Seraphim

by Answerer

Yeah, the evidence for the above could be seen in the number of people (in Asia) proclaiming that they are 'saved' after turning towards Christinity and Islam in the current years while attacking the people of other religions as idol-worshippers.

Saved? Let them think what they want.

Don't get me wrong ... I do have respect for Religions but to me, Religion is just a road map ... something like that boat Buddha talked about. It useful to get you to the other side and once you are there, you discard it.

No one is Saved while they are still on the boat heading toward the other bank. IF they think like that, they going to find themselves falling overboard and drown. People who attack others because of their difference in beliefs will find themselves been attacked back and in the end, nothing good will ever come out of this ... only stupidity, anger and hatred. In the end, no one else is to blame but yourself.

Harumi

I've never understood why those who newly convert to Abrahamic religions suddenly get this urge to denounce everything their former beliefs were, then set out to convert others into their beliefs. It's almost as if they were afraid and need others to share with them so that they can feel better.

Sure, I know the real reason why they do it: spread the good word and all that rot, but it's damn annoying, and the only people who don't know it are the missionaries themselves.

My friend intends to be one when she graduates from college, and although it hasn't put a rift in our friendship now, I anticipate that it will later on.

She's also a Mormon. Go figure.

Hugo Holbling

Many people approach life as if it's a problem to be solved, which leads to difficulties when the answers prove unconvincing or insufficient. Far better, perhaps, to question the assumption that such a problem exists.

Said Goethe:

Harumi

[surfer bum accent] Whoa man. That was like...deep.[/surfer bum accent]

Seraphim

by Harumi

I've never understood why those who newly convert to Abrahamic religions suddenly get this urge to denounce everything their former beliefs were, then set out to convert others into their beliefs. It's almost as if they were afraid and need others to share with them so that they can feel better.

Sure, I know the real reason why they do it: spread the good word and all that rot, but it's damn annoying, and the only people who don't know it are the missionaries themselves.

The case of the Blind leading the Blind.
A newly converted has as much knowledge in a particular religion as that whose who ain't get converted, so what do they supposed to spread?

andy_d

Well, although such behaviour is pretty annoying to those usbjected to it, i'd say that they do honestly believe they're trying to help people.

A new convert is bound to be very enthusiastic about what they've discovered. In the case of Abrahamic religion, they may well feel that they have been "saved" from a terrible fate. It's unfortunate but not surprising that some feel the desire to "save" others.

So I think they're doing the wrong thing, but their intentions aren't so bad. Hopefully they'd eventually settle down and gain some perspective. It's the old die-hards who are the real problem. They go past thinking people need help. They think other people are wrong, which is a whole different matter.

Harumi

Sure, I know all that. And as good intentioned as they are, the thing is that they still are annoying.

Which makes me wonder which is in this case: Kantian ethics or utilitarian ethics...?

Whispers

I do not profess to be any kind of expert here, but I can safely say that Theravadan Buddhism is not religion as in a "binding with the divine" sense. It is a philosophy of direct personal experience about the nature of our minds, bodies and surrounding conditions. The present moment is to be investigated with a view to understanding it and not just as part of a religious ritual for rituals sake.