Atheists: If you could choose any religion, what would it be?

[GenesisNemesis]

I think I would choose Buddhism. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism) Aren't they the most peaceful religion in the world? I don't hear anything about them getting in wars or anything. I'd also choose Buddhism because of this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Buddhism)

[atonal chaotic]

The Church of the SubGenius has the promise of life on the UFOs with the Sex Goddesses after Bob or God or whoever comes and destroys everything. But that's about on par with 72 perpetual virgins.

On the other hand, Satanism has nude women as altars and all the topless witches, big bucks, and justified misanthropy you can con your way into right here in this life. This life seems like a better deal than next lives or alien destroyers.

[quasi-sapien]

http://www.subgenius.com/

[Puskara]

I would choose the following:

Zen Buddhism - Crazy Supernaturalism + Vigorous Debate Over Tradition Zen Ideas + Orgies = Perfect Religion

Puskara

[Tuvar Ane Ingolenen]

I would not choose a religion untill I must. Maybe Buddhism.

[Wild_Weasel]

The Flying Spaghetti Monster & Pastafarianism of course.

Who can resist having to dress and speak like a Pirate while, at the same time, combating global warming?

http://www.venganza.org

And of course you can be a Discordian at the same time. Fnord.

Hail Eris!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discordianism

WW

[Aristophanes]

Discordianism

[Wild_Weasel]

Discordianism

Do you think there are Discordians in the International Astronomical Union?

The planet that recently 'demoted' Pluto has now been officially named Eris...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5344892.stm

Quote:

" Eris' discoverer, Michael Brown of the California Institute of Technology, told the Associated Press fnord that the name was an obvious choice, calling it 'too perfect to resist'."

Hail Eris!

WW

[His Noodly Appendage]

Are you asking what we'd rather believe to be true, or what we'd rather actually was true?

[purple_kathryn]

Probably Buddhism or I remember in my 3rd year history class that some of the Native American beliefs sounded a lot "nicer" than christianity

[Oikoman]

Asatru... because heaven should be about chugging aquavit and listening to cute goth girls singing heavy metal.

[southernhybrid]

Unitarianism. They accept atheists into their fold. :)

[reddhedd]

One based on reality as it is.

[Katastrophikus]

The Vikings had the Coolest Religion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_mythology). It was honest, direct and believed that everything would go to shit anyway. The only worthwhile thing to do was to choose a side, fight and die.

Also, being an early incarnation of pirates, they are the most pastafarian-friendly.

[Jedi Mind Trick]

I would choose the god that most NDEs describe. Panentheistic... All-loving... Open to all... embracing of all faiths. To bad it is most probably the function of an oxygen starved brain.

[NZSkep]

I would be a Cimmerian and pray to Crom. Then I could pretend to be Conan.

[Alethias]

I'd accept any religion that would be willing to embrace Secular Humanism and Philosophical Naturalism as being correct.

Alethias

[Nice Squirrel]

What I want to know is why atheists always talk about orgies in the future? Can't you have them now? Or is some sort of moral code getting in the way of a good old fashioned sex party? :p

[post tenebras lux]

I would be a Cimmerian and pray to Crom. Then I could pretend to be Conan.But why bother praying to Crom? He never answers. :huh:

[Malachi151]

I think I would choose Buddhism. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism) Aren't they the most peaceful religion in the world? I don't hear anything about them getting in wars or anything. I'd also choose Buddhism because of this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Buddhism)

This is like asking, if you "could" choose to believe in Santa, The Easter Bunny, or the tooth fairy, which would you choose? :rolleyes:

By the way, don't be fooled by the so-called peacefulness of Buddhism, it was spread by war and oppression also, they just cover this history up like the others try to.

Also, I think that Buddhism sucks because look at all of the places where it dominates, they are all backwards places of no accomplishments. People spend their life basically engeged in mental self-induced drug use, meditating themselves into nothingness. Its a religion that preaches against worldly achievement and accopmlishment, basically telling you to be satisfied with having nohting and doing nothing.

Its crap, just like all the rest....

[livindesert]

I already am a Atheist Unitarian Universalist. If I had to choose something theistic I would have to say Baha'i.

[windsofchange]

What I want to know is why atheists always talk about orgies in the future? Can't you have them now? Or is some sort of moral code getting in the way of a good old fashioned sex party? :p

Isn't it more fun when it's forbidden? :devil1:

[DefendsReason]

Atheists: If you could choose any religion, what would it be?
What kind of question is that? Why can I not choose a religion now, or at anytime in my past?

Why trick my mind into believing other people's nonsense from the ancient and ignorant past only to burden myself with rules/rituals/fear/dogma?

I choose reality and honesty. I am atheist.

[dettus]

I choose reality and honesty. I am atheist.

exactly

[NZSkep]

But why bother praying to Crom? He never answers. :huh:
true.

[Aristophanes]

What kind of question is that? Why can I not choose a religion now, or at anytime in my past?

Why trick my mind into believing other people's nonsense from the ancient and ignorant past only to burden myself with rules/rituals/fear/dogma?

I choose reality and honesty. I am atheist.
but pastafarianism has a stripper factory and a beer volcano...

[KittyKatBlack]

Probably LaVayen (sp?) Sa tanism. 'Tis fun to see the look on people's faces.
Or Wic ca. (Don't mind the spaces)

[never been there]

Saying Buddhism, Taoism, or Confucianism (I could offer the first two) is cheating since you don't really have to believe in a god, although I think Confucianism says you should act as thought you did, even though you're an educated person and know better.

So if some being flashed before my eyes and demonstrated omnipotence, omniscience and omnibenevolence but refused to tell me which religion I should follow in its service, I like Baha'i and Unitarianism but their Abrahamic heritage is still an obstacle. Sikhs are the other religion that is at least respectful to women as equal to men.

[Lógos Sokratikós]

It's as if the OP was asking us if we want to be brain dead...
If you were brain dead how would you like to smell?

Oh I like brain dead and Catholic, because I'd like the press coverage...


Does not compute! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Does_not_compute) :banghead:

[PinkPanther_04]

Something that worships the sun. That makes more sense than anything else people have worshipped.

[fatpie42]

I think I'd probably choose Hinduism. I know many would probably suggest that I choose Buddhism instead because of the caste system, but not all Hindus accept the caste system and some even wish to appropriate the Buddha as another manifestation of Brahman. Saying that Hindus must accept the caste system is like saying that Christianity cannot accept seperation of Church and state.

The main advantage that Hinduism seems to have over Buddhism is its love of life. Hinduism seems like a much more vibrant and life-affirming religion than Buddhism. That Buddhists are being pistol-whipped by their Chinese occupation is not really a reason to prefer them. Hindus might be more assertive, but who really wants a completely passive and powerless religion anyway? Also, Hindu philosophy is often very speculative with one Hindu poem famously querying whether God even knows of the complexities of the cosmos.

Basically, Hinduism looks like it could be a lot of fun. A really vibrant tradition embracing all aspects of life and human desire. :)

And let's face it: Diwali is one of the most awesome religious festivals ever! :D

[fatpie42]

Something that worships the sun. That makes more sense than anything else people have worshipped.

Why stick to the sun? What of the rain, the ocean, the mountains, the moon, the trees? Polytheism is able to give close attention to each facet of human experience. How could any one deity embody the whole expanse of beauty and wonder in the entire world? How can we ever put so much value into one thing like the sun without ignoring the diversity of beauty and wonder surrounding us. Why do you think the Egyptians were so upset with Akhenaten?

[BioBeing]

I'll chose a theistic religion when the God or Godess of said religion reveals itself to me in a conclusive manner and takes the time to explain themselves and their religion to me and gives me a damn good reason why I should actually join said religion and worship said Deity.

Other than that, my wife does want us to attend the local UU church, but I think I would still self-describe as an atheist even if I became a tithe paying member there (do the UUs do tithes? I'm sure they take money in some for or other.)

[PinkPanther_04]

Why stick to the sun? What of the rain, the ocean, the mountains, the moon, the trees? Polytheism is able to give close attention to each facet of human experience. How could any one deity embody the whole expanse of beauty and wonder in the entire world? How can we ever put so much value into one thing like the sun without ignoring the diversity of beauty and wonder surrounding us. Why do you think the Egyptians were so upset with Akhenaten?
Um, well that seems like it might take more time out of my day and all...and the sun's a lot more impressive and provides more stuff for us than anything else. It's the ultimate source of all our energy, you know? Way better than water or rocks or trees. Not that there's anything wrong with that stuff. I love the Earth, I just don't worship it. Of course, I don't worship the sun either, but in a hypothetical bizarro world I could understand worshipping it I guess.

[JamesBannon]

Seems like rather an odd question to ask an atheist given that we've already chosen a religious affiliation .... none.

[Solanalos]

But why bother praying to Crom? He never answers. :huh:

But that doesn't matter. Nor does whether you were good or bad men. All that matters is that few stood against many.

"Craush yooah enameez, cee dem dliven befoar yoo, and heeya dee lamentashunz of dee wilmen."

[xaxxat]

Anuism... The Annunaki have their own frigging planet. They have spaceships too.

[Tiberius]

I'd invent my own religion, Tiberianism, which allows people to have whatever beliefs they wish as long as those beliefs don't interfere with other people.

[fatpie42]

Tiberianism sounds rather like Universism
http://www.religioustolerance.org/universism.htm

However, it seems that Universism is dead:
http://cfi-forums.org/viewtopic.php?p=4603&sid=32af2d734c0fc0b980fe055d6e8aa90b

[rfwu]

Also, I think that Buddhism sucks because look at all of the places where it dominates, they are all backwards places of no accomplishments. People spend their life basically engeged in mental self-induced drug use, meditating themselves into nothingness. Its a religion that preaches against worldly achievement and accopmlishment, basically telling you to be satisfied with having nohting and doing nothing.

Its crap, just like all the rest....

Doesn't Buddhism dominate Japan? Backwards with no accomplishments?

China during the Tang dynasty was also dominated by Buddhism and look at all their accomplishments.

[DeLurking]

But why bother praying to Crom? He never answers. :huh:

That's the good part. You don't have to kiss Crom's ass, and we already know the answer to the riddle of steel, so he won't kick the shit out of us.

[Giant Space Amoeba]

Unitarianism. They accept atheists into their fold. :)

Oh good answer.

I agree, but i'd rather not choose a religion at all.

Or i could be a Jedi ;)

[fatpie42]

Doesn't Buddhism dominate Japan? Backwards with no accomplishments?

China during the Tang dynasty was also dominated by Buddhism and look at all their accomplishments.

While I agree with your basic point, I think the Japanese are more often Shinto than Buddhist. However, there is no doubting that Buddhism had a big influence (alongside Confucianism) on China.

[Arvel Joffi]

I'd go with the Baha'i (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baha%27i) faith. It's peaceful, and stresses doing good works, gender and racial equality, and doing independent research to discover "the truth." It also has no priesthood, no churches, no literal hell, and its tenets are viewed to be there for the health and well-being of individuals and society, not as blind commandments from some codependant, bipolar God. It's almost a shame that it's not true. It's really quite beautiful.

[PinkPanther_04]

I'd go with the Baha'i (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baha%27i) faith. It's peaceful, and stresses doing good works, gender and racial equality, and doing independent research to discover "the truth." It also has no priesthood, no churches, no literal hell, and its tenets are viewed to be there for the health and well-being of individuals and society, not as blind commandments from some codependant, bipolar God. It's almost a shame that it's not true. It's really quite beautiful.
I was very nearly a Baha'i as a teenager - part of my grand search for external meaning, blah, blah, blah. But you can't drink alcohol or use any drugs (it formed as sort of a splinter of Shia Islam). I believe in most of their principles, especially about equality, I just can't go along with silly restrictions that treat people like children.

Oh, and they do have churches and require daily prayer. But overall, they certainly seem more positive than most religions.

[Arvel Joffi]

I was very nearly a Baha'i as a teenager - part of my grand search for external meaning, blah, blah, blah. But you can't drink alcohol or use any drugs (it formed as sort of a splinter of Shia Islam). I believe in most of their principles, especially about equality, I just can't go along with silly restrictions that treat people like children.

Oh, and they do have churches and require daily prayer. But overall, they certainly seem more positive than most religions.

They worship daily, but mostly in Baha'i households. I like that their requirements are, in their eyes, for your good. No is encouraged by Baha'i scripture to shun or kill you if you don't abide by the rules; and you aren't condemned to a fire and brimstone Hell, just to a distance from God. (This is a bad thing, I'm guessing. :huh: ) The stuff about not drinking is a bit too condescending. Since it's been established that many people have control problems with alcohol and drugs, Bahá'u'lláh just tells you that it's better for you to avoid them.

I couldn't be Baha'i because of the fasting. During one or two of their 19 day months, you can't eat between dawn and dusk. If I don't eat within a half hour of feeling hungry, I get the shakes and a headache. I'm not going through that for 19 days for a god. If there was a god who loved me, he'd command me to eat pizza for 19 days, and, by His Infinite Power and Grace, pizza would be good for me!

[rfwu]

While I agree with your basic point, I think the Japanese are more often Shinto than Buddhist. However, there is no doubting that Buddhism had a big influence (alongside Confucianism) on China.

It's really hard to tell with Buddhism since it is so tolerant. I think Japanese Buddhism is different from Chinese Buddhism as well as Tibetan Buddhism. And all of these are different from Indian Buddhism, which was the original one anyay.:huh:

[bookworm14]

I wouldn't choose a religion until I see what the space aliens have to offer. :)
bookworm14

[fatpie42]

It's really hard to tell with Buddhism since it is so tolerant. I think Japanese Buddhism is different from Chinese Buddhism as well as Tibetan Buddhism. And all of these are different from Indian Buddhism, which was the original one anyay.:huh:

Buddhism started in Nepal.

I've never heard buddhism be seperated into nations before. It's normally separated into Mahayana, Vajrayana, Hiniyana, Theravada, Zen, etc.

Honestly, Shinto is more popular than Buddhism in Japan.

http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/pro-religion.htm
"Statistics show that there are 117 million followers of Shinto and 90 million adherents of Buddhism in Japan."

However, many adopt both (just like many accept both Confucianism and Buddhism along side one another in China)

[dystopian]

I'd probably have to go with a mix between Taoism and Asatru. Although the first is more of a philosophy than a religion. But the result would be pretty amusing.

"I AM THOR! THE WAY WHICH CAN BE KNOWN IS NOT THE WAY! RAAWR MY HAMMER STRIKES YOU! IT IS AS A DROP OF WATER MOVING THROUGH A RIVER! Wait, i think i got that wrong somewhere." - Taoist Thor.

[Jolly_Penguin]

If I had to have a God, I'd worship the Sun. It has other Gods beat.

It clearly exists.

It Gives us life.

Our world revolves around it.

Ya, I'd worship the Sun. I'd spend my time basking in its rays. And who knows, maybe I'd get myself a tan. Then I'd tell people that it was a holy mark and entitled me to free nachos.

[stressa]

If I had to have a God, I'd worship the Sun. It has other Gods beat.

It clearly exists.

It Gives us life.

Our world revolves around it.

Ya, I'd worship the Sun. I'd spend my time basking in its rays. And who knows, maybe I'd get myself a tan. Then I'd tell people that it was a holy mark and entitled me to free nachos.

You've got me sold, preacher! Especially the bit about the nachos. AMEN!

I had a high school friend who was a Korean national...I asked her what religion Koreans were (geography not being one of my fortes in high school) and she said, "Buddhist, which means we're all athiests." Having read up on it since then, I understand better what she meant...the eightfold path being basically a way of living a meaningful life of moderation and avoiding doing stupid shit that can fuck you up. So, if the bit about the free nachos doesn't pan out, I guess I could go with Buddhism.

[rfwu]

Buddhism started in Nepal.

I've never heard buddhism be seperated into nations before. It's normally separated into Mahayana, Vajrayana, Hiniyana, Theravada, Zen, etc.

Honestly, Shinto is more popular than Buddhism in Japan.

http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/pro-religion.htm
"Statistics show that there are 117 million followers of Shinto and 90 million adherents of Buddhism in Japan."

However, many adopt both (just like many accept both Confucianism and Buddhism along side one another in China)

Point made. Again, too hard to tell in this particular discussion.

[jackrabbit]

I'd rather create my own religion too. Jackrabbit's Church of Love accepts only young female members (except for the reverend, of course) and clothes are not allowed in services.