Dag Hammarskjöld

Dag Hammarskjöld, Markings
In the point of rest at the center or our being. we encounter a world where all things are at rest in the same way, Then a tree becomes a mystery, a cloud a revelation, each man a cosmos of whose riches we can only catch glimpses. The life of simplicity is simple, but it opens to us a book in which we never get beyond the first syllable.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

What Path Am I On?

I know I haven't arrived on my spiritual journey. I am en route. (Still on the 1st syllable, in fact.) But, where am I? Do I know?

Out of curiosity, I took a survey/test to see where I am with respect to the world's theologies. I answered questions dealing with my feelings and thoughts on about 20 or more questions.

I affirmed that there is definitely an afterlife, but the specifics cannot be known or are unimportant -- most important is one's conduct in life.

I affirmed that God is creating and controlling the phenomena uncovered by scientists. Or, there are other spiritual explanations, but not in conflict with scientific discovery.

I kind of agreed that ignorance of one's true existence as pure spirit and as one with the Universal Truth (or Soul, Mind, et. al.) can lead to wrongdoing.

I rejected the reality of Satan.

I affirmed that human suffering has nothing to do with the supernatural or karma.

I Worship a The Supreme Power who or which is known by a variety of names.

In terms of salvation, I affirmed that Baptism and Confession were not necessary, but that doing good works (deeds) and acting compassionately were: humankind is "saved" through human effort rather than through religious or spiritual means.

I affirmed that elective abortion should be accepted (not proclaimed or treated as immoral)

I affirmed that homosexual behavior should not be regarded as immoral, or out of harmony.

I rejected the notion that roles for women and men should be prescribed.

I affirmed a supreme existence that is both the eternal, impersonal, formless Ultimate Reality, and personal God.

I rejected the idea of particular Incarnations because God is all and all are God (or God is in all)

All matter and life forms are manifestations (or illusions) of the eternal Absolute (Ultimate Truth, Universal Soul or Mind, et al).

I agreed that there is definitely an afterlife, but the specifics cannot be known or are unimportant -- most important is one's conduct in life.

I thought egoism (self importance) leads to desire, craving, and attachments, which can lead to unwholesome thoughts and behavior, i.e. greed, hate, and violence.

I agreed that social programs (e.g. equality, anti-poverty, education) should be fundamental to my belief system.

I rejected the notion that non-violence (e.g. pacifism, conscientious objector, etc.) should be fundamental to my belief system.

I affirmed that prayer, meditation, or spiritual healing practices should not be favored at the exclusion of conventional health treatment (for all serious conditions or certain types of serious conditions).

And I affirmed that worshipping, or revering, nature should be fundamental to my belief system.

So, how did I turn out? Well, I'm not sure I took to answering these multiple choice questions as seriously as I might have. But I was curious as to how I might describe my current religious orientation. This is the way I was scored:

  1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
  2. Liberal Quakers - Religious Society of Friends (93%)
  3. Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (93%)
  4. Neo-Pagan (81%)
  5. New Age (77%)
  6. Reform Judaism (73%)
  7. Secular Humanism (72%)
  8. Mahayana Buddhism (68%)
  9. New Thought (64%)
  10. Taoism (62%)
  11. Sikhism (59%)
  12. Theravada Buddhism (58%)
  13. Orthodox Quaker - Religious Society of Friends (55%)
  14. Scientology (52%)
  15. Jainism (51%)
  16. Non-theist (51%)
  17. Christian Science Church of Christ, Scientist (45%)
  18. Bahai (41%)
  19. Eastern Orthodox (37%)
  20. Roman Catholic (37%)
  21. Hinduism (36%)
  22. Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant (36%)
  23. Orthodox Judaism (36%)
  24. Islam (30%)
  25. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (28%)
  26. Seventh Day Adventist (24%)
  27. Jehovah's Witness (5%)
At first glance, I am surprised I have so much in common with so many different paths of religious thought. Let the journey continue!

3 comments:

  1. I'm asking for clarity, not to debate.

    You wrote:


    I affirmed that homosexual behavior should be regarded as immoral, or out of harmony.


    Is that what you meant to write?

    ReplyDelete
  2. No I did not mean that. Many thanks for the correction!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's a good thing you caught that correction early, Doc. Else ways your score on the UU index would have been a barely passing one and you would have gotten a 'see note' comment from Mr M.

    ReplyDelete