Practicing religion without force

[AllieBaba]

I forced my children to go see their grandma yesterday.

I should have my kids taken from me and raised by the state, I suppose....

I also will force them to eat vegetables, though I don't actually put the food in their mouths. I force them by threatening to withhold PS3 privileges.

I love PS3.

 

[Sky Dancer]

I have to give Sky a little credit. When she started the thread, knowing her history, I knew it was yet another thread with the primary intent being a rail against Christianity, specifically the RCC.

It took her to page 3 to play her hand, which was a page and a half deeper than I ever thought she would make it.

Sky, buddhism isn't your answer. When you find the right religion for you, all of the anger and hate you have for other religions will vaporize completely and instantaneously. Your juxtaposition with EVERYONE's understanding of buddhism is comical and sad, all at the same time. You obviously are not a Christian, and you are just as obviously not a buddhist.

Keep searching, because eventually, Buddha is going to piss you off too.

I'm a Buddhist, dear. I'm not a Christian. If you had walked in my shoes in this life you wouldn't be one either.

 

[AllieBaba]

Soldiers should not be forced by the government to go to church.

if these soldiers were forced to attend atheist/humanist meetings or islamic services allie would be hissing a different tune

sane and rational people understand that NO SOLDIER should be FORCED to attend ANY RELIGIOUS services


period.

Exactly. They were forcing Jews, atheists, and muslims to attend a Christian concert. Very inappropriate.

When they refused, they were punished. It was THEIR leisure time.

They could have chosen not to go.

And of course, suffered the consequences. But if they were truly forced, they would have had no choice at all.

 

[bigrebnc1775]

Isn't America great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No one here to force religion on you.

------------------

Soldiers punished for skipping Christian concert? - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com


troops punished for not attending christian concert

Christian fundamentalist bigotry reigns at US Air Force Academy

cadets punished for not attending christian meetings.

Thank you for pointing this out.

When a soldier can do what he wants to do then we can talk.

 

[Sky Dancer]

You're the liar, Sky.

STOP CALLING ME A LIAR. Back up your allegations of me with direct quotes from my posts before you tell me what I said that's a lie.

Again, accusing me of what you did.

Did you call me a liar? I think you did.

Unfortuately for you, you're wrong, and you remain the liar.

I called you a liar because you posted things about me that aren't true. I never said the things you say I said in your post.

Show me one place where you think I have lied. One post Allie. Back up your attack with some data.

 

[Sky Dancer]

------------------

Soldiers punished for skipping Christian concert? - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com


troops punished for not attending christian concert

Christian fundamentalist bigotry reigns at US Air Force Academy

cadets punished for not attending christian meetings.

Thank you for pointing this out.

When a soldier can do what he wants to do then we can talk.

Soldiers are not required to practice Christianity. This officer FORCED them to.

 

[Sky Dancer]

if these soldiers were forced to attend atheist/humanist meetings or islamic services allie would be hissing a different tune

sane and rational people understand that NO SOLDIER should be FORCED to attend ANY RELIGIOUS services


period.

Exactly. They were forcing Jews, atheists, and muslims to attend a Christian concert. Very inappropriate.

When they refused, they were punished. It was THEIR leisure time.

They could have chosen not to go.

And of course, suffered the consequences. But if they were truly forced, they would have had no choice at all.

I am proud of all of them who did not go and honored their own religions. This general had no business ordering them to attend a Christian event or punishing them for following their hearts.

 

[syrenn]

Soldiers should not be forced by the government to go to church.

if these soldiers were forced to attend atheist/humanist meetings or islamic services allie would be hissing a different tune

sane and rational people understand that NO SOLDIER should be FORCED to attend ANY RELIGIOUS services


period.

Exactly. They were forcing Jews, atheists, and muslims to attend a Christian concert. Very inappropriate.

When they refused, they were punished. It was THEIR leisure time.

You also know nothing about the military. You may have leisure time but you are still subject to orders and command.

 

[Mini 14]

I have to give Sky a little credit. When she started the thread, knowing her history, I knew it was yet another thread with the primary intent being a rail against Christianity, specifically the RCC.

It took her to page 3 to play her hand, which was a page and a half deeper than I ever thought she would make it.

Sky, buddhism isn't your answer. When you find the right religion for you, all of the anger and hate you have for other religions will vaporize completely and instantaneously. Your juxtaposition with EVERYONE's understanding of buddhism is comical and sad, all at the same time. You obviously are not a Christian, and you are just as obviously not a buddhist.

Keep searching, because eventually, Buddha is going to piss you off too.

I'm a Buddhist, dear. I'm not a Christian. If you had walked in my shoes in this life you wouldn't be one either.

You may live a buddhist lifestyle, but you are no buddhist. Just as practicing Christianity does not make one a Christian, practicing buddhism does not make one a buddhist. There is a lot more to it than showing up in a temple.

Your lack of faith is glaring to all but you. You have more faith in buddhism than you do Christianity, no doubt, but not enough to let your hatred of Christianity go. THat is the clearest sign that buddhism is not the answer for you.

Keep searching.

 

[Sky Dancer]

if these soldiers were forced to attend atheist/humanist meetings or islamic services allie would be hissing a different tune

sane and rational people understand that NO SOLDIER should be FORCED to attend ANY RELIGIOUS services


period.

Exactly. They were forcing Jews, atheists, and muslims to attend a Christian concert. Very inappropriate.

When they refused, they were punished. It was THEIR leisure time.

You also know nothing about the military. You may have leisure time but you are still subject to orders and command.

That general may have had the authority to order those soliders to the Christian event but that doesn't mean he didn't abuse his power.

 

[Sky Dancer]

I have to give Sky a little credit. When she started the thread, knowing her history, I knew it was yet another thread with the primary intent being a rail against Christianity, specifically the RCC.

It took her to page 3 to play her hand, which was a page and a half deeper than I ever thought she would make it.

Sky, buddhism isn't your answer. When you find the right religion for you, all of the anger and hate you have for other religions will vaporize completely and instantaneously. Your juxtaposition with EVERYONE's understanding of buddhism is comical and sad, all at the same time. You obviously are not a Christian, and you are just as obviously not a buddhist.

Keep searching, because eventually, Buddha is going to piss you off too.

I'm a Buddhist, dear. I'm not a Christian. If you had walked in my shoes in this life you wouldn't be one either.

You may live a buddhist lifestyle, but you are no buddhist. Just as practicing Christianity does not make one a Christian, practicing buddhism does not make one a buddhist. There is a lot more to it than showing up in a temple.

Your lack of faith is glaring to all but you. You have more faith in buddhism than you do Christianity, no doubt, but not enough to let your hatred of Christianity go. THat is the clearest sign that buddhism is not the answer for you.

Keep searching.

I don't hate Christians. Some of them I like and some I don't. I don't like Allie Baba right now. Sometimes I do, but I don't like it when she calls me names.

I don't know what you think you're doing telling me how I should be as a Buddhist. I don't tell you how you should act because you call yourself a Christian.

The topic is about the use of force in religion and how it's harmful.

 

[syrenn]

I forced my children to go see their grandma yesterday.

I should have my kids taken from me and raised by the state, I suppose....

I also will force them to eat vegetables, though I don't actually put the food in their mouths. I force them by threatening to withhold PS3 privileges.

I love PS3.

OH no! Grandma??!!?? AND vegetables? You are an unfit mother forcing you children like that. Shame on you!!!!

I also forced them to swim, which they LOVE by the way.

I coerce them with treats to do what i want..even if they REALLY don't want to.

Allowances are not force...but it sure as hell gets their chores done.

 

[Mini 14]

I'm a Buddhist, dear. I'm not a Christian. If you had walked in my shoes in this life you wouldn't be one either.

You may live a buddhist lifestyle, but you are no buddhist. Just as practicing Christianity does not make one a Christian, practicing buddhism does not make one a buddhist. There is a lot more to it than showing up in a temple.

Your lack of faith is glaring to all but you. You have more faith in buddhism than you do Christianity, no doubt, but not enough to let your hatred of Christianity go. THat is the clearest sign that buddhism is not the answer for you.

Keep searching.

I don't hate Christians. Some of them I like and some I don't.

I never said you hated Christians.

 

[syrenn]

Exactly. They were forcing Jews, atheists, and muslims to attend a Christian concert. Very inappropriate.

When they refused, they were punished. It was THEIR leisure time.

They could have chosen not to go.

And of course, suffered the consequences. But if they were truly forced, they would have had no choice at all.

I am proud of all of them who did not go and honored their own religions. This general had no business ordering them to attend a Christian event or punishing them for following their hearts.

You mean sort like that thing of bursting into flames crossing a threshold of a different religion?

Amazing. How intolerant is that?

 

[Sky Dancer]

They could have chosen not to go.

And of course, suffered the consequences. But if they were truly forced, they would have had no choice at all.

I am proud of all of them who did not go and honored their own religions. This general had no business ordering them to attend a Christian event or punishing them for following their hearts.

You mean sort like that thing of bursting into flames crossing a threshold of a different religion?

Amazing. How intolerant is that?

What are you talking about?

 

[Sky Dancer]

You may live a buddhist lifestyle, but you are no buddhist. Just as practicing Christianity does not make one a Christian, practicing buddhism does not make one a buddhist. There is a lot more to it than showing up in a temple.

Your lack of faith is glaring to all but you. You have more faith in buddhism than you do Christianity, no doubt, but not enough to let your hatred of Christianity go. THat is the clearest sign that buddhism is not the answer for you.

Keep searching.

I don't hate Christians. Some of them I like and some I don't.

I never said you hated Christians.

I stand corrected. You said I hate Christianity. I don't. I oppose tax breaks to Christians who preach from the pulpit. Christ's teachings are lovely. Before I got into Buddhism I studied the teachings of Murdo MacDonald Bayne who was a Christian minister who studied with Buddhist teachers in Tibet. I still enjoy reading him.

Here is a beautiful example of his writing. It is called I AM THE LIFE

He who lives in Truth is not afraid to proclaim the Truth. He is strong, he is full of
optimism. He looks for the bright side in all things. In the darkest corners he makes the
sun shine. He walks through life with a smile. He sings the song of joy.
His faith is in the Absolute who lives in and through him.

He carries a message of hope and courage and loves all life. He gives help where and when it is needed.
He helps others to help themselves. He is free from fear and worry, always forgiving, always
tolerant. He is devoid of hate, envy and malice. He radiates love to all the world and
minds his own business and expects others to do the same. He goes joyfully through
life, things that drive others to despair and misery leave him in a calm undisturbed state
of mind. His peace comes from within. He is like the ocean which receives all streams
and rivers yet the ocean’s mighty calm is unmoved. Those who contact him feel his
presence and receive encouragement.

He attracts love and friends; not that he desires them, because he does not
depend on people and things, but these things come to him as his right. He
acknowledges the Law and the Law responds. He is at home with all classes of people,
the rich and the poor are all alike to him. He does not favour one more than the other;
he is not interested in what they have. All are equally at home with him. He is welcome
in all homes, and children cling to his hands and coat.

He loves life and life responds. Sinner and saint are the same to him, he sees the
good in the sinner and does not look for a weakness in the saint. He knows that he
himself is not without sin and so he never casts the stone. The outcast recognises him
as a brother. The woman who has passed through the furnace of life trusts him. He
gives of his love and wisdom and points the way to happiness.

He heals the heart and relieves the troubled mind. God never holds His love from
His most disobedient child, neither does He hold that love of God from his brother or
sister. He neither pities nor condemns because he knows all are conquerors if they will
to conquer. He finds joy in his work; he never hurries nor can he be rushed. He knows
that time does not control him: he is attuned to the eternal.

He has absolute faith in the absolute power of which he has become aware. He
knows he is one with all life, and behind him is the power of the universe. He believes in
the all good. Divine justice is his key to all situations. He is simple, loving and kind. He
recognises that to attain wisdom one must be humble and when wisdom is mastered
one must be humbler still. He is the future’s promise of a better world to come.

 

[bigrebnc1775]

Thank you for pointing this out.

When a soldier can do what he wants to do then we can talk.

Soldiers are not required to practice Christianity. This officer FORCED them to.

As I said when a soldier can thnk, say an act the way they want to, they will then be a civillian, until then they must do as ordered. It's not a democrocy or didn't you know that?

 

[AllieBaba]

I forced my children to go see their grandma yesterday.

I should have my kids taken from me and raised by the state, I suppose....

I also will force them to eat vegetables, though I don't actually put the food in their mouths. I force them by threatening to withhold PS3 privileges.

I love PS3.

OH no! Grandma??!!?? AND vegetables? You are an unfit mother forcing you children like that. Shame on you!!!!

I also forced them to swim, which they LOVE by the way.

I coerce them with treats to do what i want..even if they REALLY don't want to.

Allowances are not force...but it sure as hell gets their chores done.

I bought the PS3 after a long period of consideration...and my life is SO MUCH BETTER BECAUSE OF IT, lol. Now I say "If you continue to scream at each other I will turn off the Ps3" and all is sweetness and light. My son has thanked me every day since the machine came home, lol. It's so funny.

And they enjoyed visiting their gronny, too.

 

[syrenn]

I am proud of all of them who did not go and honored their own religions. This general had no business ordering them to attend a Christian event or punishing them for following their hearts.

You mean sort like that thing of bursting into flames crossing a threshold of a different religion?

Amazing. How intolerant is that?

What are you talking about?

I am proud of all of them who did not go and honored their own religions. This general had no business ordering them to attend a Christian event or punishing them for following their hearts.

Something wrong with attending other religious service's other then your own? Are you promoting intolerance of different religions? What if they were ordered to attend a buddhist event? Or is it just that it was a christian event you are upset about?

 

[Mini 14]

I don't hate Christians. Some of them I like and some I don't.

I never said you hated Christians.

I stand corrected. You said I hate Christianity. I don't. I oppose tax breaks to Christians who preach from the pulpit. Christ's teachings are lovely. Before I got into Buddhism I studied the teachings of Murdo MacDonald Bayne who was a Christian minister who studied with Buddhist teachers in Tibet. I still enjoy reading him.

Here is a beautiful example of his writing. It is called I AM THE LIFE

He who lives in Truth is not afraid to proclaim the Truth. He is strong, he is full of
optimism. He looks for the bright side in all things. In the darkest corners he makes the
sun shine. He walks through life with a smile. He sings the song of joy.
His faith is in the Absolute who lives in and through him.

He carries a message of hope and courage and loves all life. He gives help where and when it is needed.
He helps others to help themselves. He is free from fear and worry, always forgiving, always
tolerant. He is devoid of hate, envy and malice. He radiates love to all the world and
minds his own business and expects others to do the same. He goes joyfully through
life, things that drive others to despair and misery leave him in a calm undisturbed state
of mind. His peace comes from within. He is like the ocean which receives all streams
and rivers yet the ocean’s mighty calm is unmoved. Those who contact him feel his
presence and receive encouragement.

He attracts love and friends; not that he desires them, because he does not
depend on people and things, but these things come to him as his right. He
acknowledges the Law and the Law responds. He is at home with all classes of people,
the rich and the poor are all alike to him. He does not favour one more than the other;
he is not interested in what they have. All are equally at home with him. He is welcome
in all homes, and children cling to his hands and coat.

He loves life and life responds. Sinner and saint are the same to him, he sees the
good in the sinner and does not look for a weakness in the saint. He knows that he
himself is not without sin and so he never casts the stone. The outcast recognises him
as a brother. The woman who has passed through the furnace of life trusts him. He
gives of his love and wisdom and points the way to happiness.

He heals the heart and relieves the troubled mind. God never holds His love from
His most disobedient child, neither does He hold that love of God from his brother or
sister. He neither pities nor condemns because he knows all are conquerors if they will
to conquer. He finds joy in his work; he never hurries nor can he be rushed. He knows
that time does not control him: he is attuned to the eternal.

He has absolute faith in the absolute power of which he has become aware. He
knows he is one with all life, and behind him is the power of the universe. He believes in
the all good. Divine justice is his key to all situations. He is simple, loving and kind. He
recognises that to attain wisdom one must be humble and when wisdom is mastered
one must be humbler still. He is the future’s promise of a better world to come.

I wish you luck in your search for peace.

And I look forward to the day when buddhism is the target du jour, as it will mean you are at least one step closer to your truth.