As an Atheist, I usually get a lot of commentaries about not ragging of other religions, but this time it is different. I wonder why a lot of my fellow Atheists are "okay" with Buddhism or follow it themselves? Did you know that they teach reincarnation? What evidence is there for that? Did you know the original teachings of the Buddha said that homosexuals would come back to earth as some siamese monster thing because homosexuality was evil? I realize the new Dahli Lama has now accepted gays, but why be okay with a religion that is hypocritical on its beliefs because of political correctness? At least the Christians have the balls to stand up for their homophobia (though I personally find that belief wrong). So why are some of my fellow Atheists okay with it?
2006-10-12 02:00:47 · 32 answers · asked by Alucard 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Seems 90% of you didn't bother to read the full question. First off, I am an Atheist, so thank you for explaining me my own belief. Second, the question is not about why we don't bash on christians, but why buddhism is accepted despite those shortcomings that you criticize on Christians. Thirdly, if you claim to be an Atheist (that rejects the super natural), believing in something like in a doctrine that teaches reincarnation (supernatural) is an oxymoron.
2006-10-12 02:33:10 · update #1
Atheist does not quickly accept buddhism as an okay religion. They just find it better as a meditation than a religion. Atheists do not care a damn about what buddha said or whatever his laws and principles are, what they care is the process of sitting and meditating to find some people. That's all. In fact theyare not interested with buddhism at all, but only the meditation.
2006-10-12 02:04:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
In the Western society, Buddhism is often followed less as a religion and more as a philosophy. I doubt many atheists would find fault with the simple aspects of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. I personally attempt to follow those tenets and do not consider myself a Buddhist.
ETA: ff_f makes an excellent point further down: The Buddha did instruct any who would follow him to take his teachings and test them completely before accepting them. One way or the other, this is an amazing sense of logic not often found in religions--and certainly the way most atheists approach religious ideas to begin with. To have it actually laid down in the tenets of the religion itself no doubt is a major draw for atheists, if nothing else to learn more about it.
2006-10-12 02:06:10 · answer #2 · answered by angk 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The Buddhist religion has many sects and at their root they are all based on the philosophy of a Chinese prince named Buddha that did not claim to be god. Buddhism is more of a philosophical way of living rather than a belief in the hereafter. Some sects have elevated Buddha a to a god status—something he did not do himself.
Bottom line is that you can be a Buddhist and be an atheist.
2006-10-12 02:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by damdawg 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Religion means teaching of God.
Doesn't Buddhist believe that there is no God and every thing becomes Zero after Nirvana?
Though they have introduced the worship of Buddha, But if Buddha has become Zero, it means that the worship is also Zero.
This Makes Buddhism only Moral Principles. and hence it would be choice of the "Pious" Atheist.
2006-10-12 07:28:33 · answer #4 · answered by Parsu 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not an expert on buddhist philosphy. The main reason it appeals to the atheists I have personally known is that it does not require belief in a supreme being.
I don't accept the theory of reincarnation; as you say there is no valid proof. I think it's a nice idea, nothing more.
There are tenets of buddhism that I like, though, as there are tenets of almost all faiths that I find beautiful. I love the idea of the middle way, and letting go of desire for material things.
2006-10-12 02:06:19 · answer #5 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 7⤊ 1⤋
You need to be clear that regardless of teachings and guidance the Buddha never insisted than anyone adhered to any practice-he wasn't a divine saviour with a message of deliverance. It is purely a matter of free choice what Buddhists practice or believe in and that is what makes it acceptable to many atheists. No God, no theology, no dogma-no problem.
2006-10-12 02:04:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism isn't in all probability a faith. sure, there are people who prepare Buddhism, who see it in a theistic and/or supernatural way. And the lama's enable that, yet once you immediately ask them approximately theism or supernatural traits in Buddhism, they shrug their shoulders and say "who's known with"? a number of them practice those diverse geographical regions of rebirth (such by way of fact the "hungry ghost realm") as a metaphorical lesson in paying interest to the place YOUR head is at. in case you ask them in the experience that your prayers (i.e., asserting the medicine Buddha puja) will help somebody who's dying, they permit you to comprehend that your prayers help your self ... that prayers help practice and strengthen compassion interior your self. yet that your prayers have not any supernatural means to assist. i comprehend, by way of fact I definitely have taken weekly instructions in Tibetan Buddhism for 11 years from between the Dalai Lama's mnks (who lives in my city and is resident instructor and non secular director at a close-by Tibetan Buddhist Society). BTW ... Buddhists do not call it "reincarnation". They call it "hungry ghosts". i could propose you preparation your self extra effective approximately Buddhism. possibly exposure to a qualified Buddhist instructor could be useful. i think of that atheists are the least in all probability to lie approximately faith. i've got been around sixty 3 years and explored a great sort of religions and widely used a great sort of people. I disagree which includes your uncomplicated premise.
2016-10-16 02:47:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Atheist is someone who simply does not believe in god. Atheists are such a large spectrum of people, and many of them explore many spiritual paths. Atheists do not need to have the balls to stick up for anything they do or do not believe in... they are not an organized sect. This doesn't really make sense to me that your categorizing Atheism as some sort of religion that has set ways that all are supposed to believe in their non-belief.
2006-10-12 02:08:07 · answer #8 · answered by Sarah 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Buddhist sects like therevadin focus on buddha's teachings rather than him being a god. Buddhism can be a form of atheism though in most cases buddha is worshipped as a god.
2006-10-12 03:31:24 · answer #9 · answered by Winter Nightrain 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A shot in the dark here.... but, maybe these 'atheists' (no bashing here..just singling out those you refer to) don't have the whole picture of Buddhistic history. It is easily seen as an 'inner self' faith, self improvement thru meditation, discipline. I do not know it. But, I will read a post about it just to learn
2006-10-12 02:07:28 · answer #10 · answered by TCFKAYM 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋