Here's where I dissagree (and I know I'm in the minority here), but the core religion of all 3 Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) to me is actually the 3 religions that eventually became Judaism.

These religions were not based upon love, but upon Governance, civil obedience, and an attempt to explain the natural world (psuedo-science..though not quite). Nowhere in the old testiment did I ever experience love.

From the passages of Lot(who allowed the men of his towns to basically rape his daughters so that they not commit homosexual acts on a house guest), to the 40 day flood, to the story in Numbers, chapter 25, where the Israelites were tempted by the beautiful Moabite women to sacrafice to Baal (note in that story God ordered that the people's heads be hanged before the lord facing away from Israel--some love there). It is filled with things that set a much different tone than love. Hell, Lot's daughters end up getting their dad drunk and sleeping with him (remember, Lot's family is the best that Sodom had to offer and accorded imunity from God's wrath becuase of that.

The new testemant is much kindler and gentler, but again, the basic message in that text to me is about retribution moreso than actual love.

I don't know much about Islam but it's the least interesting of the Abrahamic religions to me as I'm not sure what it brings to the table to first two didn't.

The old testament is pretty grim, and just plain boring to me. But there is love. Look at the covenant after the flood, and the promise God made to the world.

I think the new testemant is FULL of love.

And isn't onr of the the main pillar in Judiasm to love others as you love yourself?

And yet there is injustice at the least in every religion that I'm aware of. How many female buddhist monks are there again?

I don't know what ya mean. I like that statement.

I don't know what ya mean. I like that statement.

Mahayanist or Therevardin.

The Buddha himself stated that a woman can attain buddhahood, and Mahayanist have many bhodisitvas that are women, and some that vow to only return as women.

These attitudes in the two "Schisms" of buddhism have nothing to do with his core teaching, but are reflection of societal norms. The Buddha knew this would be the case, but had faith that these norms would change over time.

That's why, in buddhism, rules of the monastic life are set up so that the monk's vote on them--there's an acceptance that they will change over time.


There is no parable or story in Buddhism that I can think of that advocates opression of women, homosexuals, or any particular class of people.... Again, that i recall.

Let me break it down for you. It is thinking like that which causes people to fly airplanes into skyscrapers.


[Edited 1/15/07 8:16am]

And thinking that Islam does teach that, is the kind of thinking that causes innocent people in Iraq to be slaughtered.

Um, no, I don't think so. Those people were taught to do that by extremists, that weren't even following what their religion teaches them in the first place.

No religion teaches you to do that.

And thinking that Islam does teach that, is the kind of thinking that causes innocent people in Iraq to be slaughtered.

Bu the path to extremism is blind faith. That's the point. Not questioning and thoroughly examinging things for yourself can lead one down a dangerous, desperate path.

um, I believe the Koran DOES teach it. Read this book

http://www.amazon.com/Tea...0971448116

Bu the path to extremism is blind faith. That's the point. Not questioning and thoroughly examinging things for yourself can lead one down a dangerous, desperate path.

um, I believe the Koran DOES teach it. Read this book

http://www.amazon.com/Tea...0971448116

Great you've read a book about how awful religion is.

Have you bother reading the Koran?

Let me break it down for you. It is thinking like that which causes people to fly airplanes into skyscrapers.


[Edited 1/15/07 8:16am]

Thats true enough.

And so can not believing anything at all.

People are bad in general. Just like you said earlier about all the injustices in religions. There are A LOT more injustices done by people who are NOT God fearing.

Thats true enough.

And so can not believing anything at all.

People are bad in general. Just like you said earlier about all the injustices in religions. There are A LOT more injustices done by people who are NOT God fearing.

and this is exactly why I agnostic.....geeez

No Dani. Not believing in anything does not lead you down a path of desperation or evil. I think that religious people believe that to make themselves feel better about being a believer.

There is no God or religion in my life (or in my family in general) and I lead a very happy, fulfilled life. I teach my son to respect others because it will just lead to a better life, not that he needs to be fearful of a higher being. I teach him that he was born a wonderful person, not a sinner. He does not need to repent.

The people I know that are not religious are the most level headed, kindest people I know.

and this is exactly why I agnostic.....geeez

No Dani. Not believing in anything does not lead you down a path of desperation or evil. I think that religious people believe that to make themselves feel better about being a believer.

There is no God or religion in my life (or in my family in general) and I lead a very happy, fulfilled life. I teach my son to respect others because it will just lead to a better life, not that he needs to be fearful of a higher being. I teach him that he was born a wonderful person, not a sinner. He does not need to repent.

The people I know that are not religious are the most level headed, kindest people I know.