Religions

Are Voodoo, Wiccan and Shamanism even religions in accordance with its definition? When I think of religion I think of a system with with one or more gods. For example: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

I always thought religion to be more of a personal belief or faith, whether that is in a god or something else.

various stuff

Ooh, I had a little browse but that looks like it'll keep me entertained for many hours.
Thanks. ++

Religion <=> a belief-based system that explains unexplainable things of world, most notably what happens after death

Most people associate religion with one or more supernatural beings, i.e. gods, whose existence is unprovable (for true or false)

From these it follows naturally that the argument "agnostism is a religion too" is inconsistent

wikipedia: www.wikipedia.org

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Original post by Shmuel Are Voodoo, Wiccan and Shamanism even religions in accordance with its definition? When I think of religion I think of a system with with one or more gods. For example: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Religions with gods are called theistic religions. Religions without gods are called atheistic religions (note the negating prefix a-)

Note this goes against what people typically think of when they hear "atheist", ie. someone without religion. Rather, "atheist" means someone who doesn't believe in god(s), regardless of religion. (Though an atheist doesn't usually fit into theistic religions, like those you described.)

www.erowid.org

Quote:

Original post by etothex Quote: Original post by Shmuel Are Voodoo, Wiccan and Shamanism even religions in accordance with its definition? When I think of religion I think of a system with with one or more gods. For example: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Religions with gods are called theistic religions. Religions without gods are called atheistic religions (note the negating prefix a-) Note this goes against what people typically think of when they hear "atheist", ie. someone without religion. Rather, "atheist" means someone who doesn't believe in god(s), regardless of religion. (Though an atheist doesn't usually fit into theistic religions, like those you described.)

Some people use the term nontheist to describe a religion without God, because atheist has become a charged term.

I define the terms as:
athiest - no God
|
|- nonthiest - spiritual beliefs but no God.

thiest - belief in a God that created man.
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|- monothiest - One God or one main God that controls all other gods.
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|- polythiest - Many gods.
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|- agnostic - The belief that God/s exists but doesn't believe there's a way to determain which religion to follow.

However, this is my own definition and definitally not accepted by any means.

>>However, this is my own definition and
>>definitally not accepted by any means.

I'm beginning to understand the root of usenet wars