Hey, there was a great response to my posting, and there were great
ideas mentioned: Zoaraster (sp?), Buddism, Taoism, Wiccan and so on.
Please tell us what the major themes of your faith is (you know cover
the basics: whats "good", whats "evil", why do they exist, whats the
meaning of life, is there an 'after life' etc). Give us some taste of
what it means for you, and how it affects your view of the world. Give
us the brochure!

As a side note: I didnt care for the "you're wrong/I'm right" taste that
some posts had. So, I'm starting a new one, because I want to hear what
the "great ideas" of other religons are. So feel free to add other
supporting info to a post, but, unless there is a gross error, dont
contradict someone else in this thread.

I'm especially interested to hear more about 'Zoraster' and the faith
that emerged from it. I know bits and peices, but, not enough to be able
to discuss it intelligently. Bonus points if someone can explain the Led
Zepplin tie-in.

Ok, I can do Zaostrism.


Historically- no one's completely sure when it's started.


Anyways, it's widely accepted as the first known monotheism on earth.
Beating out Judaism by at least a few hundred years.


Zaostrism believes that there's a "God" that is the personification of
good. And something resembling "Satan"- although I'd compare the evil
more to the concept of Shiva.


They had some conflict with another religion in the area.... I forget
the name.... a paganistic religion that was big on the human sacrifice
thing.


Anyways, zaostristic philosophy includes leading a good life, helping
the poor and elderly, charity, good will towards men- the first religion
on earth to preach these concepts (unless there was an earlier one that
was completely destroyed and thus is not on record).

They hold that good people will one day in the afterlife go to war
against the forces of evil- although it's arguable as to whether "war"
is the word you'd use. In some interpretations, it's almost like the
entire species has a shared karma- and that if the good people and acts
outweigh the bad, then humanity will be judged positively. Their version
of the apocolypse.


If good wins, then even evil people will be raised up to live in
heavenly bliss. If evil wins, then all humanity is damned to hell.


Anyways, Neichtze (probably the most famously atheistic philosopher of
all time) came up with a mostly satirical book- Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
And that's where most references to Zarathustra in the western world
originate from.

For the bonus question Mike,

That would be the 'Rain Song'!

... and should I be declared the winner, please donate my entire cash
prize to the 'Zoroaster' orphans of the world.

voileazur:

Hmmmmm...... gonna have to go a little further than just the title. How
about the overall effects/theme of Zoaraster on Zepp's stuff?

Mike,

Does that mean those poor little orphans aren't getting the cash
prize???

You know, I'm curious on the zepp connection, too. Up until you
mentioned it, I hadn't heard anything to that nature. And I can't find
any mention of it. Mention of Zarathustra in any western music is in one
new-age song, and in the title for the them in 2001, A Space Odessey.

But what about Atheism?

How can you have a discussion about religion without involving the
population who dont believe in the existance of any deity.

Atheists like to claim they're NOT a religion. They consider it
insulting if you say they are one. So they deliberately chose to
disclude themselves by their own consensus.

Although, I guess, if one wants to walk into that paradoxical trap,
they're welcome to.

Just because an athiest doesnt beleive in the existance of a deity,
doesnt mean that they dont listen to other people's opinions on theirs.

Also atheism isnt a religion.

Its a choice to not use a non-existant super power with arbitrary rules
and punishments as an emotional crutch.

Whatever. Believe what you want. The world is still messed. The sorting
will have its day ....

The sorting?

Is that when humanity will do the Earth a favour and wipe itself off the
planet?

Do you know that the ice caps are so small that polar bears are drowning
due to not having anywhere to land and rest?

Atheists are like children throwing tantrums. Ignore them and they'll
eventually give up and go away. They love the attention, don't give it
to them.

So how can you invite people to discuss their faith, when poetnartist
will not allow people to do it ...

Sounds like religious bigotry.

Worn any white hats recently?

*sigh* I can't believe I'm letting myself being drawn into this. One of
these days, I might consider my refusal to back down to jerks a
detrimental quality to change. But not yet. I still have enough youthful
idealism to consider it a virtue.


I don't mind people discussing their faiths. But you accusing religious
people of.... what was it.... "emotional crutches".... was the start of
the bigotry on this thread.

So, Im a jerk because I disagree with you? Excellent debating style.

To use the existance of any deity to enhance your life, is nothing more
than a crutch. You dont need it, it is not necessary for your existance
on this planet.

I have a fulfilling life without the need to make peace with any deity.

So, if you are so religious, explain to me why your god feels the need
to send people to hell because they do bad things.

Your god, who is all forgiving, and all creating. Why did he create
hell to start with if it wasnt to punish humanity?

It sounds like the naughty-chair scenario.

To be so dismissive of a group of people who chose to not need the deity
scenario is the true mark of a christian?

Robert Pirsig's observation that "when one person suffers from a
delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion
it is called religion" is spot on.

But I too, am wasting my time, with someone so closed-minded such as the
antagonistic poetnartist, it is like throwing pearls to swine.

The belief in God is not therefore based on the perception of design in
nature. Belief in design in nature is based upon the belief in God.
Things are as they are whether there is a God or not. Logically, to
believe in design one must start with God. He, or it, is not a
conclusion but a datum. You may begin by assuming a creator, and then
say he did this or that; but you cannot logically say that because
certain things exist, therefore there is a God who made them. God is an
assumption, not a conclusion.

And it is an assumption that explains nothing.

Thankyou Mike for the invitation by mail, to join this thread, however,
I am going to decline.

There is no point, nor interest in sharing my personal beliefs, my own,
inner thoughts and ideas, when Poet is so quick to condemn, criticise,
and look for any leverage to serve his own base need to feed his ego.

Uh. "My" GODDESS doesn't do much of any of those things. There's no
Heaven or Hell in our philosophy, only apotheosis (look that concept up,
why don't ya?). As to my antagonism- you're the one who brought up
crutches. And that white hood comment. Congrats you bigoted SOB.


As to you, jess. If you'd play fair, even once, we wouldn't be having
this problem, would we?

Play fair? Go read every thread that you have literally peed on...mark
territory?

Ego.