Nowhere357

Great quote, I've always thought it was right on. Science and religion are two sides of the same coin.

Yin/yang.

Straight Hate

Taoism as "crap" seems like an unfair blanket statement. Are there many glaringly differences between philosphical Taoism and Pantheism? Taoism, after all, is a pantheistic train of thought.

I cannot help but regard the issue as a sandwich being cut cross-ways instead of diagonally.

Harumi

What about Humanism? I've heard several consider it to be a religion.

Buddhism could also be compatible I think. It is atheistic by nature. After all, one of the "False Shelters" that Buddha warned his followers was the belief in God.

happyboy

the problem with buddhism is that it accepts a large amount of religious crap, along with all the really worthwhile philosophical nuances. i really love the idea of the middle path, and meditation is always a good way to cultivate inner wellness....but it throws in reincarnation and a lot of other religious bullshit that i cannot tolerate.

scientific pantheism is merely a philosophy, one that is compatible with my non-belief. buddhism, taoism, or any other religion, is not compatible with my lack of religious belief. religion is nonsense to me, and i refuse to subscribe to such a belief system, even a non-deistic belief system as buddhism.

happyboy

Calzaer

Thanks for demonstrating your complete and utter lack of anything resembling "information" on the subject of Taoism.

Seraphim

By happyboy

the problem with buddhism is that it accepts a large amount of religious crap, along with all the really worthwhile philosophical nuances. i really love the idea of the middle path, and meditation is always a good way to cultivate inner wellness.... but it throws in reincarnation and a lot of other religious bullshit that i cannot tolerate.

scientific pantheism is merely a philosophy, one that is compatible with my non-belief. buddhism, taoism, or any other religion, is not compatible with my lack of religious belief. religion is nonsense to me, and i refuse to subscribe to such a belief system, even a non-deistic belief system as buddhism.

happyboy

Hmmm ... I didn't know that Truth can be customized to individual perspectives in your world

Answerer

Why look for one, when you can develop one of your own.

happyboy

religion doesn't hold truth. juust delusion.

happyboy

andy_d

Yes and no. The institution of religion can be dangerous, if people simply buy into the "official story", because then they aren't using any discrimination in what ideas they adopt.

Many people want religion to provide them with a ready made framework of concepts, which they find comforting. That's pretty lazy, but also very common.

However, organised religion can also preserve worthwhile knowledge or practices. This is the only way I know of that they can be preserved so that they can be of benefit to future generations.

Thus, religion is IMHO, a double edged sword. Many will use it close their minds, but it's also the only way that those who wish to improve themselves spiritually can find the means to do so.

I'm not a fan of the word "truth" either. I'd rather have something useful than something "true"

happyboy

religion has nothing of value to offer, other than a placebo effect for facing death and dying. it's doctrines are false, unprovable, and full of shit. i reject all religions, because they have nothing to offer me. i refuse to believe in shit-filled faiths. my non-belief is enough for me, because it requires that i use my brain, instead of chanting mindless rituals and mantras.

happyboy