Religion/Theology

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Some Unitarian Universalists are atheists.

I was raised Presbyterian but am now Buddhist.

Some of us are Buddhists too.


Want to go get some coffee sometime?

[PhoenixAzul]

I was raised United Methodist, but converted to Catholicism. I am a practicing and happy Catholic, and again, disagree with church doctrine on certain things, but the faith itself, the teachings about Father Son and Holy Ghost, the communion and intervention of saints, is something that I believe in wholeheartedly.

All of that said, while I love going to Mass every week (and daily mass during finals week (hey, i'm already up, might as well go)), I do go to the non-denominational praise service at OC when I can, simply because it is a lot of fun, less formal, and more contemporary. Although while I was in Northern Ireland, a new group for Catholics on campus was formed (for rosary and saint's days, catholic issues on a methodist campus, etc), and there's become a Jewish Culture Club as well (to help eachother get to temple, celebrate holy days, shabbat, etc).

[tunatartare]

Are there any taoists on GC?

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

I'm Jewish. Ironically enough, I'm more observant than my parents are.

Oh yeah, I forgot this part. My mom was Jewish, so I did grow up Muslim, but with Jewish cultural overtones, lol.

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by mulattogyrl

Oh yeah, I forgot this part. My mom was Jewish, so I did grow up Muslim, but with Jewish cultural overtones, lol.

That's so cool. Did you observe both sets of holidays or how did that work?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

No, it isn't a non sequitur.

First, your views of Buddhism have nothing to do with me -- you can think whatever you want about it being a "life-philosophy" (whatever the hell that means), but that doesn't mean that I agree or that your opinion is relevant to me.

Second, even if Buddhism is a "life-philosophy" rather than a religion (a statement with which I disagree), I see no logical reason why it wouldn't be relevant to state that a person used to be X religion and now practices Y "life philosophy" (again, whatever the hell that means).

The original poster here asked people to discuss their "faith of choice." Whatever anyone describes as his or her "faith of choice" is his or her faith of choice. Frankly, I find your statements offensive -- I don't give a rat's ass what you think, but the fact that you would even consider trying to impose your rather limited views of a belief system on me is appalling. I mean, let me get this straight -- you're pretty much saying that what I've identified as my "faith of choice" is not a real religion. Again, I don't give a rat's ass, but saying something like that to anybody is offensive, period.

I didn't say "it's not a real religion" in the same way people here say that Professional GLOs aren't "real Greeks". It's not classified as a religion because of a lack of dogma and belief in a creator or god. But just because it's not classified as a religion, doesn't mean I'm saying it's some made-up nonsense. Buddhism has some great ideals. And if you want to get really into it, you could argue that ALL religion is "made-up", it had to start somewhere.

As far as it being non-sequitur...like I said, you could be a Buddhist Muslim, or a Buddhist Presbyterian for that matter. I know you probably meant your statement that you left the Presby church and now you are a Buddhist (or to become a Buddhist), but to someone who didn't know that you aren't Christian, that doesn't mean that's what happened. You wouldn't have to leave a Christian church to follow Buddhism.

I know it's your thing to jump to extreme conclusions, but really, you have taken what I've said and ran with it...very, very far away from what I originally said.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

That's so cool. Did you observe both sets of holidays or how did that work?

Well, we kind of recognized the Jewish holidays and celebrated the Muslim one (basically Ramadan, LOL). A lot of the sayings I grew up with, food, etc. were Jewish though. I think my daughter is more aware of Jewish holidays now than I was growing up, lol. However, I got to spend time with the Jewish side of my family. She hasn't gotten to experience that, unfortunately.

[tunatartare]

That's really cool.


mental image of a little girl wearing a hijab eating gefilte fish and saying "oy gevalt"

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I didn't say "it's not a real religion" in the same way people here say that Professional GLOs aren't "real Greeks". It's not classified as a religion because of a lack of dogma and belief in a creator or god. But just because it's not classified as a religion, doesn't mean I'm saying it's some made-up nonsense. Buddhism has some great ideals. And if you want to get really into it, you could argue that ALL religion is "made-up", it had to start somewhere.

As far as it being non-sequitur...like I said, you could be a Buddhist Muslim, or a Buddhist Presbyterian for that matter. I know you probably meant your statement that you left the Presby church and now you are a Buddhist (or to become a Buddhist), but to someone who didn't know that you aren't Christian, that doesn't mean that's what happened. You wouldn't have to leave a Christian church to follow Buddhism.

I know it's your thing to jump to extreme conclusions, but really, you have taken what I've said and ran with it...very, very far away from what I originally said.

Have I?

Questions:

Why is it your place to tell me that Buddhism is not classified as a religion?

Why are you attempting to speak with such authority on the subject of Buddhism?

Whose definition of "religion" requires belief in a creator or god?

I don't see a difference between saying "it's not a real religion" and saying "it's not a religion." I also completely disagree with the statement that someone can be a Buddhist Muslim or a Buddhist Presbyterian. I do not believe that one can be Buddhist and Christian or any other religion. It's fine if you disagree with me. However, it's not fine if you expect me to accept your statements about Buddhism as true.

Also, despite the fact that you've offended me, I'm trying to be respectful and not resort to personal insults. I would appreciate it if you would do the same.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

That's really cool.


mental image of a little girl wearing a hijab eating gefilte fish and saying "oy gevalt"

LOL!! Exactly. I told somebody in a PM one time that I would break my fast with Matzoh, LOL.

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by mulattogyrl

LOL!! Exactly. I told somebody in a PM one time that I would break my fast with Matzoh, LOL.

WHY??????? There has to be so much better stuff out there then matzah. Heck, just about anything out there is better than matzah. Although chocolate covered matzah is pretty tasty. Funny story: one year one of our new members couldn't pronounce my name and called me Matzah, and since then, everyone in my sorority and most of my friends call me that.

[AlphaFrog]

Link

The link is to an essay by Dorthy Figan of the Buddhist Publication Society that pretty much sums up what I've been told by religion and philosophy teachers about Buddhism. She also tends to agree that you can be Christian and Buddhist. Since you're the expert, what about Buddhism prevents someone from being a Christian too??

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Link

The link is to an essay by Dorthy Figan of the Buddhist Publication Society that pretty much sums up what I've been told by religion and philosophy teachers about Buddhism. She also tends to agree that you can be Christian and not Buddhist. Since you're the expert, what about Buddhism prevents someone from being a Christian too??

Well Christians think Christ (Jesus) died for them on the cross to get everyone salvation and Buddha said that you must "work out for yourself your own salvation [enlightenment]" then I think those ideas are pretty incompatible.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

Well Christians think Christ (Jesus) died for them on the cross to get everyone salvation and Buddha said that you must "work out for yourself your own salvation [enlightenment]" then I think those ideas are pretty incompatible.

No, not really. If you have reasoned for yourself that you really believe that Jesus died on the cross and that is your salvation, then you have worked out for yourself how you will be saved. It doesn't necessarily mean that you do anything but decide how you will be enlightened, and if your enlightenment comes through Jesus, then that's where it comes from.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Link

The link is to an essay by Dorthy Figan of the Buddhist Publication Society that pretty much sums up what I've been told by religion and philosophy teachers about Buddhism. She also tends to agree that you can be Christian and not Buddhist. Since you're the expert, what about Buddhism prevents someone from being a Christian too??

You're linking me to an essay that says you can be Christian and not Buddhist? I think most, if not all, Christians (and well, people) in the world already knew that, but thanks.

I never said I was an expert, nor do I claim to speak for all Buddhists. All I've been saying is: (1) you're wrong; (2) your statements have no validity to me.