Religion

[Man-Django]

Is it ok to talk about it?

 

I'm Christian by default due to my location and parents but giving serious consideration to becoming a Buddhist as it seems to be the most peaceful and focuses more on taking care of ones well-being.

Edited February 20, 2015 by TheMckeever

[t3h PeNgU1N oF d00m]

That's really cool.

[make total destroy]

Is it ok to talk about it?

 

I'm Christian by default due to my location and parents but giving serious consideration to becoming a Buddhist as it seems to be the most peaceful and focuses more on taking care of ones well-being.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_violence

[Zoobz]

[Dottie]

Its ok to talk about it unless you are:

Blatanly offending someone

Blatanly ripping on another religion

not shoving it down their throats

 

If you want to convert, go ahead

[Saikou]

We won't negotiate with terrorists.

[Fonz]

@Zoobz

Strong f*cking dimple!

Edited February 20, 2015 by Black_MiD

[AceThaCreator]

Its not a good idea to discuss just like politics. This is gonna turn ugly fast.

[S0lo]

Religion, when exercised by the common people, is socially acceptable insanity. I prefer reason, sanity and common sense. In my humble opinion religion has been the main factor in stunting the development of humanity as a whole. We'd probably already be doing deep-space exploration without that superstitious nonsense and all the lethal drama it has brought upon the world.

 

In the hands of those in charge it is a tool of social control, oppression and dominance. And what a shockingly effective one, as it installs the punisher within the ruled subjects themselves. It's applied psychology of the most wicked kind, and i deeply, deeply despise it.

 

No compromise possible on this. Probably the only thing i am radical about, and that without a hint of shame or regret.

[RavingWithJesus]

Is it ok to talk about it?

 

I'm Christian by default due to my location and parents but giving serious consideration to becoming a Buddhist as it seems to be the most peaceful and focuses more on taking care of ones well-being.

 

Pretty sure it's ok to talk about, unless you decide to rip on other religions. I'm not religious at all, but I've taken a class on religion in high school and college, and Buddhism seems like the most chill religion imo. I'm agnostic, so I honestly don't have any place on commenting on religion, but I'm all for people practicing whatever religion they want, as long as they aren't trying to convert others.

 

Anyway, if that's what you want to do, go for it, but it's completely up to you. Buddhism is a pretty cool religion, and like you said, it seems like the most peaceful religion (but that's just my opinion...).

Edited February 20, 2015 by RavingWithJesus

[Average white guy]

Yes.

Edited February 20, 2015 by Dr. Sadler

[S0lo]

Buddhist monks were just as corrupt as any other ruling elite before China waltzed in to Tibet, taxing the sh*t out of their subjects and living off their labor. There's not much rice to be bought from meditation and pseudo-deep babbling. And the Dalai Lama is a big a charlatan as any other sectarian leader. The whole "Free Tibet" thing was an, admittedly ingenious, propaganda stunt. Not that Tibet wouldn't deserve freedom, but not just from China, but also the old elites in charge of said campaign.

 

Had to bring that up, as Buddhism in its organized form is just as poisonous as all of the other religions. Read up on it, you'll be surprised.

[RavingWithJesus]

Buddhist monks were just as corrupt as any other ruling elite before China waltzed in to Tibet, taxing the sh*t out of their subjects and living off their labor. There's not much rice to be bought from meditation and pseudo-deep babbling. And the Dalai Lama is a big a charlatan as any other sectarian leader. The whole "Free Tibet" thing was an, admittedly ingenious, propaganda stunt. Not that Tibet wouldn't deserve freedom, but not just from China, but also the old elites in charge of said campaign.

 

Had to bring that up, as Buddhism in its organized form is just as poisonous as all of the other religions. Read up on it, you'll be surprised.

 

You're somewhat confusing Tibetan Buddhism with Zen Buddhism...

Edited February 20, 2015 by RavingWithJesus

[Coin]

Which Buddhist doctrine; Theravada (traditional) or Mahayana?

 

The most notable (I think from the perspective of someone converting from another religion) distinction between the two is how they view Buddha (or rather, the Buddhas). In Theravada, the Buddha is merely human. In Mahayana, the Buddha is treated as a celestial being; to be really simplistic, an omni-present deity ala God. There's more to it than that of course, but it's on you to research and make the decision (Buddhism is also further divided than just this, again research).

 

Secondly, are there any temples in your area? If so, what do they practice? Does it align with what most appeals to you from the research you've done above?

 

I've been down a similar path before, though Atheist->Buddhist. It's not a journey that I never really completed due to issues of practicality. The closest temple at the time was about 2 hrs away and was Vietnamese Buddhism (Mahayana) when I'd made the choice to go Theravada instead. The closest Tibetan temple was, IIRC, about 8 or 9 hours away. I consider it important that, if one is sincere about making the effort to convert, that you should be willing to learn and practice at a place of worship even if it is only on an irregular basis (at least initially). Otherwise, what's the point? Just label yourself as whatever and live in a way you feel appropriate.

[S0lo]

 

Buddhist monks were just as corrupt as any other ruling elite before China waltzed in to Tibet, taxing the sh*t out of their subjects and living off their labor. There's not much rice to be bought from meditation and pseudo-deep babbling. And the Dalai Lama is a big a charlatan as any other sectarian leader. The whole "Free Tibet" thing was an, admittedly ingenious, propaganda stunt. Not that Tibet wouldn't deserve freedom, but not just from China, but also the old elites in charge of said campaign.

 

Had to bring that up, as Buddhism in its organized form is just as poisonous as all of the other religions. Read up on it, you'll be surprised.

 

You're somewhat confusing Tibetan Buddhism with Zen Buddhism...

 

There wasn't a specification. I separate the scriptures from the churches, meaning i believe that much can be learned from studying almost any religions dogmas and texts, if one does it with the right approach and critical analysis. Those who claim to teach though are usually a rotten bunch, with rarely any exceptions. Just my personal experience.

[S0lo]

 

Buddhist monks were just as corrupt as any other ruling elite before China waltzed in to Tibet, taxing the sh*t out of their subjects and living off their labor. There's not much rice to be bought from meditation and pseudo-deep babbling. And the Dalai Lama is a big a charlatan as any other sectarian leader. The whole "Free Tibet" thing was an, admittedly ingenious, propaganda stunt. Not that Tibet wouldn't deserve freedom, but not just from China, but also the old elites in charge of said campaign.

 

Had to bring that up, as Buddhism in its organized form is just as poisonous as all of the other religions. Read up on it, you'll be surprised.

 

You're somewhat confusing Tibetan Buddhism with Zen Buddhism...

 

Is Zen Buddhism even a thing outside of western society? I always thought of it as a watered down version of the actual, highly complex traditional forms Coin just mentioned, made consumable and marketable as part of the holy new age trinity consisting of Zen/Yoga/Veganism. But maybe that just bias on my side.

 

Edit: sorry for the split post, i'm in a advanced state of insomnia.

Edited February 20, 2015 by King S0lo

[mr quick]

Uh oh. This will end up in tears, for sure.

 

 

 

Is it ok to talk about it?

I'm Christian by default due to my location and parents but giving serious consideration to becoming a Buddhist as it seems to be the most peaceful and focuses more on taking care of ones well-being.

 

Why the f*ck gosh-darn heck do you have to conform to any organized religion?

Edited February 20, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

Must... resist... urge... to troll...

Seriously, this thread is a perfect troll bait.

 

 

McKeever, like Marwin said, I would ditch the whole organised religion deal and just focus on individual growth. One can accomplish great things by freeing oneself from dogmatic chains.

[Coin]

 

Is Zen Buddhism even a thing outside of western society? I always thought of it as a watered down version of the actual, highly complex traditional forms Coin just mentioned, made consumable and marketable as part of the holy new age trinity consisting of Zen/Yoga/Veganism. But maybe that just bias on my side.

 

 

 

 

To be fair to Zen, it's the Japanese form of the Chinese Chan, which has been around since about 6th century roughly.

 

I do understand what you're trying to say though. I would probably assume that some adaptions have been made for the West but I can't profess to know. Zen is definitely vogue or hip though; the most likely to be encountered in the mainstream arena.

[Memes]

Must... resist... urge... to troll...

Seriously, this thread is a perfect troll bait.

 

 

McKeever, like Marwin said, I would ditch the whole organised religion deal and just focus on individual growth. One can accomplish great things by freeing oneself from dogmatic chains.

My urge to troll is killing me.

 

And yeah, what Marwin said.

[S0lo]

 

 

Is Zen Buddhism even a thing outside of western society? I always thought of it as a watered down version of the actual, highly complex traditional forms Coin just mentioned, made consumable and marketable as part of the holy new age trinity consisting of Zen/Yoga/Veganism. But maybe that just bias on my side.

 

 

 

 

To be fair to Zen, it's the Japanese form of the Chinese Chan, which has been around since about 6th century roughly.

 

I do understand what you're trying to say though. I would probably assume that some adaptions have been made for the West but I can't profess to know. Zen is definitely vogue or hip though; the most likely to be encountered in the mainstream arena.

 

thanks, always glad to learn something new. Now you got me thinking of Chans though... might need to revisit my old battlegrounds. Where trolling is a mephistophelian art-form and the cake is always a lie. I'm so doomed.

[El Dildo]

I'm Christian by default due to my location and parents

so is everybody else.

 

which is exactly why all religion is bullsh*t.

 

/thread

[Man-Django]

I'm gonna go through with the conversion, if Jesus wants me in his life he'll have to come to me... or get his dad to speak to me or all of us if he's all that powerful.

 

I don't care about what's going with the monks or in the news and I know most common religions are all interlinked and full of holes. I've always looked at God more as a Creator that's probably got better game-saves than this complex universe.

 

I watched Religilous recently. I miss my old Religous Moral & Philosphical Studies class, taught me to think outside the box. It is as bad to push religion on to people as it is to put it down.

Edited February 20, 2015 by TheMckeever

[Murdick]

Im not religious, but when jehovas knock on the door i find myself inviting them in and i sit nodding at the kitchen table for an hour or so because i dont have the heart to tell them to piss off.

[AlienTwo]

I'm gonna go through with the conversion, if Jesus wants me in his life he'll have to come to me... or get his dad to speak to me or all of us if he's all that powerful.

I don't care about what's going with the monks or in the news and I know most common religions are all interlinked and full of holes. I've always looked at God more as a Creator that's probably got better game-saves than this complex universe.

I watched Religilous recently. I miss my old Religous Moral & Philosphical Studies class, taught me to think outside the box. It is as bad to push religion on to people as it is to put it down.

Have you read any Buddhist texts? I'm reading The Bhagavad Gita right now, I guess it's tchnicallt Hindu, but a ton of the themes and concepts have been used in Buddhism. The noble eightfold path concept in particular...

Edited February 20, 2015 by Alien

[Man-Django]

I didn't read any texts but is that gonna be a thing. I thought I could just give off a good energy, look after myself and not hurt anyone.

 

My main reason was so if I'm a really good person in this life I can come back as Gold and Blue macaw (live to 100 years).

 

Seems more legit than sitting with everyone in heaven as Jesus died and forgave us for all our sins. Even Hitler!

[MyName'sJeff]

Apparently, in today's brainwashed society, it isn't. And in a forum like this, I'd advice you not to considering you'll get bashed upon for even mentioning it let alone already being in one or converting.

[S0lo]

I didn't read any texts but is that gonna be a thing. I thought I could just give off a good energy, look after myself and not hurt anyone.

 

My main reason was so if I'm a really good person in this life I can come back as Gold and Blue macaw (live to 100 years).

 

Seems more legit than sitting with everyone in heaven as Jesus died and forgave us for all our sins. Even Hitler!

 

If one reads only a single "religious" text in his whole life, the Tao Te Ching is what one would benefit most from, in my opinion (which is based on a very limited amount of knowledge of religious writings). While it was the origin of Taoism, as well as a major influence on many other -isms, it is itself far from, if not even the opposite, of religious dogma. I won't try to summarize or describe it any further, but i felt that, if you really feel a need in that part of you, the Tao is at very least the least likely to cause damage.

[EphemeralStar]

Apparently, in today's brainwashed society, it isn't. And in a forum like this, I'd advice you not to considering you'll get bashed upon for even mentioning it let alone already being in one or converting.

Shuttup, you've only been here two weeks.

 

 

Yes, religion is a perfectly fine topic to talk about - unfortunately, I know very little in regards to Buddhism despite taking an entire class on it. Good luck in your quest of knowledge.

[161isaiah161]

*grabs popcorn*