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Old 05-06-2003, 09:29 AM   #1
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Default What if any religious figures do you respect

This is a thread that I have meant to start for many months now. Personnally I have always had a great deal of respect for Dr King and for Ghandi. Of course many would argue they were more political figures than religous.

Anyone else out there have any religous icons they respect?
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Old 05-06-2003, 09:32 AM   #2
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The Spongmeister.
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Old 05-06-2003, 09:33 AM   #3
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Gandhi is a religious figure who I respect the most. I also admire some of the members (who were Catholics) of the German White Rose resistance movement that opposed Nazi ideology during WWII.

Korihor (formerly, 'Nightshade')
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Old 05-06-2003, 09:42 AM   #4
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I respect Peter, even though in some sense he was a rival of my gods' followers. I just like the idea that he went out into the world with a religious message that he believed in, took on whatever forces opposed his new religion, and did so with his whole will subordinate to Yahweh. And he did it with only eleven people on his side. I've always wished I could be as great a spiritual warrior for Roman paganism as he was against Roman paganism.
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Old 05-06-2003, 09:48 AM   #5
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Depends on what you mean by "religious figures." I may include some that push the envelope.

And note that I can respect a religious figure without agreeing with everything they did, believed or taught, or believing the myths that have grown around them.

MLK and Gandhi, certainly.

Lao Tzu

Thomas Merton (for, among other things, seeking the link between Eastern and Western religious thought)

Joseph Campbell (for showing us the underlying, universal and very human themes beneath and within the world's religions and myths)

And for some reason, David (a mythical icon, even if based on a real person) has always been my favorite Biblical character, and Psalms my favorite book in the Bible. David is the archetypal flawed hero, able through a great depth of spirit to overcome his flaws, his mistakes, his problems, his very humanity, and to reach a transcendant state of rapture, to experience the true nature of humanity, the beauty of nature, and the universal. Of all the Biblical characters, David is the one I identify with the most.

And yes, an atheist can find inspiration in the Bible. It contains many truths of the human condition, though not some of the truths most theists thinks it does.
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Old 05-06-2003, 09:55 AM   #6
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I would also have to include Martin Luther for his courage in defying religious conventions of the time. I admire some of the positions of John Paul but have no real respect for the Pope himself.
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Old 05-06-2003, 09:59 AM   #7
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Jesus Christ, but you already knew i was gonna say that
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Old 05-06-2003, 10:05 AM   #8
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Yes, the Christ, another mythical "hero" icon. David is much more human and reachable.
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Old 05-06-2003, 10:13 AM   #9
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Satan

He's fighting the good fight. Never hear any stories of him wiping out millions in floods, plagues and ordered massacres
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Old 05-06-2003, 10:18 AM   #10
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I respect no religious figures whatsoever. However, if I were to find a proof that the xian god exists, I would have the utmost respect and admiration for Satan.

Sincerely,

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