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 ;)
No flames here. Your job is to convince the Buddhists that liberalism is bad Karma! I mean, giving money to people in exchange for their votes can’t be good for the soul in any tradition.
I like Buddhist ideas on nature. I think we can say we are connected to nature without falling into paganism or renouncing our divine gift of being human.
My only problem with Buddhism is that when grat evil happened, they often say “it happened.” The tradition could use a greater sense of moral outrage. Unfortunately, a lot of genocides have happened in Buddhist countries over the last century. I’m not saying believing Buddhists were spearheading the genocides, but their outrage over the events seems a bit weak. Thoughts?
“It is kinda like the old saying....”Someone is is pointing at the moon, but instead of looking at the moon they only see the fingers pointing at the moon.”
Sweet, a Bruce Lee fan.
Our Heavenly Father created each of us with the gift of free will. As such you are entitled to believe what you will. But since you appear to me to be a reasonable man, allow me to challenge you:
As you know Christians profess that God’s only begotten Son died to atone for all men’s sins, and that this redemption is available to all who believe in Him.
With that in mind, I remind you of the famous philosopher/scientist Blaise Pascal who wrote in his book Pensees - referring to the existence of God: (I’m paraphrasing) “if you wager God is and win, you gain all; if you lose you lose nothing. If you wager God is not and win you gain nothing; if you lose you lose all.” This same wager can be applied to the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation.
Would not a reasonable man bet on Jesus? You have nothing to lose and eternal life to gain.
Having said that I am glad you don’t mind us praying for you as I already have. I prayed that you receive the gift of faith, as I’m quite sure your dad is doing as well in our Lord’s very presence.
Should you choose to remain in your disbelief going forward, I pray you will at least keep these words in mind as you one day pass from this life to the next: “I love you Jesus; have mercy on me.” Because it is never too late for a heartfelt conversion.
“Leave a pound of sugar, a pound of flour and a stick of butter on the table overnight and see if there is a cake in the morning.”
Perfect example of what I believe. There are no cosmological accidents. I am firmly convinced that Albert Einstein was no fool in this regard.
No problem with you coming from my Catholic Christian corner here — as long as you’re not a liberal, mate, no worries.
And let me apologize for those few Christians on this site who took the opportunity to use your post to raise the spectre of eternal damnation for your belief system.
We all have our own beliefs as to what happens to folks of other denomination after we go to the great beyond, but as far as I know nobody on this board has come back from the other side with a report. So I’ll leave those decisions to God alone and say welcome FRiend.
“I did not know Bruce Lee said that. It was told to be by and old boyfriend..and I never forgot it.”
Yeah, go watch Enter the Dragon. That is right in there in the first few scenes.
He probably appropriated it, but it rings true to me.
Which, by the way, is all that is required to enter heaven. Thomas the Apostle was allowed to see & feel His wounds, wasn't he? And he knew Jesus in his lifetime.
Thank you, I still don’t believe I am evil. I’m just a human like all of you, out here trying to sort out where we go next.
All you Christians who want to save my soul, thank you. I may need your prayers at some point. I’ll know when I get to the door. If I see my grandpa and/or Jesus standing there, I’m IN. Otherwise, I can only go with what my heart tells me is true. If I find Satan standing there, I hope I still have that good old S&W M19 in my hand, I’ll plug that bastid and then take my chances I guess.
We chant Daimoku, NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO. It basically means I take refuge in the beauty of the cosmic mystery of the power that is greater than a man.
Christians (especially Catholics) chant Kyrie Eleison! as we take refuge in a mystery of a power greater than a man, who nonetheless relinquished Godhead to share manhood, suffering, and death : and was raised from the dead, breaking the power of death and the fear of it.
Come to the light side -- we have wafers.
Cheers!
“There are plenty of non-Christian Freepers, I consider myself on of them.”
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Not to detract from the thread but I find your statement controversial.
I’m a Christian who believes in abortion in dire situations, yet I have been severely chastisted about that. Please share your thoughts about being a FReeper while holding beliefs outside the norm for most Conservatives. Thank you for a response.
[cue “China Grove” by the Doobie Brothers]
I am a Christian and I have friends that are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist, agnostic, Mormon, etc.
You don’t have to be a Christian to be intelligent and you don’t have to be Christian to be a friend.
Wafers, really?
They aren’t Graham Crackers are they? ‘Cause if they are I am right out.
Nope, I am sure my heart is right. I’m 53 years old and I found this sprituality over 40 years ago.
I’m on yer side people.
>> You do not, so He will not force His atonement on You. <<
SSssshh. Don’t tell that to Calvinistic Baptists!
Have you ever looked at being Noahide? You may find it interesting.
http://www.noahide.org
I kinda like Billy and Franklin, even if they are a couple of crackers.
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