NationStates Jolt Archive

I wish to share my beliefs with you. I used to be a Christian, but I've found something better. Several months ago, I had 3 revelations:

1. Good and evil do exist and you must choose which side to commit your soul to. Buddhism's mostly got it right, what with the inner tranquility and karma. I'm not sure about the cycle of reincarnation, though.

2. God does not exist as a person or entity, but as a source of divine power and psoitive energy, and there is an equal and opposite one for evil, kinda like the force from Star Wars. The reason they came to be known as God and Satan is because people have trouble understanding these abstract concepts and have to personify everything.

3. This system must always be called a philosophy and not a religion. Once something is a religion, that's when it gets bastardised and you start making up bullshit rules, like "Homosexuality is wrong" or "Women must always wear burqas". Neither Jesus nor Buddha wanted their teachings to become religion.

If I've converted anyone, great. If I haven't, at least I tried. If you're going to just abuse me, go ahead. You probably need it to help your crappy self-esteem.

-buncha stuff-

Neat. That's just as arbitrary and speculative as any other brand of metaphysics, unless you've had some intense mystic experience or something.

And this is better than Christianity how? Buddhism also states that conscienceness doesn't exist. It's just an illusion of the body.

And if right and wrong do exist, what is to stop people from making rules, or from them to follow other rules? Just because you don't like the rules don't mean that you can just define new ones?

Neat. That's just as arbitrary and speculative as any other brand of metaphysics, unless you've had some intense mystic experience or something.

Indeed, I did. I was lying in bed when I suddenly felt a huge amount of energy flowing through me. It started at my head, then flowed down through my nec and my torso and then when it got to my feet, it reversed direction and went back up. When it got to my shoulders, it flowed down my right arm, came out my right hand and into my left. It went up my left arm and back into my head. And then these 3 revealtions occured to me out of nowhere.
I didn't actually see anything, but I could feel it.
It was freaky.

many people here in the west turn away from Christianity and adopt an 'exotic' religion such as buddhism often because they just want to be rebellious. Likewise a lot of people in Asia reject traditional eastern religion and become Christian for the same motivations. personally i think both Christianity and Buddhism are similar, and can promote admirable ethical values, although I don't believe any of the dogma that comes with it. Any religion can be fucked up, Buddhism is not an exception. In Asia many Buddhists who believe that you shouldn't help a crippled person, because bad karma from a previous life caused the person to be crippled in his or her current life, and therefore his crippled condition is divine punishment you shouldn't interfere with.

And this is better than Christianity how? Buddhism also states that conscienceness doesn't exist. It's just an illusion of the body.

And if right and wrong do exist, what is to stop people from making rules, or from them to follow other rules? Just because you don't like the rules don't mean that you can just define new ones?

Because when you start making rules beyond the basic "do unto others", it will inevitably get corrupted. It's happened with every religeon in the world.

many people here in the west turn away from Christianity and adopt an 'exotic' religion such as buddhism often because they just want to be rebellious. Likewise a lot of people in Asia reject traditional eastern religion and become Christian for the same motivations. personally i think both Christianity and Buddhism are similar, and can promote admirable ethical values, although I don't believe any of the dogma that comes with it. Any religion can be fucked up, Buddhism is not an exception. In Asia many Buddhists who believe that you shouldn't help a crippled person, because bad karma from a previous life caused the person to be crippled in his or her current life, and therefore his crippled condition is divine punishment you shouldn't interfere with.
This system is not Buddhism. Although the basic philosophy is the same, they are very different. I was only comparing it to Buddhism in order to demonstate that karma exists. And you should help crippled people, it's just common decency.

Because when you start making rules beyond the basic "do unto others", it will inevitably get corrupted. It's happened with every religeon in the world.

For Christianity, everything can be brought together into two rules: love God, and respect your fellow man. How bad can that be?

For Christianity, everything can be brought together into two rules: love God, and respect your fellow man. How bad can that be?
Those were the original concepts, yes, but if you read the Bible, a lot has been added to it since then.

Those were the original concepts, yes, but if you read the Bible, a lot has been added to it since then.

I'm a Christian, and I read my Bible daily. It's still that way with the rules. What's the big deal?

I'm a Christian, and I read my Bible daily. It's still that way with the rules. What's the big deal?
But many of those rules make no sense. For example, it says that you can own slaves, as long as they're from a neighbouring nation. It says that people can be stoned for eating shellfish. It says that those with poor eyesight or a hunch cannot approach the altar.

I wish to share my beliefs with you. I used to be a Christian, but I've found something better. Several months ago, I had 3 revelations:

1. Good and evil do exist and you must choose which side to commit your soul to. Buddhism's mostly got it right, what with the inner tranquility and karma. I'm not sure about the cycle of reincarnation, though.

2. God does not exist as a person or entity, but as a source of divine power and psoitive energy, and there is an equal and opposite one for evil, kinda like the force from Star Wars. The reason they came to be known as God and Satan is because people have trouble understanding these abstract concepts and have to personify everything.

3. This system must always be called a philosophy and not a religion. Once something is a religion, that's when it gets bastardised and you start making up bullshit rules, like "Homosexuality is wrong" or "Women must always wear burqas". Neither Jesus nor Buddha wanted their teachings to become religion.

If I've converted anyone, great. If I haven't, at least I tried. If you're going to just abuse me, go ahead. You probably need it to help your crappy self-esteem.

1. This "philosophy" seems no more rational than Christianity.

2. I was going to say it may be harmless. But your attitude doesn't exactly reflect peace and tranquility.

3. To even compare this to Buddhism reflects insulting ignorance.

This system is not Buddhism. Although the basic philosophy is the same, they are very different. I was only comparing it to Buddhism in order to demonstate that karma exists. And you should help crippled people, it's just common decency.
Of course it's Buddhism, albeit a twisted interpretation. All religions have shortcomings, due to the ignorance and imperfection of their human practitioners. islam has its Al Qaeda and bin Laden, Christianity had its inquisition and Tim McVey, Buddhism has fallen error many times too (Tibetan serfdom, religious wars, etc. - less well known to westerners). Ignoring your own religion's shortcomings, only focusing on its positive aspects, and then accusing other religions of being screwed up, is ignorant and dishonest.

you guys just need to realize that none of this exsists, philosophy doesnt exsist, religion doesnt exsist, this keyboard doesnt exsist. I cant explain it, i wish i could. Its like when you first try something new, like tennis for example, and you just say to yourself im just going to let my body handle this and you dont think about it. The physical world is for our bodys and when we think about the physical world it slows everything down, just realize your a guest in your own body and it doesnt actually exsist. And no im not crazy.

1. This "philosophy" seems no more rational than Christianity.

2. I was going to say it may be harmless. But your attitude doesn't exactly reflect peace and tranquility.

3. To even compare this to Buddhism reflects insulting ignorance.
1. Okay then, you're entitled to your opinion.
2. I added that bit because people who present their beliefs in forums are often persecuted for it. Just because you've committed your soul to the power of good, doesn't mean you can't say 'crappy'.
3. Ah, ignorance. One of those buzz words that people use when they can't think of any actual arguements.

But many of those rules make no sense. For example, it says that you can own slaves, as long as they're from a neighbouring nation. It says that people can be stoned for eating shellfish. It says that those with poor eyesight or a hunch cannot approach the altar.

Are you reading from the Old Testament? A good chunk of those laws (like all of Leviticus) are meant for the Jewish race, to distinguish them from everyone else.

As for the slavery, God was well aware that He would have a hard time convincing people at that time that they should get rid of slavery. Compare to the discussion of divorce between the Old and New Testaments. Also, those slaves were treated a lot better than what we think of slavery, plus they could leave after 7 years.

Are you reading from the Old Testament? A good chunk of those laws (like all of Leviticus) are meant for the Jewish race, to distinguish them from everyone else.

As for the slavery, God was well aware that He would have a hard time convincing people at that time that they should get rid of slavery. Compare to the discussion of divorce between the Old and New Testaments. Also, those slaves were treated a lot better than what we think of slavery, plus they could leave after 7 years.

LOL. :D

The all-powerful being "was well aware" that her persusaive powers were lacking? So She endorsed a moral evil in order for public relations purposes? :rolleyes:

Of course it's Buddhism, albeit a twisted interpretation. All religions have shortcomings, due to the ignorance and imperfection of their human practitioners. islam has its Al Qaeda and bin Laden, Christianity had its inquisition and Tim McVey, Buddhism has fallen error many times too (Tibetan serfdom, religious wars, etc. - less well known to westerners). Ignoring your own religion's shortcomings, only focusing on its positive aspects, and then accusing other religions of being screwed up, is ignorant and dishonest.

What exactly are my religion's shortcomings? Since it's only a couple of months old and it has only one follower, it's pretty much in that beautiful stage that all religions start at. Sure, people will abuse it in the future if it ever takes off, but I, for one, am going to focus only on the positive aspects because, at this stage, that is all it has.

What exactly are my religion's shortcomings? Since it's only a couple of months old and it has only one follower, it's pretty much in that beautiful stage that all religions start at. Sure, people will abuse it in the future if it ever takes off, but I, for one, am going to focus only on the positive aspects because, at this stage, that is all it has.
Whatever eclectic religion you made up, good luck. I am referring to Buddhism's shortcomings, because you refused to associate bad things with Buddhism... your position on that is uninformed.

Whatever eclectic religion you made up, good luck. I am referring to Buddhism's shortcomings, because you refused to associate bad things with Buddhism... your position on that is uninformed.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Buddhism, like all religions, is imperfect. That is because it was called a religion and began to get bastardised.

1. Okay then, you're entitled to your opinion.
2. I added that bit because people who present their beliefs in forums are often persecuted for it. Just because you've committed your soul to the power of good, doesn't mean you can't say 'crappy'.
3. Ah, ignorance. One of those buzz words that people use when they can't think of any actual arguements.

1. Well, you can no more prove the existence of these supernatural forces than a Christian can prove the existence of God. And unlike a religion that has undergone centuries of scholarly study, yours is simply pulled from thin air. Care to justify the rationality of your "philosophy" in any way?

2. I could care less about the word "crappy." Insulting the self-esteem of anyone that disagrees with you is hardly indicative of devotion to the "power of good."

3. Ignorance is a very apt description of someone talking about something they know fuck-all about. How long have you studied Buddhism? Under what teacher? What tracts have you read?

LOL. :D

The all-powerful being "was well aware" that her persusaive powers were lacking? So She endorsed a moral evil in order for public relations purposes? :rolleyes:

You would prefer that the rules involved would be completely disregarded instead? Isn't that rather pointless?

OK I am here, so you believe your religion is better than Christianity?

What you propose is an all-consuming impersonal God, correct?
. God does not exist as a person or entity, but as a source of divine power and psoitive energy, and there is an equal and opposite one for evil, kinda like the force from Star Wars. The reason they came to be known as God and Satan is because people have trouble understanding these abstract concepts and have to personify everything.

Christianity proposes a holy person who is eternal, perfect (holy), and all powerful. He wants an eternal relationship with you.


You propose that religion is bad, correct?
This system must always be called a philosophy and not a religion. Once something is a religion, that's when it gets bastardised and you start making up bullshit rules, like "Homosexuality is wrong" or "Women must always wear burqas". Neither Jesus nor Buddha wanted their teachings to become religion.

Jesus wanted the Church, the church is basically religion. A philosophy affects everything in your life, so does religion...hmm me thinks philosophy=religion=worldview.

Also, the Bible says homosexuality is a sin. It is under sexual immorality, how so you might ask? Two-fold answer: (1) Because man was made for woman and woman for man. (2) The old law, although we are told not to force our lives to live by it ("they're more like guidlines") also says that homosexuality is wrong.

Plus, I am proud to say that the verses in first or second timothy that constrain a woman were mistranslated.

You would prefer that the rules involved would be completely disregarded instead? Isn't that rather pointless?

Huh?

Would you like to try again and make sense this time?

1. Well, you can no more prove the existence of these supernatural forces than a Christian can prove the existence of God. And unlike a religion that has undergone centuries of scholarly study, yours is simply pulled from thin air. Care to justify the rationality of your "philosophy" in any way?

2. I could care less about the word "crappy." Insulting the self-esteem of anyone that disagrees with you is hardly indicative of devotion to the "power of good."

3. Ignorance is a very apt description of someone talking about something they know fuck-all about. How long have you studied Buddhism? Under what teacher? What tracts have you read?

1. It's called faith. Asking someone to prove the existance in whatever divine figurehead they believe in will get you nowhere.

2. Read it more carefully. I wasn't insulting the self-esteem of anyone who disagrees with me, just someone who throws insults at me to make themselves feel better, like I've seen happen when other people express their beliefs.

3. I admit that I don't know very much about Buddhism, but that doesn't mean I am forbidden to talk about it. I understand the basic concept and that's all I'll need because that's all my philosophy has in common.

mr. revelation, Jesus owns you

1. It's called faith. Asking someone to prove the existance in whatever divine figurehead they believe in will get you nowhere.

2. Read it more carefully. I wasn't insulting the self-esteem of anyone who disagrees with me, just someone who throws insults at me to make themselves feel better, like I've seen happen when other people express their beliefs.

3. I admit that I don't know very much about Buddhism, but that doesn't mean I am forbidden to talk about it. I understand the basic concept and that's all I'll need because that's all my philosophy has in common.

OK ......

Care to explain how your "philosophy" is better than Christianity?

Is it purely because your philosophy has no history and remains vague?

Huh?

Would you like to try again and make sense this time?

What I'm saying is that it's better to make rules which curb the cruelty than to make rules which discontinue the practice that will then be promptly ignored.

Also, your spiritual experience is interesting. It is nice to be debating with someone who agrees there is a supernatural.

I too have had many overwhelming spiritual experiences. Ranging from speaking in tongues (fallacy: oh when tons of excited people get in groups they just lose control and start rambling. Trust me S.I.T. was ment more for your personal relationship with YHVH), to healing(s), intense prayer, intense meditation, intense worship, blah, blah blah, blah fricking blah-dee-doo

You agree there is a right and evil, correct?
How do you not know whether what went through you and brought you those revelations was evil or right?

OK I am here, so you believe your religion is better than Christianity?

What you propose is an all-consuming impersonal God, correct?


Christianity proposes a holy person who is eternal, perfect (holy), and all powerful. He wants an eternal relationship with you.


You propose that religion is bad, correct?


Jesus wanted the Church, the church is basically religion. A philosophy affects everything in your life, so does religion...hmm me thinks philosophy=religion=worldview.

Also, the Bible says homosexuality is a sin. It is under sexual immorality, how so you might ask? Two-fold answer: (1) Because man was made for woman and woman for man. (2) The old law, although we are told not to force our lives to live by it ("they're more like guidlines") also says that homosexuality is wrong.

Plus, I am proud to say that the verses in first or second timothy that constrain a woman were mistranslated.

Wool was made to keep sheep warm. Does that mean it is immoral to make clothes out of it?
Also, if it is not wrong to have sex for pleasure (since that is all gay and lesbian sex is), surely there is no sin there.

Wool was made to keep sheep warm. Does that mean it is immoral to make clothes out of it?
What?

Also, if it is not wrong to have sex for pleasure (since that is all gay and lesbian sex is), surely there is no sin there.

Yes it is wrong to have sex just for pleasure with multiple partners or not becoming a life partner with the one you had sex with. That is known as sexual immorality. And do not divide gay sex from gay relationships.


Oh and reply to my other comments too.

What I'm saying is that it's better to make rules which curb the cruelty than to make rules which discontinue the practice that will then be promptly ignored.

Again, you have the all-powerful pussy-footing around with incremental steps like it was a negotiation. Are you honestly claiming God had to watch what she said in order to please her constituents -- like some pandering politician?

Does this mean the rest of the Bible is merely contingent on circumstances?

Given that the Bible takes rather stark positions on many issues, the endorsement of slavery stands out as a significant moral flaw. (Albiet only one of many.) And, no, it was not better to openly endorse slavery but "curb the cruelty" than to simply proscribe it. Your justification -- in addition to the problems I've already highlighted -- sounds more than a bit like moral relativism.

mr. revelation, Jesus owns you

Jesus was a very wise, ver virtuous, very schitzophrenic man.

What?



Yes it is wrong to have sex just for pleasure, without marrying the other gender. That is known as sexual immorality. And do not divide gay sex from gay relationships.


Oh and reply to my other comments too.

What a sad and twisted little world. Hopefully you will grow out of it.

Again, you have the all-powerful pussy-footing around with incremental steps like it was a negotiation. Are you honestly claiming God had to watch what she said in order to please her constituents -- like some pandering politician?

Does this mean the rest of the Bible is merely contingent on circumstances?

Given that the Bible takes rather stark positions on many issues, the endorsement of slavery stands out as a significant moral flaw. (Albiet only one of many.) And, no, it was not better to openly endorse slavery but "curb the cruelty" than to simply proscribe it. Your justification -- in addition to the problems I've already highlighted -- sounds more than a bit like moral relativism.

The point was to get the people to move in a certain direction morally. The underlying principles were all there, but nobody had put the pieces together yet. The Good Lord in His infinite wisdom decided to move the people incimentally rather than in one fell swoop. Seems pretty reasonable too me. It's not that God is trying to make the people happy, but that He has something to accomplish. He knows how far He can push the people before they start ignoring Him, which would then defeat the purpose.

What?



Yes it is wrong to have sex just for pleasure, without marrying the other gender. That is known as sexual immorality. And do not divide gay sex from gay relationships.


Oh and reply to my other comments too.
You said that woman was made for man and changing it is immoral. I see no difference between using wool in a different way and using sex in a different way.

What is immoral about sex for pleasure? Show me the sin.

Yes, philosophy and religion are essentially the same thing. But, as I stated, when you start calling it religion, it begins to get corrupted.

The point was to get the people to move in a certain direction morally. The underlying principles were all there, but nobody had put the pieces together yet. The Good Lord in His infinite wisdom decided to move the people incimentally rather than in one fell swoop. Seems pretty reasonable too me. It's not that God is trying to make the people happy, but that He has something to accomplish. He knows how far He can push the people before they start ignoring Him, which would then defeat the purpose.

So God destroyed the city of Soddom and Gomorrah to make a point about sexual morality, but slavery needed to move gradually?

Whatever apologetics work for you I guess ....

What a sad and twisted little world. Hopefully you will grow out of it.
Fortunately I reread what I posted and corrected it.

Now a slightly bigger fish:
You said that woman was made for man and changing it is immoral. I see no difference between using wool in a different way and using sex in a different way.

Sex utilizes emotions of two sentient beings, sex takes your whole body, mind, will, all of that. Sex is usually involved with love or fun.

Wool is meant to keep an animal that God made warm. Wool does not involve love, fun, relationships.

Oh and a minor fact (well major if you are a christian). God said man and woman were made for each other. He did not say wool was only for sheep. He actually gave man dominion over all the earth.

Again do not divide homosexual sex from a homosexual relationship, they are usually they same thing just as a heterosexual relationship and heterosexual sex are.

Yes, philosophy and religion are essentially the same thing. But, as I stated, when you start calling it religion, it begins to get corrupted.

So one word makes a difference? Please restate your reasoning for religion being bad.

Fortunately I reread what I posted and corrected it.

Now a slightly bigger fish:


Sex utilizes emotions of two sentient beings, sex takes your whole body, mind, will, all of that. Sex is usually involved with love or fun.

Wool is meant to keep an animal that God made warm. Wool does not involve love, fun, relationships.

Again do not divide homosexual sex from a homosexual relationship, they are usually they same thing just as a heterosexual relationship and heterosexual sex are.



So one word makes a difference? Please restate your reasoning for religion being bad.

I'd say your views are Exhibit A on why religion can be bad.

Some book that has been re-written many times can be interpreted to condemn others? So?

I'd say your views are Exhibit A on why religion can be bad.

Some book that has been re-written many times can be interpreted to condemn others? So?

Instead of debating my topics, and the topic of this thread. You bring up the validity, congruity, and fallibility of some book? Please, I've seen you debate before, stay on topic and tear me up.

Oh and refresh my memory, what are my views?

I was thinking about making a post about how my belief structure is based in christian texts, but not just in those texts, and a bunch of other things, but then I figured, why its just going to be taken out of context and ignorantly used to show how I'm so obviously mistaken.

Instead I'm going to say that anyone that claims they have something better then christianity is clothed in ignorance. no person can truely say that one religion is better then another, since a faith is based on a personal understanding and one's heart, and since none can ever truely know that, one can't say its better then another.

you may say, I feel that my current understanding is better then my previous understanding in christian belief.

Nah, I am rude enough to say my faith is better than others. But I will not push my faith on anyone.

Nah, I am rude enough to say my faith is better than others. But I will not push my faith on anyone.
for you, your faith is better then others, and you at least understand that you shouldn't force it. oh well, I'm going night night.


:eek: :gundge:

I wish to share my beliefs with you. I used to be a Christian, but I've found something better. Several months ago, I had 3 revelations:

1. Good and evil do exist and you must choose which side to commit your soul to. Buddhism's mostly got it right, what with the inner tranquility and karma. I'm not sure about the cycle of reincarnation, though.

2. God does not exist as a person or entity, but as a source of divine power and psoitive energy, and there is an equal and opposite one for evil, kinda like the force from Star Wars. The reason they came to be known as God and Satan is because people have trouble understanding these abstract concepts and have to personify everything.

3. This system must always be called a philosophy and not a religion. Once something is a religion, that's when it gets bastardised and you start making up bullshit rules, like "Homosexuality is wrong" or "Women must always wear burqas". Neither Jesus nor Buddha wanted their teachings to become religion.

If I've converted anyone, great. If I haven't, at least I tried. If you're going to just abuse me, go ahead. You probably need it to help your crappy self-esteem.

Welcome to Taoism.

for you, your faith is better then others, and you at least understand that you shouldn't force it. oh well, I'm going night night.


:eek: :gundge:

Tsk tsk, don't correct me, if I meant that I would have said that. What I mean is, my faith is better than everyone elses, and I would encourage all to join me and my sisters and brothers. But forcing is foolish. Do not seek to convert, seek to love.

Tsk tsk, don't correct me, if I meant that I would have said that. What I mean is, my faith is better than everyone elses, and I would encourage all to join me and my sisters and brothers. But forcing is foolish. Do not seek to convert, seek to love.

I don't think I corrected you, I merely made a statement in regards to your statement. An observation isn't a correction or restateing.

My apologies, you are correct, you stated an observation. You can believe its true for you, and for me. But I will stay out of believing its true for me and you.

I gonna bump this...once so that the guy who started the thread can come back and/or the guy I apologized to

I wish to share my beliefs with you. I used to be a Christian, but I've found something better. Several months ago, I had 3 revelations:

1. Good and evil do exist and you must choose which side to commit your soul to. Buddhism's mostly got it right, what with the inner tranquility and karma. I'm not sure about the cycle of reincarnation, though.

2. God does not exist as a person or entity, but as a source of divine power and psoitive energy, and there is an equal and opposite one for evil, kinda like the force from Star Wars. The reason they came to be known as God and Satan is because people have trouble understanding these abstract concepts and have to personify everything.

3. This system must always be called a philosophy and not a religion. Once something is a religion, that's when it gets bastardised and you start making up bullshit rules, like "Homosexuality is wrong" or "Women must always wear burqas". Neither Jesus nor Buddha wanted their teachings to become religion.

If I've converted anyone, great. If I haven't, at least I tried. If you're going to just abuse me, go ahead. You probably need it to help your crappy self-esteem.

Not that I see anything particularly wrong with your philosophy, but describing it as "Better than Christianity" isn't saying much for it. That's kind of like saying that the Chevy Camaro is better than a Yugo. While it may very well be true, you've got to admit it isn't much of an advertisement. :D

Sorry I haven't posted for ages. Computer troubles. :mad:
I can now see that "Better Than Christianity" was a stupid thing to call this thread. I should have predicted that people like Doors Corporation would take it as a personal insult. (By the way, it's hipocritical of you to tell me not ot force my faith on anyone, considering what you've been doing all along.)
I was originally gonna call it "My Beliefs", but I didn't because I thought that wouldn't attract many people. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused with that title.
Also, stupid verses in the Bible like God giving us dominion over animals is one of the reasons for the great amount of animal cruelty going on. Some of the stuff in there is good, but a lot of it is crap, eg. the bit where it says that it is black people's eternal duty to serve white people.

I wish to share my beliefs with you. I used to be a Christian, but I've found something better. Several months ago, I had 3 revelations:

1. Good and evil do exist and you must choose which side to commit your soul to. Buddhism's mostly got it right, what with the inner tranquility and karma. I'm not sure about the cycle of reincarnation, though.

2. God does not exist as a person or entity, but as a source of divine power and psoitive energy, and there is an equal and opposite one for evil, kinda like the force from Star Wars. The reason they came to be known as God and Satan is because people have trouble understanding these abstract concepts and have to personify everything.

3. This system must always be called a philosophy and not a religion. Once something is a religion, that's when it gets bastardised and you start making up bullshit rules, like "Homosexuality is wrong" or "Women must always wear burqas". Neither Jesus nor Buddha wanted their teachings to become religion.

If I've converted anyone, great. If I haven't, at least I tried. If you're going to just abuse me, go ahead. You probably need it to help your crappy self-esteem. :) :p :D
sorry, remembering the time I felt God's power. that is Inner Peace and tranquility... and every time I think about it... :) :p :D

sometimes me and my friends who were with me that day, just sit for hours remembering that feeling.

something that I hope you will experince for yourself one day...

I wish to share my beliefs with you. I used to be a Christian, but I've found something better. Several months ago, I had 3 revelations:

1. Good and evil do exist and you must choose which side to commit your soul to. Buddhism's mostly got it right, what with the inner tranquility and karma. I'm not sure about the cycle of reincarnation, though.

2. God does not exist as a person or entity, but as a source of divine power and psoitive energy, and there is an equal and opposite one for evil, kinda like the force from Star Wars. The reason they came to be known as God and Satan is because people have trouble understanding these abstract concepts and have to personify everything.

3. This system must always be called a philosophy and not a religion. Once something is a religion, that's when it gets bastardised and you start making up bullshit rules, like "Homosexuality is wrong" or "Women must always wear burqas". Neither Jesus nor Buddha wanted their teachings to become religion.

If I've converted anyone, great. If I haven't, at least I tried. If you're going to just abuse me, go ahead. You probably need it to help your crappy self-esteem.


Soon you'll go mad with power and force people to meditate, make everyone pay karma-tax and condemn people who make up rules to a bad rebirth cycle. Storm troops will roam the streets and shoot anyone that doesn't look tranquil enough.

:) :p :D
sorry, remembering the time I felt God's power. that is Inner Peace and tranquility... and every time I think about it... :) :p :D

sometimes me and my friends who were with me that day, just sit for hours remembering that feeling.

something that I hope you will experince for yourself one day...
I have felt the power of the forces of good. It was the most amazing experience ever. Don't pity me just because you think you've experienced something no one else has.

Soon you'll go mad with power and force people to meditate, make everyone pay karma-tax and condemn people who make up rules to a bad rebirth cycle. Storm troops will roam the streets and shoot anyone that doesn't look tranquil enough.
Although slightly exaggerated, that's what's happened with Christianity.

Although slightly exaggerated, that's what's happened with Christianity.

its what happened to Bob's version of Christ's message. More of Bobianity, kinda like Buddha's views on Hindu and such became Budism. Its just instead of seeing it as such, people just labeled it different 'denominations' though I prefer Demoniations.

Just a quick thought,

the whole concept behind a philosophy is in itself a better Idea than the concept behind a faith. A philosophy is merely a collection of ideas based on observation of human behavior and so on and so fourth while a faith is trying to create a diety or a devine mandate that every human being must follow. The whole concept behind having "faith" in general is very unclear to me I have enough time trying to trust my closest friends let alone someone who never responds when I tried to ask for them. But thats a theory for some relegious fanatic to disregard completely calling me a heretic that must be burnt at the stake.

(and in response to these people who are claiming that they have felt "good and evil" talk to any hippie who was on acid in the 60's and I guarantee all of them have felt good and evil.)

-Caleb M.

1. Okay then, you're entitled to your opinion.
2. I added that bit because people who present their beliefs in forums are often persecuted for it. Just because you've committed your soul to the power of good, doesn't mean you can't say 'crappy'.
3. Ah, ignorance. One of those buzz words that people use when they can't think of any actual arguements.

Even with your certainty in your faith, who are you to decide what the power of good is? People create their own morals. The most you can do is to guide not to convert. Having said this, I do agree with your basic philosophy...

Neat. That's just as arbitrary and speculative as any other brand of metaphysics, unless you've had some intense mystic experience or something.
That's kinda what I was thinking. Only I wouldn't want to measure this guy's wisdom... :rolleyes: