| The Religious Identity Test Your Result: Humanist You are probably a humanist. You approach the world from a natural standpoint, giving little weight to organized religion or traditional dogma and creed. You value reason and experience over superstition and supernatural beliefs. In identifying yourself, you would be inaccurate if you described your religious beliefs as Christian or as consistent with any revelation-based belief system. | |
| The Religious Identity Test Quiz Created on GoToQuiz | |
What makes things like this interesting to me (and perhaps only to me, I dunno) is that once upon a time (in another life long ago and far away) I spent 13 years as an Evangelical pastor. And that's only the tip of the iceberg of my long journey....
"Humanist" doesn't even begin to tell the whole story, but then no label does.... Labels don't tell our stories. More on that in another post perhaps.
I think the two labels can be compatible - aren't they both about man's search, desperate sometimes, for ideals or a greater good for humanity. Whether one first explores and accepts religion for some time and then rejects it, because further analysis makes them adopt humanistic principles, doesn't seem illogical?
ReplyDeleteBella,
ReplyDeleteWhich two labels are we talking about here? "Humanist" and..."Evangelical Christian"? Having lived in both worlds, I would have to say they are utterly incompatible. Humanistic thought--and a Humanist worldview--is in almost all ways a complete antithesis to a conservative Christian way of seeing the world.
But I do think I see what you are saying with regard to the search....
And what is it exactly that you are saying is "illogical"?
Sorry, I'm just trying to make sure I'm clear on your comment here. As always, I thank you for it, and your presence here. :)
I wasn't absolutely sure but thought you were saying in your post that the humanist label today wasn't compatible with your previous time as a preacher? They are utterly incompatible at the same time, yes, but it is logical that one's seeking may take you to religion at one time and then humanistic beliefs at another time (naturally rejecting your previous religious beliefs).
ReplyDelete..maybe I misinterpreted your post - all these deeply philosophical ponderings can get one lost at times :)
Thanks for clarifying Bella. Although, I'm still not totally clear...but that must be me and not you.
ReplyDeleteI'll say this and maybe it will help clearness: My life now is totally incompatible with who I once upon a time was. And it happened not because of any tragedy or catastrophe (as some people quickly seem to assume it must have), but through an organic development that is thoroughly based upon reason....
Wouldn't ya know it? I got tagged with the same label as you. My score was 100% humanist.
ReplyDeleteRT,
ReplyDeleteGreetings, fellow traveler. No surprise. :)
My label:
ReplyDeleteMostly Christian with some Humanist fibres. Wash in hot water regularly. Hang out to dry.
:)
It labeled me as a humanist too, but I was pretty frustrated with that quiz. It was basically only asking if you are or are not a mainstream Christian.
ReplyDeleteHereis a more subtle, nuanced (but still fun) quiz.
:-)
Flandrumhill,
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you know the care instructions...many people do not. :)
I like your sense of humor here.
Peace
Amy,
Yes, I fully agree with you about the shortcomings of this quiz. A lot of these "silly" internet quizzes are like that. I used this quiz here because of a point I wanted to make about labels, and I think I'll be writing more about that.
I have taken the "beliefomatic" quiz from Beliefnet aeveral time over the years. Yes, it is much more nuanced. :)
I'm interested to hear more about your journey. A lot of people find a belief system that suits them and never question anything else. Me, I can't stop questioning.
ReplyDeleteWhen I've taken the Belief-o-matic quiz, I've been labeled "Liberal Quaker". That probably fits as good as anything.
Deb,
ReplyDeleteI am honored by your interest. If I didn't sometimes feel so vulnerable out here in cyberspace, ("Then what the hell are you doing having a blog, "Forest"?" ;) I would have tried to tell the story already.... We'll see....
Ha! "Liberal Quaker" has been alternating between the #1 and #2 spot the last few times I've taken the Belief-o-matic quiz. :)
You're thinking about a post about labels? I just may beat you to it... Things are a stirring up there in my little brain and I'm feeling like my "issues" with labels might be finding voice...
ReplyDeleteLet's see who gets to the draw first.
; )
Val, I did. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't bring out the competitive side of me like that. :)