I'm an atheist but I quite like Buddism...

[ignoramus]

All religions share many things in common.
All the common sense stuff, don't need to be enlightened to know that.

Look after yourself, be happy, be good to others, etc.
All of us do that anyway, in our own way...

Most of us don't need old books to tell us...
Nature tells everyone what is right and wrong....

If your instincts (natures perfectly written subroutine) tell you don't jump off a cliff and you do, then nature has just increased the average survivability of the remainder of its hosts...

If your gut tells you that following religions, gods or fairies sounds like bullshit, guess what, that's just the subroutine doing what is always has... Mother nature has been around forever, religion several thousands years, who will you put your money on.... I don't gamble ...sorry.

[vodkafan]

Don't you have to be vegetarian to be a Bhuddist? That would put me off. I can practice yoga ( my mum was a bit of a hippy my brother and were brought up doing yoga) and meditation without ascribing to any other bits of it.

[BlackSwordsman]

Don't you have to be vegetarian to be a Bhuddist? That would put me off. I can practice yoga ( my mum was a bit of a hippy my brother and were brought up doing yoga) and meditation without ascribing to any other bits of it.

Of course not

Meditation is also not required in Buddhism but unlike other "religions" there you do have to study. You have to have an understanding of the teachings even if they are basic.

[jughead]

As the thread subject states, I am an atheist but there are lots of things about Buddism I like - meditation, self discovery, presence of mind, the idea of a higher state of consciousness etc.

Do you guys think I am mad for this? I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of the atheist community on this topic.

Good for you. If you find a tool to peace use it. I was a Buddhist for a little while after I left the church. Then I read the Buddhist encyclopedia and it cured me. Reminded me of all the Christian BS out there. It was plain to see that it is mam man made. Buddhism is most likely the least damaging religion if you have to have one.

[TaraJo]

As the thread subject states, I am an atheist but there are lots of things about Buddism I like - meditation, self discovery, presence of mind, the idea of a higher state of consciousness etc.

Do you guys think I am mad for this? I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of the atheist community on this topic.

Kinda late to the party.

Anyway, I say no, you ain't mad. I'm in the same boat. I call myself a secular Buddhist, meaning I embrace the more rational parts of Buddhism like mindfulness and meditation, but reject the supernatural mumbo-jumbo like reincarnation or karma.

[roaster]

I am a big meditator, I enjoy the clarity of mind it brings me.
Its an odd sort of approach but I have looked at all forms of meditation, which has brought me in touch with a lot of religious teachings.
There are a lot of common sense similarities in much of the core of these teachings.

I was never pursed by the Catholic Dogma I was raised in so I can appreciate these teachings for what they are, take what I like and leave the rest.
The logical non-theistic approach to mind discussions is a refreshing, and to a large extent inspiring.
I like hearing that other people get similar benefit and mindfulness from these practices.

I have studied the middle and longer length stages of meditation from a lot of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings, pretty fascinating stuff.
I have always thought that Zen and Atheism have a lot of parallels.

[jesus_wept]

It seems much the same as most other religions to me. They tell you you'll have a crap life and suffer but, if you put up with it, do what they say and pay money to subsidise the monks, priests etc, you might get a better life after you die.

In other words its another scam to keep the poor ignorant and in their place.

[One Above All]

You don't need a god to have a religion. However, if you do have a god, you have a religion. Buddhism is an atheistic religion, although some of its sects do worship the Buddha as a god, even though he (supposedly) plainly said otherwise.

[roaster]

You don't need a god to have a religion. However, if you do have a god, you have a religion. Buddhism is an atheistic religion, although some of its sects do worship the Buddha as a god, even though he (supposedly) plainly said otherwise.

Yes, that is my understanding from a good deal of research and study. The term Buddha refers to a state of being. Its not a 'god' title or any other title beyond that of distinction of having achieved a state of awareness or enlightenment.
A lot of folks here post about not liking the karma concept, I guess I drew the idea of karma as a scientific principle much like cause and effect. Its an easy idea to understand, if I act in a good way towards people its likely to have the effect of having them reciprocate.

[Whateverist]

Blasphemer! You will be excommunicated from all atheist activities from this day forward. Shun him. SHUN HIM!



[j/k]