Think of Timicism as a religion potluck. The following religions have brought their own covered dish:
- Christianity
- Judaism
- Buddhism
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Deism
- Scientology
- Taoism
- Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
from Christianity
Timicism adopts the Christian ideals of equality and forgiveness. In theory, Christianity accepts all people regardless of who they are or what they've done. And the Golden Rule ("Treat people how you want to be treated") is a great way to live your life according to the Timicist tenet of Harmlessness. Jesus' basic message of peace and love and goodwill towards all people, no matter their station, is something the Timicist can get behind.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++from Judaism
Jews have something called a mitzvah, which is a good deed that brings you closer to God, like the opposite of a sin. Timicism incorporates mitzvahs, too. In Judaism, for example, it's a mitzvah for a man to sexually pleasure his wife. This is definitely something we want to adopt. Timicism takes it a step further, so that it is a mitzvah to give anyone an orgasm. Other Timicist mitzvahs include making someone laugh, admitting you're wrong, and giving back rubs.
+++++++++++++++from Buddhism
Timicism and Buddhism share a lot of the same core values (tolerance, compassion, finding the path to enlightenment yourself), but one specific idea that Timicism takes from Buddhism is that the root of all human suffering is desire. When we get too wrapped up in our own personal wishes and desires, too attached to the "self", we set ourselves up to be unhappy. I agree with that. Timicism also recognizes and respects the Buddhist interconnectedness of all living things.
+++++++++++++++++++++from Islam
There are two things that Timicism takes from Islam. The first is the word "jihad," a term often used to denote a holy war that we tend to associate with terrorists. The word actually refers to a sort of inner struggle. In order to take this word away from the terrorists, I propose that we all start using it all the time in our everyday lives. Examples:
"Let's declare a jihad on illiteracy."
"I'm so hungry, I'm going to seriously jihad on that pizza."
"It's been a real jihad getting that sweater vest on my cat."
Using this word in this way will also be a good exercise in practicing the third principle of Timicism, Humor and not taking yourself too seriously.
The other thing that Timicism takes from Islam is the idea of fasting. I think fasting is a good way for people to cleanse themselves and to learn to appreciate nourishment all the more, especially for people who have never known true hunger in their lives. Although there are no official Timicist holidays that include fasting, it is encouraged whenever the spirit strikes you. Try to go a whole day without eating just to see what it's like.+++++++++++++++++++
from Hinduism
There are two things that Timicism takes from Hinduism: karma and reincarnation.
Timicism uses a modified form of karma that keeps track of all your good and bad actions, like some kind of cosmic bank account. In order to lead a Harmless life, it's important to keep your moral bank account in the black. But it's not a Timicist belief that this bank account necessarily has any bearing on what happens to you. Because if you expect that people always get what they deserve, you're in for some major disappointment in this life.
So maybe it's better to refer to karma as a Timicist superstition: something that's fun to believe in. And good karma (keeping a positive balance on your cosmic bank account) is something that every Timicist should strive for, regardless of the consequences.
Another Timicist superstition is reincarnation. As a Timicist, I don't profess to know what happens after we die. But what I'd like to believe, what's most fun to believe, is that we get to live all over again. You can read more about this on the Timicist Metaphysics page.+++++++++++++++
from Deism
Timicism is very much in line with Deism. Specifically, the view that God does not actively interfere in human events. God is nature and reason.
+++++++++++++++++++++++from Scientology
Timicism would very much like to adopt Scientology's income stream. But I can't support the methods they use to generate it. Keeping parts of your theology a secret so you can extort money from people as they get more and more into it would definitely violate the Timicist principle of Harmlessness. Not to mention the Truth Tenets: Self and Fairness.
One encouraging thing about Scientology, though, is that it's an example of how you can create a religion-- even a complicated theology-- from whole cloth, and get people to buy into it. In this way it serves as an inspiration to Timicism.++++++++++++++++++++++
from Taoism
Taoism gives Timicism the idea of yin and yang. I've always loved this concept, and throughout my life when I've seen the symbol I've intuitively understood it to represent opposing forces working together to bring about balance. But until I sat down to write this, I never thought about how to put that into words. There's no quick and simplistic way to write about it.
So I will just leave the picture here and let it speak about balance.++++++++++++++++
from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, also known as the pastafarians, obviously brings spaghetti to the Timicism potluck. This theology also reminds us to be fair when considering different creation myths. When you get too deep into specifics, no religion has a monopoly on the Truth. If you accept one ridiculous story with no evidence as real, you have to consider others that are equally ridiculous.
Also the phrase "His Noodly Appendage" is a great practice of Timicist Humor.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you have any other suggestions of religions and/or religious concepts that you feel reflect the values of Timicism, please let me know. I'm always open to suggestions.
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