Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[deb1]

Quote:
The Dali Lama said something that struck a chord with me. He said that we are our own masters and have to take responsibility for our choices on our own shoulders. I like that.

 

[MoSo]

I forgot to record it - but it's on again this Sunday on my local station. I went without TV for 7 years and I forget that I have it - we go literally weeks without turning it on. I have it as part of the satellite internet package, or I'd be stuck with dial-up, but I'm really not a TV fan, especially not commercial TV. Can't stand the loud, blaring, pretty much offensive commercials.

 

[OccamsTazer]

I love love love the Dalai Lama!
I have a section of bookshelf filled with his writings. To me, placing the burden of morality and ethical behavior on oneself is far more demanding than having to answer to some vague notion of a diety. I try to behave in an ethical way because I am a part of this world, and we each have an obligation to carry it together, or something like that. A friend of mine calls it sophisticated self-interest.
I also love the way he embraces science, and readily admits that if science disproves one of his religious ideas, he'll have to revise it.

My dad met him once. He said it was up there on the list of coolest freaking experiences ever.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
The Dali Lama said something that struck a chord with me. He said that we are our own masters and have to take responsibility for our choices on our own shoulders. I like that.

Yep that is the part got my attention!

I have to read more on him and his beliefs...he sure does make sense in alot of ways that a dummy like me that is so religious illeriate can understand him! He did say something about different religions which Taliban was the WORSE of all religion due to their severity and how they view religion and they would die for their beliefs. Dali Lama said the violence is not the way for peace.....

 

[KDbeads]

While I was in town today I was waiting in line and overheard a conversation that really bothered me. Not much bothers me anymore but this did...

The guy was sitting there at his register talking with friends of his and basically said all of the world's problems were because of too many choices, especially religion. He claimed having multiple choices in religion would be the death of this country and we all just need to get back to the real basics and fewer choices, like one or 2 brands of anything, one or 2 restaurants, he went on and on.... I quietly placed my intended purchase on the floor right in front of his stand and walked out. This was an item I had been saving for for months, one I had been looking at every time I went into town. My very own nice expensive compound miter saw with a laser, electric brake, places to add extension arms, etc. Instead of spending money with a local shop and supporting local people I ended up going to a box chain and spending less on the saw.

I was disgusted to say the very least at how narrow minded people can be thinking personal choice is the downfall of man. Very disheartening.

 

[EweSheep]

http://www.dalailama.com/messages/religious-harmony


KDBeads, oh those narrow minded people!!!!!!

 

[OccamsTazer]

I had a similar experience when I was working retail. I was on my lunchbreak, and the man at the table behind me was ranting and raving to his companions about how all that is wrong with the world is because "people don't read the BIBLE!"
He rambled a lot of incorrect information about other religions.

I moved to a different table

 

[mom'sfolly]

When people are talking about their religious beliefs, is there a special word or phrase that makes you automatically tune out, or dismiss the rest of what they might have to say on the topic of religion? Or one that comes up in the course of conversation that irritates you?

I find myself quite irritated when "she's a good Christian woman" is used to describe someone. For me I think it has implications that the person is good because she is christian and I've also never heard the "he's a good Christian man" used. To me, the phrase seems to have a lot of unspoken subtext about the role of women, religion and morality. Am I just over sensitive? I'm also beginning to tune out when I hear "I'm not religious, I have a personal relationship with my god" sort of comments.

Anyone else?

 

[MoSo]

Quote:
The Dali Lama said something that struck a chord with me. He said that we are our own masters and have to take responsibility for our choices on our own shoulders. I like that.

Yep that is the part got my attention!

I have to read more on him and his beliefs...he sure does make sense in alot of ways that a dummy like me that is so religious illeriate can understand him! He did say something about different religions which Taliban was the WORSE of all religion due to their severity and how they view religion and they would die for their beliefs. Dali Lama said the violence is not the way for peace.....

I like "Buddhism-lite" - the core tenets of how you control the kind of person you are, the balance of karma and how be compassionate to the people around you. The actual religious teachings about hells and demons and Asuras and demi-gods... not so much.

I also enjoyed reading a book about Pema Chodran, an American Buddhist nun. Likewise the teaching around the figure of Kuan-Yin, Goddes of Mercy and Compassion (also Guan-Yin, either male or female depending on what part of the world you're in).

 

[OccamsTazer]

mom'sfolly :

When people are talking about their religious beliefs, is there a special word or phrase that makes you automatically tune out, or dismiss the rest of what they might have to say on the topic of religion? Or one that comes up in the course of conversation that irritates you?

I find myself quite irritated when "she's a good Christian woman" is used to describe someone. For me I think it has implications that the person is good because she is christian and I've also never heard the "he's a good Christian man" used. To me, the phrase seems to have a lot of unspoken subtext about the role of women, religion and morality. Am I just over sensitive? I'm also beginning to tune out when I hear "I'm not religious, I have a personal relationship with my god" sort of comments.

Anyone else?

Any suggestion that "this is/isn't how God wants it to be"
Please.​