Summing Up Religious/Spiritual/Atheist Beliefs With One Word

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

I did a similar thread for Buddhism, but thought it would be a good exercise to widen the scope, so.........

If you had to, how would you sum up your beliefs? for example if you are Christian="Christianity" Jewish="Judaism" Muslim= "Islam" Hindu="Hinduism" Buddhist=Buddhism Plus off shoot belief systems like Mormonism, Zen, Kabbalah, Sufi etc etc...

What's the first thing(image/feeling/thought etc) that comes to mind when you think of your (or other) belief systems ?Preferably one word summary, (but two at a stretch  if you really can't compact it )...

Also why would you sum it up using those words ?

Remember: Please be respectful if summing up  belief systems that are not your own thanks...

I guess I should start with Buddhism ="Enlightening" (needs no explanation)

Metta Zenda    

[DriftingCrow]

Sikhi = One (Ik)

One is the main tenant of the belief, and the first word of Japji Sahib. One creator, one God, one/equal humanity. Every person, animal, being, etc. on the planet is pretty much one being too in a way, because we all have the same light in us. A common Sikh analogy is that each being is just a glass of water that's been taken out of the ocean-there's a separator, but we're all still the ocean.

[Jill F]

My beliefs are complicated and not easily pigeonholed.  I do not subscribe to any religion in particular, but I studied a lot of religions as part of my cultural anthropology degree, including Native American religions, Buddhism and Hinduism.  I suppose I am agnostic with pagan and atheist leanings.  Hey, at least you can prove the earth exists... 

One word? Hmm...

Unshackled

[Anatta]

Sikhi = One (Ik)

One is the main tenant of the belief, and the first word of Japji Sahib. One creator, one God, one/equal humanity. Every person, animal, being, etc. on the planet is pretty much one being too in a way, because we all have the same light in us. A common Sikh analogy is that each being is just a glass of water that's been taken out of the ocean-there's a separator, but we're all still the ocean.

Kia Ora Henry,

That's an interesting summary of Sikhism

Zen takes a slightly different approach when it comes to 'oneness' and uses the term "Not Two", the reason being................................

"Zen maintains that the situation created by assuming this epistemological standpoint is not ideal, or real, for that matter. Hence, Zen says "not two." "Not two" is in part a recommendation for experientially achieving oneness through the practice of meditation, informing the holder of the "two" of the narrow and limited scope of her/his understanding, where the idea of oneness may, for now, be conceived at many levels, starting with the physical, the subtle, and the samādhic. Generally speaking then, Zen takes "not two" to designate a negation of any "two" things that are affirmed to be individually real, in which the perspective that realizes the place or domain where two things occur is ignored. The dualistic standpoint also ignores the logical fact that any "two" things cannot be individually one because for one to be, it must be dependent on, and interconnects with, the other one. An either-or logic ignores this interdependence. With this recommendation, Zen maintains that mind and body, I and others, I and nature ought to be experienced as one for those who remain in the everyday standpoint. To express this idea, Zen states that "Heaven and Earth share the same root, and I and the myriad things are one (-body)." It demands an holistic perspective necessary to achieve knowledge that is genuine and authentic. Otherwise, Zen fears that the practitioner will fall into one-sidedness, in which knowledge claim ends up being partial, imbalanced, and even prejudiced. Dōgen captures it by stating: "When one side is illuminated, the other side remains in darkness." To characterize the dualistic, either-or ego-logical standpoint by borrowing Nietzsche's phrase, Zen would say that it is "human, and all too human."

Metta Zenda

[Anatta]

My beliefs are complicated and not easily pigeonholed.  I do not subscribe to any religion in particular, but I studied a lot of religions as part of my cultural anthropology degree, including Native American religions, Buddhism and Hinduism.  I suppose I am agnostic with pagan and atheist leanings.  Hey, at least you can prove the earth exists... 

One word? Hmm...

"Unshackled"

Kia Ora Jill,

That's original, no frills attached I like it....

Metta Zenda

[KabitTarah]

One word belief system: Agnosticism
One word summary: Openness

I believe in something. I believe that organized religion is (often) an easy way to bring about bigotry. I don't think it particularly matters what organized religion one is a part of ~ logically they have to be the same thing. Nobody knows the truth, including the atheists, but many religions think they know the truth and that their truth is the only truth.

I suppose it's possible there's a <insert religion here> god who will smite those who follow other systems. I suppose it's possible each religion actually does have it's own deity or set of deities. I do not presume to know.

On the other hand I do believe there's something more than just life. That's as illogical as any religion and I have that right. I would be happy to be a member of a religious community that was open and accepting of all people and all belief systems that do not cause harm to others.

[Anatta]

One word belief system: Agnosticism
One word summary: Openness

I believe in something. I believe that organized religion is (often) an easy way to bring about bigotry. I don't think it particularly matters what organized religion one is a part of ~ logically they have to be the same thing. Nobody knows the truth, including the atheists, but many religions think they know the truth and that their truth is the only truth.

I suppose it's possible there's a <insert religion here> god who will smite those who follow other systems. I suppose it's possible each religion actually does have it's own deity or set of deities. I do not presume to know.

On the other hand I do believe there's something more than just life. That's as illogical as any religion and I have that right. I would be happy to be a member of a religious community that was open and accepting of all people and all belief systems that do not cause harm to others.

Kia Ora KT,

You make some interesting points regarding the importance of having an open mind to all possibilities  (But not so open that ones brains fall out)

However, I wouldn't say that nobody knows the 'truth' , it's just that we all have our personal version of what we feel is the truth... In other words words, if one experiments with something and finds out that it really does work (for them) then it's true for them(but it does not necessarily mean it will be true for others)...

When introducing the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, the Buddha said "Don't just take my word for it, try it, see for yourself !" By doing so. it goes from just a simple belief, to experiential knowledge...

Metta Zenda

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

I was just thinking, a one word description that many people quite often have for Zen is "Confusing" or a two word "Very Confusing"   

Metta Zenda

[KabitTarah]

Kia Ora KT,

You make some interesting points regarding the importance of having an open mind to all possibilities  (But not so open that ones brains fall out)

However, I wouldn't say that nobody knows the 'truth' , it's just that we all have our personal version of what we feel is the truth... In other words words, if one experiments with something and finds out that it really does work (for them) then it's true for them(but it does not necessarily mean it will be true for others)...

When introducing the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, the Buddha said "Don't just take my word for it, try it, see for yourself !" By doing so. it goes from just a simple belief, to experiential knowledge...

Metta Zenda

There are different types of truth. Truth in life and path is how you mean it. If that's all religion is (any religion) then it's an efficient way of placing people into lives that give them personal meaning... It also makes it a sham. I don't mean that in a bad way, but conditionally... if personal truth and personal path is all religion is, it's only a way to let people make their way through life more easily. I'm not suggesting that is or is not all religion is. Many religions have very similar truths in the path they aim their constituents toward. One example is the "Golden Rule," to do unto others as you would have done unto you, which is shared nearly globally amongst various religions. The method of reaching this path is where religions differ to a greater or lesser extent.

There is also Truth in reality. This is not truth as the individual sees fit, it is truth in how the universe works. This is what ties one's path to what comes after one's path (if anything). It is something unknowable and unproveable, regardless of belief. Perhaps one day the soul can be proven real or not real, but until then I remain firmly in the camp of "you couldn't possibly know for sure." Religions differ greatly in this respect and it is typically the seat of most angst between religions, though usually as a pretext for cultural clashes due to non-religious matters.

To make it clear. I'm talking about Truth as a physical and spiritual reality, not as one's personal view of the world. Believing something is true does not make it true. That lack of knowing does not lessen the experiences of the believer. If I cannot rationally know something for true (given all evidence) then my mind must be open to all possibilities that fit what evidence I do have.

[Anatta]

There are different types of truth. Truth in life and path is how you mean it. If that's all religion is (any religion) then it's an efficient way of placing people into lives that give them personal meaning... It also makes it a sham. I don't mean that in a bad way, but conditionally... if personal truth and personal path is all religion is, it's only a way to let people make their way through life more easily. I'm not suggesting that is or is not all religion is. Many religions have very similar truths in the path they aim their constituents toward. One example is the "Golden Rule," to do unto others as you would have done unto you, which is shared nearly globally amongst various religions. The method of reaching this path is where religions differ to a greater or lesser extent.

There is also Truth in reality. This is not truth as the individual sees fit, it is truth in how the universe works. This is what ties one's path to what comes after one's path (if anything). It is something unknowable and unproveable, regardless of belief. Perhaps one day the soul can be proven real or not real, but until then I remain firmly in the camp of "you couldn't possibly know for sure." Religions differ greatly in this respect and it is typically the seat of most angst between religions, though usually as a pretext for cultural clashes due to non-religious matters.

To make it clear. I'm talking about Truth as a physical and spiritual reality, not as one's personal view of the world. Believing something is true does not make it true. That lack of knowing does not lessen the experiences of the believer. If I cannot rationally know something for true (given all evidence) then my mind must be open to all possibilities that fit what evidence I do have.

Kia Ora KT,

Thanks for making clear your points/views...I hope that your beliefs bring you some level of contentment with what 'is'....

Metta Zenda

[Xhianil]

otherkin/atheist=otherworld

[Anatta]

otherkin/atheist=otherworld

Kia Ora X,

It would seem you tread a somewhat 'unusual' path... "Different Strokes For Different Folks !" May you find what it is you're looking for (unless that is, you've already found it)

Metta Zenda

[alabamagirl]

Hm... This is an interesting concept for a thread.

I'm an atheist and I guess the word I'd most associate with it is... 'Nothing'? It's kind of a funny thing for me to try to describe; a lack of belief. It is just that: The absence of any religious/supernatural belief.

For anyone curious, the reason I view myself as an atheist, rather than an agnostic, is because I'm describing whether or not I believe in a deity, not whether or not one might exist. Of course I don't know what will happen after I die, or if there is a god or something else supernatural out there. I just personally don't feel that there is, therefore I call myself an atheist.

As for what one word descriptions I would use for my feelings on other religions? Well, the only one I have any real familiarity with would be Christianity. Hm... I don't know... So many different things come to mind when I think of it that it's hard to put it into one word. I think I'm going to go with 'Angel'. Why? I like the concept of angels, even if I don't believe in them. It's wonderful imagery to play with when writing poetry, or drawing art, etc. I have no idea if angels are in any way exclusive to Christianity, but that's where I learned of them, and what I associate them with. Most likely, countless other religions have angels in their holy texts, too.

[King Malachite]

For me:

Christianity: Grace

I chose the word grace because that's what I feel the foundations of Christianity are based on.

[Sephirah]

My beliefs are... well, rather complex, I guess. There's probably a term for it. An '-ology' or '-ism', somewhere, but I don't know what it is, nor do I much care to find out.

I guess the word I would use to sum it up is "Energy".

[Jessica Merriman]

Humility.

[MadeleineG]

fugue

[Felix]

science

[Jess42]

Spiritual = nothing more or less.

The next part= My own beliefs.

The reason is that I see religions, even science, humanism, atheism and others as more like pieces of a puzzle in which the base messages of them should be built upon one another for a much bigger picture instead of fought or argued over which is right and which is wrong. One thing is for certain, in the end we will know for sure.

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

Thanks for the interesting responses so far... 

Another one just popped into the 'mind' space that "I" occupy  :

"MIND"

I guess one could argue that, what arises from/in the 'mind' just about sums up all that can be summed up...

"Everything, which includes Nothing"


Metta Zenda