ohwilleke

It could also be because the atheists on the board had by and large Western educations and have limited knowledge of non-Abrahamic religions themselves.

I agree with you on that. How many knows about the following :
1 Ancestor worship
2 Celestial Palace & the deities
3 18-20 sects of Buddhism
4 Confucius Ethics
5 Taoism - with & without deities !
6 Moist by a fellow name Mo Tze (475 - 395 BC)
7 Mao Shan "magics"
8 Zhiang Toa or Gong - similar to the voodoo of the carribeans
Just to name those I know about & almost all are Chinese & different !

Well, you just consider a Christian or Muslim lobbing his Pascalian Wagers and Satanic Atheist Conspiracies, you say to yourself, "this one and his religion really deserves a bashing!". Hinduism may at times be silly too (like believing in the Trimurti, a Trinity, like Christianity), but then, just look, they're so peaceful, tolerant, you say to yourself, "yeah, I know their religion is ridiculous in some points, and I could laugh it off just like the Abrahamic lunacies, but hey, they don't deserve it".

It's a matter of not wanting to offend those who don't offend you - the Non-Abrahamians don't call atheists "captives of Satan" or such things (for the most part, only "ignorant", which means suspended in enlightenment until the next incarnation - acceptable). Anyway, as for Hindu religion, I find a lot more logical than Christianity and Islam - for all their idol worship (vestigial remnant of the past, that's all) they believe there is no separation between the creator and the creation, and that IS much more logical than the Abrahamic idiocies, who believe the creator is a being separate from the creation. I'm one with the Hindus in that (pantheism), only that I disbelieve in the existence of anything supernatural (naturalistic, scientific pantheism).

Assuming the truth of Buddhism, why convert people who aren't destined for hell anyway?

And for those who are, it's a very short stay when you consider the cosmic time-scale.

[This message has been edited by Waning Moon Conrad (edited June 06, 2001).]

Moderator, I hope I am not crossing the line of the intent of this particular forum. This is obvoisely a backdoor defence of christianity.

I wonder if anyone will read this, if there is really such little activity here?

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But I think it is a misunderstanding that other religions, besides so called-western religions are much more inclusive.

Instead I think as much as the scientific naturalist world-view is exclusive in its truth claim, so is all major religions.

Buhdism was created in the rejection of major tenets of Hinduism, one namely the caste system.

The many paths of Hinduism, still hold within it, very much the idea of punishment for our deeds if we do not fulfill our karma. Social aid to the lowest classes have been intellectual attacked from there worldview often in India, because it was considered as interfering with those untouchable peoples, to fulfill there karma. The idea that only Abrahamic religions are exclusive in truth claims is not found, and the idea that only Abrahamic religions teach there is punishment for what we do in this life, in the next is actually seen in many other world religions.

The option outside of there own (world religions) professed understanding of the world, may be a state of ignorance, of no purpose, of being of lower value. These may come easier then the punishment of an etneral God, who in turn would give an everlasting punishment to those who reject Him. I agree, the severity of most Abrahamic religions, especially evangelical religion, might be of greater offense.

Though isn't it just wronge to say, that these other religions, are not exlusive in truth claims, and that the results of these things, are to be taken very serously.

Actually, I think it has something to do with the fact that you're not telling us that we're going to Hell .

Eutychus:

welcome. I hope you check back...

I am aware of the concept of karma in Hiduism--- and I also know that it has been 'used' by those in power to keep a strong hold over the people, and was, in fact, not an original tenet to the religion, instead brought in by others, to help keep the indigenous people down. If you read the legends, there are many instances of the deities defending the rights of the 'untouchables' and defeating what you have posted.

Hinduism has been used over the centuries to do bad things. That does not make the religion bad.

However, I did not understand the thrust behind your post. If you do return, please feel free to elucidate me.

jess

"This is obvoisely a backdoor defence of christianity."

What is?

Thanks for your reply,

in my understanding, i think the reason you can look at the majority of eastern religions and think to yourself, they are so peacefull and tolerant as one person put it here, is only the observance of someone far away from.

New age forms that we have in America, are a far cry from the institued religion that does exist.

Alot of the things said here, I would echo, you know for reasons why this forum sees less activity. That abrahamic religions are the ones we mostly deal with in the western world, that there are more christian apologists on the web, and other ideas. I think just generally there isn't much controversy over eastern religions, is perhaps many people feel hurt by the politicized versions of these religions have done, and there ultimate preceieved failure. Perhaps our postmondern world, is ready to see, eastern religion anew.

Eutychus:

So, what you are saying is that because we are not as familiar with the religion and with its history, then it looks peaceful. Perhaps, but there are plenty of people here who are familiar with it. No one is saying how perfect it is, just how less violent than the alternatives...

What is your interest? What is your exposure?