Public Research: Religion - What Confession Do You Belong to? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

JennyHallu · 01-31-2006, 09:27 AM

Oooh....nice metaphor, Captain!!!

Now I'm going to spend my morning (what's left of it) deciding what religion corresponds to what vegetable. Maybe Christians are potatoes...ubiquitous, not particularly flavorful, and prone to mushiness when overcooked. BUT...you can make pretty much anything out of them, from plain milk soup to samosa (mmm, spicy). Endless variety, a single spud.

tee-hee. That metaphor works way too well for comfort.

Roa_Aoife · 01-31-2006, 10:06 AM

Indeed, the term Agnostic is absent from the list. An Agnostic is one who believes that a God does exist, but doesn't suscribe to any already prevalent view of God. (ie religion) Considering that Agnosticsm is a growing veiwpoint on the matter, it really should be covered.

HerenIstarion · 01-31-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

A likely story. What's the pay like at HarperCollins these days?

I wish that would be true

Recommendation:

I recommend that all critic, disagreement, improvement suggestions, likewise agreement, approval and so forth related to the survey structure as such be addressed to me by PM or otherwise, but not discussed in the thread itself. I believe that reasons why I prefered certain options over all others (given the limit of 10 poll entries already mentioned) are adequately explained in the opening post and do not require more debate. Thank you

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 02-01-2006, 05:40 AM

The agnostic does not believe in a god. The agnostic is simply unwilling to choose theism or atheism. Many people profess to being an agnostic when they are actually atheists. 'Agnostic' sounds friendlier, but it's often misused.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 02-01-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

The agnostic does not believe in a god. The agnostic is simply unwilling to choose theism or atheism. Many people profess to being an agnostic when they are actually atheists. 'Agnostic' sounds friendlier, but it's often misused.

True. For a large portion of my life I was agnostic. I didn't believe, but I didn't flat out disbelieve. I simply didn't care enough to bother choosing one side or the other without a lot more empirical evidence.

To add what I hope will be useful information for Sir Heren's study, I was quite a happy Methodist child until I just sort of trailed off out of the church, when I became atheist until I embraced Christ again until such a time that events in my life rendered me agnostic.

I really can't say that Tolkein's books affected my belief or faith, but they did affect my already strong humanistic philosophy toward life. Though the characters are fictional, they're written so realistically that one can read and begin to believe that people aren't so bad after all. Gives you hope, if nothing else, at times.

Mithalwen · 02-01-2006, 02:40 PM

I think that agnostic translates as someone who does not know.. a-gnosis =without knowledge as opposed to a-theos without god.... it is much more definite disbelief!!!

Cailín · 02-01-2006, 03:28 PM

I think it is safe to say that for many people Tolkien's works (and other works of Christian writers i.e. writers with a clear Christian influence) certainly have some effect on religious or moral beliefs. For example, myself. I used to be more or less an atheist (not surprisingly - my parents and pretty much my entire non-American family are atheists and none of my friends believe in God). Tolkien (but admittedly especially some of the comments of fellow Downers) has really got me thinking about religion again and I find myself far more interested and accepting of Christian faith than I was at any other time in my life. (I don't wish to go into sob story mode but I feel I should explain: when I was little, I lived in a Catholic community for a while and loved the church and bible classes more than any of my classmates - whether this was because of interest or faith I have no clue -, but was never permitted to attend 'real' mass and eventually they kicked me out of the classes because I was not baptised. I have never really liked the church since then - I was highly insulted - even though I have always felt closer to Catholic faith than any other religion). I feel at times very strongly about this - at the time of voting, for example, when I checked Catholic - even though I am aware that undoubtedly I will never seriously be anything else than an agnostic/atheist: my parents would find me a fool and my friends would definitely be far too amused.

Huhm - to make a long and rather personal story short, yes, Tolkien and his works can affect religious views when you're open to it, I think, and especially when you are a member of the Barrowdowns. I must say though, watching the movies and hearing the story as a kid I never really thought about faith, only the values that come with it. But maybe it hardly matters whether you believe or not as long as you are nice to everyone and share your chocolate chip cookies. And save the world when it needs you.

View Poll Results: What Confession Do You Belong to?
Atheism	19	16.67%
Buddhism	4	3.51%
Christianity (Catholic)	20	17.54%
Christianity (Orthodox)	7	6.14%
Christianity (Protestant)	37	32.46%
Confucianism	0	0%
Hinduism	0	0%
Islam	2	1.75%
Judaism	6	5.26%
Other	19	16.67%
Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll

01-31-2006, 10:06 AM	#2
Roa_Aoife Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Someday, I'll rule all of it. Posts: 1,696	Indeed, the term Agnostic is absent from the list. An Agnostic is one who believes that a God does exist, but doesn't suscribe to any already prevalent view of God. (ie religion) Considering that Agnosticsm is a growing veiwpoint on the matter, it really should be covered. __________________ We can't all be Roas* when it comes to analysing...* -Lommy I didn't say you're evil, Roa, I said you're exasperating. -Nerwen

02-01-2006, 05:40 AM	#4
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	The agnostic does not believe in a god. The agnostic is simply unwilling to choose theism or atheism. Many people profess to being an agnostic when they are actually atheists. 'Agnostic' sounds friendlier, but it's often misused. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

02-01-2006, 02:40 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I think that agnostic translates as someone who does not know.. a-gnosis =without knowledge as opposed to a-theos without god.... it is much more definite disbelief!!! __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

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01-31-2006, 09:27 AM	#1
JennyHallu The Pearl, The Lily Maid Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my luxury Barrow, snuggled up in a pile of satin pillows, eating fresh fruit. Posts: 1,628	Oooh....nice metaphor, Captain!!! Now I'm going to spend my morning (what's left of it) deciding what religion corresponds to what vegetable. Maybe Christians are potatoes...ubiquitous, not particularly flavorful, and prone to mushiness when overcooked. BUT...you can make pretty much anything out of them, from plain milk soup to samosa (mmm, spicy). Endless variety, a single spud. tee-hee. That metaphor works way too well for comfort.

02-01-2006, 03:28 PM	#7
Cailín Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lurking in the shadows. Posts: 711	I think it is safe to say that for many people Tolkien's works (and other works of Christian writers i.e. writers with a clear Christian influence) certainly have some effect on religious or moral beliefs. For example, myself. I used to be more or less an atheist (not surprisingly - my parents and pretty much my entire non-American family are atheists and none of my friends believe in God). Tolkien (but admittedly especially some of the comments of fellow Downers) has really got me thinking about religion again and I find myself far more interested and accepting of Christian faith than I was at any other time in my life. (I don't wish to go into sob story mode but I feel I should explain: when I was little, I lived in a Catholic community for a while and loved the church and bible classes more than any of my classmates - whether this was because of interest or faith I have no clue -, but was never permitted to attend 'real' mass and eventually they kicked me out of the classes because I was not baptised. I have never really liked the church since then - I was highly insulted - even though I have always felt closer to Catholic faith than any other religion). I feel at times very strongly about this - at the time of voting, for example, when I checked Catholic - even though I am aware that undoubtedly I will never seriously be anything else than an agnostic/atheist: my parents would find me a fool and my friends would definitely be far too amused. Huhm - to make a long and rather personal story short, yes, Tolkien and his works can affect religious views when you're open to it, I think, and especially when you are a member of the Barrowdowns. I must say though, watching the movies and hearing the story as a kid I never really thought about faith, only the values that come with it. But maybe it hardly matters whether you believe or not as long as you are nice to everyone and share your chocolate chip cookies. And save the world when it needs you.