Proposed Religion & Beliefs Category -- Tell Us What You Think

1. 82

   larryfreemanposted 15 years ago

   As I mentioned in a previous announcement, categories are coming to HubPages.
   
   Here is the proposed breakdown of the Religion & Beliefs Category
   
   Religion & Beliefs (Top Level)
   
   * African Traditional Religions
   * Angels
   * Atheism & Skepticism
   * Baha'i
   * Buddhists
   * Christians
   * Eastern Religions
   * Exploring Options
   * Hindus
   * History of Religion
   * Islam
   * Judaism
   * Metaphysics
   * New Age (see Metaphysics subcategory)
   * New Religions
   * Paganism & Witchcraft
   * Paranormal
   * Scientology
   * Tolerance & Religious Freedom
   
   Here is the proposed breakdown for each of the above Religion & Beliefs subcategories:
   
   (1) African & Caribbean Traditional Religions (2nd Level Category)
   
   * Candomble
   * Central Africa
   * East Africa
   * Ifa
   * North Africa
   * Rastafari
   * Santeria
   * Southern Africa
   * Vodou
   * West Africa
   
   (2)  Angels (2nd Level)
   
   * All About Angels
   * Angels & Christianity
   * Angels in Literature & Fiction
   * Belief in Angels
   * Demons
   * Fallen Angels
   * Guardian Angels
   * Stories & Legends
   
   (3)  Atheism & Skepticism (2nd Level)
   
   * Atheism
   * Atheism in Literature & Fiction
   * Does God Exist?
   * History of Atheism & Skepticism
   * Philosophy & Religion
   * Polite Debate
   * Science & Religion
   * Why Does Religion Exist
   
   (4) Baha'i (2nd Level Category)
   
   * Beliefs & Religious Practices
   * History of Baha'i
   * Holidays (see Baha'i Holidays in Birthdays & Holidays category)
   * Mystical Teachings
   * Social Practices
   
   (5) Buddhism (2nd Level)
   
   * Buddha
   * Dalai Lama & Other Buddhist Leaders
   * Ethics & Philosophy
   * History of Buddhism
   * Meditation
   * Rituals & Practices
   * Sacred Writings
   * Teachings & Insight
   * Zen
   
   (6) Christianity (2nd Level)
   
   * Angels (See Angels subcategory)
   * The Bible
   * Catholic
   * Christianity for Children
   * Christian Living
   * Christian Mysticism
   * Church of the Latter Day Saints
   * Church Leadership
   * Evangelism & Missionaries
   * History of Christianity
   * Holidays & Celebrations (See Birthdays & Holidays category)
   * Intelligent Design
   * Jesus & His Teachings
   * Ministries
   * Monasticism
   * Orthodoxy
   * Prayer
   * Protestant
   * Theology & Religious Discussion
   * Worship & Devotion
   
   (7) Eastern Religions & Philosophies (2nd Level)
   
   * Confucianism
   * Gurus
   * Jainism
   * Shintoism
   * Sikhism
   * Taoism
   * Zoroastrianism
   
   (8) Exploring Options (2nd Level)
   
   * Agnosticism
   * Comparing the Different Religions
   * Ethics & Perspectives
   * Conversion & Freedom of Religion
   * God & the Difference Views of God
   * Introductions to Different Religion
   * Life Philosophies & Beliefs
   * Religious Studies
   * Sacred Books & History
   * World Religions
   
   (9) Hinduism (2nd Level)
   
   * Bhagavad Gita
   * Gandhi & Famous Hindus
   * Gurus
   * Hare Krishna
   * History & Teachings
   * Sanskrit
   * Sutras
   * Upanishads
   * Vedas
   * Wisdom & Insight
   
   (10)  History & Social Issues (2nd Level)
   
   * Church & State
   * Controversies & Scandals
   * History of Religious Conflict
   * Hot Topics
   * Morality & Ethics
   * Origins of Major Religions
   * Religion, Culture, & Society
   * Religion & Economics
   * Religion, Wars & Peace
   * Religious Orders
   * Saints & Scoundrels
   * Social Issues & Religion
   * Tolerance & Religious Freedom
   
   (11)  Islam (2nd Level)
   
   * History of Islam
   * Islam for Children
   * Islamic Law
   * Mecca & Pilgrimmage
   * Muhammed & His Teachings
   * Prayer & Meditation
   * The Quran
   * Ramadan (see Birthdays & Holidays Category)
   * Shi'ism
   * Sunnism
   * Surfism & Islamic Mysticism
   
   (12) Judaism (2nd Level)
   
   * Conservative Judaism
   * Hasidism
   * History of Judaism
   * Israel & Judaism
   * Jewish Law
   * Jewish Life
   * Judaism for Children
   * Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism
   * Kosher Food
   * Orthodox Judaism
   * Reformed Judaism
   * Talmud
   * Torah
   
   (13) Metaphysics (2nd Level)
   
   * Astral Projection
   * Astrology
   * Auras & Colors
   * Channeling
   * Divination
   * Dreams
   * Magic
   * Meditation
   * Metaphysics in General
   * New Age
   * Palm Reading
   * Reincarnation
   * Rosicrucian
   * Spirituality
   * Tarot
   
   (14) New Religions (2nd Level Category)
   
   * Criticism of New Religious Movements
   * Entheogenic
   * Flying Spaghetti Monster
   * Influenced by Major Religions
   * Jedi
   * New Religious Movements
   * Regional
   * Syncretistic
   * Technology Oriented
   
   (15) Paranormal (2nd Level)
   
   * Alchemy
   * Crop Circles
   * ESP
   * EVP
   * Ghosts & Demons
   * Legend & Lore
   * Magic
   * Near-Death Experiences
   * Parapsychology
   * Remote Viewing
   * Supernatural
   * Telekinesis
   * UFOs
   * Unexplained Mysteries
   
   (16) Paganism & Witchcraft (2nd Level)
   
   * Celtic & Druidism
   * Film & Literature
   * Gaia & Nature Worship
   * History of Polytheism
   * Paganism
   * Prejudice & Tolerance
   * Shamanism
   * Wicca
   
   (17) Scientology (2nd Level)
   
   * Anti-Drug
   * Basic Principles
   * Famous Scientologists
   * Human Rights
   * L. Ron Hubbard & Dianetics
   * Scientology: Religion & Philosophy
   * The Way to Happiness
   * What Is Scientology

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2. 60

   Teresa McGurkposted 15 years ago

   Good grief!  what a long and well-researched listing. Looks good to me!  It seems pretty exhaustive (but no doubt someone somewhere will find an omission or misnomer).

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3. 60

   At the Crossroadsposted 15 years ago

   that's a great list, but I'd suggest adding Afro-Caribbean religions (sometimes called African Traditional Religions) such as Vodou, Lucumi/Santeria, Ifa, etc. 
   
   Partially because I just joined to write about such topics, but also because you've got nearly everything else there

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   1. 82

      larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for pointing that out.  I'll add it to the list.
      
      -Larry

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4. 56

   Dame Scribeposted 15 years ago

   Awesome job! mr larry!, thank you.

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5. 60

   Teresa McGurkposted 15 years ago

   And perhaps, then, Candomble, Mormonism, and Rastafari?

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   1. 60

      Teresa McGurkposted 15 years agoin reply to this

        I made them sound like three Caribbean/South American religions, sorry!

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6. 63

   Lifebydesignposted 15 years ago

   Hi Larry, you've put alot of work into this, and thank you for including the Baha'i Faith. I also noticed you have put Baha'i under Eastern religions. Is that because you've categorized it as originating from the east, or is it because its predominantly practised in the east?
   
   All the other major religions such as Christianity, Hindu, Buddhism, Zoroastian, Judaism, Islam could be considered eastern in origin, and the Baha'i Faith while the youngest of the world's independant religions is also recognized as the second -most geographically widespread religion after Christianity. (bahai.org).
   
   It is independant in and of itself and although I'm not familiar with the other eastern practices its been classified under it, that isn't an accurate representation.
   
   Seriously you've done great work researching this, but I must ask if you would please reconsider and put it in a category of its own?

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   1. 82

      larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your feedback!  I agree with you that Baha'i fits better somewhere else.
      
      -Larry

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      1. 63

         Lifebydesignposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         thanks Larry :-)

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7. 82

   VioletSunposted 15 years ago

   Sounds good to me!  I had thought of New Age but your list is pretty good.

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8. 60

   Victor Goodmanposted 15 years ago

   Great job on this list, I would like to make a suggestion however.
   
   Prayer is a very important aspect of the Christian way of life and therefore I believe it should be a sub-category of Christianity.
   
   Thanks,
   
   Vic

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   1. 82

      larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I agree.  Thanks for the suggestion.
      
      -Larry

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9. 81

   Whitney05posted 15 years ago

   What about other religions like the jedi religion?

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10. 57

    Mark Knowlesposted 15 years ago

    The Flying Spaghetti Monster seems to be missing from your list.
    
    If you are going to put the christian cult on the list, I think it is only fair to include all the other major religions.
    
    http://www.venganza.org/
    
    Sub categories will need to include Sauce making, appropriate wines to serve with the body of the host, pirate-speak and of course, sightings. Unlike the other cults, our god makes himself visible on regular occasions...... If you are open-minded enough to see that is.
    
    May the sauce be with you. 

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    1. 82

       larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Sure.  I'll add the Flying Spaghetti Monster.  I forgot about that.  :-)
       
       -Larry

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       1. 57

          Mark Knowlesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          How could you forget the one and only god?
          
          I forgive you

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11. 69

    Cailin Gallagherposted 15 years ago

    Amazingly exhaustive list.  Thank you for the research.  Well done.

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12. 59

    Denny Lyonposted 15 years ago

    Admirably an exhaustive list! 
    
    Guess you could jokingly add Foodies as a religion...
    
    Seriously though, under the Religions & Belief category maybe this:
    
    Religions, Life Philosophies & Beliefs
    
    Both Buddhism and Taoism tend to be considered religion in the West but not so by the those who live it elsewhere.  They always taught me it was a life philosophy not a religion involving worship.
    
    We Americans seem to like to redefine things to make them our own - nice idea but not always accurate?
    
    Any way you look at it you have really expanded upon this idea and I find it impressive work, thanks!

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13. 71

    Inspirepubposted 15 years ago

    Larry,
    
    You have a subcategory called "paganism and wicca" in one place and then "polytheism and wicca" further down.
    
    While most Wiccans would call themselves witches, there are many witches who are definitely not Wiccan.
    
    The subcategory "Wicca" would be more inclusive if it were "witchcraft". It would then embrace Voudou, Egyptian witchcraft, Trad witchcraft, etc, as well as Gardnerian Wicca.
    
    Also, Hinduism and some other Eastern Religions are polytheistic.
    
    Perhaps if "Polytheism and Wicca" were instead "Paganism and Witchcraft"?
    
    I agree with Mark and Whitney that it is difficult to fit some modern religions like Jedi and pastafarianism into your category framework. Perhaps you could consider a subcategory of something like "New Religions", and then list Jedi, pastafarianism, and others as they arise under that heading.
    
    Also, agnosticism is not atheism. To me, it would fit better under "Exploring Options" than under "Atheism and Skepticism".
    
    Keep up the great work!
    
    Jenny

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    1. 82

       larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Great suggestions!  :-)
       
       I agree with you about "Polytheism & Wicca".  I'll rename the category.
       
       I will move agnosticism under Exploring Options.  I agree that's a better fit.
       
       Cheers,
       
       -Larrry

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14. 71

    Isabella Snowposted 15 years ago

    Hi Larry,
    
    I've got issues with 11 and 12
    
    I think the title Palm Reading and Tarot would be better categorized as Metaphysics, because both palm reading and tarot are just tools, like the other things listed there (most of which have nothing to do with palmistry or tarot
    
    I also think astral projection, magic and auras should be included in this list, because they're no more paranormal than divination or channeling.
    
    And as someone who used to be a practicing Rosicrucian, I think that would be better under metaphysics as well -- it's really not "paranormal" per se.
    
    Some suggestions for the Paranormal section:
    
    EVP
    remote viewing, telepathy, telekinesis
    legend and lore
    parapsychology

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    1. 82

       larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Great suggestions!  I was thinking that the Metaphysics part needed some rework.
       
       -Larry

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15. 59

    Reg Brittainposted 15 years ago

    Exhaustive and inclusive.  Sure to be a great addition to HP.

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16. 61

    RVilleneuveposted 15 years ago

    This will be a great way to engage more readers and writers!

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17. 67

    aidenofthetowerposted 15 years ago

    You have Angels as an entire category...which is good. You mentions "fallen angels" as a subcategory, however you don't touch on demonology, which often covers a wide range of beliefs much like Angels. Just a quick thought.
    
    There are a lot of fantastic suggestions here and this section looks like it will wrap up really well.

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    1. 82

       larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Sure, I'm open to adding a demons subcategory in angels.
       
       -Larry

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18. 68

    Kind Regardsposted 15 years ago

    Just a suggestion.  I wouldn't keep the "isms."
    
    I know I'd rather see Catholic on a list rather than Catholicism.
    
    Kind Regards

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    1. 82

       larryfreemanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Kind Regards,
       
       Thanks for your feedback.  I agree with you.  Shorter is better.
       
       -Larry

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       1. 68

          Kind Regardsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks again Larry.  You're a nice guy.

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