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religion
I am very confused about religion. My family is Christian and believe in God, but aren't too religious. I was never told to believe in anything.
I believe in God. BUT I also believe in Karma. Is there any sort of name or religion for that? they are two different beliefs and religions, but I believe in both.
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
Being without an organized religion is okay. There isn't necessarily a name for that, it's just being spiritual and having your own idea of God.
Having spirituality is what is important, and you should let it take whatever form it wants to in your life.
I'd say try not to focus on what religion you fit into.
I am the same way as you. I believe in God (probably in a different way that many organized religions do) and I happen to believe in karma as well. God and karma don't even necessarily have to be linked. What is linked is the common denominator, spirituality.
Keep exploring and if you feel led to an organized religion, go for it. If not, just establishing your own way to live your life and taking good beliefs from different faiths is just fine. For example I agree with many ways of living your life as related to Buddhism and Quakerism.
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In order to be religious or spiritual, you don't have to follow one specific religion and all of the rules that go along with it. Believe what you feel is right. Some people are agnostic, meaning that they are a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience. This also refers to people who hold mixed beliefs, or believe in theories of several different religions. There's nothing wrong with it.
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What ever you believe, in your heart to be true, is considered by some to be a religion. We could go on and on for months, even years, and get absolutely no further than Mankind has already reached...which isn't very far (I'm talking as far as a consensus here).
When you ask if there is a religion for both Karma and God, some will say yes and some will say no. Really you are asking if there is a convenient Religion, or convenient label, for this. I'd advise side-stepping trying to possibly fit a square peg into a round hole, and simply...go with what you believe to be true.
Karma...even thats a tough one, depending on your definition of karma. If you are being strict with it, as it is treated in Hinduism/Jainism/HK/Buddhism and others, then its tied with re-incarnation and your eventual struggle to join with the Divine (rather than moving backwards and being reincarnated as a lower form). If, on the other hand, you are using Karma as more a form of Justice and less the 'burden' of sins that ones soul carries from life to life and the idea that you reap what you sow (rather than some Divine hand exacting retribution), then you might be thinking "God" as more in your Christian upbringing, with Karma representing more a belief, or desire to believe, in eventual justice (possibly Judgement day). Many people don't even use or believe in Karma in a Religious sense so to speak.
Read up on Karma, and try to decide HOW you are using the word and if it is the right term to use. Its possible you are quite Christian, and simply using Karma to represent your idea (religious or no) of Justice...or possibly not. In any event its a hard one to spell out w/o knowing you personally and being familiar with your core beliefs.
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I have a favorite website that has a quiz in which you answer questions about your belief and rate their importance to you. It's supposed to be all in fun, but I think it might be a good start to answering your question as well.
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
It's a bit long, but I think it's worth the effort.
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Confusion comes when people lump Christianity in with "religions". Being a true Christian means a person has a relationship with the one true God through His Son Jesus. Being religious means a person does something over and over again. The relationship with God through Jesus is the key because without it, anything a person does (that includes praying, going to church, and ect.) means nothing in the light of eternity. Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father. (CEV)
I did feel a need to address the karma issue. But instead of offering my advice, I thought it best to offer the words directly from the Holy Scriptures. So before you get wrapped up in the "karma" bit, consider what the Bible has to say:
Jeremiah 10:2-16 "Don't follow the customs of those nations who become frightened when they see something strange happen in the sky. Their religion is worthless! They chop down a tree, carve the wood into an idol, cover it with silver and gold, and then nail it down so it won't fall over. An idol is no better than a scarecrow. It can't speak, and it has to be carried, because it can't walk. Why worship an idol that can't help or harm you? Our LORD, great and powerful, you alone are God. You are King of the nations. Everyone should worship you. No human anywhere on earth is wiser than you. Idols are worthless, and anyone who worships them is a fool! Idols are made by humans. A carver shapes the wood. A metalworker hammers out a covering of gold from Uphaz or of silver from Tarshish. Then the idol is dressed in blue and purple clothes. You, LORD, are the only true and living God. You will rule for all time. When you are angry the earth shakes, and nations are destroyed. You told me to say that idols did not create the heavens and the earth, and that you, the LORD, will destroy every idol. With your wisdom and power you created the earth and spread out the heavens. The waters in the heavens roar at your command. You make clouds appear-- you send the winds from your storehouse and make lightning flash in the rain. People who make idols are so stupid! They will be disappointed, because their false gods are not alive. Idols are merely a joke, and when the time is right, they will be destroyed. But you, Israel's God, created all things, and you chose Israel to be your very own. Your name is the LORD All-Powerful." (CEV)
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I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe in G-d. This is my take on religion.
I encourage you to make up your mind about what YOU want to believe, not what others have shoved down your throat.
In general, these are two separate religions.
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Buddhism believes in Karma, so I have included some web sites for you to look at.
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Hope that helps and good luck.
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well, i believe in carma too, but i dont think that that is religous at all. you can hav eboth beliefs. just remember, believe in what you want, not what others want you to believe in.
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