What do you Atheists think of Buddhism/Hinduism?

Question

It's not pushy, and is at the core really more philosophy than religion. No institution (ok there is, but those are ad-ons made by the regular power seekers), no "Hell" and true Hinduism is nothing like paganism or greco/roman gods. I'll probably get a bunch of hate from brainwashed Christians, but us Hindus and Buddhsits don't have answers and commands laid out for us in our religions, so I may not be able to counter them Like science, Eastern religions don't claim to know everything. And could you Atheists actually live by the purely philosophical cores of the religions (the parts where gods aren't even mentioned)?

I'm a hindu, and the social implications of Hinduism can be bad. But I'm talking about the core philosophy. The social mores actually aren't rooted in Hinduism but things like the caste system came along with the Aryans. Aryans and the native Dravidians created 'Hindusim" and then it changed A LOT over the centuries. But the Caste system was mainly to keep aryan blood line pure. Not very religous at all.

Answer 1

From what I know of both they are pretty decent philosophies. People always screw a good thing up when they turn it in to a religion though because people start believing it for no reason other than how it makes them "feel"

Oh and yeah it is possible to live by the philosophies of a religion if those philosophies can stand on their own. In Christianity, Judaism and Islam killing others who don't believe as you do is recommended. I would never agree with that.

Answer 2

I enjoy reading about Buddhism, it seems pretty much like a very wise and peaceful philosophy to me. I actually have incorporated some Buddhist philosophy into my personal ethics. I like learning about Buddhism and plan to continue learn more about it in the future. I don't think I can believe in some of their supernatural beliefs but from what I know of Buddhists its not required that I do and they aren't going to condemn me or try to convert me if I don't.

I confess I know almost nothing of Hinduism. I was always a little put off by the idea of a caste system and also I saw a show about arranged marriage and Hinduism. The girl involved wanted to marry someone other than who her parents had arranged and there was a lot of pain experienced by the girl and her family because of this. I won't judge their religion entirely based on my limited knowledge though. I would like at some point to learn more about Hinduism as well.

Thanks, for the additional information. I am more motivated to learn more about the core philosophy of Hinduism. I knew I didn't have anything close to an accurate or full picture of Hindu beliefs.

Answer 3

I don't really know anything about Hinduism, but I can comment a little on Buddhism.

I personally am very fond of Taoism. The idea seems to be that this is a pretty awesome world to live in, and life should be celebrated, whenever, for no reason. Nice weather, good food, friends: all reasons to celebrate. And you don't need to look forward to a next life or an afterlife, because this life is so great.

There are also lots of teachings about learning and dealing with people etc, which have some pretty good points. But most of what I get out of it is: Don't worry, it'll turn out ok!

This seems different from Buddhism, because from what I understand, Buddhism encourages people to better themselves so they can have a better life next time. This life actually kind of sucks, so try to transcend it and get somewhere better, or be something better. It sounds like a very negative view to me.

I do like books of Zen stories, and I try very much to live by guidelines about forgiveness, charity, choosing happiness, letting go of unpleasant thoughts, and following the most natural course to allow it to take me along an ideal or unforced path.

So yes, I could live by the philosophical core of a religion. I take the parts that are useful to me and make sense to me and don't worry about the rest.

Answer 4

I'm not an Atheist. I'm Agnostic. I have no problems with Buddhism or Hinduism as the followers of those two religions don't try to convert people to their religion or push their beliefs onto anybody. They are both religions based on living life in peace and I can't find much fault in that.

Answer 5

i do no longer think of precise and incorrect are appropriate. absolutely everyone lives and with the aid of existence makes alternatives - ethical, ethical, etc. If there's a trend to those, this is called their existence sort. in the event that they think of approximately it, the existence sort is a mirrored image of notwithstanding faith they have. aside from Atheist, the religions you have listed have very comparable ethical and ethical values. i don't be responsive to approximately Atheism because of the fact each and every thing I examine from avowed Atheists is so adverse approximately ethical and ethical standards i'm a Christian and stick to the classes and examples of Jesus Christ. i think of that if absolutely everyone did this the international could be a miles extra suited place. yet i could in no way denigrate Islam Buddhism or Hinduism.

Answer 6

Most Atheists are cool with religions other than Christianity. Christianity they have a problem with because Christians think that everyone else should live by the same rules they do whether other people want to or not.

Answer 7

I've got no problems with Buddhism. Hinduism isn't bad, it's at least not a religion of conversion.

Answer 8

Buddhism is essentially atheist... I'm atheist and Tibetan Buddhist.

_()_

Answer 9

Philosophical cores? Yeah. I can do that.

I'm already at the 'Buddhisty' 'Taoist' end of it all anyway.

Thank you for asking.
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Answer 10

hindus do, in fact, have their own forms of "commandments laid out...like the horrible way they treat widows...

I like much of buddhist philosophy and agree with a lot of it...