patrick.net

Personally I like the elitist Temple of Set. Complete self-actualization is the goal. So I vote for Setianism.

Check out their resources to set you on your way on the Left Hand Path. Xeper on, Dude!

Setianism looks very selfish. That should appeal to the Ayn Rand crowd.

But do you get to worship fire? What about letting your dead be devoured by vultures?

Patrick, I'm glad to see that irony isn't lost on you. LOL ;-)

Worshiping fire is overrated. It's a poor replacement for becoming a dung beetle that pushes the Sun across the sky.

Vultures eating dead bodies is kind of cool. I'll have to give you a point for that one. :)

I follow the golden rule, just treat others how you want to be treated. A good person is a good person.

I studied religion, went to Cathlic school, and respect what is being taught. I just never subscribed to the fact that I have to believe in something to go to heaven or whatever. That's ludicrious.

The idea that a good person is a good person will get you killed in certain places.

You must believe that their one specific religion is true, and all the others are false, or you're going to make the true believers really nervous.

And you don't want to make the true believers nervous, do you?

As I stated in this thread, worship of Crom is best.

The hats alone make it worth joining.

Dan8267 says

As I stated in this thread, worship of Crom is best.

The hats alone make it worth joining.

He is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, "What is the riddle of California politics?" If I don't know it, he will cast me out of Sacramento and laugh at me. That's Crom, strong on his HELOC mountain!

APOCALYPSEFUCK is Tony Manero says

Cannibal Anarchy.

I've always thought of Cannibal Anarchy as being more of a secular movement.

Note: I'm trying to use green for humorous postings now because some assholes can't tell the difference between a joke posting and a serious proposition.

terriDeaner says

He is strong!

People make fun of Connan the Barbarian, but that movie is full of deep symbolism if you look closely enough. It's one of the best sci-fi/fantasy films ever. Totally under-rated.

Note the lack of green text.

Our father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be My name
My kingdom come My will be done
On earth as it is in heaven...

I still think that selfish religion is best.

The complete absence of religion is best.

I think hands down the best religion, for everyone else not in the religion, is Jainism.

Every other religion talks about world peace, but they mean that peace will be achieved when everyone is either converted or dead.

Jainism walks the walk when it comes to non-violence, and without being prude jerks.

Jain temple carving:

That rack is so fake.

Personally I like Legalism, sure it may be just a philosophy. But it cuts out all the crap and goes straight to what it's all about, while actually living up to self defined standards that western religions almost always fail at brutally.

There is only one religion that is led by Yoda and has cool plasma swords.

I vote for my religion.

In my religion I tell you what you want to hear and you give me LOTS of money and your hot wives and daughters. I am not taxed on the money because I am the head of a religion. You do whatever I tell you because you believe in me and my righteousness. You vote the way I say and you say whatever I tell you to.

You appreciate my giving my attention to your hot wives and daughters because you believe I am wonderful. I do not have to help you when you are in trouble because I tell you that self sufficiency, sacrifice and hard work are the only path to salvation. You work towards salvation by building me an exhorbarant temple, then a bigger and more exhorbarant one and more and more. You travel the world to recruit new believers who also send me their money, hot wives and daughters. You protect me because by protecting me you protect your beliefs. I exist in super luxury surrounded by your hot wives and daughters who service on my every need and desire while you guard me with your lives against the non-believers.

Yep, that gets my vote for best religion!

New renter says

I vote for my religion.

Warren Jeffs is that you?

Dan8267 says

There is only one religion that is led by Yoda and has cool plasma swords.

Yeah, and a bunch of prudes. Besides wouldn't you rather have a double sided plasma sword?

The person of Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, makes all other faiths irrelevant.

Let's ask Anton Lavey...

New renter says

In my religion I tell you what you want to hear and you give me LOTS of money and your hot wives and daughters. I am not taxed on the money because I am the head of a religion. You do whatever I tell you because you believe in me and my righteousness. You vote the way I say and you say whatever I tell you to.

That would make you a typical born again christian minister wouldn't it. You forgot about the hot teenage and/or pre puberty boys that some ba family values types seem find irresistable.

bob2356 says

That would make you a typical born again christian minister wouldn't it. You forgot about the hot teenage and/or pre puberty boys that some ba family values types seem find irresistable.

Gee ya think?

I'll pass on the hot teenage and pre-pubecent boys. In fact I may send them all off to far away lands to preach my awesomeness. Less distraction for the hot wives and daughters...

theLandlord says

I just never subscribed to the fact that I have to believe in something to go to heaven or whatever. That's ludicrious.

To the fools who say your beliefs are more important than your actions, I say (in the church lady voice), "well,...isn't that conveeeenient."

leoj707 says

Dan8267 says

There is only one religion that is led by Yoda and has cool plasma swords.

Yeah, and a bunch of prudes. Besides wouldn't you rather have a double sided plasma sword?

Jedi and Sith are two factions of the same religion. Practically all Sith were at one time Jedi.

If I convince others that mine is the right religion, Will I be responsible ?

I am afraid I could be duped into this kinda worship. OH GOD !

TMAC54 says

If I convince others that mine is the right religion, Will I be responsible ?

I am afraid I could be duped into this kinda worship. OH GOD !

How much invested ? How much back ? What's the risk ?

TMAC54 says

If I convince others that mine is the right religion, Will I be responsible ?

I am afraid I could be duped into this kinda worship. OH GOD !

Yeah, She'll do.

Depends on what you mean by best. The religion that draws one closer to the creator. One that promotes brotherly love, mutual respect, etc., etc. That is best. Religion is more than a building, or a group of people. It is a journey in faith and personal revelation. If you don't keep striving, keep searching, you will end up stuck. At the end of the day we have far more in common than we care to admit to. Even the major Western monotheistic religions (Islam, Christianity and Judaism) have common roots in the person of Abraham.

Certainly, my personal affinity is for Catholicism. I think that the catholic church is misunderstood in many regards, particularly its teaching on other religions. For the record they are more open minded than many realize.

"Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation."

(http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM, section 847)

When it comes to Catholicism, I am reminded by the Gandhi quote. Someone once asked him what he thought of Christians. He answered, "I don't know, I haven't met one yet."

I know churchgoing people who are all style and no substance. And self-proclaimed atheists who live humbly and are far more in tune with the tenants of a Christ centered live then they would ever care to admit to.

I think that God's law is imprinted on the hearts of men. It's from whence many of our moral laws are derived. And inasmuch as I would love for all to be passionate followers of Christ - the reality is that there is more than one path to get to the destination that is eternal salvation. Fanaticism in any religion - my way is the only way. Leads to narrow-mindedness, divisiveness etc. Christ preached tolerance. He taught that God was a god of love. That the kingdom of heaven was within all of us. That following him would bring us to a better place.

Now - even if you don't believe in the theology behind HIM and his mission - its hard to argue the inherent good borne from his philosophy - which is still as radical today as it was 2000 years ago.

So as far as best religion - the best religion is like the best government. The government which governs best governs least. The religion which is best is the one that is most humble in serving all of Gods people.

I vote for Hindusim. There are so many cool gods. There is a different god for everything. You can choose the god for what you are into this week. There is no heirarchy telling you what to do and asking you for money. For the most part you can just pray at home and hopefully get closer to the godhead. There is no heirarchy telling you who to hate or telling you you are going to hell if you don't follow their rules. The other cool thing is they are pretty tolerant of other religions. Many could easily have a picture of Jesus along side the other gods in their arsenal. So basically you can have your gods and godesses and a little Jesus on the side as well. You can make what you want of it and there is no requirement to prosletize or try to convert others.

MsAnnaNOLA says

There is no heirarchy telling you who to hate or telling you you are going to hell if you don't follow their rules.

Perhaps no one has told you about the caste system.

I never got how, if I killed somebody or stole some stuff, how Jesus could take the responsibility off my shoulders. I still did it.

MsAnnaNOLA says

There is a different god for everything.

There isn't a god for Premature Ejaculation, but I hear he's coming soon.

(apologies to Mel Brooks).

The Masonic Order was great before it was pussified by those Anti-Mason bastards. It was blood in, blood out, back in the day bitches.

Before that, the Church of England. Before that, the Roman Pantheon of Gods.

Men of stature and merit now worship in a sect so secret, even I cannot divulge the name. You cannot join our fraternal order without being asked.

Huntington Moneyworth III, Esq says

Before that, the Church of England. Before that, the Roman Pantheon of Gods.

Hmmm, you're skipping more than 1,000 years between Church of England and Roman Pantheon.

Some embarrassing secret in there?

Helloeeze says

Christianity -- FORGIVENESS, Baby!!!!!

Heck I'll forgive you too - for a price...

Indulgences anyone?

Patrick,

This was a bad idea. "Give ceasar what is caesar's and God what is God's". Your forums are clearly within the ceasar's world.

Why do you say this was a bad idea? I don't see it.

It is wrong to debate the merits of different religions?

leoj707 says

Perhaps no one has told you about the caste system.

Caste system is not necessarily codified in Hinduism. Caste system is a societal custom not a requirement of Hinduism. Caste system is now outlawed in India, though some people particularly in rural areas still practice it.

Oh another cool fact, there are Athiest Hindus. So basically you can make what you want. The athiest Hindus live by the philosophy of life but do not believe in god.

thunderlips11 says

There isn't a god for Premature Ejaculation, but I hear he's coming soon.

How about Skanda, son of Shiva who is god of war and virility? I am just saying...

MsAnnaNOLA says

Caste system is now outlawed in India, though some people particularly in rural areas still practice it.

Ah, ha, right... have you been to India? Have you had much exposure to actual practicing hindus?

Yes, the caste system is "outlawed" and perhaps it is "better" than 50 years ago, but every Indian is still very aware of the caste every other Indian they come into contact with -- and they act accordingly.

Have you ever seen how much caste plays a roll in arranged marriages?

You ever want to really piss off a hindu (note: this only works if you were born a non-hindu)? Tell them that you are a hindu convert, and your caste is brahman.

MsAnnaNOLA says

Caste system is not necessarily codified in Hinduism.

Correct. the operative phrase here is "not necessarily". In religious text, depending on how you want to interpret them, an argument can be made either way.

MsAnnaNOLA says

Caste system is a societal custom not a requirement of Hinduism.

No, it is not necessarily a "requirement", I am sure there is a minority of hindu sects that reject it (probably not attended by any brahmans), but as a whole hinduism has chosen to define the Varna system seen in hindu text as the caste system we see today.

But do you get to worship fire?

Fire worship has a lot going for it. Think of all the support already built into our society to ease the transition to fire worship. Every city and town in the United States has a Fire department, many cities have several. If we converted to fire worship, we have a network of places of worship fire already installed. A leadership structure is also already in place, with Fireman (also called Fire fighter), Crew manager, Watch Manager, Station manger, Group Manger, Area manager, Assistant brigade Manager, Deputy Brigade Manger and the high priest the Brigade Manager. There's also Fire Marshall's, they often carry carry a weapon and wear a badge to enforce the faith. Show me another religion with such a support infrastructure already in place.

MsAnnaNOLA says

I vote for Hindusim. There are so many cool gods. There is a different god for everything. You can choose the god for what you are into this week. There is no heirarchy telling you what to do and asking you for money....

I saw yet another remake of Clash of the Titan's on HBO the other night and it got me to thinking. The Greek Gods would make for a great miniseries. With all the Gods infighting and intrigue it would make for a lot of material for a show, hell maybe even a miniseries. (After looking up Greek mythological figures, the there be enough material for 20 seasons of a series) Hell just introducing the major gods at one a week would give you 14 weeks of material. Then there's all the legends they could bring to life, monsters, epic tales, minor gods, maybe even some screen time for those puny morals as well.