Is it possible to be a moderate religious person? The numerous ways to reach god
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
Canada
January 31, 2008 11:42pm CST
I dont think so.
For example.. if i believed that jesus is the onlyway, everyone else is going to hell.. no ifs ands or buts..
If i think the Koran is the word of god, those who deny it are going to hell.. etc etc..
If you believe that there is more than one path to god, then you are a moderate spiritualist.
If you believe that there is more than one path to god, but still believe in any of the prescribed beliefs above, or those related to them, you are a moderate religious person, which makes you either not believe your religious faith or not believe that there is more than one path to god.
am i wrong? why/why not?
2 people like this
4 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
3 Feb 08
Yes, most religious people are moderate including myself
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
20 Aug 08
Not only that but it is hard to imagine what a non-moderate person would be like.
all the best urban
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
2 Feb 08
There are many moderate religious people out there.And I am one.I believe there are many ways to G-d. And G-d has many names because there are many different people so He has many names.I don't believe that someone has to follow my religion to go to heaven.There are many different paths.
1 person likes this
@Galena (9110)
•
1 Feb 08
it depends, doesn't it.
I'm religious. obviously I beleive that my interpretation of the truth is the most accurate one, or I'd be beleiving something else instead.
BUT
I don't beleive in any form of punishment for not getting it right. I actually don't beleive my Gods think any more of those that beleive in them than they do of those that don't.
so why should I be bothered if other people beleive differently. they're not harming me, or even harming themselves.
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
2 Feb 08
ah, i see..
so you believe that everyone else is wrong, but it doesnt matter because nothing bad is going to happen.
the difference between you and i, however, is that my only claim is that i dont know the truth, and only stick to objective reality for my answers. i may exercise a god that does not contradict itself, ie the unconscious pantheistic 'god'.
if something is illogical, i ignore it.
when it is possible, its a different story, i say i dont know.
no offence or anything, but in my opinion, anyone who thinks they are right and everyone else is wrong is fkd in the head... or arrogant.. i dono if you are saying this tho.. you only led me to believe that through your response... as you said 'most accurate,' i would think thats not the case, but it does come close.
@Galena (9110)
•
2 Feb 08
I don't think it's arrogance. I'm just as likely to be right or wrong as the next person. I think I'm probably right, as to the conclusions I've drawn through my own experience.
and the thing is, although it's possible to forge a relationship with deity as I understand it to be, I'm also very aware of the fact, that you or I or someone down the road, to something vast and eternal probably barely exist at all. we're pretty small in the big scheme of things.
so that's why I don't think Gods particularly care one way or the other if you or I or someone else beleive in them.
it's like if you were the ruler of the world, would you really care what each and every person thought of you? it wouldn't matter. I see it as that times infinity, really.
and as I see it, it's none of my business what other people beleive in, so long as they're not trying to make me beleive it too.
if anything, I think it's probably rather more arrogant to think that an incomprehensively vast force really cares whether little old me beleives in them or not.
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
2 Feb 08
hm, i would disagree again.
i think that the individual is quite important... more important than society.
i mean, you exist, here, now.. so why waste the energy to create you if you are not important?
@ubuntujason (196)
• United States
2 Feb 08
hey~
i think that there is a difference between being a believer (of any faith) and being religious. i would say that there aren't that many 'religious moderates' but that there are people who are both moderates and faithful to what they believe. one's who understand that people should be free to choose for themselves what to believe. one's who believe that we will get further by getting along then by fighting.
you make some awesome points man! thnx!
~j
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
2 Feb 08
i dont know if i would agree with you, but thanks for the response.
@ubuntujason (196)
• United States
2 Feb 08
hey~
your welcome and thanks for being so kewl and polite about it! to each there own, i'm glad to see some people actually do believe this :)
i hope to see some great arguments in reading thru your discussion, thnx!
~j
