Raeism
This is an essay I wrote a few weeks ago... I have recently been discussing similar things with other people, so here is my view:
Religion
I…Perhaps the only true religion, but I don’t know. Who am I to say? I can’t claim any authority on the subject. I am in no way related to the Pope (Though I suspect I am related to the Dalai Lama.) I am me.
I fancy myself a Lutheran, if only for the sheer fact of heritage. I know I believe in Christianity of some form, but having been non-denominational for so long, it is hard to pinpoint a place for myself in this vast religion. I would like to fully believe in one sect, but that is nearly impossible for me. How much time have I spent trying to figure out the intricate details of the theologies of each sect? I have done everything sans sit through a service from each church. The last time I sat through one, it was the Church of Christ. Not only did I wholeheartedly disagree, (mainly because the speaker was very uneducated on what she was talking about, besides the fact that she kept putting down other Christian denominations, as well as other religions, as “cults,” and “from the devil.”) they also continually harassed us by knocking on our door or calling, wanting to have theological discussions with my husband. We finally got rid of them when we moved.
I can’t stand the pushiness or the holier-than-thou attitude of most sects - or at least of the people in the sects. I think that, and the hypocrisy of some, is what turns off many secular people from even considering being a Christian. One bad experience with one “Christian” can turn you off for life. These church of Christ people scared me out of ever trying to actually go to another church, just to look. This has made my search for truth all the more difficult. I am beginning to think that I will have to settle and just disagree on a point or two of whatever sect I choose.
It’s especially not easy seeing as how I am somewhat liberal in my beliefs. I incorporate values and points from other religions into my belief system. For instance, I have values stemming from Wicca/Scandinavian Mythology. I have also considered becoming a Jew. Unfortunately, I don’t wholeheartedly believe in any of these either. I can’t believe in Wicca, for instance, because I know that the “founder” of it didn’t base her “facts” on real facts of history. It may be similar, but it is not the “old religion” as such. I must just take certain values from each of these to apply to my life.
I wish that there was a chart somewhere that could line up every issue and tell me what each denomination believes so that I could highlight what I believe, and then I could pick the one I believe in most.
As for my belief system, I believe:
- That there is one God, but perhaps he has other demi-gods that work underneath him. These may be what Angels are.
- That all you have to do to be saved is to believe in God/Jesus, admit that you’re a sinner, and try to be less of a sinner, at the very least. I think the effort of trying to repent and be a good person is enough because God knows that we are all sinners. Nobody is perfect, however; good works alone are not the answer. You must truly believe and want to do good.
- That baptism and communion are good symbols of faith and devotion, but are not necessary to be saved.
- That God wouldn’t send people to Hell if they had never even heard of Him. They can’t be blamed for ignorance of Him. There has to be special rules in those cases, such as basing salvation on the life they led. If they can’t get into Heaven without knowing Him, at least they don’t go to Hell; they go to purgatory or limbo - somewhere that is not a painful place like Hell is. On that same note, I believe that all babies and small children go to Heaven.
- In the book of Enoch -- which tells of the Giants, the human/angel inbreeds that walked the earth and caused God to send the Flood.
- That the earth has a spirit. Mother Earth, or the “goddess.” I believe that she is, perhaps, God’s wife or other half. Though she may be an incorporation of several lesser ‘gods.’
- In fate. Your destiny would be the same, no matter your decisions. You are fated to the outcome of your decisions. No matter how much you agonize over what school to go to, whether or not to say “yes” to a proposal - whatever, the decision you make is the one you were always meant to make. Though it is fun every now and then to play the ‘what if?’ game.
- In ego, the individuality of One’s self. There is no reason to conform, unless that is what you truly want. And those who want to conform should not be ridiculed by other “individualists” - the ones that think they are so cool by dressing strangely and disrespecting authority simply because they think it makes them non-conformist. I have news for them: they are in fact conforming to that non-conformist lifestyle.
- That feminism, equal rights for women, is a right - but also a privilege and a choice. It is a privilege because many women in the world don’t even have the choice. It is a choice because some actually believe in serving their husbands or being housewives, just as some believe in careers and being a servant to none. I believe that many feminists are too pushy and don’t respect the decisions some women have made.
- That abortion is wrong except in certain cases - like if the woman would die from giving birth. However; it is still a woman’s choice. I may think it’s wrong, but if someone else wants to do it, I can’t condemn them for sinning. As I said before, I have no authority. I will not throw the first stone, let alone any stone. I have the same view on homosexuality and the like. I may think it’s wrong, but it hasn’t stopped me from having gay friends or the several friends I have that have had abortions.
- That sex before marriage is not necessarily wrong. Often it is a bad choice - with all the pregnancy, STDs, emotional issues after breaking up… that sort of thing. Unfortunately, though, many people aren’t even mature enough for it even after they get married. Severe promiscuity isn’t a good thing, but if you believe yourself to be in love, or if you are truly ready (and educated about it,) sex out of wedlock is okay. It is a personal choice.
- In safe sex and that all people, women especially, should be educated on the subject. Unwanted pregnancy and STDs are all too common, and not only in third world countries - though it is often more severe with the AIDS and all.
- That healthcare is a right. It is not just for those that can afford it. In another essay I will discuss my strong belief in socialized healthcare.
I guess that’s about it for my beliefs. At least the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Any other issue I would have to be confronted with and I would base my belief on what I felt about the subject, after I found out about any facts that I may need to make an educated decision.
I think that I will start a new denomination, it shall be called “Raeism.” Donations are welcome, new members will have to watch a video.
Religion
I…Perhaps the only true religion, but I don’t know. Who am I to say? I can’t claim any authority on the subject. I am in no way related to the Pope (Though I suspect I am related to the Dalai Lama.) I am me.
I fancy myself a Lutheran, if only for the sheer fact of heritage. I know I believe in Christianity of some form, but having been non-denominational for so long, it is hard to pinpoint a place for myself in this vast religion. I would like to fully believe in one sect, but that is nearly impossible for me. How much time have I spent trying to figure out the intricate details of the theologies of each sect? I have done everything sans sit through a service from each church. The last time I sat through one, it was the Church of Christ. Not only did I wholeheartedly disagree, (mainly because the speaker was very uneducated on what she was talking about, besides the fact that she kept putting down other Christian denominations, as well as other religions, as “cults,” and “from the devil.”) they also continually harassed us by knocking on our door or calling, wanting to have theological discussions with my husband. We finally got rid of them when we moved.
I can’t stand the pushiness or the holier-than-thou attitude of most sects - or at least of the people in the sects. I think that, and the hypocrisy of some, is what turns off many secular people from even considering being a Christian. One bad experience with one “Christian” can turn you off for life. These church of Christ people scared me out of ever trying to actually go to another church, just to look. This has made my search for truth all the more difficult. I am beginning to think that I will have to settle and just disagree on a point or two of whatever sect I choose.
It’s especially not easy seeing as how I am somewhat liberal in my beliefs. I incorporate values and points from other religions into my belief system. For instance, I have values stemming from Wicca/Scandinavian Mythology. I have also considered becoming a Jew. Unfortunately, I don’t wholeheartedly believe in any of these either. I can’t believe in Wicca, for instance, because I know that the “founder” of it didn’t base her “facts” on real facts of history. It may be similar, but it is not the “old religion” as such. I must just take certain values from each of these to apply to my life.
I wish that there was a chart somewhere that could line up every issue and tell me what each denomination believes so that I could highlight what I believe, and then I could pick the one I believe in most.
As for my belief system, I believe:
- That there is one God, but perhaps he has other demi-gods that work underneath him. These may be what Angels are.
- That all you have to do to be saved is to believe in God/Jesus, admit that you’re a sinner, and try to be less of a sinner, at the very least. I think the effort of trying to repent and be a good person is enough because God knows that we are all sinners. Nobody is perfect, however; good works alone are not the answer. You must truly believe and want to do good.
- That baptism and communion are good symbols of faith and devotion, but are not necessary to be saved.
- That God wouldn’t send people to Hell if they had never even heard of Him. They can’t be blamed for ignorance of Him. There has to be special rules in those cases, such as basing salvation on the life they led. If they can’t get into Heaven without knowing Him, at least they don’t go to Hell; they go to purgatory or limbo - somewhere that is not a painful place like Hell is. On that same note, I believe that all babies and small children go to Heaven.
- In the book of Enoch -- which tells of the Giants, the human/angel inbreeds that walked the earth and caused God to send the Flood.
- That the earth has a spirit. Mother Earth, or the “goddess.” I believe that she is, perhaps, God’s wife or other half. Though she may be an incorporation of several lesser ‘gods.’
- In fate. Your destiny would be the same, no matter your decisions. You are fated to the outcome of your decisions. No matter how much you agonize over what school to go to, whether or not to say “yes” to a proposal - whatever, the decision you make is the one you were always meant to make. Though it is fun every now and then to play the ‘what if?’ game.
- In ego, the individuality of One’s self. There is no reason to conform, unless that is what you truly want. And those who want to conform should not be ridiculed by other “individualists” - the ones that think they are so cool by dressing strangely and disrespecting authority simply because they think it makes them non-conformist. I have news for them: they are in fact conforming to that non-conformist lifestyle.
- That feminism, equal rights for women, is a right - but also a privilege and a choice. It is a privilege because many women in the world don’t even have the choice. It is a choice because some actually believe in serving their husbands or being housewives, just as some believe in careers and being a servant to none. I believe that many feminists are too pushy and don’t respect the decisions some women have made.
- That abortion is wrong except in certain cases - like if the woman would die from giving birth. However; it is still a woman’s choice. I may think it’s wrong, but if someone else wants to do it, I can’t condemn them for sinning. As I said before, I have no authority. I will not throw the first stone, let alone any stone. I have the same view on homosexuality and the like. I may think it’s wrong, but it hasn’t stopped me from having gay friends or the several friends I have that have had abortions.
- That sex before marriage is not necessarily wrong. Often it is a bad choice - with all the pregnancy, STDs, emotional issues after breaking up… that sort of thing. Unfortunately, though, many people aren’t even mature enough for it even after they get married. Severe promiscuity isn’t a good thing, but if you believe yourself to be in love, or if you are truly ready (and educated about it,) sex out of wedlock is okay. It is a personal choice.
- In safe sex and that all people, women especially, should be educated on the subject. Unwanted pregnancy and STDs are all too common, and not only in third world countries - though it is often more severe with the AIDS and all.
- That healthcare is a right. It is not just for those that can afford it. In another essay I will discuss my strong belief in socialized healthcare.
I guess that’s about it for my beliefs. At least the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Any other issue I would have to be confronted with and I would base my belief on what I felt about the subject, after I found out about any facts that I may need to make an educated decision.
I think that I will start a new denomination, it shall be called “Raeism.” Donations are welcome, new members will have to watch a video.