Beliefnet Belief-O-Matic -- A personality quiz about your religious and spiritual beliefs

Now this is a test that is supposed to give you an idea of what kind of religious tradition your own throughts fit best into. I have found this test very enjoyable but sometimes its hard for me to pick one answer. I thought I would go through it here and explain why I choose the answers I choose:

1. What is the number and nature of the deity (God, gods, higher power)? Choose one.

Only one God--a corporeal spirit (has a body), supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator.
Only one God--an incorporeal (no 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.

Now I have marked two alternatives and my own view is somewhere in between those two. While I agree that there is no God I'm not sure about what one might call a "supreme force". I tend to think that the only thing that is static is that everything is dynamic. All is change. This is the original chaos that minfests itself as order. Nothingness that is all things etc. Could this be called "supreme force"? Maybe, maybe not. I sure as hell dont think its personal or godlike or spiritual so that alternative is very wrong.

2. Are there human incarnation(s) of God (or of gods/goddesses)? Choose one.

God is (or gods/goddesses are) supreme, and no incarnations.
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.

Now this is ultimately connected to the first question. As I see it everything is a manifestation of unchanging change. Therefore the all is one in that regard. So while saying that God is all is something I cannot accept since I really dislike the notion of a god or many gods the throught is appealing but on the concept of nothingness, chaos or change.

3. What are the origins of the physical universe and life on earth? Choose one.

As in the 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.
As in the book of Genesis, but "day" is not 24 hours, possibly refers 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, etc.).
Only natural forces (like evolution) and no Creator or spiritual forces. Or not sure. Or not important.
None of the above.

Now one should be able to see the thought pattern that goes into the answering of this question. I belive its all "natural forces" or something that is closely related to it (if the word nature isnt quite good enough). But all things are indeed manifestations or illusions of change. And remember "illusion" doesnt mean something doesnt exist only that something isnt what it may seem to be at first sight.

4. What happens to humans after death? Choose one.

Souls are judged immediately for a foretaste of heaven or hell. At the final judgment, God (or Christ) will resurrect and judge all for heaven or hell. (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 paradisal 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 paradisal 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).
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.

Now this one was really easy. No afterlife at all. Thats a firm belief of mine.

5. Why is there terrible wrongdoing in the world? Choose one.

Humans inherited sinfulness, or a damaged nature, or tendency to yield to Satan's temptations from Adam and Eve, who committed the original sin against God.
Wrongdoing results from God-given free will plus a weak side, or a drive to satisfy personal needs, which sometimes results in wrongful choices (and/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, etc.) can lead to 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.

Yeah there isnt a big spiritual reason behind "wrongdoing in the world". What is wrongdoing anyway and according to who. I am a moral relativist and therefore the whole question isnt applicable.

6. Satan's presence results in much suffering.

Agree.
Disagree.
Not applicable.

While I am influence by a tradition that likes to view Satan as that dak evolving force in nature. The state of ungchanging change et al I always answer "not applicable" since I know this isnt the Satan the test is refering to.

7. Why is there so much suffering in the world?
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 (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.

This one is easy as well. Se the above answer.

Respond to the following (Questions 8-12) based on how you believe a person attains salvation, exaltation, eternal reward, spiritual liberation/enlightenment, spiritual harmony, merger with God, etc.

8. Worship:

The Supreme Power, God, or Gods.
God--three persons of one essence.
God the Father, His Son, the Holy Spirit--each a distinct essence.
Not Applicable.

9. Baptism (or initiation) ceremonies:

Required.
Not required.
Not Applicable.




10. Regularly confess or repent:

All sins/wrongs to a cleric.
All sins/wrongs, but not necessarily to a cleric.
Not Applicable.


11. Doing good works (deeds) and acting compassionately is:

Necessary.
Not necessary.
Not Applicable.




12. Choose ALL statements below that represent your beliefs.

Adhere strictly to the rites, practices, precepts, commandments, prohibitions, laws, sacraments, or ordinances of the faith to be rewarded after life.
All, even the wicked, are rewarded after life (e.g., go to heaven, merge with God) 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.
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.
Humankind is "saved" through human effort rather than through religious or spiritual means.

One really has to save oneself. There is no redeemer to save you. Only you can save you and other people or animals or whatever may be a help in that process. But then again I dont like the choice of words here. Saved from what exactly?

13. Elective abortion should be accepted (not proclaimed or treated as immoral).

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.

Now this isnt fundamental in the way I view the world. However I find this important. It should be ok to abort a pregnancy is one so wishes.

14. Homosexual behavior should be regarded as immoral or out of harmony.

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.

The same as above.

15. Roles for women and men should be prescribed.

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.

The same as above.

16. Divorce and/or remarriage should be restricted or punished or condemned.

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.

The same as above.

17. Social betterment programs (e.g., equality, anti-poverty, education) should be fundamental.

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.

18. Nonviolence (e.g., pacifism, conscientious objector) should be fundamental.

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.


19. Prayer, meditation, or spiritual healing practices should be favored to the exclusion of conventional health treatment (for all serious conditions or certain types of serious conditions).

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.

Im not in favor of this. While I believe things of this nature can help a person mentally if he or she really believes it I dont think it has any objective reality or substance and thus cannot really cure anything.

20. Revering nature or the environment should be fundamental.

Agree.
Disagree.
Not Applicable.

I ave always wanted to save nature from being destroyed and exploited. Of course it really isnt a required belief in my own personal philosophy of metaphysics but I find it very important. I have ever since I started to think about it (which I believe was back in 1994).