Current State of the Christian Faith

Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
I tend to stop attacking the religion, because my mom is Christian, and as hypocritical as it sounds, every time I critisize Christianity, I feel like I am attacking my mother. I hate that feeling.

I am not Christian, but that doesn't mean I don't beleive in the spiritual. I have my own ideas about what God is or isn't, and I respect her ideas, even though I don't fully agree.

I see it like this: When she eventually finds out that I am Gay, she won't like it. She will be against it, etc. But eventually, the more she attacks homosexuality and gay people, the more she will feel that she is actually attacking me.

Her identity as a Mother will override her identity as a Christian, and she will feel bad for having those kind of critical thoughts. She will eventually come around and accept it.

As of now, I accept her being Christian. Not only do I accept it, I encourage it. I love her 🙂

Originally posted by Lil Buddy
Nah she will probably hate you. 😐

She's not that stupid 🙄

It's Urizen, chances are she already hates him.

Originally posted by Bardock42
It's Urizen, chances are she already hates him.

Drink my sperm droolio

Originally posted by SpearofDestiny

I am not Christian, but that doesn't mean I don't beleive in the spiritual. I have my own ideas about what God is or isn't

Why is it that Buddhists always have their "own idea" of what god(s) is, when the founder of their religion never touched upon the idea?

This is of course assuming you're a 'real' Buddhist, and not a weekend-warrior who once a week sits cross-legged with your eyes closed listening to a "Sounds of Nature" CD. I've really only noticed this "I have my idea of god" among American converts to Buddhism; I've never heard anyone from Thailand or Veitnam say anything lke that.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Why is it that Buddhists always have their "own idea" of what god(s) is, when the founder of their religion never touched upon the idea?

This is of course assuming you're a 'real' Buddhist, and not a weekend-warrior who once a week sits cross-legged with your eyes closed listening to a "Sounds of Nature" CD. I've really only noticed this "I have my idea of god" among American converts to Buddhism; I've never heard anyone from Thailand or Veitnam say anything lke that.

People are allowed to have ideas outside their professed religions. I'd bet if you polled all Christians, 99% of them would have at least a few differing viewpoints from whatever sect of Christianity they adhere to.

So yeah, it's might be an American trend toward Buddhism. But while Buddhism isn't a theistic religion, it is not contradictory toward some theistic ideas.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Why is it that Buddhists always have their "own idea" of what god(s) is, when the founder of their religion never touched upon the idea?

This is of course assuming you're a 'real' Buddhist, and not a weekend-warrior who once a week sits cross-legged with your eyes closed listening to a "Sounds of Nature" CD. I've really only noticed this "I have my idea of god" among American converts to Buddhism; I've never heard anyone from Thailand or Veitnam say anything lke that.

But Hindus do have thier own various ideas of what God is.

My beleiving in God has nothing to do with my adaptation of Buddhist beleifs. When you say "real Buddhist", I do not adhere, but I know what you mean. I am not a "hardcore" practicing Buddhist, much like many Christians who don't attend mass, pray much, or even read up on the Bible a lot.

I'll say it this way:

In terms of Buddhism, I do beleive in the EightFold Path. I do beleive that Desire/Longing is the fundamental cause of mental/emotional pain.

Because of the beleif in Attachment leading to suffering, I have been much better able to relieve myself of certain obsessions, and I have become FAR LESS dependent on other people- in a short time- beleive me.

Also Buddhist practice such as meditation (certain meditative states), and constant adherance to atleast what I percieve as the Eight Fold Path, has helped me not to get as angry as I used to over little things.

So, more or less...I am not "Buddhist" for the sake of being Buddhist. Studies in Buddhism have helped me for the better. Especially where Tibetan Buddhism is concerned, because thier ideas tend to branch off the Buddha's original teachings- in terms of energy environment relations, etc.- another story.

I don't beleive everything Buddha discovered. Nirvana may or may not exist, and to me it seems more like a mental state of being rather than another phase of reality. But I do greatly admire Siddhartha, and that emotional state that most Buddhists achieved is what I desire-

I want to be in full control of myself. According to Buddha, having control of yourself is the greatest victory.

Now....

My ideas of God are not linked to Buddhism. I think my own way. To me, God is not a man or woman. God is everything. It is not a sentient being, but rather a collective intelligence. We are part of that, we all have access to it, every human and animal.

Scientifically, you know we are all made of the same fundamental stuff- matter/energy. We simply exist in different forms.

To simplify it: I beleive the Universe is God. I beleive the Universe chose to become self aware through the existance of living beings. Living beings such as humans, animals, plants, and any alien life that might exist- all whom possess different senses.

Many studies in Quantum Physics are suggesting that Perception has a huge effect on physical matter. If you google "water molecule affected by emotion", or see the movie "What the Bleep is Going On", you'll know more of what I am talking about.

Originally posted by ushomefree
I agree 100 percent; I have an account with MySpace, and I often reference independent labels and local bands to experiment with other forms of music. While sifting through profiles, I happen to notice and young male "so-called" Hip-Hop artist. I viewed the profile, and to my dismay, his entire profile was plastered with distasteful, pornographic imaging; images of gang violence were also present. And his music--which I sampled--contained lyrics about gang violence, drugs, sex, and money. If someone wishes to live their lives--and present themselves--in this fashion, more power to them; but what really grabbed my attention, was the fact that he claimed to be Christian. I wrote him a message stating, "Your not Christian," to provoke a response. The same evening, I got a reply. And this "so-called" Hip-Hop artist stated, "Only God can judge me. I've been baptized yo." Realizing that he didn't have the foggiest idea of what being Christian entails--or even stands for--I responded exposing his error in thought; I wanted to help. I sent a brief message about "repentance" and being "born-again" in the Holy Spirit. Surely, this young man showed zero signs of either; but I never heard from him again. This is an extreme example, but people do claim to be Christian (when in fact, they are not). Christianity is not a social club; but many people treat it that way. Yes, polls do indicate that 30 percent of the world population is Christian. But I would argue that the percentage is less; by how much, only God Himself knows. The state of the Christian Church is poor. The majority of "so-called" Christian Churches are "apostate," meaning, they do not teach the Gospel as it was intended to. Instead, alternate--more appealing--versions of the Gospel are preached, and this produces "false converts." In the world today, especially in the United States, you've got "so-called" Christians aborting babies to ensure they can continue their life of partying (or whatever). Christian cults are at an all time high; it's just plan nuts. But the Bible states--I believe in the book of Daniel and Revelation?--that the Christian Church will suffer these conditions. In fact, it's a sign of the End Times!

Originally posted by DigiMark007
People are allowed to have ideas outside their professed religions.

Not if it directly contradicts their religion's rules.

Originally posted by DigiMark007

So yeah, it's might be an American trend toward Buddhism.

And that's pretty much how it is among Americans who "become" Buddhist: a trend/all the cool kids are doing it.

Or as Devil King once put it: "Buddhism is the one religion you can belong to without really knowing anything about it."

Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
I am not a "hardcore" practicing Buddhist

No shit.

Originally posted by SpearofDestiny

I don't beleive everything Buddha discovered.

Which is really no different than saying:

"I'm a Muslim, but there's probably more than one god out there."

"I'm a Christian, but the Trinity is fake."

"I'm a Hindu, but that four-armed elephant is the stupidest idea ever and probably the product of an acid trip."

Originally posted by SpearofDestiny

My ideas of God are not linked to Buddhism.

And...how exactly are you a Buddhist??

Originally posted by SpearofDestiny

To simplify it: I beleive the Universe is God. I beleive the Universe chose to become self aware through the existance of living beings. Living beings such as humans, animals, plants, and any alien life that might exist- all whom possess different senses.

What is this belief based on? Did you just come up with it on your own?

😮‍💨 "Maaaaan......like.......what if the universe....is like....alive.....you know? Whoooooooa! (stoned giggles)"

Do all Christians believe in the Trinity?

Originally posted by Bardock42
Do all Christians believe in the Trinity?

That's what makes a Christian a Christian. Just like believing in the Tahwid is what makes a Muslim a Muslim.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Maaaaan......like.......what if the universe....is like....alive.....you know? Whoooooooa! (stoned giggles)"

Originally posted by King Kandy
You gotta respect that.

damn right

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
And...how exactly are you a Buddhist??

He is not. He is a "buffet believer" whose set of beliefs are cribbed from other belief systems. He embraces aspects of various philosophies and religions and disregards others.

i don't even see what the big deal is finding out your kid is gay in regards to Spear's post
do you honestly think God, creator of the universe and all life, gives a shit who you like or don't like in your life ?
be a good person; a humane person and that's it

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
And that's pretty much how it is among Americans who "become" Buddhist: a trend/all the cool kids are doing it.

The hell? I seem to remember similar assumptions that you made about atheists based on 1-2 anecdotes or people you knew. Personally, I'd like to see anything resembling a coherent argument for people becoming Buddhists because "all the cool kids are doing it." Did we segue to talking about drugs? Or by kids do you mean anyone under the age of 30 or something, long past the age where peer pressure plays a vital role in anything, let alone one's religious beliefs? Because by the normal definition of "kid" (under 18) you'd be hard-pressed to validate anything about that statement.

But I like how you marginalize Buddism (and Buddhists themselves) by trying to say that having a belief in a God invalidates their more Eastern leanings. If it wasn't as tragic as most of your erroenous assumptions, it might actually be amusing.

And as it applies to Christianity, if everyone who didn't believe 100% of what was taught by their sect of Christianity was forced to leave, you'd be left with maybe 4-5% of Christians. People can, and do, think for themselves, even within and around the bounds of organized religion.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
The hell? I seem to remember similar assumptions that you made about atheists based on 1-2 anecdotes or people you knew. Personally, I'd like to see anything resembling a coherent argument for people becoming Buddhists because "all the cool kids are doing it." Did we segue to talking about drugs? Or by kids do you mean anyone under the age of 30 or something, long past the age where peer pressure plays a vital role in anything, let alone one's religious beliefs? Because by the normal definition of "kid" (under 18) you'd be hard-pressed to validate anything about that statement.

But I like how you marginalize Buddism (and Buddhists themselves) by trying to say that having a belief in a God invalidates their more Eastern leanings. If it wasn't as tragic as most of your erroenous assumptions, it might actually be amusing.

And as it applies to Christianity, if everyone who didn't believe 100% of what was taught by their sect of Christianity was forced to leave, you'd be left with maybe 4-5% of Christians. People can, and do, think for themselves, even within and around the bounds of organized religion.

It's not an "erroeneous assumption" on my part, its an empirical observation. Brad Pitt is a Buddhist, ok, now do you honestly believe that his Biddhism is the same as a person from Thailand, or any other person who was raised into or takes it seriously? And then you have George Lucas; he converted to Buddhism for while and then went back to Methodism. And here we have SpearofDestiny admitting that "Nirvana may or may not exist, and to me it seems more like a mental state of being rather than another phase of reality." WHAT?? Nirvana is to Buddhism as the Tahwid is to Islam. You can't say that you belong to a given religion and then reject what makes it that religion. Siddartha Gautama himself never taught any about any god(s), so he's basically adding to his own religion and making shit up.

So with American converts to Buddhism like George Lucas and many of others, it's really just a fad. I've known many Americans who were both raised Buddhist and then ones who converted, and the latter doesn't take it very seriously or really know much about the founder's teachings.

Originally posted by Devil King
It's the one religion you can belong to without really knowing anything about it.

That's bullshit though. You can belong to any sort of Christian sect without knowing even the most fundamental shit about it.

Originally posted by Bardock42
That's bullshit though. You can belong to any sort of Christian sect without knowing even the most fundamental shit about it.

In that case you're just "belonging" for the sake of belonging.

I have to agree with Mota, I've met many a person who converted to Buddhism, just because they thought it was trendy, of course they won't admit it, but when they know nothing of the religion except that you're supposed to be "enlightened" and that Nam Ryo Goy (?) phrase, it's fairly obvious.

Sure it anecdotal, but it seems to be common.