Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I wasn’t talking about the author. I was talking about you bringing racism into the conversation.
And I'm talking about a chapter in the book, that includes you.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090813214439AA4vd4a
Let's be honest, its not exactly common. The white people at your temple/group, do you ever ask them how they arrived at there religious decision? Do they have a hard-on for all things Asian, or what?
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Rebellion against what? My parents died long before I became a Buddhist.
Upset with the state of Christianity? You're "spiritual, but not religious"? (Translation: The willingness to believe in any religion that doesn't involve Jesus)
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Personal happiness is what is promoted and encouraged. Why would Buddhism promoted or encouraged a god?
He, Buddha, never said it. Followers of Moses, Jesus or Mohammed will never say there is no god, or there's more than one. So a Buddhist claiming to believe in a god of any kind is just taking far too many liberties, and doesn't seem very serious.
Two years ago, I was waiting for a flight at DFW Airport in Dallas, and in the terminal I killed time but talking with a Buddhist Monk who was also waiting. He said he doesn't believe in any god because Buddha himself didn't and discouraged speculation of god. I think I'll take his word over your's.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I believe that.Should I also burn all gardening and self help books? Like I said, atheism has nothing to offer me.
Enlightment aside, what does Buddhism "offer" you? How has it bettered your life? Denial of the self doesn't stirke me as very good for the mental health.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
The Dalai Lama is a leader of a different sect of Buddhism. That would be like calling the pope the leader of a protestant religion. Also, Buddhism is not his.
That's true, but whether your average Buddhist wants to admit it or not, he's the most famous member of the religion and its unofficial poster-child. He knows a hell of a lot about the religion and makes for a better spokesperson than say...Richard Gere or Steven Segal. A rural farmer in Kansas may not know the difference between "Mahayana" and "Theravada", but if you show them a picture of the current Dalai Lama, they'll know who it is.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
What is it like to wear a Yankee cap? Do you wear it every morning and evening? Do you go to Yankee cap study meeting every week? Do you wear it and chant for two hours ever Saturday with other members?
No, because I hate that team. But people who aren't from New York or aren't really Yankee fans will wear the hat, because its a style. Same thing with a lot of Americans calling themselves Buddhist. Unlike Islam, its not a despised or feared religion in America, and most Americans don't know much about it, so its "cool" and "different" and "exotic".
^ I know you know what I'm saying.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Upset with the state of Christianity?
This strongly implies that the default state is to be Christian . . .
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
You're "spiritual, but not religious"? (Translation: The willingness to believe in any religion that doesn't involve Jesus)
Uh, no. Typically that means rejecting any organized religion.
Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
This strongly implies that the default state is to be Christian . . .
For him it was, because he was raised it.
Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Uh, no. Typically that means rejecting any organized religion.
What mindbomb said. And for that matter, most American converts to Eastern religions.
Originally posted by mindbomb
yes but alot of "new age" people use it to mean they dont believe in jesus
99% of Christianity is an organized religion so that would be contained within the concept. If you're "spiritual but not religious" you don't believe in Jesus, God, Allah, Zeus, Xenu, Haruhi, Nana Buluku or any thing like that. Instead you appeal to "quantum woo" or the Gods of the Gaps or a nebulous concept of magic.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
And I'm talking about a chapter in the book, that includes you.
I don’t care what the book says.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Let's be honest, its not exactly common. The white people at your temple/group, do you ever ask them how they arrived at there religious decision? Do they have a hard-on for all things Asian, or what?
What you are trying to say is that I am not a real Buddhist because I am white. That is a raciest point.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Upset with the state of Christianity? You're "spiritual, but not religious"? (Translation: The willingness to believe in any religion that doesn't involve Jesus)
Translation: you can’t be a serious Buddhist because you are white.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
He, Buddha, never said it. Followers of Moses, Jesus or Mohammed will never say there is no god, or there's more than one. So a Buddhist claiming to believe in a god of any kind is just taking far too many liberties, and doesn't seem very serious.
And you based that on your extensive knowledge of Buddhism? BTW that was sarcastic.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Two years ago, I was waiting for a flight at DFW Airport in Dallas, and in the terminal I killed time but talking with a Buddhist Monk who was also waiting. He said he doesn't believe in any god because Buddha himself didn't and discouraged speculation of god. I think I'll take his word over your's.
As if all Buddhists have the same beliefs and think alike. That is just a silly as saying that all Christians think alike.
My personal beliefs are not to be confused with my Buddhist beliefs. I have never claimed that Buddhism believes in a god.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Enlightment aside, what does Buddhism "offer" you? How has it bettered your life? Denial of the self doesn't stirke me as very good for the mental health.
Denial of the self is a different sect of Buddhism.
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
That's true, but whether your average Buddhist wants to admit it or not, he's the most famous member of the religion and its unofficial poster-child. He knows a hell of a lot about the religion and makes for a better spokesperson than say...Richard Gere or Steven Segal. A rural farmer in Kansas may not know the difference between "Mahayana" and "Theravada", but if you show them a picture of the current Dalai Lama, they'll know who it is.
What type of Buddhism is he, Mahayana or Theravada?
Originally posted by Quiero Mota
No, because I hate that team. But people who aren't from New York or aren't really Yankee fans will wear the hat, because its a style. Same thing with a lot of Americans calling themselves Buddhist. Unlike Islam, its not a despised or feared religion in America, and most Americans don't know much about it, so its "cool" and "different" and "exotic".[QUOTE=12693380]Originally posted by Quiero Mota
[B] ^ I know you know what I'm saying.
But you do not know what I am saying.
i know what "im not religious im spiritual" is suppose to mean that being said alot of people in america mean it as "im not a christian im an insert eastern religion"
actually the more i think about it saying that seems offensive to the eastern religion since they are saying it is not a real religion
sigh.. ignorance and presumption at work.
"This is a man with a history of duty and patriotism. Not his punch lines, but his core beliefs. Some people don't know what to do when their belief system collapses. Bob Lee is one of those."
not everyone can understand the motivation of a particular person and its sure isnt up to you to decide how sincere it is for some one other then you.
most ppl dont know what having spiritual or military core beliefs are many raise a hand make an oath and forget it about it. others live it from waking moment to the day they die or become emotionally distraught when they realize they are the only ones who believe it while others trample and mock their beliefs.
Originally posted by mindbomb
i know what "im not religious im spiritual" is suppose to mean that being said alot of people in america mean it as "im not a christian im an insert eastern religion"
actually the more i think about it saying that seems offensive to the eastern religion since they are saying it is not a real religion
An awful lot of Eastern beliefs don't qualify as religions. They're philosophies and belief structure, certainly, but often no more a religion than being a Democrat is.
Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
An awful lot of Eastern beliefs don't qualify as religions. They're philosophies and belief structure, certainly, but often no more a religion than being a Democrat is.
but there are many eastern religions that would count as a religion
I knew a girl who said this and come to find out she is practicing hinduism