Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mountainman · 02-10-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

1) the practice of the keeping of "Noble Silence"

2) the practice of vegetarianism (which Porphyry links to justice).

3) the practice of the avoidance of intoxicants (eg: wine)

4) other ascetic practices

5) the "transmigration" of the soul

6) Hanging out in the public bar (after work?) with plenty of adoring women

x) any more out there?

Walrus · 02-10-2010, 09:05 PM

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Originally Posted by mountainman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walrus

While the NT may not mention "Noble Silence" by name, the principle of keeping a tight rein on the tongue is talked about in the book of James.

Do you mind providing the line and verse from this NT book?

Quote:

I question the value of judging Jesus and/or the New Testament by the standards of Buddhism, kind of like criticizing a rugby player for not using a soccer move.:huh:

The analogy of playing a game is utterly superficial. And even if were not, Christians may not agree, but in my book - irrespective of the football code - both players are human beings.

James chapter 1 verse 26: "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

An analogy is merely to illustrate a point, it's not meant to be a deep insight.

Walrus · 02-10-2010, 09:30 PM

What is the point of picking some arbitrary Buddhist practice and asking why it isn't mentioned in the NT? Why would you stick the phrase "of course" in your statement that it isn't mentioned in the NT? To me, that implies you expected it not to be mentioned, which further implies that you already have a reason in mind. This is validated by the listing in your post of "reasons" it wasn't mentioned.

Here's a better question on this subject. Why would the authors of the New Testament include any mention of "the Noble Silence"? The simple answer is that they wouldn't because they weren't writing about Buddha/Buddhism. This is self-evident.

Instead of this "Biblical Criticism & History", you should have posted this under "Let's Find Some New Ways to Slam Christianity."

Chili · 02-10-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walrus

Instead of this "Biblical Criticism & History", you should have posted this under "Let's Find Some New Ways to Slam Christianity."

Here is one: The suffix -ity points at pretenders in that the word Christan is a noun that points at the being and not a condition [or quality] of being. .

aa5874 · 02-10-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

The authors of the New Testament of course failed to mention anything to do with Noble Silence. Why would this have been? I can think of a few reasons. Can anyone think of any more?

But, when I examine the NT, especially the Synoptics, the Jesus story does not seem like a religion but just a doomsday peice of propaganda to scare people about the end of the world.

If gMatthew 23-25 is examined we have Jesus making endless threats of death and destruction to anybody who does not believe in him.

Jesus appears to be in a hurry to bring fire and brimstone upon the whole world pretty soon.

This is not religion.

This is just sheer terror.

Repent or die.

Please look at Matthew 24.16-22

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Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

There is no time for "Noble Silence" in the Synoptics, just spread the word, "Repent or die" or in other words the "World is about to be Silenced".

But, nothing happened and the Romans still made Jesus their God and "Silenced" their critics.

How noble!

Chili · 02-11-2010, 05:59 AM

. . . I have heared it said that after a noble [prayer] silence in Christianity Rev.14:10-12 comes alive in the suffereing servant (saved-sinner) and that may even lead to war in the end.

jgreen44 · 02-11-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chili

. . . I have heared it said that after a noble [prayer] silence in Christianity Rev.14:10-12 comes alive in the suffereing servant (saved-sinner) and that may even lead to war in the end.

Assuming this is in fact a personal apocalypse....

Revelation 8:1

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Doug Shaver · 02-11-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

We might add concerning the authors of the NT writings that they seemed to have no regard for other . . . precepts of that ancient epoch

Holy galloping goalposts, Batman!

Walrus · 02-11-2010, 07:39 PM

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Originally Posted by Doug Shaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

We might add concerning the authors of the NT writings that they seemed to have no regard for other . . . precepts of that ancient epoch

Holy galloping goalposts, Batman!

It's interesting that I've seen Christianity criticized numerous times in these forums for supposedly "borrowing" from other ancient sources, and now it is being criticized for not borrowing. Someone needs to make up their minds.

aa5874 · 02-11-2010, 09:11 PM

The more I read the NT, it would appear that Jesus came to "SILENCE" his critics or anyone or anything that got in his way.

This was not religion.

Jesus was on a path of destruction.

He really did not care if it was human, flora or fauna. Jesus was just a killing machine.

Examine Jesus in his encounter with plant life [flora]. Jesus is hungry and the plant has no fruits. It is not even the season for fruits. The plant will die. Jesus will curse the tree out of existence. The tree will be "SILENCED".

Mt 21:19 -

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And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

Now, Jesus encounters animal life [fauna], 2000 pigs after an exorcism. All must die.

All the pigs will be "SILENCED"

Mark 5:13 -

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And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand,) and were choked in the sea.

And now, Jesus has some good news for those who offend his children that believe in him. Just go and "SILENCE" yourself. You put a big rock round your neck and go jump.

Matthew 18:6 -

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But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Now according to the story, Jesus was eventually "SILENCED"

How noble.

But, now we come to the true part of the story. People were really SILENCED when Jesus was made a God of Rome. His words did come true.

02-10-2010, 09:30 PM	#13
Walrus Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North America Posts: 46	What's the point? What is the point of picking some arbitrary Buddhist practice and asking why it isn't mentioned in the NT? Why would you stick the phrase "of course" in your statement that it isn't mentioned in the NT? To me, that implies you expected it not to be mentioned, which further implies that you already have a reason in mind. This is validated by the listing in your post of "reasons" it wasn't mentioned. Here's a better question on this subject. Why would the authors of the New Testament include any mention of "the Noble Silence"? The simple answer is that they wouldn't because they weren't writing about Buddha/Buddhism. This is self-evident. Instead of this "Biblical Criticism & History", you should have posted this under "Let's Find Some New Ways to Slam Christianity."

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02-11-2010, 05:59 AM	#16
Chili Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 11,885	. . . I have heared it said that after a noble [prayer] silence in Christianity Rev.14:10-12 comes alive in the suffereing servant (saved-sinner) and that may even lead to war in the end.

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