(no subject)
Let's talk theology for a little bit. This is a subject I rarely discuss, because it's a very personal one for a lot of people and emotions can run high. But I'm not here to contradict anyones beliefs, just talk about what's on my overly crowded mind today:
Let's talk about two fellows who might never have existed, but never the less have had more of an impact on humanity than even the biggest historical figures:
1. Jesus
I am not a Christian. I do not believe in the virgin birth, or that Jesus was the son of god or the savior of humanity. But that doesn't mean I dislike Jesus. I think a lot of practicing Christians miss the point of Jesus. People get so caught up in the theology of the thing; going to heaven, living without sin, etc. that they completely miss the most important thing about Jesus which is his teachings. "Love thy neighbor..." "Let he who is without sin..." etc. The man was not preaching about how best to get into heaven and avoid eternal punishment, he was providing a guide for how to live a good and fullfilling life. It's the example that Jesus set that is important. And if you live by that example, there's no reason you shouldn't make it into heaven, if such a place does indeed exist. I'm not saying that all Christians are guilty of this kind of thinking, I'm just saying that there are many who seem to miss the point.
2. Buddha
Buddha is my favorite, because Buddha was a smart ass mother fucker. He came up with the four noble truths, and I think they're the wisest list of truths that have ever been written:
1. Life is suffering
2. Life is suffering because of desire
3. The only way to end suffering is to end desire
4. The best way to end desire is through the eight fold path
He says life is suffering. He doesn't say life is suffering if you're poor or rich. He doesn't say it's suffering if you're white, black, asian, etc. He says it's suffering period. And let's face it, it's suffering because we always want what we can't have. Or, because we grow attached to things and people and when they leave us or disapoint us we get distraught. Unfortunately desire is human nature: we eat, we sleep, we fuck, and we want/get attached to things. I for one wouldn't make a good Buddhist, but I like to remeber the teachings anyways, so at least I know why, even though my life has been a very good one up to this point, there are still days when I wish I weren't alive. And then I remember that everyone feels that way sometimes and I feel much better.
Let's talk about two fellows who might never have existed, but never the less have had more of an impact on humanity than even the biggest historical figures:
1. Jesus
I am not a Christian. I do not believe in the virgin birth, or that Jesus was the son of god or the savior of humanity. But that doesn't mean I dislike Jesus. I think a lot of practicing Christians miss the point of Jesus. People get so caught up in the theology of the thing; going to heaven, living without sin, etc. that they completely miss the most important thing about Jesus which is his teachings. "Love thy neighbor..." "Let he who is without sin..." etc. The man was not preaching about how best to get into heaven and avoid eternal punishment, he was providing a guide for how to live a good and fullfilling life. It's the example that Jesus set that is important. And if you live by that example, there's no reason you shouldn't make it into heaven, if such a place does indeed exist. I'm not saying that all Christians are guilty of this kind of thinking, I'm just saying that there are many who seem to miss the point.
2. Buddha
Buddha is my favorite, because Buddha was a smart ass mother fucker. He came up with the four noble truths, and I think they're the wisest list of truths that have ever been written:
1. Life is suffering
2. Life is suffering because of desire
3. The only way to end suffering is to end desire
4. The best way to end desire is through the eight fold path
He says life is suffering. He doesn't say life is suffering if you're poor or rich. He doesn't say it's suffering if you're white, black, asian, etc. He says it's suffering period. And let's face it, it's suffering because we always want what we can't have. Or, because we grow attached to things and people and when they leave us or disapoint us we get distraught. Unfortunately desire is human nature: we eat, we sleep, we fuck, and we want/get attached to things. I for one wouldn't make a good Buddhist, but I like to remeber the teachings anyways, so at least I know why, even though my life has been a very good one up to this point, there are still days when I wish I weren't alive. And then I remember that everyone feels that way sometimes and I feel much better.