:bravo: -Thats why I prefer eastern religions over western. In former you have the keys within you to understanding and harmony through exploration, in latter ones you are told to what to believe and if you dont, burn in hell !!! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! LOL "A tree as big around as you can reach starts with a small seed; a thousand mile journey starts with one small step." Lao-Tse
************* M*W: John, can you provide some links/statistics on these variations? I would like to see your references. ************* M*W: It's an awakening, because you learn the truth. When you learn the truth, you can see the lies. ************* M*W: I was an agnostic at one time, when I first came to sciforums, but I am now an atheist. Simply, "agnostic" means "without knowledge." "Atheist" means "without a god." The reality of it is, everyone is "atheist," but they just don't know it.
hey Why?, Could you put the following in a list according to likability for you: Muslims, atheists, scientologist, Jehova witness, hindus, Thanks.... American atheists are pissier than European atheists, probably because they have to put up with way more bullshit. Hell, 40% of England is non-believer.
No Jainism on your list ? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! "They are expected to follow five principles of living: -Ahimsa: "non violence in all parts of a person -- mental, verbal and physical." 3 Committing an act of violence against a human, animal, or even vegetable generates negative karma which in turn adversely affects one's next life. -Satya: speaking truth; avoiding falsehood -Asteya: to not steal from others -Brahma-charya: (soul conduct); remaining sexually monogamous to one's spouse only -Aparigraha: detach from people, places and material things. Avoiding the collection of excessive material possessions, abstaining from over-indulgence, restricting one's needs, etc. -Jains follow a vegetarian diet. (At least one information source incorrectly states that they follow a frutarian diet -- the practice of only eating that which will not kill the plant or animal from which it is taken. e.g. milk, fruit, nuts.) -They often read their sacred texts daily. -Jains are recommended to pass through four stages during their lifetime: -Brahmacharya-ashrama: the life of a student -Gruhasth-ashrama: family life -Vanaprasth-ashrama: family and social services -Sanyast-ashrama: life as a monk; a period of renunciation"
************* M*W: Yes, I did say that a few years ago when I came to sciforums. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll delete that immediately!
I've been a devout Christian my whole life. No devil from hell will ever make ME change my mind/heart.
I have issues with religion, but not (for the most part) with the people that believe in it. Most of my friends have been Christians of some sort or another. I don't care what you personally believe if it helps you. I support diversity of religious and philosophical thought, the more the better.
Show off !! With your fancy buttons and all.. ! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I think he meant portions of posts though. Oh well, both work Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Why have I never heard of it then ? I must not be a Christian thing then but more like a local initiative.
All the atheists that I know were not pissy whatsoever. I don't know where you Christians, Muslims, and other theistic religions get off on this idea. You make it seem as though all atheists are unhappy and shit like that, not true. Is this your ignorance based on your own beliefs or your ignorance based upon your blind faith?
Maybe you were thinking of denominational schools like Catholic? They don't teach mastering your emotions. Most teach fear and guilt.
No, I went to Christian schools. And I know lots and lots of people that went to other Christian schools, I'm sure I would have heard it from them if anything like that was taught there. To be honest it sounds kind of creepy.. can you elaborate on those teachings ? Maybe it's more like an American thing. As far as I know we have nothing like that here in The Netherlands.
Talking about what's a choice to make for us: illusion of "truth" for the sake of the better or the real "truth" were nothing is known precisely to assume anything? Christians do feel better ... but that's what it seems to us as observers, however do Christians really feel better after all or is that a side-effect of their social events and gatherings that make people feel together and happy. perhaps the key here is to have such social events for atheists as well under common understanding of Scientology perhaps so that atheists experience the same social healing effect as theists experience.
Nice... :bawl: I on the other hand couldn't even begin to make such a list. I have no preferences, they are all people. Although I must say that Scientology is particularly stupid.