How come Jesus is never quoted in fortune cookies?

because fortune cookies mean nothing unless you believe in what they say.

So, are you saying that all that Eastern philosophy contained in countless fortune cookies is meaningless?

So, are you saying that all that Eastern philosophy contained in countless fortune cookies is meaningless?

it is meaningless unless you believe in it. Belief makes realities.

There is very little real Eastern Philosophy in fortune cookies.

Fortune cookies:

Origin

San Francisco and Los Angeles both lay claim to the origin of the fortune cookie. Makoto Hagiwara of Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco is said to have invented the cookie in 1909,[1] while David Jung, founder of the Hong Kong Noodle Company in Los Angeles, is said to have invented them in 1918.[2]

San Francisco's Court of Historical Review ruled in 1983 in favor of San Francisco. Although the court was presided over by a Federal judge, the court itself has been criticized as being less than serious and biased in favor of San Francisco. Its conclusions, therefore, might not be the final word on the subject.[2]


Etymology

The cookies are generally called by the English term fortune cookies, even by Chinese Americans, as there is no standard Chinese term for them.


http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/clickit/search?r_aid=21DD8998DAFD44C39D92EA777A9632A0&r_eop=1&r_sacop=2&r_spf=0&r_cop=main-title&r_snpp=1&r_spp=1&r_wsm=0&qqn=pkw.uVHj&r_coid=239138&rawto=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_cookie


So there you have it, Jesus couldn't have eaten them at all.

Confucius is often quotes in fortune cookies. Isn't this Eastern philosophy?

Confucius is often quotes in fortune cookies. Isn't this Eastern philosophy?

Did you read where they first invented them in my last post?

Yeah, I read it. So what? There aren't Asians in San Francisco? Isn't Eastern philosophy transportable?

Yeah, I read it. So what? There aren't Asians in San Francisco? Isn't Eastern philosophy transportable?

Your question was, in the very first sentence," How come Jesus is never quoted in fortune cookies? " , So I answered you by showing you that fortune cookies weren't invented until the 20th century.

Huh? Why can't you get a Jesus quote from the Bible in the 20th Century?

Huh? Why can't you get a Jesus quote from the Bible in the 20th Century?

My point is that when Jesus was around there wasn't anyone taking notes of whatever he said. They only wrote about him over 100 years after he died. So how can anyone have quotes friom Jesus?

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the Earth." See, I just quoted him.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the Earth." See, I just quoted him.

And how did anyone get that quote if there was nothing written during his lifetime?

They remembered it. Oral history - very popular in the good old days.

They remembered what Jesus said for over 100 years, exactly as it was stated. That is very preposterous and a lie.

i suggest moving this thread to the religion or cesspool forum. in my opinion the cesspool is an upgrade compared to the religion forum.

peace.

i suggest moving this thread to the religion or cesspool forum. in my opinion the cesspool is an upgrade compared to the religion forum.

Why not make it a racial thread .....we'll see how many people think Asians are smarter than whites and blacks ...or something like that? Wouldn't that be fun?

Baron Max

Why not make it a racial thread .....we'll see how many people think Asians are smarter than whites and blacks ...or something like that? Wouldn't that be fun?

Baron Max


yeah good idea, you could turn a thread about chicken soup into a racial thread. i suppose thats a unique talent though.

peace.

Was oral rememberance of the Iliad by bards over the centuries once first spoken by Homer a lie? You grossly underestimate the accuracy of oral tradition.

Confucius is often quotes in fortune cookies. Isn't this Eastern philosophy?

Yeah, there's probably a little conficianism thrown in there, but I think you are making a mistaken assumption. The people that write for fortune cookies aren't philosophers, probably just some temp worker in a miserable office somewhere in Hoboken.

Well, they could just as easily stick Jesus quotes in the those cookies. What, never heard of Jesus? Why not Moses quotes?

It wouldn't fit with the Asian theme.

But fortune cookies aren't limited to Confucious. They also contain lottery numbers and general predictions.

There probably are some biblical phrases in there. There are alot of asian Christians. I've read things like "never a borrower or a lender be".


Fortune Cookie Sayings were originally based on bible verses and proverbs. Then English versions of 'Confucious teaching' were introduced.

http://www.chinese-fortune-cookie.com/fortune-cookie-sayings.html

So, why the change from the bible to the Buddha?

Confucianism isn't Buddhism, but I suppose it has to do with the mixing of cultures and the growing popularity of asian religions among Americans.

Confucious say, man who live like Buddha eat fortune cookie and grow large belly.

The large belly figure commonly seen in Chinese restaurants is not Buddha, but Hotei or Budai.

Recently, Budai statues, statuettes and amulets have become relatively well-known in Western cultures. Misconceptions have arisen because of this new enthusiasm, including the false connection made between Budai and Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism.

So, chinese restaurants are perpetuating misconceptions about Eastern philosophy? How dare they!

So, chinese restaurants are perpetuating misconceptions about Eastern philosophy? How dare they!

whatever makes money

I think the misconception is in our interpretation.

They could hang a sign on their Eastern version of Santa Claus - couldn't they? "This is Budai - not to be confused with our most sacred Buddha".

They could hang a sign on their Eastern version of Santa Claus - couldn't they? "This is Budai - not to be confused with our most sacred Buddha".

Buddha is a much more known marketing tool image.

Well, not to me. I thought the fat guy in the chinese restaurant that you rub for good luck was Buddha. Apparently, it is Budai. Where does the real Buddha appear in marketing?

It doesn't really matter. Most people just pay lip service to Buddha, and view him as another diety, they are superstitious and don't know what he really taught.

Well, not to me. I thought the fat guy in the chinese restaurant that you rub for good luck was Buddha. Apparently, it is Budai. Where does the real Buddha appear in marketing?

noone cares for real BUddha. The image is though as a Buddha...so it works well with marketing. Whether it is Budai...or anything else...doesnt matter.

So, the asians are pretty relaxed when it comes to Eastern philosophy?

So, the asians are pretty relaxed when it comes to Eastern philosophy?

yeah they are cool about it.

You mean they don't believe it. My point exactly. This is why Eastern philosophy deserves to be housed in a fortune cookie, because it's not to be taken seriously.

You mean they don't believe it. My point exactly. This is why Eastern philosophy deserves to be housed in a fortune cookie, because it's not to be taken seriously.

like life should be taken seriously.

Life shouldn't be taken seriously. Nevertheless, some good things can't be accomplished unless you take things seriously.

You mean they don't believe it. My point exactly. This is why Eastern philosophy deserves to be housed in a fortune cookie, because it's not to be taken seriously.

Oh, that's your point? Buddhism doesn't have the same emphasis on preaching and converting people that most western religions have.

like life should be taken seriously.

Easy to tell you're not a follower of Eris.

Easy to tell you're not a follower of Eris.

Eris goddess?

Then how come there are so many Asians?

Da.
Hail Eris.
Kallisti.

Then how come there are so many Asians?

huh

If Asians don't like to convert, then how come there are so many freak'in Asians who are under the influence of Eastern philosophy?

Because Asians like the concepts and don't HAVE to be converted?

Who said conversion has to be sold like a cheap suit?

Who said conversion has to be sold like a cheap suit?
Your ability to consistently miss the point is little short of phenomenal:

Buddhism doesn't have the same emphasis on preaching and converting people that most western religions have.

If Asians don't like to convert, then how come there are so many freak'in Asians who are under the influence of Eastern philosophy?

Because Asians like the concepts and don't HAVE to be converted?

Where does "cheap suit" come into it?

Buddhism etc. doesn't have as much emphasis on conversion as Western religions.
The reason so many Asians are Buddhist is because they find it appealing without having to be converted - i.e. they decide of their own free will to become Buddhist.
Without having hellfire and TV evanglists and doorsteppers trying to convert them.

and that is why I follow Buddhism, freedom.

Life shouldn't be taken seriously. Nevertheless, some good things can't be accomplished unless you take things seriously.

And we can't take much more of you .

This is what I meant by selling a cheap suit, i.e. hell and brimstone. You are incorrect in saying that conversion must involve heavy selling. Deciding of your own free will is also a conversion. Therefore, the asians are still being converted.

Why follow anything at all? Wouldn't the most free be the atheists?

This is what I meant by selling a cheap suit, i.e. hell and brimstone. You are incorrect in saying that conversion must involve heavy selling. Deciding of your own free will is also a conversion. Therefore, the asians are still being converted.

You come up with some lame shit don't you?

Why follow anything at all? Wouldn't the most free be the atheists?

no, atheist just hide behind not knowing so dont believe in anything.

I even think children who get fortune cookies don't think they are a significant representation of eastern philosophy/religion (I didn't). Take them for what they are worth.

BTW I've never gotten a fortune cookie that said to become enlightened through the most extreme self-denial. Or the one that said "life is suffering". I'd prefer it though.

I second the notion that this post belongs in the cesspool

This is what I meant by selling a cheap suit, i.e. hell and brimstone.
But hell and brimstone wasn't mentioned until AFTER your cheap suit comment - you made an assumption.
With the natural concomitant.

You are incorrect in saying that conversion must involve heavy selling.
I would have been incorrect if that's what I'd actually said...

Deciding of your own free will is also a conversion. Therefore, the asians are still being converted.
Nope, they are converting (or actually, since they probably didn't have a different religion in the first place they aren't), but they aren't being converted.
English isn't your first language is it?
Either that or thinking isn't your strong point.

no, atheist just hide behind not knowing so dont believe in anything.
Hide behind not knowing? They're atheist BECAUSE they don't (and can't know): therefore there is no NEED to believe.

You mean atheism is a front for not knowing? That's true. Atheist tend to deny that they don't know.

You mean atheism is a front for not knowing? That's true. Atheist tend to deny that they don't know.

You just keep trolling along don't you.

Im an atheist and I do not know everything


I do know however that you need to do some research on these topics instead of just voicing your opinion as though it were fact

Yes, I made an assumption about what you were talking about by using the term conversion. I believe I assumed correctly, as you can see from my explanation about "cheap suits".

true. Atheist tend to deny that they don't know.
As opposed to theists who claim to know "the truth"...
It is to laugh.

Im an atheist and I do not know everything
Shh, dude, I'm an atheist and I know nearly everything... :D

Conversion - "a converting or being converted" New World Dictionary. Sorry. Maybe English is not your strong suit.

Shh, dude, I'm an atheist and I know nearly everything...


Ohh shit.....:confused: I mean ....I know......every...thing?

Conversion - "a converting or being converted" New World Dictionary. Sorry. Maybe English is not your strong suit.


critical thinking is obviously not yours :D

Yes, I made an assumption about what you were talking about by using the term conversion. I believe I assumed correctly, as you can see from my explanation about "cheap suits".
So which is it, faulty English or faulty thinking:
I gave more examples of "converting" than hellfire, but you chose to ignore those.
And also ignored the fact that "converting" is not the same as "being converted".
Or even that they could take up the religion from an early age.

Conversion - "a converting or being converted" New World Dictionary. Sorry. Maybe English is not your strong suit.

Perhaps trolling is yours.

Atheist do tend to deny that they don't know the truth. Few atheist tend to say, as I grow older I learn the less I know. Most say, I know the truth - it's science and there is no god! There is a hiding by atheists that they don't know.

Atheist do tend to deny that they don't know the truth. Few atheist tend to say, as I grow older I learn the less I know. Most say, I know the truth - it's science and there is no god! There is a hiding by atheists that they don't know.

So what are you then, an atheist troll?:eek:

Conversion - "a converting or being converted" New World Dictionary.

Original quote:
Buddhism doesn't have the same emphasis on preaching and converting people that most western religions have.
Converting peple... get it?
Not the same as people converting of their own choice.

Sorry. Maybe English is not your strong suit.
Feel free to make the same mistake any time.

Ohh shit.....:confused: I mean ....I know......every...thing?
Nah, just me.
But you'll catch up. :D

Does your mom know your using the computer?


Are you an atheist? If not then how can you assume what you know about us. Why dont you do some actual research and post something meaningful instead of this bullshit fortune cookie anti money cliche trolling dribble?

Atheist do tend to deny that they don't know the truth.
Which of course presupposes that there IS a truth.
Let me guess, you know it?

Few atheist tend to say, as I grow older I learn the less I know.
Maybe because as they grow older they learn more?
Long shot, but I'll try it.

Most say, I know the truth
Rubbish. Try: "I doubt there's a god".

it's science and there is no god!
Science isn't about truth...

There is a hiding by atheists that they don't know.
As opposed to theists (again) who claim that they and they alone are privy to it (whichever denomination)?

They don't say "I doubt there is a god!" They mostly say, "I know there is no god!" Are you saying that to convert another to a religion means to go against that person's free will?

The older you get, the more you should know. The more you should know how little you know.

the older or young you are...does not matter.

The young tend less to know how little they know, because they are still trying to catch up with what is known.

If Asians don't like to convert, then how come there are so many freak'in Asians who are under the influence of Eastern philosophy?

You mean atheism is a front for not knowing? That's true. Atheist tend to deny that they don't know.

I doubt many asians truly follow the Buddha's teachings, however many have already been converted to Christianity, thanks to missionaries. More to the point, I didn't say Asians don't like to convert, just that Buddhism, Taoism and the like are more like martial arts, you can take it or leave it. In other words, if you don't follow Buddhism, it's your loss, why should I care? The most they do in converting is to present themselves as an example to others.

By the way, Buddhism has no conceptions of Gods, so Buddhists are atheists.

So fortune cookies are really sayings of atheists?

fortune cookies are marketing tools, that is all.

They don't say "I doubt there is a god!" They mostly say, "I know there is no god!"
Mostly?
Source?

Are you saying that to convert another to a religion means to go against that person's free will?
Again you're assuming.
(Or just letting the hamster in your head that passes for brains loose from its wheel).
"To convert" is not necessarily the same as "to be converted".

The older you get, the more you should know. The more you should know how little you know.
But you still know more than you did at any previous age...
And it's "how little compared to what there is to be known" - relative, not absolute.

My source is countless hours on this site listening to atheist proudly proclaim that there is no god. So, are you going to answer the question or not, "Are you saying that to convert another to a religion means to go against that person's free will?" Actually, assuming there is an infinite amount to know in an infinite universe, what little you know is comparatively zero at any age. Recognizing this occurs more often in the old, as there brains are more developed.

So, are you saying fortune cookies are really a marketing tool for atheists?

Also, the less enlightened posters who tend to think I am a troll have yet to figure out that meaningful discussions can be raised from even seemingly meaningless topics.

As I pointed out, fortune cookies were originally full of biblical sayings. Additionally, they bear only a passing resemblence to actual eastern philosophies.

I can say there is no God the same way I can say "Why?" has no photo of me on his wall. It's certainly possible, but so unlikely that it would not be reasonable to believe.

So, are you going to answer the question or not, "Are you saying that to convert another to a religion means to go against that person's free will?"
Again you introduce specious reasoning.
Nope, in the vast majority of cases people who have been converted have probably not been coerced at all.
But the difference is that in the West religions (of most denominations) go out proselytising - which Buddhism doesn't tend to do.

Actually, assuming there is an infinite amount to know in an infinite universe
Wow, two assumptions in one sentence:
why do you think the universe is infinite?

what little you know is comparatively zero at any age. Recognizing this occurs more often in the old, as there brains are more developed.
And?
The point being...?

By the way, Buddhism has no conceptions of Gods, so Buddhists are atheists.

I don't know about most Buddhists these days, but historically they did believe in gods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Buddhist_deities%2C_bodhisattvas%2C_and_d emons

One of them is pertinent to this discussion on conversion. In China they had "pure land" Buddhism where there was Amitabha, Lord of Western Paradise. You go to the Paradise for being enlightened. I also think it was taught that if you said Amitabha's name as you died you would go there.

Spndergoat. Well, that's a very reasonable statement. Almost a first among the atheists on this site.

Also, the less enlightened posters who tend to think I am a troll have yet to figure out that meaningful discussions can be raised from even seemingly meaningless topics.

I love that...
those who recognise you for the specious troll that you are are "less enlightened".
Welcome to SciForums :runaway:

Spndergoat. Well, that's a very reasonable statement. Almost a first among the atheists on this site.
Which just proves how many of the threads you've actually read before making your ridiculous statements.
Spidergoat's comments are hardly unusual for SF.

Point being, the older are generally wiser than the young in understanding what little they know.

Point being, the older are generally wiser than the young in understanding what little they know.

And you sure show how young you are.

Point being, the older are generally wiser than the young in understanding what little they know.

Point being that the older you are you know more than you did, learn enough and you're smart.
Sit there saying "Oh I know so little" and you're a loser.
Do something about it.

Indeed, they are less enlightened. Every question, however simple, can lead to a further set of questions which lead to the complex. Obviously, a question about fortune cookies is a stupid question - until you start discussing it and get to the point we are at now. This is simply a different tact in stimulating conversation. The ridiculousness of the question gets big egos like yourself to respond, which is good for the entire conversation. A troll has no interest in your response. I am not a troll.

But being smart is knowing how little you know. The loser is the one who doesn't realize this.

Indeed, they are less enlightened. Every question, however simple, can lead to a further set of questions which lead to the complex.
But you were making statements and then arguing, not asking questions.

Obviously, a question about fortune cookies is a stupid question - until you start discussing it and get to the point we are at now. This is simply a different tact in stimulating conversation.
The word is "tack" or "tactic".

The ridiculousness of the question gets big egos like yourself to respond, which is good for the entire conversation.
Again, two errors in one sentence:
I didn't respond to the question at all.
And you are making assumptions about my ego - beam in your eye maybe?

A troll has no interest in your response. I am not a troll.
A troll fails to see the point even after it's been made three or times - hiya troll.

But being smart is knowing how little you know. The loser is the one who doesn't realize this.

And you really know how to lose, don't you?

But being smart is knowing how little you know. The loser is the one who doesn't realize this.

Nope: being smart is learning more instead of sitting there saying "I don't know".
Smart is finding out.

Smart is finding out that you can't find it all.

Are you old? You are old! Two statements - both elicting a response. The former asking for a response. The later demanding a response if you seem offended by the statement. Both are questions in the sense they elict a response.

Smart is making the attempt and finding as much as possible, never stopping learning.

Are you old? You are old! Two statements - both elicting a response. The former asking for a response. The later demanding a response if you seem offended by the statement. Both are questions in the sense they elict a response.

And that's apropos of ...?

Yes being smart is pursuing knowledge not realizing you will never know everything, I would venture a guess that most people know that already

Are you old? You are old! Two statements - both elicting a response. The former asking for a response. The later demanding a response if you seem offended by the statement. Both are questions in the sense they elict a response.

A response to nothing.

I am sure there are enough topics in the world to keep you busy in your library until you die. The smart know when to leave the library.

Yes being smart is pursuing knowledge not realizing you will never know everything, I would venture a guess that most people know that already

NOT realising?
Or did you mean realising?
So what?
Knowing you'll never know everything is no excuse for not continuing.

I am sure there are enough topics in the world to keep you busy in your library until you die. The smart know when to leave the library.

You left many eons ago I see.

I am sure there are enough topics in the world to keep you busy in your library until you die. The smart know when to leave the library.

The truly smart carry it with them.

I don't know about most Buddhists these days, but historically they did believe in gods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Buddhist_deities%2C_bodhisattvas%2C_and_d emons

One of them is pertinent to this discussion on conversion. In China they had "pure land" Buddhism where there was Amitabha, Lord of Western Paradise. You go to the Paradise for being enlightened. I also think it was taught that if you said Amitabha's name as you died you would go there.

I think you'll find as Buddhism assimiliated into native cultures, and due to it's non-fundamentalist nature, it left plenty of room for such concepts. Tibetan Buddhism is particularly rich in pre-Buddhist mythology. However, they are not central to Buddha's teachings, and believing in them is not a requirement. My favorite sect is Zen Buddhism, so I tend to represent this interpretation. They are free of theistic concepts.

So, is Buddhism just a worn out ancient theistic concept?

So, is Buddhism just a worn out ancient theistic concept?

To you it must be.

So, is Buddhism just a worn out ancient theistic concept?

In essence, the concept of God or Gods is absent from Buddhism. It's ability to incorporate local traditions could be viewed as a strength.

The chicken and the egg. Which came first, atheistic Buddhism or theistic Buddhism? So, the atheistic Buddhism incorporated the local theistic traditions? Or, was it the other way around.

we are just giving him power to troll by responding...

Power? What power? Just stop responding you Pavlovian dog!

The chicken and the egg. Which came first, atheistic Buddhism or theistic Buddhism? So, the atheistic Buddhism incorporated the local theistic traditions? Or, was it the other way around.

I don't think there is theistic Buddhism. Some people are atheists simply because they have no concept or opinion about God(s), this is how Buddhism is. It doesn't specifically exclude local mythology, but it's not really about that.

What did Buddha have to say about gods?

Not much. Ask lightgigantic.

I think you'll find as Buddhism assimiliated into native cultures, and due to it's non-fundamentalist nature, it left plenty of room for such concepts. Tibetan Buddhism is particularly rich in pre-Buddhist mythology. However, they are not central to Buddha's teachings, and believing in them is not a requirement. My favorite sect is Zen Buddhism, so I tend to represent this interpretation. They are free of theistic concepts.

Ah, I didn't realize that. I kinda learned what I know about Buddhism from my art class, so it probably made these themes disproportionately important. Does the same hold for reincarnation?

I think so. Since life after death is central to Christianity, reincarnation becomes their focus when they talk about Buddhism. I think Buddhism is much more concerned about personal development through following the precepts. Buddhism certainly has it's cosmology, but it doesn't interest me.