Thread for Religious Debate.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Personally, I don't want religion thrust upon me. For me, religion/spirituality is a personal choice, and a personal process. I won't force my beliefs upon you, and I expect the same courtesy in return.

As Karl Marx said: "Religion is the opiate of the masses." Unless I ask for some, I don't want your religion, your heroin, your cigarettes, your moonshine, your marijuana, your serial romance novels, your spam, or whatever else it is you're trying to convince me is the bestest thing ever and will change my life and shine my shoes and buy me a puppy.

Now, that being said, unless I'm asked and feel like sharing, I'll keep my personal supply of spifftastic propaganda to myself as well. If what you have works for you, more power to you, just leave me out of it in any way, shape, or form.

aww man, I wanted a serial romance novel that would buy me a puppy....

Anywhoooo...well said Mr. Ceriserose!

"spifftastic propaganda"....heeheehee, my favorite words for the day!

[JayJay 4]

I like the way this thread is tenuously holding itself together

I'm proud of you, folks, and reading with interest...carry on

Edited February 7, 2006 by JayJay

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm Buddhist, but I was baptized Catholic. I turned into Buddhism about 10 years ago and I really can relate with a lot of its teachings and philosophies, such as: karma, which means for every action there will be reaction, and this taught me that I have full responsibility for everything that I've done; life is "suffering" which means that in lives there is always imperfection and there are always gaps between my hopes and the reality that i have; nothing lasts forever, everything is just constant change and nothing stays the same within split seconds, including people; and also the 'no-self' teaching which explained that there is no such thing as "self", life is just a co-existence of mind and matter and death is the separation of mind and matter while rebirth is a recombination of mind and matter without an 'eternal soul' in it. I believe that we all have to live our lives in harmony with others, try to purify our minds from hatred, greed and lust. I also believe that through hardwork and perseverance, all beings can achieve perfection and purity, and to do so we have to strive by ourselves, no one else can help us because we are the 'saviour' of ourselves.

I like it myself. My wife was raised Buddhist.

[Sister Fracas 5]

ahhhhhhhh, this is SOOOO what I was trying to get across yesterday about validty of all religions on an individual basis. This is a snippet from the Dalai Lama's website, explaining two of his main commitments in life. The second commitment says it best, but I thought I'd share his first commitment as well....

Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness’ first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.

Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness’ second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other’s respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.

Edited February 7, 2006 by Frances

[Garfield fan 0]

I'm Buddhist, but I was baptized Catholic. I turned into Buddhism about 10 years ago and I really can relate with a lot of its teachings and philosophies, such as: karma, which means for every action there will be reaction, and this taught me that I have full responsibility for everything that I've done; life is "suffering" which means that in lives there is always imperfection and there are always gaps between my hopes and the reality that i have; nothing lasts forever, everything is just constant change and nothing stays the same within split seconds, including people; and also the 'no-self' teaching which explained that there is no such thing as "self", life is just a co-existence of mind and matter and death is the separation of mind and matter while rebirth is a recombination of mind and matter without an 'eternal soul' in it. I believe that we all have to live our lives in harmony with others, try to purify our minds from hatred, greed and lust. I also believe that through hardwork and perseverance, all beings can achieve perfection and purity, and to do so we have to strive by ourselves, no one else can help us because we are the 'saviour' of ourselves.

I like it myself. My wife was raised Buddhist.

Ah, glad that I'm not the only one here being a Buddhist... my hubby is very interested in learning Buddhism too, he was 'nothing' before that...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm Buddhist, but I was baptized Catholic. I turned into Buddhism about 10 years ago and I really can relate with a lot of its teachings and philosophies, such as: karma, which means for every action there will be reaction, and this taught me that I have full responsibility for everything that I've done; life is "suffering" which means that in lives there is always imperfection and there are always gaps between my hopes and the reality that i have; nothing lasts forever, everything is just constant change and nothing stays the same within split seconds, including people; and also the 'no-self' teaching which explained that there is no such thing as "self", life is just a co-existence of mind and matter and death is the separation of mind and matter while rebirth is a recombination of mind and matter without an 'eternal soul' in it. I believe that we all have to live our lives in harmony with others, try to purify our minds from hatred, greed and lust. I also believe that through hardwork and perseverance, all beings can achieve perfection and purity, and to do so we have to strive by ourselves, no one else can help us because we are the 'saviour' of ourselves.

I like it myself. My wife was raised Buddhist.

Ah, glad that I'm not the only one here being a Buddhist... my hubby is very interested in learning Buddhism too, he was 'nothing' before that...

I am nothing right now. I go to the Buddhist temple here in New York with my wife and the monks are always very nice. Never pushy. Nice tolerant religion. I do believe in karma and try to live accordingly.

[Garfield fan 0]

I am nothing right now. I go to the Buddhist temple here in New York with my wife and the monks are always very nice. Never pushy. Nice tolerant religion. I do believe in karma and try to live accordingly.

I always like to visit temples and I enjoy listening to the monks' sermon, the looks on their faces are just sooo peaceful to me and yes, they never 'push' you into believing what they say. In fact, Buddhism always challenges you "to test it before you buy it". Too bad there are not so many Buddhist temple here in Minnesota, I only found one nearby I live and all the books there are in Cambodian so I don't understand any single thing they said.

[Sister Fracas 5]

I always like to visit temples and I enjoy listening to the monks' sermon, the looks on their faces are just sooo peaceful to me

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

ahhhhhhhh, this is SOOOO what I was trying to get across yesterday about validty of all religions on an individual basis. This is a snippet from the Dalai Lama's website, explaining two of his main commitments in life. The second commitment says it best, but I thought I'd share his first commitment as well....

Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness’ first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.

Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness’ second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other’s respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.

Ok, can I have my flower back now?

[Sister Fracas 5]

Ok, can I have my flower back now?

[ceriserose 1]

Ok, can I have my flower back now?

Usually once it's gone, it's pretty much gone.

[JayJay 4]

OOOOoooh I saw someone was a "Trainee Druid" this monring. I am going to ask if dats weally twue

[Sister Fracas 5]

Where is Daisy?

I always look forward to her "I like da bunnies" message in religious threads....