What if America was predominantly Buddhist instead of Christian?
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What if America was predominantly Buddhist instead of Christian?
Less people would go to Christian Churches :idunno:
The US would be poor.
No war machine.
It would be extremely hard to fathom. The US, in general, is very materialistic, something that doesn't really 'sit well' within the Buddhist doctrine.
There would be no war machine of course, Buddhism being a pacifist religion. Probably more harmony in personal ordeals, but the US would have little world power, as most of it was gained because of military strength and money.
Who made the gas attack on the Tokyo subway. I believe that was a Buddhist terrorist group. No person can live by the bible of their religion. Human nature will let them down if they try.:(Quote:
Originally Posted by lettuce
bigboab, you're fucking rediculous.
Why? What does rediculous mean?Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
It is a form of socialist lunacy ......I thinkQuote:
Originally Posted by bigboabWhy? What does rediculous mean?Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
What if America was truly Christian (turn the other cheek, if a man asks for your coat give him your shirt also, judge not lest you be judged)?.
No specific country is an expression of the higher philosophical values aspired to by individual adherents of religion (whatever flavour) and that most certainly includes politicians and religious leaders.
It is said Bhutan might come close but even then it is not without some problems.
I don't read the Mail now.:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by BigglesIt is a form of socialist lunacy ......I thinkQuote:
Originally Posted by bigboab
What if America was truly Christian (turn the other cheek, if a man asks for your coat give him your shirt also, judge not lest you be judged)?.
No specific country is an expression of the higher philosophical values aspired to by individual adherents of religion (whatever flavour) and that most certainly includes politicians and religious leaders.
It is said Bhutan might come close but even then it is not without some problems.
That is always a help..... no matter what the problem :shifty:Quote:
Originally Posted by bigboabI don't read the Mail now.:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggles
Unlike Christianity and Judaism, Buddhism is not frantically concerned with being good, it is concerned with being wise. It is also concerned with being compassionate, but that is a little different from being good. Having compassion is having tremendous sympathy, understanding and respect for all the ignorant people who don't know that they are each the godhead, but instead are playing the very deluded game of being you and I.
Americans present their society as being one of free initiative, individualism and idealism, when in reality these are mostly words. They are instead a centralized managerial industrial society, of an essentially bureaucratic nature, and motivated by a materialism which is only slightly mitigated by truly spiritual or religious concerns. They are the masters of doublethink.
If Americans were Buddhist, they would cease to practice doublethink and the world would be a better place. Atheists would also be recognized as citizens by George H.W. Bush:
"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God."
"There are only two means by which men can deal with one another: guns or logic. Force or persuasion. Those who know that they cannot win by means of logic, have always resorted to guns."
- Ayn Rand
Away and lie on your ribs. If you want to preach religion do it somewhere else.Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
You appear to have ignored my point regarding the religion they already claim to espouse. If Buddhist why would they pay it any more attention than the one they already have?Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
One could just as easily say if everyone was kind and good would there be less violence in society.
Well said young man.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by BigglesYou appear to have ignored my point regarding the religion they already claim to espouse. If Buddhist why would they pay it any more attention than the one they already have?Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
One could just as easily say if everyone was kind and good would there be less violence in society.
Nice try, but it is virtually impossible to act like Jesus as a Christian because the Christian theology specifically states that no one can be like him! How can you act enlightened, when you cannot be enlightened. In a Buddhist perspective, trying to achieve this impossible task is the main problem of Christianity (actually pedestalizing Jesus is the root of the problem.. I'll explain in the next paragraph). To combat this realization, early Catholics cleverly institutionalized "guilt" as a virtue. They say you will sin, but if you feel guilt and confess everything is alright!Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggles
About the early Christians pedstalizing Jesus as THE son of God, instead of just a son of god who anyone can be like...
From a Buddhist and Hindu perspective, Jesus was not too different than Buddha. Jesus was enlightened. He realized that he was part of the source, the godhead, brahman (whatever you want to call it - something indescribable) - at a very young age. Jesus was never introduced to eastern religions and spiritualities, so the only way he could describe his experience was to claim that he was a son of God! Of course he would have been immediately persecuted by the Jews if he had gone around telling everyone that, so he told everyone instead that he was instead the Messiah, from the book of Isaiah. And after he was crucified, his followers pedestalized him and worshiped him as a demigod without realizing that he was just a normal man who spontaneously became enlightened at an early age.
Not preaching, just comparing the two religions. I am and objective observer.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigboab
You are comparing them with a bias toward Buddhism. That is preaching in my book.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828Not preaching, just comparing the two religions. I am and objective observer.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigboab
P.S. As you will have guessed you are wasting your preaching on me.:rolleyes:
Likewise I consider myself quite impartial on this issue - I am not keen on any of these religions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828Nice try, but it is virtually impossible to act like Jesus as a Christian because the Christian theology specifically states that no one can be like him! How can you act enlightened, when you cannot be enlightened. In a Buddhist perspective, trying to achieve this impossible task is the main problem of Christianity (actually pedestalizing Jesus is the root of the problem.. I'll explain in the next paragraph). To combat this realization, early Catholics cleverly institutionalized "guilt" as a virtue. They say you will sin, but if you feel guilt and confess everything is alright!Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggles
About the early Christians pedstalizing Jesus as THE son of God, instead of just a son of god who anyone can be like...
From a Buddhist and Hindu perspective, Jesus was not too different than Buddha. Jesus was enlightened. He realized that he was part of the source, the godhead, brahman (whatever you want to call it - something indescribable) - at a very young age. Jesus was never introduced to eastern religions and spiritualities, so the only way he could describe his experience was to claim that he was a son of God! Of course he would have been immediately persecuted by the Jews if he had gone around telling everyone that, so he told everyone instead that he was instead the Messiah, from the book of Isaiah. And after he was crucified, his followers pedestalized him and worshiped him as a demigod without realizing that he was just a normal man who spontaneously became enlightened at an early age.
However, the basic principles of each are quite straight forward. As Jesus said "treat others as you would like them to treat you". I am quite sure that all the other religions have a similar ethos. However, world politics is based on self interest (usually unenlightened or short term self interest). Thailand is a Buddhist country and is not without problems and Burma is a mess. I don't think the US would be radically different from today if it were nominally a Buddhist country.
It is therefore tautology to say if all the people were nice they would be nice.
They would be nice regardless of religion or in many cases in spite of religion. I don't agree that people can't demonstrate the same compassion as demonstrated by someone like Jesus or Buddha simply because they are not in the right religious club. They can if they want to - but mostly they don't want to. They don't need much help to do it either - it is not a mystery.
Here's a clue for you, they are more than mostly words, they are actual, real, full blown words. What's more, some of us here know how to use them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
Here's another couple of real words for you: condescending, prick.
Buddha said..don't believe everything you read in books, especially buddhist ones...Quote:
Originally Posted by bigboabWho made the gas attack on the Tokyo subway. I believe that was a Buddhist terrorist group. No person can live by the bible of their religion. Human nature will let them down if they try.:(Quote:
Originally Posted by lettuce
And there is a place for material aspects in Buddhism... we have to do something with our time here :)
I've a nodding familiarity with those words, I think. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by lynx
If America was a Buddhist nation, I doubt anyone would feel compelled to ask the question you have asked.
What if, say, Russia was a Buddhist nation?
What if the mid-east was predominately Buddhist?
There are a brazillion ways to achieve your end, Enigma, but somehow you see only one.
One might as well ask why stupid people are allowed access to the internet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4I've a nodding familiarity with those words, I think. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by lynx
If America was a Buddhist nation, I doubt anyone would feel compelled to ask the question you have asked.
What if, say, Russia was a Buddhist nation?
What if the mid-east was predominately Buddhist?
There are a brazillion ways to achieve your end, Enigma, but somehow you see only one.
One might as well ask why stupid people are allowed access to the internet.
I 2nd that. And everything Biggles has said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828Nice try, but it is virtually impossible to act like Jesus as a Christian because the Christian theology specifically states that no one can be like him! How can you act enlightened, when you cannot be enlightened. In a Buddhist perspective, trying to achieve this impossible task is the main problem of Christianity (actually pedestalizing Jesus is the root of the problem.. I'll explain in the next paragraph). To combat this realization, early Catholics cleverly institutionalized "guilt" as a virtue. They say you will sin, but if you feel guilt and confess everything is alright!Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggles
About the early Christians pedstalizing Jesus as THE son of God, instead of just a son of god who anyone can be like...
From a Buddhist and Hindu perspective, Jesus was not too different than Buddha. Jesus was enlightened. He realized that he was part of the source, the godhead, brahman (whatever you want to call it - something indescribable) - at a very young age. Jesus was never introduced to eastern religions and spiritualities, so the only way he could describe his experience was to claim that he was a son of God! Of course he would have been immediately persecuted by the Jews if he had gone around telling everyone that, so he told everyone instead that he was instead the Messiah, from the book of Isaiah. And after he was crucified, his followers pedestalized him and worshiped him as a demigod without realizing that he was just a normal man who spontaneously became enlightened at an early age.
You should read your bible more. Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. The Jewish definition of a messiah was one who would free them from Roman rule.
If you are not a Christian you would not think of Jesus as the Son of God, obviously.
Jesus was not spontaneously enlightened,as you claim. This simply fits into your idea of epiphany. There was no enlightenment. If you were to actually read the bible you would see that Jesus was originally with and within the spirit.
Jesus also claimed many many times that the power he had was given to him by the Father. He never claimed to be God.
Here is a tip for you on your road to enlightenment. All of this discussion means nothing. You must Be. Empty as the Void.
Now go sit under a tree.
They were also originally written about 1984. (The book not the year).Quote:
Originally Posted by lynxHere's a clue for you, they are more than mostly words, they are actual, real, full blown words. What's more, some of us here know how to use them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
Here's another couple of real words for you: condescending, prick.
His other stuff's probably plagiarised as well, I can't be arsed reading it.Quote:
We present our society as being one of free initiative, individualism and idealism, when in reality these are mostly words. We are a centralized managerial industrial society, of an essentially bureaucratic nature, and motivated by a materialism which is only slightly mitigated by truly spiritual or religious concerns. Related to this is another example of "doublethink," namely that few writers, discussing atomic strategy, stumble over the fact that killing, from a Christian standpoint, is as evil or more evil than being killed. The reader will find many other features of our present Western society in Orwell's description in 1984, provided he can overcome enough of his own "doublethink."
there would be buddha statues everywhere
i agree :) but i am in uk so i should not worryQuote:
Originally Posted by AmpeD
xXx zoey :)
There would be no Mexican wall/barrier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma271828
It would still be there. It would just work in reverse.:P
lol yes..
Would all the domestic large animals that fed on smaller animals perish because the buddhist couldn't sacrifice one life to save another, all life being equally valuable and all that.... I always wondered how they dealt with that dilemma...??? ''Oh Buddha what should I do'' ...My point is I don't think the Americans would be able to cope with that sort of paradox and their country would implode...Just my opinion.....
If the Americans were all Buddhists it would not be a dilemma to them.:)
What domestic animal are you talking about..that feed on smaller ones ..Chickens...Lions or Tigers...Quote:
Originally Posted by benchez
No one ever approaces Buddha like that..in fact sef-reliance is what is taught so don't come with such dis-information and downright stupidity, Benchez...
It's clear that America has a lot to learn from Buddhist values, that there is much work to be done integrating these major worldviews moving forward.
And we can see such movement occuring, in the increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Of course, it's still a long, hard road ahead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by polarix
What values could Americans learn from Buddha as opposed to Christian values?
Yes, I wonder.Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxOverlordQuote:
Originally Posted by polarix
What values could Americans learn from Buddha as opposed to Christian values?
We've elbowed our way to the front of the pack with what we have, and I'll be damned if I can see an upside to incorporating other "major worldviews", such as "jihad".
In the interest of equality (and we must admit that overweening concern is at the base of such concerns, yes?) why don't we insist that the "worldview" espoused by the U.S. be adopted universally?
Now there's a formula for success. :whistling
Well, there's a slight difference between militant islam and buddhism. I think the 'jihad', or the 'crusade' j2k4 seems to be espousing (are you being facetious?), is about as far from a buddhist concept as can be.
Perhaps if true (mystical) Christian values caught on, it would have a similar effect as the introduction of Buddhist values. But what I'm saying would be very valuable to the US is a measure of introspection and a sense of responsibility to one's surroundings.
j2k4, I really hope you're joking.:mellow:
Once you delve into "major worldviews", you've expanded the palette to include much more than Buddhism, and arrived at a point at which I would really hope you're joking.Quote:
Originally Posted by polarix
While we're on the subject, maybe you could explain to me what about Buddhism, apart from it's passive/pacifist characteristics, stirs you so. :whistling
Promoting Buddhism as a pacifist way of life is a myth. They have broken up into various sects as have all other 'ways of life'. I cant remember offhand any organization formed by man that has not broken up into sects through squabbling and such like.Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4Once you delve into "major worldviews", you've expanded the palette to include much more than Buddhism, and arrived at a point at which I would really hope you're joking.Quote:
Originally Posted by polarix
While we're on the subject, maybe you could explain to me what about Buddhism, apart from it's passive/pacifist characteristics, stirs you so. :whistling
As I said earlier one such Buddhist sect was believed to have been responsible for the Tokyo subway(Not the sandwich place:)) bombings.
I have included a link to an article about Buddhist violence down the ages. If you have a spare half hour.:P
http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html
Thank you, Robert; now I shant get a response from Polarix. :whistlingQuote:
Originally Posted by bigboabPromoting Buddhism as a pacifist way of life is a myth. They have broken up into various sects as have all other 'ways of life'. I cant remember offhand any organization formed by man that has not broken up into sects through squabbling and such like.Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4
As I said earlier one such Buddhist sect was believed to have been responsible for the Tokyo subway(Not the sandwich place:)) bombings.
I have included a link to an article about Buddhist violence down the ages. If you have a spare half hour.:P
http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html