Coffee Shop Religion

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
He's not far wrong...it is an epidemic 😆

😛 I would consider all the evangelicals a plague. 😛

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
😛 I would consider all the evangelicals a plague. 😛

Quickly the bleach!

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Is Buddhism becomming a "coffee shop" religion? In the sense that almost everyone these days seems to want to be Buddhist but doesn't want to actually commit themselves to the religion?

Very, very many are just that. And Mota's friend's description is applicable in a huge number of cases. But where I depart from the implication made in both of these posts, is that the majority of the supposedly religious, no matter the religion, are "coffee shop".

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Originally posted by Shakyamunison
So, all White-Americans who are Buddhists are Coffee Shop Buddhist? That sounds bigoted to me.

Not all, but damn near.

And I have the feeling you're one, because Buddhist don't make up their own views of what god is.

Originally posted by Devil King
Very, very many are just that. And Mota's friend's description is applicable in a huge number of cases. But where I depart from the implication made in both of these posts, is that the majority of the supposedly religious, no matter the religion, are "coffee shop".

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Coffe shop refers to converts who don't take their new-found faith very seriously.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Coffe shop refers to converts who don't take their new-found faith very seriously.

Oh I know what it refers to in this case. (you'll recall I used it before and set off Shaky) Point being that Mr. Hitchens is right and he supports my point. There are very few people in this nation that take their religion seriously, and even fewer who understand how seriously their self-professed religions demand they are to be taken.

Most Buddhists in this country are nothing more than fadists, I'll agree with that certainly.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Not all, but damn near.

And I have the feeling you're one, because Buddhist don't make up their own views of what god is.

How would you know?

A Buddhist leader would adhere to the Buddhist school, but I am just a member, and there is no hell that I can go to for believing differently then others.

Officially we do not believe in souls or ghosts, however, just the other day a member gave an experience about their cat, who died, and that they believed that their cat was now a ghost. The leadership was there and not a single thing was said to this person for believing in something like a ghost.

The fact is, you don't understand my religion or the people and how we believe. We are not childish or ignorant enough to ignore what a person is saying and focus on an unimportant belief.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Coffe shop refers to converts who don't take their new-found faith very seriously.

Then in my case you are wrong. You do not know my dedication and seriousness. It would be like me telling you that you are not a serious Christian. How would I know your dedication?

Originally posted by Devil King
Oh I know what it refers to in this case. (you'll recall I used it before and set off Shaky) Point being that Mr. Hitchens is right and he supports my point. There are very few people in this nation that take their religion seriously, and even fewer who understand how seriously their self-professed religions demand they are to be taken.

Most Buddhists in this country are nothing more than fadists, I'll agree with that certainly.

And what makes Chris believe that? Just because he became naturalized about a year ago, he's suddenly a guru on our culture? I have a more reliable opinion of religion in the US than he does.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
How would you know?

A Buddhist leader would adhere to the Buddhist school, but I am just a member, and there is no hell that I can go to for believing differently then others.

Officially we do not believe in souls or ghosts, however, just the other day a member gave an experience about their cat, who died, and that they believed that their cat was now a ghost. The leadership was there and not a single thing was said to this person for believing in something like a ghost.

The fact is, you don't understand my religion or the people and how we believe. We are not childish or ignorant enough to ignore what a person is saying and focus on an unimportant belief.

Did Siddartha ever say that the universe is a living thing?

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
And what makes Chris believe that? Just because he became naturalized about a year ago, he's suddenly a guru on our culture? I have a more reliable opinion of religion in the US than he does.

Did Siddartha ever say that the universe is a living thing?

Buddha never said anything about the universe, or God.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Buddha never said anything about the universe, or God.

So then why are you adding?

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
So then why are you adding?

You don't understand Buddhism. Many people over time have added to the teaching of Buddha. This is were schools like Zen came from. Why did the founder of Zen add to the teachings of Buddha? Now, please keep in mind that I am not starting a new school, therefore I am not adding anything to the teachings of Buddha.

There are people in my Buddhist group that are Christian and Buddhist. It has been told to me that we do not tell people to go away just because they are a member of another religion or believe some things differently. As long as they are good people who believe in the core practice they are welcome.

What is the core practice of my religion?

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
You don't understand Buddhism.

I understand it doesn't talk about any god(s). You converted to it and then started making up your beliefs about the divine: that is what this thread talks about.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
I understand it doesn't talk about any god(s). You converted to it and then started making up your beliefs about the divine: that is what this thread talks about.

That is not true. I believe that Pure Land Buddhist believe that Buddha was a divine being. I do not know very much about Pure Land Buddhism, so I might be wrong. However, I have read were some schools of Buddhism believes that Buddha was a divine being similar to Jesus.

You are speaking from a position of ignorance.

What is the core practice of my religion?

Originally posted by Shakyamunison

What is the core practice of my religion?

I don't know.

But I do know this thread is about you.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
I don't know.

But I do know this thread is about you.

So, you are admitting to being a troll?

What's the core practice of Buddhism?

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
What's the core practice of Buddhism?

There are as many different schools in Buddhism as there are denominations in Christianity.

All I can speak for is my own. We chant, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
And what makes Chris believe that? Just because he became naturalized about a year ago, he's suddenly a guru on our culture? I have a more reliable opinion of religion in the US than he does.

No, you don't. He might have just become a citizen, but he's lived here as long as I have. He makes the point in this interview that anyone with two eyes can see when considering his points. And you can see it in other people too. Most cities aren't dead quiet on Sunday, and if they are then they're most likely quiet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday too. Not even the little town in which I grew up did they roll the sidewalks up on Sunday. More people lie on the couch, or mow the lawn or go to brunch because they slept in or decided to clean the garage or go shopping or to the flea market, than go to church. But if the numbers represented in these phone polls and comment galleries are to be believed, this is a nation that holds the ideas of the bible to be their moral law. Well, they don't. They don't follow the rules set forth by the bible, they ignore commandments and even the golden rule. So, while it might be a little out of line to call them atheists, it isn't out of line to call the closet atheists.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
We chant, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Which means?