Moraine: #144 What Do You Believe

This quiz is making the rounds of journals now. Since it's found in several, I think it's ok if I don't note the two or three places I found it. It seems to be remarkably accurate, except that Paganism seems to be a jumble of "everything else". I guess that's because there's no central defining authority.

On the one hand, I'm a little bit surprised. I thought I was closer to Buddhism, or a native American system, and when I read the definition of New Age (click on the "for info"), that seems closer, too. But it's not just the beliefs that determine the label, it's also the importance you put on certain aspects. So when I think about it further, I guess I'm not surprised. (Just for the record, I don't "do" crystals. But I do believe in "fairies" (by my definition, not necessarily yours). Really. I really really do.)

Please try it. I am very interested in what you get. Please email me the first four or five (at least) on your list, with percentages. (Or don't, as you choose.)

According to the SelectSmart.com Belief System Selector, my #1 belief match is Neo-Pagan. What do you believe? Visit SelectSmart.com/RELIGION

Your Results:

1. Neo-Pagan (100%) Browse Neo-Pagan related books. Click here for info

2. New Age (96%) Browse New Age related books. Click here for info

3. Mahayana Buddhism (92%) Browse Mahayana Buddhism related books. Click here for info

4. Unitarian Universalism (89%) Browse Unitarian Universalism related books. Click here for info

5. New Thought (88%) Browse New Thought related books. Click here for info

6. Liberal Quakers (86%) Browse Liberal Quakers related books. Click here for info

7. Theravada Buddhism (82%) Browse Theravada Buddhism related books. Click here for info

8. Taoism (79%) Browse Taoism related books. Click here for info

9. Scientology (78%) Browse Scientology related books. Click here for info

10. Hinduism (76%) Browse Hinduism related books. Click here for info

11. Jainism (70%) Browse Jainism related books. Click here for info

12. Secular Humanism (69%) Browse Secular Humanism related books. Click here for info

13. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (69%) Browse Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) related books. Click here for info

14. Orthodox Quaker (66%) Browse Orthodox Quaker related books. Click here for info

15. Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (65%) Browse Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants related books. Click here for info

16. Reform Judaism (52%) Browse Reform Judaism related books. Click here for info

17. Sikhism (51%) Browse Sikhism related books. Click here for info

18. Bahá'í Faith (47%) Browse Bahá'í Faith related books. Click here for info

19. Non-theist (42%) Browse Non-theist related books. Click here for info

20. Orthodox Judaism (40%) Browse Orthodox Judaism related books. Click here for info

21. Seventh Day Adventist (33%) Browse Seventh Day Adventist related books. Click here for info

22. Islam (27%) Browse Islam related books. Click here for info

23. Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant (26%) Browse Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant related books. Click here for info

24. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (25%) Browse Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) related books. Click here for info

25. Eastern Orthodox (17%) Browse Eastern Orthodox related books. Click here for info

26. Roman Catholic (17%) Browse Roman Catholic related books. Click here for info

27. Jehovah's Witness (14%) Browse Jehovah's Witness related books. Click here for info

Neo-Pagan A community of faiths bringing ancient pagan and magickal traditions to the modern age -- including mostly Wicca but also Druidism, Asatru, Shamanism, neo-Native American, etc. Neo-Pagan is an umbrella term for various and diverse beliefs with many elements in common. (See Pagan Path Selector below) Some Neo-Pagans find no incongruence practicing Neo-Paganism along with adherence to another faith, such as Christianity or Judaism.

Belief in Deity: Some believe in a Supreme Being. Many believe in God and Goddess - a duality. Many believe there are countless spirit beings, gods and goddesses, in the cosmos and within all of nature - God is all and within all; all are one God. The Great Mother Earth, or Mother Nature, is highly worshipped. Divinity is immanent and may become manifest within anyone at any time through various methods.

Incarnations: No human incarnations are worshipped in particular, as all of nature and the universe are considered embodiments of God and Goddess, or of gods and goddesses, worthy of respect, reverence or worship.

Origin of universe/life: Generally there is no conflict between observations revealed through science and Neo-Pagan beliefs on origins of the physical universe and of man. Many believe in a supreme intelligence that created a duality of God/Goddess who then created a spirit world of gods and goddesses as well as all of the universe and nature.

After death: Many believe in reincarnation, after some rest and recovery in the “Otherworld.” There is generally no concept of hell as a place of punishment, but some believe wrongdoing can trap the soul in state of suffering after death. Some (Wicca) believe the soul joins their dead ancestors who watch over and protect their family. Some believe that life energy continues in some, if unknown, form. Some believe in various spiritual resting places. Many say we don’t or can’t know what happens after death.

Why evil? “Evil” is imbalance. Most believe there is no evil but rather that people sometimes make mistakes. Wrongdoing results when we forget we are one with the universal spirit.

Salvation: The concept of “salvation” is essentially irrelevant; rather the belief that people can attain spiritual balance and harmony with each other and Nature. The path includes group ceremonies, dances, songs/chants, prayers, meditation, trance, altered states of consciousness, the metaphysical, magic, invoking or evoking deities or spirits, Tantric practices. Intercessors are commonly used: psychics, seers, shamans, tarot, Oui-Ja Board. Ethical choices are influenced by belief in rebirth and karma - that one is rewarded or punished within this or after this lifetime for one’s choices, and an ethical code to do no harm.

Undeserved suffering: Most do not believe in Satan or any spirit Being as the cause of suffering. Some believe in karma, that choosing to live a life of wrongdoing and pain will naturally result in suffering in this or later lifetimes. Many view suffering as a result of spiritual imbalance in one’s life or on the planet or in the universe. The focus is generally on healing suffering rather than answering definitively why it exists.

Issues: Abortion choice is supported by many, but beliefs about abortion range from “pro-life” to “pro-choice.” Views on divorce, homosexuality, and gender equality are generally very supportive of human differences, equality, and personal choice. Many believe that involvement in community action, especially regarding environmental concerns, is integral to the belief in human interdependence and worship of the Earth Mother. Many promote strict nonviolence to humans and animals.