Thoughts on Buddhism

[Bgood]

apophenia wrote

to pretend that the dark and the light can be separated by any religion known to man is, I think a forlorn hope, yet I understand why Buddhists are vulnerable to that delusion — that's precisely what their dogmatic religious beliefs tell them, that the Buddha can teach them a trick of the mind that will separate the two halves cleanly

Buddhism doesn't teach that. Look at the Tao and being ONE with Nature (not two separate halves). It teaches to strive for good actions rather than harmful actions. But Atheists justify their actions as completely relative and free from moral judgement. This gives them a pass to be bitter, cynical, self righteous, disrespectful, self indulgent, overly critical, unlawful, unfriendly, foolish and ingrateful antagonists. Atheism is not just lack of faith, but also a lacking in emotional depth and love, and an absence of moral dignity and responsibility. Atheists are not better or superior to any people of faith or spirituality. Most Atheists tend to be very bland and weak willed. I don't see any attraction or beauty in it. I just see alot of pompous naysaying...which is not intelligent or wise or virtuous.

Don't believe in God, O.K, but don't criticize every little thing that doesn't conform to your small, materialistic conception of life. Who are you to say that you know more than thousands of teachers and gurus and activists throughout the past centuries? That seems awfully pretentious doesn't it? Wow, you read a few books and done some research on the web...and now you are qualified to speak out against all the ancient mysteries of the world! Grow up people! Don't dog something that you haven't realized for yourself. You cling to your own hasty views and "logical" opinions too much. Let them go because they keep you from having a truly open mind. Atheists are usually just as delusional as all other types of people. What makes you more unattractive is that you think you are totally above and beyond misunderstanding! How foolish to say I KNOW when you really don't KNOW.

Rhythym wrote

I generally treat buddhism with a very mild sort of contempt

See, this is not open-mindedness, this is ignorance cloaked in snobbery. You see things the way you want to, which is generally myopic and unenlightening. You are strongly attached to your biased views and skeptical doubt. You only believe in materialism, which isn't noble or inspiring. It is more how Neanderthals and cavemen thought, not timeless geniuses.

Finally, I consider myself to be an atheist as well as a buddhist, although they are just flimsy labels. So I have been guilty of all these bad qualities too! I am not above "sin", or darkness, or bad choices either. Think of Buddha as your favorite professor, who always opens up new ideas. Or as a beloved ancestor who speaks to you of his adventures in his ripened age. He is just a tour guide, a finger pointing to the moon. Go your own selfish way without any leadership or "worthless platitudes" and see where you end up 5 years from now. I bet it would be still chasing your own selfish ways.

I am just expressing myself, not hating or trying to "convert". Just ingest what I say without incessant desire to be right and "prove" me wrong. You just don't agree. You are blinded by your own over-active criticism. Maybe someday you will realize what I am saying, but it may not be until your ego is put in a position of suffering and desperation, which is eventually inescapable in a human lifetime. Peace out all!