Just suppose...

[DMB]

...that the law in your country required everyone to have a religion, but you could start one of your own. Obviously it would be quite nice to have a few converts as well. What would be the main ideas of your religion?

[Eudaimonist]

Must this religion be theistic? If not:

I wouldn't have to start anything. I would simply call the Fellowship of Reason my "church", and Eudaimonism my "religion", even though these labels strike me as imprecise. But they would be close enough.

The main ideas?

In metaphysics: Naturalism.

In epistemology: Reason as the basic tool for gaining knowledge.

In ethics: Rationality as the basic virtue, and personal flourishing in this life as the ultimate ethical end.

In spirituality: Self-examination, self-actualization, and self-esteem as the main spiritual values.


If my religion had to be theistic, I would "worship" the goddess Athe, and declare that Athe's essential nature is non-existence.


eudaimonia,

Mark

[His Noodly Appendage]

Beer volcano, stripper factory, full pirate regalia, carbs as sacrament.

[Ray Moscow]

First Assembly of Love, Wisdom and Scantily Clad Women for me

Fine ales and wines served in abundance, of course.

[Goodchild]

Prayers would be addressed to either the sun or Joe Pesci.

[Christina]

Do we have to have converts and members or can we take the tax exemption and run?

[RBH]

Prayers would be addressed to either the sun or Joe Pesci.RIP, George. :) (And it's still 50/50.)

[Barefoot Bree]

Must this religion be theistic? If not:

I wouldn't have to start anything. I would simply call the Fellowship of Reason my "church", and Eudaimonism my "religion", even though these labels strike me as imprecise. But they would be close enough.

The main ideas?

In metaphysics: Naturalism.

In epistemology: Reason as the basic tool for gaining knowledge.

In ethics: Rationality as the basic virtue, and personal flourishing in this life as the ultimate ethical end.

In spirituality: Self-examination, self-actualization, and self-esteem as the main spiritual values.


If my religion had to be theistic, I would "worship" the goddess Athe, and declare that Athe's essential nature is non-existence.


eudaimonia,

Mark

What he said, but with large helpings of altrusim on the side.

[Lisa0315]

*smacks forehead* :D

Lisa

[lpetrich]

I have a problem: what would count as a "religion" here?

If it is worshipping something, could we claim to worship Epicurus and Bertrand Russell? :D

[Mediancat]

I'd probably just take an established one, like one of the varieties of paganism that more or less encourages "live and let live" and discourages conversion at swordspoint.

Rob

[DMB]

I have a problem: what would count as a "religion" here?

If it is worshipping something, could we claim to worship Epicurus and Bertrand Russell? :D

Why ever not?