Buddhist Who Do Not Believe In A God

[Armelius]

Should be welcomed in this thread.

[_DigitaLVampirE_]

The HarperCollins Dictionary of Religion,
edited by by Jonathan Z. Smith and William S. Green

atheism: Gk. a-theos, "no god"
A critical stance toward divinity. Ancient forms of atheism, for example, the Greek atomist school of philosophy, did not deny the possible existence of gods but did deny their permanence and immortality. The atomists viewed the gods - if they existed - as merely higher forms of life within nature. Buddhism does not exempt the gods from the cycle of karmic reincarnation. Modern naturalistic atheism descends from atomism but goes further and denies the existence of any superhuman beings, of any form of transcendent order or meaning in the universe. These notions, it insists, are merely temporary human projections onto a reality alien to human thinking. In practice, atheism denotes a way of life conducted in disregard of any alleged superhuman reality. Existential atheism is a positive form of the teaching: it argues that if humans are to be authentically free in the universe, then it is necessary that God not exist since that would limit human liberty.

agnosticism: Gk. agnos, "unknowable"
The view that there is insufficient evidence to posit either the existence or nonexistence of God, and by extension, of the immortal soul. Agnosticism functions as an intellectual mid-position between theism and atheism. The term was coined in 1869 during the Victorian debate over Western biblical faith and the new Darwinian outlook in science and cosmology. There are, as well, forms of religious agnosticism, which avow ignorance about the mystery of the divine nature.

Buddhism is inclined more towards Agnosticism.
Buddhism is NOT to be confused as a Religion, rather a philosophy and a way of life.

So are Buddhists welcome to the Religion Board?
Yes of course.
Why?

What sets apart a Buddhist from an Atheist is the fact
Buddhists are tolerant towards Members of other religions.
Atheists are intolerant towards all religions.



For more info:

Is Buddhism a Religion?
By Dorothy Figen

http://www.buddhistinformation.com/i..._religion1.htm
OR
http://www.enabling.org/ia/vipassana...tionFigen.html

Introduction to Buddhism
http://www.amtbweb.org/tchet110.htm

Buddhism is an Education, Not a Religion
http://www.amtb.org.tw/e-bud/releases/educati.htm

Of course, there are many sources out there that try to
redefine Buddhism just as how some try to redefine Religion.


[Edited by _DigitaLVampirE_ on 21st July 2004 at 19:14]

[Niquie]

...you thought Buddism was a religion? I guess you don't know all THAT much about the subject matter you trash on a daily basis.

[Armelius]

It's tough being a buddhist with all these god worshipers around here.

[_DigitaLVampirE_]

Not suited for Atheists.

[Armelius]

I would bet dollars to prayer beads that at one time it was.

[_DigitaLVampirE_]

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