Tuesday, March 16, 2004

40 - 49
Active Spiritual Seeker ? Spiritual but turned off by organized religion

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1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Secular Humanism (98%)
3. Liberal Quakers (90%)
4. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (88%)
5. Nontheist (83%)
6. Theravada Buddhism (75%)
7. Neo-Pagan (63%)
8. Bahá'í Faith (61%)
9. Taoism (60%)
10. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (55%)
11. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (52%)
12. Reform Judaism (50%)
13. New Age (42%)
14. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (41%)
15. New Thought (41%)
16. Orthodox Quaker (40%)
17. Mahayana Buddhism (36%)
18. Sikhism (36%)
19. Scientology (35%)
20. Jehovah's Witness (27%)
21. Jainism (23%)
22. Seventh Day Adventist (23%)
23. Eastern Orthodox (18%)
24. Islam (18%)
25. Orthodox Judaism (18%)
26. Roman Catholic (18%)
27. Hinduism (16%)

What Unitarian Universalists Believe

?Belief in Deity
Very diverse beliefs--Unitarian/Universalists welcome all deity beliefs as well as nontheistic beliefs. Some congregations are formed for those who share a common belief, e.g. Christianity.

? Incarnations
Very diverse beliefs, including belief in no incarnations, or that all are the embodiment of God. Some believe Christ is God's Son, or not Son but "Wayshower."

? Origin of Universe and Life
Diverse beliefs, but most believe in the Bible as symbolic and that natural processes account for origins.

? After Death
Diverse beliefs, but most believe that heaven and hell are not places but are symbolic. Some believe heaven and hell are states of consciousness either in life or continuing after death; some believe in reincarnation; some believe that afterlife is nonexistent or not known or not important, as actions in life are all that matter.

? Why Evil?
Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good but also with free will and an imperfect nature that leads some to immoral behavior. Diverse beliefs. Some believe wrong is committed when people distance themselves from God. Some believe in ?karma,? that what goes around comes around. Some believe wrongdoing is a matter of human nature, psychology, sociology, etc.

? Salvation
Some believe in salvation through faith in God and Jesus Christ, along with doing good works and doing no harm to others. Many believe all will be saved, as God is good and forgiving. Some believe in reincarnation and the necessity to eliminate personal greed or to learn all of life?s lessons before achieving enlightenment or salvation. For some, the concepts of salvation or enlightenment are irrelevant or disbelieved.

? Undeserving Suffering
Diverse beliefs. Most Unitarians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God?s plan, will, or design, even if we don?t immediately understand it. Some don?t believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need.

? Contemporary Issues
The Unitarian Universalist Association?s stance is to protect the personal right to choose abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.

Ehhh. . . still not the type of religion I'd want, if I decided to have one.

Now this:

What Secular Humanists Believe

? Belief in Deity
Not considered important. Most Humanists are atheists or agnostics.

? Incarnations
Same as above.

? Origin of Universe and Life
The scientific method is most respected as the means for revealing the mysteries of the origins of the universe and life.

? After Death
An afterlife or spiritual existence after death is not recognized.

? Why Evil?
No concept of ?evil.? Reasons for wrongdoing are explored through scientific methods, e.g. through study of sociology, psychology, criminology.

? Salvation
No concept of afterlife or spiritual liberation or salvation. Realizing ones personal potential and working for the betterment of humanity through ethical consciousness and social works are considered paramount, but from a naturalistic rather than supernatural standpoint.

? Undeserved Suffering
No spiritual reasons but rather a matter of human vulnerability to misfortune, illness, and victimization.

? Contemporary Issues
The American Humanist Association endorses elective abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection

Take quizzes here

Agnostic or Atheist is where I stand.
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