My Beliefs (Part 12)

This is the twelfth question from the Belief-O-Matic. My answer, and why I chose it, follows.

Question #12
Choose ALL statements below that represent your beliefs.
-Adhere strictly to the rites, practices, precepts, commandents, prohibitions, laws, sacraments, or ordinances of the faith to be rewarded after life.
-All, even the wicked, are rewarded after life (e.g., go to heaven, merge with God) as God(s) is infinitely good and forgiving.
-Extinguish all cravings, attachments, and ignorance, or rid oneself of all impurities, to become fully enlightened.
-Learn all life's lessons through rebirths.
-Realize your true nature as purely spirit (or soul) and not body, as one with the Absolute, Universal Soul.
-Live very simply; renounce worldly goals and possessions.
-Tap the power of the Ultimate (God, or the divine), through intercessory methods such as psychics, channeling, tarot cards, crystals, magic.
-Humankind is "saved" through human effort rather than through religious or spiritual means.

I picked the first option because that's what I try to do each day. I try to be nice to others, pray daily, not put bad things into my body, pay my tithing each month. And it's not just my religion. I'm sure Catholics try to pray daily, be nice to others, go to church each week, and try to do what else the church asks of them. Buddhists try each day to do what they're taught. We all pretty much believe that if we do as we are asked, we will receive some sort of reward when we're done with this life.

I also picked the second one because it's something I've been taught. We are all spirit sons and daughters of God and He wants us to return to Him one day. Except for a few that will be cast into outer darkness (and I'm sure it's something rare, since you'd practically have to have talked with God face to face and know for a surety that He exists, then deny His existence afterwards to qualify), we will all inherit some form of reward on the other side. I don't think all Mormons are going to heaven simply because that's where we were baptized in life, just as I don't think all athiests are going to hell simply because they don't believe in a higher power. No matter who we are, we will all have to answer for our actions here on earth. No matter what religion we professed to be, in essence we'll all go to heaven because God loves us all.

Even though it's not a major tenant of my religion, I also chose option six. I commend people like Catholic nuns who are so devoted to their religion that they give up worldly possessions to live a life of simplicity. In that respect, they're doing a much better job of it than I am.