To All Atheists: Which Religion Do You Like The Most?

[RebelRising]

I've always like the polytheistic Greek mythology, just because it's so much more exciting and relatable than the Abrahamic religions in my opinion. The Gods were really just super-sized humans; they got drunk and did stupid s**t, too.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Does being an atheist mean that you can't be religious?

Aren't Buddhists atheists?

Depends. You can still follow the main beliefs without actually following some of the more..fringe elements. Sorry, I mean rather, you'd discount the supernatural stuff, that's for example basically what Christian Atheism is at least.

However, interesting little note is that, most of the big religions all have some from of the same moral code, of 'Golden Rule', from Christianity to Buddhism to Confucianism to Islam, that says basically, do unto others as you would have done unto you, that everyone has a right to be treated justly and fairly etc.

So really, if you're only focusing on the teachings of a religion for it's moral and philosophical aspects, you can still be -technically- atheist.

For those who don't follow any religion in any sense, non-religious really does work better as a descriptor.

Just out of interest - how would describe someone who (like myself) does not believe an a god or any form of 'perfect omnipotent being' yet still believes in unscientific concepts such as souls, life having a vital spark, spirituality, etc? That is still atheism, but is also religious?

 

[Asymptote Angel]

I know it isn't really a "religion" but I do appreciate the Buddhist spiritual lifestyle. Unlike other religions, the self-sacrifice it entails actually has results. Besides, Buddhists are almost invariably really cool people, and the Buddha was a great philosopher. If there is a true spirituality that governs the world, Buddhism is definitely the closest to achieving it.

If there's a religion that worships music, then I'll make that my favorite. If there's a god, he manifests in music.

 

[Aramax]

I dont believe in religion because I dont really think religion has anything to do with people gathering and worshiping a diety because, if I would be one of those god, I would find it annoying like hell to have done all this just to have a bunch of dimwits flock into a corner of that sphere I created while they think/say nice things about me over and over again.

I believe in the posibility that all the gods ever created really do exist... but they dont really want anything from me apparently.

 

[Booze Zombie]

that's more of a new agey spin on it, most of the legit ones in the east may have different views on what enlightenment means... but nearly all branches the main point is to loose the self.. Only real arrogance I see comes from the westerners who claim to be masters and want you to cough up thousands of dollars on cruises for talks, and book signings , or Buddhist influenced new-agy shops

What I meant was I found it kind of insulting to say that you need to be a Buddhist to be enlightened, you see?

It seems to imply that non-Buddhists are only fit to become reincarnated, whilst the "enlightened" Buddhists enjoy their own personal universe.
I mean, maybe I'm not "enlightened" but why does that mean I can't enjoy Nirvana as well?

Maybe I'm taking this all wrong, but that's how things seem to me.

 

[mike1921]

I think ancient greek mythology is an amazing religion if that counts. I spent most of my life learning about it. If being athiest was ever against the law (lol), I'd switch to ancient greek mythology. I know so much about and want to make a video game based on homer's odyssey (which I've read, awesome book). Its so interesting.

If being atheist was against the law I'd go out trying to assassinate everyone who agrees with that law.

There is of course LaVeyan Satanism, which is an athiestic religion based around the preservation of self, and treating one's selve AS God. There's a few philisophical fallacies in it, but otherwise it's quite a reasonable position. All you have to do is ignore the hypocricy of showing your non-conformity by assigning yourself to a religion.

I don't consider it a religion if there's no belief in a higher power associated in it. If it does count, than sure I pick it as my favorite. Otherwise pastafatarian.

 

[khululy]

creationism they worship the flintstones... that's awesome

I think christianity is a good religion, just not in the way most people apply it today.
If you read the bible and the stories about Jezus you will notice that Jezus taught us to discard all rules and dogma set by religious leaders. He told people metaphorical stories so they could think for themself instead of people having one person tell them how to live.
Also according to Jezus if you needed something, like fixing a door, on sunday you should do so because there was no reason not to.
All Jezus told us to do was: love your neighbours like yourself and God above all. (defenition of god not included)

In the end religions aren't ment to be dogmatic loads of semi-political crap or border on cults and sects. They are ment to guide people who do not fully understand the ways of the world.
To me science is also a form of religion because it some people so fanaticly follow it's teaching.

I'm not saying they are wrong in their rawest form but I do think no man has the right or position to tell others what to believe or what not to believeor even ask and or force them to pay to believe a certain thing.

even if the teaching are so silly (mormons anyone)if they don't harm anyone in any way there is no faulth in their believes.

 

[brighteye]

"Just out of interest - how would describe someone who (like myself) does not believe an a god or any form of 'perfect omnipotent being' yet still believes in unscientific concepts such as souls, life having a vital spark, spirituality, etc? That is still atheism, but is also religious?"

Well, that would be my school of faith, Agnostic.I actually did some sort of test to check out wich religion that came closest to my belief..
No god, all living things having a soul, good deeds attracting good people and good fortune and so on, i found out its called Neo Paganism.
Dont know much about it though, dont care that much....

"I know so much about and want to make a video game based on homer's odyssey (which I've read, awesome book). Its so interesting."

I could swear i saw a game like that 2 months ago in the shop.
It had Hercules,Pan and Akilles as your "friends" as you went to save your wife.

 

[the_baku_eats_dreams]

I am a non organized theist, but my favorite religions ancient pagan ones, but if you wanna get nitpicky and say major world religion of today, Buddhism is by and large my favorite. Philosophical religions are much more flexible and a lot less discriminatory then the ones based on old books written in the desert. I don;t hate those religions, but any religion that actively tells you to hate someone because of circumstances beyond their control then I don't like it.

 

[Matronadena]

Does being an atheist mean that you can't be religious?

Aren't Buddhists atheists?

Depends. You can still follow the main beliefs without actually following some of the more..fringe elements. Sorry, I mean rather, you'd discount the supernatural stuff, that's for example basically what Christian Atheism is at least.

And I note..... All of these are up to interpretation..and " conditional" settings..and in most all Buddhist branches there is really no wrong answer as to how you take each one to mean, and your never expected to be able to be flawless ( because were human, we screw up,,,thats our nature, thats life)


Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts

The Three Refuges
_____________________
We take refuge in Buddha
We take refuge in Dharma
We take refuge in Sangha

The Three Pure Precepts
________________________
To do no harm
To do good
To live to benefit all beings

The Ten Prohibitory Precepts
________________________________
A follower of the Way does not kill but rather cultivates and encourages life.

A follower of the Way does not take what is not given but rather cultivates and encourages generosity.

A follower of the Way does not misuse sexuality but rather cultivates and encourages open, honest and acceptable relationships.

A follower of the Way does not lie but rather cultivates and encourages truthful communication.

A follower of the Way does not intoxicate self or others but rather cultivates and encourages clarity.

A follower of the Way does not slander but rather cultivates and encourages respectful speech.

A follower of the Way neither extols self nor demeans others but rather cultivates awareness of the interdependent nature of self.

A follower of the Way does not attach to anything, even the teaching, but rather cultivates mutual support and shares the dharma with all beings. ( this does not mean shove in ones face or convert anything, it means more setting an example, and answering questions when asked, but letting life be as it is)

A follower of the Way does not harbor ill will but rather cultivates loving-kindness, understanding, and forgiveness.

A follower of the Way does not turn away from the Three Refuges but rather cultivates and encourages taking refuge in them.

 

[Valiance]

To be atheist means to not believen a creator or a deity, such as god. Buddhists do not believen any creator therefore buddhists are athiests. Buddhism is a religion that appeals to Atheists because it revolves around philosophy, intellect, and spirituality.

Yep. Buddhism it is.
Though Hinduism feels slightly more believable than Christianity.

And I don't particularly "like" any religion, and I'm more Agnostic than Atheist.

 

[zoozilla]

I'm kind of partial to Shintoism, just because I'm half Japanese.

It's pretty simple, really doesn't interfere with regular life (doesn't prohibit you from eating a specific food or lying in bed a certain way or anything like that).

 

[teh_gunslinger]

Ancient Greek religion. At least the gods were very anthropomorphic and full of flaws. It was all good fun. Also there were a lack of "Kill the unbelievers" dogma that is a staple of the 3 big ones these days. It wasn't so damn serious. Or at least in another way.
And much fun reading about Athena being born from the head of Zeus who ate his father or something like that.

Hooray! Another person that said greek mythology besides me. What are your favorite gods and goddesses? I like Athena and Hermes. Athena is a great role model for women even if she is a god.

I never really thought about it in terms of favourites. It was just part of my classics studies, but if I have to chose someone it might be Apollon as Phoibos and in his aspects of god of music, poetry, light and truth (and plague). The story about Apollon and Daphne on Ovids Metamorphoses is breathtaking in it's sad beauty.

But I also find Athena Parthenos, but that's mostly because I like the classical statues depicting her with aegis, helmet, spear and shield. I'm a sucker for classical sculpture and Pergamene Baroque. I'm a bit of a geek like that.

 

[MercenaryCanary]

I can only tolerate one religion, and that would be Buddhism.

 

[Zildjin81]

I have the same opinion on almost all religions because most of them are the same movie with a different cast of actors.

 

[GothmogII]

Does being an atheist mean that you can't be religious?

Aren't Buddhists atheists?

Depends. You can still follow the main beliefs without actually following some of the more..fringe elements. Sorry, I mean rather, you'd discount the supernatural stuff, that's for example basically what Christian Atheism is at least.

However, interesting little note is that, most of the big religions all have some from of the same moral code, of 'Golden Rule', from Christianity to Buddhism to Confucianism to Islam, that says basically, do unto others as you would have done unto you, that everyone has a right to be treated justly and fairly etc.

So really, if you're only focusing on the teachings of a religion for it's moral and philosophical aspects, you can still be -technically- atheist.

For those who don't follow any religion in any sense, non-religious really does work better as a descriptor.

Just out of interest - how would describe someone who (like myself) does not believe an a god or any form of 'perfect omnipotent being' yet still believes in unscientific concepts such as souls, life having a vital spark, spirituality, etc? That is still atheism, but is also religious?

It's not entirely implausible that what we consider a soul is just the combination of various electrical impulses in our brains formed into what we understand as an identity. And this is not to belittle individuality, I still think it's amazing and wonderful thing, even if I don't consider it divinely inspired.

Actually, I think the creation of the first true computer AI will put the idea to rest one way or the other. To my mind at least, something that can perform all of the functions of a human mind, with no discernible difference, is human. And, a machine can't have what is theologically understood to be a soul, can it?


As for what you'd call yourself. In a few short words: I don't know. Hah!

 

[teh_gunslinger]

Does being an atheist mean that you can't be religious?

Aren't Buddhists atheists?

Depends. You can still follow the main beliefs without actually following some of the more..fringe elements. Sorry, I mean rather, you'd discount the supernatural stuff, that's for example basically what Christian Atheism is at least.

However, interesting little note is that, most of the big religions all have some from of the same moral code, of 'Golden Rule', from Christianity to Buddhism to Confucianism to Islam, that says basically, do unto others as you would have done unto you, that everyone has a right to be treated justly and fairly etc.

So really, if you're only focusing on the teachings of a religion for it's moral and philosophical aspects, you can still be -technically- atheist.

For those who don't follow any religion in any sense, non-religious really does work better as a descriptor.

Just out of interest - how would describe someone who (like myself) does not believe an a god or any form of 'perfect omnipotent being' yet still believes in unscientific concepts such as souls, life having a vital spark, spirituality, etc? That is still atheism, but is also religious?

Perhaps pantheist or deism? A belief in something behind it all but not "God" as such? Or am I getting it wrong? I ask out of curiosity.
Because deism would describe a belief that there is a supernatural power but not a personal god or omnipotent being. Just a "force" behind it if you will. Even in all that force does is to be there, not caring about humans or anything else.

So why Buddhism?

Please do not take this as a slight on you. I just remembered you from the Escapist Help/questions thread.

You ask a LOT of questions.

Sadly I cannot answer this.

 

[Marv21]

I dunno Confusicanism is a good religon its kinda of agnostic, saying that mortals cannot truly comprehend the forces which run our universe and continues to tell people that we have to make a perfect government in order to thrive and live a happy life.

Its also saying that just be good for godsakes being nice is good!

 

[Kevvers]

I'm going to have to say Unitarian Universalism because I read this quote by Hosea Ballou:

"It is well known, and will be acknowledged by every candid person, that the human heart is capable of becoming soft, or hard; kind, or unkind; merciful or unmerciful, by education and habit. On this principle we contend, that the infernal torments, which false religion has placed in the future world, and which ministers have, with an overflowing zeal, so constantly held up to the people, and urged with all their learning and eloquence, have tended so to harden the hearts of the professors of this religion, that they have exercised, toward their fellow creatures, a spirit of enmity, which but too well corresponds with the relentless cruelty of their doctrine, and the wrath which they have imagined to exist in our heavenly Father. By having such an example constantly before their eyes, they have become so transformed into its image, that, whenever they have had the power, they have actually executed a vengeance on men and women, which evinced that the cruelty of their doctrine had overcome the native kindness and compassion of the human heart."