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As a part-Christian, this kind of Christian tripe annoys me to no end
vinlyn
Colorado...for now Veteran
Now before someone gets in a dither, remember, I consider myself sorta half-Christian and half-Buddhist.
But it just irks me when a Christian says or writes something like I just found from a friend of mine on Facebook: "Survived Frankenstorm- able to keep electricity and no damage. God's blessing!"
So let's see, God blessed you folks in northern Virginia but decided to make people in the NYC and NJ areas suffer flooded homes, wind damage, no electricity, isolation, etc.
I may believe in God, but I certainly don't believe God makes that kind of decision.
But it just irks me when a Christian says or writes something like I just found from a friend of mine on Facebook: "Survived Frankenstorm- able to keep electricity and no damage. God's blessing!"
So let's see, God blessed you folks in northern Virginia but decided to make people in the NYC and NJ areas suffer flooded homes, wind damage, no electricity, isolation, etc.
I may believe in God, but I certainly don't believe God makes that kind of decision.
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I can't imagine living that way, it seems like it would be a terrifying way to live-in constant fear and hope that God will spare you and put his wrath on others.
I actually never knew you considered yourself half-Christian. Not like it matters, just never realized somehow.
who say that the dispossessed and injured had it coming due to their karma ?
From our perspectives as onlookers, as simple humans with egos, we see terrible things happening, but for all we know, it's actually the best possible thing that could have happened to the individuals involved.
It makes sense if you believe in an eternal aspect of life, perhaps a soul.
At the end of the day we're at the mercy of our own perception of these events which is intrinsically flawed.
I don't look as karma as retribution of any sort. It's just a normal cause and effect, and I don't think someone acting badly brings on a hurricane as a part of natural cause and effect. Perhaps someone will get more help than someone else, because they have been kind in the past and built those connections and the karma associated. That would be a better example of karma coming from the storm situation (for me). Doesn't mean the other person deserves less help for being less kind. Just that being more kind has natural rewards, and vice versa.
I've had numerous near misses and for each one I've thanked the universe in its totality and counted it as a blessing - then changed my shorts.
Perhaps it's comforting when probability has personality.
Anyways I totally agree with B5C I am just piggy-backing my thoughts.
Maybe God created the world as a natural activity like a sneeze or humming a song.
In a sense that relates to omnipotency but it is a variation. It is saying that any possible world would have suffering. So in that case should God have omitted to create a world? Does God suffer?
No one is saying they don't have the "right" to do so. Just that it's irksome.
The Buddha didn't bother.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day."
Is it just me, but can't you see it? Light only exists in the mind; external to mind is electromagnetic waves - these waves enter the mind via the eye - and the brain creates light (somewhere around the back of the brain I think). So when God created light, are we not Gods in a sense, since we create light? If there were no conceptual minds, light would not exist; only electromagnetic rays. Alan Watts says that we 'make the Sun shine!'
And who conceptualises 'heaven', 'earth', 'day', 'night', 'evening' and 'morning'? These are just labels - concepts created by a conceptual mind.
When I read this stuff it makes me think that WE are God; we are the Creators (of our own experience) but in a very real sense.
I think 'God' in this sense is a metaphor, like we say "Mother Nature" makes the trees grow, but no-one really thinks Mother Nature is some deity with human characteristics.
Just my thoughts; it's late; I'm tired and my carer doesn't know I'm on the interweb.
Finally it was Nasrudin's turn to explain 'the Nature of Allah'.
"Allah ...", started Nasrudin impressively "is ..."
Nasrudin removed and held up an ovoid mauve vegetable from the folds of his turban, " ... an aubergine."
There was uproar at this blasphemy. When order was finally established, Nasrudin was reluctantly asked to explain his words.
"I conclude that everyone has spoken of what they do not know or have not seen. We can all see this aubergine. Is there anyone who can deny that Allah is manifest in all things?"
Nobody could.
"Very well," said Nasrudin, "Allah is an aubergine."
More stories for vegetables
I thought I would just throw that out there....
But it is not good to practice Junkshop spirituality there is a reason why this is not advised."
I agree- I think we have to pick a path and follow it to the end. Once you're there, only then can you truly know you never needed one:)
But personally, I'd take a micromanaging God over fire and brimstone jealous God. If he is a jealous God, we're all in for a big whoopin' in Heaven.
If a member of the KKK came to your door and started discussing that Blacks were inferior and should be eliminated from American life...would you be annoyed?
There are still Nazis and Neo-Nazis. When they are parading down the street, does it bother you?
They may believe what they wish. That's freedom of thought. But when one begins to disseminate their beliefs...which Facebook certainly does...one is expecting people to react. If they weren't expecting a reaction, they'd keep their beliefs within.
As a principal, I had to decide when to become involved in various things happening in the school. I had the legal power to insert myself into virtually everything that happened in that school. But, I selected my battles so to speak.
For example, some teachers would say that an administrator had to control discipline in their classroom. I said no, the teacher is responsible for all but extreme cases of discipline in their classroom. Some wanted the principal to control gum-chewing throughout the school. I said no, if you want to have a no-gum rule in your classroom that's fine, but we are not going to have a school-wide no-gum policy. I had the power, but didn't decide to use my power to micromanage.
Buddhism is all about laughing other people's views
That is all that they can do.
For me, I am a Buddhist, it is what I can see works for me right now in every way.
So not long ago I was really nervous about taking an exam to obtain some certification that I had went to school for.
I was extremely nervous.
A lady that I work with told me that she would pray for me in Jesus' name.
That made me feel a lot better, I don't know if she prayed or not but I know that just that alone really helped as technically I shouldn't have passed that exam.. the hands on part at least.
I made a pretty damned big mistake and you are normally supposed to score 100 percent on the hands on portion of the exam.
If you realize you make a mistake before you complete a clinical then you can go back and correct it.
I could not remember if what I was doing was wrong or not, I drew a blank in my mind.
I found out after that I totally goofed.
She passed me anyways though. Some of the evaluators, I have heard from many, are very mean.
It was an infinite amount of causes and conditions coming together to create that but the fact that the lady at my work said she would pray for me was so wonderful to hear.
I don't care what faith anyone is or what they believe.
What she was doing was wanting another to succeed.
That is beautiful.
The main reason you are all here is because of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Next time your genitals work in expelling waste, say thanks.
Next time you eat, say thanks.
Next time you are aware of anything, say thanks.
Many people, many Buddhists want to act like "they" did something, or "they" got to where they are.
That is the biggest load of shit ever.
At least the people thanking God that their homes didn't get ruined by Sandy are humble and realize that it isn't their own egocentric behavior that prevented their homes from being destroyed.
@OneLifeForm - do you mean here on Earth or here on this website?