mega thread Everypony's Religion And Why?

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

@@Shoboni

 

Well, I'm happy some people like you are more understanding. Most look at wiccans and think we sacrifice pigs and curse people, that kinda stuff. some even think we're satanic. Thanks for not being ignorant and looking past rumors.

 

 

Yeah, I don't know if it's the Native American in my blood or what but the whole concept of kinda the "at one with nature' based systems fascinates me. 

 

Isn't one of the central tenets generally something along lines of magic being sacred and it's not to be used for evil, as well? I could have sworn I heard that somewhere. 

[~Sole~ 852]

Yeah, I don't know if it's the Native American in my blood or what but the whole concept of kinda the "at one with nature' based systems fascinates me. 

 

Isn't one of the central tenets generally something along lines of magic being sacred and it's not to be used for evil, as well? I could have sworn I heard that somewhere.

 

Sorta... Wicca doesn't really have tenets, they have a rede. It basically says you can do what you wish, just don't harm anyone. And yes, it is forbidden to use your knowledge of magic to harm others. In fact, that would be when the three folds law comes into play. It basically means if you do any deed, good or bad regardless, it shall return upon thee threefold. And I think you'll be pleased to know that many wiccan principles agree with Native American's love and respect for nature.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I'm not sure whether or not "atheism" should even be on the poll, considering that atheism is actually not a religion, but the lack thereof.

I'm going to answer, anyways.

I'm an atheist, pure and simple. I was fortunate enough to be born to parents who didn't want to indoctrinate their children into any belief systems, or ideologies.

Hell, I didn't even hear the words "religion" and "god", until I was about nine years old. NINE.

 

Weather you can count it as one or not tends to be a grey area. Even though it technically isn't one, some people treat like one and preach their non-belief with just as much enthusiasm as a religious zealot preaches their faith. So it's one of those cases where it shouldn't be like one, but people make it that way. 

That's a very shallow way to view God, and a very close minded angle to come at faith from. I can see you're the kind that takes the bible as 100% God given truth, so let me pose this question(because I never went for that whole fire and brimstone for all thing, I think you have to be a pretty reprehensible human being to be condemned). What if the bible in and of itself is a test of character to see if we can separate the right from wrong and interpret it correctly. An act of deliberately telling us to do the wrong to see if we're really good people and will say no, or if we're just blindly doing as were told and ready to jump at the chance for bloodshed.  

 

We already know that several of the laws it lays down are man-made by the clergy of the time, but are in there anyway as useless as they may be just for the sake of completeness.  

 

I also need to add one more thing to my post after further thought, to explain why misanthropy clashes with the Christian system of morals(thanks for the person who posted these verses in another thread, I love these):

 

1 John 4:20 - If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

 

Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you

 

and one I found myself

 

 

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 231 helpful votes

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Shoboni

[GottlosMann 221]

I've started to identify as a satanist (LaVeyan, of course) since last I posted here.

Allow me to explain a few things before you judge. This doesn't mean I worship Satan. I don't believe in the devil, god, heaven, hell, etc. I am an atheist, like most satanists. I see satanism as a philosophy that I just happen to agree with. As I read through The Satanic Bible, it seemed to be describing the way I already behaved, like I was looking into a mirror or something. Without changing my bahavior or beliefs, I've simply taken to calling myself a satanist.

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

I've started to identify as a satanist (LaVeyan, of course) since last I posted here.

Allow me to explain a few things before you judge. This doesn't mean I worship Satan. I don't believe in the devil, god, heaven, hell, etc. I am an atheist, like most satanists. I see satanism as a philosophy that I just happen to agree with. As I read through The Satanic Bible, it seemed to be describing the way I already behaved, like I was looking into a mirror or something. Without changing my bahavior or beliefs, I've simply taken to calling myself a satanist.

 

 

There are one or two other LaVeyan Satanists here on the forum (or there were, anyways).  Some of the LaVeyan ideas can be off-putting, since they openly, aggressively strive for a 180 against some of the mainstream Christian principles.  With this in mind, how open are you about your principles?  I mean, aside from threads like this one, how vocal or discreet are you in day to day life, where your principles stand to clash (both in label and in practice) with a huge chunk of potential employers, friends, business associates, etc.?

[GottlosMann 221]

There are one or two other LaVeyan Satanists here on the forum (or there were, anyways). Some of the LaVeyan ideas can be off-putting, since they openly, aggressively strive for a 180 against some of the mainstream Christian principles. With this in mind, how open are you about your principles? I mean, aside from threads like this one, how vocal or discreet are you in day to day life, where your principles stand to clash (both in label and in practice) with a huge chunk of potential employers, friends, business associates, etc.?

I'm pretty open about this stuff. Even my boss knows about my satanism (I'm assuming, since she saw me reading The Satanic Bible on my break some time ago, and I recently started to wear a Sigil of Baphomet pendant).

I'm open to discussion about everything, including satanism. If someone asks what I believe, I'll explain it to the best of my ability.

[~Sole~ 852]

I'm pretty open about this stuff. Even my boss knows about my satanism (I'm assuming, since she saw me reading The Satanic Bible on my break some time ago, and I recently started to wear a Sigil of Baphomet pendant).

I'm open to discussion about everything, including satanism. If someone asks what I believe, I'll explain it to the best of my ability.

a good friend of mine is a satanist, and he explained a few of the basics to me. Satanism is highly misunderstood, just like most pagan religions. I for one have nothing against satanism. It does not encourage violence (or at least that's what my friend told me) and it is a fairly unique outlook on the world. Like I said before, I'm not against any religion. What you believe can only be decided by you, no one else.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

a good friend of mine is a satanist, and he explained a few of the basics to me. Satanism is highly misunderstood, just like most pagan religions. I for one have nothing against satanism. It does not encourage violence (or at least that's what my friend told me) and it is a fairly unique outlook on the world. Like I said before, I'm not against any religion. What you believe can only be decided by you, no one else.

 

It doesn't encourage violence per say, but it does encourage revenge(very disproportionate revenge, I believe it's written that any trespass, no matter how minor calls for making them suffer to the full extent the laws of the land allow) and nihilism/self centeredness because it teaches that your own pleasure comes before all else. 

 

In short, it's major flaw is that it actively encourages the kind of destructive behavior and mentalities that other religions cause by complete accident.       

Edited November 13, 2013 by Shoboni

[MichaelxXxTrixie 433]

I'm pretty open about this stuff. Even my boss knows about my satanism (I'm assuming, since she saw me reading The Satanic Bible on my break some time ago, and I recently started to wear a Sigil of Baphomet pendant).

I'm open to discussion about everything, including satanism. If someone asks what I believe, I'll explain it to the best of my ability.

 

I've only met one Satanist in my life-time and he was a pretty jacked up person in the head. I'm not talking about the Satanist I researched on the internet, I'm talking about the people who worship the very "Christian" form of Satan. The one that only seeks to steal kill and destroy.

 

That's a pretty scary how some people could worship something like that.

 

Anyways onto my subject, so I have a question about your Satanic practices. How far do you go into them? Do you believe in supernatural or all that metaphorical stuff? 

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I've only met one Satanist in my life-time and he was a pretty jacked up person in the head. I'm not talking about the Satanist I researched on the internet, I'm talking about the people who worship the very "Christian" form of Satan. The one that only seeks to steal kill and destroy.

 

That's a pretty scary how some people could worship something like that.

 

Anyways onto my subject, so I have a question about your Satanic practices. How far do you go into them? Do you believe in supernatural or all that metaphorical stuff? 

 

I can't speak for him directly, but I doubt it. I think the kind he's referring to basically runs off of "we our all our own God" and is largely atheistic and just uses the symbolism as window dressing because the concept of Satan represents the ultimate form of rebelling against the status quo to them, it's really just the philosophy of very nihilistic hedonism dressed up to look scary and intimidating.   

[RAGESTAR 479]

I have very recently converted to Asatru, a pagan religion focusing on the worship of Odin, Thor, Tyr, and the other norse gods of ancient times. So far, I have enjoyed and embraced this religion with open arms, finding its beliefs, moralities, and fellow worshipers, to be very friendly and understandable. However, not long after I joined my newfound religion, I discovered that many other religions, mostly Christians, have high amounts of criticism, dislike, and even hatred, towards Asatruers, believing that since we don't worship they're god, then we automatically worship Satan and evil. I believe that everyone has a right to believe in whatever they wish, but I think its rather shameful to shove your religoin down someones throat. After a while of thought and contemplation, I've decided to make this thread for everyone to discuss and debate your religious beliefs. I only have three rules, I won't force them, but please, be considerate.

 

1. No racism! I will not stand for such ignorant filth like such, being tossed around! Its against my religious beliefs.

 

2. No forcing your religion on others! You may debate and argue your point, but NEVER try to force your beliefs, doing so would make you no different than a tyrant.

 

3. No threats! This one explains itself, I think...

 

Now that we got that out of the way, begin discussing! I don't descriminate against any religion what so ever, so I will gladly discuss pretty much any of them with you.

[GottlosMann 221]

I've only met one Satanist in my life-time and he was a pretty jacked up person in the head. I'm not talking about the Satanist I researched on the internet, I'm talking about the people who worship the very "Christian" form of Satan. The one that only seeks to steal kill and destroy.

 

That's a pretty scary how some people could worship something like that.

 

Anyways onto my subject, so I have a question about your Satanic practices. How far do you go into them? Do you believe in supernatural or all that metaphorical stuff? 

I've not preformed any rituals or taken part in any ceremonies.

I strongly believe in doing whatever makes you happy, so long as you're not harming anyone in the process. I believe in sexual freedom, meaning that I think if two or more consending adults want to do something totally bizzare, or something I personally find disgusting, that's their business. I tend to do unto others as they do unto me. This doesn't mean I'm mean 100% of the time at all, I'm just not that into letting people walk on me. Maybe I'll go into more detail about this stuff another time, but I have to wake up for school in four hours.

I do not believe in anything supernatural.

I've actually never met anyone who was a theistic satanist. I certainly think it would make an interesting chat.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

, hello there. We already happened to have a thread for members to share and discuss religious beliefs, and since that seemed to be the the purpose of your thread, it has been merged with the older topic. Just letting you know

[~Lawful Haze~ 173]

I was raised as a Catholic, like almost everybody was in Ireland until the past decade. I began to lose my faith slowly over time. My Father is a physicist and often used to tell me things when I was younger that used to fascinate me, and so I grew up loving science and logic...which often tends to remove many ideals in certain religions. Between the crusades and various Holy Wars raged by different religions, I began to feel alienated, unable to folllow what I found to be such hypcritical ideas, preaching peace and worshipping a lowly carpenter who gave all, and killing people for being different and taking vast amounts of wealth.

When I realised that I was bisexual, and saw how most religions treated homosexuality, I felt very let down. Any faith I had remaining was stripped from me. I feel that a God who was so loving could not decide that someone was "evil" or "sinful" simply because of the way they are...especially if that God supposedly makes everything in the world.

 

And so now, I identify as Agnostic. I personally find the LeVeyan Satanism a much mroe honest and open religion than Catholicism or Islam, to name a couple.

So I say this:

 

Religion is like the male genitalia. Many people have it, and it's fine to possess one but I don't want it shoved down mine or any of my future children's throats.

 

 

That's how I feel anyway. I try to treat others fairly, no matter what their beliefs - once they're kind to me in return. I treat others as I wish to be treated myself. But I strongly dislike it when other people judge me for the way I am or try to force their beliefs upon me as law.

[RAGESTAR 479]

@@~Lawful Haze~

 

Respect to you, my friend! I know it must have been hard for you to grow up with a religon you 've respected your entire life, only to discover that its not what you thought it was, that's how I feel about Christianity. Since then, I have put m faith in Asatru, a religion that has no issues with race, sexuality, or gender. Not only that, but now I'm not constantly threatened about going to hell by my own fellow worshippers, because in my religion, hell isnt a place of torture and pain, but peace and serenity. Its actually called Hel.

[Sig Hoovestrong 838]

Religion, i hard question for me cause see my self much as free thinker in that area. I don't bealive in on specific thing. Nor do i say that supernatural, just can't be. I do like bealive there something. That keep this chaotic world of our to gather some how. And do want to bealive in goodness of people hearts. And all have ability become better people. Our at where lest we can try our best to be dos people, and help other to find there way in life. But don't need god bealive it that. Dos bealive are my choice and my choice alone. There we have question of afterlife of course. And i think is pointless talk abut the unknown vise can't be proven. I say i will know when time come. That begin when am dead, what will happen to my soul. And that axpact of life doesn't scare me as most people. With thinking of like that, i see it is one biggest discovers i can make. And that thought make little exited die. Yes said exited, haha. But do like live me life long and good before pass away to winds. Not knowing what will happen next. 

 

Well that was me and my thought of Religion, our at where lest my beliefs. I don't judge other by there so called religion but by my standards if they either are good our bad people. If are hurtful selfless individual's our if charring and thought  individual's. 

[Snowy Storm 57]

Honestly The best I can say is I'm Pagan. I believe in the spirits and the natural flow of life. I'm not wicca or anything, but thanks to my gypsy blood and family I do know of the tarot cards and know how to read them. I have read parts of the bible and other holy book of other religion. I really don't know much about other religions, but I try to learn about to be respectful. 

[Moonlight 7,286]

I am an atheist pretty much and even if I thought God existed, I would care less. The existence of God just doesn't seem possible and plus if the Christian God actually exists and lets things like murder, rape, genocide, etc.. happen to its people, then I don't want any part of it. 

[MontagnaMagica 307]

@@GottlosMann:

 

So, from what I gather. Satanism is really a misnomer, correct? I wonder if there are any true worshipers of Satan, perhaps going by another name.

 

@:

 

I mean no disrespect, but what exactly draws you to this religion? I know you agree with it's principles, and that's important. But do you really believe those gods exist? Its moral teachings are great, but its theological teachings seem outdated to me.

 

On a side note, what do you think of the pop culture references to the gods of Asatru?

[RAGESTAR 479]

@@GottlosMann:

 

So, from what I gather. Satanism is really a misnomer, correct? I wonder if there are any true worshipers of Satan, perhaps going by another name.

 

@:

 

I mean no disrespect, but what exactly draws you to this religion? I know you agree with it's principles, and that's important. But do you really believe those gods exist? Its moral teachings are great, but its theological teachings seem outdated to me.

 

On a side note, what do you think of the pop culture references to the gods of Asatru?

None taken, my friend. Its a very common question, but yes, I do believe in the norse gods and goddesses of norse paganism. I believe in them, not because I claim to have seen them, but because unlike when I was a Christian, every time I pray to thor, I feel right and feel like he's actually patiently listening to my words. Some people would call me crazy or think I'm being tricked by satan, but I don't care, its my belief and I don't care what anybody thinks of me or my religion, that's called faith. About your last question, if you mean things like marvels adaptation of Thor, then I find them quite accurate on some things, but totally off on others. Many people believe Loki to be evil, but he's not, he's just misunderstood for simply doing his job.

[~Sole~ 852]

@@GottlosMann:

 

So, from what I gather. Satanism is really a misnomer, correct? I wonder if there are any true worshipers of Satan, perhaps going by another name.

 

@:

 

I mean no disrespect, but what exactly draws you to this religion? I know you agree with it's principles, and that's important. But do you really believe those gods exist? Its moral teachings are great, but its theological teachings seem outdated to me.

 

On a side note, what do you think of the pop culture references to the gods of Asatru?

to your question about worshippers of the devil, they're also known as satanists. There are two kinds of satanists, a theistic satanist (lucifer worshippers) and atheistic stanists (the most common kind, that don't believe in lucifer). Hope that cleared things up, satanists are horribly misunderstood by society.

[MontagnaMagica 307]

 

 

I feel right and feel like he's actually patiently listening to my words. Some people would call me crazy or think I'm being tricked by satan

 

I don't think you're crazy. What is important is that you are getting closer to the god of our world!  

 

 

 

There are two kinds of satanists, a theistic satanist (lucifer worshippers) and atheistic stanists (the most common kind, that don't believe in lucifer).

 

Yep. That confirms what I thought. Is that just a coincidence in the English language, or do other translations also confuse the two beliefs?

[~Sole~ 852]

I don't think you're crazy. What is important is that you are getting closer to the god of our world!  

 

 

 

Yep. That confirms what I thought. Is that just a coincidence in the English language, or do other translations also confuse the two beliefs?

neither, from what I've gathered they're basically the same religion, but with different beleifs. Theistic satanists believe lucifer is thier deity and worship him, whereas atheistic satanists see lucifer as more of a philosophical figure. And I'm also fairly certain they share the same bible as well.

[Nightmare Night 151]

I'm not sure if this would count as a religion, I'm not very religious myself. But sometimes I find myself staring up at the moon and stars and offering thanks to Princess Luna for her beautiful night sky's. Of course I keep this to myself because lets face it, I get teased enough for just being a brony. It would only be worse if they also found out I'm just a tiny bit obsessed with our Immortal Majesty Princess Luna.....what kind of religion would that be anyway, the worship of Princess Luna and the nighttime sky?   I think I'm getting a bit carried away.......

[RAGESTAR 479]

I don't think you're crazy. What is important is that you are getting closer to the god of our world!  

 

 

 

Yep. That confirms what I thought. Is that just a coincidence in the English language, or do other translations also confuse the two beliefs?

Thanks! I've lost count of how many people I've told that, only for them to reply with "you're going to hell" or "that's not your god who's listening, its satan" or "that's a false god, he's evil!" To be fair, not all Christians act like this, just a few, but I still find it hypocritical that they try to force they're beliefs onto people through the threat of "damnation" you know what I mean? Also, do you have a belief? Or are you just a very tolerant Christian?

I'm not sure if this would count as a religion, I'm not very religious myself. But sometimes I find myself staring up at the moon and stars and offering thanks to Princess Luna for her beautiful night sky's. Of course I keep this to myself because lets face it, I get teased enough for just being a brony. It would only be worse if they also found out I'm just a tiny bit obsessed with our Immortal Majesty Princess Luna.....what kind of religion would that be anyway, the worship of Princess Luna and the nighttime sky?   I think I'm getting a bit carried away.......

Actually bro, your belief isn't far off from the beliefs of an existing religion. Wicca believs that a goddess called the lady of the moon, controlls and symbolizes the moon and the stars of the night, and that a god called the horned god, controlls and symbolizes the sun and masculinity. They're biggest belief, is to protect, respect, and preserve, nature and to use natural energies and medicine to heal and help people. They also believe in pacifism.