what is the point of religion?

[Paulclem]

Hm…....I don’t want to sound sarcastic but don’t you think that it is funny that those who knew didn’t want to talk……. but you are so eager to explain everything. You have tried to simplify it without knowing a whole story and you are still making assumptions rather than asking questions. Sorry, but I don’t have time for that kind of discussion any more. I have been studied for years and I have more questions than answers. In fact, I don’t look for the answers but ask questions since if we accept a belief we close our minds for alternative explanations.

I have a list of books to read from Kalachakra Tantra: A shadow of Dalai Lama. But I don’t think so that I would ever want to discuss it. I know that many questions I have will never be answered.

I better make a good use of my time and go back to reading. You will find people who are interested in Buddhism ….

I don't know why you are defensive. I merely expanded on what you put because I'm mindful that other people read these posts.

I don't think I have simplified anything. The explanations are standard fare. These things are explained to practitioners and there's no secret about them. I have already said that I don't practice Tantra, and so I couldn't possibly go into the teachings even if I wanted to. I merely have a basic knowledge of the kinds of practices. What I've put is by no means secret or hidden and if something couldn't be discussed, then I wouldn't discuss it. There's no problem in explaining why either.

Your references to psychic abilities and spirits needed elucidation and so I put in my bit after you had mentioned them. It is easy for people to get the wrong impression. There's lots of potential for confusion about Eastern religions.

I understand that the secret, psychic, spirit parts of Tibetan Buddhism are very interesting. They certainly are, but they remain part of the Buddhist worldview with some typically Tibetan additions such as particular Dharma Protectors.

Next time don't worry about disclaimers like I don't want to sound sarcastc but.. It just means that you are going to be. I don't mind if you are sarcastic. I get the impression that you think I'm trying to get one over on you or something. You could probably guess that I enjoy chatting about Buddhism, and it's purely that, and I'm interested in what you put. I'm also aware of certain teachings, and like to elucidate things when they are mentioned. It might sound a bit pedantic. I don't mean to be, but as I said I'm aware that other people read posts too.

[ftil]

Originally posted by Paulclem

I don't know why you are defensive. I merely expanded on what you put because I'm mindful that other people read these posts.

I am not defensive. I should have used emoticons to express how I felt. I just don’t want to talk about it any more. To be honest, I don’t like having that kind of discussion for a long time. It is a distraction and I have too many books I want to read. Therefore, I have a tread about mythology and religion ….free from discussion.

BTW, I don't like to be sarcastic either but I am honest.

[Paulclem]

I am not defensive. I should have used emoticons to express how I felt. I just don’t want to talk about it any more. To be honest, I don’t like having that kind of discussion for a long time. It is a distraction and I have too many books I want to read. Therefore, I have a tread about mythology and religion ….free from discussion.

BTW, I don't like to be sarcastic either but I am honest.

Ok. I never said you weren't honest. There's nothing wrong with a bit of sarcasm with people who can take it.

It seems to me you do like discussion. We've had plenty of them. I enjoy them anyway. You can tell that I'm a billy-no-mates from the number of times I'm on. It's nice to meet someone else who is on as much - I'm only joking.

[ftil]

Ok. I never said you weren't honest. There's nothing wrong with a bit of sarcasm with people who can take it.

It seems to me you do like discussion. We've had plenty of them. I enjoy them anyway. You can tell that I'm a billy-no-mates from the number of times I'm on. It's nice to meet someone else who is on as much - I'm only joking.

I don’t enjoy having long discussions where I have more questions than answers as I am aware how much I want to learn and read. I also don’t like writing. When I spent too much time writing, I need my balance back and read.
BTW, I was born to talk and read.

All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.
Khalil Gibran

[Theunderground]

I think religions main benefit is that it gives people hope in difficult situations.
'Hope' is very much real,positive and provable emprically. A being called 'god' with all his attributes is a nonsense frankly. But religion fills the gap left by science and philosophy. I would go further and say that 'hope' is almost intrinsic to the human condition and thus hope invents religion and art. The hope is real,the inventions and art much less so. In summary religion is a tool to give man hope.

[MarkBastable]

I have been studied for years...

Really? Who was studying you? I mean, on the basis of your posts, I can see why they might - I'm just surprised you allow it.

[ftil]

Really? Who was studying you? I mean, on the basis of your posts, I can see why they might - I'm just surprised you allow it.

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

Carl Gustav Jung

[usman.khawar]

Really? Who was studying you? I mean, on the basis of your posts, I can see why they might - I'm just surprised you allow it.

try to understand ftil.. he wanted to say" i have studied for many years/..."

For thread starter... i think religion is the packet of those conducts which lead a person to Lord. in this packet there are minimum conducts which are neccessary for the Way to Lord. moreover i think it also give peace and success (material,moral etc) in this life on earth as well as hereafter.coz the suggestion are directly from Lord for how to pass in this transitory life..

[ftil]

try to understand ftil.. he wanted to say" i have studied for many years/..."

For thread starter... i think religion is the packet of those conducts which lead a person to Lord. in this packet there are minimum conducts which are neccessary for the Way to Lord. moreover i think it also give peace and success (material,moral etc) in this life on earth as well as hereafter.coz the suggestion are directly from Lord for how to pass in this transitory life..

I guess you speak his language....... I don’t have any clue how his post relates to religion?

“Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.”
Rumi

[Paulclem]

try to understand ftil.. he wanted to say" i have studied for many years/..."

For thread starter... i think religion is the packet of those conducts which lead a person to Lord. in this packet there are minimum conducts which are neccessary for the Way to Lord. moreover i think it also give peace and success (material,moral etc) in this life on earth as well as hereafter.coz the suggestion are directly from Lord for how to pass in this transitory life..

You misunderstand Mark, Usman. He was making a joke.

[cafolini]

The point of religion is for people to cope when they don't have other means. There were days when the people were trained to impose it. Those days are still present in delusional, powerless and primitive countries. They will be completely overcome. Religion will linger, but it will no longer be imposed in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Globalization of freedom is unavoidable no matter how long it takes, not because we will attack, but because we will be attacked and we have the power to defend it, make it stick, reproduce and evolve.
In God we trust for these matters, if there is any place where religion must always apply. The freaks of the world are funny. They want us to take that away from the face of the dollar bill. Naive bunch of little weasels ruled by despots and nepotists who collect dollars.

[Paulclem]

The point of religion is for people to cope when they don't have other means.

I don't see this. I don't see the US bible belt made up of the poor and disenfranchised. I don't see it in other countries. In fact religions have grown in coutries which have had the economic stability to support them.


Globalization of freedom is unavoidable

What does the globalisation of freedom mean? I think I know what you are referring to, but it's a big concept which needs explanation.

Your rant is almost religious in its intensity.

[cafolini]

The point of religion is for people to cope when they don't have other means.

I don't see this. I don't see the US bible belt made up of the poor and disenfranchised. I don't see it in other countries. In fact religions have grown in coutries which have had the economic stability to support them.


Globalization of freedom is unavoidable

What does the globalisation of freedom mean? I think I know what you are referring to, but it's a big concept which needs explanation.

Your rant is almost religious in its intensity.

I'm talking about freedom of religion in America. We promote freedom of religion. And we will never allow dominance on the part of any religion.
Mine is not a rant. People have the right to cope in whatever religious way they want. There is no unified church in America. There are thousands of different religions and sects. There is no belt of unified religion.
If you do not see this, too bad. It is one of the major roads to freedom and it is shining in the home of the brave and the land of the free. You are missing my point. And that is also your right and we will defend that right of yours against any freaks that dislike it. In God we trust.

Globalization of freedom might be a big concept, since it is global, planetary, but it needs not your explanation. It is obvious. Definitely you will not entangle us with any explanation that's unnecessary without scholastic condescendence.

[Paulclem]

I'm talking about freedom of religion in America. We promote freedom of religion. And we will never allow dominance on the part of any religion.
Mine is not a rant. People have the right to cope in whatever religious way they want. There is no unified church in America. There are thousands of different religions and sects. There is no belt of unified religion.
If you do not see this, too bad. It is one of the major roads to freedom and it is shining in the home of the brave and the land of the free. You are missing my point. And that is also your right and we will defend that right of yours against any freaks that dislike it. In God we trust.

I thought you said the globalisation of freedom. What do you mean by that?

Those days are still present in delusional, powerless and primitive countries. They will be completely overcome.

This isn't about the US. What do you mean by this? Overcome by whom?

It is one of the major roads to freedom and it is shining in the home of the brave and the land of the free.

Sorry. It was meant to be humourous, but it still sounds like a rant.

[cafolini]

I thought you said the globalisation of freedom. What do you mean by that?

Those days are still present in delusional, powerless and primitive countries. They will be completely overcome.

This isn't about the US. What do you mean by this? Overcome by whom?

It is one of the major roads to freedom and it is shining in the home of the brave and the land of the free.

Sorry. It was meant to be humourous, but it still sounds like a rant.

A rant? A rant is what's been going on in this thread, about this and about that and petty gossipy, spent stuff that no longer applies, and the sea in a small track. There is no humor about this. It's plainly evident. You care to discuss it? I don't. It's obvious to me.