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I am not a Christian, and considerable drivel about my reasoning on this
Me

Posted on 04/21/2010 7:43:38 PM PDT by West Texas Chuck

OK, a lot of y'all will freak on this, but I am not a Christian. Not that I have any problem at all with His teachings, but I decided a long time ago I didn't want Jesus to die on that cross to expunge my sins. I'll take the hit to my own Karma. Laugh if you want, but this is what I believe: Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism.

I was raised Southern Baptist. My grandfather was a deacon in the church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. I remember unlocking the church with him before the sun came up, and going to Sunday School. Ortho Orville Oliver would probably spin in his grave to hear this but at his funeral I decided his religion was not what made sense to me. I think I was 12 at the time. I was a hippie for years, and then I was pretty much Godless for a long time, like those are different things. Then I met a girl who is what they call a "fortune baby" meaning she was born into this philosophy. Her old 75+ year old Japanese momma made her what she is, and she made me what I am, in a quasi-religious sense. It's a Japanese thing. I've been fascinated with Japanese culture since my first karate class, and before. Ni Gojuryu karate really started me down this path, several decades ago.

I don't worship Buddha, Soka Gakkai International is not about that in any way, we just believe in personal responsibility for the Karma we create for ourselves. There is no such thing as good Karma, all Karma is pretty much bad (sin?). It is a debt you create and carry. I believe in reincarnation and a lot of things that will probably make your skin crawl if you are Christian.

I have no problem with Christians. I'll stand and fight and die with you because you believe in a righteous God. Please don't hate me because I am a Buddhist.

Hate me because I am good looking ;)


TOPICS: Religion
KEYWORDS: 201004; buddhism; daishonin; faithandphilosophy; nichiren; sokagakkai
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To: EternalVigilance

“Almost every sentence in your screed contains the word “I,” often multiple times.”

Fair point. That is probably what differentiates Buddhism from Christianity, we are focused on the “I” part of being.

No insult meant, it is just a point of difference.


41 posted on 04/21/2010 8:14:13 PM PDT by West Texas Chuck (US out of the UN - UN out of the US)
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To: TheConservativeParty; PGalt

There IS a FReeper called Texas Chick.

That is who I thought it was before my FR Fopaux.

http://www.freerepublic.com/~texaschick/


42 posted on 04/21/2010 8:15:14 PM PDT by TSgt (We will always be prepared, so we may always be free. - Ronald Reagan)
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To: West Texas Chuck; TSgt
I would say that I will chant daimoku for you but that would probably not be taken the way I mean it.

Something tells me TSgt might enjoy that, though.

lolol. J/K TSgt!

43 posted on 04/21/2010 8:15:26 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (PALIN/MCCAIN IN 2012 - barf alert? sarc tag? -- can't decide)
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To: West Texas Chuck
I take refuge in the beauty of the cosmic mystery of the power that is greater than a man.

So you do have faith but not faith in Jesus, The Living Word, Who spoke the world into existance. You worship His creation but not Him, the Creator.

If I end up in Hell for not accepting Him, then I am screwed and I will burn down there. As a man I accept the responsibility for my decision.

There is no " IF " in it - you will. Macho may work and feel good in this society, but humility is really the wiser choice when it comes to the All Knowing God. Humility to know you need a Savior and accept Him as your Savior. No way (in hell) can you ever repay the debt.

You owe $5,000 on your car - I pay it for you since you can't - you ignore my payment - the car is repossessed. Is that macho or unwise? You treat your life here and eternity like a crap shoot - you bet on the underdog when everything in you knows who the winner will be.

There is no reincarnation because your spirit never dies - it lives forever - you get to chose where. I don't hate you at all - just the evil that has blinded you.
44 posted on 04/21/2010 8:16:43 PM PDT by presently no screen name ( Repeal ZeroCare!)
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To: Responsibility2nd

Don’t even make me go sashaying out and vote for McCain!

LOL!


45 posted on 04/21/2010 8:17:07 PM PDT by TSgt (We will always be prepared, so we may always be free. - Ronald Reagan)
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To: West Texas Chuck

I don’t mind. I’m not exactly your grandparent’s Christian myself.

I can’t speak for God, but I can’t imagine him being too hard on a non-Christian who is devoted to righteousness, either.


46 posted on 04/21/2010 8:17:37 PM PDT by Julia H. (Freedom of speech and freedom from criticism are mutually exclusive.)
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To: posterchild

“Have you run into Christians before who hated non Christians merely because the were non Christians?”

Yeah, I guess. My grandmother hated Jews and Catholics. I still can’t understand that, I guess it was how she was raised. And a finer woman never lived. Her and my grandfather would take in “people of color” back in the 60s and feed them and home them because they were true to their beliefs. My grandfather would work two jobs and then go work on houses for Oklahoma Indian peoples because that was what he was called to do. That was an admirable and honest living of his faith. God Bless you grandpa.

I have to respect that, in fact I think those are true Christian virtues.


47 posted on 04/21/2010 8:18:43 PM PDT by West Texas Chuck (US out of the UN - UN out of the US)
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To: West Texas Chuck
I spent 14 years living in Japan, some of the best years of my life. I think some of the teachings of Buddhism helped make the Japanese some of the most decent people on earth.

I'd even go so far as to say that he may have even been a prophet sent to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, at least by the time he comes again. I've also known Baptists who are very decent people as well as those who would put Fred Phelps to shame the way they espouse hatred for Mormons, Catholics and anyone else who does not subscribe to their narrow little brand of Christianity.

I hope this isn't what turned you off on Christianity, but if it was, I hope you will understand that they are a narrow-minded minority who make up in venom and volume what they lack in numbers. There are hundreds of brands of Christianity out there and I think you have a good chance of finding one which will meet your needs, because Jesus Christ is the son of God and will not force anyone to accept him as their Savior. But his helping hand is there for any who make that choice despite all the noise out there.

48 posted on 04/21/2010 8:19:13 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: West Texas Chuck

My dogma ate your karma.


49 posted on 04/21/2010 8:20:52 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Amber Lamps !"~~)
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To: West Texas Chuck

Chuck, Im not going to try to talk you out of your beliefs. If you aren’t attacking us or trying to legislate against us, I’m comfortable. I wasn’t always a Christian but I later decided as an adult that it was the right decision and was baptized.

So, no hate from me. I’m guessing if you’re in this forum because you’re conservative, you and I have more in common than we don’t. I feel sorry for people who would try ti chase you away. I hope you don’t feel like anyone is trying to chase you off.


50 posted on 04/21/2010 8:21:01 PM PDT by OrangeHoof (Washington, we Texans want a divorce!)
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To: West Texas Chuck

Self-worship is the oldest man-made religion, in addition to being the most widespread.

Its genesis can be traced to the original lie of Satan to Eve in the garden: “You shall be as gods.”

I pray you find out before it’s too late that you’re not God, and that all little “g” gods are idols — idols which the LORD our Creator shall destroy.

But I assure you that you will find out. It’s only a question of when, not if.


51 posted on 04/21/2010 8:22:14 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (No sane man loves war. But all decent men realize there can be no peace with tyrants or terrorists.)
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To: Julia H.

Hey, when my time comes and I see that light, if Jesus is standing there I am sure to humble myself and accept him.

See, that is so Buddhist, though I’m sure it makes no sense to some of you. When you see die and the truth is there, you have to go into the light.

No reference to Ghost Whisperer meant. Well, I am sorta making fun of that show. We will all meet our maker. Some of us will turn away. Some of us will find glory. I hope I believe enough to realize the truth when it comes to me.

I don’t fear death. There I go with the “I” again.


52 posted on 04/21/2010 8:24:24 PM PDT by West Texas Chuck (US out of the UN - UN out of the US)
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To: TheConservativeParty

Too bad he didn’t take in acting lessons.


53 posted on 04/21/2010 8:24:27 PM PDT by streetpreacher (Arminian by birth, Calvinist by the grace of God)
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To: TSgt

I remember there is a Texas Chick freeper too.
Is the correct FR spelling of fauxpas “Fopaux”? I don’t want to check the FR dictonary this late at night. This thread has been so entertaining, I may have to set my beeber on stune and taze myself to get to sleep.
(uh-oh, another late night FR no-no, an attempt at humor)


54 posted on 04/21/2010 8:27:00 PM PDT by TheConservativeParty ( HEY OBAMA, I CAN SEE NOVEMBER FROM MY BACK FORTY!!!)
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Comment #55 Removed by Moderator

To: Julia H.

Except the only problem is that there is no such thing as a “non-Christian devoted to righteousness”. Jesus Christ IS our righteousness so you might as well be saying a “non-Christian devoted to Christ”.


56 posted on 04/21/2010 8:29:05 PM PDT by streetpreacher (Arminian by birth, Calvinist by the grace of God)
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To: West Texas Chuck
I believe in reincarnation and a lot of things that will probably make your skin crawl if you are Christian.

I'm a Christian (a Catholic, in fact), and the only things that make my skin crawl are liberals. And centipedes.

Glad you're here.

57 posted on 04/21/2010 8:29:44 PM PDT by TonyInOhio ( Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.)
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To: West Texas Chuck

Why would a Christian hate you for not being a Christian?


58 posted on 04/21/2010 8:29:57 PM PDT by FTJM
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To: West Texas Chuck

Stand up Chuck and take a bow.

It’s not often we get a chance to chant Daimoku here at FR.


59 posted on 04/21/2010 8:30:11 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: Vigilanteman

No, I don’t remember anything that turned me away from Jesus, it’s not like that. I had an epiphany (if I can use that word) at my grandfather’s funeral. Something spoke to me and gave me a way to understand my life and his death.

Don’t over-analyze this y’all, believe what calls you. I have no problem with believing in the Saviour, honestly. Somehow I found a faith that guides me that is not what might be considered the canon of the Christian church.

I am an American first, a Conservative second, and a Texan third. I’m sorry, but my faith doesn’t call me to put Christ in there. Sorry. Call me stubborn.


60 posted on 04/21/2010 8:30:20 PM PDT by West Texas Chuck (US out of the UN - UN out of the US)
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