Belief-o-matic! (a quiz) - pipTalk Forums

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serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

0 posted 2008-03-27 06:29 PM

Do you find yourself at a loss to find a box to check off that best describes your personal belief system, religion, or lack of religion? Have you found yourself confused by fine-line dileanations as proposed by the doctrines of a formal religious institution? Perhaps you just want something to do kill the time while you wait for your favorite reality show to air.

Whatever your reasoning, or lack thereof, Belief-o-matic is here to assist you!

Grab the beverage of your choice, sit, back, relax, and make sure your pop-up-blocker is "on".

Ready?

Proceed:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

I'll leave the decision to share your results at your discretion. But in the spirit of adventure, I'll share mine, with the disclaimer that I feel no particular need to discuss or defend my results, neither in a general nor point-by-point discussion.

1.  Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2.  Mahayana Buddhism (90%)
3.  Hinduism (89%)
4.  Jainism (82%)
5.  Neo-Pagan (78%)
6.  Theravada Buddhism (76%)
7.  Sikhism (72%)
8.  Liberal Quakers (71%)
9.  New Age (70%)
10.  New Thought (61%)
11.  Scientology (56%)
12.  Bahá'í Faith (55%)
13.  Reform Judaism (53%)
14.  Orthodox Judaism (50%)
15.  Taoism (49%)
16.  Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (44%)
17.  Nontheist (42%)
18.  Islam (40%)
19.  Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (39%)
20.  Secular Humanism (39%)
21.  Orthodox Quaker (22%)
22.  Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (16%)
23.  Seventh Day Adventist (10%)
24.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (0%)
25.  Eastern Orthodox (0%)
26.  Jehovah's Witness (0%)
27.  Roman Catholic (0%)

Please note that any exclusion of religions was not intentional--I did not design the test. Also keep in mind that I consider myself an "unfinished" human being so I reserve the right to change my mind as I hopefully grow in experience as I (ever hopefully) live and learn.

(Or even..."unlearn".

)

Enjoy!

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

1 posted 2008-03-27 08:11 PM

Here are mine:

I swear I was completely honest...

1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
2. New Age (90%)
3. Mahayana Buddhism (82%)
4. Unitarian Universalism (80%)
5. Liberal Quakers (67%)
6. Theravada Buddhism (67%)
7. Taoism (61%)
8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (61%)
9. Sikhism (61%)
10. Secular Humanism (58%)
11. Reform Judaism (57%)
12. New Thought (54%)
13. Scientology (51%)
14. Jainism (50%)
15. Hinduism (49%)
16. Nontheist (45%)
17. Bahá'í Faith (44%)
18. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (36%)
19. Orthodox Quaker (36%)
20. Orthodox Judaism (34%)
21. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (28%)
22. Islam (21%)
23. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (20%)
24. Seventh Day Adventist (17%)
25. Eastern Orthodox (13%)
26. Roman Catholic (13%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (0%)

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Stephanos

Member Elite

since 2000-07-31

Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA

2 posted 2008-03-27 09:30 PM

Could it be somewhat simplistic to say that someone can be a "percentage" of a religious tradition or belief system?  I don't know, don't take this personally, but I think the whole feel of surveys like this are somewhat trivializing of deeply held beliefs, hence the title "Belief-O-Matic" ... kind of like "McReligion".  I did start the survey, but confess I didn't finish.  I found too many instances where the complexity of doctrines were not appreciated, and thus distilled into insufficient check-box-sentences, or where I was forced to choose one when more than that might have applied.  But maybe there is some entertainment value in asking a survey what your spiritual beliefs amount to in the world of quick-and-easy religious classification?

I understand the need not to discuss one's own religious beliefs, but in the context of a philosophy forum what is there to discuss here?  Perhaps we could discuss the nature and implications of such surveys (as I have already begun)?  Or perhaps this is simply a thread where one may disclose one's own test results?

Just trying to figure out where you want to go with this.

If I'm sounding negative about the survey, do forgive me (I'm sure that forgiveness is an article of faith for you isn't it?

) it's just that things like this (not your presentation of it) have always irked me a bit, and I've never had a chance to verbalize exactly why.

Stephen

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

3 posted 2008-03-27 10:07 PM

Do you think I have been irreverent or disrespectful?

Stephanos

Member Elite

since 2000-07-31

Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA

4 posted 2008-03-27 10:12 PM

No, not you.

It was my general impression of such surveys. I'm sorry if it sounded otherwise, but I thought this an opportunity to express my feelings on such "summaries". I recognize that not everyone may view it as such, for different reasons.

But it has nothing to do with you Karen.

Stephen

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

5 posted 2008-03-27 10:29 PM

Good.

No disrespect was intended. I had hoped my presentation of it conveyed that I had intended it as a fun way of exploring "labels".

I mean, wouldn't you have had me pegged for 100% Neo-Pagan?

It has provoked some thought in at least one friend of mine who had no idea he shared similar philosophies with religions he'd never heard of before. For that reason alone, I thought it was worth consideration here in the philosophy forum.

Stephanos

Member Elite

since 2000-07-31

Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA

6 posted 2008-03-27 11:16 PM

That's true, but "Neo-Pagan" is kind of ecclectic isn't it?  If it means "New Paganism", just add the new diversity to the wide diversity of ancient paganism!  Therefore its bound to have borrowed.  (And no, I don't think borrowing in this sense is a bad thing).

And while I think there are some important fundamental aspects of religions which cannot be syncretized (representing real forks-in-the-road), I agree with you that all religious beliefs have a HUGE field of common ground.  Even from a distinctly Christian perspective, other religions represent as much of a searching after the One True God, as representing a kind of distance from him.

Anyway, in addition to your very decent motivation for this thread, I've seen a societal trend to marginalize religious belief (of ANY kind) into an extremely privatized subjective non-public realm where it is implied (if not outright spoken) that its all garbledyguck anyway, and matters about as much as what color socks you pick.  The title of that survey reminded me of this styrofoam approach to religion in the drive-through lane.  I've just seen that it doesn't have to be that way.

Carry on, I'm probably not lighthearted enough for your intentions here I know.  But oh well, still enjoying the thread thus far.

Stephen

Krawdad
Member Elite

since 2001-01-03

Posts 2597

7 posted 2008-03-28 12:54 PM

Not much room in there for nonbelievers and misanthropes.
And I come up a secular humanist?

Ha!

When I saw this lumpy choice, I knew it wasn't going to work for me: No God or supreme force. Or not sure. Or not important.

Huh?

Fun, or funny, in its own way. Thanks, K. And yes, I thought you would certainly come out a witch.

~dang, now where did I put that black hat smiley . . .

Ringo

Member Elite

since 2003-02-20

Posts 3684
Saluting with misty eyes

8 posted 2008-03-28 07:40 AM

1.  Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (100%)
2.  Reform Judaism (98%)
3.  Sikhism (94%)
4.  Liberal Quakers (94%)
5.  Neo-Pagan (89%)
6.  Unitarian Universalism (87%)
7.  Orthodox Quaker (86%)
8.  Mahayana Buddhism (84%)
9.  Orthodox Judaism (78%)
10.  Bahá'í Faith (77%)
11.  New Age (76%)
12.  New Thought (74%)
13.  Theravada Buddhism (73%)
14.  Eastern Orthodox (65%)
15.  Islam (65%)
16.  Roman Catholic (65%)
17.  Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (64%)
18.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (63%)
19.  Jainism (60%)
20.  Secular Humanism (59%)
21.  Taoism (57%)
22.  Hinduism (55%)
23.  Scientology (54%)
24.  Seventh Day Adventist (47%)
25.  Nontheist (40%)
26.  Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (38%)
27.  Jehovah's Witness (29%)

There were too many instances where the answers we were given were not in keeping with my personal beliefs, nor did only one of the answers cover it... it was an interesting quiz, though.

Thanks for sharing.

What would you attempt to do...if you knew you could not fail?.
www.myspace.com/mindlesspoet

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

9 posted 2008-03-28 09:26 AM

1.  Neo-Pagan (100%)
2.  Mahayana Buddhism (89%)
3.  Unitarian Universalism (86%)
4.  Jainism (82%)
5.  New Age (79%)
6.  Reform Judaism (77%)
7.  Liberal Quakers (76%)
8.  Hinduism (75%)
9.  Sikhism (69%)
10.  Theravada Buddhism (65%)
11.  New Thought (64%)
12.  Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (58%)
13.  Taoism (54%)
14.  Secular Humanism (53%)
15.  Bahá'í Faith (52%)
16.  Scientology (52%)
17.  Orthodox Judaism (49%)
18.  Orthodox Quaker (39%)
19.  Islam (36%)
20.  Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (32%)
21.  Nontheist (28%)
22.  Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (19%)
23.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (18%)
24.  Seventh Day Adventist (16%)
25.  Eastern Orthodox (12%)
26.  Roman Catholic (12%)
27.  Jehovah's Witness (9%)

it was interesting, thanks Karen!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

10 posted 2008-03-28 09:37 AM

1.  Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (100%)
2.  Liberal Quakers (94%)
3.  Unitarian Universalism (87%)
4.  Reform Judaism (79%)
5.  Bahá'í Faith (78%)
6.  Neo-Pagan (73%)
7.  New Age (72%)
8.  New Thought (67%)
9.  Mahayana Buddhism (66%)
10.  Theravada Buddhism (65%)
11.  Orthodox Quaker (64%)
12.  Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (58%)
13.  Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (55%)
14.  Orthodox Judaism (55%)
15.  Sikhism (55%)
16.  Scientology (52%)
17.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (48%)
18.  Secular Humanism (47%)
19.  Jainism (46%)
20.  Islam (46%)
21.  Jehovah's Witness (43%)
22.  Taoism (40%)
23.  Seventh Day Adventist (39%)
24.  Eastern Orthodox (34%)
25.  Roman Catholic (34%)
26.  Hinduism (34%)
27.  Nontheist (25%)

Brad
Member Ascendant

since 1999-08-20

Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea

11 posted 2008-03-28 10:22 AM

1. Secular Humanism (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (93%)
3. Nontheist (79%)
4. Theravada Buddhism (71%)
5. Liberal Quakers (71%)
6. Neo-Pagan (62%)
7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (55%)
8. Reform Judaism (43%)
9. New Age (41%)
10. Taoism (40%)
11. Bahá'í Faith (30%)
12. Orthodox Quaker (30%)
13. Sikhism (30%)
14. Mahayana Buddhism (29%)
15. Scientology (26%)
16. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (23%)
17. New Thought (23%)
18. Eastern Orthodox (21%)
19. Islam (21%)
20. Jainism (21%)
21. Orthodox Judaism (21%)
22. Roman Catholic (21%)
23. Seventh Day Adventist (20%)
24. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (19%)
25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (16%)
26. Hinduism (16%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (6%)

Stephanos

Member Elite

since 2000-07-31

Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA

12 posted 2008-03-28 10:52 AM

So Brad is twenty-three percent Mormon. Wouldn't want to question the accuracy of such a method, but I never would'a thought it.

Stephen

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

13 posted 2008-03-28 11:27 AM

I, for one, didn't do it for accuracy...I assumed it was for fun. I am not in the habit of answering a few questions and being labeled by the answer and actually believing said labels.

I am 0% Jehovah's Witness though..that much is true.

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

14 posted 2008-03-28 12:04 PM

LOL...I'm sitting here wondering why I didn't drop below 25% on anything...

Essorant
Member Elite

since 2002-08-10

Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

15 posted 2008-03-28 01:05 PM

Perfect!

1.  Bahá'í Faith (0%)
2.  Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (0%)
3.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (0%)
4.  Eastern Orthodox (0%)
5.  Hinduism (0%)
6.  Islam (0%)
7.  Jainism (0%)
8.  Jehovah's Witness (0%)
9.  Liberal Quakers (0%)
10.  Mahayana Buddhism (0%)
11.  Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (0%)
12.  Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (0%)
13.  Neo-Pagan (0%)
14.  New Age (0%)
15.  New Thought (0%)
16.  Nontheist (0%)
17.  Orthodox Judaism (0%)
18.  Orthodox Quaker (0%)
19.  Reform Judaism (0%)
20.  Roman Catholic (0%)
21.  Scientology (0%)
22.  Secular Humanism (0%)
23.  Seventh Day Adventist (0%)
24.  Sikhism (0%)
25.  Taoism (0%)
26.  Theravada Buddhism (0%)
27.  Unitarian Universalism (0%)

My belief prefers not to wear a dull nametag, let alone bear twenty-six more.

[This message has been edited by Essorant (03-28-2008 03:04 PM).]

Grinch
Member Elite

since 2005-12-31

Posts 2929
Whoville

16 posted 2008-03-28 02:28 PM

Stephen,

The result page (which you didn’t get to) explains the ratings.

quote:
The top score on the list below represents the faith that Belief-O-Matic, thinks most closely matches your beliefs..

Belief-O-Matic then lists another 26 faiths in order of how much they have in common with your professed beliefs.

1. Secular Humanism (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (92%)
3. Nontheist (84%)
4. Theravada Buddhism (83%)
5. Liberal Quakers (68%)
6. Neo-Pagan (62%)
7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (50%)
8. Taoism (46%)
9. New Age (42%)
10. Reform Judaism (40%)
11. Mahayana Buddhism (31%)
12. New Thought (28%)
13. Scientology (28%)
14. Orthodox Quaker (24%)
15. Sikhism (24%)
16. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (20%)
17. Bahá'í Faith (16%)
18. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (16%)
19. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (13%)
20. Eastern Orthodox (8%)
21. Hinduism (8%)
22. Islam (8%)
23. Jainism (8%)
24. Orthodox Judaism (8%)
25. Roman Catholic (8%)
26. Seventh Day Adventist (8%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (0%)

Not bad for an atheist

Stephanos

Member Elite

since 2000-07-31

Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA

17 posted 2008-03-28 03:21 PM

Ess:

quote:
My belief prefers not to wear a dull nametag, let alone bear twenty-six more.

But these are anything but "dull nametags". They represent rich traditions and complexities which make quick-and-easy-surveys unfitting. Otherwise, how can you be so sure that less formalized unspecified individualistic belief should be any less dull?

Grinch:

quote:
The result page (which you didn’t get to) explains the ratings.

Yeah, I didn't read that. Still I doubt the quantification of how much a person has in common with a belief system. Though, if its just a tool to demonstrate to someone that they have common ground with others, then it might be of some service.

Stephen

Essorant
Member Elite

since 2002-08-10

Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

18 posted 2008-03-28 03:46 PM

"But these are anything but "dull nametags". They represent rich traditions and complexities which make quick-and-easy-surveys unfitting. Otherwise, how can you be so sure that less formalized unspecified individualistic belief should be any less dull?"

Stephanos,

I think you are mistaking the modern nametags for the "body" of beliefs themselves. Originally most believers I don't think tied themselves to such useless name tags. The myriads of people that believe in the things we try to encompass with the word "paganism" for example, didn't believe in all the things we encompass with paganism, let alone even use such a term as we do today. Even when they did name them, I don't think originally they were anywhere as uselessly excessive as they are today.

Falling rain

Member Elite

since 2008-01-31

Posts 2178
Small town, Illinois

19 posted 2008-03-28 04:36 PM

hey SB i tryed this and i got a pretty interesting result. i was 100% Jehovah's Witness which the thing with this that it is incorrect. im a christian but luckly i got 98% on some form of christantiy. and i know this is a silly quiz but it sort of is false. not to say that its bad or anything just i don't believe in this.

XxZachXx

"What did you think I ment?"

haha yes im sort of crazy deep down inside. lol!!

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

20 posted 2008-03-28 04:52 PM

Zach? It's fine with me.

I think you just need to be fine with yourself. Throughout your life, you will meet many who propose to know "the truth." Some may or may not be of your religious persuasion.

You--be the boss of you. Okay?

And thanks to all for participating.

Stephanos

Member Elite

since 2000-07-31

Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA

21 posted 2008-03-28 07:26 PM

Ess:

quote:
Stephanos,

I think you are mistaking the modern nametags for the "body" of beliefs themselves. Originally most believers I don't think tied themselves to such useless name tags. The myriads of people that believe in the things we try to encompass with the word "paganism" for example, didn't believe in all the things we encompass with paganism, let alone even use such a term as we do today. Even when they did name them, I don't think originally they were anywhere as uselessly excessive as they are today.

I don't think that such labels are totally useless, as "naming" is simply a part of life and part of our nature. However, much that you say is true. It has been excessive. And there's been too much of a dependence upon the labels, and not enough focus on the realities themselves. I think I understand where you are coming from, now. I just didn't think that your original statement conveyed that so well. It seemed more like a wash-my-hands disapproval of religious beliefs / doctrines / names, in favor of a do-it-yourself individualism. But I know now that was not your intention.

Stephen

sandgrain
Member Elite

since 1999-09-21

Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA

22 posted 2008-03-28 10:16 PM

I'm shocked! LOL  Believe it or not for years before my real estate career, I did research interviewing, so I'm really not shocked but in no way did the quiz answers come close to revealing the Churches closest to my Christian beliefs. It was fun to try, though.

It reminds me of a lot of legislation, that carries some other element that has nothing to do with the first part.  The choice is really which side to err on.

   Rae

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

23 posted 2008-03-28 10:40 PM

*cracking up*

I used to work in market research too, and yep, this one made me laugh a lot too.

The friend I mentioned earlier in this thread--he is also Christian. He considers himself an end-time prophet of sorts. His name is even funny, because he just happens to have the same name as a notoriously WRONG end-time, um, propheteer? Y'shoulda seen the look on his face at the nearly 70 percent Scientology he scored. (I'm still chuckling as I think of it.)

And to think I just "happened" on this as I was searching for the online "Jefferson" Bible...

Thanks for sharing my fun, Rae. It's really good to see you here, too.

Too funny. (e mail me your scores?)

*laughing*

Brad
Member Ascendant

since 1999-08-20

Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea

24 posted 2008-03-29 01:51 AM

The Jefferson Bible is on-line?

Now, that would be interesting.

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