Could you believe in a different god?

[warpus]

This applies to both the religious and nonreligious, and I don't mean converting to one of the other main religions in this day and age. I mean if you somehow awoke in ancient Greece or Scandinavia were almost everyone worshiped the Olympic/Norse Pantheon, finding yourself in ancient Persia with a supposed God King, or even on a different planet with gods you never even imagined. Would you hold onto your beliefs, despite being the only person with them, or would you adopt a different god? If it's the former, would you be silent or try and convert others? If the latter, what would you look for when converting? Casual worship or devout? Or, not worship anything at all?

If it was an oldschool society such as ancient greece, I'd pretty much have to adapt to the society I was in or be banished and/or killed.

That would suck - so I'd adapt.

If I woke up in Salt Lake City, surrounded by Mormons, I would slowly back the hell out of there until I ended up back in Canada.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

If I woke up in Salt Lake City, surrounded by Mormons, I would slowly back the hell out of there until I ended up back in Canada.

Nah, Salt Lake's a pretty crazy place, so I hear. It's the rest of the state you need to worry about.

 

[Ramius75]

yes, im very flexible...

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

This applies to both the religious and nonreligious, and I don't mean converting to one of the other main religions in this day and age. I mean if you somehow awoke in ancient Greece or Scandinavia were almost everyone worshiped the Olympic/Norse Pantheon, finding yourself in ancient Persia with a supposed God King, or even on a different planet with gods you never even imagined. Would you hold onto your beliefs, despite being the only person with them, or would you adopt a different god? If it's the former, would you be silent or try and convert others? If the latter, what would you look for when converting? Casual worship or devout? Or, not worship anything at all?

Since I hold the belief that all religions are different attempts to understand the same God, I would neither care about their religion or proselytize my own.

 

[warpus]

Since I hold the belief that all religions are different attempts to understand the same God, I would neither care about their religion or proselytize my own.

All? Even Scientology and Scatology?

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

All? Even Scientology and Scatology?

The former is a corporation, I've never heard of the latter.

 

[warpus]

The former is a corporation, I've never heard of the latter.

They worship the poop God.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Then it sounds like a joke gimmick, like Pastafarianism.

 

[Lillefix]

What about the Raelians then?

You don't have to answer that specifically, but the point is that border between religion and whatever Pastafarianism and Jedism is, is VERY fleeting.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

What about the Raelians then?

I'd hardly call them a religion any more than I would call belief that the Sea Peoples destroyed all civilization a religion. Their whole deal has nothing to do with a "God" or any sort of transcendental spiritual betterment.

You don't have to answer that specifically, but the point is that border between religion and whatever Pastafarianism and Jedism is, is VERY fleeting.

Only to the excessively cynical.

 

[Lillefix]

What is the difference then? Are Mormons(assuming it's a religion) more sincere in their beliefs than Scientologists? Or are you saying you know that Joseph Smith was divinely inspired while Hubbard just wanted more money?

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Essentially, to paraphrase Sri Ramakrishna, "so long as the supreme goal of a religion is the realization of God, it is right." The goal of Scientology, or Pastafarianism, or the Jedi religion, or Raelians, is not communion with God. So they are not religions.

 

[Onionsoilder]

No...

Fair enough.

I will steadfastly hold to the Truth that I am the one true God.

But what about everyone around you? Will they realize that you are God?

Well, if it was like an inquisition thing (i.e. believe or die), then certainly I'd say I believed. I'd be the devoutest of Christians/Greeks Pantheon worshippers/whatever. If there was no threat to my life though, then certainly not.

Why should my beliefs change based on my location in time or space? Whether I would put up a religious facade to conform with public standards or try and bring others out from their superstition really depends on circumstances; mostly on these three factors.
1) What is at stake? Am I trying to stop some pointless and cruel practices (I might try) or just to prove I am correct (I wouldn't bother)?
2) What are the risks? Will I run a risk of being fed to the lions or cast out from society if I fail?
3) Is there any hope at all of being successful?

For the most part, I was considering social norms. For example, if you switched beliefs, you would probably be accepted in the new society. If you held on but remained quiet, you would probably be tolerated. Tried to convert others, and you might become an outcast.

Since I hold the belief that all religions are different attempts to understand the same God, I would neither care about their religion or proselytize my own.

 

[warpus]

Acceptance into society is never a good reason to change your religion over. Only the weak do that.

Unless they're trying to kill you.

 

[Onionsoilder]

Acceptance into society is never a good reason to change your religion over.

I'm not saying it is. I'm asking people's opinions on it. Thank you for yours.

 

[warpus]

I'm not saying it is. I'm asking people's opinions on it. Thank you for yours.

Many thanks for your thanks, senor

 

[sophie]

For the most part, I was considering social norms. For example, if you switched beliefs, you would probably be accepted in the new society. If you held on but remained quiet, you would probably be tolerated. Tried to convert others, and you might become an outcast.

If there was no threat to my life, I would keep doing what I'm doing; not believing in any sort of deity, but certainly not being over the top about it

(i.e., not like this):

You Sneeze
random stranger: God bless you
You: NO! God doesn't exist so don't you dare try to force your religion on me, you irrational, bigoted *insert religion here* follower! It's religion that is the biggest blight on humanity, and has subverted progress for centuries!

*Insert half hour tirade/rant about why belief in God is stupid here*

My Grandmother, and (to some extent my father) talks like that sometimes

 

[The Imp]

Oh wow, this post works even though my avatar isn't Athene right now.

Killer esoteric Groundhogs Day reference!!!

 

[The Imp]

Essentially, to paraphrase Sri Ramakrishna, "so long as the supreme goal of a religion is the realization of God, it is right." The goal of Scientology, or Pastafarianism, or the Jedi religion, or Raelians, is not communion with God. So they are not religions.

Is Buddhism a religion under that criteria?

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Is Buddhism a religion under that criteria?

How is that a question that can even be asked?