Belief Systems Selector

Tom:
SIKHISM
The essence of Sikh teaching is summed up by Nanak in these words: "Realisation of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living".[6] Sikhism believes in equality of all humans and rejects discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, and sex. Sikhism also does not attach any importance to asceticism as a means to attain salvation, but stresses on the need of leading life as a householder. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. God is shapeless, timeless, and sightless. It states that God is omnipresent and infinite. When God willed, the entire cosmos was created. God has no sex in Sikhism. In addition, they believe there are many worlds on which God created life. The goal of Sikhs is to build a close, loving relationship with God. They believe in samsara (the repetitive cycle of birth, life and death), karma (the accumulated sum of one's good and bad deeds, and reincarnation the belief of a rebirth following death.

Brandon:
Bahá'í Faith
One personal God Almighty - Creator, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent - incorporeal spirit.God created all from nothing and controls all phenomena that modern science reveals about the origins of the universe and life. They support scientific study and education as they believe science serves to reveal rather than dispute God's awesome creative powers. Literal interpretations of resurrection, heaven, and hell are regarded as figments of imagination. Resurrection is the spiritual awakening that occurs upon the appearance of a new Manifestation. Heaven is the indescribable bliss of closeness to God, harmony with God's will as revealed by the Manifestations -- eternal spiritual life. The closer one is to knowing and loving God, the greater the joy of paradise. “Hell” is the self-made torture of isolation from God -- spiritual death. Unlimited spiritual growth toward perfection continues after death. The human nature that God created is all good, including both animal and spiritual aspects. God also gave people freewill, and some will choose to express their inherently good nature in imperfect ways. The concept of Satan in the scriptures is symbolic for human choice to express the lower or animal side of their nature in ways that separate them from God. Those farthest from God are most prone to wrongdoing. All suffering, including that caused by natural disasters, are God's will as a punitive, educational, or remedial response to individual or to humanity's denial of God and disobedience to the Divine Commands. All of humanity suffer when one commits wrong and all benefit when one does good. The best often suffer the most for humanity's misdeeds. Non-punitive suffering is part of God’s plan to challenge the soul with adversity. Suffering educates the sufferer and aids spiritual growth toward perfection. Suffering helps people to remember God in their grief. The suffering of innocents will be greatly rewarded in the world to come. Devoted to world unity - one world government, language, and religion, peaceful conflict resolution (but opposes disobedience to one’s government), gender equality and women’s rights (which does not include promotion of abortion rights), anti-poverty and anti-discrimination. Service to others is considered a form of worship. Discourages divorce but doesn’t punish or condemn; disapproves of homosexuality.

Brian:
MORMON
A "Godhead" of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three separate entities united in purpose. God has a perfect body, which looks like ours. Jesus Christ is not God incarnate, but God's firstborn son. Jesus is Lord and Savior; God of this earth; creator of all in heaven and earth as directed by God the Father; one in purpose with the Father and the Holy Spirit. God created the heavens and earth in six time periods -- the word "day" is not of a specified number of years. One's spirit immediately joins the spirit world and will be assigned to either paradise or spirit prison. Based on one's record of thoughts, words, and actions, righteous believers will live in a state of paradisiacal happiness. Unbelievers and sinners in spirit prison will live in misery, but they are provided the opportunity to repent, accept the gospel, receive ordinances performed for them by the living, and thus move to the lowest level of heaven. Humans did not inherit guilt, as children are innocent, but Adam and Eve's original sin resulted in adult propensity for sin and the presence of evil in the world. The Fall was a planned blessing from God, enabling people to experience human bodies, the joy of redemption, to procreate, and to do good (to which evil is a necessary complement). Satan and his demons pervade the earth as fallen angels tempting all to sin. God gave people free will, and Satan's temptations are a blessing from God so that people can show their faith by resisting. Show faith in and obedience to God and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Adhere to the practices, requirements, commandments, laws, and sacraments of the faith as exemplified by Jesus Christ. Good works are integral to the faith through monthly fasts and fast offerings to the needy, to show your obedience and love for God. Baptism at age 8 is necessary, the age of accountability, and be confirmed as a member of the church. Confess all sins to God, and major transgressions to a presiding officer as well. Receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost; receive the temple endowment; be married for time and eternity. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, thus the first humans and their descendants lost their immortality and connection to God, gaining physical bodies that suffer disease and deterioration. Also, Satan pervades the earth and causes misery to those who succumb to temptation. God allows Satan to cause misery to mankind as an opportunity to test, challenge, and strengthen character and faith. Abortion is wrong. Homosexual behavior is wrong and homosexual rights are vehemently opposed. The divine role of woman is mother and wife, helper to the husband. Men are regarded as the head of the family, provider, leader, and teacher. Marriage is regarded as eternal and a sacrament, and divorce is strongly discouraged, but it is permitted if necessary. The marriage seal must be cancelled by the church, not just through civil action. In keeping with the belief that doing good works is essential for salvation and is Christian, Mormons established a "welfare" program. Mormons practice monthly fasts and give fast offerings to assist the needy.

Johnathon:
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
A tradition that values spiritual seeking, acceptance of diverse and liberal spiritual and philosophical beliefs that are not necessarily based on the precepts of an established religion. Comprised of mostly Non-theists (atheists, agnostics etc.). Very diverse deity beliefs, as Unitarian Universalists (UU) welcome all deity beliefs as well as non-theistic. The UU tradition does not generally offer deity-centered services; few UU believe in a corporeal or incorporeal "personal" God. Many believe in a universal life spirit or force within that connects all, which some UU refer to as "God." Very diverse beliefs, but most do not believe in a supernatural deity nor incarnation as such; many believe that all are the embodiment of God. Some believe Christ is God's Son; most view Christ as an important figure, a "wayshower," exemplary of the power of love, compassion, and humanitarian values. Diverse beliefs; most believe in the Bible as symbolic and that natural processes such as evolution account for the origins of the universe and life. Diverse beliefs; most believe that heaven and hell are not actual places but symbolic. Some believe heaven and hell are states of consciousness either in life or continuing after death; some believe in reincarnation; many believe that a supernatural afterlife is nonexistent or not known or not important, and that actions in life are all that matter. Many believe that one lives on through their legacy and memories held by those they impacted in life. Some believe wrong is committed when people distance themselves from God. Some believe in “karma" in the sense that "what goes around comes around." Many believe wrongdoing is a matter of human nature, psychology, sociology, etc. Some believe in salvation through faith in God and Jesus Christ, along with doing good works and doing no harm to others. Many believe all will be saved, as God is good and forgiving. Some believe in reincarnation and the necessity to eliminate personal greed or to learn all of life’s lessons before achieving enlightenment or salvation. For many, the concepts of salvation or enlightenment are irrelevant or disbelieved, or that you achieve your highest level of actualization through devotion to humanitarian works. It would be a rare Unitarian Universalists that believes that a literal Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God’s plan, will, or design even if we don’t immediately understand it. Many don't believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, but turn their attention to reducing suffering. The Unitarian Universalist Association's stance is to protect the personal right to choose abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and non-violence, and environmental protection. Humanitarian work is intergral to the church, including social justice, human rights, and charity.