Other Religions - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Jeff Lebowski · 10-18-2006, 03:23 AM

Mike's comment on another thread got me to thinking about this and it seems like it would be an interesting thread. If you were leave the LDS church (bear with me, just a hypothetical), what church/religion would you be most likely to adopt? And what would you be least likely to adopt?

Without too much thought, here are mine:

Most likely:

1) Agnostic

Seems pretty defensible. I suppose it's another way of saying that if I chose to reject the LDS faith, perhaps no other faith would measure up.

2) Methodist/Episcopalian

Some fairly low-key Christian faith might be attractive.

3) Rock Canyon Assembly of God

I know the pastor of this church here in Provo (Dean Jackson). He is a very cool guy.

Least likely:

1) Atheist

Firm belief in the non-existence of God seems more absurd and indefensible than belief in God. Seems like a quasi-religion to me.

2) Baptist

Baptists drive me nuts sometimes. Especially Southern Baptists.

3) JW

I used to debate these folks on mission a lot. Seemed like a pretty joyless group of people to me.

What do you folks think?

SteelBlue · 10-18-2006, 03:44 AM

Mostl Likely:

1) There's not even a close 2nd: Agnostic.

4) Honestly, I think I'd be done with organized religion. But maybe some easy, non-commital form of Buddhism. Live and let live, find my inner me. Sounds inviting.

Least Likely:

1a) Any Pentacostal/Evangelical congregation. I grew up being mocked by these types and there's no love lost.

1b) Jehova's Witness- There was a great line in Steinbeck's "East of Eden" about an overly religious woman. I can't remember it precisely but it was something to the effect of "she was the kind of woman who wanted to pin down and beat the brains out of anything fun to do." I think that sums up the JW's (and a few LDS I know).

2) Atheism

SeattleUte · 10-18-2006, 04:13 AM

Come on. There's not much offensive about Anglicanism (CofE, Episcopal in U.S.), and those old musty churches are great. Ever visited Westminster Abbey? Right inside the front door inlaid brass letters on the stone floor state, "Remember Winston Churchill." The Church is then filled with secular icons. You should insist on a church with beautiful old edifices, lots of history, and low demands on your personal time or money. Thereis also much flexibility in ANglicanism in terms of willingness to absorbe diverse belief systems. The music is beautiful, as are the vestments. The founding fathers were all Anglicans.

I'm surprised neither Steel or Lebowski listed Islam among least likely. I guess there's a chance they'll convert to Islam. Figures.

ute4ever · 10-18-2006, 04:18 AM

I would just watch Joel Osteen on cable once a week, while enjoying a nice Starbucks vanilla mocha frappuccino.

SteelBlue · 10-18-2006, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I'm surprised neither Steel or Lebowski listed Islam among least likely. I guess there's a chance they'll convert to Islam. Figures.

That one just goes without saying.

Jeff Lebowski · 10-18-2006, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Come on. There's not much offensive about Anglicanism (CofE, Episcopal in U.S.), and those old musty churches are great. Ever visited Westminster Abbey? Right inside the front door inlaid brass letters on the stone floor state, "Remember Winston Churchill." The Church is then filled with secular icons. You should insist on a church with beautiful old edifices, lots of history, and low demands on your personal time or money. Thereis also much flexibility in ANglicanism in terms of willingness to absorbe diverse belief systems. The music is beautiful, as are the vestments. The founding fathers were all Anglicans.

Amen to that. While in England last summer we visited a church where my ancestors attended 400 years ago. The church was still in great shape. A local member came in and spent two hours giving us a tour and telling us history of the church, town, and our ancestors. Wonderful experience. Wonderful people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I'm surprised neither Steel or Lebowski listed Islam among least likely. I guess there's a chance they'll convert to Islam. Figures.

Oops!!! Forgot that one. Yes, that should be right at the top of my least likely list.

Archaea · 10-18-2006, 04:37 AM

copied from another strand.

For me, other than the Sufis, most strains of Islam could never attract me.

Evangelicals drive me nuts, and some of the more liberal strains have nothing to offer.

Some strains of judaism, due to its high intellectual content are fascinating. Catholicism has a certain completeness. Aspects of Buddhism are quite compelling.

The Sikhs and Hindi are also something not too compelling.

I too respect the 7th days.

SeattleUte · 10-18-2006, 04:42 AM

Don't forget Orthodox Christianity (Russian, Greek, what have you). There's a certain plain spoken eloquence about the liturgy that's very moving.

SeattleUte · 10-18-2006, 04:47 AM

My wife says she'd occasionally visit a Catholic Church (her childhood religion) if they reinstituded the Latin mass. She's put off by Vatican II, which insituted English mass, some folk music in church, etc. All that Ranaissance art at the Vatican is equisite too.

danimal · 10-18-2006, 05:06 AM

The Universalists would be great. You can believe what you want, focus on general gospel concepts like loving your neighbor, and never have to stand for anything.

I also think Judaism would be appealing because of their intellectual tradition and the richness of their many rituals.

10-18-2006, 03:23 AM	#1
Jeff Lebowski Charon Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo) Posts: 9,564	Other Religions Mike's comment on another thread got me to thinking about this and it seems like it would be an interesting thread. If you were leave the LDS church (bear with me, just a hypothetical), what church/religion would you be most likely to adopt? And what would you be least likely to adopt? Without too much thought, here are mine: Most likely: 1) Agnostic Seems pretty defensible. I suppose it's another way of saying that if I chose to reject the LDS faith, perhaps no other faith would measure up. 2) Methodist/Episcopalian Some fairly low-key Christian faith might be attractive. 3) Rock Canyon Assembly of God I know the pastor of this church here in Provo (Dean Jackson). He is a very cool guy. Least likely: 1) Atheist Firm belief in the non-existence of God seems more absurd and indefensible than belief in God. Seems like a quasi-religion to me. 2) Baptist Baptists drive me nuts sometimes. Especially Southern Baptists. 3) JW I used to debate these folks on mission a lot. Seemed like a pretty joyless group of people to me. What do you folks think? __________________ "... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr.

10-18-2006, 03:44 AM	#2
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	Mostl Likely: 1) There's not even a close 2nd: Agnostic. 4) Honestly, I think I'd be done with organized religion. But maybe some easy, non-commital form of Buddhism. Live and let live, find my inner me. Sounds inviting. Least Likely: 1a) Any Pentacostal/Evangelical congregation. I grew up being mocked by these types and there's no love lost. 1b) Jehova's Witness- There was a great line in Steinbeck's "East of Eden" about an overly religious woman. I can't remember it precisely but it was something to the effect of "she was the kind of woman who wanted to pin down and beat the brains out of anything fun to do." I think that sums up the JW's (and a few LDS I know). 2) Atheism Last edited by SteelBlue; 10-18-2006 at 03:48 AM.

10-18-2006, 04:13 AM	#3
SeattleUte fairlds.org Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,665	Come on. There's not much offensive about Anglicanism (CofE, Episcopal in U.S.), and those old musty churches are great. Ever visited Westminster Abbey? Right inside the front door inlaid brass letters on the stone floor state, "Remember Winston Churchill." The Church is then filled with secular icons. You should insist on a church with beautiful old edifices, lots of history, and low demands on your personal time or money. Thereis also much flexibility in ANglicanism in terms of willingness to absorbe diverse belief systems. The music is beautiful, as are the vestments. The founding fathers were all Anglicans. I'm surprised neither Steel or Lebowski listed Islam among least likely. I guess there's a chance they'll convert to Islam. Figures. __________________ Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster Last edited by SeattleUte; 10-18-2006 at 04:17 AM.

10-18-2006, 04:37 AM	#7
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	copied from another strand. For me, other than the Sufis, most strains of Islam could never attract me. Evangelicals drive me nuts, and some of the more liberal strains have nothing to offer. Some strains of judaism, due to its high intellectual content are fascinating. Catholicism has a certain completeness. Aspects of Buddhism are quite compelling. The Sikhs and Hindi are also something not too compelling. I too respect the 7th days. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

10-18-2006, 04:42 AM	#8
SeattleUte fairlds.org Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,665	Don't forget Orthodox Christianity (Russian, Greek, what have you). There's a certain plain spoken eloquence about the liturgy that's very moving. __________________ Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster

10-18-2006, 04:18 AM	#4
ute4ever I must not tell lies Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,103	I would just watch Joel Osteen on cable once a week, while enjoying a nice Starbucks vanilla mocha frappuccino.

10-18-2006, 04:47 AM	#9
SeattleUte fairlds.org Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,665	My wife says she'd occasionally visit a Catholic Church (her childhood religion) if they reinstituded the Latin mass. She's put off by Vatican II, which insituted English mass, some folk music in church, etc. All that Ranaissance art at the Vatican is equisite too. __________________ Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster

10-18-2006, 05:06 AM	#10
danimal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Your mom's house Posts: 588	The Universalists would be great. You can believe what you want, focus on general gospel concepts like loving your neighbor, and never have to stand for anything. I also think Judaism would be appealing because of their intellectual tradition and the richness of their many rituals. __________________ Tobias: You know, Lindsay, as a therapist, I have advised a number of couples to explore an open relationship where the couple remains emotionally committed, but free to explore extra-marital encounters. Lindsay: Well, did it work for those people? Tobias: No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but...but it might work for us.