Religion Selector

...an exploration of world belief systems

By SelectSmart.com and SpeakOut.com
The Religion Selector is a fun and informative way to explore world religions and belief systems. We’ve included a sample of twenty-six world religions, belief systems, or belief categories. When doctrine wasn’t available to describe a belief system's positions, we looked at the predominant views of its followers.

Instructions: For each section, choose the position that most closely reflects those you wish to include in your exploration.  After selecting your response, some of the questions require you to indicate the importance of that particular criteria relative to the other questions asked.

Important: Note that some answers include more than one view separated by the word or (e.g. “God (or Christ).”)  It is an appropriate answer if you agree with just one option within a choice.

 

1.  WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE DEITY OR DEITIES (I.E. GOD, GODS, HIGHER POWER, ETC.)?

		Only one God, a corporeal spirit (has a body), supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator.
		Only one God, incorporeal (not body) spirit, supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator.
		Multiple personal gods (or goddesses) regarded as facets of one God, and/or as separate gods.
		The supreme force is the impersonal Ultimate Reality (or life force, ultimate truth, cosmic order, absolute bliss, universal soul), which resides within and/or beyond all.
		The supreme existence is both the eternal, impersonal, formless Ultimate Reality, and personal God (or Gods).
		No God or supreme force. Or, not sure. Or, not important.
		None of the above.
		Importance of this matter compared to others: Higher High Medium Low Lower

 

2.  ARE THERE HUMAN INCARNATIONS OF GOD (OR GODS/GODDESSES)?

		No human Incarnations and God is (or Gods/Goddesses are) supreme.
		One Incarnation.
		Many (or countless) Incarnations.
		No particular Incarnations because God is all and all are God (or God is in all).
		No Incarnations as there is no God. Or not sure. Or not important.
		None of the above.
		Importance of this matter compared to others: Higher High Medium Low Lower

 

3.  WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE AND LIFE ON EARTH?

		Per Book of Genesis; God created a mature universe and mature life forms from nothing in less than 7 days, less than 10,000 years ago.
		Per Book of Genesis, but "day" is not 24 hours, possibly referring to thousands (or even millions) of years, or to creation phases.
		God is creating and controlling the phenomena uncovered by scientists. Or, there are other spiritual explanations, but not in conflict with scientific discovery.
		All matter and life forms are manifestations (or illusions) of the eternal Absolute (Ultimate Truth, Universal Soul or Mind, et al).
		Only natural forces (like evolution) and no Creator or spiritual forces. Or not sure. Or not important.
		None of the above.

 

4. WHAT HAPPENS TO HUMANS AFTER DEATH?

		Souls experience a foretaste of heaven or hell (pleasure or pain, closeness or remoteness to God, etc.) while awaiting the final judgment and resurrection. (Or, souls may also be judged for punishment and/or purification before heaven.)
		Death results in unconsciousness until, at the final judgment, God (or Christ) will raise the living righteous to heaven; resurrect and destroy the wicked on earth; return the righteous to a paradisiacal earth for eternity.
		Souls don't survive death. God (or Christ) will resurrect the righteous at the final judgment for eternity in heaven or on a paradisiacal earth; the wicked will remain dead.
		The soul's spiritual development continues after death so that all may eventually experience the indescribable joy of closeness to God. Hell is not a place but the tormented state of remoteness from God.
		Rebirths occur (continually, or until all life's lessons are learned and one merges with the life force, or until complete enlightenment and eternal bliss are attained, et al.)
		There is definitely an afterlife, but the specifics cannot be known or are unimportant -- most important is one's conduct in life.
		No afterlife; no spiritual existence beyond life; no literal heaven and hell. Or not sure. Or not important.
		None of the above.
		Importance of this matter compared to others: Higher High Medium Low Lower

 

5. WHY IS THERE TERRIBLE WRONGDOING IN THE WORLD?

		Adam and Eve's original disobedience resulted in human sinfulness, or a damaged nature, or tendency to yield to Satan's temptations, or evil inclination, or the introduction of evil to the world, et al.
		Not the above; rather, wrongdoing results from a God-given weak side to human nature, or drive to satisfy personal needs, which sometimes results in wrongful choices (or vulnerability to Satan's temptations).
		Ignorance of one's true existence as pure spirit and as one with the Universal Truth (or Soul, Mind, et al) can lead to wrongdoing. Or, spiritual/cosmic disharmony or imbalance may result in wrongdoing.
		Not listening to the voice of God, who resides within all, can lead to wrongdoing.
		Egoism (self importance) leads to desire, craving, and attachments, which can lead to unwholesome thoughts and behavior, i.e. greed, hate, and violence.
		No supernatural or spiritual reasons. Human nature, psychology, sociology, criminology, etc. explain wrongdoing. Or not sure. Or not important.
		None of the above.
		Importance of this matter compared to others: Higher High Medium Low Lower

 

6.  WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?

	Satan's presence results in much suffering.
		Agree Disagree Not Applicable
	Choose ALL that apply.
			The original disobedience of Adam and Eve caused all mankind to inherit mortality, which includes bodily imperfection, Illness, and decay.
			Suffering is part of God's divine will, plan, or design (e.g. to discipline, test, challenge, strengthen faith, strengthen character, promote moral growth, or for reasons that we cannot or may not know).
			Suffering is a state of mind, (or illusion); only our spiritual nature is real.
			Spiritual or cosmic imbalance and disharmony may result in suffering.
			Unwholesome thoughts and/or deeds (greed, hatred, and violence) in this or prior lives return as suffering (karma).
			None of the above; human suffering has nothing to do with the supernatural or karma.

 

7.  WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PATH TO SALVATION, OR EXALTATION, ETERNAL REWARD, SPIRITUAL LIBERATION/ENLIGHTENMENT, SPIRITUAL HARMONY, MERGER WITH GOD, ET AL.?

	Worship:
		The Supreme Power, God, or Gods God—three Persons of One Essence God, through the Son—distinct Persons Not Applicable
	Baptism (or Initiation) ceremony:
		Required Not Required Not Applicable
	Confession/Repentance of all serious sins/wrongs to a cleric:
		Necessary Not Necessary Not Applicable
	Doing good works (deeds) and acting compassionately:
		Necessary Not Necessary Not Applicable
	Choose ALL that apply.
			Adhere strictly to the rites, practices, precepts, commandments, prohibitions, laws, sacraments, or ordinances of the faith.
			All, even the wicked, are rewarded after life (e.g. go to heaven, merge with God, etc.) as God(s) is infinitely good and forgiving.
			Extinguish all cravings, attachments, and ignorance, or rid oneself of all impurities, to become fully Enlightened.
			Learn all life's lessons through rebirths.
			Realize your true nature as purely spirit (or soul) and not body, as one with the Absolute, Universal Soul, et al.
			Live very simply; renounce worldly goals and possessions.
			Tap the power of the Ultimate (God, or the divine) through intercessory methods such as psychics, channeling, tarot cards, crystals, magic, et al.
			Humankind is "saved" through human effort rather than through religious or spiritual means.

 

8. THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS SHOULD BE PART OF THE RELIGION OR BELIEF CATEGORY:

	Choose ALL that apply.
		Abortion should be accepted (not proclaimed or treated as immoral)
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable
		Homosexual behavior should be regarded as immoral, or out of harmony.
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable
		Traditional roles for women and men should be encouraged or prescribed.
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable
		Divorce and/or remarriage should be restricted or punished or condemned.
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable
		Social betterment programs (e.g. equality, anti-poverty, education) should be fundamental to the belief.
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable
		Non-violence (e.g. pacifism, conscientious objector, etc.) should be fundamental to the belief.
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable
		Prayer, meditation, or spiritual healing practices should be favored at the exclusion of conventional health treatment (for all serious conditions or certain types of serious conditions).
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable
		Revering nature/environment should be fundamental to the belief.
		Agree       Disagree       Not applicable

 

If you want a copy of your “Religion Selector” results, enter your email address:
Yes, I want email notification of religion-oriented news and updates from Speakout.com.

     

 

To reset the page, hit the refresh button in your browser.

Powered by SelectSmart.com
Copyright © 2001 Speakout.com and SelectSmart.com
All Rights Reserved