Does God exist?

Somehow, the thread evolved (devolved) into a challenge as to whether a Jew can be a Christian. While there may indeed be a group that identifies itself as Jews for Christ, I doubt they would call themselves Christian. Otherwise, they'd call themselves Christians for Christ.

The two faiths are not mutually exclusive. One is borne of the other, which itself is borne of another. The lineage can be traced with certainty back a few thousand years before Judaism emerged.

As for the Question, I have no idea whether or not God exists. At least not the God profiled in the Old and new Testament...or, for that matter, any of the other religious texts currently available.

I live within ten minutes of the shores of the Pacific Ocean. I live on an Island that used to be covered with a kilometer of ice. I live in a part of the world that is dominated by rain forests. I'm pretty sure that My God is everywhere I cast my glance. I see God in my son's smile. I see God in the gestures extended to the homeless by kind and caring people. I hear God when I sit on the beach. I feel God when my wife holds me.

Finally, if you don't like my response to your question, ignore me. Or don't pose the question.

No, I don't believe (any) god exists. Then again, I'm a Buddhist. We prefer to believe in humanity.

I realise that sounds trite. Such are cosmic religions. I do see where you're coming from, there are many things in this world that seem amazing and beyond our capacities are humans, both in their creation and their understanding.

Posted by honorabright No, I don't believe (any) god exists. Then again, I'm a Buddhist. We prefer to believe in humanity. I realise that sounds trite. Such are cosmic religions. I do see where you're coming from, there are many things in this world that seem amazing and beyond our capacities are humans, both in their creation and their understanding.

It's a shame you didn't weigh in on the previous thread. Your input would have been very welcome.

Buddhism is fascinating to me. And I'm very interested in your perspectives...so please, tell me more.

Well, I suppose most relevant to your question would be the way we conceptualize divinity. The quick and dirty answer to that question is, "We don't."

Buddhists believe that man has the innate potential to deliver himself from suffering, which, incidently, is the First Noble Truth for Buddhists. "Life is suffering." We don't believe in arbitrary destinies (and I don't mean that as a derogatory to other religions), or divine influence. Instead of faith, Buddhist try to demonstrate loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom towards every individual. These actions relate to our kamma (or karma), and determines the state to which we will be reborn after one death. Although we sometimes use the terms heaven and hell, we are mainly referring to mental states. So, a cruel or unkind person will be reborn in perhaps a lower body type, or as a human plagued by anxiety.

Buddhism is certainly not for everyone, but I do stress than Buddhists have a great respect for other religions and do not consider different beliefs to be exclusive to our practices, although many in other religions do.

Posted by honorabright ...Buddhist try to demonstrate loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom towards every individual.

Sounds kinda Christian. Are you sure you're not a Buddhist for Christ?

Posted by KublaKhan Sounds kinda Christian. Are you sure you're not a Buddhist for Christ?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure.

Posted by honorabright Yeah, I'm pretty sure.

Maybe a Christian for Buddha?

Posted by KublaKhan Maybe a Christian for Buddha?

Negatory.

Posted by honorabright Negatory.

Oh. So it's pure Buddhism. Which is to say, a non-faith-based philosophy of principles...perhaps a place where intellect and an acute spiritual awareness of the wholeness or totality guides the individual towards a point of transcendence? Something like that?

Posted by KublaKhan Oh. So it's pure Buddhism. Which is to say, a non-faith-based philosophy of principles...perhaps a place where intellect and an acute spiritual awareness of the wholeness or totality guides the individual towards a point of transcendence? Something like that?

That's what the man in the yellow robe tells me.

But less totality, more awareness, and you've got it.

Posted by honorabright That's what the man in the yellow robe tells me. But less totality, more awareness, and you've got it.

Well this certainly appeals more than any 'fall-on-your-knees-and-beg-your-creator-for-forgiveness-lest-you-burn-in-hell-for-eternity' shit I grew up with, and then rejected as the empty threats of fascist control freaks.

Where do I sign up for this transcendence thing?

Posted by KublaKhan Where do I sign up for this transcendence thing?

I think Buddhists more commonly refer to transcendence as "freedom of the mind." There are certain stages you pass through to achieve freedom of the mind, and (oh my gosh we're so lucky) the stage before freedom is...wait for it...repulsion.

And the stage before that? Chronic depression. It has a fancier term, but it escapes me at the moment. I think the euphemism is "a fading of passion."

So, when you've gone catatonic on your sofa for a few weeks and reach the point where you think life is truly meaningless, give me a ring and I'll read you the Three Refuges.

Posted by honorabright I think Buddhists more commonly refer to transcendence as "freedom of the mind." There are certain stages you pass through to achieve freedom of the mind, and (oh my gosh we're so lucky) the stage before freedom is...wait for it...repulsion. And the stage before that? Chronic depression. It has a fancier term, but it escapes me at the moment. I think the euphemism is "a fading of passion." So, when you've gone catatonic on your sofa for a few weeks and reach the point where you think life is truly meaningless, give me a ring and I'll read you the Three Refuges.

Been there/done that. After contemplating my last 20 years or so, I suddenly realize (awaken, perhaps?) that I'm already on the Path.

My question now becomes: if I meet the Buddha on this Path, should I kill Him?

Posted by KublaKhan My question now becomes: if I meet the Buddha on this Path, should I kill Him?

I don't know. Do you? Does it matter?

My question: Why did you capitalize him?


P.S. The honorable Ven. S. Dahmmika said that boredom is the most sublime form of suffering.

Posted by honorabright My question: Why did you capitalize him?

Why not.

P.S. The honorable Ven. S. Dahmmika said that boredom is the most sublime form of suffering.

Then I'm totally On My Way to transcendence.

So, my question for Easter is...

Why do Christians believe that someone like, oh, the man in Oklahoma who recently killed a 10 year old girl to rape and eat her corpse is potentially fit for eternal paradise, while someone like the Dali Lama is singled out for damnation?

The mind boggles.

Posted by honorabright So, my question for Easter is... Why do Christians believe that someone like, oh, the man in Oklahoma who recently killed a 10 year old girl to rape and eat her corpse is potentially fit for eternal paradise, while someone like the Dali Lama is singled out for damnation? The mind boggles.

It's called 'Christians for Eternal Salvation (on credit).'

SIN NOW, SAVE LATER.

Posted by honorabright So, my question for Easter is... Why do Christians believe that someone like, oh, the man in Oklahoma who recently killed a 10 year old girl to rape and eat her corpse is potentially fit for eternal paradise, while someone like the Dali Lama is singled out for damnation? The mind boggles.

The easiest answer for this one is simply to say that all you have to do is believe in Jesus as your savior to get into Heaven. Potentially that man does and will be in heaven, but the Dali Lama does not.

getting into Heaven isn't a popularity contest.

Posted by journeylady getting into Heaven isn't a popularity contest.

Then why is Christianity a proselytising and evangelical religion?

Posted by honorabright Then why is Christianity a proselytising and evangelical religion?

Because we want everyone to be there. I'd personally love to see everyone I've ever met in my entire life come to know Jesus as their lord and saviour and live with him for eternity in his heavenly kingdom.

Having spent the majority of my life on the bottom of the popularity game I can tell you that proselytising and evangelizing has nothing to do with being in the in crowd. It's an information thing more than anything else. We want everyone to know about God and Jesus and his love for us.