I believe in God and Satan. But I don't believe in heaven or hell, I believe in reincarnation and karma?
Is it normal for people to be sorta between religions? Is that even okay? People keep asking me if I'm Buddhist or Christian, because I'm sorta like both... so I just say I'm not religious. Even though I have religious views (of both Buddhism and Christianity).
I'm just wondering if this is really weird. Or if it even matters.
2010-09-30T10:30:08Z
I'm not 'dumb'. I passed my GCSE in religious studies. I just have beliefs which fit into both religions which yes is confusing me. Am I not to allowed to believe what I want..?
2010-09-30T10:32:58Z
Don't answer just to tell me reincarnation is false. I've always believe in reincarnation. I've just also grown up as a Christian.
stbb2010-09-30T16:07:49Z
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We Vajrayana Buddhists know that both Gods and evil beings exists; but we don't call any of those evil beings "Satan", because there are more of them than you realize, and we have other names for them, and they don't exactly fit into the same descriptions as Christian's concept.
Yes, what you said is right about Reincarnation and Karma, they exist also, however, how do you know?
It is very simple, (1) by simple observation of how the world runs, some people die early, some people live long times. Some people good looking and some ugly as hell. Some healthy all their lives and some constantly sick and even died horribly with deadly diseases. Some are rich and some are poor. Why? It is because they are the manifestations of Karma, what you have done in the pasts affect your present time. This is not to say you resort to abandonment to your current fate, because what you do in this life account for 33% to 50% of what your current live will be.
(2) Secondly, as Buddhists develop our minds and understanding of the Universes, we also come to know the reality of how the Universes operate; causes and effects, karma and reincarnations etc… Some high Tibetan Lamas and Highly develop Chan/Zen Buddhists and other lineages develop mind reading powers and karma reading abilities- they are able to look into the past incarnations of people and give them the reason why they have to suffer certain fates or how they can improve their current lives.
Know these how can you then believe the simpleton answer that, when a young cute looking kid died, because he is the favorite of God? So on the other hand, those that died of ripe old age, I guess will be the hated and displeased group of God, may be at the end of their lives, God will throw them all in Hell? The answer is just too simple. If this is what it is, then it is better that the kid is not the favorite of God and rather be hated by the God, then everyone will be at peace.
And yes, the Heavens and Hells do exist; I have been to both Heaven (just one of many) and Hell (also one of many) in meditational mind travels. I was told to go to both places and got there by having to figure out how to do it myself, and funny thing was I was able to figure out without the special trainings. I guess it was either by the grace of Buddha, or I had the Karma of previous trainings as Vajrayana Buddhist that I was able to go. I guess my spirit mentors want to train me to recover my ancient abilities.
This may sound fantastic, but many with higher training than I, can do it even more easily than I, because I still need an invitation to do things; other yogis I know can do it on their own wills and decisions.
It is perfectly fine not to fit into a religious 'box'...why do we have to label ourselves as anything anyway? My beliefs do not fit in to any group either, although the closest I have found is Gnostic Christianity. I believe that the Bible has been in the hands of CORRUPT religious leaders since the beginning of time (hence the 'need' for Jesus in the first place!) and cannot be trusted for more than basic guidance. I believe that 'hell' is a state of being, not a place. I believe that it is a separation from God's love and that the dark entities are necessary for our spiritual growth. I tell people that I am not religious, but I am very spiritual. I believe strongly in reincarnation because I have had memories from past lives. I am happy to see another person that has researched religion and has not just fallen victim to dogma and brain washing! I believe the way I do because I have taken the time to research and question certain 'facts'...I remember being a young child and thinking that the church was wrong and going to make God angry for telling children that only Christians go to Heaven! LOL! Even then I knew that God loves every one of us and we will all eventually go 'home' to Him/Her. Certain dark ones 'recycle' rather than reincarnate to create obstacles and roadblocks for those who are perfecting for God. Even they have a purpose! Just my thoughts!! ~Peace~
The Bible says that "It is appointed once for a person to die and after that the judgment." Reincarnation is simply false. What many people think is people returning from the grave is simply demons or evil spirits masquerading as people who have died. In addition, Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man in the Gospels. The rich man is burning in hell and asks for a drink of water, but there is deep chasm between Lazarus and the rich man which can't be crossed. Only faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will give us the hope of heaven.
My question to you would be, where are you getting these beliefs from? When you say "God and the devil" are you referring to the Biblical God? if so, why do you accept one part of the Christian mythology while rejecting the other?
Or is it just gut feeling? that's fine. Just keep in mind that you have no proof for any of it, so don't take your beliefs (or anyone else's) too seriously.
Is it normal? Yes, for adolescents. Is it okay? Who does it have to be okay with? And yes, it might be unusual but no, it doesn't matter at all. Believe what you believe and as you grow older and spend some time thinking about things, you will discover that what you really are is an agnostic. And that's okay too. As for the lackwits telling you that hell is real or that your soul is in danger, treat them as you would any other psychotic. Nod, smile, and walk away quickly.