Interesting analogy developing...if you withhold does not the kinetic energy increase....
So does it follow that when one trys to avoid or hold off karmic responses, they increase?
So does it follow that when one trys to avoid or hold off karmic responses, they increase?
C
cyberpi
Guest
Are you sure? Where does there seem to be perpetual motion? The trip appears to be in one direction so far.
China Cat Sunflower
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A lot of people have adopted the title "atheist" simply to distinguish themselves from what they understand as the defacto anthropomorphic, monotheistic concept of "God." I don't believe "God" is dude with a cranky personality who controls the weather, therefore, perhaps, I'm an atheist. What if I believe the "God" is a benevolent force which guides the universe? Am I an atheist? Well, it depends on who's slicing the lemon, doesn't it?
Chris
Chris
Vajradhara
One of Many
Namaste Chris,
indeed, it is not too fine a point you are making.. the defintion of "atheist" is quite dependent upon what a person defines as the deity in question. it is, of course, quite correct that a monotheist would consider someone that didn't believe in their conception of deity as an atheist.. but, you could worship a different god.. which rather compounds the problem, so to speak.
it is somewhat difficult to begin every conversation about ones belief in god by asking the other person what they believe so that you can know if you are even talking about the same things! a certain presumption is allowed for, i think, in these sorts of dialogs provided that one is willing to answer the question again if their presumption was incorrect
as a Buddhist, it is quite clear that the Suttas contain many teachings related to deities and their roles and functions.. as a rational sort of person that has no experience of said deities, i find myself to be somewhat reserved in my view of such. in terms of my own practice, their existence or lack thereof is irrelevant and probably isn't worth spending a whole of lot of time thinking about; but i am darned curious!
metta,
~v
indeed, it is not too fine a point you are making.. the defintion of "atheist" is quite dependent upon what a person defines as the deity in question. it is, of course, quite correct that a monotheist would consider someone that didn't believe in their conception of deity as an atheist.. but, you could worship a different god.. which rather compounds the problem, so to speak.
it is somewhat difficult to begin every conversation about ones belief in god by asking the other person what they believe so that you can know if you are even talking about the same things! a certain presumption is allowed for, i think, in these sorts of dialogs provided that one is willing to answer the question again if their presumption was incorrect
as a Buddhist, it is quite clear that the Suttas contain many teachings related to deities and their roles and functions.. as a rational sort of person that has no experience of said deities, i find myself to be somewhat reserved in my view of such. in terms of my own practice, their existence or lack thereof is irrelevant and probably isn't worth spending a whole of lot of time thinking about; but i am darned curious!
metta,
~v
Nick the Pilot
Well-Known Member
Chris,
If you are saying there is no creator deity who likes to receive praise, I am with you all the way.
Vajradhara,
As a matter of fact, I was reading up on Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Dharmakaya today. Fascinating reading.
If you are saying there is no creator deity who likes to receive praise, I am with you all the way.
Vajradhara,
As a matter of fact, I was reading up on Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Dharmakaya today. Fascinating reading.
Eudaimonist
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I love life. I love being human. I love being the individual I am.
Because of this love and the recognition of what I am, I value my personal flourishing. I value my self-actualization, growth, fulfillment, and happiness.
I must select specific values in order to achieve these abstract values. And so I have chosen a career in computer programming because this makes good use of my talents -- it allows me to self-actualize, and I find fulfillment the use of my mind in this way. I have chosen a special woman, to whom I am now married.
I have chosen many goals, both long-term and short-term, arranged in a heirarchy of means to ends, that give me reasons to get up in the morning.
Because my life is my existence. Why would non-existence be preferable? There are no values in non-existnece, yet there are values in existence. So I choose existence.
To live before I die at any time. Life is an end-in-itself, not merely a means to something else. Life may be erased with death, but not its value to me right now.
eudaimonia,
Mark
Eudaimonist
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I'm not sure.
You can't "try" to become an atheist, as if through an act of will. Of course that will never work.
You can only be persuaded into being an atheist after doing a lot of critical examination of your own belief system. Many atheists describe their path to atheist enlightenment as "taking down a wall, brick by brick". It is normally a long process, and requires much thought and questioning.
eudaimonia,
Mark
Ciel
in essence
Salutations Eudaimonist,
This is absolute soul nourishment and celebration in telling how it is............ and I love it...... with a rosy glow I love it....... with all the knowledge of all the good books and belief systems in the world, these are nothing without love and appreciation of self, and the strengh to stand in support of self-actualization.
Viva-Viva. - c -
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