferrence, which means they are very much mutually exclusive.

 

Claiming that religion itself is immoral is quite a tall order, one that I don't think this thread is suited for at this moment. Suffice it to say, I don't agree.

 

So for the moment, let's just let the discussion continue and let others decide for themselves how they wish to interpret the OP's intent.

I suppose we can continue the discussion of morality via PMs if you wish to let other people decide the direction of the thread. It is actually very simple to define religion as immoral, as morality is incredibly easy to define, but I agree, thats a topic for a seperate thread.

[Wiste 1]

Well, to answer your question, I do in fact worship Luna. In fact, I found this website simply from searching to see if there was a pre-defined way to show her my love and respect. I have already made a religion for a story, and regulary celebrate that. However, in my case, I believe that if a deity is created, and at least one person believes in it, it is given life.

 

Every night, I look up at the moon, blow it a kiss, whisper Her name, and bow. Some nights I kneel and pray, but that doesn't feel right. It feels like she's watching over me, probably how many ancient civilizations felt about the moon. On that note, if anyone knows a better way to pay homage to her, please enlighten me.

 

I cannot speak, however, for anyone but myself.

[Snow Frostflame 3,568]

I think this is more of a kinship apposed to a religion or that's how I treat it but within time we will either become so popular that we become a religion or we are forgotten in time when the show ends and we all live our lives you never know but I don't worship the show I like it but wouldn't go as far as saying Celestia is the true God 

[Buck Testa 5,505]

Frankly I would rather folks worship this show than some "established religion." I mean its a show about comradery, honesty, loyalty, generosity, kindness to others, accepting ones eccentries, not judging one another and appreciating that while their are problems in the world its putting aside your differences that can there be any chance of fixing it.

 

Compare that to a religion about a narcissistic deity who habitually makes flawed situations for the expressed purpose of displaying his power to lesser beings he supposedly created and punishing them for rules he set up for them to brake and suddenly Celestia does not seem like such a troll.

Edited September 9, 2014 by Buck Testa

[RainbowdashFTW 50]

I just like the show. I live a normal life.

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

Some do, but personally I don't. Even when I considered myself a brony I wasn't "religious" about it, but I did like it a little bit too much.

(to avoid confusion, I don't call myself a brony and I don't think of myself as really part of the fandom, but by definition I am a brony)

[Vox 870]

Treating a show as a theology is a far fetched observation for me, i admit, i've seen some overdoing it, but i think it's safe to say these individuals are in the minority.

[Hopes and Memes 391]

I just watch the show. Sometimes I do treat it a bit like my life, but it's a Rarity <---- (Bad pun) to see me do so.

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

Yeah some do.

I don't judge anyone by their religion though.

As long as they aren't harming themselves or anyone else it's all good.

Heck, go worship the Easter Bunny for all I care.

Absolutely. It's almost as bad as the Pokemon fanbase.

There's nothing bad or wrong about worshipping the show.

I certainly don't do it, but I'm just sayin'.

Edited September 10, 2014 by Big Smoke

[Steel Accord 6,660]

To reiterate, I do follow it's lessons deeply and consider Princess Celestia to be associated with the sun, but in a sincere yet hopefully not fanatical fashion.

Edited October 3, 2014 by Steel Accord

[Celli 4,339]

It's been said countless times before and I'll say it here. Every fandom has that 1% that acts like no other show exists and has their room plastered with posters and merchandise. And go to great lengths to chastise others for not following their "religion".

[Stone Cold Applejack 381]

Yes a handful do. But I don't judge those people they do what they want and it's there life not mine.

[Countess Noodle 607]

I've wanted to be a pony but I've never worshipped any of them. That would just be silly.

[Art Thief 215]

All hail the great and powerful Sunbutt! 

Edited October 4, 2014 by Art Thief

[Darker 1,352]

I honestly don't know. Bronies overhype everything in FiM.

[skysweep 541]

All I can say is.....

 

um....ok. 

 

Really though. I can understand why people would be so dedicated to the show (I should understand, I feel my lifeblood flows with it. One with the force....)

 

But a religion....I personally would find it entertaining. You know, like the hyper-evangelical Christians I seem to bump into every other day in my country. There would be some intimidation factor, seeing how devoted they are.......

 

But the stories after would be rofl-quality stuff for me.

 

But of course, I do not, in any way, wish to trample over anyone's beliefs.I would just find their efforts to convert people and the preachings entertaining. 

[Bucky McGillyCuddy 956]

Every fandom has it's extremists. That's how you know it's a thing. 

[Wadusher0 30]

Wrong, religion begins with simply the admission that there is a purpose to our existence. Both science and religion have faith in them, the difference is that science takes faith as a starting point and religion has faith as the entire journey.

 

They are not mutually exclusive because they are addressing two different things. I believe in evolution, the possibility of extra terrestrial life, and transhumanism as the natural next or soon to be step in our civilization. However, I also believe God exists. However interventionist or not It is, in the end what we do as people is what matters.

 

If my belief in God doesn't impede me from saying "you're right" when you quote astrophysics at me, why does it bother you?

Science is the process of using reason to acquire knowledge about the truth of reality that can be communicated. Religion is the idea that there is a higher plane of truth that cannot be communicated. If, for example, I say I know how God created the earth, I cannot communicate how he did so because God only exists in my head.

 

If, On the other hand, I look to geology and astrophysics for answers on how the earth was created, I can communicate the process. This is where science is fundementally in conflict with religion, because God is an abstract that exists on a higher plane of reality that only you can comprehend, therefore I am dependant on you for the truth, and have no choice but to obey your every whim.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Wadusher0

[AlbaTross 1,586]

Terminology, such as "Evangelical Bronies" suggests that some do. Then again, some people are that way with any kind of entertainment you can imagine. Certain gamers come to mind. I will say, I believe in only one God and he is not a pony, although I do believe that without Him there would be no ponies. Personally, I think there's liking something, and then there's taking it too far, but I guess if someone enjoys something that much, all the power to them. Many people would kill to have that one thing that makes their world go round, and if that thing is FiM, then I suppose they could do a lot worse.

[A Black Circle 1,586]

I DO follow its morals and take it more seriously and to heart than most, but it isn't a "religion" for me.

[A goat 323]

Yes, and I'm one of them. 

ONLY TWITARDS CAN HAVE EQUALITY!

[ShintX 180]

I usually like to play games on PS2. MLP is a thing i like to switch over too from time to time. It has a heart warming feel to it

Edited October 19, 2014 by ShintX

[Alex Z 848]

There are probobly people that do. I love MLP but, I don't treat it like a religion.

[Jeric 46,866]

It is possible that some fans get the same emotional experience from FiM as religion. A belief in something bigger than yourself, a sense of belonging to a community of people that share commonality, rituals, a pilgrimage, proselytization, the need to play apologetics, and a shared history. Some of the same trappings exist between faiths and fandoms.

 

Now whether someone believes that Celestia is indeed a deity and heaven is Equestria, that's another story.