Religion from an Agnostic

It's weird.

For some reason, Religion seems to be becoming a popular topic of discussion around me. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am now comfortable telling people I am agnostic, when before, I really wasn't. But it seems now that some co-workers and neighbors know I am agnostic, from their asking, I keep hearing more about this 'God' fellow. As if I've become some sort of magnetic for potential redemption now that I am not part of the crowd.

Yet, I can find it within myself to believe. Maybe it's because I've been to other temples, shrines, etc, and have seen the faith that other religions can bring. Maybe it's because I simply don't believe there is anyway I can worship something that would be impossible to disprove or prove. I understand the leap of faith involved in religion, I just don't think its for me.

But, if I was to believe, I have a feeling I know where I might.

I was reading up on Hinduism and there was this interesting concept they have, besides Dhrama and Karma. They don't believe in hell because they believe they very concept of hell states that there are deeds that can be done that are outside of God's love. Very interesting concept.

But something that grabs my attention more so, is the concept of Omniquantism.

I read it in a webcomic. I know it sounds silly, but the base idea makes a lot of sense to me. The idea of Omniquantism is that all religions are correct.

How so? you may ask.

Well, if God, or whatever deity, is truly omnipotent, couldn't all the religions beliefs be true? couldn't each culture just have interpreted divine action differently than others?

I think if there is a God, Omniquantism makes the most sense. Every religion is correct, they are just different interpretations of the same actions.

If you look into the base religion of Japan. Not the major religions, but the overall, kind of neighborhood religion, there is this concept that is very close to religion. the Japanese people believe they are all children of the sun, and the sun has sent down it's son and they pray to him for help, guidance, and all that. that sounds very close to how Jesus came down from God, and we are all God's children.

Similiar ideas, just interpreted differently.

I've also heard rumors that, in those years of Jesus' life not documented in the bible, from age 12 to age 30ish, that Jesus may have spent some time studying in the Orient, practicing his teachings and learning along the way. This would tie into the idea of different interpretations.

What I find most silly is that many people who are devoutly religious have never taken the time to look at what other religions are saying and immediately assume they are wrong. I am not saying all devoutly religious people do that, but I would wager my money on 'many' being the correct vernacular.

But when you really look at it, Religion is pretty much the same. They all have their rituals and sense of community. Ways of reaffirming belief and all that good stuff Emile Durkheim talks about in his study of religion.

By the way, if you never have, I'd recommend reading Durkheim's work Ritual and Religion, can be quite interesting. Especially his talk about the sacred and the profane. After I'm done reading my book on consciousness, and the complete works of Max Weber, I'm going to dive back into Durkheim's work.

Anyway, that's all I can really think of to say about this, just thought this might be a bit thought provoking