This Message Board's Slant

Heh, shows you just can't win. If I change the word to "religion", I'll be slated for demeaning advanced philosophical systems into mere idol worship. :)
 
The Dude said:
Let it be known for the record that at least one person has left this message board specifically because of the slanted and disrespectful way that Eastern Religions forum is labeled.

The Dude will no abide here.
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All the best Dude.
 
I said:
Heh, shows you just can't win. If I change the word to "religion", I'll be slated for demeaning advanced philosophical systems into mere idol worship. :)
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It's not about winning or losing, Brian. I think Vaj's post unfortunatetly makes concrete my wondering about people not becoming members because of the set up of the front page. I think that is to the detriment of this forum overall.

I do think that we are talking about what are often world beliefs / practices, so to use geographical (and Western-centric) reference points is a rather dated approach.

However on the main point of "religion" or otherwise, maybe this stems from the fact that in the "West" philosophy has (to a large degree) been separated from religion. By comparison this has not happened in the "Eastern" religions / philosophies. Hence, Buddhism (for example) can quite correctly be termed both a religion and a philosophy (amongst other things). By contrast, Christianity (for example) is most commonly termed (first and foremost) as a religion. This relative schism in the West of religion from philosophy is further implied by the sub-forum called Philosophy. One might expect that this simple title meant "all philosophy", but I get the sense that it is actually intended for "Western philosophy").


For the record, my knickers are not in a twist and please don't call me a moron as you might get an infraction. :)

s.
 
Namaste all,

with regards to the subject under discussion, it would be off putting but i would hope that as the moderator for said forum when i explain the reasoning behind the decision for it's name that would help determine that nothing untowards is meant.

it is the case, however, that some beings perceive slight were none is intended.

perhaps the solution is a straightforward as using both names... something like Eastern Religions and Philosophies or the like.

as somewhat of an aside, one of the people that neglected to join was convinced that I,Brian was a Muslim and that is why Sanatana Dharma was not called a religion. sometimes there is no discussion to be had on such matters.

metta,

~v
 
The Dude said:
I couldn't help but notice that this message board appears slanted in that eastern religions are not even referred to as religions but merely as Eastern Thought. Truly if the architects of this site wanted to be fair they would change the name of the Eastern Thought forum to Dharminic Religion to match the respect given to the forum titled Abrahamic Religion.

What makes this apparent error seem conspicuous or even purposeful is that the alternative religion forum doesn't even contain the word religion at all. It is as if to suggest that they are not even religions but alternatives to religion.

Are Jesus and Beelzebub working together again this time pretending to promote a fair interfaith dialogue?
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In this day and age I question whether the word "religion" is respectful. Out of curiousity though and if you are still lurking, would the term "Eastern Religious Traditions" make a difference? Wiki divides East and West as follows:

Comparing Eastern and Western religious traditions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The comparison of Eastern and Western religious traditions is a topic discussed in comparative religion. It is intimately tied to the comparison of Eastern and Western philosophy. Western tradition refers to prominent faiths in Europe and the Anglosphere, generally focused on Abrahamic faiths. Eastern tradition refers to important faiths in the Sinosphere and Indosphere, usually focused on Indian and East Asian faiths. While acknowledging the distinction, critics note that the distinction is oversimplified. It is believed to force some religions into arbitrary categories. It is also criticized for overlooking some faiths, such as neopaganism and African religion. The comparison is also complicated by the growing presence of Western varieties of Oriental faiths and Eastern versions of Occidental faiths.
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Would "Eastern and Western Religious Traditions" appear as neutral and without insult?
 
Vajradhara said:
as somewhat of an aside, one of the people that neglected to join was convinced that I,Brian was a Muslim
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Lol!! How ironic that so often I'm claimed to follow any specific religion.

Usually it's the non-Christians claiming I'm Christian because I don't try to crush them. :)

Anyway, I'll change the section title to "Eastern Religions and Philosophies" as suggested.

Bets are on as to how long it takes before someone complains about that. ;)
 
Gassho, Brian; as they say round this neck o' the woods.

s.

:)
 
I said:
Lol!! How ironic that so often I'm claimed to follow any specific religion.

Usually it's the non-Christians claiming I'm Christian because I don't try to crush them. :)

Anyway, I'll change the section title to "Eastern Religions and Philosophies" as suggested.

Bets are on as to how long it takes before someone complains about that. ;)
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Tribalism abounds. Call it what it is. *shakes head*
 
I said:
Lol!! How ironic that so often I'm claimed to follow any specific religion.

Usually it's the non-Christians claiming I'm Christian because I don't try to crush them. :)

Anyway, I'll change the section title to "Eastern Religions and Philosophies" as suggested.

Bets are on as to how long it takes before someone complains about that. ;)
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The implication though is that Christianity lacks philosophy if "Abrahamic Religions" remains as is. It doesn't matter to me since few have my interests but out of curiousity would you consider the following book a religious, or philosophical book? If philosophical, Where then are the philosophical trancendent heights of Christianity discussed if people were open to discussing them? As of now, Christianity is considered an "alternative" to the dominant Christendom which is like saying a diamond ring is considered an alternative to a glass ring. Not too appealing. :)

E. Jane Doering (ed.), Eric O. Springsted (ed.) - The Christian Platonism of Simone Weil - Reviewed by Jeffrey Bloechl, College of the Holy Cross - Philosophical Reviews - University of Notre Dame
 
I'd say this message board is fairly demanding. Like, if I decided pink bunnies owned Pluto, I would be immediately challenged on it. Observe:

Pink bunnies own Pluto, and that's a fact.
 
Dream said:
I'd say this message board is fairly demanding. Like, if I decided pink bunnies owned Pluto, I would be immediately challenged on it. Observe:

Pink bunnies own Pluto, and that's a fact.
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I just spoke with Pluto on this and he just rolled his eyes and said "me, owned by pink bunnies???". He said like any self respecting male dog he enjoys chasing pussies. (cats) Where he lives there is a distinct shortage of pink bunnies but he says if you will import them, he will chase them as an occasional altenative to his favorite pastime.
 
I'd like to complain about the set up of the front page.

s.
 
lunamoth said:
Everyone knows that Pluto bunnies are green. Jupiter bunnies are pink.
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Lunamoth, your good rep is in the bag. Absolutely, Jupiter bunnies are the pink ones.

That's right folks. Be nice to 'ol Dream cause he's got clearance for a whole new round o' rep. I,Brian you just be careful, cause I'm pullin rank.
 
Vajradhara said:
that said, i have been contacted by several Eastern religious adherents asking why our section was being denigrated in such a manner and despite my own explanations they chose not to join.
it was, in my opinion, quite a loss for us as they were folks whom i'd specifically asked to join given their experience in the various religions under consideration.
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Could they be asked again, Vaj?

s.
 
juantoo3 said:
Jupiter and Pluto bunnies are not what concerns me. Dust bunnies on the other hand...
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Frankly you can keep your, dust, Jupiter, and Pluto bunnies. Just supply good scotch and enough playboy bunnies so that there is no need for envy and world peace is assured.

Hmmmm.....Maybe I can talk Obama into putting it into a campaign pledge as an entitlement paid for by the federal govt. I would even vote for him.:)
 
ok..
I will just throw some logs on this fire....

Why is Abrahamic religion listed 2 on the board. Is it more important than the others and must be seen 1st...

How come there are no African, Asian, or other types of Avatars??
Hmmmm...



lol..

Just jokin..

:p
 
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