Which religions promote creativity and self-expression?

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I was wondering if there are any religions that encourage creativity and self-expression. I am starting to become dissatisfied with Christianity, even though I am a Lutheran, one of the more liberal denominations.

My dissatisfaction stems from some of the conservative denominations' stances on things. I feel that creativity and self-expression are hindered, particularly in the evangelical denominations. And as a geology major, I feel that Darwinism will come into play in my studies.

Tim

I think Darwinism would be a great path to follow, if your thinking about changing your beliefs, I recommend you listen to as many different persuassions as you can, take your time, here is a list:

Christianity (other denominations)
Islam
Judaism
Budhism
hindu
taoism
Atheism
paganism
Jainism
Raelian (eh, I think it's a well constructed lie, but that's just my opinion)
Theosophy
witch craft
wicca
satanism (actually an atheist religion, "satan" is a metaphore here)
devil worship

This should be plenty of things you can study on, read as many points of view as you can, think long and hard about it, and just go with whatever makes since to you. The fact that you rejected extremism from others in the church tells that you have transcidental moral integrity and tolerance for other peoples' views. If you need more help, go to beliefnet.com

You've pretty much listed everything except Scientology, Bahai, and Zoroasterianism.

Tim

Personally, I'm an agnostic atheist, leaning heavier towards atheist but I am open to certain concepts that the majority might consider "super natural" that might possibly be able to be scientifically explained on a grander scale.
But every religion has --something-- to offer. It might also be best just to cherry pick ideas, I kinda did that.... But it's your decision man, nobody can make that decision but you, but I'd be glad to be of some help for you in making a decision, I can get you some links that you'll find information on various beliefs. Like I said, you can start by hitting up beliefnet.com.

I'll make a note of it.

Tim

wicca
I recomend you give it a little look see
www.wicca.com
thats a good site

Depends on which sect of your religion really, pick something looser and less hardline if you don't like your current one.

Most of the modern religions are like giant salad buffets anyway, take what you want and leave the rest.

Chruch Of Reality

A little on the arrogant side but a decent place if you want to go a little heavier on the sciences then theology.

Bahai

Very Eastern and sort of a new kid on the religious block. Very accepting and hasn't gotten a body count yet.

Unitarian Universalism

The one I recommend most for you. A combination of Buddhists, Agnostics and more liberal Christians. More into helping you find your own religious path.

Been the Bahai route and not sure I would recommend it. At first, they seem very open, with the idea that all religions are one. But as you get into it, it becomes more and more orthodox ... "this is what our scriptures say, and that trumps all the other traditions and beliefs." I think Unitarian Universalist makes more sense to me; they are truly heterodox.

I have ruled out Christianity, Judaism, and Islam--they are too strict.

Tim

Oddly enough, I'm a conservative Christian in an evangelical denomination, and I believe that my church encourages creativity.
G-d is, after all, the Cr--t-r of everything, and He has instilled that creativity in humankind as a part of His image.
Simply travel from church to church until you find one that encourages creativity as much as mine does. This way, you don't change your beliefs too radically.
Don't assume that all churches are like what you are familiar with.
Creativity is of the spirit.
Spirituality is not a matter of Conservative vs. Liberal. It is a matter of an individual person.

I'm pretty sure religion has nothing to do with either creativity or self-expression.

Here's another one--make up your own "religion". Actually, it might be more accurate to say you should follow your own path and believe your own morals, the ones that work for you and benefit you, your family, and society the most. Nobody can tell you what those things are. You just have to discover your own self and figure out what suits you best.

I don't really consider scientology to be much of a religion. Sorry if I'm offending any scientologists out there, but it's nothing more than a cult. They just demand your money, use these useless contraptions off of you, and base their entire concept off of a SCIENCE FICTION novel. I'm not entirely sure which is worse; believing in a book clearly labelled SCIENCE FICTION which is akin to believing in Star Trek or believing a book that people have been believing for a long time because they didn't know any better, and considered it too religious to be fictional.

You don't need organized religion to tell you what to do. Making up your own path might also be considered atheist because you might not believe in a god or gods, but there are people who don't consider atheism or agnosticism to be a religion. There aren't really any strict rulings for how atheists or agnostics to live. They are only defined on the grounds that they don't believe in God or don't know if they should believe in God or not. Any atheist or agnostic can have different morals or follow a different lifestyle.

Not only do I feel that religion could eat into creativity and self-expressionism, but I don't want to be condemned for certain things. For instance, one of my favorite TV shows is South Park, but all these family values groups and Christian watchdog groups want it yanked off the air. I just don't want to feel that I have to repent every time I watch it.

Tim

The Roman Catholic Church encourages expression of self towards God and creativity.
Find a good Catholic church that will welcome you.
If not, go from church to church until you hit it big with a Catholic church.

The church I go to is Roman Catholic and encourages individuality.

Short Version: Tim, who cares if your churchmates find out you watch South Park?
Watching South Park or The Simpsons is not a sin, but guiltless entertainment.

I actually think that South Park had some episodes that satirize Christianity because they wanted to poke fun at all the things the creators found wrong with it. I don't doubt that Christianity isn't perfect, so there's bound to be people criticizing it.

I was thinking that Christians (or any other socially conservative religion) wouldn't see past the foul language on shows like South Park, Family Guy, etc.

Tim