I have also found that my thinking and my faith have been deeply influenced by Russian Orthodoxy through the writing of Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Solzhenitsyn, and other Russian authors.
Some people up-thread said they find traditionalist ways of worship to be boring. Well, I'm the exact opposite. That's exactly why I find the Catholic Church so appealing. The regimented structure of the service is really inspiring, IMO. I never really felt God's presence in a Protestant service (and I've been to quite a few besides Baptist and Methodist - Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Church of the Nazarene, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, etc.). But I do feel a sense of "other-worldliness" in a Catholic service.
I have also found that my thinking and my faith have been deeply influenced by Russian Orthodoxy through the writing of Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Solzhenitsyn, and other Russian authors.
That's the Cardassian in you![]()
I have also found that my thinking and my faith have been deeply influenced by Russian Orthodoxy through the writing of Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Solzhenitsyn, and other Russian authors.
That's the Cardassian in you![]()
Some of the most sincere depictions of my faith, the ones that speak to me the most and taught me, are in those books. I do have theological reasons for remaining Protestant, but I have heard some say that Methodism does tend to lend itself more towards certain Orthodox concepts than most Protestant denominations (particularly when it comes to sanctification). I learned a lot from C.S. Lewis, too, but nothing beats Dostoyevsky.
I always thought Bashir made a mistake introducing Garak to human literature with Shakespeare. I always thought Crime and Punishment would have been a far more appropriate choice. We know from the start of the book that Raskolnikov was guilty. The whole thing is about the psychological stress as he breaks down under the weight of what he's done and comes to accept that he needs to be punished. Yet on the other hand you'd have some very, very "subversive" human concepts in there: warnings against encroaching authoritarianism, the concept of faith and forgiveness, and so on.
I can tell you that I definitely think of my main two Cardassian universes as being based in part on Russian culture.
I'm genuinely curious, though...is that what you saw as well, or was it something different?
Indeed. I mean, gods with elephant heads. Blue dudes. Giant cobras. You can't get more awesome than that.Clearly I should be doing more converting.
Dissolution of the self in the eternal bliss of the cosmic consciousness, or another round at the carousel. That's pretty rad, compared with playing a lyre on some cloud.And what is the retirement plan like?Clearly I should be doing more converting.![]()
You should look into the Bahá'í faith (it's pretty much unknown in the West, but it's quite popular in India and neighbouring countries, with around 5 million followers worldwide). It seems to be quite close to your own beliefs.I have an unusual belief system. I'm Christian In the sense that I believe that "lord baby Jesus" was a real man. I believe he was enveloped with the holy spirit. I don't know where I stand with emaculate conception. I also believe each major religious figure such as Bhuda, Moses, Muhamud, Jesus and so on, were all prophets of "God". They were put there for each culture at certain times because that was what that culture needed at the time. I believe all of the religions of the universe are traced back to one "God". I believe god and nature are one in the same. Nature is god, it creates, destroys and controls the universe, it is the universe. I believe it is more like the force rather a god, a man. God has no form. I believe in evolution, but I also believe that the bible's story of creation coencides with evolution. That is not to say I think the world is only 6000 years old, I think man screwed that up.
I believe in destiny, but yet I believe in free will, as in we have several paths to the same destiny, but we also have free will to change that destiny or not follow that destiny. I don't believe in Christianity as a religion, but as an extension of Judaism. I choose to follow the teachings of Jesus, but I think it doesen't really matter which philosphy you follow because there are many paths to enlightenment/heaven/nirvana. I also like the teachings of Bhudha. I don't believe in denominations. I don't woship anywhere. I am not a strict religious man. I don't practice my beliefs and in reality, I'm pretty much a big time sinner. I wish I could be more Zen, but this world is too fucked up. Those are my beliefs, I believe in them very strongly, but don't practice them.
You seemed to be agnostic or confused because you cant cherry pick from every religion and mingle them up into one as you see fit.I have an unusual belief system. I'm Christian In the sense that I believe that "lord baby Jesus" was a real man. I believe he was enveloped with the holy spirit. I don't know where I stand with emaculate conception. I also believe each major religious figure such as Bhuda, Moses, Muhamud, Jesus and so on, were all prophets of "God". They were put there for each culture at certain times because that was what that culture needed at the time. I believe all of the religions of the universe are traced back to one "God". I believe god and nature are one in the same. Nature is god, it creates, destroys and controls the universe, it is the universe. I believe it is more like the force rather a god, a man. God has no form. I believe in evolution, but I also believe that the bible's story of creation coencides with evolution. That is not to say I think the world is only 6000 years old, I think man screwed that up.
I believe in destiny, but yet I believe in free will, as in we have several paths to the same destiny, but we also have free will to change that destiny or not follow that destiny. I don't believe in Christianity as a religion, but as an extension of Judaism. I choose to follow the teachings of Jesus, but I think it doesen't really matter which philosphy you follow because there are many paths to enlightenment/heaven/nirvana. I also like the teachings of Bhudha. I don't believe in denominations. I don't woship anywhere. I am not a strict religious man. I don't practice my beliefs and in reality, I'm pretty much a big time sinner. I wish I could be more Zen, but this world is too fucked up. Those are my beliefs, I believe in them very strongly, but don't practice them.
Not really. Only if you are really close-minded about it.You seemed to be agnostic or confused because you cant cherry pick from every religion and mingle them up into one as you see fit. (...) There is no middle way.
It's the Duality Unification Parameter, also know as the Yin/Yang balance factor.Okay. But why did you divide by two?
We use essential cookies to make this site work, and optional cookies to enhance your experience.