Humans are the only creatures aware that they are someday going to die. I believe religion would not exsist if humans were not seeking some kind of answer as to what will happen to us when this day comes. I believe that being the afraid creatures we are, we've found a way to immortalize ourselves by creating a religion where your soul lives on. Christianity. Religion is also used to make sure rules humans created are enforced. Not that its a bad thing. The rules religion teaches are good rules that you would do well to live by. But would those rules be there if there was no religion? I believe they would be.

Katherine

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Originally posted by hubbabaloo:
I was wondering if you were going to say, "Actually, animals do have a religion. Ducks worship me."

Lol! thats awesome...

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Originally posted by northstar316:

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Besides, I am a Druid, a pagan.

Doesn't that whole human sacrifice thing practiced in true celtic religions creep you out? I am remembering the Tallond Man,(a sacrificial victim found in England) the Wicker Man (a big wicker body which they put people in, then burned it,) and that little incident with the Roman Army on the isle of Man, not to mention the blood eagle and all those carion-stinking alters.

If I'm not mistaken, the blood eagle, is a Norse thing, where Druidism is a Welsh-Irish-Scottish based religion. But yes the original Druids, at least the Irish ones, practiced human sacrifice. I did an entire research paper on human sacrifice, and I've researched a lot about Irish Druidism, because I'm writing a novel dealing with the end of Irish Druidism. you know, the one in the Middle Ages.

Don't worry. Nothing distasteful toward either of you. Catholics or Irish Druids. All right, there are a couple of corrupt Catholic priors and abbots, but that's about it.

And though it wasn't super-common in Roman religion, they did practice human sacrifice on occaision. A good number of religions practiced human sacrifice. Not at all unique to the Celts.

I was wondering if you were going to say, "Actually, animals do have a religion. Ducks worship me."

No, I disagree. Animals know they are going to die as well, they just aren't so afraid. I think the biggest misconception religous people have is that being a good person is associated with that religion. Like when people say "I wouldn't lie/steal/murder I am a Christian" Not that its just Christianity. I don't belong to any organized religion, but I still have morals. Except I decided what I felt was right and wrong, I didn't read it in a book.

well the roman's would have they'd been "civilized" for years so strange rituals would have scared the crap out of them especially the wicker man

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Originally posted by ampmaster:
Human Sacrifice was pretty common back then at least one religion on each continent has practiced it at one point

well, it freaked out the romans. Note that little insident. It was actally on Anglesay, now that I remember it.

Human Sacrifice was pretty common back then at least one religion on each continent has practiced it at one point

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Besides, I am a Druid, a pagan.

Doesn't that whole human sacrifice thing practiced in true celtic religions creep you out? I am remembering the Tallond Man,(a sacrificial victim found in England) the Wicker Man (a big wicker body which they put people in, then burned it,) and that little incident with the Roman Army on the isle of Man, not to mention the blood eagle and all those carion-stinking alters.

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Originally posted by SaphierRuby:
well all i have to say is that i know whwre i am going after i die and i can not wate(sorry i cant spell)

My exact point. You do not know where you will go when you die and it scares you so you cling to religion.

I think I saw this pointed out somewhere and I just wanted to clarify what I meant. I did not mean animals don't know they could die, they just don't know that it is inevitable for all living things.

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It doesn't matter what religion you have, all that matters is that you believe in God. You believe that he exists.

What about polytheistic religons? Not just God then, is it? So are they included in your general pagan and witches category?

Besides, I am a Druid, a pagan. We have virtually no doctrine, so that you can worship any God(s) you like, even the Christian God whilst being Druid. I am personally a Druid-Taoist, so the Eight Immortals, Lao Tzu, , the Lord and Lady, Brittania, Ceridwen, Awen and any variety of ancient Celtic God/esses for me.

Precisely.

I'm not expecting some gigantic hand to reach down from the sky and point the right way. I just feel that my own guidance is better than anything. Who better to tell myself what to do than myself?

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You know, it just so happens that the Lord will only inspire you to do good. He won't just change things for you. And, when making choices, I'll make my choice and then ask the Lord whether or not that was the right one. Not for him to choose for me.

I don't believe in God, I don't want to believe in God, I never will believe in God, and I never have believed in God. I don't pray to anyone, I go to my brother's grave, talk to him, then I go and fix the fucking problem. That's my way of "praying."

Anything can inspire you to do good, hubb. And anyone with a high intelligence can figure out on their own if their choice is right or not. Your God isn't neccesary to everyone.

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Originally posted by clpo13:
In times of trouble...I don't pray. Instead, I get off my arse and fix the problem. Now, wasn't that smart?

You know, it just so happens that the Lord will only inspire you to do good. He won't just change things for you. And, when making choices, I'll make my choice and then ask the Lord whether or not that was the right one. Not for him to choose for me.

In times of trouble...I don't pray. Instead, I get off my arse and fix the problem. Now, wasn't that smart?

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I wonder, if in times of trouble, to whom would they pray?

I personally, "pray" to Luna, Goddess of the Moon. And she's always there to protect me and shield me from evil.

And when they "cast that spell" and the world stops ending -- boy won't your face be red.