I believe that a person can defintely practice more than one philosphy, since a philosphy is more a way of life and a general guidance. You can choose to integrate different aspects of differnet philosophies in your life. This would not completely work out with religions, because religons require a person so follow a stricter set of life rules and therefore that does not allow a mixing of different ideas. Exactly this flexible point in philosophies is what according to my opinion makes them be appealing to many people.
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Mr. C
12/5/2013 03:46:21 am
Great answer, Arjana. I would argue, however, people one mixed religions liberally. Does the absolute authority of one religion over an other reflect values of the Empires where religions were created more than the creeds of the actual religions? For example, one could make the argument Jews, Christians, and Muslims essentially worship the same god. Why then do they fight across these religious lines? Moreover, why are there fights within a denomination? I am beginning to wonder if the religions of empires are exclusive because of the the empires from whence they came were exclusive.
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Arjana Begzati
12/6/2013 03:20:30 am
Yes, I do believe that many times in history the religions were defined by political aspects of an empire, rather than by the spiritual aspect of the religion. I believe the fact that religion was used as an institution and power is what caused all the diagreements and wars between different religions.
Eleanor Vogel
11/25/2013 03:22:57 am
Well, why not? There's no harm in practicing more than one of the philosophies. All five seem to be practiced to seek peace, and I don't see what's wrong with that. In Life of Pi, Pi considered himself a Buddhist, a Catholic, and a Hindu, and he seemed to be living a pretty good life. Granted, this 'pretty good life' was after a really awful time when he was younger, but I almost give credit to these practices and religion for his sanity. So, maybe, the practice of more than one philosophy can be refreshing and helpful to people going through a rough time in their life. I don't see anything wrong with practicing more than one, unless you're using each philosophy for selfish reasons; like, for example, good karma or reassurance that'll they'll have a good afterlife, if said person believes in such things. So, yes, a person can practice more than one religious philosophy.
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Elayna Muller
12/5/2013 04:00:09 am
I like how you added that they shouldn't for selfish reasons, but do you not see ANYTHING wrong with practicing many different philosiphies. I think that if someone wants to practice many religions while people belonging to only one religion see that, then they'll not approve. What I mean to say is that if you decided to go to a different place of worship every Sunday or whenever, and people noticed, the places you went could be marked off by outsiders because of the knowledge of you going there. Not that you would be "bad" necessarily, but that you don't have a definite belief system which is frowned upon by religions. That's why they're religions I think because they have a certain set of beliefs to follow. At least for the most part. If Emily saw you going to a Methodist Church she was considering as making her own religion, she'd probably think "Eleanor goes there sometimes and she doesn't have many solid beliefs, so Methodists must be wrong somehow." and choose not to go there. That decision could affect her whole life. That's as easy as I could think of explaining it. Good answer, though!
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Sierra Martinez
11/25/2013 03:38:30 am
I believe that a person can practice more than one religious philosophy because in some ways all philosophies are the same they're just changed and altered a little bit. I find that religion can mean many different things to many different people but the real meaning is "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods." So this means you believe in one god that is in full power. The meaning of a philosophy means "the study of everything but not exactly everything more as in everything important reality, importance, existence, values, reason, mind, and language..:etc. Most refer philosophy to study and beliefs and that's very true. I think that yes you can believe(practice) in more than one religious philosophy because no matter what you believe in you are still a person, human, and earthling you are no different if you believe in one god or multiple gods, even if you believe in no god you are still a person and you have the right to believe in what you wanna believe in.
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Kristýna Žáková
12/5/2013 03:23:04 am
Hey Sierra I really like how you said " I find that religion can mean many different things to many different people " I think it is a great point.
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Mr. C
12/5/2013 03:58:22 am
Great answer, Sierra. Is it possible religious philosophies more based on world views than a specific understanding of the Divine?
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Sierra Martinez
12/5/2013 04:13:04 am
Well I think that Philosophies are equally based on world views and specific understanding but then and again I guess it depends who you are, what philosophy you follow, and how you see the philosophy you follow do you see it from a specific understanding or from a world view?
Emiy Muller
11/26/2013 10:11:46 am
Totally! First of all, if someone wants to practice 7 different it is not your place to judge, or tell someone what they can and can not do. Now, I totally think people should be able to practice more then one religion. What's the harm in being "saved" by several different people. If you find happiness through practicing more then one religion, then you have the rights to do so. If it's what brings you peace and happiness. Perhaps someone believes in Jesus, but finds peace in medditiation of fasting and vows of silence. Two religions is better then none. But so what if you want none? I don't think the amount of religions you has defines you.
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Elayna Muller
12/3/2013 03:31:36 am
I think someone CAN practice more than one religious philosophy, but I don't know if they SHOULD. For example, you can't be a Buddhist and a Mormon at the same time because those religions clash too much. They have too many differences. That person would be a hypocrite in a degree. Such as, Christians are supposed to love their God with all their heart and soul, but they still worship Greek gods. It has to be one or the other; otherwise, it's a lie. I think it's okay to try and find nirvana or innerpeace or whatever while being a Hindu. I think, you just can't worship Budda or whomever while being a Muslim, etc. I think it's good to believe in many things, but not many gods. I think it's okay to believe that your god believes in nirvana, not eating meat, love, etc. but not in believing in many gods. I'm not sure if that totally makes sense, but I don't know a much better way to describe it. :/
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Sierra Martinez
12/5/2013 03:30:25 am
I really love how you state "I think someone CAN practice more than one religious philosophy, but I don't know if the SHOULD." I think you made a really great point saying that.
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Kristyna Zakova
12/3/2013 03:43:12 am
Why not right? No one can tell you what is right or wrong because no one really knows. Some people believe in one God, and I mean one God is for every religion the same, we can just see him in different ways. It basically mean that we can believe in several Gods but we will stand in front of the ONE.
In many parts of Asia is normal to practice Buddhism and Hinduism at the same time. You also can believe in things which makes you feel closer to the one ( or more than one) and participate in several religious. You need to find what defines YOU like a human being, and it can be many religious.
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Arjana Begzati
12/4/2013 11:35:58 am
Hey Tyna, I love your answer and especially the last statement about being able to be defined by more than one belief is amazing. I also agree that many religions believe in one or more common superpower/s and religion in this case would only determine how you worship that existence/s.
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Kristyna Zakova
12/5/2013 03:21:07 am
Thank you Arjana! I'm glad we agree. I really believe that you have to find what defines you like a human being, and I'm glad you noticed specially this part.
Emily Muller
12/5/2013 03:36:21 am
I love the way you worded all of this! I think you made so many excellent points, and you are right. I think people have every right to choose was religion and how many religions they want. A person can believe in so many things, so religion should be one of those many things you believe in. It is all a choice on how the said person wants to live their life.
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Mr. C
12/5/2013 03:54:28 am
i too like this answer. I do wonder, however, if these religious creeds are able to blend, why do people bind their values in one faith as opposed to many faiths. While your point could very well be true, why do people erect religious boundaries?
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Tyna
12/6/2013 03:33:09 am
I'm not really sure why but in my opinion is it because people feel (or felt) more safe. Everyone has a group where he belongs, and can share his religion with others. The person also knows what is right or wrong (in the religion), so the person is not confused and, other people in his religion are not judgmental for his actions (well they are supposed to not judge...). Unfortunately I think that most of the times you have to act how they want you to, because you are too scared show who you are.
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