Religions in Poland.

Lodz_The_Boat:

. Catholic Christian
2. Free thinker (or you can call them athiest...but some believe in God)
3. Protestant
4. Eastern Orthodox
5. Moslems
6. Baha'i
7. Hare Rama Hare Krishna (I actually met one.. a Polish boy, studying in the University of Rzeszów).

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 8, 08, 15:42 / #
As far as I know, the dominant Religion in Poland is Catholic Christian Faith. But still, below I put a table... 1. Catholic Christian 2. Free thinker (or you can call them athiest...but some believe in God) 3. Protestant 4. Eastern Orthodox 5. Moslems 6. Baha'i 7. Hare Rama Hare Krishna (I actually met one.. a Polish boy, studying in the University of Rzeszów). Thought most say they are practicing Catholic faith... it dont seem so to me.. but anyways... I am keenly interested in the Baha'i Faith...with growing adherents... Link: www.bahai.org.pl Studies of different religion is my hobby... and ofcourse...their effects into cultures....e.g. Poland.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Sep 8, 08, 16:06 / #
Hi Lodz_The_Boat, I don't know about all that, all I see is packed Catholic churches on Sundays. I once knew a Baha'i woman in Ireland, funny woman, her brother was Buddhist, father Muslim and mother Catholic, I asked her was it difficult around Christmas, she said they all fought especially on Christmas, seemed like a spiritually deficient family, whatever that means.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Sep 8, 08, 16:12 / #
It's good to have a bit of dynamism in the family. The key is understanding, I've said it b4 and am gonna say it again, I see the merits in many religions. If u understand the foundations upon which they are predicated, then you begin to accept and see more than sth at face value. Religion is meant to be deep, not a superficial label.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Sep 8, 08, 16:21 / #
Seanus: Religion is meant to be deep, not a superficial label. I got the impression from this woman that it was superficial, she used to go on rants about some bloke but i do not think she understood it herself. The exact opposite is also true about what you said, that I see the faults in the misinterpretation of the foundations. This only tells me that people see what they want, you see the merits, some see the silver lining of the cloud and are probably happier for it. "Religion is deep", I would say life is deep, but religion is misunderstood in probably every way, except community and to be good, which you do not need religion for.

szkotja2007Threads: 38 Posts: 2,544 Joined: Dec 29, 06	Sep 8, 08, 16:26 / #
It always makes me wonder why people feel the need to try and convince others their religion is best. I can understand that they want to save our souls, spread the word and let us share in their happiness but.....to me, religion and spirituality are very personal and individual set of beliefs. For some, its as if they are trying too hard to be holy - makes me wonder why.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Sep 8, 08, 16:29 / #
Life is buying food, paying bills, making friends, playing sports, staying healthy etc etc. Nothing so deep about that. When I said I could see the merits, I meant that which makes it a good thing to pursue. It doesn't mean that I align myself with any particular faith. I understood the foundations, maybe others didn't. People will see what they want. They will interpret provisions in their own way. Why do u think Holy texts attract such scholarly treatment and attention? U have to avoid the murky waters of the religion Vs spirituality demarcation. U r right, I don't need religion to guide me in getting by.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Sep 8, 08, 16:40 / #
Seanus: Life is buying food, paying bills, making friends, playing sports, staying healthy etc etc. Nothing so deep about that. That is a part of life, again you make it as deep or as shallow as you wish. I understood you are not aligned with any particular faith. So what does it mean to understand the foundations of these religions, if you can (and people do all the time) pick and choose what is "deep" or "suitable" for their lives and religions, that is not just good advise and common sense?. Seanus: Why do u think Holy texts attract such scholarly treatment and attention? Many things attract attention, old books are a great source of history, be it fiction or fiction in the making. I think some actually are looking for the truth and "He who seeks shall find". I don't bother with that spiritual stuff, God is everything or God is the universe, I mean if you look at things like that there is always going to be a God. Oh, I only get worried when people say I am right, I am also trying to do my best and improve.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Sep 8, 08, 16:45 / #
Life's what u make it, wasn't that Talk Talk? Understanding, for me here, is about seeing where others are coming from. It stems from curiosity. I don't claim to be an expert, nor look for depth. I'm a driven person but I don't need a religious text to light the fire.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Sep 8, 08, 16:51 / #
Seanus, just to get it straight are you not talking about history? I am not trying to label you, I am just trying to understand your point, i am also curious but religion is not really for the curious, not asking certain questions is the back bone of any religion, I think you know what I mean? is it not religion and it's history you are curious about and how they came about? I don't think anyone needs religion or God.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Sep 8, 08, 16:57 / #
How can I make it simpler? I was curious to know how different people extracted sth from a religion. OK, even simpler, u r an Irish lad. Many Catholics and Protestants fought each other simply because they believed differently. I never understood that when I was younger. Even now, I laugh at the pathetic violence that happened in the name of religion. I am NOT religious. Not history lad, understanding. Learning why a Shintoist believes in X whereas a Buddhist believes in Y. Religion is not for the curious, hmm...not entirely true.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Sep 8, 08, 17:40 / #
Seanus: Ah, but give them a chance and...;) Well another way of looking at it is, can you trust people who: A). Don't believe in your imaginary God(s)? (not you Seanus) B). Believe in their own? Funny, if it were just one man, this would be a totally different discussion about a nutter.

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 8, 08, 21:02 / #
About Baha'i Faith... I guess one woman cannot explain a religion by her behaviours. Often the sacred text of it are the best option to see its inside. For example, two Christians can be different in their approach...but the teachings of Christ is same for both. Depends on how good it is followed. However, about packed Churches... it has effected the culture ofcourse. But divinity is a very arguable and complex matter. I didnt find a Buddhist yet... but many people interested in Buddhism. Its strange that they dont really form a school of thought in Poland... but I think there are believers of it. Baha'is are very organised... they actually form strong communities. They have study circles... and they approach with their beliefs to inform and asking to participate. Its more interesting because they accept all previous Manifestations (as they call them), being a part of the 'Progressive revelation'. This obviously attracts some attention. However, Christianity being the dominant religion yet... it is very much on the forefront. However, the new Poland (after Communism) does go beyond to find new spiritual realms... or investigate further, into the truth. I find it interesting on how this changes ... or opens doors to changes. As is visible time after time. As Christianity becomes more of a tradition than a religion in Poland...new religious communities seem to be immerging. As traditions keep falling, and new standards, beliefs and mentalities keep arising.... its not hard to see how a new Religion (noted to be the worlds fastest growing) might effect Poland... maybe in a distant, but not so distant future. :)

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 29, 08, 09:31 / #
Switezianka: You forgot Jehovah's witnesses (who are a separate branch of Christianity), and Judaism. Not many Jews... I didnt met any yet who is a Polish. Yes, probably I missed one :). Some free thinkers do believe in God/s. I have more interest in Baha'is. www.bahai.org.pl www.bahai.org

SwiteziankaThreads: - Posts: 525 Joined: Jun 17, 08	Sep 29, 08, 09:38 / #
Lodz_The_Boat: Some free thinkers do believe in God/s. Yes, but a belief in god is not enough to make a religion. Deism is not a religion, and Buddhism does not have any gods. In case of judaism, there's some kind of Jewish renaissance in Poland. I know two converts personally, a new community wants to get registered, Chabad wants to 'convert' Polish Jews, something is apparently going on.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Sep 8, 08, 17:08 / #
AGAIN I understood you are not aligned with any particular faith. laddy History for me is ALL about understanding, that's why it can and does change. It is curious as an observer not when you have "blind" faith. Simple Silly people killing each other over their imaginary Gods is pathetic.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Sep 8, 08, 17:13 / #
Because I read about sth, doesn't mean I'm aligned to it. It just means I understand it, now u r getting it. There is such a thing as faith in urself u know. Blind faith is the problem. These people don't understand the differences between religions. Even if they did, it suffices that they are different so they can attack others. That's my point, understanding allows me to see their respective positions.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,948 Joined: May 17, 07	Sep 8, 08, 17:13 / #
Lodz_The_Boat: . Catholic Christian 2. Free thinker (or you can call them athiest...but some believe in God) 3. Protestant 4. Eastern Orthodox 5. Moslems 6. Baha'i 7. Hare Rama Hare Krishna (I actually met one.. a Polish boy, studying in the University of Rzeszów). There are also the slavic paganists.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Sep 8, 08, 17:29 / #
I would not think that just because people read something they are aligned to it either, well in most cases. Religion comes with geography and specific times. Most Polish are Catholic because they were not born and raised in Nepal or because they were born in Poland at THIS TIME. I do not think blind faith means that a member of a said religion attacks another religion because "it suffices that they are different so they can attack" all the time. Catholics and Protestants in Ireland do not hate people of the Baha'i faith, get it?

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Sep 8, 08, 17:31 / #
Ah, but give them a chance and...;)

LukaszThreads: 73 Posts: 2,396 Joined: Sep 1, 07	Sep 29, 08, 00:44 / #
Lodz_The_Boat: I am keenly interested in the Baha'i Faith...with growing adherents...Link: www.bahai.org.pl cool ! :)

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 29, 08, 00:50 / #
Lukasz: cool ! :) It is actually. The Baha'is have a very decent set of laws and idealogies. The fastest growing religion in the world... there are Polish Baha'is around aswell! There are many aspects of this Religion which interests me. Their doctrine and relation to the other previous doctrines... philosophies and prophesies... are all a very good deal to disscuss... if you wanna... just roll the topic :D... I like studying religion... and yes... I consider this a good way of life.

SwiteziankaThreads: - Posts: 525 Joined: Jun 17, 08	Sep 29, 08, 08:55 / #
Lodz_The_Boat: 1. Catholic Christian 2. Free thinker (or you can call them athiest...but some believe in God) 3. Protestant 4. Eastern Orthodox 5. Moslems 6. Baha'i 7. Hare Rama Hare Krishna You forgot Jehovah's witnesses (who are a separate branch of Christianity), and Judaism. What's more, atheism, agnosticism, deism etc. (free thinker's ideas) aren't religions at all.

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 29, 08, 09:51 / #
Switezianka: Buddhism does not have any gods. They do infact. See, we need to study this religion before coming to a conclusion. They consider Buddha to be the all knowing. Buddha in many places compared his commandments to the Supreme Buddha.. and he placed himself as God often. So its with any Manifestation of God (prophets). Jesus too (as we all know) ... and actually so is Mohammed (moslems would deny)... but kissing his hands (Mohammed describes) is kissing God's hands... so?... and Mohammed was saying what is later said as God was saying... I means in the literal sense! Switezianka: Chabad wants to 'convert' Polish Jews, something is apparently going on. Ok... I hope to meet some oneday :) ... nice information you gave.

LukaszThreads: 73 Posts: 2,396 Joined: Sep 1, 07	Edited by: Lukasz Sep 29, 08, 10:09 / #
Lodz_The_Boat: Lodz_The_Boat I doubt that you are Polish especialy form Łódz ...

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Edited by: Lodz_The_Boat Sep 29, 08, 10:12 / #
Lukasz: I doubt that you are Polish especialy form Łódz ok ... though its so ridiculous. But if you wish.

LukaszThreads: 73 Posts: 2,396 Joined: Sep 1, 07	Edited by: Lukasz Sep 29, 08, 10:17 / #
Lodz_The_Boat: ok ... though its so ridiculous. But if you wish. I have met many Polsih Jews form Łódz ... that is why I doubt.

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 29, 08, 10:24 / #
Lukasz: I have met many Polsih Jews form Łódz I didnt. I would love to... but didnt. How insane! See friend... my mind is also not according to many minds within my own family. Its not neccessary that I define something the way crowds would. Do you consider a Jew 'a race' or a 'religion' by the way?

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07	Sep 29, 08, 10:30 / #
Switezianka: Yes, but a belief in god is not enough to make a religion. Deism is not a religion I'm not sure if this is a valid claim. In many religions, a member of a different religion is not considered religious as he or she does not accept the religious customs and beliefs of a particular group. It would then follow, ironically, that none of the religions are actually religions, but cults at best. Religion: 2. a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices (webster) Using this definition Deism could be defined as religion. Switezianka: Buddhism does not have any gods. Are you sure of that?

LukaszThreads: 73 Posts: 2,396 Joined: Sep 1, 07	Edited by: Lukasz Sep 29, 08, 10:34 / #
Lodz_The_Boat: I didnt. I would love to... but didnt. How insane! http://www.jewishlodz.org.pl/ you can join them on evey day prayers. or you can go to kosher restaurant http://www.cafetuwim.com/ or you can listen jewish auditions in radio Łódz. „Szalom - magazyn religii i kultury żydowskiej”. Emitowana jest na falach Radia Łódź, w drugi i czwarty wtorek każdego miesiąca, o godz. 19.15 ... There is something wrong with you.

SwiteziankaThreads: - Posts: 525 Joined: Jun 17, 08	Sep 29, 08, 10:38 / #
Lukasz, it's not that easy to know those things. Most of peple from Lodz I know actually have no idea where the synagogue is or that Cafe Tuwim exists. But food at Cafe Tuwim is really great. I could spend a fortune there.