A religion poll

[felis_ultharus]

I finally got reliable on the number of Wiccans -- the census has 5,500 for 1991 and 21,085 for 2001. That's a 380% increase. That fits with what I know anecdotally.

Most of my friends have been talking religion lately. Some are losing faith, some are beginning to believe, and others have changed from one to another.

So here's a poll. I realize it leaves off most major world religons, but I'm going by what I know of my friends' pasts and presents, not by total numbers of adherents in the world. I apologize for anyone I've left out -- there are people on my f-list I've never discussed this with.

I've broken down a few into sub-categories, because I know a few people have switched within a larger set of beliefs from one section to another.

This poll is anonymous and non-scientific. And I won't feel offended if you don't vote or don't comment, of course.

[Poll #685651]

[Poll #685652]

Comments

[retrogamerbear.livejournal.com]

I've come to the point where I only believe one thing:

The more one tries to define what is "out there" (i.e. whatever one considers the power(s) that be(are)) the further one gets from the truth.

I believe it so much I pretty much disregard (as in I won't be persuaded or influenced) what any religion espouses regarding their figurehead(s). The only thing to learn from religion is what societal norms are taught (truth (as in telling the truth), respect for life (as in not committing murder), etc., etc.)

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I suspect that the part of the mind that creates definitions is probably the opposite end of the spectrum as the spiritual part.

[ubergreenkat.livejournal.com]

damn, I'm stoned and I voted wrong - minus one for catholic, plus one for protestant

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

No problem ^_^

[scottevil.livejournal.com]

Technically I'm Anglican, but Jesus Christ doesn't do anything for me. However I'm not agnostic or atheist. What can I call myself, then? I hate "spiritual" because it's trite. I have my own thing figured out, my own conception of where God or the gods or whatever they are hang out (Q Continuum kind of dimension/plane), and more than enough evidence to support and maintain my faith.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

That's why I put the none-of-the-above option up. It's interesting that it seems to be one of the faster-growing categories.

I'm curious -- and don't answer if you're not comfortable -- but when the Census comes out again this year and you have to narrow down your beliefs to a single label on a single line or two on a government form, would you put "Anglican?" "Christian?" "Spiritual?"

[scottevil.livejournal.com]

I really haven't thought about it...

[scottevil.livejournal.com]

I forgot to add: Jer is very, very Catholic. As in, went to get ashed last Wednesday.

You can take the boy out of the seminary (where he spent a year, did you know that?) but you can't take the seminary out of the boy.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I knew he was very Catholic, and I think you did mention the seminary.