Freethought & Rationalism Archive

0n0w1c · 09-09-2002, 10:53 AM

are there any regular visitors to infidels who consider themselves to be a taoist? i have read a few books on this philosophy/religion and i am interested in hearing what others think. i do not personally know anyone who is a taoist.
i should add that i consider myself a new student to philosophical taoism. a blend of taoism and confucianism.

[ September 09, 2002: Message edited by: 0n0w1c ]</p>

Radcliffe Emerson · 09-09-2002, 01:22 PM

I haven't studied taoism too much, but my UU church tonight has some Tibetan Buddhist monks coming for a visit.
I'm going to go see them.

sweep · 09-09-2002, 02:21 PM

I think therefore I am confused. (don't know which path to take)

I think not, therefore I am (being observant and acting)

one of my fave slogans. I am a fan of that which is called taoism but I wouldn't take it part and parcel of my persona.

AdamWho · 09-09-2002, 04:35 PM

I went through a Taoist phase and it help me with my deconversion. It is an interesting little "religion" if you just take the Tao Te Ching.

I don't consider myself a Taoist anymore and I can't even really say what a Taoist is...

09-09-2002, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sweep:
<strong>I think therefore I am confused. (don't know which path to take)

I think not, therefore I am (being observant and acting)

</strong>

I like it! Just opposite to "I think therefore I am" which is very popular around here.

0n0w1c · 09-13-2002, 12:04 PM

Quote:

I don't consider myself a Taoist anymore

what caused or what was the basis for your mind set to move away from taoism? i have been looking at it critically and i can not find a good reason to reject it as i did christianity after 24 years. i find little that is offensive to my intellect and little that offends my ethics.

AdamWho · 09-13-2002, 02:25 PM

0n0w1c

There is nothing offensive about Taoism. Here are three reasons for me not being a anymore.
1. Taoism, like Buddhism is not meant (IMO) to be clung to but to be absorbed then discarded.
2. It is too passive and I believe that it has little to offer a rational thinker.
3. It is just 81 poems, some good some bad, and advice of varying quality; barely the makings of a religion.

I still like reading the Tao Te Ching, but no more than any other poetical work. I like Jorge Luis Borreges currently.

[ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: AdamWho ]</p>

cydonia · 09-13-2002, 05:49 PM

"I went through a Taoist phase and it help me with my deconversion. It is an interesting little "religion" if you just take the Tao Te Ching."

That's basically my experience as well. In itself there's nothing wrong with it. It offers no answers and tells you that answers aren't an option anyway. I see it now as a more spirtual type of atheism, if that makes sense. It definitely is a great help if you're trying to deconvert but still need that sense of wonder and mystery regarding the universe.

09-09-2002, 10:53 AM	#1
0n0w1c Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: usa Posts: 68	taoism (daoism) are there any regular visitors to infidels who consider themselves to be a taoist? i have read a few books on this philosophy/religion and i am interested in hearing what others think. i do not personally know anyone who is a taoist. i should add that i consider myself a new student to philosophical taoism. a blend of taoism and confucianism. [ September 09, 2002: Message edited by: 0n0w1c ]</p>

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09-09-2002, 01:22 PM	#2
Radcliffe Emerson Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: the dark side of Mars Posts: 1,309	I haven't studied taoism too much, but my UU church tonight has some Tibetan Buddhist monks coming for a visit. I'm going to go see them.

09-09-2002, 02:21 PM	#3
sweep Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: sugar factory Posts: 873	I think therefore I am confused. (don't know which path to take) I think not, therefore I am (being observant and acting) one of my fave slogans. I am a fan of that which is called taoism but I wouldn't take it part and parcel of my persona.

09-09-2002, 04:35 PM	#4
AdamWho Contributor Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 13,389	I went through a Taoist phase and it help me with my deconversion. It is an interesting little "religion" if you just take the Tao Te Ching. I don't consider myself a Taoist anymore and I can't even really say what a Taoist is...

09-13-2002, 02:25 PM	#7
AdamWho Contributor Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 13,389	0n0w1c There is nothing offensive about Taoism. Here are three reasons for me not being a anymore. 1. Taoism, like Buddhism is not meant (IMO) to be clung to but to be absorbed then discarded. 2. It is too passive and I believe that it has little to offer a rational thinker. 3. It is just 81 poems, some good some bad, and advice of varying quality; barely the makings of a religion. I still like reading the Tao Te Ching, but no more than any other poetical work. I like Jorge Luis Borreges currently. [ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: AdamWho ]</p>

09-13-2002, 05:49 PM	#8
cydonia Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: southern california Posts: 1,002	"I went through a Taoist phase and it help me with my deconversion. It is an interesting little "religion" if you just take the Tao Te Ching." That's basically my experience as well. In itself there's nothing wrong with it. It offers no answers and tells you that answers aren't an option anyway. I see it now as a more spirtual type of atheism, if that makes sense. It definitely is a great help if you're trying to deconvert but still need that sense of wonder and mystery regarding the universe.

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