What religion do you identify with, if any?

[Lucian]

I know this has been asked a million times before, but I'm wondering, what religion do you most identify with and how important is it to your identity? Is it a strong factor in your life? Or is it something you forget about until its major holiday(s) come around each year?

I divided up agnostic and atheist because those two are different, and I didn't include Unitarian Universalism with Christianity because they take the pluralist approach to religion where they accept pretty much anyone.

[LynneSin]

1. Unitarian Universalism is Christianity

Just a very progressive view of it

[Lucian]

4. Well, yes, but...

atheists, agnostics, and Buddhists can all be UU also.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. ive yet to meet a uu

That does not believe in a spirit of some sort ... We do welcome all though - that ate humanists.

[Lucian]

26. The UU church in my city had Tom Flynn as a speaker last winter.

Tom Flynn is an executive on the Council for Secular Humanism: http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=main&page=about

[damntexdem]

43. You need to get out more.

I have known many UU atheists and agnostics.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. im a UU

I do NOT believe in the trinity, nor do I recite the nicene creed. No one in my congregation does. We do believe a human being (not the product of a virgin birth) walked this earth named Jesus. These things make those of us that came to UU from a Christian faith heretics. Because Christianity says we must state and believe in those things and we don't - we are not Christians.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. No, it is not

Christians believe that Jesus Christ as the Son of God. That creed is not an integral Unitarian Universalism.

[JAnthony]

31. Not ALL Christians believe Jesus was the literal son of God, some

other sects, other than Unitarianism/Universalism, believe Jesus, himself, and his followers believed that, but don't require their members to believe that literally for themselves, they still think that they are Christians.

I don't know where you obtained your misinformation, or how you limited your quest for learning about others.

[deutsey]

28. Both Unitarianism and Universalism began as liberal Christian movements

in the 19th century but have moved beyond Christianity.

While there are still UU Christians, many UUs do not identify with Christianity anymore. In fact, quite a few come to UUism after a negative experience in Christianity. In our congregation, we have Humanists, Pagans, Buddhists, Atheists, Agnostics, and general seekers. Christians are in a very small minority.

[damntexdem]

44. Actually, Unitarianism began in the 16th Century.

There are still Unitarian churches in Europe that date from back then.

[deutsey]

80. Yeah, you're right. Transylvania. I was speaking of its main influence in America

Should've been more clear.

Arguably, UUism goes back to the first three centuries of Christianity.

[millijac]

30. not necessarily...

some of the individual churches may consider themselves Christian. My church, one of the oldest in the country, has a Christian pastor who is interested in all the world's religions, but most of the members consider themselves humanists according to our last survey. We do not consider ourseves Christian and we practice a variety of traditions. I don't even want to call us a church, we are officially a "society."

[damntexdem]

39. Nope, not from its start: Unitarian = not Trinitarian, one god.

Although today, it's "one god at most, except maybe multiple gods for UU pagans.

But a problem with the poll: both agnostic and UU identifying (but not a member, because I'm protesting the decision to keep the UU General Assembly meetings in Arizona next year).

[Lucian]

48. That choice would be "other" I guess.

There's only ten spots on a poll, so I can only put ten choices. :shrug:

[FailureToCommunicate]

61. Unitarians have been distinct from "Christians" for over 200 years...

... in this country. Roots of Unitarianism go back to 16th century Transylvania.

In colonial America, the Unitarians left the increasingly stogy and dogmatic Congregational (New England) Protestant churches (the Pilgrims) during the late 18th century and early 19th century.

Though you could go into some UU churches today and easily mistake them to be "Christian"

One bedrock holdover, though, is that most, if not all, are "progressive"





UU timeline:
http://www.ejwebdesign.com/samples/uuhistory/angloamerica.htm

UCC "firsts":
http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/firsts/ucc-firsts.html

[cleanhippie]

72. My UU fellowship is NOT christian in any way, shape, or form.

In fact, the majority of the congregation are atheists/agnostics and humanist. Jesus has not been mentioned. Ever.

[Curmudgeoness]

75. Not at all. I am an atheist, and I have been to gatherings at UU.

They do seem to embrace spirituality, but they also have atheists in their ranks. I have never only heard Jesus Christ or let us pray or Bible readings at a UU meeting. At least that is how the UU "church" in this area functions. Very liberal thinkers.

[Lucian]

2. I'll start.

I consider myself a secular humanist with atheist views and it's important in my life. I look for truth and meaning in life through the scientific view and I would like to see the government do the same. I take the rationalist approach when it comes to dealing with problems of everyday life.

I don't hate religion. I just hate some of the practices some religions do, like how modern day Christianity has now assumed the role of being hate-filled in this country (in the context of politics, that is). I understand not all Christians are that way, but that's how it's perceived in the media.

[fascisthunter]

3. atheism isn't a religion

[Lucian]

5. I know it's not.

But I put it in there because it gets treated like one.

That's why I asked "what religion do you identify with, if any".

[fascisthunter]

7. Ok, I see

[damntexdem]

47. That itself is debatable.

But it need not be debated here, so long as it is noted that some (of us) consider agnosticism and atheism to be religions.

[cleanhippie]

74. No, its not debatable at all.

re·li·gion –noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.



Atheism is the LACK of belief in a diety. Nothing more. Its not a religion. Its not debatable.


I hate to sound authoritarian about it, but just because YOU choose to apply a different meaning to the word does not make it debatable.

Atheism is the opposite of theism.

the·ism –noun
1. the belief in one god as the creator and ruler of the universe, without rejection of revelation ( distinguished from deism).

2. belief in the existence of a god or gods (opposed to atheism).

[Warpy]

83. And not playing soccer is a sport.

Get it?

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. First Church of the Gooey Death and Discount House of Worship.

I always laughed when Imus used to say that.

[hifiguy]

8. Atheist since the age of 14

but I have always been interested in Buddhism, because it is not what I consider to be a religion as it has no godhead, only practice.

[Lucian]

I've always looked at Buddhism as a way of life.

And it's a great way to live. I love the compassion aspect of it. I don't like the reincarnation aspect of it.

[el_bryanto]

18. It'd be interesting to do a poll of what people think of the possibility of an afterlife

Bryant

[Warpy]

20. In Theravada Buddhism, an unshakable faith in reincarnation

is not necessary, only enough doubt that some form of it might exist.

In any case, ego, personality and memory are largely functions of the brain, so those wouldn't get reincarnated.

[sixmile]

9. Whatever gets you through the night...

is alright.

[Forkboy]

10. None, but I can take tenets from all of them, from Buddhism to Satanism.

[Occulus]

19. Whereas, a devout Christian landlord would likely have problems renting to an atheist.

Which is part of the reason why Christianity gets bashed here (and rightfully so).

[Forkboy]

66. I have mixed feelings on religion.

Organized religion tends to bother me, but individual religious people tend not to (for one, it's just not my business). When they try to inject their personal religion into other's lives is when I become concerned. The issue you mention would fall into that category.

I'm agnostic (though much closer to atheism than believing). We know less then .000000000000001% of all there is to know in this universe, so I don't think either position can say with certainty that they're right yet. I do not believe in a Biblical creator at all, and doubt that a creator even exists in any form, but I can't state that empirically, so agnosticism is the only position that works for me personally.

I know many atheists, many Christians (including my liberal father and his even more liberal girlfriend), my best friend is Buddhist, and another friend is a Satanist, so I get this great mix of all these beliefs, all of which have something to offer intellectually, if not spiritually (I believe one can be spiritual without any religion at all). You don't have to believe in Jesus to appreciate the message behind the Sermon on the Mount, for instance. So I'm kind of able to investigate them all without ever feeling the need to make that leap of faith into actual belief. And theology is a fascinating topic.

Ever since I read Carl Sagan's book many a moon ago, The Demon Haunted World, I've been far more interested in the psychology of belief more than any belief system itself. Why do we believe (or not believe) the things we do? It's a fun topic for a sociologist wanna be like me. :)

[DevonRex]

14. I take the good and leave the rest from several on the list. Nt

[madokie]

15. No religion here

[QuintanarooBoy]

16. Self-worship

I get to see God every day in the mirror. O8)

[david_vincent]

17. Qat, god of indolence

my favorite deity.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him". Linji

Buddhism is an agnostic "religion" with no God(s).

[Lucian]

22. If you look at any scholarly list of world religions...

Buddhism is always listed in there as one.

But I agree. I don't see it really as a religion. More as a way of life.

[el_bryanto]

23. What is the difference?

Obviously some believe that Buddhism explains the afterlife while others do not. Or is it more "I don't like religions, but I like Buddhism, so I guess it must not be a religion."

Bryant

[Lucian]

29. I never said I hated religions.

I consider Buddhism a way of life, like living green is a way of life.

[el_bryanto]

40. Yes but why?

I mean if I said "Mormonism is just a way of life to me, it's not a religion," would that fly? Or would you point out that Mormonism is an organized religion and if I go each week I am practicing a religion.

Buddhism is perhaps more complicated because there are various ways to practice it, some that are clearly religions and others that are more philosophical (Zen Buddhism, for example).

Bryant

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

24. Also, it's just about the only "religion" with a sense of humor about itself.

As, the koan about killing the Buddha does.

[Thats my opinion]

73. A great book by the psychiatrist, Sheldon Kopp

He got it from a Zen saying. It is a warning not to say anything with absolute certainty. Kopp is from almost half century ago and prefigures the post-modernist movement.

[WillyT]

25. I Voted 'Atheist', But It's NOT A Religion... In Fact, It's Quite The Opposite

<snip>

Word Origin & History

atheist

1570s, from Fr. athéiste (16c.), from Gk. atheos "to deny the gods, godless," from a- "without" + theos "a god" (see Thea). A slightly earlier form is represented by atheonism (1530s) which is perhaps from It. atheo "atheist."

"The existence of a world without God seems to me less absurd than the presence of a God, existing in all his perfection, creating an imperfect man in order to make him run the risk of Hell." <Armand Salacrou, "Certitudes et incertitudes," 1943>

<snip>

Link: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atheist

:shrug:

[Lucian]

27. I know it's not.

That's why I asked what religion do you identify with, if any.

[WillyT]

60. Not Trying To Lecture You...

Just reminding some here, who try to say that Atheism IS a religion, that it is not.

The fundamentalists in the past have tried to put everybody in a defined box of THEIR choosing.

Remember "Secular Humanists" ???

The only person that gets to define me and my philosophies is ME, nobody else.

I was just putting that out there, and was not attacking you or your poll in any way.

Peace...

:hi:

[bemildred]

32. Other: Two Seed in the Spirit Predestinarian Baptist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit_Predestinarian_Baptists

[JoePhilly]

33. Why no Mormon choice?

I'm not one, but Mitt Romney, if he has a DU persona, is now very upset.

[Lucian]

36. Polls only have ten spots.

That's why I included an "other" option.

[JoePhilly]

52. Understand .... but American Christianity is not one thing.

And some of the groups involved would argue that the others are not real Christians.

If you asked this question on a right wing board ... it would be interesting to ask how many are:

1) Evangelical / Fundamentalist
2) Other Protestant
3) Catholic
4) Mormon

The GOP pretends these groups are all Christians for political purposes, but the GOP base is mainly group one. That group tolerates group 2, but thinks the pope is an agent of the anti-Christ, and group 4 is a cult of false Christians.

I suspect on a right wing site, you'd get many from groups 1 ...and also some from the other3 groups.

Here on DU, I think you'd mainly get groups 2 and 3.

[Lucian]

54. Religion is complex.

It's hard to define it in one term or many terms. Just like other people's views on religion, some see themselves as many different religions and others see themselves as none

It's hard to quantify it.

[JoePhilly]

62. No argument there. As a hobby, Ilike to study religious beliefs ...

but I'd place myself as an agnostic who can't "prove the negative", so far ... otherwise, I'd be an atheist.

[el_bryanto]

42. Mormons will identify as Christians anyway, I should think. n/t

[JoePhilly]

45. Most fundie Christians think Mormons are FALSE Christians.

[el_bryanto]

50. Well I certainly don't want to annoy all of the Democratic Underground fundie Christians

But I suspect they are just going to have to live with the ignomy. Sorry about that DU Fundie Christians - but presumably we agree on a lot of other things.

Bryant

[JoePhilly]

55. Not my point ...

My point was more that Christianity in the US is not one thing.

And it has a significant divide.

I think you are correct that there would not be many "Fundies" on DU. I'd add, you'd probably few Mormons as well.

I'd break American Christianity along these lines.

1) Evangelical / Fundamentalist
2) Other Protestant
3) Catholic
4) Mormon

The GOP pretends these groups are all Christians for political purposes, but the GOP base is mainly group one. That group tolerates group 2, but thinks the pope is an agent of the anti-Christ, and group 4 is a cult of false Christians.

I suspect on a right wing site, you'd get many votes from groups 1 ...and then some from the other 3 groups.

Here on DU, I think you'd mainly get groups 2 and 3.

[el_bryanto]

65. Yes but in order to have 4 choices for Christianity

The pollster would have to drop 3 other religions / philosophies. Given that, i think it's a fair compromise.

Bryant

[JoePhilly]

67. Looking at the numbers ... and the groups ...

Agnostic and Atheist could be collapsed. Neither is a religion. So folks in those camps could vote, and then post their place.

After that, "Christianity" has more votes than any other, and it does divide into smaller groups, as I noted.

Wicca could have been part of "other" ...

UU got called out specifically ... and it is less known then the Christian flavors I mentioned.

I'm not saying the OP did a bad job ... as is, we see that DU has more Agnostics and Atheists than any thing else. But I think there is a deeper question for the specific religious groups, which would be interesting.

[sybylla]

69. Except that they'd all call themselves christians, no?

They all follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

So what's the effing fuss?

Evangelicals might not like to be grouped with Mormons or Catholics, but they are all christians after all. They need to get over it.

[barbtries]

34. none

though if pressed i would describe myself as a spiritual humanist.

eta i'm surprised that "none" was not an option.

[Lucian]

38. Well, "none" can be included under "other."

[JAnthony]

35. Could anyone bother to float this kind of a poll on a Republican message...

board?

I'd like to see how many claim to be atheists or agnostics over there.

[JoePhilly]

59. See my post 52 on similar point ... but about Christianity.

[Heidi]

37. Where is the Church of the SubGenius on this list?

Other, I guess (in the name of slack)?

[avebury]

41. After moving to the middle of the bible belt, I cringe

at the Christian religion and the thought of stepping into a church makes be positively ill. I have seen to many so-called Christians who are are bigoted, hate filled, narrow minded people. They try to talk the talk but they sure as heck don't walk the walk. There behavior is more of an Old Testament attitude then New Testament. Jesus would be more of a progressive liberal while they are trying to make him an extreme conservative.

[Marrah_G]

46. Wicca

[closeupready]

49. Though I no longer consider myself Catholic, I guess I'd have to say Christianity, but

don't expect to find me defending it from critics who find fault with those who claim to be Christian but are NOT - since they are kind of why I left it all behind, in the first place.

[Peacetrain]

51. UCC though just as at home with UM's..

and no I do not believe God is a guy with a long white beard that looks surprisingly like Zeus..

But I do believe in a spiritual being that we are all a part of.. no matter what our belief system is.

Religions and divisions within regions and those without religion are all a part of it.

[Skidmore]

53. None really although I was raised as a fundmentalist Protestant.

I married a Shi'a Muslim the first time and now am married to the son of a Methodist minister. After a good number of years living in cultures of varying degrees of religiosity and beliefs, I have come to deal with religion in terms of its cultural bells and whistles and to see all religions a political constructs for amassing power and wealth. They provide some sort of structure for ordering society and for explaining that which is yet unknown by man.

I don't have any use for religions although I find the history and symbolism to be fascinating..

[Maine-i-acs]

56. Deist checking in.

[mmonk]

57. You forgot one.

Supply side economics. I certainly don't belong to it, just pointing it out.

[LeftishBrit]

71. Ditto !

Or 'sado-monetarism' as someone described Thatcher's ideology.

[u4ic]

58. UU Pagan n/t

[BobbyBoring]

63. WOW!

It's great to see so many godless heathens here. I thought I was in the minority!

[MrSlayer]

64. Satanism.

I agree with most tenants of LaVey's Satanism. The magic and stuff is goofy but the basic philosophy of Humanism is dead on.

[Shagbark Hickory]

68. Flying Spaghetti Monster.

http://www.venganza.org/

[Iggo]

70. None of the above. (n/t)

[Odin2005]

76. Both Atheism and Buddhism.

I don't believe in "re-birth" as it is conventionally understood by traditional Buddhists in Asia, but the "Buddhist" label still fits.

[Vehl]

77. Hindu Atheist

I had to choose between voting for Atheism or Hinduism, but chose the latter to point out that Hinduism always had/has Atheistic schools within it as well. Its a way of of life and not a "religion" in the Abrahamic sense.

[white_wolf]

78. Former Catholic now studying Buddhism.

Specifically Mahayana. I prefer it over Theravada simply because it offers a path to Enlightenment for all and not just the monks and nuns.

[Lucian]

79. My favorite branch of Mahayana Buddhism is Tibetan Buddhism.

It helps people learn how to become enlightened and it allows those people to teach others.

[deutsey]

81. Abide in Dudeism

http://dudeism.com/


Come join the slowest-growing religion in the world – Dudeism. An ancient philosophy that preaches non-preachiness, practices as little as possible, and above all, uh…lost my train of thought there. Anyway, if you’d like to find peace on earth and goodwill, man, we’ll help you get started. Right after a little nap.

[TZ]

82. I'm a atheist in belief, but I do consider being Jewish as my HERITAGE

Especially considering its probably the ethnicity itself that gave me my genetic defect that causes my chronic illness. I think that many Jews are like me, actually, secular or have little belief in God but embrace the cultural heritage of their families.