Poll: Christianity and Buddhism

[Xhoshi]

I've noticed that amongst my stoner friends, that they tend to accept the ideas of Buddhism over those of Christianity, even though they don't claim either religion. I would like to see if this apllies to the stoner community at large. I myself do not claim any religion.

So which do you prefer?

[JackdaWack]

I'd rather be a Buddhist then Christian. I find Buddhism to be more of a belief then a religion. That just me. Alot of people claim there religions, but honestly u can only be part of a religion by practicing it. Unfortunately the truth is, people just go with what there taught from childhood. In any case i wouldn't question my theology but rather myself. I dont agree with alot of the stuff said in most religions mainly because most people translate to there own beliefs. Who knows. I would rather have a theology like Buddhism rather then Christianity simply because of what they believe. Its more understanding and leaves very little question. While at the same time teaching the simplicity part to life.

[iStaaHi]

buddhism would be the way i would go, ,, christianity it cant be trusted

+

[nightlight]

i am a taoist, with a general interest in eastern thought. so buddhism appeals to me much more than christianity.

[Phil E. Blunt]

Buddhism is a great religion. That's what I would follow if I had to choose.

[JackdaWack]

i am a taoist, with a general interest in eastern thought. so buddhism appeals to me much more than christianity.


:thumbsup: We don't need a god to be good people and follow a faith.

[halo]

Some people say that Jesus actually studied with Buddhists in the himalayas during the missing years between 12 and 30something. I think the religions are similar in many ways and that christianity has just become perverted over the years. They preach many of the same ideas such as peace, love, elimination of earthly desires etc.

[Oneironaut]

I also have no religion. I am an atheist. However, I would choose Buddhism over Christianity any day. It is possible to interpret Buddhism in a non-dogmatic, non-supernatural, rational manner, and I think taken as a general philosophy and not a religion, it can teach a lot about how to lead a fulfilling life.

Christianity, on the other hand, doesn't have a whole lot of that, which is evident from reading its holy book. The Bible endorses, among other things, slavery (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/ex/21.html#2), sexism (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/eph/5.html#22), murdering gay people (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/lev/20.html#13), authoritarianism (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/1pet/2.html#18), infanticide (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/dt/21.html#18), rape (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/num/31.html#18), and ritual animal sacrifice (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/lev/1.html). I could not in good conscience subscribe to a doctrine that holds such a horrible piece of literature to be sacred. All I can say is that it is fortunate that most Christians do not read their Bible and those who are aware of its atrocities generally ignore those bits. It is most definitely not anything close to a reliable guide to morality.

Even the bits that are touted out as the "good bits", i.e. the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, don't really strike me as very deep pieces of wisdom. In fact, there are many flaws with them. The Ten Commandments, for example, urge us not to make graven images of anything that is in the water under the earth. What's so wrong about making graven images of microorganisms in our ground water? And the Sermon on the Mount urges us to be completely passive in the face of evil; that's such a horrible piece of advice that I don't even know where to begin. Just thank goodness enough Christians were able to ignore the Sermon on the Mount so we could bring Hitler down.

[rebgirl420]

:thumbsup: We don't need a god to be good people and follow a faith.

Well THATS the best thing ive heard all day :thumbsup:

[Ready to Rally]

It is evident from the enlightened members posting here that we are headed in a positive direction. Toward a time of action,self-awareness, and improving the world, rather than King Bush II's "Holy Wars." It is a pleasure to be part of a knowledgeable and level-headed community. I will continue to patronize this site and its memebers for ideas, thoughts, products, and advice. :thumbsup:

[PsychoticEpisode]

As I regard all religions as being based on people not wanting to accept that in a couple of hundred years they'll no longer exist and nobody will know or care about their existence, I'll have to abstain from this vote.

[Third_Eye]

I wouldnt really consider buddhism a religion like christianity per say. And there is no god in buddhism you worship or pray too. I go to a won buddhist temple by me, and there are no statues of gods or anything, its more about meditating, and getting in touch with your spirit. Which is one thing i think many people have confused about buddhism. Buddhism is a way of life, a philosophy, a psychology, a way of thinking, through which we may ourselves take on the responsibility of determining how our life-bearing kamma (karma) will work out for us. Meditation is one of the procedures of mental discipline and purification through which we may begin to learn such responsibility. So just thought i would throw that out there.:smokin:

[smoke it]

buddhism if i had to pick one.

[peacetrain]

I've read some Buddhist philosophy that really isn't half bad...


But I share the same thoughts of john lennon when it comes to religion: Imagine None.

[Triple-P]

christians are practically anti-everything and dont enjoy the basic fuckin pleasures of livin

its forced apon people..i dont think i have to mention residential schools, do i?

i respect buddhism because it doesnt centre on any gods. just ideas that make someone think

[Buddha Man]

jesus all the way!

[dusto2k3]

is that Buddhism or buddism

[krazy chino]

i'm christian and is not a religon and Oneironaut the bible doesnt endorses any of the things you listed and i dont praise no gods and statues i do pesonally agree with a lot of buddist wisdom its a lot like the christian way just said differently. I pray to God cuz we do have a creator anything that 'is' has a creator so i pray thankin him for his creation and my life and blessings i read the Bible to get enlightened and to be a better person and to live better i also sometimes just meditate when i pray

[mrdevious]

Some people do need a God. Not me, I loosely follow bits n pieces of Buddhism. I believe people should not harm one another for any reason and we should be working together, as a species, to do all we can to generally improve life on Earth; whether it be for ourselves or a fellow human or creature. I think a lot of people have gotten too wrapped up in their vices and just don't care, but you should at least put forth an honest effort to not destroy the earth and possibly the only life in the universe... if we blow it here then who knows if life will ever develop again :(

Wow man, my thoughts exactly! I've often thought about how human beings are so consumed with their politics, religion, baseball teams, friends/enemies, and millions of other little things, we lose sight of the big picture. It's incredible really; since the dawn of time human beings have dreamt of world peace.... and we could do it anytime we want! If only we dropped out petty little concerned, if only for now, and wanted it at the same time.




i am a taoist, with a general interest in eastern thought

That's cool nightlight, I'm a buddhist with a general interest in Taoist thought. I've studied confucianism briefly, but it doesn't seem to go deeply enough for my taste. Are there any informative Taoist websites you'd recommend?

[JackdaWack]

Wow man, my thoughts exactly! I've often thought about how human beings are so consumed with their politics, religion, baseball teams, friends/enemies, and millions of other little things, we lose sight of the big picture. It's incredible really; since the dawn of time human beings have dreamt of world peace.... and we could do it anytime we want! If only we dropped out petty little concerned, if only for now, and wanted it at the same time.





That's cool nightlight, I'm a buddhist with a general interest in Taoist thought. I've studied confucianism briefly, but it doesn't seem to go deeply enough for my taste. Are there any informative Taoist websites you'd recommend?

The tao te Ching is an amazing book for any one to read, of any ethical background and diversity, If you read this book and still think that it doesnt go deep enough you didn't interpret it at all. Its about simplicity duality and knowing what exaclyt wisdom is, The passages in the book are so indepth and written so well, that per page there is a translation. I thought this was one of the best books ive ever read although its only made up of short stories and poems, it actually teaches to do away with all the bullshit in life and do what makes you happy, while effecting those around you in a positive way, i dont think that any religion today actually preaches that, there all concerned with doing away with evil in the world and conqouring the devil. I think the more we concentrate on evil the more we corner ourselves into doing the less of 2 evils when we really need not to do anything but love eachother.

[mrdevious]

um.... I think you misread what I wrote JackdaWack. I was saying, from what I studied, that confucianism doesn't go deep enough for my taste, not Taoism.

[Kid Dynamite]

I also have no religion. I am an atheist. However, I would choose Buddhism over Christianity any day. It is possible to interpret Buddhism in a non-dogmatic, non-supernatural, rational manner, and I think taken as a general philosophy and not a religion, it can teach a lot about how to lead a fulfilling life.

Christianity, on the other hand, doesn't have a whole lot of that, which is evident from reading its holy book. The Bible endorses, among other things, slavery (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/ex/21.html#2), sexism (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/eph/5.html#22), murdering gay people (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/lev/20.html#13), authoritarianism (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/1pet/2.html#18), infanticide (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/dt/21.html#18), rape (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/num/31.html#18), and ritual animal sacrifice (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/lev/1.html). I could not in good conscience subscribe to a doctrine that holds such a horrible piece of literature to be sacred. All I can say is that it is fortunate that most Christians do not read their Bible and those who are aware of its atrocities generally ignore those bits. It is most definitely not anything close to a reliable guide to morality.

Even the bits that are touted out as the "good bits", i.e. the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, don't really strike me as very deep pieces of wisdom. In fact, there are many flaws with them. The Ten Commandments, for example, urge us not to make graven images of anything that is in the water under the earth. What's so wrong about making graven images of microorganisms in our ground water? And the Sermon on the Mount urges us to be completely passive in the face of evil; that's such a horrible piece of advice that I don't even know where to begin. Just thank goodness enough Christians were able to ignore the Sermon on the Mount so we could bring Hitler down.

Dude, you keep posting absolute bollocks about the Bible, i think people are honestly getting sick of correcting you. I understand that you might not agree with the Bible but at least have the decency to try and understand the Christian faith and proper usage of the Bible before criticising it.

Im sorry if im coming on strong here but you seem to strike me as one of those people who opposes fundamental organised religion, so insists on trying to tear down the Bible every chance you get. It just makes me angry that all these armchair theologians think they can "prove the bible wrong" and that pointing out a flaw means the whole thing is totally wrong.

I mean you strike me as a smart bloke but i really dont think you know what your on about. You moan about Christians picking and choosing the good bits of the Bible, but you yourself pick and choose the bad bits to try and discredit it. Guess what? Theologians and Philosophers have dedicated their lives to diving the truth from holy scripture. You can't make a be all and end all after reading a few sites on the web, it's just not possible.

So by all means give your opinions on the matter (this is a forum after all) but don't try and display that opinion as fact, or you will be called out by those with more knowledge and understanding.


rant over

(p.s look up Godwin's Law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_Law)...mentioning the Nazis just makes you come across as infantile...

[JackdaWack]

ohhhh sorry my bad, either way the book is really good.

[JackdaWack]

Dude, you keep posting absolute bollocks about the Bible, i think people are honestly getting sick of correcting you. I understand that you might not agree with the Bible but at least have the decency to try and understand the Christian faith and proper usage of the Bible before criticising it.

Im sorry if im coming on strong here but you seem to strike me as one of those people who opposes fundamental organised religion, so insists on trying to tear down the Bible every chance you get. It just makes me angry that all these armchair theologians think they can "prove the bible wrong" and that pointing out a flaw means the whole thing is totally wrong.

I mean you strike me as a smart bloke but i really dont think you know what your on about. You moan about Christians picking and choosing the good bits of the Bible, but you yourself pick and choose the bad bits to try and discredit it. Guess what? Theologians and Philosophers have dedicated their lives to diving the truth from holy scripture. You can't make a be all and end all after reading a few sites on the web, it's just not possible.

So by all means give your opinions on the matter (this is a forum after all) but don't try and display that opinion as fact, or you will be called out by those with more knowledge and understanding.


rant over

(p.s look up Godwin's Law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_Law)...mentioning the Nazis just makes you come across as infantile...



You right in what you say, but i have to agree with the other side aswell, the bible does teach alot of BS being the holy book, it should have no bad side to it, although it does, And almost every book with in the bible takes on the writers perspective from how he wants it interpreted. Unfortunatly people do pick and choose parts of the bible, but if your going to say this holy book is the book of god, then u must accept all parts of it good and bad. Wich is why i dont agree with it, becuase in some instances it is extremely biased to those people whom dont believe, wich in gods so called view, means nothing because were all supposed to love eachother believer or non-believer.

[krazy chino]

JACK listen man one day on ur spare time smoke a bowl and READ THE BIBLE cuz it seems like you dont know much about it

[JackdaWack]

JACK listen man one day on ur spare time smoke a bowl and READ THE BIBLE cuz it seems like you dont know much about it

try 12 years in catholic school, and i have a written papers on about 90% of the books in the bible. Just because im against it doesn't mean i know nothing about it, and i mean have u read the bible?

[Kid Dynamite]

You right in what you say, but i have to agree with the other side aswell, the bible does teach alot of BS being the holy book, it should have no bad side to it, although it does, And almost every book with in the bible takes on the writers perspective from how he wants it interpreted. Unfortunatly people do pick and choose parts of the bible, but if your going to say this holy book is the book of god, then u must accept all parts of it good and bad. Wich is why i dont agree with it, becuase in some instances it is extremely biased to those people whom dont believe, wich in gods so called view, means nothing because were all supposed to love eachother believer or non-believer.

True true there is a whole lot of BS in the Bible...but it's not an instruction manual, your not supposed to be able to follow it to the letter. It's morelike a guidebook...read it, then decide what to do yourself.

And by no means would i suggest that the Bible is the Book of God...no-one pretends that God dictated the Bible like Muslims say Allah dictated the Ko'ran...so of course the authors may've made some mistakes...theyre only human after all :D :thumbsup:

[JackdaWack]

I just dont understand how people can read a book in the bible like sodomy and sit there telling me thats right.. the book does bring up important facts and beliefs in the religion but people miss the broader picture and pick out small details and go on rants how homosexuality is evil, when the real point to the story was the town itself, and the sense of evil the people possessed.

[krazy chino]

i don't see nothing wrong with the bible only the fact that people criticize it.........for example everyone belived the dumbass that said the earth was flat but nobody paid attention to the book of isaiah that said the earth was round way before that

[Xhoshi]

I believe that the Bible has very good points. Its just that ppl have been interpreting it and living it out wrong for ages. Like Gandhi said, "If it weren't for Christians, I'd be a Christian."

[JackdaWack]

i don't see nothing wrong with the bible only the fact that people criticize it.........for example everyone belived the dumbass that said the earth was flat but nobody paid attention to the book of isaiah that said the earth was round way before that

The idea of the earth being flat was only of those who were ignorant. Any one of any scientific background of the time of this theory would highly beg do differ. That would infact mean that there is only one side to the earth, beacause 2 of the sides would be like what water falls and then what was the idea for the bottom half just nothing.... Like OKEY!

[NLX2007]

I'd prefer to be a Christian, I think it would give life more significance. And whoever said Christians are squares was way wrong. Sure, a lot are, but I know a lot of Christians who do what they like (within reason) and still follow God. In the Old Testament prophets (the books), it was usually visions that god showed them, and they wrote down what they saw. And the Bible, Isaiah especially, had predictions about Jesus and his life. Now of course it's debatable whether or not he was God, but these books were written long before he ever came to be. The Bible is an amazing book, study it and you will find only the most minor contradictions, where a book was written off memory or a word as translated wrong. It predicted how the world would be today, and 100 years ago no one would have imagined that it would be this way. Dont judge a book by its cover, and definitely dont judge it by heresay. And whoever said the commandments weren't amazing, it's our morals! And it means to not worship a graven image or make false gods in the 2nd commandment that you mentioned. People often think it's the same as the first, but really, IMO when the first says have no other idol before me, it means idol as in anything you put before God. Despite lecturing everyone on this, I'm not a Christian at all:wtf:, but I acknowledge our creator. It gives a more ultimate meaning to life, rather than a more insignificant, relative meaning. It's a reason for our existence

[cm8883]

I was raised in a Christian church, but I don't consider myself a Christian, or a Buddhist, for that matter. I do consider myself spiritual; I pray to a "spirit" when I do pray and try to pray for others instead of for selfish reasons.

If I had to pick, I'd MUCH rather be a Buddhist, a lot of hypocrisy w/ Christians, or so-called Christians. Buddhists actually believe like Christ did...love everyone, be tolerant, be peaceful.

Some recovery programs also take a lot of their beliefs and practices from Buddhism, too.


"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

[sneakyt33]

i am a taoist, with a general interest in eastern thought. so buddhism appeals to me much more than christianity.

No Taoist would ever claim to be Taoist.

[yokinazu]

jesus saves!!!
passes to budda. shoots. scores!!

[Dream of the iris]

:thumbsup: We don't need a god to be good people and follow a faith.

But that's just it, in eastern religion, you are God or rather the embodiment of God. Same with Christianity. God is everywhere and everywhere is God.

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

No Taoist would ever claim to be Taoist.

Yes yes, and no Buddhist would claim to be a Buddhist, I've heard that one too. Go research the philosophies some more, it's a common misinterpretation of eastern approaches to ego and the tao. Much like those who think enlightenment, the extinction of self, means you don't exist any more.

Don't go putting people down for their beliefs and telling them that they are intrepreting them wrong, and you interpret them right. Nothing, especially in Buddhism or Taoism, is so simple as one person's egocentric view.

[sneakyt33]

Yes yes, and no Buddhist would claim to be a Buddhist, I've heard that one too. Go research the philosophies some more, it's a common misinterpretation of eastern approaches to ego and the tao. Much like those who think enlightenment, the extinction of self, means you don't exist any more.

Don't go putting people down for their beliefs and telling them that they are intrepreting them wrong, and you interpret them right. Nothing, especially in Buddhism or Taoism, is so simple as one person's egocentric view.

First: I didn't put anyone down.
Second: You are incorrect. I'm not making any claims about buddhism, so I don't know what a buddhist would claim. You need to reread the Tao Te Ching.
Third: You are also incorrect about the simplicity of the Tao.

[sneakyt33]

I couldn't find the edit button, so I'm posting again to flesh out a little bit of what I was saying. Generally, I'm a man of few words (spending 6 years in a monastery will do that to a fella), but since Gandalf thought my comment was insulting, I feel I should elaborate a little more.
The first verse of the Tao Te Ching is:

The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.

Therefore to put a label on yourself like, "I am Taoist" completely negates the most basic principles of the belief system. It is about doing away with labels and names, and just living.
In addition, the two words, "I am" go against the fundamental taoist practice of Wu Wei.

To claim that your are Taoist is similar to claiming that your are enlightened. You may follow the Tao, but to claim that your are Taoist is like claiming that you have attained perfection. Semantics? maybe...but I'm willing to argue semantics when it's the difference between everything and nothing.

[yokinazu]

i have read the tao te ching and found it very enlighning.
the reason i think most people who follow the teachings of lau tze refer to them self as a taoist is to simplify things for people brung up in a christan dominant society.
i myself would say that knowing in my heart that it may be wrong but it makes it easier than having to talk for 2 or 3 hours to some one who has no clue.
let face it many people dont even know about the tao. so just to make things easier for them we will say "i am a taoist" but saying "i follow taoist philosophy" would more than likly be a better way of stating it.

[sneakyt33]

i have read the tao te ching and found it very enlighning.
the reason i think most people who follow the teachings of lau tze refer to them self as a taoist is to simplify things for people brung up in a christan dominant society.
i myself would say that knowing in my heart that it may be wrong but it makes it easier than having to talk for 2 or 3 hours to some one who has no clue.
let face it many people dont even know about the tao. so just to make things easier for them we will say "i am a taoist" but saying "i follow taoist philosophy" would more than likly be a better way of stating it.

Exactly. But saying "I am Taoist" could mean anything..medieval taoists followers were obsessed with alchemy and immortality, and modern taoist followers practice ancestor worship and worship all sorts of gods. However, to say that, "I follow Taoist Philosophy" eliminates all the wacky bits of taoism that have arisen over the years, and leaves Lao Tzu and Chaung Tzu (I don't care how people spell their names)
And if you say, "I follow taoist philosophy" and someone asks you to explain, here is a simply answer that will save you 2-3 hours. "The nature of the Tao is that it cannot be explained...good day sir."

[jamus_dood]

Out of all the religions i think buddhism makes the most sense. More of a way of life than a set of rules. From what i understand anyways

[funfubarman]

Jesus Buddha all the same maybe even the same soul who knows? There is just more of a stereotype with being a Christian

[br37tv2]

Im a practicing Buddhist but it is strongly against the religion to do any kinds of drugs including marijuana :(

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Im a practicing Buddhist but it is strongly against the religion to do any kinds of drugs including marijuana :(

Good to see another Buddhist here! Whelcome brother. I've only now gotten back into my practice having got onto the anti-depressants and working painkillers. It's ironic that Buddhism can be the biggest help in depression, but depression completely hinderes the desire to keep up any sort of religious practice.


I personally don't smoke cannabis because the effects are nothing but negative for me. But you don't necessarily have to avoid it 100%. Do you remember the famous Buddha quote "believe nothing, no matter where you read it, no matter where you heard it, no matter who said it, even if I have said it...unless it agrees with your own reason and common sense"? One of my favorites to be sure.

This is not to say that we should willy-nilly do whatever we want of course; what it does mean is that few things are "stictly against" Buddhism. There have been a few ancient Buddhist sects who have employed cannabis in their meditations.

What it comes down to, really, is realizing that the more closely you follow his teachings, the more you will reap from them. But as the Buddha knew and thus taught, sometimes an exception to the rule is necessary, sometimes these exceptions have their place.

I once heard something from an experienced Buddhist practitioner that really stuck with me; "substances don't ruin people, habbits do". I couldn't agree more! Not only in regard to cannabis, but many halluginogens which in my experience have proved invaluable in spiritual exploration. But in order to adhere to your faith and use the substances responsibly, they must be seen as tools, not toys. When the tool is used for a specific journey and purpose, the benefits to be reaped are great. When they are used with little to no purpose, simply to "get high" or chill out; that is fine for those who wish to do so, but it becomes a habbit at that point and not benefical to your practice. lol, I'm sure I'll get some arguments here though.

Good luck on all your practices, it would seem you're very devoted to them!