22 replies to this topic

[Alyster]

Inspired by resignation of the pope who reminds everyone the Sith lord from Star Wars.

 

Any discussion must be in form of pictures. 

 

Edited by Алйстьер, 11 February 2013 - 10:28 AM.

[Haflinger]

I'm not really agnostic, but I voted that because I only pick and choose from the parts of Buddhism that I like.

[Jon32492]

/me voted choice one, waiting for haters to come.

[Killman4]

[PrinceVegeta]

Killlman...I still want that girl in your avatar.

[Killman4]

Haha, go get her.

[Haflinger]

Weird Al rocks. B)

[*Anastasia]

I like how this poll assumes you're Christian, and has token options for non-Christians.

I identify as an atheist agnostic non-practicing Theravada Buddhist. I don't particularly believe there are deities, but I feel that it's impossible for me to have an informed opinion one way or another on a topic such as their existence. I treat Theravada more as a philosophy or moral guide than a religion, and do not practice any particular religious traditions.

[Chancellor Gunn]

I believe in the Great Pineapple.

[PrinceVegeta]

I don't know where she is Killman.

[Octavian]

I do PV, she's on Killlman's profile bringing life and pleasure.

[Killman4]

Weird Al is best Al.

[Haflinger]

I'm seeing some support for a Church of Weird Al in this thread. B)

[PrinceVegeta]

They tell her to come out. She has an appointment with The Prince of all Saiyans!

 

Also Haf, I counter that Church with the Church of that Girl in Killlmans Avatar. 

[Haflinger]

Her butt is weirdly shaped. I don't get it.

[PrinceVegeta]

How dare you?! Assphemy! You have committed Assphemy! 

 

Purge the heretic!

[BlackOut227]

I like how this poll assumes you're Christian, and has token options for non-Christians.

I identify as an atheist agnostic non-practicing Theravada Buddhist. I don't particularly believe there are deities, but I feel that it's impossible for me to have an informed opinion one way or another on a topic such as their existence. I treat Theravada more as a philosophy or moral guide than a religion, and do not practice any particular religious traditions.

That is what Eastern religions are based on, philosophy. Westerners view them as religions though with deities and all that. Not to say that some easterners don't though.

[Haflinger]

That's not true; most Eastern religions are based either on deities or ancestor worship. Buddhism is arguably the sole exception.

 

It's also worth noting that Judaism, Christianity and Islam all originated in the Middle East and would therefore be considered eastern religions as well in terms of their origins.

[*Anastasia]

That's not true; most Eastern religions are based either on deities or ancestor worship. Buddhism is arguably the sole exception.
 
It's also worth noting that Judaism, Christianity and Islam all originated in the Middle East and would therefore be considered eastern religions as well in terms of their origins.

Is ancestor worship really akin to theism, though? I'm not exceptionally well-educated on eastern 'religions' such as Confucianism and various Chinese traditional beliefs that practice it, but I wasn't aware there was the consideration of ancestors on the same level as gods. What Western scholars, influenced largely by Christian missionaries, historically and in some contexts presently refer to as 'ancestor worship' seems to me to be more about respecting our ancestors more than 'worshiping' them in the sense Christians may worship God.

Also, for the record, the term 'Eastern' religions, or Dharmic religions, is usually a blanket term used to refer to religions originating in East Asia and the Indian subcontinent which are specifically separate from Abrahamic, or 'Western', religions, such as the three you mentioned. You can't just call them Eastern religions because of the Eurocentric terminology of the phrase 'Middle East'.

[Haflinger]

Geologically, the Middle East is in Asia.

 

When people say Western religions I get a bit irritated. Western religions include things like Wicca, Scientology and voodoo. Most modern popular religions originated in Asia.

 

Ancestor worship is similar to theism in that you are praying to a higher power. It's different in that it is essentially the worship of ghosts, but it's still a kind of worship. Anyway I listed it as separate from theism because, well, it's not theism. B)