Blog Assignment 2: Belief-O-Matic Survey

With my score of 57, I fall into the "Spiritual Straddler" category. The explanation says that I keep one foot in traditional religion, one foot in free-form spirituality. Immediately, I noted the odd wording for this particular division. The description, however, sounds about right. I find that most of my religious viewpoints are fairly liberal, but many of them are also rooted in my church's doctrine. I know what I believe isn't necessarily conducive to strict scriptural dogma. I think it's necessary to think independently about religion and spiritual matters, but I know what I believe and why I believe it, for the most part.

Belief-O-Matic results:
1.) 100% Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestant
2.) 90% Liberal Quaker
3.) 87% Unitarian Universalism
4.) 85% Reform Judaism
5.) 65% New Age





Highest Ranked Eastern Religion:


16.) 45% Theravada Buddhism
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/06/What-Theravada-Buddhists-Believe.aspx




As soon as my results were tallied, I felt a strong sense of vindication. No really, It's somewhat of a joke amongst a few of my classmates that I am the "good little church girl" of the bunch. I don't fit the profile exactly, but I know quite a bit about the bible, (not many people know all 66 books of the bible in succession) as well as the history and doctrine of my church, and Christianity in general. I was baptised and raised in the Methodist faith. Currently, my mother is employed by Cathedral of the Rockies as the "Children's Ministries Director." This translates to quite a bit of time spent at church. I suppose some of that must have rubbed off on me. However, amongst the friends of mine that do attend church regularly, I hold comparatively liberal views. I've always considered myself strongly Protestant, on the progressive side of things. Oftentimes, my viewpoints clash with those held by my fellow religious classmates'. We occasionally get into heated discussions of spirituality and scripture. My rather intensive education comes in handy during these minor squabbles. Overall, my top result did not come as a surprise to me... at all.


I'm somewhat familiar with all of the religions found in my top 5 results, with the exception of New Age. After doing a quick bit of research on it, I gathered that while it is not in direct contradiction to the position I take, it certainly differs from my basic belief system. The main premise of it is that God is contained is present as an incorpreal force. God is everything and everything is God. It appears to be a hybrid of sorts between Christianity and Buddhism. I tend towards the Western way of thinking, so I don't quite understand the way it coorelates to my question responses. All of the other faiths are fairly logical choices. I think Quaker is a bit too traditional for me, truth be told. I've always harbored some Universalist leanings. Judaism is particularly fascinating to me. I know a little about Hebrew tradition and customs. I even identify somewhat with the concept of Reform-Judaism. Each one of these, though is definitely within a Western school of thought.


My highest-ranked Eastern religion is Theravada Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism was founded in India. It is the oldest form of Buddhism still in practice and is closest to traditional Buddhism. Today it is practiced in several countries throughout Southeast Asia, such as Sri Lanka and Burma. Several minority factions of China practice it as well.


The philosophy of Theravada Buddhism is not based on following an omnipotent deity. Followers revere the enlightened ones who have been "awakened" into true consciousness and strive to be awakened as well. In respect to how the world came to be, Buddhists leave this to be solved by science. They do not view science as a contradiction to religion, but rather another facet in the search for truth. Such details as creation are less relevant in their pursuit of enlightenment, though. After death, there is no western concept of Salvation. Instead, the afterlife either results in the continuity of rebirths, if a person's karma reflects the need to continue to grow spiritually or enlightenment has not been reached. Once enlightenment is reached, the "soul" (atman) is released and the person's "true self" has reached a state of sublime bliss and consciousness known as Nirvana. It is at this stage that a person has been truly enlightened and can call themselves a "Buddha." This is the ultimate goal of Theravada Buddhism. The foundation of their belief is known as the Four Noble truths. The first of these states that human suffering has a basis in desire and attachment. The second states that in order to free oneself from this, to be enlightened, Buddhists must find a sense of selflessness and freedom from such earthly bindings. The last of the four noble truths outlines the process by which Buddhists may free themselves from earthly desires known as the eightfold path. When it comes to modern issues, Buddhists believe in non-violence, as it is will result in karmic punishment. Abortion is considred murder. Traditional Buddhists don't necessariy accept homosexuality, but those who practice in the United States tend to be more accepting.

Honestly, I was somewhat surprised by this result. It wasn't very high up on my list, but it was my most significant Eastern Religion. Buddhism is a much more independent spiritual path than what I am used to. I like being guided by rules and scripture, and religious mentors. Also, the path of Christianity is very clear-cut and simple. It is a similar journey for each person. Buddhism requires a different level of spiritual searching from each follower. The concepts of the atman, karma, and Nirvana are all vastly different from the straightforward path of salvation that is an opinion held by myself and my church. The idea that a person could become all-knowing as a God is also a foreign idea to me. I think that I tend to be a bit more progressive than Theravada Buddhists as well.