Your Other Preferred Religion/Worldview

[Soldier of the One]

If you'd have to give up your current religion/worldview and choose a #2 that you'd be happy with, what would you then choose and why?

[Witsec6]

I would become a sufi because I love Rumi and I'm already a bit mystical.

[Soldier of the One]

I'll go first:

I'm Jewish... would I have to hypothetically give that up, I guess I'd go for Sikhism. Why? They are into social service, gender egalitarian and monotheist. Also, those turbans look pretty cool. I don't think I could hack the 4 a.m. daily prayer services though :/

[Soldier of the One]

I would become a sufi because I love Rumi and I'm already a bit mystical.

Rumi = very cool.

NotTHATkind, what's your current affiliation, just for clarification?

[ladyamylynn]

Atheism to Church of Satan? Haha, that's a joke, but I bet many a fundie would agree that this is the logical next step.

[Boogalou]

I'm atheist (probably). I think I would become agnostic. Is that a cop out?

Edit: I read other posts and now I am regretting my hasty decision. I think I would go Unitarian. I am thinking of going to look at a Unitarian church but I'm kind of scared to do it.

[Soldier of the One]

Atheism to Church of Satan? Haha, that's a joke, but I bet many a fundie would agree that this is the logical next step.

I get it's a joke but aren't there more 'intellectual' Churches of Satan that are more about a secular hedonist philosophy with a libertarian bent than actual... devil worship?

[ilovetchotchkes]

I'd either go Unitarian or Hindu. Despite the fact that I'm a monotheist, Hinduism FASCINATES me. My Jewish hubs says he'd be Buddhist.

[Soldier of the One]

I'm atheist (probably). I think I would become agnostic. Is that a cop out?

:lol: a bit :)

Is there a secular philosophy you particularly identify with? I sure know what JesusFightClub would say... ;)

[Soldier of the One]

I'd either go Unitarian or Hindu. Despite the fact that I'm a monotheist, Hinduism FASCINATES me. My Jewish hubs says he'd be Buddhist.

I can see that. If we're gonna nitpick theology, I think Hinduism is just as monotheist as Catholicism. Either way, I don't actually really care (my avatar notwithstanding).

But I couldn't 'do' Hinduism myself. Maybe I could hack Zoroastrianism. I'm not much into the dualism but I like the 'good thoughts, good words, good deeds' philosophy.

[AudreyE]

I'm Unitarian, which basically means that I eschew dogma, and instead find spirituality in the values of tolerance, community service and stewardship of the earth. If I had to be something else, I would be... I dunno, Buddhist, I guess.

[ladyamylynn]

I get it's a joke but aren't there more 'intellectual' Churches of Satan that are more about a secular hedonist philosophy with a libertarian bent than actual... devil worship?

I think you're right. I don't know much about Satanism, other that a friend was just telling me how his first roommate was a gay, black satanist. Made me giggle.

[slh12280]

I'm a Christian. If I had to choose another religion I would go with Judaism, either conservative or orthodox. Maybe modern orthodox? Judaism has always fascinated me.

[Soldier of the One]

Interesting to read people's choices and preferences. I loves me a good meme :)

[Soldier of the One]

I'd be inclined to say Baha'i but I take issue with certain Baha'i tenets.

[valsa]

I think you're right. I don't know much about Satanism, other that a friend was just telling me how his first roommate was a gay, black satanist. Made me giggle.

Yeah, I don't actually know of a single Satanist who is a real devil worshipper (I flirted with becoming a Satanist in my teens) Most of them refer to "Satan" not as a being, but as a metaphor for the selfish, darker desires that every person has. Satanists, at least the ones I know of, believe you should indulge in these darker desires if you want (to a certain extent, of course. I know hurting "innocents" like children and animals are a big "no, no")

[Guest Anonymous]

I think one can be both atheist and agnostic at the same time, but I don't think there is an 'alternative' worldview that is readily available for either.

If one is a-theist, then some sort of theism is surely the only alternative and, well... how do you get there, exactly? I don't and can't believe in a supernatural deity, so as second choice I will pick one to believe in? :?

Same with agnosticism: I don't believe view that a belief in a supernatural deity can be rationalised or reasoned by the human mind.... so as an alternative, I will suspend my powers of reasoning and somehow gain a knowledge that I don't really believe I can attain.....? :shock:

Atheism isn't a cause I believe in, that I could swap for a particular political persuasion. I might be able to swap Socialism for Communism, if I spent enough time with JFC, for example :mrgreen: , but I couldn't swap atheism for communism. Its like comparing apples and bananas.

[Soldier of the One]

Yeah, I don't actually know of a single Satanist who is a real devil worshipper (I flirted with becoming a Satanist in my teens) Most of them refer to "Satan" not as a being, but as a metaphor for the selfish, darker desires that every person has. Satanists, at least the ones I know of, believe you should indulge in these darker desires if you want (to a certain extent, of course. I know hurting "innocents" like children and animals are a big "no, no")

Basically 'Do as ye will as long as it harms none' or some variant thereof.

Meh. Nothing to get my knickers in a twist over.

[gezykah]

I like to simply refer to myself as godless but if I had to change my agnostic/atheist world view it would be to Buddhism. I was raise Catholic and can remember arguing in CCD that reincarnation made more sense than purgatory. Not that I believe in either what does going to hell-light teach you that forcing you to keep coming back again until you get it right wouldn't teach you better? There are many other aspects of it that as well that appeal to me even if I don't believe.

I'd like to thank my long day at work for that edit :oops:

[Soldier of the One]

I get the feeling Buddhism is going to get a high score...

Buddhism: if only I could sit still and shut up for more than 2 minutes.

[valsa]

Basically 'Do as ye will as long as it harms none' or some variant thereof.

No, not even close. What you're describing is pagans (well, some pagans) Satanists do very much believe in hurting people if they annoy, disrespect, etc you. In fact, these are some of the "rules" of the Church of Satan:

3) When in another's territory, show them respect or else do not go there.

4) If a guest in your territory annoys you, treat them cruelly and without mercy

11) When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask them to stop. If they don’t stop, destroy them.

[ItISjustme]

I've already given up my first - Catholocism. I'd like to be a witch. My mother was a witch. Can the talent for it run in families?

[Soldier of the One]

don't actually know of a single Satanist who is a real devil worshipper (I flirted with becoming a Satanist in my teens) Most of them refer to "Satan" not as a being, but as a metaphor for the selfish, darker desires that every person has. Satanists, at least the ones I know of, believe you should indulge in these darker desires if you want (to a certain extent, of course. I know hurting "innocents" like children and animals are a big "no, no")

Basically 'Do as ye will as long as it harms none' or some variant thereof.

[valsa]

Valsa, I knew that I was quoting the Wiccan Rede, but I thought the same general principles would apply to Satanism, judging by what little I know about it :)

Woah, those are some intense and bizarre 'principles'. Okidoki, good to know for future reference... *politely bows out*

Meh. Most religion is intense and bizarre if looked at objectively.

[darkplumaged]

I'm Jewish. I could probably be a liberal Christian (except that I do not believe in the need for salvation and certainly not in a literal hell), and I find Buddhism intriguing but am not sure how well it would work for my materialistic self.