I was raised Catholic, but I’ve been an atheist for—oh fuck I’m old—more than half my life. But… Monastic life seems pretty dope. Why can’t there be a secular order that’s just devoted to knowledge/contemplation for its own sake (or the betterment of humanity). I know it kind of sounds like I’m describing a university, but I mean with the personal discipline, strong communal bond, and simple lifestyle.

Jainism, their core tenet of Ahimsa (non-violence) applies to literally every lifeform, even plants and bacteria. Jain monks that take this to the letter make your standard vegan look like a hypocrite - they cannot even eat roots, as that would kill the plant it comes from. They also must take extreme care not to accidentally harm any lifeform, so they have to take measures such as turning off all fire during the night so that insects don’t accidentally burn themselves in them, or brush the soil they’ll walk on to avoid stepping on an animal by accident.

Sikhism.

Sikhism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on Absolute truth. Sikhism emphasizes simran (ਸਿਮਰਨ, meditation and remembrance of the teachings of Gurus), which can be expressed musically through kirtan, or internally through naam japna (‘meditation on His name’) as a means to feel God’s presence. It teaches followers to transform the “Five Thieves” (i.e. lust, rage, greed, attachment, and ego).

All sounds pretty cool, but I have always liked that it’s one if the few that outright rejects any religion’s monopoly on Absolute Truth.

Zoroastrianism.

I’m a Muslim but the one where you’ve someone in a small place sitting (I think, the pastor?) and someone can just confess their entire sin history.

For example, you have committed fraud or murdered someone and you can confess and if I remember well, the pastor is not allowed to do anything (IE: going to the police).

I think it is Catholic or Christianity.

I’ve always liked the personal empowerment and coupled responsibility of Wiccanism.

Also the driven personal improvement aspect of Buddhism.

As mentioned sikhism but also i find occult and exoteric stuffs pretty cool. Even though they are not real, some teachings are systematic and that makes it fun to learn

I read most religious texts when I was a young teen, cause I was a little nerd who loved to read and had nothing better to do.

The Vedas (Hinduism) were really intriguing. Some of their stories very much sound like a futuristic post-human society, with stuff like nuclear warfare.

I find Sikhism interesting. My reading thereupon suggests that it has generally positive pro social values. There’s some gender stuff that I don’t like, but no major religion is free of that. Moreover, I can really get behind the dictate to carry a knife to defend the innocent.

Buddhism in the sense of the actual forsaken nirvana and reincarnation aspects, but the dedication to enlightenment and what I perceive (as someone not in anyway well versed in the totality of it) as a willingness to guide and teach but not seeking to compelle others to abide by it are refreshing in the modern ‘my way or fuck you’ world.

Sikhism was already mentioned here. Also, Scientology. I find it quite fascinating and would love read the SciFi story behind it.

Also, all these smaller groups where something weird is behind it. Jonestown, Waco, and so on.

Mormonism, because it’s particularly absurd (and considering the competition, that’s saying a lot). It’s grotesquely fascinating. Joseph Smith was obviously full of it, but the con he called a religion succeeded anyway.

I try to respect all religions, but Mormonism takes extra effort on my part.

Sikhism. I’ve picked it a lot in my playthroughts of Civ6 just because its icon there just looks so cool.

A meme comes to my mind. ‘If you need threat of eternal suffering to be a good person, then you are not a good person.’

Lately it’s been Islam, because of the clean living aspect. Like they consider alcohol, cigarettes, pork, and anything bad for you a sin. And I do respect that about their religion, it’s a good value to have in your life.