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Question: See list of Major Religions of the World, with so many options, how does one choose the right one to get to the 'next level'? - http://www.adherents.com/Religio...

July 13, 2008 - Comment - Like - Share

Dominique, mjc, AJ Kohn and 14 other people liked this

In my case (and many of you) we were born into our religions, the ones our parents had, or often dictated by what country or region you were born at. Something worth thinking about. Is getting to nirvana/heaven/reincarnation dependent upon where you were born? - Jeremiah Owyang

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My story is inverse to most. In three words? Blue, Red, Purple. Grew up v. liberal, became an evangelical christian, life got more complex. Got my masters in theology. Internal & external crises started breaking down toxic beliefs (exclusive/hell/fear/etc.) and now trying to hold onto best of blue and red. Thats the FF version...;) Yes, context matters. But not entirely. - Leif Hansen

Interesting Leif - Jeremiah Owyang

Jeremiah, what you describe is similar to what is called the Genetic Fallacy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...). While circumstance can definitely be an explanation of how someone came about having a religious belief, it is not necessarily a legitimate factor in evaluating the truth of a belief. In other words, my upbringing in 20th century western society may have increased the likelihood of my particular faith, however, it says nothing of the truth or falsity of the religion itself... - Christopher Butler

btw, Islam is the largest religion n te world. The Pope also ack's this fact. http://friendfeed.com/e... - Peter Dawson

This article is interesting: http://www.watchtower.org/e... tell me what you think. - Roberto Bonini

As a Buddhist I'd have to say that all are paths to where ever you're going. Even though I try to live my life the way that the Buddha suggested, I'm not aiming towards nirvana or enlightenment. That'll either happen or not. I think many Buddhists believe that enlightenment is not dependent on religion. A Christian or Muslim can become enlightened without knowing anything about the Buddha. - Chrimmus Tad

The nice thing about Buddhism is we can play with the idea of reincarnation. It's ok if you don't get things figured out in this life time - you have infinite more to work on it. Christians, Muslims and others are under a lot more pressure. - Chrimmus Tad

Roberto, I don't know much about the Jehovah's Witnesses other than the fact that a girl I grew up with lived with her mom who was one. Her father (divorced from the mom) would send her bday and xmas presents that her mom would throw away. Any time we had a class celebration for birthdays or Christmas she had to sit in the corner faced away from us and not participate. I still remember her tears. I'm not a fan of the Witnesses - they don't seem happy or fun to be around at all. - Chrimmus Tad

My religion is kindness. Sounds trite, and it is a bumper sticker, but I guess I'm saying that after many years of pondering this very question I decided I don't really care about "levels", I'm more concerned with doing the right thing. There is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery down the street from me, and I am very inspired by my neighbors' approach to living compassionately. - Jason Wehmhoener

Christopher Butler, THANK YOU, this is the term I was seeking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... "Genetic Fallacy" - Jeremiah Owyang

For me, the "next level" was to move beyond religion in my desire to understand spirituality. - Jack (a.k.a. Jeber)

I don't have an opinion other than to say when people ask me what I like best about FriendFeed, I point to conversations like this one. - cecily

Peter Dawson, that link you provided to "the largest religion" doesn't work. It doesn't really matter anyways, it's not about size, it's about which one is "right". - Jeremiah Owyang

@Tad Donahuge: Its a commaon misperception. http://www.watchtower.org/e... . - Roberto Bonini

I've always thought: if there are so many religions in the world and we can only choose one, we've got a 1 / (# of religions) chance of picking the "right" one. And since there's no way of knowing what that right one is, we might as well use whatever rule of thumb we like to choose what to follow. What we're born into feels perfectly valid, as does whatever makes you feel the best, etc., etc. - Andy DeSoto

What does "right" mean? Can that question even make sense if we have no objective way to see beyond this life? As far as I can tell with the evidence provided when you die, you die regardless of religion. If I become "enlightened," die and then go to hell, I'll just know that I was wrong. If I instead go to heaven I'll be pretty confused too. Thinking along these terms remind me that it's probably more important to concern myself with enjoying this life that I have right now to its fullest. - Chrimmus Tad

I am very concerned with what has been done in this world in the name of religions. I was born into the religion of Christianity, but have begun trying to walk through this world with a spirituality of love. ( http://brokenheartmanifesto.com ) - Thomas Knoll

I think we can learn from all religions. I was raised Catholic, and I've taken part in many protestant services. I have spent many evenings in a sweat lodge and in pipe circles. I have sufi danced. I have done yoga. I meditate. I don't believe in God, and I often find myself nodding in complete agreement with atheists. There is truth in all of it. I'm concerned about understanding and respecting others. I try to take it all in. - Jason Wehmhoener

@Andy DeSoto: Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one. Otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it? Christians are admonished: "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine." (1 Thessalonians 5:21) A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith. Ephesians 4:5 confirms this,... more... - Roberto Bonini

Roberto, I don't misremember her tears or all the discussions we had with her over the years or the talks that I've had with other Witnesses either. That said, though, I'm sure that not all practice their religion in exactly the same way either. - Chrimmus Tad

I become very dismayed when I hear proponents of one religion persecuting another or proclaiming itself as "right" or "true" above others. Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition. - Jason Wehmhoener

Again, I disagree Roberto. I have simply found other religions lacking. I have kind of latched onto Buddhism because it makes the most sense to me right now. I certainly haven't convinced myself that it is "right," nor did the Buddha insist that it was right for everyone. As a Buddhist, part of my job is challenging my own beliefs to see which still stick. - Chrimmus Tad

Jason, I was going to flippantly ask if we could learn anything from Scientology, but then I remembered some conversations I've had with some Scientologists. Many of them have actually found some value in the teachings of L Ron, even if they find the Church to be evil, and I know that there are renegade groups of Scientologists who are outside the influence of the Church. - Chrimmus Tad

@ Jason: Couldn't be further from the truth. I have no wish to do any such thing to anyone regardless of race, religion, creed, etc. After all I don't appricate it when others do it to me. In saying that, there is naturally a tendancy to tell others about somthing that has a profound effect on my life. I wouald hardly call that percecution. - Roberto Bonini

Agreed Roberto. Witnessing may be minor harassment, but it's not persecution. I don't think I've ever heard the Witnesses advocate violence towards people who disagree with them. - Chrimmus Tad

Hi Roberto, I think it's OK to tell others about something you feel good about, but I think it's important to accept that people may not see your point of view. I don't agree with passages in the Bible that make reference to "one true faith". Life is too diverse and interesting for "one true" anything. - Jason Wehmhoener

What if they are all paths to the same thing, just described differently? Think of the parable of 3 blind men describing an elephant - you get a rope, a snake, and a tree - but the elephant is still an elephant. What if the 'message of the path to the divine' was similarly described by those who had yet to achieve it, but were trying to explain it to others? Perhaps you'd have Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism et al. Yet still, it's an elephant. Who is to say that all paths do not lead to the same place. - Lucretia Pruitt

Jeremy , you may want to take a look into this thread too "Define God !" - http://groups.google.com/group... - Peter Dawson

@ Tad: I think you will find that it is often the other way around. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... posted for the external inks ( too many to post here). - Roberto Bonini

@ Jason: Do you belive in a creator? If you do, do you belive he is intersted in the affairs of mankind? - Roberto Bonini

Man interpreting the Divine (organized religion) seems an oxymoron to me. But I do not begrudge those who can take strength from it. - Michael W. May

@ Micheal: See my above comments and links. - Roberto Bonini

What if religion is less about what you believe and more about what you belong to? For example, I am a practicing Christian. However, I feel a deep connection with Buddhism. I don't identify as a Buddhist because I don't feel historically connected to Buddhism. The overarching narrative of my life, on the other hand, is rooted in the meta narrative of western Christianity--for the good and bad. To me, spirituality is personal and religion is communal, and there is beauty in their intersection. - Will Boyd

Stop looking outside the world around you for meaning. Make the most of your time here. Find meaning in that. Commonwealtheism: http://afterthejump.com/what-do... - Kirk Skodis

Roberto I believe that the sum total of creation is absolutely way beyond my comprehension. I do not believe in anthropomorphized deities, no. Certainly nothing one could refer to as "he". - Jason Wehmhoener

The ancient Vedanta philosophy makes sense to me. There is One Unchanging Truth. We call it by different names and find practices that suit our nature & cultural proclivities. - Meryl Steinberg

Jeremiah, here's the secret: religion is not about belief and next levels at all. It's about community. Religion is an expression of our attachment to other people. Even the non-religions that teach non-attachment form communities. It always comes back to social networking. - Michael Markman

"My social network burned yours at the stake!" -- the ultimate flame wars. - Chris Baskind

Jeremiah, inspired question. After studying meditation for a few decades with Sri Chinmoy, I've come to believe that religion is not as important to me as is faith and my own spiritual practice which has been heavily influenced by my Guru. I see myself on a spiritual path rather than an adherent to a particular set of religious rules. I do respect how everyone practices religion, faith and atheism. All good. Different strokes, different folks. - Shambhu N. Vineberg

Wow, I hate I missed this earlier. Awesome conversation. This is why I like FriendFeed. - ha3rvey (Ho)^3

I'm Mormon. Parents are Mormon. Grandparents for generations before that were Mormon. Interesting thing is, it's still something I choose. More interesting is how often I hear people say things about what I believe that are so far off it's kind of funny. (like the multiple wives baloney). So how did I choose it? I find I choose it because I find the teachings give me joy, happiness, content, desire for good, to help others, be a better dad, father, son, brother, etc... - Russ

You may find my essay on Religious Natural Selection of interest: http://mathoda.com/archive... - Ranjit Mathoda

I'm not sure about "the next level," but my spiritual life is very important to me. I grew up Baptist. In fact, my dad's a Baptist minister. I have several cousins who are ministers, too. We have a running joke that religion is like a family business for us. The crazy thing is, I started to see the difference between religion and theology and faith in a new light after being out on my own. I am now an active member of the Seventh-Day Adventist church. - ha3rvey (Ho)^3

if you rely solely on your parents or location for your religious preference, then that is a shame. You need to seek and search if you want truth. - Andru Edwards

During a soul-searching period in my senior year of college, I stumbled into Urantia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki.... It provides me with a nice integration of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, New Age, Pagan, etc... I enjoy the Hindu ideal of "every path is worthwhile" - Whether a path is the "high road" or the "low road" is not so important as if it is a "good road" for you (and your partner/family/friends). IMO, commonalities are more helpful than differences and wars between religions. - Mitchell Tsai

Thanks for the twitter invite @jowyang...Unfortunately I think Christianity has often turned into Churchianity (where people are more concerned with the institutional success of a particular church or denomination) but as a practicing Christian I can add to the conversation a couple of quick thoughts. Even though I was raised in a church attending Christian home...when i was 12 I... more... - Joe Franz

Seeking religion will always end in an ultimate conflict. I dont think that if there is some magic man living in the sky he would be able to turn me away for not being able to find truth on earth. I always questioned, and by social and humane standards, I am a good person. Isnt that enough? - Anthony

This is the fundamental problem with religion - the idea that you must 'choose' one instantly creates a division among us - which in my mind goes against the nature of any 'god'. I had Catholics, Jews and Jews for Jesus in my family. I went to a Unitarian church as a child. We're all trying to find something. To me, a small piece is in all of us, and together we are 'god'. Greatly influenced by Stranger in a Strange Land. - AJ Kohn

I was born into a house hold with a Mom who was a not very religious Methodist and a father who was a philosopher and a seeker. From age 15 or so I was interested in what religion had to offer. I was confirmed in the Methodist church although I had many arguments with the minister. By age 18 I was looking East.There was a Buddhist monastery in our town but they would not let me in as I... more... - Sally falkow

I have two thoughts here. First, where you grew up and the faith of your family/parents weighs heavily on what faith of religion you chose. To say otherwise is foolish. Even the bible speaks explicitly to "raising your child in the ways of the lord", and I would imagine most families around the world intentionally pass on their beliefs to their children as best the know how. That said, we are all responsible for our own choice, and I think it is too important of a choice to not examine all the evidence. - Tony

Any religion that doesn't allow for critical thought is bad religion. - Brian T. Nakamoto

@AJ Kohn I would say that our choices define us, and that there are universal truths here on earth that exist whether we believe them or not. The first truth we must decide is what we believe to be true about the human condition, whether or not we are in need of "saving" or have shown the ability to save ourselves. What I most appreciate with this conversation is that there isn't anger, just open sharing and reflection. All good stuff! - Tony

@Micheal Markman: How do explain the fact that we are having this conversation at all. Spirituality is inherently a part of being human. We seem to require belief in the divine to achive real happiness and contentment. - Roberto Bonini

@ Jason Wehmhoener: In the sense that we can't fully comphrehend the total sum of creation I would agree with you. Wouldn't you say that creation in itself shows purposefullness and design. I mean, one wouald say that same thing of a house. It was designed. Built. Surely you can see that? - Roberto Bonini

no religion is "right". any system of belief that tells you it has the absolute answer to something as unknowable as "what happens after this life" is lying. religion is a crutch that is keeping our species from reaching our full potential. religion, race, and nationality are the three things that define human separations, but only religious conviction allows for an assignation of absolute superiority over other groups. our species will not reach the "next level" through inherently separatist doctrines. - Stephen Winkler

@Tony: I believe choices do define us but am not sure on universal truths unless we're essentially talking the 'golden rules'. I'm not bound by the idea of being saved. That, to me, is a constraint and a division. I feel we all must conduct ourselves and live our lives as best we can. That we should reach out to others, give, contribute to others and make a positive difference. Imagine if everyone (regardless of religion, creed, color, sexual orientation) did this ... - AJ Kohn

@ Jeremiah - Listen to http://www.electricsky.net/his-hol... - You can get to the next level (Spirituality or ?) from any religion.. - Kishore Balakrishnan

Interesting thread Jeremiah, I think that word "religion" has become tainted in the past years. In my experience letting Jesus into my life and slowly work on my soul has been the most rewarding time in my life. I think sometimes "Christians" get caught up in "Religion" when it is really about a personal relationship w/ god. Jesus's Great Commandment :'Love the Lord your God with all... more... - Tom Masiero

Born catholic but influenced by eastern religions like many.Getting to the'next level' is such a buzz phrase. Love energy does elevate the heart and cause personal energy to literally 'rise' in frequency if altruistic. I'm working on a balance between service to others and fulfillment / fun/ sustainable eco success. Co-operation aligned with friendly competition. Thanks for the question. - Rebecca Kellock

For me, Religion is about giving back. Celebrating the gifts that we've been given, practicing gratitude and being in the presence of God. When people are willing to give, in return they receive the gifts and promises of God. Many religious faiths subscribe to this kind of thinking. - Vicki Tambellini

From "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis: "I have been asked to tell you what Christians believe, and I am going to begin by telling you one thing that Christians do not need to believe. If you are a Christian you do not have to believe that all the other religions are simply wrong all through. If you are an atheist you do have to believe that the main point in all the religions of the whole world is simply one huge mistake." - Karim

"If you are a Christian, you are free to think that all these religions, even the queerest ones, contain at least some hint of the truth. When I was an atheist I had to try to persuade myself that most of the human race have always been wrong about the question that mattered to them most; when I became a Christian I was able to take a more liberal view. But, of course, being a Christian does mean thinking that where Christianity differs from other religions, Christianity is right and they are wrong." - Karim

"As in arithmetic-there is only one right answer to a sum, and all other answers are wrong: but some of the wrong answers are much nearer being right than others." - Karim

I grew up Catholic. They seem to believe every other religion is "wrong" and theirs is the only religion worth practicing. This seems not only short-sighted, but extremely non-christian like... don't you think? From this experience, I have to say that I'm far more interested in being a good person than finding the "correct" religion. With alllll the religions out there in the world, it's hard for me to believe that there's only ONE ideal. - Dominique

Dominique, I agree. But the birth of the Catholic church was an age where a lot of people were saying a lot of crazy things about what it meant to be a Christian, and finally there was this one organization that drew a line in the sand. These days, they concede that it's possible to be a non-Catholic Christian and still be saved. They still think they have the "most correct" answer to the question (3.14159...) but they admit that some of the other answers might be "good enough" (3.1416) ;-) - Karim

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