Find out what religion you are

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

There is a quiz you can take on Beliefnet that will tell you what religion your beliefs most closely resemble.

 

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

 

Here were my results:

 

1. Hinduism (100%)

2. Mahayana Buddhism (77%)

3. Jainism (75%)

4. Sikhism (72%)

5. Neo-Pagan (61%)

6. Orthodox Judaism (56%)

7. Bahá'í Faith (55%)

8. Theravada Buddhism (54%)

9. Unitarian Universalism (53%)

10. Liberal Quakers (49%)

11. New Age (45%)

12. Islam (42%)

13. Taoism (39%)

14. Orthodox Quaker (39%)

15. Seventh Day Adventist (38%)

16. Reform Judaism (35%)

17. Eastern Orthodox (34%)

18. Roman Catholic (34%)

19. New Thought (33%)

20. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (32%)

21. Jehovah's Witness (32%)

22. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (29%)

23. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (29%)

24. Scientology (28%)

25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (20%)

26. Secular Humanism (19%)

27. Nontheist (16%)

 

 

 

The eastern religions are at the top, with Chritiantiy at the bottom next only to Atheism. Among Christian religions, I am closest to a Quaker. I wonder what eastern beliefs are there in Quakerism that make it higher in the list.

[yasodanandana]

1.  Hinduism (100%)

2.  Mahayana Buddhism (75%)

3.  Neo-Pagan (72%)

4.  Sikhism (66%)

5.  Jainism (62%)

6.  Unitarian Universalism (59%)

7.  Scientology (52%)

8.  New Age (51%)

9.  Theravada Buddhism (51%)

10.  Orthodox Judaism (50%)

11.  New Thought (44%)

12.  Bahá'í Faith (43%)

13.  Reform Judaism (41%)

14.  Liberal Quakers (38%)

15.  Taoism (38%)

16.  Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (37%)

17.  Jehovah's Witness (37%)

18.  Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (36%)

19.  Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (34%)

20.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (34%)

21.  Islam (34%)

22.  Orthodox Quaker (29%)

23.  Seventh Day Adventist (29%)

24.  Eastern Orthodox (22%)

25.  Roman Catholic (22%)

26.  Secular Humanism (21%)

27.  Nontheist (19%)

 

sorry but i am more secular humanist than you ... haribol

 

 

[Priitaa]

So little time I have these days, but I was tempted so had to give it a try. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

Here's my results:

 

1. Hinduism (100%)

2. Mahayana Buddhism (90%)

3. Theravada Buddhism (79%)

4. Sikhism (74%)

5. Bahá'í Faith (72%)

6. Jainism (69%)

7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (65%)

8. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (63%)

9. Unitarian Universalism (61%)

10. Neo-Pagan (59%)

11. Jehovah's Witness (57%)

12. Liberal Quakers (56%)

13. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (55%)

14. Orthodox Judaism (54%)

15. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (51%)

16. New Thought (50%)

17. New Age (48%)

18. Orthodox Quaker (46%)

19. Seventh Day Adventist (43%)

20. Scientology (43%)

21. Eastern Orthodox (41%)

22. Roman Catholic (41%)

23. Islam (39%)

24. Reform Judaism (39%)

25. Taoism (30%)

26. Secular Humanism (11%)

27. Nontheist (8%)

[Guest guest]

I feel sikh...

 

hah hah, that is a very weird program, I get sikh as my only 100% religion, problem is...sikhs do not believe in a personal God, yet I put in that I do...so clearly that is not 100% sikh beleifs, so the program is faulty,

at most I should get 90 something percent belief in sikh, so I wouldn't take the program as an accurate representation.

 

And on top of it every one of my inputs are actual sastric positions, and I get only 85% hindu, so the program is weird.

 

1. Sikhism (100%)

2. Neo-Pagan (96%)

3. Mahayana Buddhism (93%)

4. Unitarian Universalism (93%)

5. Bahá'í Faith (87%)

6. Reform Judaism (87%)

7. Hinduism (85%)

8. Jainism (83%)

9. New Age (83%)

10. Liberal Quakers (82%)

11. Theravada Buddhism (71%)

12. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (70%)

13. New Thought (66%)

14. Orthodox Judaism (66%)

15. Taoism (62%)

16. Scientology (57%)

17. Islam (56%)

18. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (49%)

19. Orthodox Quaker (46%)

20. Secular Humanism (46%)

21. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (33%)

22. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (32%)

23. Eastern Orthodox (30%)

24. Roman Catholic (30%)

25. Nontheist (27%)

26. Seventh Day Adventist (20%)

27. Jehovah's Witness (10%)

--------------------------

 

here is the test with my answers in ***

 

1. What is the number and nature of the deity (God, gods, higher power)? Choose one.

 

Only one God--a corporeal spirit (has a body), supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator.

Only one God--an incorporeal (no body) spirit, supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator.

Multiple personal gods (or goddesses) regarded as facets of one God, and/or as separate gods.

The supreme force is the impersonal Ultimate Reality (or life force, ultimate truth, cosmic order, absolute bliss, universal soul), which resides within and/or beyond all.

*** The supreme existence is both the eternal, impersonal, formless Ultimate Reality, and personal God (or gods).

No God or supreme force. Or not sure. Or not important.

None of the above.

 

2. Are there human incarnation(s) of God (or of gods/goddesses)? Choose one.

 

God is (or gods/goddesses are) supreme, and no incarnations.

One incarnation.

***Many (or countless) incarnations.

No particular incarnations because God is all and all are God (or God is in all).

No incarnations as there is no God. Or not sure. Or not important.

None of the above.

 

3. What are the origins of the physical universe and life on earth? Choose one.

 

As in the book of Genesis, God created a mature universe and mature life forms from nothing in less than 7 days, less than 10,000 years ago.

As in the book of Genesis, but "day" is not 24 hours, possibly refers to thousands (or even millions) of years, or to creation phases.

***God is creating and controlling the phenomena uncovered by scientists. Or there are other spiritual explanations, but not in conflict with scientific discovery.

All matter and life forms are manifestations (or illusions) of the eternal Absolute (Ultimate Truth, Universal Soul or Mind, etc.).

Only natural forces (like evolution) and no Creator or spiritual forces. Or not sure. Or not important.

None of the above.

 

 

4. What happens to humans after death? Choose one.

 

Souls are judged immediately for a foretaste of heaven or hell. At the final judgment, God (or Christ) will resurrect and judge all for heaven or hell. (Or souls may also be judged for punishment and/or purification before heaven.)

Death results in unconsciousness until, at the final judgment, God (or Christ) will raise the living righteous to heaven; resurrect and destroy the wicked on earth; return the righteous to a paradisal earth for eternity.

Souls don't survive death. God (or Christ) will resurrect the righteous at the final judgment for eternity in heaven or on a paradisal earth; the wicked will remain dead.

***The soul's spiritual development continues after death so that all may eventually experience the indescribable joy of closeness to God. Hell is not a place but the tormented state of remoteness from God.

Rebirths occur (continually, or until all life's lessons are learned and one merges with the life force, or until complete enlightenment and eternal bliss are attained).

There is definitely an afterlife, but the specifics cannot be known or are unimportant--most important is one's conduct in life.

No afterlife; no spiritual existence beyond life; no literal heaven and hell. Or not sure. Or not important.

None of the above.

 

5. Why is there terrible wrongdoing in the world? Choose one.

 

Humans inherited sinfulness, or a damaged nature, or tendency to yield to Satan's temptations from Adam and Eve, who committed the original sin against God.

Wrongdoing results from God-given free will plus a weak side, or a drive to satisfy personal needs, which sometimes results in wrongful choices (and/or vulnerability to Satan's temptations).

Ignorance of one's true existence as pure spirit and as one with the Universal Truth (or soul, mind, etc.) can lead to wrongdoing.

Not listening to the voice of God, who resides within all, can lead to wrongdoing.

*** Egoism (self-importance) leads to desire, craving, and attachments, which can lead to unwholesome thoughts and behavior, i.e., greed, hate, and violence.

No supernatural or spiritual reasons. Human nature, psychology, sociology, criminology, etc., explain wrongdoing. Or not sure. Or not important.

None of the above.

 

6. Satan's presence results in much suffering.

 

Agree.

*** Disagree.

Not applicable.

 

 

7. Why is there so much suffering in the world?

Choose ALL that apply.

 

The original disobedience of Adam and Eve caused all mankind to inherit mortality, which includes bodily imperfection, illness, and decay.

*** Suffering is part of God's divine will, plan, or design (to discipline, test, challenge, strengthen faith, strengthen character, promote moral growth, or for reasons that we cannot or may not know).

Suffering is a state of mind (or illusion); only our spiritual nature is real.

***Spiritual or cosmic imbalance and disharmony may result in suffering.

*** Unwholesome thoughts and/or deeds (greed, hatred, and violence) in this or prior lives return as suffering (karma).

None of the above; human

 

 

Respond to the following (Questions 8-12) based on how you believe a person attains salvation, exaltation, eternal reward, spiritual liberation/enlightenment, spiritual harmony, merger with God, etc.

 

8. Worship:

 

***The Supreme Power, God, or Gods.

God--three persons of one essence.

God the Father, His Son, the Holy Spirit--each a distinct essence.

Not Applicable.

 

 

 

9. Baptism (or initiation) ceremonies:

 

Required.

***Not required.

Not Applicable.

 

 

10. Regularly confess or repent:

 

All sins/wrongs to a cleric.

All sins/wrongs, but not necessarily to a cleric.

***Not Applicable.

 

 

11. Doing good works (deeds) and acting compassionately is:

 

***Necessary.

Not necessary.

Not Applicable.

 

12. Choose ALL statements below that represent your beliefs.

 

Adhere strictly to the rites, practices, precepts, commandments, prohibitions, laws, sacraments, or ordinances of the faith to be rewarded after life.

All, even the wicked, are rewarded after life (e.g., go to heaven, merge with God) as God(s) is infinitely good and forgiving.

*** Extinguish all cravings, attachments, and ignorance, or rid oneself of all impurities, to become fully enlightened.

***Learn all life's lessons through rebirths.

***Realize your true nature as purely spirit (or soul) and not body, as one with the Absolute, Universal Soul.

Live very simply; renounce worldly goals and possessions.

Tap the power of the Ultimate (God, or the divine) through intercessory methods such as psychics, channeling, tarot cards, crystals, magic.

Humankind is "saved" through human effort rather than through religious or spiritual means.

 

 

Respond to the following moral statements (Questions 13-20) based on how you would want your religion or faith category to address them.

 

13. Elective abortion should be accepted (not proclaimed or treated as immoral).

 

Agree.

Disagree.

***Not Applicable.

 

 

14. Homosexual behavior should be regarded as immoral or out of harmony.

 

Agree.

Disagree.

*** Not Applicable.

 

 

15. Roles for women and men should be prescribed.

 

Agree.

***Disagree.

Not Applicable.

 

 

16. Divorce and/or remarriage should be restricted or punished or condemned.

 

Agree.

***Disagree.

Not Applicable.

 

 

17. Social betterment programs (e.g., equality, anti-poverty, education) should be fundamental.

 

***Agree.

Disagree.

Not Applicable.

 

18. Nonviolence (e.g., pacifism, conscientious objector) should be fundamental.

 

Agree.

*** Disagree.

Not Applicable.

 

 

19. Prayer, meditation, or spiritual healing practices should be favored to the exclusion of conventional health treatment (for all serious conditions or certain types of serious conditions).

 

Agree.

***Disagree.

Not Applicable.

 

 

20. Revering nature or the environment should be fundamental.

 

***Agree.

Disagree.

Not Applicable.

--------------------------

 

I then did it again and put in the exact opposite of what I believe and this is the result

 

 

1. Jehovah's Witness (100%)

2. Nontheist (84%)

3. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (80%)

4. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (72%)

5. Eastern Orthodox (71%)

6. Roman Catholic (71%)

7. Theravada Buddhism (65%)

8. Hinduism (60%)

9. Orthodox Judaism (60%)

10. Secular Humanism (60%)

11. Seventh Day Adventist (60%)

12. Unitarian Universalism (59%)

13. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (53%)

14. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (50%)

15. Islam (48%)

16. Liberal Quakers (48%)

17. Bahá'í Faith (46%)

18. Jainism (42%)

19. New Thought (33%)

20. Orthodox Quaker (33%)

21. Sikhism (32%)

22. Mahayana Buddhism (30%)

23. Neo-Pagan (28%)

24. Scientology (20%)

25. New Age (16%)

26. Taoism (13%)

27. Reform Judaism (6%)

 

--------------------------

 

then I put in my original inputs except i changed one answer because the one i first picked was almost identical to the one i picked this time

1. What is the number and nature of the deity (God, gods, higher power)? Choose one.

 

Only one God--a corporeal spirit (has a body), supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator.

Only one God--an incorporeal (no body) spirit, supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator.

*** Multiple personal gods (or goddesses) regarded as facets of one God, and/or as separate gods.

The supreme force is the impersonal Ultimate Reality (or life force, ultimate truth, cosmic order, absolute bliss, universal soul), which resides within and/or beyond all.

original answer The supreme existence is both the eternal, impersonal, formless Ultimate Reality, and personal God (or gods).

No God or supreme force. Or not sure. Or not important.

None of the above.

 

 

 

1. Mahayana Buddhism (100%)

2. Neo-Pagan (97%)

3. Sikhism (96%)

4. Hinduism (92%)

5. Unitarian Universalism (88%)

6. Jainism (85%)

7. New Age (80%)

8. Theravada Buddhism (78%)

9. Reform Judaism (75%)

10. Bahá'í Faith (73%)

11. Liberal Quakers (71%)

12. New Thought (69%)

13. Scientology (66%)

14. Taoism (60%)

15. Orthodox Judaism (58%)

16. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (57%)

17. Islam (49%)

18. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (47%)

19. Secular Humanism (44%)

20. Orthodox Quaker (39%)

21. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (26%)

22. Nontheist (26%)

23. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (25%)

24. Eastern Orthodox (23%)

25. Roman Catholic (23%)

26. Seventh Day Adventist (14%)

27. Jehovah's Witness (5%)

 

[Guest guest]

My results show that the Vaishnava philosophy encompasses

the knowledge about the personal and impersonal features of God.

[Guest guest]

Sorry I forgot to paste my results.

 

Haribol

 

1. Hinduism (100%)

2. Sikhism (87%)

3. Mahayana Buddhism (76%)

4. Neo-Pagan (74%)

5. Jainism (68%)

6. Unitarian Universalism (65%)

7. New Age (64%)

8. Bahá'í Faith (59%)

9. Liberal Quakers (57%)

10. Reform Judaism (56%)

11. New Thought (55%)

12. Scientology (54%)

13. Orthodox Judaism (52%)

14. Theravada Buddhism (49%)

15. Taoism (47%)

16. Islam (45%)

17. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (44%)

18. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (44%)

19. Orthodox Quaker (39%)

20. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (34%)

21. Secular Humanism (34%)

22. Seventh Day Adventist (30%)

23. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (29%)

24. Eastern Orthodox (27%)

25. Roman Catholic (27%)

26. Jehovah's Witness (24%)

27. Nontheist (21%)

 

[gHari]

Stress "God in the heart".

 

[Gauracandra]

Ghari is right. I haven't studied it in detail, but I seem to recall that Quakers believe that everyone has an inner light. Through quiet introspection God can reveal his plan to each individual personally. Sort of like Paramatma. They are against most formalities of Christian religion (no priests, icons, elaborate ceremonies, maybe even churches?). I'll see if I can dig up some more info later.

[Vishnupriya]

1. Hinduism (100%)

2. Jainism (71%)

3. Sikhism (71%)

4. Orthodox Judaism (68%)

5. Neo-Pagan (66%)

6. Mahayana Buddhism (61%)

7. New Age (53%)

8. New Thought (52%)

9. Unitarian Universalism (52%)

10. Jehovah's Witness (51%)

11. Scientology (51%)

12. Islam (50%)

13. Bahá'í Faith (48%)

14. Reform Judaism (46%)

15. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (45%)

16. Theravada Buddhism (42%)

17. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (39%)

18. Eastern Orthodox (39%)

19. Liberal Quakers (39%)

20. Roman Catholic (39%)

21. Seventh Day Adventist (32%)

22. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (31%)

23. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (28%)

24. Orthodox Quaker (27%)

25. Secular Humanism (18%)

26. Taoism (15%)

27. Nontheist (12%)

 

[Avinash]

1. Hinduism (100%)

2. Mahayana Buddhism (73%)

3. Jainism (73%)

4. Sikhism (59%)

5. Neo-Pagan (53%)

6. Theravada Buddhism (53%)

7. Orthodox Judaism (50%)

8. Unitarian Universalism (46%)

9. New Age (45%)

10. Bahá'í Faith (45%)

11. New Thought (43%)

12. Islam (38%)

13. Liberal Quakers (38%)

14. Scientology (36%)

15. Taoism (33%)

16. Orthodox Quaker (30%)

17. Seventh Day Adventist (30%)

18. Jehovah's Witness (29%)

19. Reform Judaism (29%)

20. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (29%)

21. Eastern Orthodox (25%)

22. Roman Catholic (25%)

23. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (23%)

24. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (22%)

25. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (18%)

26. Secular Humanism (13%)

27. Nontheist (12%)

 

 

[livingentity]

1. Hinduism (100%)

2. Mahayana Buddhism (79%)

3. Jainism (76%)

4. Neo-Pagan (62%)

5. Sikhism (60%)

6. Theravada Buddhism (60%)

7. New Age (52%)

8. Orthodox Judaism (51%)

9. Unitarian Universalism (51%)

10. New Thought (47%)

11. Liberal Quakers (43%)

12. Scientology (39%)

13. Taoism (38%)

14. Bahá'í Faith (37%)

15. Jehovah's Witness (36%)

16. Reform Judaism (35%)

17. Islam (33%)

18. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (31%)

19. Orthodox Quaker (30%)

20. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (27%)

21. Seventh Day Adventist (27%)

22. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (26%)

23. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (25%)

24. Eastern Orthodox (23%)

25. Roman Catholic (23%)

26. Secular Humanism (20%)

27. Nontheist (12%)

 

[gHari]

1. Hinduism (100%)

2. Jainism (91%)

3. Mahayana Buddhism (80%)

4. Sikhism (80%)

5. Orthodox Judaism (73%)

6. Bahá'í Faith (69%)

7. Theravada Buddhism (65%)

8. Islam (63%)

9. Unitarian Universalism (60%)

10. Neo-Pagan (60%)

11. Orthodox Quaker (58%)

12. Liberal Quakers (55%)

13. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (54%)

14. Seventh Day Adventist (53%)

15. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (52%)

16. Jehovah's Witness (52%)

17. Reform Judaism (51%)

18. Eastern Orthodox (47%)

19. New Age (47%)

20. Roman Catholic (47%)

21. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (47%)

22. Scientology (36%)

23. New Thought (36%)

24. Taoism (31%)

25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (23%)

26. Secular Humanism (21%)

27. Nontheist (19%)

 

Yup, yup, a little skyclad jungle book boy with a beard and turban and a passion for oatmeal, reading Kabaala while reciting zhikr on his rosary towards Mecca - that's me!

 

I sent this to my ex-wife. She'll get it running through the offices of the world. When you think of it, it is quite a good preaching tool, posing questions about concepts some may never have considered before; making them feel 43% Mormon and 54% Hindu: "so how bad can those faiths be if I'm that much like them".

 

[Avinash]

All of us are getting little bit of non-theist.

 

Avinash

[livingentity]

LOL...I noted that when I was comparing everyone's results.

 

There are some other quizzes listed on that site. I took a couple of them and my results are that I am bhakta (What Kind of Hindu are you? quiz) that knows a bit too much about the beatles (Beatles Spirituality Quiz) and with some hinduism mixed in for good measure (Hinduism Basics Quiz).

 

Update: I am a "confident believer" sure of the path I have chosen to follow (What's your Spiritual Type? quiz) that is nuts about nature (Find your spiritual path quiz).

[theist]

I noticed that also and have to say I was a bit offended and hurt.

[livingentity]

not anti-theist. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Avinash]

It just shows that we have some beliefs in common with those of non-theists. There is nothing surprising in this. It is not necessary that the beliefs of theists and non-theists must be different on all aspects.

[Guest guest]

some quakers have "silent meetings" with no sermon and such things.

[gHari]

My Quaker forefathers apparently left Britain to escape religious persecution and set sail for Boston, before finally going to Canada to avoid war. Here is something of their tale from the Catholic Encyclopedia perhaps explaining why I've always been a caitya-guru guy:<blockquote>In his nineteenth year, while at a fair with two friends, who were "professors" of religion, he [George Fox] was so shocked by a proposal they made him to join them in drinking healths, that he abandoned their company. Returning home, he spent a sleepless night, in the course of which he thought he heard a voice from heaven crying out to him: "Thou seest how young men go together into vanity, and old people into the earth; thou must forsake all, young and old, keep out of all, and be a stranger unto all." Interpreting the injunction literally, Fox left his father's house, penniless and with Bible in hand to wander about the country in search of light. His mental anguish at times bordered on despair. He sought counsel from renowned "professors"; but their advice that he should take a wife, or sing psalms, or smoke tobacco, was not calculated to solve the problems which perplexed his soul. Finding no food or consolation in the teachings of the Church of England or of the innumerable dissenting sects which flooded the land, he was thrown back upon himself and forced to accept his own imaginings as "revelations". "I fasted much", he tells us in his Journal, "walked abroad in solitary places many days, and often took my Bible and sat in hollow trees and lonesome places until night came on; and frequently in the night walked mournfully about by myself. For I was a man of sorrows in the first working of the Lord in me." This anguish of spirit continued, with intermissions, for some years; and it is not surprising that the lonely youth read into his Bible all his own idiosyncrasies and limitations.

 

Founding his opinions on isolated texts, he gradually evolved a system at variance with every existing form of Christianity. His central dogma was that of the "inner light", communicated directly to the individual soul by Christ "who enlightenth every man that cometh into the world". To walk in this light and obey the voice of Christ speaking within the soul was to Fox the supreme and sole duty of man. Creeds and churches, councils, rites, and sacraments were discarded as outward things. Even the Scriptures were to be interpreted by the inner light. This was surely carrying the Protestant doctrine of private judgment to its ultimate logical conclusion. Inconvenient passages of Holy Writ, such as those establishing Baptism and the Eucharist, were expounded by Fox in an allegorical sense; whilst other passages were insisted upon with a literalness before unknown. Thus, from the text "Swear not at all", he drew the illicitness of oaths, even when demanded by the magistrate. Titles of honour, salutations, and all similar things conducive to vanity, such as doffing the hat or "scraping with the leg", were to be avoided even in the presence of the king. War, even if defensive, was declared unlawful. Art, music, drama, field-sports, and dancing were rejected as unbecoming the gravity of a Christian. As for attire, he pleaded for that simplicity of dress and absence of ornament which later became the most striking peculiarity of his followers. There was no room in his system for the ordained and salaried clergy of other religions, Fox proclaiming that every man, woman or child, when moved by the Spirit, had an equal right to prophesy and give testimony for the edification of the brethren. Two conclusions, with disagreeable consequence to the early Friends, were drawn from this rejection of a "priesthood"; the first was, that they refused to pay tithes or church rates; the second, that they celebrated marriage among themselves, without calling in the services of the legally appointed minister.

</blockquote>

In the perhaps more objective treatise from Religious Tolerance we find:<blockquote>The movement was founded in England by George Fox (1624-1691), a nonconformist religious reformer. At the age of 19, he left home on a four year search, seeking answers to questions which had troubled him since his childhood. He sought guidance from a variety of the country's spiritual leaders. He gradually became disillusioned with those leaders and with the existing Christian denominations. At the age of 23, he heard a voice, saying "there is one, even Christ Jesus, who can speak to thy condition". He felt a direct call from God to become an itinerant preacher and promote the concept of the Inward Light, or Inner Voice. He believed that an element of God's spirit is implanted within every person's soul. He called this "the seed of Christ", or "the seed of Light". Thus, everyone has an innate inner capacity to comprehend the Word of God & express opinions on spiritual matters. The term comes from John 1:9 in the Christian Scriptures: "The true Light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Logical consequences of this belief were: <blockquote>

 

that every man and woman has direct access to God; no priestly class or "steeple houses" (churches) are needed

 

that every person - male or female, slave or free is of equal worth

 

that there is no need in one's religious life for elaborate ceremonies, rituals, gowns, creeds, dogma, or other "empty forms." </blockquote>

Following the inward light would lead to spiritual development and towards individual perfection.

 

Fox taught his followers to worship in silence. At their meetings, people would speak only when they felt moved by the Holy Spirit. He promoted simple living, and the prohibition of alcohol. He spoke against holidays, sports, theater, wigs, jewelry, etc. They thought of themselves as friends of Jesus and referred to themselves as "Friends of Truth" (from John 15:15). Later, they became known simply as "Friends".

 

The movement came into conflict both with Cromwell's Puritan government and later with the restored monarchy of Charles II, over a number of points: they refused to pay tithes to the state Church; to take oaths in court; to practice "hat honor" (doff their hats to the king or other persons in positions of power); or to engage in a combat role during wartime. They developed an intense concern for the disadvantaged, including slaves, prisoners and inmates of asylums. They agitated for an end to slavery, and for improvements in living conditions in penitentiaries and treatments in mental institutions.

 

Fox was greatly persecuted during his lifetime and imprisoned many times. Once, when he was hauled into court, he suggested that the judge "tremble at the word of the Lord". The judge sarcastically referred to Fox as a Quaker; the term stuck, and has become the popular name for the Religious Society of Friends. During the second half of the 17th century, over 3000 Quakers spent time in English jails for their religious beliefs; many hundreds died there. About 1660, a group of congregations were established, called preparative meetings. Once a month, these groups gathered together and held a monthly meeting. Four times a year, the latter groups would hold a quarterly meeting. Finally, all of the quarters would gather annually for a yearly meeting.

 

Beliefs:

 

As with all large denominations, individual Quakers are religiously diverse. Their beliefs range from Evangelical (conservative) to liberal. The following beliefs are common to most Quakers: <blockquote> Friends believe that there exists element of God's spirit in every human soul. Thus all persons have inherent worth, independent of their gender, race, age, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation. Their opposition to sexism, racism, religious intolerance, warfare and the death penalty comes from this belief.

 

Simplicity, pacifism, and inner revelation are long standing Quaker beliefs. Their religion does not consist of accepting specific beliefs or of engaging in certain practices; it involves each person's direct experience of God.

 

There is a strong mystical component to Quaker belief. In the moving words of one reviewer of this essay, "In Meeting for Worship, God is there. God is probably always there, but in Meeting, I am able to slow down enough to see God. The Light becomes tangible for me, a blanket of love, a hope made living."

 

They do not have a specific creed; however, many of the coordinating groups have created statements of faith. The statement by the largest Quaker body, the Friends United Meeting includes the beliefs in:<blockquote> true religion as a personal encounter with God, rather than ritual and ceremony

 

individual worth before God

 

worship as an act of seeking

 

the virtues of moral purity, integrity, honesty, simplicity and humility

 

Christian love and goodness

 

concern for the suffering and unfortunate

 

continuing revelation through the Holy Spirit.</blockquote> Many do not regard the Bible as the only source of belief and conduct. They rely upon their Inner Light to resolve what they perceive as the Bible's many contradictions. They also feel free to take advantage of scientific and philosophical findings from other sources.

 

Individual Quakers hold diverse views concerning life after death. Few believe in the eternal punishment of individuals in a Hell.

 

All aspects of life are sacramental; they do not differentiate between the secular and the religious. No one day or one place or one activity is any more spiritual than any other.

 

Quakers have had a tradition of opposing war. They have followed the beliefs of the early Christian movement which was strongly pacifist. Early Christians even refused to bring charges against others if there was a possibility of the death penalty being exercised. Together with the Amish, Church of the Brethren, and Mennonites, they made it possible for men to be classified as conscientious objectors. </blockquote></blockquote>

For Theist (from above site):<blockquote>They do not have a ritual of baptism. Rather, they believe in the "inward baptism of the Holy Spirit" described in Ephesians 4:4-5.<blockquote>Ephesians 4

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.</blockquote></blockquote>

 

A measure of that website's objectivity can be seen at HARE KRISHNA.

 

[theist]

>>not anti-theist. <<

 

Ok I feel better now. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

 

Avinash I was was just joking around a bit.

Hare Krsna

[theist]

Thanks gHari. I have never been there before. I was very impressed by their attempt to be objective. Very rare these days.

 

I bookmarked it to check out later at more depth.

 

Beliefnet offers some interesting oppurtunities to spread Krsna consciousness. Kinda like standing on a street corner. Wide mix of people, sincere and curious, trolls etc.

 

Devotees are needed there to share the spiritual side. Spread some seeds when you drop by there.

[Govindaram]

 

I did this test months ago, Got 100% Hindu.

 

Does this mean after all we are all Hindu's?

 

Huh?

[gHari]

All Hindus?!?! And one sikh.

 

My guess is that no matter how highly we score Hindu, as long as that is our best match we are awarded 100% and all other percentages are derived from that score as 100.

 

[gHari]

I notice that instead of formal baptism, the Quakers accept baptism internally from the Holy Spirit.