Let's imagine that there are numerous planets within the same solar system capable of supporting life. People residing on these planets cannot meet each other.
On each planet there is only single religion that isn't challenged by anybody, so entire world is practising practising Jew or practising Hindu or whatever.
Which planet would you rather live on had you the opportunity to chose where you'd like to be born? Keeping the similarities between the religions (as we know that many influenced each other), but imagining that they do not know of the other religions and they'd probably never find out, which planet do you think would be best run? Why?
What would be your order of preference be, starting with the planet you'd most like to live on and finishing with the planet you'd least like to live on.
I didn't include the religion list, as you can add any religion you'd like, including ancient religions as well as new age. Confucianism, although a philosophy, can be counted as religion too.
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في هذا العالم ثلاثة أشخاص أفسدوا البشرية : راعي غنم , طبيب و راكب الجمال , و راكب الجمال هو أسوأ نشال و أسوأ مشعوذ بين الثلاثة
I'd choose Mormonism with the Law of Consecration (a form of pure communism) in full effect.
Why?
Because I can still have my science (which I love) still believe in a universe/multiverse, believe in an active God, get creature respect (Mormons think animals have spirits and have to be respected and treated properly), get body respect, get computers, bla bla bla.
Basically, I want everything good about Mormons but none of the bad (such as the self-righteous attitude that many Mormons have or the judgmental attitudes that many Mormons have (which is stupid because that goes directly against canon doctrine)).
Taoism, at least some interpretations of it, isn't technically at odds with my staunch atheism. I won't say they're "compatible" because that would imply similarities, but they don't directly contradict one another.
Certain sects of it enjoy delving into the more mystic aspects like reincarnation and such, which is where they lose me. But the core philosophies are remarkably unobtrusive to my naturally skeptical nature. It's really just a non-dualistic way of accepting and loving reality.
Buddhism enjoys its rules more, and I dislike anything resembling concrete dogma. And Buddhism is also heavy on the mysticism that often strains my credulity. It being the other large Eastern school, it's also one I can't get behind at all. Living on their world would probably be pleasant enough though.
I actually briefly flirted with calling myself Taoist back in the day, but that also brings with it too many expectations of, I dunno, meditation and actual practice. I settled on simply saying "I think Taoism's pretty ok" and it's worked much better for me. Atheist stereotypes are more fun to argue against anyway.
My World Religions Professor hung out with some California Taoists at one point, they basically just fished and surfed all day. He asked them once what they'd do if they couldn't catch any fish and they just shrugged and told him that it had never happened before.
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“Where the longleaf pines are whispering
to him who loved them so.
Where the faint murmurs now dwindling
echo o’er tide and shore."
-A Grave Epitaph in Santa Rosa County, Florida; I wish I could remember the man's name.
Something not Eastern, I think I'd kill myself if I was surrounded by mysticalist bullshit 24/7.
Of course it seems like the fundamental flaw in this question is that if it is a planet where everyone is the same religion then it would be very strange for a person who isn't of that religion to be there. Imagine trying to have a conversation with people who have zero exposure to other religions.
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Graffiti outside Latin class.
Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
A juvenal prank.
Last edited by Symmetric Chaos on Feb 21st, 2012 at 06:46 PM
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Feb 19th, 2012 09:52 PM
