trekbette

If you woke up tomorrow suddenly believing in some god or gods, what would you want them to be?

I don't feel like I am an Atheist through choice, any more than I am white or short by choice--it's just the way I am. I don't want you to think I mind being how I am, I actually like myself.

That being said, I have always been interested in Wiccan beliefs. I know I can read about them and study them from a purely acamdemic point-of-view. But sometimes the idea of believing in something seems like it would be interesting to try out.

Also, I was raised in a (non-practicing) Jewish home. When I was younger, I missed the sense of community that I saw in other Jews.

Now that I have met some people from here and get to talk to other Atheists on a regular basis, I feel that.

I guess I'm just curious about what other life you would choose, if you could?

Marduk

Buddhist, but I’m not really sure if it is a religion, they don’t worship anyone, kiss butt to get to heaven or because they are afraid of getting a whipping. They aspire to break the cycle of birth/rebirth and merge with the whatever. If you don’t want to do as they do, fine, they don’t care.

sakrilege

My thoughts exactly.

Jet Grind

I voted for Buddhism, as I am now a practicioner of Zen Buddhism.

niggle

I just started reading "An Open Heart," by the Dalai Lama. The 20 pages introduction which was a transcription of his speech in Central Park had more wisdom than all of Christianity.

Even the prayers are better, it more about doing good than asking God for help.

So long as space remians,
So long as sentient beings remain
I will remain
In order to help, in order to serve,
In order to make my own contributions.

beastmaster

Bacchus - the god of wine and orgies!

If only I could make myself believe ...

I already have Buddhist tendencies, so I did not select that as my "fantasy" religion.

Monkeybot

I'd probably go back to Catholicism. Not because I think it's terrific, but mainly for the social aspects (most of my mom's side of the family is Catholic).

Abel Stable

I picked "other."

If I ever could return to theism, I don't think it would be through any established religious dogma. Buddhism appeals to me the most, but it just has so much weird silly mythology tied up in its teachings. I also was briefly very interested in Baha'i faith (right before realizing my agnosticism) until noticing that it is probably the ultimate cherrypicker faith, which nearly caused my brain to leak out my ears. I never read enough to understand all its doctrines, but it at least had an interesting premise.

So basically, if I ever would return to religion, it would probably be the result of some sudden amazing insight (which would probably haunt me for quite awhile) & could only be described as personal. Maybe some form of Deism. That was similar to my last experiences of faith, which could be described as an erosion of catholic christianity. Something deep down tells me that it isn't possible, but I can never say never. I don't know anything, really.

Rational BAC

I lived in Japan for about 10 years as a kid. 2 main religions there were Buddhism and Shintoism. Don't really remember much about Shintoism, but Buddhism seemed to be all over the place. Lots of big fat Buddha belly statues just about everywhere.

Lots of phallic symbols too ------not really symbols to be honest about it------ but humongous and quite realistic and most definitely uncircumcised 6 foot tall things in obvious erection being venerated as they were pulled down the street during a Buddhist celebration. I seriously doubt that that was a Shinto thing ---almost certain all that phallic fat stufff was most probably a Buddhist thing.

The one thing I got out of Buddhism as a very young army brat living on base and off base in Japan--------was that Buddha was a very fat and very horny old fart. And for that I praise him. And we all should emulate him. Vive le fat ----- Vive humongous peckers. And that is all you need to know about Buddhism that is really worthwhile at all.

lpetrich

Possibly something like 18th-cy. deism -- something like some god who creates a Universe just for its entertainment value. And one who does not have any special interest in humanity.