Freethought & Rationalism Archive

triplew00t · 07-30-2003, 06:29 AM

In my quest to find a religion that lacked an afterlife belief, I found (I think) Taoism. Any resident Taoists here of the more classical, philosophical variety? Can anyone verify whether or not Taoism (philosophical) accepts death as the final end of a person in the sense of the consciousness, perceptions and ego, atleast?

Nero

andy_d · 07-30-2003, 08:37 AM

Most Taoists, AFAIK, hold to the system of reincarnation. However, it's not a terribly important issue to them. The emphasis is on the here and now, rather than theoretical events in the future.

emotional · 07-30-2003, 11:29 AM

Hey, triplew00t, what was wrong about simple godless materialism? You really feel a need to worship something or have a religious belief?

Just curious.

triplew00t · 07-30-2003, 01:48 PM

Emotional,

For the most part, yes. I find its more of a feeling of belonging and a center of life to have a philosophy to hold to. But on the same level, I am atheistic for the most part, but more importantly than that, do not believe in an afterlife. I can accept gods, I think, so long as there is no life after death or reincarnation. Don't ask me why.

Nero

emotional · 07-30-2003, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by triplew00t
I can accept gods, I think, so long as there is no life after death or reincarnation.

Just the opposite of my situation: I can accept no gods, but I can't accept no afterlife. The God I do believe in is pretty much an absentee landlord - the God of Deism, awe-inspiring, but not one I can really worship or pray to.

Milton · 07-30-2003, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by emotional
Just the opposite of my situation: I can accept no gods, but I can't accept no afterlife. The God I do believe in is pretty much an absentee landlord - the God of Deism, awe-inspiring, but not one I can really worship or pray to.

And I am the best of both worlds...

I believe in a God, and an afterlife.

tribalbeeyatch · 07-30-2003, 03:03 PM

Have you considered punting the god belief as well as the afterlife? You should look into Zen Buddhism, if you haven't already.

emotional · 07-30-2003, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Milton
And I am the best of both worlds...

I believe in a God, and an afterlife.

What sort of god? The Christian god?

Milton · 07-30-2003, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by emotional
What sort of god? The Christian god?

Is this a true question or just some kind of joke or a setup?

Of course I am a Christian.

Mageth · 07-30-2003, 04:01 PM

Is this a true question or just some kind of joke or a setup?

Of course I am a Christian.

That seemed like a perfectly acceptable, "true" question to me. After all, there is more than one god that promises an afterlife.

You could just as well have answered the question "I'm a Muslim", for example.

07-30-2003, 06:29 AM	#1
triplew00t Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 141	No afterlife in Taoism? In my quest to find a religion that lacked an afterlife belief, I found (I think) Taoism. Any resident Taoists here of the more classical, philosophical variety? Can anyone verify whether or not Taoism (philosophical) accepts death as the final end of a person in the sense of the consciousness, perceptions and ego, atleast? Nero

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07-30-2003, 08:37 AM	#2
andy_d Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: umop apisbn Posts: 568	Most Taoists, AFAIK, hold to the system of reincarnation. However, it's not a terribly important issue to them. The emphasis is on the here and now, rather than theoretical events in the future.

07-30-2003, 11:29 AM	#3
emotional Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Boxing ring of HaShem, Jesus and Allah Posts: 1,945	Hey, triplew00t, what was wrong about simple godless materialism? You really feel a need to worship something or have a religious belief? Just curious.

07-30-2003, 01:48 PM	#4
triplew00t Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 141	Emotional, For the most part, yes. I find its more of a feeling of belonging and a center of life to have a philosophy to hold to. But on the same level, I am atheistic for the most part, but more importantly than that, do not believe in an afterlife. I can accept gods, I think, so long as there is no life after death or reincarnation. Don't ask me why. Nero

07-30-2003, 03:03 PM	#7
tribalbeeyatch Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: On the edge Posts: 509	Have you considered punting the god belief as well as the afterlife? You should look into Zen Buddhism, if you haven't already.

07-30-2003, 04:01 PM	#10
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Is this a true question or just some kind of joke or a setup? Of course I am a Christian. That seemed like a perfectly acceptable, "true" question to me. After all, there is more than one god that promises an afterlife. You could just as well have answered the question "I'm a Muslim", for example.

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