Perhaps some of you would enjoy <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarianism' target='_blank'>Rasta</a>, as they have a religious ceremony where they gather and smoke "ganja" (marijuana), and discuss ethical, social and religious issues.
Well, I'd pick Judaism. Also it's kind of cheating on my part, since I actually <i>am</i> Jewish, but I'm an atheist. It just seems the most rational out of all the religions (possibly since it's the oldest, so it's had a <i>lot</i> of time for its fanboys to rationalise the ambiguities. Religion is a <i>lot</i> like sci-fi\fantasy...)
Also, the bible is actually a really good read. If you actually think about the story, historically accurate or not, it's a great tale. It's also written interestingly; phrases like "and to this day, it still <whatever>" actually come from there first. It's kind of fun to try to read it in Hebrew, too.
One of the things which we discussed in Beliefs and Values at school (I went to a Jewish school for highschool and most of primary school (mostly the reason I'm now an atheist, actually :/)) was how compatible Buddhism is with Judaism, so Buddhism would be a close second for me. It's got a few strange ideas (I don't agree with the fundamental concept that desire leads to suffering; it sounds <i>way</i> too much like <a href='http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238380/' target='_blank'>Equilibrium</a> to me), but it's peaceful and nonviolent, and that gets points in my book.
Shinto is kind of nice, too. Very innocuous. A religion that teaches respect for nature and for one's ancestors, rather than fiery religious righteousness.
Oh, and if it actually <i>worked</i>, then Jedi. Obviously.
BreakthroughTexture Artist (ns_prometheus)Join Date: 2005-03-27Member: 46620Members, Constellation
<!--QuoteBegin-Depot+Jun 20 2005, 08:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Depot @ Jun 20 2005, 08:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Perhaps some of you would enjoy <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarianism' target='_blank'>Rasta</a>, as they have a religious ceremony where they gather and smoke "ganja" (marijuana), and discuss ethical, social and religious issues. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> 'Tis the one for me <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
LikuI, am the Somberlain.Join Date: 2003-01-10Member: 12128Members
<!--QuoteBegin-Mullet+Jun 20 2005, 08:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mullet @ Jun 20 2005, 08:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If we are all god's children, what makes Jesus so special? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> HAHAHAHA Nice.
NarfwakJoin Date: 2002-11-02Member: 5258Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS1 Playtester, Playtest Lead, Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Silver, Reinforced - Gold, Reinforced - Diamond, Reinforced - Shadow, Subnautica PT Lead, NS2 Community Developer
The religion of America - that is, secularism, faith in the Constitution, belief in the wisdom of the founding fathers, the need for transparency in government, and, of course, the desire for a strong, democratic republic.
Don't think it's a religion? I guess you never went to public school in the states.
<!--QuoteBegin-Narfwak+Jun 21 2005, 05:13 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Narfwak @ Jun 21 2005, 05:13 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The religion of America - that is, secularism, faith in the Constitution, belief in the wisdom of the founding fathers, the need for transparency in government, and, of course, the desire for a strong, democratic republic.
Don't think it's a religion? I guess you never went to public school in the states. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> you forgot lots of money
<!--QuoteBegin-Mullet+Jun 20 2005, 10:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mullet @ Jun 20 2005, 10:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->If we are all god's children, what makes Jesus so special?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Because Jesus is a part of The Holy Trinity (not God's son at all - more like a son-manifestation of him?)
And anyways, buddhism isn't all that great. There's so much dogma involved (Christ, they have THIRTY THREE GODS, not just one). Plus, giving up worldly posessions and goals is a lot harder than it looks when you read it. And hell, I don't want to forsake my goals. People should actively seek to change the world - not live alone and cut out.
If you were holding a gun to my head? I'd probably become a <a href='http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8041_1.html' target='_blank'>Unitarian Universalist</a>
<!--QuoteBegin-Dubbilex+Jun 21 2005, 08:24 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dubbilex @ Jun 21 2005, 08:24 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Mullet+Jun 20 2005, 10:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mullet @ Jun 20 2005, 10:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->If we are all god's children, what makes Jesus so special?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Because Jesus is a part of The Holy Trinity (not God's son at all - more like a son-manifestation of him?)
And anyways, buddhism isn't all that great. There's so much dogma involved (Christ, they have THIRTY THREE GODS, not just one). Plus, giving up worldly posessions and goals is a lot harder than it looks when you read it. And hell, I don't want to forsake my goals. People should actively seek to change the world - not live alone and cut out.
If you were holding a gun to my head? I'd probably become a <a href='http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8041_1.html' target='_blank'>Unitarian Universalist</a> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Thirty three gods? When did that happen? Are you sure you didn't mistake Hinduism for Buddhism? Many Buddhists incorporated Hindu and Chinese Gods with Buddhism, and it caused some confusions even among Buddhists.
All these talk about sacrificing stuffs, total seclusion, giving up all forms of luxury, people talked about Buddhism is no different from the facts that Christians a) are not supposed to eat cheeseburger b)must practice Sabbath by not doing anything from Saturday morning to Sunday morning c)can't eat pork d) settle rape by marrying the women and paying the family with some golds.
They've been adopted from Vedic culture over the centuries - a concept referred to as syncretism. Yet, unlike in many other religions, they are not the focal point.
Buddhist gods are not all-powerful and do not dominate human affairs - they do not punish and the only rule they follow is the true Law of the Universe. Many are not immortal and wield no power greater than a normal human would. They are not cultivated from divinity; they come from life itself.
Even the Buddhist mandala [the wheel], perhaps one of the most significant symbols in Buddhism, has a Heaven and a Hell and has demons and Asuras [a poor english translation would be power-hungry or jealous gods]. Apparently this is all supposed to explain the four truths although I've completely never understood how, but the point is that buddhism is not nearly as simple as it is made out to be.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->All these talk about sacrificing stuffs, total seclusion, giving up all forms of luxury, people talked about Buddhism is no different from the facts that Christians a) are not supposed to eat cheeseburger b)must practice Sabbath by not doing anything from Saturday morning to Sunday morning c)can't eat pork d) settle rape by marrying the women and paying the family with some golds.
Stuffs can be compromised.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> The thread's question becomes meaningless if we're going to compromise the religion. What does it matter if I choose Christianity or Buddhism if I can dilute them down to whatever I want them to be? If I alter Christianity to be just "love thy neighbour", or Buddhism to be just "be nice to people", it's kinda pointless.
<!--QuoteBegin-Snidely+Jun 21 2005, 10:09 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Snidely @ Jun 21 2005, 10:09 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->All these talk about sacrificing stuffs, total seclusion, giving up all forms of luxury, people talked about Buddhism is no different from the facts that Christians a) are not supposed to eat cheeseburger b)must practice Sabbath by not doing anything from Saturday morning to Sunday morning c)can't eat pork d) settle rape by marrying the women and paying the family with some golds.
Stuffs can be compromised.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> The thread's question becomes meaningless if we're going to compromise the religion. What does it matter if I choose Christianity or Buddhism if I can dilute them down to whatever I want them to be? If I alter Christianity to be just "love thy neighbour", or Buddhism to be just "be nice to people", it's kinda pointless. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> its all relative!
Comments
Also, the bible is actually a really good read. If you actually think about the story, historically accurate or not, it's a great tale. It's also written interestingly; phrases like "and to this day, it still <whatever>" actually come from there first. It's kind of fun to try to read it in Hebrew, too.
One of the things which we discussed in Beliefs and Values at school (I went to a Jewish school for highschool and most of primary school (mostly the reason I'm now an atheist, actually :/)) was how compatible Buddhism is with Judaism, so Buddhism would be a close second for me. It's got a few strange ideas (I don't agree with the fundamental concept that desire leads to suffering; it sounds <i>way</i> too much like <a href='http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238380/' target='_blank'>Equilibrium</a> to me), but it's peaceful and nonviolent, and that gets points in my book.
Shinto is kind of nice, too. Very innocuous. A religion that teaches respect for nature and for one's ancestors, rather than fiery religious righteousness.
Oh, and if it actually <i>worked</i>, then Jedi. Obviously.
'Tis the one for me <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
You can quote me on that.
HAHAHAHA Nice.
What's this based on? I don't see the point in picking one. Unless my membership card in said religion guarantees fun parties on demand.
Don't think it's a religion? I guess you never went to public school in the states.
Don't think it's a religion? I guess you never went to public school in the states. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
you forgot lots of money
... oops, turns out I'm not an athiest, I shouldn't be posting in here <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Spetsnaz: Who's Jed?
Because Jesus is a part of The Holy Trinity (not God's son at all - more like a son-manifestation of him?)
And anyways, buddhism isn't all that great. There's so much dogma involved (Christ, they have THIRTY THREE GODS, not just one). Plus, giving up worldly posessions and goals is a lot harder than it looks when you read it. And hell, I don't want to forsake my goals. People should actively seek to change the world - not live alone and cut out.
If you were holding a gun to my head? I'd probably become a <a href='http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8041_1.html' target='_blank'>Unitarian Universalist</a>
Because Jesus is a part of The Holy Trinity (not God's son at all - more like a son-manifestation of him?)
And anyways, buddhism isn't all that great. There's so much dogma involved (Christ, they have THIRTY THREE GODS, not just one). Plus, giving up worldly posessions and goals is a lot harder than it looks when you read it. And hell, I don't want to forsake my goals. People should actively seek to change the world - not live alone and cut out.
If you were holding a gun to my head? I'd probably become a <a href='http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8041_1.html' target='_blank'>Unitarian Universalist</a> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thirty three gods? When did that happen? Are you sure you didn't mistake Hinduism for Buddhism? Many Buddhists incorporated Hindu and Chinese Gods with Buddhism, and it caused some confusions even among Buddhists.
All these talk about sacrificing stuffs, total seclusion, giving up all forms of luxury, people talked about Buddhism is no different from the facts that Christians a) are not supposed to eat cheeseburger b)must practice Sabbath by not doing anything from Saturday morning to Sunday morning c)can't eat pork d) settle rape by marrying the women and paying the family with some golds.
Stuffs can be compromised.
... oops, turns out I'm not an athiest, I shouldn't be posting in here <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Spetsnaz: Who's Jed? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
as in Jedi, you know use the force etc etc.
Buddhist gods are not all-powerful and do not dominate human affairs - they do not punish and the only rule they follow is the true Law of the Universe. Many are not immortal and wield no power greater than a normal human would. They are not cultivated from divinity; they come from life itself.
Even the Buddhist mandala [the wheel], perhaps one of the most significant symbols in Buddhism, has a Heaven and a Hell and has demons and Asuras [a poor english translation would be power-hungry or jealous gods]. Apparently this is all supposed to explain the four truths although I've completely never understood how, but the point is that buddhism is not nearly as simple as it is made out to be.
Stuffs can be compromised.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The thread's question becomes meaningless if we're going to compromise the religion. What does it matter if I choose Christianity or Buddhism if I can dilute them down to whatever I want them to be? If I alter Christianity to be just "love thy neighbour", or Buddhism to be just "be nice to people", it's kinda pointless.
Stuffs can be compromised.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The thread's question becomes meaningless if we're going to compromise the religion. What does it matter if I choose Christianity or Buddhism if I can dilute them down to whatever I want them to be? If I alter Christianity to be just "love thy neighbour", or Buddhism to be just "be nice to people", it's kinda pointless. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
its all relative!