In article <0001HW.BF1C446700254ECCF0284550@news.easynews.com>, Daisy
<Daisy@ThePond.com> wrote:
> This business of trying to assert that I am disparaging Buddhism is a
> particularly low blow. At a time when religious differences are the cause of
> much upheaval in the world, to make a claim that a person is insulting
> (disparaging) another's religion is inflammatory. Shame on anyone who would
> fan those flames, particularly when the claim is false.
>
>
> With regard to the whether Buddhism can be considered a religion or not, most
> would agree that it is not, at least not in any usual sense of the word
> religion. To make my point, here are several definitions of the word
> 'religion' (Unlike some, I provide references for my assertions):
>
> "a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human
> destiny;"
>
> "Religion, sometimes used interchangeably with faith, is commonly defined as
> belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine"
>
> "In the service and worship of God or the supernatural a personal set or
> institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices"
>
> "the service and worship of God or the supernatural" - Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster.com:
Function: noun
: a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of
Gautama Buddha that suffering is inherent in life and that one can be
liberated from it by mental and moral self-purification
> "the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or any such system of belief and
> worship": - Cambridge Dictionaries
>
> "Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as
> creator and governor of the universe." - Word.com
dictionary.com:
Buddhism
n 1: a religion represented by the many groups (especially in Asia)
that profess various forms of the Buddhist doctrine and that venerate
Buddha [syn: Buddhism] 2: the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated
with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire
ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and
wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and
rebirth [syn: Buddhism]
Like the in Bible, you can find what you want in dictionaries and
encyclopedias and other references, to support your beliefs.
A true researcher looks deeper, and without obvious bias. A TRUE
researcher will also look for what disproves his theories, because if
he doesn't, someone is SURE to make a fool of him with what he doesn't
want to see. I just did that for you. :-)
You used Merriam-Webster as a source to "prove" that Buddhism isn't a
religion, but they say it is. So does EVERY other dictionary and
encyclopedia! I suggest you argue with THEM, and see where it gets you.
Could it be that they know something that you don't? Well, in this,
most do.
> As anyone reading this can plainly see some sense of the supernatural or a
> deity is included in the common meaning of religion. There is no such belief
> in Buddhism. It is much more like Taoism in this regard. It is a method to
> avoid suffering and to live with compassion in this life.
Buddhism is derived from Hinduism, and still retains many of those
original beliefs. As a result, most varieties of Buddhism, in practice,
are filled with Gods and demons. What do you THINK they do in the
Temples? Who is it you think they pray to?
Also, many local beliefs, that were there before the arrival of
Buddhism, were usually incorporated into it.
> You can find the same conclusion about Buddhism and religion in the works of
> Tich Nyatt Hanh, (Zen Buddhist Master), Pema Chodron (Tibetan Buddhist
> Master), Alan Watts (British expert on Buddhism) or even D. T. Suzuki
> (perhaps thet Zen Buddhist follower best known in the west)
>
> I would hope that any person refuting this would provide references as a
> basis for that refutation and not merely fill the page with blind assertions.
>
One doesn't need to provide references for what every member of a
religion knows. Have you ever ASKED a real Buddhist if his religion was
a real religion?
And if they get angry with you, will you tell them that they can't be a
Buddhist because they don't live up to YOUR ignorant standards of how
they should be? How many "believers" in other religions act according
to the established standards for their respective religions? Not that
there is much agreement about what those are.
Where are YOUR references? You list names. So? You quote no documents
that state that Buddhism is not a religion. Do you expect me to accept
your very limited understanding of what a few people have written, as
fact? Not even when pigs fly. You can't even quote YOURSELF accurately.
Again, you quote no documents that state that Buddhism is not a
religion, but *I* have quoted documents that say that it is, and in
simple enough language for you to understand. There is a lot more out
there that say the same. An idiot can find them, so you can too.
Could it be that you don't actually understand what a "reference" is?
There are countries where Buddhism has been, and still is, the official
state religion. I guess, for you, those countries can't exist. What a
small world you inhabit.
Where do you get this ignorant arrogance that prompts you to denigrate
a major religion with your utter nonsensical and ridiculous personal
opinions?
Has semantic reality ever concerned you? Does it really translate at
all, between different languages? Did it ever occur to you that
different people have different understandings of what the word
"religion" means, and that no one can be completely correct about it,
where supernatural philosophy is concerned?
We have discussed before, that true atheism is impossible. You agreed
with me about that. Yet now you say that Buddhism isn't a religion.
Since they can't be atheists, which is completely against human nature,
WHAT HIGHER POWER DO THEY BELIEVE IN?
When you are able to use real logic with me, it will probably be the
day that pigs grow wings and fly.
Oink!
TRUE definition of religion:
Whatever a believer says it is.
For an organized second opinion, ask a Scientologist, and stand back,
away from punching distance. Well, YOU can stand close to him. Please.
Whatever anyone's opinion is, Buddhism functions as a religion.
It serves all the needs that a religion is made to serve, and is
sometimes as organized as is any other major religion, and is treated
as a religion by all the major governments.
Your opinion is nothing, against this reality.
I strongly disapprove of your attack on a major religion. Because of
this, you no longer deserve my attention.
Y Not
PS.
I don't believe in worshiping a personified deity. That a supreme being
would have such a childish ego that it would demand to be worshiped, or
even approve of it, I feel is ridiculous.
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