Zen

Taoism + Buddhism = Zen Buddhism.

Evidence of the overlapping philosophy can be found at the end of verse 44 of the Tao Te Ching. What does it say? I'll write right here...

Be content, rest in your own fullness--
You will not suffer from loss
You'll avoid the snare of this world
You'll have long life and endless blessings

Why desire what you don't have? When you realize how much you already have, then your life is fulfilled. I'm not talking about materialist things and stuff. Everything you ever need is always with you. That's why you were born they way you were. But how should I know? You are an anonymous blog reader. Don't freak me out.

Belief-o-matic

Today I took the Belief-o-Matic Test from Beliefnet.com. Although the test isn't entirely scientific and I would like to have had more questions, it came fairly close to what I believe. I'd like to share my results with the you and for my future self.

#1 Unitarian Universalism - Anybody would get this as the #1 score because all answers are acceptable.

#2 Liberal Quakers - Yes, I'm very interested in coming to one of the Friend's Meetings.

#3 Mahayana Buddhism

#4 Theravada Buddhism - I'm surprised both #3 and #4 scored this high as I don't like hierarchy in religion.

#5 Neo-Pagan - Not too surprised here, although I don't like the self-righteousness many "neo-pagans" have.

#6 New Age - The only hippie in me.

#7 Taoism - I expected this to be #1, however I disagree with some tenets of Taoist religion as opposed to Taoist philosophy.

#8 Liberal Christian Protestantism - I was raised this way through puberty.

#9 Jainism - I don't know much about this religion.

#10 New Thought - same as above

#11 Hinduism - Although I'm fond of lists, the caste system and the hierarchy of gods annoys me. Besides that, many Hindu things interest me.

#12 Secular Humanism - I don't mind this title.

#13 Orthodox Quaker - How can I tell if a Meeting I attend is Liberal or Orthodox?

#14 Reform Judaism - I don't know much except that it is in vogue.

#15 Scientology - Oh God, please no!

#16 Christian Science - No matter how I hard I tried, I can only see this as religion an oxymoron.

#17 Baha'i - I wouldn't mind experiencing this religion. I like their temple in Skokie.

#18 Nontheist - Yes, I do believe that God is God and Organized Religion is Satan.

#19 Sikhism - Maybe.

#20 Seventh Day Adventist - I don't drink or smoke, but I can't give up meat.

#21 Orthodox Judaism - That would be strange.

#22 Islam - I'm surprised this scored so low. I'm very interested in Islamic philosophy and especially Sufism.

#23 Conservative Christianity - I was raised this way through childhood. I have had enough of that misery. I've died (from them) and gone to heaven already.

#24 Mormons - No vote for Romney from me. Sorry Mitt.

#25 Eastern Orthodox - I saw it in Russia and felt no compulsion to join.

#26 Roman Catholic - They eat their God! Like a doughnut, He is holy.

#27 Jehovah's Witness - Yes, they are a pesky bunch.

If you would like to take this same test, click here for a link.

Addendum: My wife just took the test and we scored the same for #1, #2, #26, and #27. Other close scores, Mahayana Buddhism scored #3 for me and #4 for her, New Age scored #6 for me and #7 for her. The order was roughly the same all the way through. In this sense, she is my soul mate.