This should seem a very simple post for those of you used to me and my long-winded ways. For a while I've been wondering just what it is some of my fellow MRAs believe, since we are drawn together by our refutation of a belief; that of Feminism, it is sometimes had to discern what it is we do hold true. Answer me then if you're feeling inclined to talk about yourself and let me know what it is you do believe; tell me about your religious and political beliefs, tell me how they relate to one another, give me a taste of your ideal world and shed some light on the things which you feel are true and in which you have faith.

It might help if you ask yourself the following -

Do you consider yourself a Religous person? (What is the nature of your Religous belief; if yes. Are you opposed to the concept of Religion; if no; if you have some other non-political ideological belief, explain it)

To what political attitude do you subscribe? (Do you believe your Religous views influence your political attitude, are the two as one, do you believe in the separation of Church and State)

Are there any popular culturally-active ideas or concepts that you find offensive apart from those related to Female Supremacy and Misandry? (Do you feel your political or Religous ideal is in some way being undermined by popular culture?)

Does your Religious or Political outlook often set you apart from others? (Do you feel it makes others see you as hostile, or do you feel it engenders hostility toward you?)

Describe your ideal society in spiritual terms.

Describe your ideal society in political terms.

In spiritual terms; what are the primary evils at work in the world today, or in political/ideological terms what is the most significant moral failing of society as it stands?

(Special note to Shaazam): if this post is too long for you (and I imagine it is), either skip over it completely or don your mighty spectacles, because here it comes...lol!

I guess from an early age I've been ambivalent about organized religion. I was baptized a Lutheran at the age of six. My family attended church only during my youngest years, so to this day I don't really know a whole lot about the religion I was baptized into. From about the age of eight to the age of 16 or so, I didn't attend church at all. But around age 16, I started going to a non-denominational church- a Bible study group, on my own. (My parents and sisters did not go with me.)

Though I wanted to believe that God existed (in fact, I never really gave up fully on the idea), I decided that I had a lot of issues with the way different organized religions interpreted the Bible. I lost my faith along the way.

In my early 30's I went through a very difficult time in my life, and during this time I had a few spiritual experiences. They didn't happen in churches (or because of churches.) These are private experiences that moved me toward searching once again for the one "true religion." I began taking in knowledge of different religions. I learned about Mormons, I studied with Jehovah's Witnesses, I read about Buddhism, Catholicism, and others. I even explored Pagan religions like Wicca. In each and every case, there were questions that could not be answered fully by the church or the elders, or the other members. I got tired of being judged, and tired of being told that if I didn't follow the "right religion" I was going to go to hell. Seems they all said that...for the most part. I began to view organized religion a bit more cynnically...as I would view a cult.

However, that did not stop me from being a believer in a higher power. I'm a very spiritual person. But my spirituality did not come from organized religion. It was an evolution, of sorts....and hard to break down into words. The easiest way for me to explain the process is this: first I came to believe in myself. I came to understand that I have a purpose for living. I began to view my abilities and talents as gifts that should be shared and developed. Next, I came to understand that I am connected to my fellow human beings. I began to see humanity as a family. I began to believe that the self-imposed barriers that divide us are the root of all hate, prejudice, and wars. I started to understand that other people have higher callings, higher purposes, skills, talents, that I could learn from. I began to see that helping each other develop our potentials could be extremely satisfying. I began to see altruism and empathy as tools for creating peace. Lastly, I began to believe that not only do we each possess a spirit, a soul, and are connected to one another through this, but that we are also connected to something much bigger than ourselves. Call it God, call it Higher Power, or Higher Energy, whatever you want to call it...but it is a source that we are connected to...and this Source (and faith in it), can help guide us on our life's journey. And in it, we can find comfort and hope when things are difficult.

I see that humankind is capable of great good, and great destruction. I am fascinated by people's motives and behavior. I cry when I watch the news sometimes....as much for the happier stories as I do for the sad. Hearing how a person might lay down his life for a stranger, my faith in humanity is renewed. There is (and always has been), "good" in the world. Life is too beautiful to be anything but divinely created.

I think far too often we are bombarded with the negative...in the news, and in every form of media. It's likely to color our perception of the world. The negative things are what people talk about. It's what they remember.

But I challenge you all to look around you very carefully. Chances are, you might well be overlooking the sources of positive/good in your life. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes...

It helps me to make a conscious effort to look for these sources of positive/divine awareness. They are everywhere, as well as within. The phrase "counting your blessings" may seem like a tired cliche, but counting them (daily) is exactly what I do. And I try to give back what I have received, and then some.

Does all of this effect my political views? Probably. I am a firm believer in separation of church and state. I believe strongly that each person's spiritual journey is his/her own, and that rarely (if ever) are people on the exact same path at the exact same time. I don't believe in telling others how to live their lives (when it comes to religious ideology). I tend to resent interference/judgments from people who think that their way is the "only way."

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who believes the way I do. Some think it's blasphemous to believe that organized religion leads people astray (and away from enlightenment instead of toward it.) But that is what I do believe. And some people may think it's blasphemous to question the Bible, and man's interpretations of it...but I believe it should be questioned. I believe that there are seeds of wisdom to be found in the Bible, but, one must listen closely to one's conscience in order to discern for themselves which writings are truths, and which are distortions. I believe that mankind has tainted religion, and used the Bible to control people. And since there is no clear consensus on the interpretations of the Bible, I find it difficult to take everything that's written there at face value. I listen with my heart, and I listen to my conscience. And I believe that in both places, my Higher Power resides. I trust it. I trust it to guide me.

I believe in the beauty of all people, and in nature. I believe there is a lesson to be learned everywhere you look. I believe in respecting ourselves, each other, and the gifts that have been given us, the Source, and I believe in giving back. I think it's how we reaffirm and strengthen those connections.

And I feel very connected, indeed.

I didn't always have that. But today, it's unshakable.

Dad, ask the Guvmunt. They seem to collect every bit of information about people, even from questions on boards like this. I'll put ten bucks down that they even know the colour of Tera's knickers by 8 am.

A Pox on Politics. A Pox on Religion. Poor old God gave up telling folk what to do several thousand years ago and Politicians only ever listen to each other rabbiting on.

LOL....

Why does the subject of my "knickers" seem to come up so often in this forum?

I am a member of the LDS church and my political and religious views are similar. Both the government and religion should lead by example but stay out of the business of controlling it's members.

I believe that people should be taught by their church and their schools to take responsibility for their own actions. And live in a manner that does not do harm to those inside nor outside the home.

My perfect world or society would have the government allowing people to live their own lives without government intrusion.

It would also have churches teaching people to be moral instead of preaching hatred against others who do not follow the same faith.

Here's a song that I absolutely love....it encompasses a bit of my spiritual views and political ones, as well.

Redemption Day

Lyrics

Ive wept for those who suffer long
But how I weep for those who've gone
Into rooms of grief and questioned wrong
But keep on killing
Its in the soul to feel such things
But weak to watch without speaking
Oh what mercy sadness brings
If God be willing

There is a train thats heading straight
To heavens gate, to heavens gate
And on the way, child and man
And woman wait, watch and wait
For redemption day

Fire rages in the streets
And swallow everything it meets
Its just an image often seen
On television
Come leaders, come you men of great
Let us hear you pontificate
Your many virtues laid to waste
And we arent listening
What do you have for us today
Throw us a bone but save the plate
Oh why we waited til so late
Was there no oil to excavate
No riches in trade for the fate
Of every person who died in hate
Throw us a bone, you men of great

There is a train thats heading straight
To heavens gate, to heavens gate
And on the way, child and man
And woman wait, watch and wait
For redemption day

Its buried in the countryside
Its exploding in the shells of night
Its everywhere a baby cries
Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

I dunno, I heard of all kinds a fetishes but not a hippie knicker fetish

Imagine

imagaine????
im gonna puke
how bout bob marley "get up stand up"

I'm an ex-liberal conservative religious kook that has given up on things in this world including our government which is in dire need of an enema. My religious beliefs do influence my views on everything.

All extreme liberal agendas are offensive and promote a society that is void of moral standards.

God-believers were called to be set apart. It does bring on hostility and that is expected.

Perfect liberty within the bounds of reasonable laws. I dont believe it's possible at this point. But the time is coming.

Those who oppose truth.

.