Your Views

[kaivalagi]

I agree wiki's are just that, but they provide a better insight into Buddhism that I would otherwise have...it would be nice if a practising Buddhist could share their views here, good to see the contrast I think. I wonder whether the same mixed opinion would come from asking say 100 buddhists from different denominations of their religion.

 

[chrisbassist]

Noun: religion
|ri'li‑jun|
A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny • he lost his religion but not his morality
= belief, faith, religious belief
An institution to express belief in a divine power • he was raised in the Baptist religion
= faith, organised religion, organized religion

consisting that definition, the lack of a creator wouldn't make a blind bit of difference.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

Seeing as this is our first topic on religion in General Chat, I think it is a good idea to remind members to review the forum rules before entering into this discussion.

So far our topics on politics have gone very well due to the mature & sensible posting habits of the members here, continuing in this manner will give the moderating team reason to let topics such as these continue.

Thank you!

Oh yeah thats another reason I don't like religion. They spead the hate againsed the gays.

That totally depends on the religion, in some it is forbidden, and in others if you commit you can repent your sins by asking for forgiveness.

How is one any better than the other? Both are saying its wrong. One you just can be forgiven for.

Betta5 let's have some respect to people's beliefs.

Oh yeah thats another reason I don't like religion. They spead the hate againsed the gays.

lets just say a big wizard in the sky started it

Those are my beliefs. Why can't you respect mine?

 

[kaivalagi]

Noun: religion
|ri'li‑jun|
A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny • he lost his religion but not his morality
= belief, faith, religious belief
An institution to express belief in a divine power • he was raised in the Baptist religion
= faith, organised religion, organized religion

consisting that definition, the lack of a creator wouldn't make a blind bit of difference.

Yep, I think we've established that Buddhism is just as much a religion as others, just a creator doesn't necessarily make it in the definition of it...

Like you've posted it's more about having a faith/belief in a higher power than yourself

Think back to the last census and how a lot of people put down that their religion was "Jedi", I'll link to wikipedia and the bbc: http/en.wikipedia....nsus_phenomenon / http/news.bbc.co.u.../uk/2757067.stm

Jedi was the 4th largest "religion" in the 2001 England census, atleast according to the wiki article anyway...

I loved this bit from the BBC article:

And in Sedgefield - Prime Minister Tony Blair's constituency - Knowsley, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Wear Valley all showed less than 0.2 per cent of respondents pledging support for the Jedi "faith".Unconfirmed reports suggests this may due to Jedi Knights falling victim to their "dark side".

 

[chrisbassist]

Strange considering I'm not sure Jedi would qualify as a religion. I thought it was explained as a particle type thing in the blood which helped your brain and muscles function better. Not as some kind of higher power.

Never mind eh?

I was just a little taken aback by the refusal to accept Buddhism as a religion. I have a friend who is a Tao Buddhist and so see it as a full religion. And found it reasonably offensive that it was dismissed as carelessly as that.

 

[kaivalagi]

Ah, but the higher power is the collective "metachlorines" in the universe, they are the higher power that brings all life together as one...not too dissimilar to how I see god, as life itself, a common thing we all have....

I wouldn't take it as an offence, I'd take it as a need for explainations being required...you're fortunate that you have a better understanding of it than say Betta5, having a friend involved in Buddhism obviously helps.

Much like how I have gay friends who give me a greater understanding of their way of life (not 100% insight mind you ). So in defence of Betta5's frustrations, if I were in my friends shoes I wouldn't like what some Christian denominations have to say about the matter...old ways and all that really I guess. The church needs to move on in this regard...which I think Krib' was trying to make a point about.

 

[kribensis12]

Much like how I have gay friends who give me a greater understanding of their way of life (not 100% insight mind you ). So in defence of Betta5's frustrations, if I were in my friends shoes I wouldn't like what some Christian denominations have to say about the matter...old ways and all that really I guess. The church needs to move on in this regard...which I think Krib' was trying to make a point about.

It's true. I do not support gays. We have "A day of silence" at our school. You do not speak if you are supporting gay people. I still speak. Does that mean I hate gay people? No. I love gay people, I love straight people, I love everyone. Committing the act of homosexuality is a sin. Why would I support someone's sin? I don't. There is a popular Christian View of "I hate the sin, not the sinner". Many gay people and people who no nothing about the Christian Religion think that Christians hate gays. Thats no true. I'm sure there are many extremists who cut and paste the bible and only read the part saying being gay is wrong. Those people are severely misguided. Which is why Christians need to take an active stance on the true message of Christianity , so people will not continue to be misguided.

 

[chrisbassist]

Yeah, no need for any offence, and I'm sure there was none meant. Sometimes it's a gut reaction though.

And I agree, I also don't agree with many (but not all) religions views on homosexuality.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

My view on organised religion is that it is a way of controlling people who cannot think for themselves. I do not believe you have to go to church everyday and follow a book that was written hundreds of years ago to pin point detail to be a good human being. The concept of god is quite conceivable in my eyes, but I am mostly into the science side of things, as it has what has advanced and benefited us humans the most over the years. Where as religion has caused nothing but conflict and death for those who chose to believe or was in the wrong religion.

Well that's a brief over view of my views, Sorry if anyone found any of that offensive it really wasn't meant to be.

 

[Betta5]

Much like how I have gay friends who give me a greater understanding of their way of life (not 100% insight mind you ). So in defence of Betta5's frustrations, if I were in my friends shoes I wouldn't like what some Christian denominations have to say about the matter...old ways and all that really I guess. The church needs to move on in this regard...which I think Krib' was trying to make a point about.

It's true. I do not support gays. We have "A day of silence" at our school. You do not speak if you are supporting gay people. I still speak. Does that mean I hate gay people? No. I love gay people, I love straight people, I love everyone. Committing the act of homosexuality is a sin. Why would I support someone's sin? I don't. There is a popular Christian View of "I hate the sin, not the sinner". Many gay people and people who no nothing about the Christian Religion think that Christians hate gays. Thats no true. I'm sure there are many extremists who cut and paste the bible and only read the part saying being gay is wrong. Those people are severely misguided. Which is why Christians need to take an active stance on the true message of Christianity , so people will not continue to be misguided.

Isn't it down to if you think gay is a choice? Like, well they are choosing to be that way, so thats why its wrong?

Why is the act of homosexuality wrong in the eyes of christians? Do they care that much what people are doing?

Not digging, trying to understand

 

[england]

My family used to go to a methodist church every sunday, but i have to say i actually do not follow a religion and do not wish to join any religion, my wife is a catholic which i do not mind if she wishe's to continue,

I think religion personally creates alot of unwanted wars...This is how i see religion, esp the catholic and protestant conflict's...which i grew up watching..

I think people have a right to be what ever or who ever they wish, no one has the right to say they condem or think its wrong..

 

[kribensis12]

Isn't it down to if you think gay is a choice? Like, well they are choosing to be that way, so thats why its wrong?

Why is the act of homosexuality wrong in the eyes of christians? Do they care that much what people are doing?

Not digging, trying to understand

Well, yes and no. Believing in God also means believing in the Devil. The Devil wants you to sin, wants you to stray from God. Going to heaven isn't as easy as "asking God into your heart" you can not ask God into your heart and still go to heaven. It's not even mentioned to ask God into your heart in the Bible. It's about following God, and dedicating your life to him. Back on track, the Devil had his own angels, which can simply toss the thought into your mind to commit a homosexual act, or actually possess you. Not only that, being gay is a choice. I have plenty of gay friends and they think of being gay almost as a taboo, and that's why most of them are like that. Also, thinking bad thoughts and actually doing them are two different things. Thinking those thoughts, they can be stemmed back to the devil. Actually following through, that's all you.
- Sorry if that wasn't coherent, just got back from work, and I am about to pass out from exhaustion.

My view on organised religion is that it is a way of controlling people who cannot think for themselves. I do not believe you have to go to church everyday and follow a book that was written hundreds of years ago to pin point detail to be a good human being. The concept of god is quite conceivable in my eyes, but I am mostly into the science side of things, as it has what has advanced and benefited us humans the most over the years. Where as religion has caused nothing but conflict and death for those who chose to believe or was in the wrong religion.

Ace: That's why I do not like "organized" religion. You do need to step into a church to love God. A Bible is all you really need. It tells the history of God and his people, and his son, JC. Quick fact, Churches are part of a "standardized christianity" . The original church was actually a group of people, meeting anywhere. A quote in the Bible goes something like this " Where ever two or more meet in my name, I will be with them" i.e. the Church. You could not "go to church" and be just as much as a #33### Follower as a die hard Church Goer. The Church nowadays is more of a guidance than anything. I can't imagine not going to church. I don't "Do Church:. i go there for a reason. To learn more about God and the Bible. To learn how to live for God. Church helps me clarify passages that I can not comprehend. Church helps me grow closer to God.

 

[kaivalagi]

My view on organised religion is that it is a way of controlling people who cannot think for themselves. I do not believe you have to go to church everyday and follow a book that was written hundreds of years ago to pin point detail to be a good human being. The concept of god is quite conceivable in my eyes, but I am mostly into the science side of things, as it has what has advanced and benefited us humans the most over the years. Where as religion has caused nothing but conflict and death for those who chose to believe or was in the wrong religion.

Well that's a brief over view of my views, Sorry if anyone found any of that offensive it really wasn't meant to be.

I think you're probably in the majority group Ace. Science leads the way for most of us these days and everything else needs to fit around that...that's what I think anyway.....maybe that is narrow minded or maybe religion is?

As for any offense, nooooo, it's all good and part of the bigger question, what are "Your Views"

 

[chrisbassist]

Not only that, being gay is a choice. I have plenty of gay friends and they think of being gay almost as a taboo, and that's why most of them are like that.

on this point I must disagree. To start with, if you are choosing to be gay, you're not really gay. Possibly bi, but not gay. I too have a few gay friends. All gay, because thinking of women in that way physically repulsed them. Maybe that's how you feel when you think of sleeping with another man? It is for me. And it's how they feel about sleeping with the opposite sex. Also, as a man, how do you CHOOSE which woman you are atracted to? You can't because it's not a choice. Your body, and brain have made the choice for you, it's not up to you who you find attractive.

Personally I find the thought of being gay disgusting, and completely horrible. But I would fight for my friends rights to be who they want to be with.


All your other points? Fair enough.

 

[kaivalagi]

Spot on Chris, I don't think it is a matter of choice for most, it's biological.

One of my lesbian friends did try being straight for a bit in her earlier sexually active years due to peer pressure and the general social pressures that were on her. She just couldn't handle it, it repulsed her.....she can't help being herself and it's wrong to think that she has a choice, it's not fair on her!