Philosophical Religions - Rubbish?

[theBishop]

I don't understand why so many people on this forum seem to say "monotheistic religions are for the birds, now Buddism, those people are onto something"...

Buddhism is a "made up" religion. A dude went out one day, had a vision, changed his name and somehow this is something you guys say "yeah, I can get behind that".

I can understand if you wanna say God doesn't exist, or Jesus was just some dude, but the bible is a historical account from more than a dozen people over the course of hundreds of years. How is that somehow less credible than than Buddhism.

I think i've made it clear enough that I'm a christian on this board, but I have a great deal of respect for philosophy and logical thought. I think this unanimous respect for Buddism is kind of lazy.

to be really honest, I think most people on this board that are saying bad stuff about theists and lauding philosophical religions are just biased because they had Jesus fed to them when they were young and are rebeilling now.

I will say that the thought behind Buddhism is interesting, but when I put my faith in a religion, I actually believe in it because i think it's true, not because it's the Coolest idea, i think the bible is a credible account. I don't think some guy's day dream is a credible account.

Go ahead and tear me up,

thebishop

[ilbastardoh]

Try looking at what you just said. Are you going to tell me Christianity isn't a "made up" religion as you put it? Yet why are the prophecies and some stories in the "bible" found in pagan folklore, that existed 100's of years before christianity? You mean to say we should take the "bible" literally as statements of fact? The gospels were written long after the death of yoshua, in fact those who wrote the gospels, probably wouldn't recognize him if they bumped into him in the street. What if I decided to write my own bible(read historical account) based on what we know now. All I would have to do is include some personal opinions about ethics and call it the word of God. Would that make my book any more Bible than your precious king james VERSION? Also not to mention the "bible" has been edited numerous times. Some books were taken out, some of the translations aren't accurate. Not to mention the people who edited the "bible" had a lot of wealth and political power and had a lot to gain by having certain statements ommited or included. Why even now the church has enough money to end world hunger 2 times over? What do a bunch of clergymen who swore a life of poverty need with that much money?

I don't care if I offend you, but I'd rather believe a made up idea than a institution for sheep like christianity.

[sp0rkius]

Christianity's bullshit. Islam's bullshit. Jeudaism is bullshit. Hinduism is bullshit. Seikhism is bullshit. Buddhism is bullshit too. I don't believe any of them fully, but that doesn't mean I can't follow their teachings. Most people seem to like the teachings of Buddhism, the buddhist outlook on life, and good for them. If we were all Buddhist or Hindu the world would be a better place.

[IzzyReele]

how can you even say their teachings are that different?

isn't...

do unto others as you'd have others do unto you

bad karma begets bad karma, good karma begets good karma

the exact same as the laymen's "what goes around comes around."?

[sp0rkius]

quote:Originally posted by IzzyReele:

how can you even say their teachings are that different?

isn't...

do unto others as you'd have others do unto you

bad karma begets bad karma, good karma begets good karma

the exact same as the laymen's "what goes around comes around."?

Ok, one teaching is the same. Well done.

[FreeMind]

First of all, I am Buddhist. And Bishop, I found your post incredibly offensive. Not only does you post show a lack of respect for Buddhism (or any other religion), but it shows a lack of knowledge about Buddhism.

quote:

Buddhism is a "made up" religion. A dude went out one day, had a vision, changed his name and somehow this is something you guys say "yeah, I can get behind that".

This same example can be used for Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Islam. The prophet of which ever religion had a revalation/vision/message from god, whatever. He may or may not have changed his name and then began telling others of his experience.

quote:

I can understand if you wanna say God doesn't exist

God's existence or lack thereof is not a cornerstone of Buddhist teachings. The Buddha taught that the idea of god has its origins in fear. Early humans lived in a world full of dangers and created the idea of god to comfort them. Even now this can still be seen: in times of crisis people still claim that through god's power, they survived. The Buddha didn't believe in god because there is no evidence to support that idea. Most religions believe that they have the true word of god in their holy book, that they alone understand god's true nature and that only their god exists, but have no scientific evidence to support it.

quote:

the bible is a historical account from more than a dozen people over the course of hundreds of years

The bible is not a reliable historical account. Most historians do not acknowledge the bible as a history book. The main reason for this being that it has no collaborating sources or physical evidence to support it. The fact that it is written by several people over hundreds of years also refutes the statement that it is a historical account. Also many of the books are filled with hearsay, telling of events that supposedly happened hundreds, if not thousands of years prior to the writing of the Bible.

quote:

How is that somehow less credible than than Buddhism.

This is less credible than Buddhism because all of the Buddha's teachings can be reaffirmed by observing the real world.

quote:

I think this unanimous respect for Buddism is kind of lazy.

I would argue the opposite. I feel that blind belief in Christianity is lazy. Christians simply accept the teachings of Jesus without really thinking about them. Buddhism requires believers to prove for themselves that the Buddha's teachings are correct. Which one is lazier: Blind faith or deep meditation?

quote:

I will say that the thought behind Buddhism is interesting, but when I put my faith in a religion, I actually believe in it because i think it's true, not because it's the Coolest idea, i think the bible is a credible account. I don't think some guy's day dream is a credible account.

That is the most ignorant part of your post. No true Buddhist is a Buddhist because it is the "coolest idea," they believe it because it is backed up by evidence that they can see for themselves in the real world. Saying that the Buddha's enlightenment was only a daydream shows the true extent of your ignorance. Over a period of six years the Buddha traveled and experimented and meditated and learned from the great thinkers of his time. Through these experiences he came to realize the nature of the world. His discovery was so profound that he sat in the same spot for 45 days. That, my friend, is no mere daydream.

[---Beany---]

^ Don't take these people too seriously. Half of them don't know shit anyway.

[This message has been edited by ---Beany--- (edited 02-17-2004).]

[homosuperior]

Good post freemind!

Buddhism, which can hardly be classified as a "religion", is the only "religion" which accepts all religions. Buddhists never fight crusades, kill in the name of "God", or force others to believe in their own beliefs.

Just want to give kudos to freemind, beany, ilbastardoh, W 40oz2Freedom W, phrensied rabbit and all other buddhists. After reading through numerous comments, I would have to say that yours were the most understanding, something we need a lot of in this world. I'm glad to see, despite all the negativity and intolerance, that there are a few out there that have the courage to walk the neutral path, where you are sided with no one, and in all directions you are subject to the hate and criticism of others. It is not an easy path that we choose as the banner carriers for all of humanity. We have different beliefs, but choose the road of neutrality, not through inactivity, but through love and understanding. Not all roads are the same for all people. And we have figured that out, though I am afraid that our numbers are few, but at least with people like you and others there is hopefully a chance for peace and mutual respect.

[Aphelion Corona]

quote:Originally posted by homosuperior:

Buddhists never fight crusades, kill in the name of "God",

But they do kill for what they believe in, which is the same thing as killing in the name of God.

<A HREF="http://www.quangduc.net/BoTatQuangDuc/Tuthieu.jpg"></A>

[FreeMind]

quote:

But they do kill for what they believe in, which is the same thing as killing in the name of God.

Yes, Buddhists do kill for what they believe in, but they only kill themselves. Buddhists hold all life sacred and recognize that they have no right to take another person's life. Note in your picture that the Buddhist monk has only lit himself on fire. (Also that picture is the the cover to Rage Against the Machine's first album)

Also thanks to homosuperior for your acknowledgement and kindness.