belief questionnaire

[helenic]

Do you believe:

In god? Yes; not the god of any particular religion (although I'm more sympathetic towards Christianity than any other faith) but I believe in a life-force that pervades everything that is, a force that is coherent and benevolent and without which we would not be alive in the same way, which is conscious, sentient, and vastly more than the sum of its parts. It is the universe; the universe would not exist without it, and vice versa, but it simultaneously transcends the universe. In the same way: it is the life in us, and yet is also far greater and more mysterious and wonderful than we can ever hope to comprehend.
In ghosts? I'm not sure. I tend to be skeptical when people report sightings of one and I've never seen one myself, but I don't see any reason why they shouldn't exist. I think it's more likely that places can absorb emotion from humans than that an actual spirit exists there; I've had strong emotional reactions to places before finding out something had happened there.
In aliens? I believe there is sapient life on other planets, but I don't believe they have ever interacted with us, or we with them.
In Bigfoot? No.
In makeup? Yes, on people over the age of 16. Make-up on pre-teens just upsets me. I don't like people who wear it constantly, and I think it's a shame when people rely on it for self-confidence, but it's fun, it looks good, it helps people relax and it's hard to be a goth without it ... although perhaps that isn't really a point in its favour.
In fairies? I believe in the fey, in elemental/divine (for me, there's no difference) spirits which are simply focus-points of the life-force inherent in the earth (and therefore usually connected to a place), but I don't believe in tinkly little pixies.
In ESP? Very much; I believe every human being has the capacity for it, but in my experience it is most often noticable in intelligent pubescent girls who have no other outlet for their newly developing energies (sexual, emotional or otherwise)
In superstition? You mean magpies and throwing salt over your shoulder? No.
In equal rights for gays? Yes, including marriage, adoption rights, etc.
In equal rights for women? Of course - although I'm in favour of equal rights, not positive discrimination.
In psychics? Yes in principle, although I also believe most of the self-proclaimed ones are fraudulent.
In appearance? I don't believe people should be judged on it, but I also accept it is impossible to deny the power of first impressions, and I freely admit I am attracted (not in a sexual sense) to people with certain looks - people who look what I'd call interesting or eccentric. I wouldn't judge someone negatively because they weren't good-looking, but I'm afraid I couldn't help reacting to them if they seemed to be "trendy".
In true love? Of course - all love is true! - but not in the "one person" theory. Successful relationships rely on many things other than love (I should add I don't think they necessarily have to be life-long to count as "successful".)
In happy endings? Endings to what? Life? The universe? Relationships? Books? I think they're possible, but not inevitable and not even always desirable. I think they're something of a trite, unrealistic concept that misses the point of being human, to be honest.
In abortions? Only if they are done early in the pregnancy - I think making rules as to "appropriate reasons" is impossible and misguided. I'm not anti "un-necessary" abortions because the term is completely subjective, and I don't think any woman would put themselves through the heartache of it if they didn't deem it to be necessary, but having researched it I've found embryos develop much faster than people like to think, and I'm not sure I'd be happy about aborting any foetus after the first trimester.
In Santa? What, the corporate red-suited figure? Of course not. The Saint Nicholas myth is largely exaggerated, too.
In soulmates? Yes, I think the depths of emotional intimacy it's possible to achieve with someone is absolutely remarkable and very under-valued, but again, I don't think it's limited to one-per-person.
In magic? In learning how to "tap into" the power inherent in the earth, other creatures, and ourselves, for good or evil - yes. But at the moment I think prayer is a far wiser way of going about it.
In evolution? Yes.
In cloning? What, that it's happened or that it's morally acceptable? I think it depends on the circumstances. Cloning stem cells etc for medical purposes is justifiable, and I think I'd accept the genetic merging of two eggs to give lesbian couples children, but the complete genetic reproduction of an individual, human or otherwise, I can't reconcile myself to.
In fraggles? What? No.
In werewolves? Creatures which change their physical form and become savage, bloodthirsty animals during full moon? No. People who identify with a particular species of animal, or people who are strongly and inexplicably affected by the lunar cycle - yes.
In vampires? Again - not immortal undead who live off the blood of others, but I do believe in "demonic" spirits who live by leeching the life of others. In fact I'm pretty sure I've encountered one.
In miracles? Yes, although I'm skeptical about bleeding statues and mass sightings of Our Lady. Healing, however, effective prayer, and the gifts of the spirit, clearly exist and should not be underestimated. There's no two ways about it. And whether it comes from divine intervention or the power and life-force inherent in ourselves, I think it's equally miraculous.
In existing thylacines? Probably not , which I think is something of a tragedy.
In nessie? No.
In existing dinosaurs? No.
In inter-racial marriages? Yes.
In adoption? Yes, although I've also seen it go horribly wrong and I think can be undertaken for the wrong reasons and in the wrong way.
In saving the rainforests? Yes.
In saving dying species? Yes.
In the human race? What, that it exists? that it should be allowed to continue to exist? Yes! I'm not sure what the question is: I believe humans have a fundamentally different relationship with and understanding of the universe than other living things, but that this should not be abused.
In recycling? Yes.
In blue tigers? No
In tattoos? People can do what they like, although personally I rarely find the things attractive.
In plastic surgery? Yes, in the case of gender modification and cosmetic rebuilding after an injury, although I think body modification such as breast enhancement and liposuction is a bit silly and a waste of resources, as well as being a corporate tool for preying on and taking advantage of the insecurity of many young people (especially women).
In love in general? Yes, with all my being. Life is not life without it; for me it's the essence of being human. I don't just mean romantic love; I mean love for life, for ourselves, for the world we live in, for our fellow creatures, for other people.
In animal rights? Yes, in principle. In practice I think some labwork involving animals is morally justifiable, but each case should be examined individually.
In the death penalty? No.

Comments

[sisuphos.livejournal.com]

In god? No.
In ghosts? No.
In aliens? Probably.
In Bigfoot? No.
In makeup? If over-applied it can look ridiculous, but i've not got a problem with it. Except for rare occasions, involving alcohol, and probably best not probed, I don't wear it myself.
In fairies? No.
In ESP? No.
In superstition? No.
In equal rights for gays? Well, i wouldn't use the language of 'rights', but, essentially yes.
In equal rights for women? see above.
In psychics? no.
In appearance? yes.
In true love? no.
In happy endings? no.
In abortions? don't have a problem with them.
In Santa? No, in Xmas, yes.
In soulmates? Not the term i would use, but, yes.
In magic? No.
In evolution? Yes.
In cloning? Yes (with reservations)
In fraggles? What? Fraggle rock, you remember. Definitely.
In werewolfs? werewolves, surely? no.
In vampires? no.
In miracles? no.
In existing thylacines? No.
In nessie? No.
In existing dinosaurs? A few Cambridge dons, but otherwise, no.
In inter-racial marriages? Yes.
In adoption? Yes
In saving the rainforests? Yes.
In saving dying species? Yes (weakly).
In the human race? Not particularly bothered
In recycling? Yes (weakly).
In blue tigers? No
In tattoos? Not for, not against, not for me.
In plastic surgery? Yes, with reservations.
In love in general? Not really. epends what you mean by 'love'.
In animal rights? No, but i believe in being kind to animals.
In the death penalty? No.

[devalmont.livejournal.com]

Your explanation of your spiritual beliefs is exactly the same as mine, in all details, apart from the fact that I usually use the Jedi Force as an example of the aformentioned all-pervading aether, which doesn't endear the concept to a lot of people.