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| From: (Anonymous) |
Date:
August 11th, 2006 04:41 am (UTC)
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Western Buddhists into a faddish naivete
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I find your criticism of Buddhism quite balanced, and instructive.
Will you please do a study of Western Buddhists: what kinds go for Buddhism, how they get to it, and most important, how they try to make the Buddhist shoe fit their foot, unlike the Buddhists of traditional Buddhist lands in the Far East who are exerting efforts to make their foot fit the Buddhist shoe.
I am of the strong view that Western Buddhists are into Buddhism owing to faddish naivete; meaning, they are either really naive or they choose to be naive for the sake of the fad of Buddhism.
It is about time some real good social observer of the religious scene in the West do a critical assessment of Western Buddhists, and give ordinary people like myself the why's they go for Buddhism: the who, what, why, where, when, and how.
Don't neglect to tell us from your examination how long they remain in their discovered faith of Buddhism.
If you prefer, you can go into the angle of how really sincere they are in their Buddhism; meaning, are they willing to live their Buddhism with all the rigor of celibacy or at least sexual fidelity to their conventional sex partner, read that as in wife or husband, and other life restrictive observances like adopting a very spiritual and righteous life according to the Eightfold Noble Path, each of which eight starts with the descriptive label of 'right,' as in right thought, right action, right speech, etc.
Thanks for your accommodation if you do undertake this task, all for the instruction of people like myself.
One last thing, if you don't mind, did you also go for Buddhism for some period of time and were seriously committed; until you left because you came to another kind of enlightenment on which you realized that there was no sense in being a Buddhist, because you could get along in life and after life if that be a relevant consideration, without Buddhism.
Yes, I am biased against Buddhism. Why? because I can't bear with those Western Buddhists who go about with such a smug posture that they are into something more spiritual and more authentic (whatever that means) than Christians, Jews, and Muslims, or people without any religion.
Finally, my last request, please make a list of fallacious thoughts and gratuitous preachments, for example about the no-self (I really abhor them when they go into talking about the no-self because nothing permanent, etc, everything composite. etc.)
gerry
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| From: (Anonymous) |
Date:
August 29th, 2006 07:15 am (UTC)
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On Elitism
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Vexen,
I have visited your site several times since discovering it about 6 months ago. I agree with you on many topics. Particularly on religion (the bane of human development). However there is one topic that although I don't disagree with I do see it differently. Which is elitism. I think that evolution should favor superior organisms. We need some degree of elitism. However pure elitism is a dangerous thing. I will try and be reasonably brief which I often fail to do.
The problem with elitism lies in the problem with social classes. The rich are more privileged. The rich go to better schools, have access to greater resources, and are usually introduced to music at an earlier age (in which the benefits are, at this point a truism). They don't have to take risks, such as big investments (relative to their marginal propensity to consume). They have more leisure time (since they don't have to work 40+ hours a week), which grants them the privilege to intellectualize or philosophize.
The poor has none of this. It is near impossible for the poor to overcome and ascend to the elite. While it is very easy for the rich to due so. Not because they have any less ability, but because they are simply not as privileged.
Yes people do it. Yes there are very intelligent lower class people. But the odds are greatly stacked against them. Even more so when they have to spend so much time toward surviving. When you are working two full time jobs 80+ hours a week just to pay the bills, then nothing besides surviving matters. This may seem rare but is very common in major cities with a high cost of living. Such as New York, Japan, or Boston.
The idea of the poor becoming rich, is a statement in ignorance. For every success story there is 10, 50, maybe even 100 failure stories. Maybe even more. The risk factor is enormous. An investment of 10% of a poor person income is a huge deal, with high risks, and has minimum returns. While 10% of a wealthy person income is not a big deal, has maximum results with low risk factor (they can afford top bankers and advice, the rich also benefit from infinite more government subsides then the poor). I know elitism doesn't mean being rich. But it does help.
Many counties adopt this class system. The idea is to have a system that highly benefits a small percent of the population at the cost of the larger percent of the population. This is tolerated by the illusion that "some" of the lower and middle class people can overcome their surroundings and ascend to this elite 1%. Rather then try and improve the middle and lower classes. It is a lottery mentality. Religion also plays a huge role in sedating the masses, but that is a different topic.
Don't get me wrong. Nietzsche is by far my favorite philosopher. I think that people should rise above humanity and become the overman (at least as far as my interpretation of what Nietzsche meant when he said this). Elitism is a good thing. But only when the starting point is even. That is why I believe in a balance of egalitarianism and elitism. Egalitarianism as far as providing every human born into this world the same benefits and privileges as every one else. Elitism as far as after the playing field is leveled, there are no more excuses and Darwinism takes over. This mostly concerns the redistribution of wealth. Since most of the privileges I am talking about come from here.
Also keep in mind that Elitism flows both way. There is always some ones smarter and better in every sense of the word then you or I. Even so far as to make you or I seem insignificant.
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| From: (Anonymous) |
Date:
October 14th, 2006 02:09 am (UTC)
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Pastor Joel Moen
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Trust In The Lord
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
I’ve often wondered why some Christians love to carry long faces when they face challenging situations. When you trust in the Lord, it wouldn’t matter to you how terrible the situation is, you’ll never have any moment of despondency or helplessness. You wouldn’t have to carry a long face.
You don’t have to lose sleep over any problem. Look at your life in retrospect and meditate on all the things the Lord has done in your life these past years. If He was faithful then, He sure is faithful now. So, cheer up; Jesus has overcome the world for you. He has made you a victor. Even if you were unfairly treated, don’t seek to revenge; rather, choose to love. Love, the Bible says, conquers the multitude of sins; it is the bond of perfection. Trust God to supply you bigger and better things than what men have taken away from you.
The reason some people are frustrated, depressed and fearful is that they don’t really trust God. Now, trusting God doesn’t mean you should pretend that you’re happy. No! God is more than enough. He told Abraham, “I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). He’s saying the same thing to you today. Therefore, believe His Word; believe what He says about you is true. God’s promises stand sure; He’s not a man that He should lie.
It’s a brand new day, make the best of it. Those who live in the past never wake up to the promises and prospects of today. Forget the past and set your gaze on the loving-kindness of our heavenly Father. Therefore, put on a happy, cheerful spirit and start walking in your dreams today!
Confession
My heart is filled with joy and praise because I am an overcomer; I am a victor, more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. I declare that my day is blessed. I am walking in the blessings of God today, I experience divine favour today and I accomplish great things today by the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit at work in me. Hallelujah!
JOIN US TO WORSHIP @
CHRIST EMBASSY DOCKLANDS
UNIT 2 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
HENLEY RD LONDON E16 2ES
Service Times:
Sunday 1st Service: 9am – 11am
2nd Service: 11am – 1pm
Wednesday: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
www.rhapsodyofrealities.org
www.christembassy.org
Better for you guys to open those 2 websites. BETTER!
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| From: (Anonymous) |
Date:
January 6th, 2007 08:55 pm (UTC)
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| (Link) |
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Misanthropy/u
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I just googled the word 'misanthropy' because I was dying to see if anyone else out there hates the world as much as I do, and I was shocked at how few results I actually turned up on that query.
However, I found you and your site, and I must say that it is refreshing to encounter (albeit a one sided encounter via words on a screen) someone like you.
You are in a completely different country, and I can see that humans over there must be quite vexing, just as they are here.
So I guess that the problem actually isn't me- people are rude assholes simply by inclination and genetics, rather then by cause and effect initiated by me.
well, I am certainly happier for having read your site, and I want to thank you VERY much.
BTW, you are extremely handsome, and I think that you ought to write a book on your philosophies and beliefs- your image on the jacket alone would sell the book!!!
(Why aren't there any gorgeous men like you over here in Canada?!!!)
Okay, although you may not want to read this, I wrote it several years ago when I was in a youth facility, and I have carried it in my head for years, and believe that you will relate, as it reminds me of some of your writing.
THROUGH THE GLASS DARKLY
Through the glass darkly, I'll tell you what I see:
a world of empty, devoid of me.
People trudging to death, their faces blanker than tombs,
oblivious to my agony and dark clouds of gloom.
They grew me in a garden, encircled by weeds,
get pricked by my thorns and scream when they bleed.
So who, I ask you, sowed the seed?
Ah, you KNOW it wasn't me......................................
Kay, I don't even know you, but I think you are amazing.
Too bad I am not the greatest with computers, and only have a HTML site, or I would wait with baited breath to hear from you.
Even so, fate allowing, we may meet somehow, (it being a small world and all) so until then:
Luv ya madly,
Micki Lynne ( Just in case, my address is Micki_Lynne@hotmail.com ........................
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| From: (Anonymous) |
Date:
January 9th, 2007 12:23 am (UTC)
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Hello, Vexen.
I see that my initial posting was removed from your site- I guess because I failed to mention religion, I failed to snag your interest.
Or perhaps because I mentioned how handsome you are, you think that I must be an airhead.
Surprise- I have an VERY above average I.Q, and although I didn't feel it necessary to mention, I have been an avowed Satanist for twelve years.
Of course, what do I care what you think anyway?
You are noone to me.
I am only sorry that I read the postings of some of your critics and felt compelled to jump to your defense and thread a response before I noticed that you didn't even keep my posting.
P.s If I know my religion as I like to think I do, we are all about individuality, and believe that only small minded people copy others- Mr CRABTREE.
Well, this is SATANFIRE (NOT!) signing off.
Enjoy your miserable life.
Hate ya madly,
Micki_Lynne
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vexen
Previous
re-reading.