The definitive SL religion poll.

Let us settle this religious demographic question.

Funny thing, I almost choose a belief in a vague higher power instead of agnostic. Then I decided that perhaps they were pretty close to being the same for me personally, in that honestly, I look at life around me and not a day goes by when I am not astounded by something new I learn about the nature of our world.

I think about what an incredible code that DNA is. I am in awe of the program and not too sure about how the program came into existence, whether it evolved on it's own or a "programmer" actually once existed or still exists and on occasion intervenes. It dosen't matter to me.

I cannot help but notice that the structure of everything in life, is indeed a pattern and a code (thus repeatable) and I look at that, as a whole, as a higher power than me. The code in of it's self, completely outside of how the program came into existence.

I have a vague, strange sort of faith that the way that molecular structure and DNA are applied in the microcosm of life on earth, is a form or pattern that can be applied universally in the macrocosm of the universe and that it is indeed along with all of it's creations, something greater than myself and my existence.

Bizarre - I know. I'm not a philosopher, I'm just middleaged engineer who sits and transmogrifies numbers all day.


.

I'm curious, is anyone all of the above? Or seriously, multiple? It's nice those are checkboxes and not radio buttons.

Unless you plan on adding every religion known to man its far from difinitive. Also some of us don't classify our beliefs as a religion....lastly you have made the poll public which may keep some people from posting because they don't want others to know what if any religion or spiritual pursuit they practice.

Silicon Poole picked Buddist/atheist. In retrospect, maybe I should have gone with a christian- budhist-atheist triplet. While I do not believe in gods, santas or tooth fairies, I can't help but be influenced by the christian world around me, and I tend to identify with my limited knowledge of budhist thinking.

Ok, so it's not actually definitive, that's just - you know - advertising. I had a hard time deciding whether or not to make it anonymous but in the end I was just too curious about what people would say to respect their privacy.

Rose, I totally know what you mean and I'd love to discuss it further but unfortunantly I have a really bad cold and don't feel capable of being articulate on the level that that subject would require atm. *collapses on top of kleenex box*

Now my RL partner is getting on my case for not including Sihkism. They only allow 10 options! Arrrrgg!

Using the same arguments that the religious use to support the existence of their God(s), I can also use to argue for the existence of an invisible omnipotent leprechaun floating over my left shoulder. Same arguments, different imaginary being.

~Ulrika~

***Troll alert***

I know it is very difficult but at least attempt to say something relavent to this topic.

There is no space for an invisible flosting leprechuan option, you will simply have to check 'other religion'.

Back in the pre-PC days when it was still acceptable to ask questions about one's religion on various applications and forms, I would check "Other:" and write in "Reform Druid". If pressed on the issue, I would calmly explain that Druids worship trees, but as a Reform Druid I was allowed to worship houseplants. However the requirements regarding human sacrifice were still the same. That usually shut them up pretty quickly.

I have a STRONG belief in a non-religious higher power/creative force......

LOL Dakota

I clicked two. Christian and other. I am Mormon.

Of course the original supposition was flawed as it compared US statistics to SL ones - a lot of people in SL are not actually in the US and I think the US has one of the highest % of religious belief in the developed world.

I'd also be interested in what effect the association of atheism with communism had/has in the number who describe themselves as atheists in the US. Last time I looked at the Wikipedia article on atheism it touched on this.

Of course declared religious belief and actual practice vary, certainly in the UK. Describing oneself as CoE (Church of England) can be seen as much a statement of ethnicity as religious belief. The statistics on numbers actually attending religious services are much lower than those who answer as X religion in the census.

Yes, Unitarian Universalist

Accepts all faiths equally.

http://www.uua.org/

Bahais

http://www.bahai.org/

Torley,

First, I have to say I'm not answering the poll. I have issues with polls.

Still, I did want to answer you. I would have had to select Christian, Other (sort of neo-taoist), and "a believer in a vague undefined higher power".

I'm sure there are those who go "pfft!" at this, but I have no problem believing in Christ, and remaining a pantheist - basically one who believes God and the Universe are the same thing. Not to de-mystify God, but to add mysticism to everything around me. This is the only way I was able to resolve what I felt in my heart with what I knew scientifically to be true.

I have never seen the need to turn God into a holy Daddy. I believe that He is in everything, everywhere, and feeding us constantly with whatever energy and truth we're able to accept.

I guess I take back the part about being a Taoist. That isn't actually true. But it is one of the primary foundation sources for almost everything I think I understand.

Interesting Kathy. IF I were ever forced to choose a religion without atheism or agnosticism being available choices I'd choose pantheism without much of a struggle. I definitely get humbled and feel a great deal of awe at the majesty and immensity of the univers and what a tiny speck we are in all its granduer. I just can't quite cross over to feeling mystical about it. In some ways pantheism seems like that same awe and wonder but anthropomorphized. What I like about pantheism is that it feels much more natural (to me) to worship nature than anything else. We know that man had nothing to do with its creation. The same can't be said about beliefs that depend on mythos or histories handed down by man.

I didn't mean to imply that I anthropomorphize the universe. I am not trying to solidify God into a very large being who happens to be as big as the universe. I do feel that we are part of God - and He us - as a neuron is part of a brain. But I do not believe God has a brain, or cells, or eyes, or hands. I'm not a panentheist, who believes that God is present IN everything and also extends beyond and is GREATER than the universe. I believe that "God" and "Universe" are exactly the same thing. The Universe/God is the creator and motivator of all things. This is as certain as your being the motivator of your hand or your heart. When you are born, you come from God. When you die, you return to God - body and soul.

It may even seem like you never left God when you were born. Actually, you don't leave God until you learn to separate yourself from the world, and learn to be alone.

I think it’s important to note that God can never leave YOU, and that He is always wherever you are, ready to be heard, as soon as you become quiet enough to hear Him.

That was quite lovely Kathy.

TY for the education Kathy. I may not agree, which is perfectly ok, but that is a very interesting way to look at things. TY for sharing something with us that I am sure isn't easy to share.

Pagan would have covered Wiccan, but believe me.... Wiccan does not cover Pagan. And the public poll part tends to make a lot of ppl shy off on contraversial topics.

Me too.. the power of stupidity. It can be very creative.

I am seeing comments suggesting that you can see who voted which way, but I don't seem to be able to see them.