I love many of the philosophies of Buddhism, and I read up on what I can every day. But I also beleive in the Law of Attraction.
Buddhism does not say you have to only adhere to what you learn on the teachings of Siddhartha, it also encourages you to learn and understand everyone and everything else.
Quality of Life is the ultamate goal of Buddhism.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
What do you mean ?
I honestly don't know why I wrote that. I can't think of what I meant.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
The problem is that he is unaware of his ignorance. 😉
That is something that is untrue.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
Yes, but it's a little more than that. He sees things in [b]Black and White. To him, things can only be one way or the other.[/B]
THAT is a bullshit statement.
-QUOTE=9440288]Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
It's okay to disapprove of Buddhism, but God forbid you disapprove of Islam, then you're a Bigot..[/QUOTE]
There is no hypocrisy. Your interpretation of Islam is VASTLY uninformed, as is your interpretation of Buddhism (assuming you haven't converted (as an athiest no less) to another religion in 4 days). Assuming you still hold the same interpretation of Buddhism as it was when we last talked, then I find that insulting to the hundreds of millions of people who are REAL Buddhists as opposed to angsty teenagers thinking they know something about the faith.
Thus, I don't dissapprove of Buddhism more than I disapporve of any other religion (they all have flaws, imo). However, I do dissapprove of Buddhist wannabes who insult the faith with thier casual disregard and overglorification of just another of the worlds religions. Unfortuantely, I think you fall in that category.
Originally posted by Alliance
...That is something that is untrue...
How would you know? 😆
To a limited extent you are correct; there are a lot of people in the west who do not understand Buddhism, but say they are Buddhists. However, your 1% is just a number you pulled out of the air. I think you believe it, but it is just something you made up to convey your opinion on the matter.
I'm generally not ignorant on most things. I've lived in Buddhist culture and some of my best friends are born and bread Buddhists. I know how its actually practiced, and practiced in the East.
1% is an arbitrary number and I thought that was obvious. It was given to demonstrate a point (and it was successful).
Originally posted by Alliance
I'm generally not ignorant on most things. I've lived in Buddhist culture and some of my best friends are born and bread Buddhists. I know how its actually practiced, and practiced in the East.1% is an arbitrary number and I thought that was obvious. It was given to demonstrate a point (and it was successful).
You should avoid arbitrary numbers. What was your point?
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
Just because I don't walk around in a robe all day doesn't mean I'm not Buddhist. 🙄
Edit: And for your information, Alliance, before I converted to Buddhism, I had been studying it for years. Through books, through courses, through any media I could possibly get my hands on.
Buddhism encourages you to learn and understand the ways of others as well. So no, I'm not "hardcore" Buddhist like those in the East who make Buddhism the way of thier entire life, but then again there are a lot of Christians who don't adhere to the prime fundamentals of Christianity either.
And you know what? That's ok !
There are plenty of things about Buddhism I like but question. And Buddhism allows that, it does not call for an act of blind faith and acceptance in Siddhartha's teachings, so taking the Buddhist texts as your own is fine, as long as you do not deviate from the cor teaching-absolute compassion for all living things.
As of now, I am studying the sciences and philosophies behind The Law of Attraction. Something I find very fascinating, something I believe in so far.
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As for my stance on Islam, let us squash this once and for all:
-I do not Hate Muslims
-I have Muslim freinds-some in school, one on KMC even
-I admire thier self-Discipline, something I yearn to acquire
-I do not think Islam should be eradicated. It as a religion has every right to exist, just like Christianity and Buddhism do.
What I have issues with is the Quran itself, the same way I have issues with the Bible. The Quran itself has many passages, like the Bible, which promote violence and sexism. You know this.
I , nor any other person, need to tolerate that aspect of the religion.
You argued that religion is strictly a Practice, but you are incorrect. It is ALSO A BELEIF SYSTEM, and thier beleifs are BASED on the QURAN. You may not "give a shit" about the Quran, but MUSLIMS do.
And Islam, according to many Muslims, is not just a religion. It is what they base thier entire lives on. Atleast, they are supposed to.
To deny the Quran is to deny Allah.
To question the Quran is to question Allah.
According to Muslim Theology, Allah created the human race for the sole purpose of being worshipped. Ask any Muslim, and they will tell you so. That is why we exist.
Islam, by the Quran, promotes idealogies, some of which are very noble, and some of which are very harmful. Once, Again, you KNOW THIS.
Violence against women is justified, by the Quran, if the women:
-committed adultery
-denied the words of her husband
-walks in public without being covered
-walks in public without a male escort
-has stolen or broken some law
-denies the word or existance of Allah
Violence against men is justified, by the Quran, if the men:
-are homosexual
-have stolen
-deny the word or existance of Allah
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Now...Obviously, Islam can be practiced far cleaner and without violence, if the texts which promote violence are ignored. That is why I think it should still exist, as any other religion. Christianity has evolved, and eventually so will Islam.
However, as of now, Islam still promotes violence in the lands where it originated.
That Violence is not Justified.
So, to conclude this age old argument once and for all.....
I do not respect a Religious Practice which promotes violence on any person. I don't have to ! ISLAM NEEDS TO CHANGE and CATCH UP WITH THE REST OF US- the Middle Ages are OVER - we don't need to practice such intense violence against others anymore.
Islam, like any religion, is at core, an Idealogy.
And to me, the lives and happiness of people are worth 10000X times more than any idealogy that exists on this world.
Originally posted by Adam_PoE
The same could be said of those who proclaim to be "Born Again," and "Saved."
I see your point, but people don't convert to these specific cults of Christianity to remain faithless. their faith may be shallow, but they remain religious.
Budddhism is the only religion that I'm aware of where people can "convert" and remain areligious.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
In your opinion, what are the requirements for being a credible Buddhist?
I don't have a seven point plan, its an attitude. Buddhism is HEAVILY steeped in ritual. Its a religion, not a walk down philosophy lane.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
Just because I don't walk around in a robe all day doesn't mean I'm not Buddhist. 🙄
Have you ever tried to become a monk? Its something that many Buddhists are expected to do during their lifetime. If you actually want to change your life...thats the way to do it.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
So no, I'm not "hardcore" Buddhist like those in the East who make Buddhism the way of their entire life,
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
-I do [b]not Hate Muslims[/B]
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
Quran itself has many passages, like the Bible, which promote violence and sexism. [b]You know this.[/B]
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
You argued that religion is [b]strictly a Practice, but you are incorrect. It is ALSO A BELEIF SYSTEM, and their beleifs are BASED on the QURAN. You may not "give a shit" about the Quran, but MUSLIMS do.[/B]
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
And Islam, according to many Muslims, is not just a religion. It is what they base their entire lives on. Atleast, they are supposed to.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
To deny the Quran is to deny Allah.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
To question the Quran is to question Allah.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
violence against women is justified, by the Quran
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
However, as of now, Islam still promotes violence in the lands where it originated.
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
I do not respect a Religious Practice which promotes violence on any person. I don't have to ! ISLAM NEEDS TO CHANGE and CATCH UP WITH THE REST OF US- the Middle Ages are OVER - we don't need to practice such intense violence against others anymore
Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
Islam, like any religion, is at core, an Idealogy.
Then how can you call yourself Buddhist if you ignore the ideology, let alone the practice?
Originally posted by Alliance
Have you ever tried to become a monk? Its something that many Buddhists are expected to do during their lifetime. If you actually want to change your life...thats the way to do it.
You seriously don't know what you are talking about. 🙄
You don't have to become a monk to be Buddhist, and being a monk is not the fulfillment of Buddhism. Buddhism is meant to integrate to anyone's lifestyle, can be applied so.
Originally posted by Alliance
Then you're not Buddhist. BUDDHISM IS A WAY OF LIFE. Apparently in your extensive studies you forgot to learn that elemental fact
We had a similiar argument about Islam. You claimed that one can be Muslim without practicing everything the Quran teaches. Yet, Islam is about submission. Islam does not allow for one to question or challenge the Quran in any way, shape, or form.
So which is it ?
Can one be Muslim without adhering to the Quran 100% ? You contradict yourself again, Alliance. 👇
Originally posted by Alliance
I feel your words speak differently, no matter what you protest.SO WHAT?
So, Muslims can't believe anything if its not in the Qur'an?
Only to fundamentalists.
Only to fundamentalists.
Only to fundamentalists.
The damn book was written 1400 years ago. Islam was also the first religion to grant women the right to divorce and the right to own property. When it was founded, it was ahead of its time.
Saudi Arabia?
Read the Above. There is something you are NOT understanding.
Originally posted by Alliance
Then how can you call yourself Buddhist if you ignore the ideology, let alone the practice?
Who said I ignore the idealogy and the practice ?
You have no idea what you are talking about. Please stop making this a personal issue. If you are going to ask me something, ask me something intelligent, and have some kind of support for your claims.
All of your claims are empty.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Alliance, SGI (Nichiren Buddhism) does not have monks or temples. We all have alters in our homes. There is a form of Nichiren Buddhism that does have monks and temples, but because of corruption, we separated from them.
He seems unaware of the different sects/forms of Buddhism. There are Nicheren and Theravata for example.
Also, each introduce new teachings. For example, Shakymunison was not made aware of the Five Aggregates in his studies, but at the same time, I wasn't aware of the Concept of the Ten Worlds until he brought it to my attention.
Some forms of Buddhism teach that Life is naturally suffering, because that is the nature of the world, while other forms of Buddhism teach that Life is Suffering because we have made it that way and allow it to persist.
Alliance, claiming that becoming a Monk is the endgoal of Buddhism, shows how much he doesn't know.
And btw, Alliance Buddhism is not a religion where you become "born again" and all of a sudden you are enlightened to the path. It takes years of practice, study, and discipline to attain the wisdom and benefits of Buddhism.
Just because someone is new to Buddhism, and still studies other idealogies and has an original perspective, does not mean they are not Buddhist.
I thought you would know that, but I guess I was wrong.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
How is that possible?In order to adhere to and practice a religion, you have to know about it.
Oh, it's possible.
How often do you hear a celebrity held to task when they make a statement about their religion? (or anything else, for that matter.) Celebrities have the luxury of often being taken at face value.
Originally posted by Devil King
Oh, it's possible.How often do you hear a celebrity held to task when they make a statement about their religion? (or anything else, for that matter.) Celebrities have the luxury of often being taken at face value.
There are many Christians who don't know anything about the Gospels, much less most of what the Bible says.
I just find it alarming.