I myself am on my own religious quest although buddahism seems to work for me. However; even Budda said to his disciples to test everything he said. Since most atheists rely on scientific evidence..there was an experiment that someone weighed a body before it was going to die and right after the the person died it weighed less..no I am not going to say that I am going to pray for you I am not scolding you for being atheist. However I highly suggest this book to you:
"The Universe in a single atom; the convergence of Science and spirituality"
it is by his holyness the Dalai Lama and It would be appreciated it you were a serious atheist to read it. And anyway; it would benefit being that if you still disagree with the principles spoken in the book you would have a more solid arguement. Afterall it is pointless to only study your side although I am used to seeing atheisists study Christianity and dislike it. Please do not just use Christianity though...use Buddahism too please
2007-06-06 08:30:21 · 18 answers · asked by Yuri ^_^ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I KNOW BUDDA DID NOT CLAIM TO BE A GOD however if you read the actual STORY OF BUDDA there were said to be Gods helping him out
CLASS DISMISSED *****
2007-06-06 08:36:15 · update #1
thank you Christian betty and the one who said air has mass and also to Kenshin
2007-06-06 08:37:42 · update #2
excuse me; but the answer that fireball girl said is offensive
you are not God
STUDY YOUR BIBLE HONEY
as 2pac put it ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME NOT YOU SO DON'T TELL ME IM GOING TO HELL
2007-06-06 08:39:23 · update #3
sorry for the offensive comments i just made lol just saying though don't judge me if you are a Christian cause you have no right if you really believe in that stuff
2007-06-06 08:43:43 · update #4
I've read the notes on the experiment you're talking about. It's UTTERLY bogus. You can read all about it at the link below, if you like.
I've also read a great deal of the Dalai Lama's writings, and I genuinely love the guy.
You seem to be a little confused about what it means to be an atheist. An atheist is someone who doesn't worship any gods. While most Western atheists are secular (having no religion), most Eastern atheists are Buddhists! (You don't worship any gods do you?) Being an atheist does not mean that you can't be spiritual or even religious. Many atheists are downright superstitious. The term doesn't imply any kind of belief, just a lack of belief in gods.
I hope that clears some stuff up. Have a good one.
2007-06-06 08:41:43 · answer #1 · answered by marbledog 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "weighed body" story is anecdotal and unverified. It shouldn't even be considered because a "spirit" can not have any corporeal expression. And the Dalai Lama, whatever his political status, is a religious leader. It is in his interest to promote a belief in spirituality. So his interpretations of the physical sciences will be biased. It would be natural for him to fill any empirical gaps with supernatural putty.
The Buddha was the wisest. Yes, test everything, and "testing" means look at the results. Is this belief system doing any good? It is one thing to achieve "transcendence", paradoxically satisfying to the "individual", but useless to others. What was the Buddha's reaction to his breakthrough? Compassion, derived from his perception that all is One and the same.
You can dress it up in Western Judeo / Christian / Muslim clothes, or in Eastern Hindu / Buddhist clothes, or no clothes at all. The result is the same. Personal fulfillment is well and good, but responsibility for the welfare of others remains. That is the test. Is my "religion" doing any damned good or am I just seeking my own consolation? What you believe is not nearly as important as what that belief compels you to do with your life.
[edit] Don't mind "Fireba'al". That's a clone taunting you. And the "gods" helping the Buddha are just pious ornamentation on his legend. Not every Buddhist believes in them.
2007-06-06 08:52:59 · answer #2 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for your recommendation. I respect a lot of what the Dalia Lama says so I would read the book if I find it at my local bookstores. As for your other claim, the idea of a soul weighing 21 grams and the human body weighing less after death is actually an urban legend. While this does not prove there is no soul, there have been no scientific studies to prove the 21 Gram Theory.
2007-06-06 08:35:57 · answer #3 · answered by razzthedestroyer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The weighing of the body experiment is flawed because there is factors like air in the lungs, bowels and bladder that release that can affect weight.
However I too agree that one should test everything told to them by any spritual leader. Never take the words of man to heart without first using the head.
2007-06-06 08:34:51 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have read many books by the Dalai Lama.
I was a buddhist for nearly a decade, and still live by many of the same principals.
I study nature; I don't care about mythology.
2007-06-06 08:34:18 · answer #5 · answered by Dark-River 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are misinformed regarding the death/body weight experiments. Read "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife" by Mary Roach (a NYT best seller), for a very entertaining and comprehensive review of the subject.
2007-06-06 08:35:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "29 grams" theory was later shown to have never happened. One does lose mass, as the air in the lungs leaves the body, but not much.
2007-06-06 08:36:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some atheist's like myself believe in Buddhism and Taoism.
2007-06-06 08:35:09 · answer #8 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow. The world's first proselytizing Buddhist.
2007-06-06 08:34:10 · answer #9 · answered by RU SRS? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Atheism is a disbelief in the spirit or the afterlife, just in the disbelief if an omnipotent ego maniacal punisher. Budda had it right
2007-06-06 08:33:25 · answer #10 · answered by Edko 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋