Buddhism is not a traditional religion in the sense there is no God who loves, punishes, and creates "rules" to follow. Buddhism, I can safely say, is one of the only ways of life where peace is actually achieved and sustained by its members. When have you ever heard of a Buddhist setting off a bomb or shooting someone? Never.
And when you say "led to most continents being explored by missionaries," I instantly think of colonialism, enslavement, and greed. I think of the We've Got It Right, You--Poor Soul--Have It Wrong mentality.
You say that religion is engrained in our DNA. I would disagree, and say that the search for Meaning is ingrained. But why can't meaning be Progress and Love that stands alone? That is removed from an external being that punishes and creates?
I am not asking Christianity to be perfect. I am not asking Jews or Muslims to be perfect. What I am asking proposing is merely a thought:
Why not good for its own sake?
Isn't that more pure?...if it is driven by more than fear, tradition, etc?
I personally believe it is a kind of blasphemy for humans to claim they KNOW the way to live. That their path is the path everyone else should take. To claim that they know God and how God works is just plain crazy to me.
When have you ever heard of a Buddhist setting off a bomb or shooting someone? Never.
And when you say "led to most continents being explored by missionaries," I instantly think of colonialism, enslavement, and greed. I think of the We've Got It Right, You--Poor Soul--Have It Wrong mentality.
You say that religion is engrained in our DNA. I would disagree, and say that the search for Meaning is ingrained. But why can't meaning be Progress and Love that stands alone? That is removed from an external being that punishes and creates?
I am not asking Christianity to be perfect. I am not asking Jews or Muslims to be perfect. What I am asking proposing is merely a thought:
Why not good for its own sake?
Isn't that more pure?...if it is driven by more than fear, tradition, etc?
I personally believe it is a kind of blasphemy for humans to claim they KNOW the way to live. That their path is the path everyone else should take. To claim that they know God and how God works is just plain crazy to me.
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