Coming Out? Nah, was never in.

[DistroMan]

Quite simply, I was sent to Sunday School, but more as a way to get me out of the house and out from under my mothers feet. Got kicked out of the first one for pulling cement out from between the old convict bricks, so you can see I was irreverent from an early age. My sister and I then had to go to another Sunday School at the other end of town. Got us kicked out of there for putting thumb tacks on the girls pews. I think Mum figured out then that religion wasn't for me. Nobody else in the family was religious anyway. I still continued to think about religion and how I felt about it right through my life till coming across some Buddhist material back in the mid 90's. So, what am I now? A Buddhist/Atheist or an Atheist/Buddhist. Yeah, there are a lot of other things I get called from time to time, but that's another story for another time in another place.

[DistroMan]

Welcome to the forums DistroMan.
Are you in the electrical business? :)

How do you reason the reincarnation aspect of Buddhism with atheisim's rejection of the supernatural?

Hope you enjoy the forums.

Easy, I don't. There is no reincarnation in Buddhism. I don't and never have gone in for the cultural forms of Buddhism that are so prevalent around the world these days.

[DistroMan]

Welcome aboard Distroman.

From what I remember, buddhism as a philosophy is quite atheist, and it's not until the "cultural adaptation" syncretists get a hold of it that all the large numbers of realms, grades of beings, etc become part of the show.

Which canon are you following?

Theravadan. I have the three translated Nikayas here. My favourite line about Buddhism though is: Do not blindly believe what others say, even the Buddha. See for yourself what brings contentment, clarity, and peace.

That is what got me started and what has kept me reading.

I'd bet that if I had a photograph of my birth, we see a skeptical look on my face even then.

[DistroMan]

Heh. Keep the stuff that works!

Yeah, I tried that, but there was a bible in it, so I put it back. Stupid Motels and their bedside tables.

Now, where's the food? There has to be a buffet around here somewhere.

[GenericBox]

I guess I gotta ask; What's the need for your buddhism? If you are an atheist, which I understand Buddhism can be atheistic, why do you need to "follow"(/whatever word) it for?

What do you get out of it that you couldn't just by thinking rationally/logically?

Seems like unnecessary thinking to me.

Not attacking you, just want to know why/how its rationalised.

Welcome.

[DistroMan]

I guess I gotta ask; What's the need for your buddhism? If you are an atheist, which I understand Buddhism can be atheistic, why do you need to "follow"(/whatever word) it for?

There is never a need. A wish maybe, but not a need.

What do you get out of it that you couldn't just by thinking rationally/logically?Probably nothing if I had the mind of a Richard Dawkins, but my old plodder needs some help to think about things. I've even found that it has me thinking in ways I never would have about things I'd never have thought of otherwise. But it's like playing a musical instrument, you can't explain to me what it's like to play one if I've never experienced it myself, so it's hard to explain what I get out of it. Then again, I suppose there is a lot to be gained from reading any book, even the bible. Critical thinking of course.

Seems like unnecessary thinking to me. No such thing. I'd stagnate if I stopped thinking. It's what I've done for as long as I can remember. And isn't it a lack of critical thinking that makes believers believe? Not me baby.

Not attacking you, just want to know why/how its rationalised.Not a problem.

[GenericBox]

Okay, so why do you "wish" to follow/whatever word your Buddhism?

EDIT: And I'd take the wager I could explain to you what its like to play an instrument. But perhaps another time, another place. ;)

[DistroMan]

Okay, so why do you "wish" to follow/whatever word your Buddhism?

EDIT: And I'd take the wager I could explain to you what its like to play an instrument. But perhaps another time, another place. ;)

To quote myself I've even found that it has me thinking in ways I never would have about things I'd never have thought of otherwise

[atheist_angel]

Hi DistroMan,

I rather like the little wisdoms of Buddhism.
..but I get hung up on this word: "spiritual"; a term which is often associated with Buddhism.
(I can never tell whether it's intended 'literally' or metaphorically. ;))

Enjoy the forums!

[DistroMan]

Hmm, the original language of Buddhism was Pali and translating into English has always been difficult, even for Pali Scholars as there are not a lot of direct translations. Also, with English being what it is, things are even harder, so explanations are easier than translations a lot of the time.

But, to give it a try, the Pali word 'dāna', meaning material gifts is the opposite of spiritual gifts. So we are talking about the more intangible side of ourselves. Definitely not a mystical meaning, but it does get taken that way. I can give you a book or I can give you the meaning of the book. Not much help, but I tried.

It is NOT anything mystical, supernatural or to do with gods though.

Am I making any sense here?

[DanielV]

Hello DistroMan, I like the cut of your jib.

I'm not sure what the means exactly, but I read it somewhere and in context it sounded like a compliment, so, please feel complimented.

Welcome to the forums, hope you found the buffet. Watch out for the punch, I spiked it :)

[DistroMan]

Hello DistroMan, I like the cut of your jib.

Coming from seafaring ancestors (although I never followed in their footsteps) I understand what you mean.

I'm not sure what the means exactly, but I read it somewhere and in context it sounded like a compliment, so, please feel complimented.Ooooh, I do, I do.

Welcome to the forums, hope you found the buffet. Watch out for the punch, I spiked it Don't smoke, don't drink and all the wild women have worn me out. I'll just sit back, eat and veg out if nobody minds too much.

[Praxis]

Sorry I didn't welcome you earlier Distroman.

I reckon your post title is one of the best ever for an intro thread :)

Looking forward to seeing you around the place.

cheers.

[DistroMan]

Sorry I didn't welcome you earlier Distroman.

That's ok, you can do it now. Go ahead, I'll just sit right here and pay strict attention to form and detail.

I reckon your post title is one of the best ever for an intro thread :)It's a gift, what can I say. Huh? What's that you say? Pride is a sin? Hmmmm. Bugger. I'll have myself publicly horsewhipped.

Looking forward to seeing you around the place.Then I'd better do some cleaning up.

[DistroMan]

Done.