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The one thing we all have in common is that we don't buy into organized religion, however, is there something that you DO believe in or something you practice?

(I believe and practice Feng Shui)

Redcupcoffee 7 Sep 23
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10

I believe critical thinking is better overall than folk practices. But I don't think that's what you're asking. I suspect you are wondering if despite not buying into organized religion, I nevertheless buy into other ideologies or belief systems that are asserted without evidence.

And the answer is, no.

I suppose that if I saw some valid correlation between, e.g., Feng Shui and some empirically observable outcome like significantly greater health and well being, I would at least consider Feng Shui as a potential practice worth learning more about, even if I figured it highly likely that the causal connection between the two was coincidental and indirect.

And I have no problem with Feng Shui as a hobby that you just enjoy for its own sake without having particular beliefs concerning it. Or with religion as a hobby, for that matter. Honestly if more theists regarded religion as a hobby and didn't take it so damn seriously, I wouldn't object so much to it.

@Redcupcoffee For me if you're talking about energy other than metaphorically it would all come down to what sort of energy has actually been shown to effect people psychologically, and how that has been shown. On the other hand if you're just talking about what seems to subjectively facilitate not getting in one's own way and being more mindful, then I don't have an inherent problem with it.

For example, I am dipping my toes in the waters of yoga because I can readily see the value in improving things like balance and core strength. I see the woo explanations that sometimes go with yoga as just a way to frame one's understanding of the practice, not as literally true. Even the constant emphasis on the breath and the visualizations involved in controlling breath is to me just a way of framing how one goes about the poses and exercises in a consistent and thorough manner, not literally the direction of some actual life-force or something. Although it might help to imagine it that way, I don't take it literally. So if I were working from yoga videos that started going on much about chakras and otherwise carrying these metaphors too far, I'd probably become annoyed by that. But the good news of course is that I can adapt them any way I please so long as I get the desired benefits (in my case, not tripping over my own feet or feeling unstable moving through the world).

8

I believe in placebo effects.

7

Shit, I don't even believe in belief.

How did you come up with mrbeelzeebubbles. Are you a Brit?

@Melind Close. I'm an Australian immigrant to the UK.

@Melind Oh, but to answer your question. It came from a stoned thought experiment amongst me and the other members of the death metal band I fronted many, many moons ago on the nature of fear, offence and mockery. So we came up with Mr. Beelzeebubbles, the satanic clown and all-round children's entertainer.

7

I believe Crash Davis said it best:

"Well, I believe in the soul... the cock...the pussy... the small of a woman's back... the hangin' curveball... high fiber... good scotch... that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent overrated crap... I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a Constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. Goodnight."

Ozman Level 7 Sep 23, 2018

@Redcupcoffee It's awesome in how it upends so many expectations of a typical sports movie. It's sexy and philosophical in unexpected ways, and the characters here are drawn with real depth and wit. It puts crap like the utterly predictable Major League (released just months after B.D.) to shame. And while I don't hold with Crash Davis about Sontag or Oswald, at least he has a thought-out worldview. And he's not the only one here. Watch. This. Movie!! 🙂

@SonofMax Watched it many times...one of my favorites.

6

I believe the brain has older as well as more recently evolved layers that can conflict with each other, causing much psychological suffering.

I have developed a practice for myself that helps counterbalance this evolutionary mismatch, resulting in near-zero psychological suffering.

I also strongly suspect this is exactly what most major world religions were originally trying to accomplish, even though they could not have understood it in, or expressed it in, these modern scientific terms.

skado Level 9 Sep 24, 2018
6

I don't think being agnostic or atheist is anti organized religion necessarily, although it may be for some. For example, most Unitarian Universalists are atheist or agnostics and it is an organized religion. As a UU and atheist, I do not believe in a supreme being. I do practice good will, believe in humanism and have Christian values although, I do not believe in Christ. I believe in science and ethics and loving kindness.

I would say that "christian" values are nothing more than basic Human values.

6

I believe in being a good person, treating others fairly, and practicing empathy.

6

My music that I write.
My volunteer work at the homeless shelter.
Saying "hi" to every one I pass by on my walks.
Trying to learn something new every day.
And of course, Drinking.

6

I believe I'll have another cup of coffee

5

I believe in equality for all Earthlings.

5

I believe; I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You do you and I do me and let's strive to cause or do not harm in our life's journey among our fellow earthlings.
I practice love, empathy, compassion, sympathy, tolerence, inclusiveness, acceptance.
I strive to treat others as I would want to be treated.
I strive to treat others as thay would want to be treated.
I strive to do nothing to anyone that I would not want done to me.
I strive to cause or do no harm.

5

Without much evidence, I believe that the flow of time is an illusion. What was still is, what will be already is. Just because you already made the choice doesn't preclude free will. And more importantly, your life is what you make it. Forever.

5

I believe I'll have another drink 🙂

5

Nope. Nothing that can't be backed up with proof.

5

Logic

5
5

actually not buying into organized religion isn't what makes an atheist. not believing there are any gods is what makes an atheist. not being sure, or something like that, makes an agnostic. organized religion may go out the window along with these beliefs but that's not the point, is it?

g

Atheist or anti-theist, it comes down to splitting frog's hairs as far as I'm concerned.

@Surfpirate oh no, there is a BIG difference, but it pales beside the difference between any person who is against organized religion and an actual atheist OR antitheist. even an antitheist's focus is on not believing in any gods. you can be against organized religion and still believe in a deity, even a personal deity. if you don't believe in a deity, it goes without saying you don't buy into organized religion, but it simply is NOT a given, the other way around.

g

4

I practice the ancient art of Shin Fooey, that is a technique for finding furniture in the dark.

4

There is one thing that cannot be destroyed, no not the cockroach, energy. Energy cannot be destroyed only changed. I believe we are energy.

4

I just started yoga. It's actually pretty great.

4

I don't care what the package says...
IT'S NOT BUTTER!

4

I believe in the scientific method. I practice the golden rule

4

Basic principles like respect, empathy, and a long view of social progress spawn codes of conduct and behavior that need no organized religion to make obvious. The world is my country, to do good is my religion. You, though we've not met, are my sister for whom I will always care.

4

Animal free eating.

4

I believe in DOG.

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