The "All New" Let's Debate Religion Thread

[red_rider]

Thank you Podzol for an intelligent and Kind PM reply!

[GhettoSmurf]

We rot in the ground, seems harsh, and unfortunate but no amount of stories is going to change that.

[podzol]

Here is a way cool fact (of the scientific sort. I qualify to prevent any debate. It is not an absolute fact, just a scientific fact so Jesus people be quiet or you'll have trouble freemounting and your "nut guard"/handle will droop and get loose and fall off when you are trying to impress a girl.)

The (scientific) Fact established on the basis of morphology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, ontogeny and phylogeny:
Elephants evolved from water adapted sea mammals that evolved from land adapted mammals, that evolved from aquatic vertebrates.

It's just the most amazing example of the radiation of species and convergent and divergent evolution I have ever heard about!! Crazy! WOW!

Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.

[Spudman]

Originally Posted by podzol

Elephants evolved from water adapted sea mammals that evolved from land adapted mammals, that evolved from aquatic vertebrates.

Mmm... aquatic vertebrates...

Did you actually read this from a historical book or are you making it up?

[EvanWilson]

Originally Posted by James_Potter

Anyway, I finally decided that I'm Buddhist. Mostly because I do believe there is a God, but I don't think it is possible to prove it, or to know what God is, or anything about Him/Her/It...so. Buddhism it is.

That doesn't really sound like sound logic to be a Buddhist, however, I am assuming there's more to it than that.

First of all, in Buddhism, arguably, there is no god.

Secondly, what you're describing is agnosticism, in the sense that you're claiming that you don't know and can't prove the answer to the religious debate.

I have no problem with you saying you're Buddhist, and if you were interested, I'd be happy to redirect you to the correct place, but I think it's possible you might be mistaken as to what Buddhism is.

[James_Potter]

Originally Posted by EvanWilson

That doesn't really sound like sound logic to be a Buddhist, however, I am assuming there's more to it than that.
First of all, in Buddhism, arguably, there is no god.
Secondly, what you're describing is agnosticism, in the sense that you're claiming that you don't know and can't prove the answer to the religious debate.
I have no problem with you saying you're Buddhist, and if you were interested, I'd be happy to redirect you to the correct place, but I think it's possible you might be mistaken as to what Buddhism is.

In Buddhism, God plays no part at all...there's nothing that says there is no God, and there is nothing that says there is a God.
Well, I believe there is a God, but I believe no one can prove it...so that's kinda like agnosticism, but I also believe in Buddhist practices.
I have several books on Buddhism, and have done much research, so I think I have a pretty good grasp...as far as I know, Buddhism has nothing to do with God at all.

Originally Posted by red_rider

Okay James, Where do Buddhists go when they die? Where do Atheists believe people go when they die?

Some Buddhists believe in reincarnation, because you live as many lives as you need to before you reach enlightenment. When you reach enlightenment, that is your last life on Earth, and then you reach Nirvana.
...in a nutshell.

[EvanWilson]

It makes me happy to see that you know what you're talking about, Mr. Potter. There are quite a few people at school (and everywhere I go, it seems) that cling to something that they know nothing about (whether religion, music, etc...)

I wish you good luck with everything.

Metta
-Evan

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by James_Potter

In Buddhism, God plays no part at all...there's nothing that says there is no God, and there is nothing that says there is a God.
Well, I believe there is a God, but I believe no one can prove it...so that's kinda like agnosticism, but I also believe in Buddhist practices.
I have several books on Buddhism, and have done much research, so I think I have a pretty good grasp...as far as I know, Buddhism has nothing to do with God at all.

That's kind of how I am, with Christianity...I believe in a higher power, but I don't know anything about it, and I know that I can never know...however, I think that the morals in Christianity/Islam/almost all the major religions are what everyone should live their life by.

[Spudman]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

...however, I think that the morals in Christianity/Islam/almost all the major religions are what everyone should live their life by.

That is exactly what you are supposed to do in my opinion. Religion means nothing; I've met good and bad people from several different religions. What matters is doing what is right and better for society, such as helping people in need, creating a positive aura about you, and not starting religious threads in nice forums.

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by James_Potter

In Buddhism, God plays no part at all...there's nothing that says there is no God, and there is nothing that says there is a God.
Well, I believe there is a God, but I believe no one can prove it...so that's kinda like agnosticism, but I also believe in Buddhist practices.
I have several books on Buddhism, and have done much research, so I think I have a pretty good grasp...as far as I know, Buddhism has nothing to do with God at all.

Some Buddhists believe in reincarnation, because you live as many lives as you need to before you reach enlightenment. When you reach enlightenment, that is your last life on Earth, and then you reach Nirvana.
...in a nutshell.

Thats pretty intriguing stuff. I do know that there are several famous buddist in the mainstream, and I have always heard that they are very "peaceful" people!

[phlegm]

Not to pick on you Mr. Potter, but I don't quite understand how a Westerner arrives at Buddhism. For me, Christianity is the dominant Western way to understand God. So, since I am undoubtedly a product of the Western way of thinking, trying to understand God or the metaphysical realm (or whatever you want to call It) via an Eastern religion such as Buddhism or Islam seems so foreign to the way I think that I see little point in trying (at least on a personal, practical level). In my mind, to do so would be akin to deciding to relocate to Siberia immediately in spite of my immense ignorance of the language and culture. Whether I like it or not, I am inseparable from the culture I am part of. So, without immersing myself in Eastern culture, I don't think I'd even have a chance at grasping what it really means to be Buddhist or Muslim.

[forrestunifreak]

Originally Posted by James_Potter

Anyway, I finally decided that I'm Buddhist. Mostly because I do believe there is a God, but I don't think it is possible to prove it, or to know what God is, or anything about Him/Her/It...so. Buddhism it is.

One step closer to the "there are no absolutes" trap eh?

[magic lobster]

If you just want to be spiritual without defining god, then be spiritual. You don't need Buddhism to do it. Study Buddhist ideas and play along with the ones you agree with, but don't call yourself a Buddhist.

[James_Potter]

Originally Posted by forrestunifreak

One step closer to the "there are no absolutes" trap eh?

Nah, there's certainly absolutes...however, I believe that, while on Earth, it is impossible to truly know what these absolutes are.

[forrestunifreak]

Originally Posted by James_Potter

Nah, there's certainly absolutes...however, I believe that, while on Earth, it is impossible to truly know what these absolutes are.

Are you absolutely sure?