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+--- Thread: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? (/thread-1441.html)
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - Bracket - 07-11-2009 12:00 PM
I don't believe in religion at all. The biggest reason for this is that there are so many religions out there, each one saying they're right. I've talked to people in different religions and asked them how they know they're following the right faith and the two best answers i get are "I just know" or "because my book says so". Then you get stories of bad things happening to good people, car accidents, losing their house, losing their job, getting electricuted while changing a lightbulb, and the best answer people have for this is that it's God's plan (just ask my grandmother), or you have hate crimes or controversy in the name of faith, the big one right now would probably be homosexuals, i don't see the problem with someone being gay and wanting to marry. So, i have no faith (pun intended) in religion. I do admit there might, MIGHT, be a higher power, but do i think it's a man in white robes and a beard, or a fat bald man? My answer to that would be, no. I believe that if there is a higher power, we would never be able to comprehend what it is.
drblow
I just read your post and agree with everything you said.
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - Buzze - 07-11-2009 01:05 PM
Okay, well I might change the subject as to what is going on in the forum, but I think a totally different religion would be a good input.
As a Buddhist, I believe that when you are getting judged at the end, you are standing in front of higher beings with a mirror that shows every action that has been achieved in your life whether it is good or bad. The Bad actions are considered according to the three sins which are: 1. Greed, 2. Lust & 3. Hatred. According to your Karma (actions) you are judged whether to go to one of the five realms (tied in with reincarnation): Deva, Hell, Human, Animal, and Asura. The realms are considered temporary because you either die, or your punishment time is done. Each time you are judged, and get reincarnated. You are given another chance to fix the sins you have committed in the past life, present life, and the future life. To become liberated from this cycle, one must achieve enlightenment which leads to Nirvana the path of leading you out of the cycle. Once freed from the cycle, you are considered someone like an ascended master, but if you decide to help other beings as a guide to attain what you have, then you become a Bodhisattva. Bodhisattva are considered as a deity that which some of the sutras are about.
Also Jesus, is considered as a Bodhisattva as well. It will take forever to tell you why, because I have heard this from a monk. But this link has an article that covers everything I have heard from him.
http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.com/2008/08/bodhisattva-jesus-issa.html
So in the end I believe that people who are good all around during their life, die as a good spirit.
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - scarygirl67 - 07-11-2009 01:09 PM
Actually, that isn't changing the subject at all. It's different perspectives on what happens to good people who die and what different faiths believe. And I for one think you added some excellent input! Thank you for that post.
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - AvengingxAngel - 07-11-2009 03:42 PM
I think you can follow any religion or none and still be a good person, If not then alot of people in the world would die as a "bad spirit". What's worse, following a different religion or hurting others and doing bad things in life? There are alot of people that claim to follow what they believe to be the one true religion, but still are not a good person.
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - scarygirl67 - 07-11-2009 04:53 PM
That's such a good point AvengingAngel. I know you and I have completely different faiths, but I have really enjoyed reading a lot of what you have to say. All viewpoints should be looked at, not just one, in my opinion.
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - AvengingxAngel - 07-11-2009 05:25 PM
^Hey, thanks Scarygirl
I try to stay open minded on things like religion
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - drblow - 07-11-2009 07:34 PM
I think what is interesting in all of this is that most people, regardless of religious persuasion, can agree on what makes a "good person" ... generally speaking. There is a general underlying moral code that is accepted throughout religions ... don't hurt people, try to be nice, etc etc. This moral code is now based in our system of laws, and while this may be descended from religious codes, it is independant of any one religion. And the simple fact is that most people follow these codes, not through a religious threat of punishment in the afterlife, but because the desire to live a good life is inside each and every person.
It is fascinating to me that human nature can be so destructive, so abhorrent ... and yet people on an internet forum from all walks of life and many different cultures and countries can generally agree on what constitutes a good life. If you ask me, we are not all that different underneath, and if we could only open up to each other a bit more then we genuinely could move beyond the need for "religion" and start to express genuine spirituality.
The very idea that a Christian who lived a bad, uncaring life would be allowed access to a pleasant afterlife simpky for attending the right church, while a good, caring Hindu would be dadgummed to hell for going to the wrong church is ... well, it's silly.
Quote:I believe homosexuality is wrong, having said that, I will also say, that I am not the judge nor jury, it is not me you will have to answer to. Plus, I would not ridicule, harassed or in any way try to do you harm. I would be compassionate and even your friend, (I do have an online homosexual friend,)
If you can reconcile this view with yourself, and still love your friend for who they are (I am sure they are a beautiful person as are you) then I support this 100%.
I disagree with your personal view, but I will not try to ridicule you for it, or persuade you against it, merely state my own view.
Acceptance is key. If you can feel that a lifestyle such as homosexuality is wrong (for you personally) and yet accept and love people who are homosexual then I believe you are a truly divine spirit. It's only when the religious fervour gets a hold, and people start to abuse or harass people that it bothers me.
I grew up in Belfast in Northern Ireland, where people shot and bombed each other over going to different types of Christian churches. It is the most ungodly thing I can imagine, to kill in the name of religion.
(07-11-2009 03:42 PM)AvengingxAngel Wrote: I think you can follow any religion or none and still be a good person, If not then alot of people in the world would die as a "bad spirit". What's worse, following a different religion or hurting others and doing bad things in life? There are alot of people that claim to follow what they believe to be the one true religion, but still are not a good person.
Exactly. You don't need an ancient book to tell you how to behave. You are perfectly able to see for yourself ... in fact, I believe you are BETTER able to see and judge for yourself.
You can already see moral values for yourself, if you can look at someone who claims religious faith and yet acts in a bad way. I see wisdom beyond your years! Trust it
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - scarygirl67 - 07-11-2009 08:10 PM
I completely agree with anyone being fake about what they believe just to look good. Shakespeare said, "To thine own self, be true." At the end of the day, the important question to ask is were you true to yourself in your actions today. Did you present yourself to be something you're not? Because the God that I believe in recognizes falsehood....and wants no part of it.
I hope there's more input on this. I've been looking back over this thread,and there have been a lot of really good responses and very relevent points to think about.
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - AvengingxAngel - 09-10-2009 08:31 PM
(07-11-2009 03:42 PM)AvengingxAngl Wrote: I think you can follow any religion or none and still be a good person, If not then alot of people in the world would die as a "bad spirit". What's worse, following a different religion or hurting others and doing bad things in life? There are alot of people that claim to follow what they believe to be the one true religion, but still are not a good person.
I guess I'm completely wrong on this, or at least according to the church I started going to. If you believe homosexuality is okay and you're Christian, then you're saying the bible is a lie. It doesn't matter what good things you do, even if you save someone's life, you will still go to hell if you're not Christian/saved. Your'e a bad person in the eyes of God.
That's what they said.
So I'm going to hell unless I convert to their religion.
RE: Can you beleive in any religion and still die as a good spirit? - Bracket - 09-10-2009 08:35 PM
(09-10-2009 08:31 PM)AvengingxAngel Wrote:(07-11-2009 03:42 PM)AvengingxAngl Wrote: I think you can follow any religion or none and still be a good person, If not then alot of people in the world would die as a "bad spirit". What's worse, following a different religion or hurting others and doing bad things in life? There are alot of people that claim to follow what they believe to be the one true religion, but still are not a good person.
I guess I'm completely wrong on this, or at least according to the church I started going to. If you believe homosexuality is okay and you're Christian, then you're saying the bible is a lie. It doesn't matter what good things you do, even if you save someone's life, you will still go to hell if you're not Christian/saved. Your'e a bad person in the eyes of God.
That's what they said.
So I'm going to hell unless I convert to their religion.
That's complete bull because even the Vatacan has said you will not go to hell if you're a good person, even if you don't go to church.