lol, cute. Congratulations then!

I typically try to live by the "golden rule" myself. It's very basic, but covers everything at the same time without the need for further explanation or arbitrary views.

Most of my problems with organized religion stems from the glut of pointless and/or arbitrary dogma it carries as baggage!

LOL Yes, there is of course, that. People do tend to muck up everything they get involved with. Look what people did to communism!

I follow a variation of the golden rule. Just one simple commandment I try to follow: "Don't be a dick."

...I feel that covers most things, honestly.

Amen! ;)

Hallelujea and stuff! ^0^

Yay for secular humanists!

Here-here! =D (Card-carrying member myself.)

Yeah...now I need to get a card from them...

http://www.secularhumanism.org/ =) *snugs some more*

Ah, wonderful. **smiles** I am Ordained as well (since March 28, 2004) through The Church of Spiritual Humanism. Kind of similar in many respects as it is nondenominational and affords the same responsibilities and powers. I think this quote says it best, from one of my own childhood intellectual heroes:

A religion old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science, might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by the conventional faiths. Sooner or later, such a religion will emerge. ~ Carl Sagan ~

I generally do not discuss brag about it though. Until now very few people actually knew I was ordained.

I was actually just playing around, until I went to the site and saw quotes from the Desiderata and thought, you know--maybe there's more to be gained from this than mere irony! My only reason to brag about it is that people will undoutedly find my calling myself reverend amusing in and of itself.

Carl Sagan is one of my heroes too! Cosmos was part of the reason I began questioning the limited philosophies of the churches I grew up around. The scary thing is, I still know people who think dinosaurs are a hoax, or were contemperaries of our anscestors of a mere few thousand years back. The world lost a few IQ points when Carl ascended. ^0^

Yeah no kidding. He was one of a very few I so much wanted to meet and just sit down and talk to... He was the one who almost single handedly got me started not only reaching out to the universe, but questioning and learning about the world around me.

There were also some experiences I've had over the years that have solidified my convictions, realizing the conventional religions of the world are in one very big sense wrong. They are so focused on one small piece, one little detail, that they can't see the forest for the trees, literally. None of them can come close to the whole picture, and because of such a narrow focus, they believe theirs is the only right way. They are so vehemently convinced they are right that they turn hatred and suspicion on any and all who don't follow their way.

I'm not saying my way, my view, is right or the only way. But for me, it's a damn sight better than the "Conventional Established Orthodox" theologies. I don't talk about my beliefs much, but occasionally I am willing to share what I believe with others and let them chose for themselves what they take from the discussions. And sometimes I learn a few new things too. **grins**

I have issues about the idea that many Christians seem to have that people don't need to know anything that isn't in the Bible, or rather, what they've been told the Bible "says" on any given subject. They're caught up in dogmatic BS and nitpicking over wordings that aren't even the words that were part of the actual text, because it was actually written in another language.

I don't know how people can look out at this universe and still simply assume they know what God "wants" or thinks or expects based on the arbitrary and spurious philosophies dredged out of canonized mythology. And make no mistake--Christianity is nothing more than mythology derived from mythologies that went before it and refined and shaped by scholars of that mythology. The same is true for the Jews and the Muslms. The fact that people believe rabidly in it doesn't make it "The Truth".

Then again, I'm not saying that there aren't elements of truth and things to be learned from any mythology. There are basic principles of ethics and morality that were codified for the first time in the writings of these religious texts, so they do have value. But they should be used as the start of philosophical thought...not the end product with nothing more to add or understand about the universe. That's when you get Creationism and Holy Wars and shit.

And I completely agree. I stopped reading the bible for that very reason: because of the changes that have been made to it and the fact that it stopped being anything resembling the original text as it was altered to suit the reigning monarchy at the time. Nevermind the fact that, though there are some good points in there, the whole Monotheistic viewpoint is based almost exclusively on the oldest known recorded theology (which is also the basis of Egyptian and others as well) centered around the Sun. But then, you can't tell them that, no matter how much evidence and facts you put in front of their noses.

**chuckles** You know, I wouldn't mind having a sit down with you and chat about things like this. I like level headed thinkers willing to openly discuss and listen to others, who are willing to share views without going into the "Mine is better and yours is stupid/wrong" attitude. I enjoy calm discussions all parties involved can learn things from.

That would be nice--any chance you're going to RainFurrest? That's the last con I'll be at this year most likely.

Alas, no. Unfortunately I can't make it yet again this year, despite living in the area. **shakes head** However, if you like and have Instant Messenger, I can note you my contact info.

awesome dude, I think Runihura is too.

Why haven't we started a furry church???

I'd join! But I don't know why seriously... most interesting congregation ever... now rise for father werepup...

werepup stands to the pulpit in full costume...

and lo did the creatures of the land scritch and yiff, until the world was full of life...

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
*scritches the ear of the furry next to me*

I know, I know...you're totally speechless! But it's true!

I shudder to think of communion...*snicker*

hmm i believe i said "congratz" but oh well, it works anyways xD

I figured it was something like that. Not sure why it didn't show up. All I saw was an empty reply box with no subject and I couldn't resist being obnoxious. ^0^

glad u did XD

It takes a good number of years before you reach DoD.

I've GOT a good number of years. Apparently I'm old enough to be Vice President, even!

Congratulations!

Arigato!

Congrats.

Thanks, my son. (or daughter...) Your avatar is a bit vague. ;)

I have been Reverend TORA for years, but I have kept it a secret since the church scandal.

You're always welcome in MY flock! ^0^

May the Force be with you.

...

XD I'm sorry.

Actually...I could get a Jedi Knight certificate... LOL Seriously, though, I think there was a lot more truth to the ORIGINAL concept of the Force than is in most religeous doctrine. It's a shame it got corrupted by Midichlorians and the Jedi suddenly became supermen...and women...and whatevers...

The Force will be with you...always.

Welcome to the Church, Brother Werepuppy. =) *hugs* Myself and some of the other Reverends will be receiving blowjobs shortly. ;)

Yay! Benificent benefits! Thanks, Brother Jurann.

That could be a really good thing, as camouflage, for all the bible thumpers around here. Y'see, nobody really wants to know what God you believe in, they only care what church you belong to. Saying you don't belong to any church is like saying you rape kittens.

LOL Yeah, my family are mostly bible-thumpers and Conservatives. When I finally do "come out" to them all...I just want to have a Doctorate in Divinity to back me up. ^0^ I'll out-sanctemonious them.

Hmm, that's some good reasoning. I've considered getting ordained, although the first online ordaining service I found required belief in God. I wouldn't want my title based on a lie. So, if these people don't care if you believe in the old guy, I'll have to check them out. I do plan on doing quite a bit of Bible study soon.
I, too, have a family of Bible-thumpers that I haven't come-out to.

Secular humanist, right on. I first learned about that belief system by reading a bunch of Kurt Vonnegut's work. To this day it is the core of my spiritual self.

Oh dear--READING! No more you've become corrupted by evil KNOWLEDGE! ^0^

Good ol' Kurt--another fellow whose demise caused the overall IQ of mankind to drop a peg or two.

*blushes* I've had so many naughty fantasies about revs, pastors, and doctors.. murrrff :) I should look into getting a doctorate too..

Oh, I am SOOO there!

Wait--just let me get my monk's robe!

murrfff the monk's scared vow of silence.. me thinks the monk should have something in his muzzle to make sure he doesn't speak! hehee

You know, in a previous life, 2 was an ordained Christian minister. Maybe you two should be together and create a Church of the Fury. Churches get all kinds of tax breaks, you know.

Actually, the place I'm doing this stuff through has a kit with all the stuff you need to do just that. I may have to set up a donation jar at my table at RF and apply all the funds gained toward getting the certifications and materials I need to become as "real" a minister and DOD as possible!

Besides--it ain't a REAL church unless you ask for money! ^0^

Besides--it ain't a REAL church unless you ask for money!

Amen to that, brother!

I've been Reverend PlagueRat since March. We really should organize a furry church. I may even be using it to marry two friends of mine.

Cool! I have only done the preliminary bit on-line. I don't yet have to certificates and other do-dads I need to be able to marry people and stuff. But I'm seriously considering pushing this all the way.

After all, I consider myself every bit as qualified to make pronouncements on morality and theological questions as just about any televangelist out there!

I may even write a book. ^0^

fantastic ^.^ very happy for you