Fermionic
Xiam
Fermionic
Xiam
Also, might I remind you that the Bible was written by
people.
This is the lamest argument I've ever heard.
Religion was created by people. People are, as you say, violent, erratic and negative. So; what makes religion exempt from the attitudes of the creators? As we see; it isn't.
Why do you assume that people who wrote a book long after the religion already existed are automatically the
founders of that religion?
I'm sorry, the core tennets of the Religion are contained
within that book. When you say "It isn't the Religion that causes problems", you are saying that the tennets of the religion isn't what causes a problem. The tennets of the Religion are contained, like it or not, in Holy Books. And who wrote the Holy Books? People. If you do not trust that a Holy Book is God's word, then what is the "religion" that you claim doesn't cause problems? A vague idea of spirituality? Rubbish, that isn't what a religion is.
Of course; the people who wrote the Holy Books didn't create the Religion, no. But who did? The people who started the process? What about everything else provided after? Is that not part of the Religion? Of course it is.
Edit Okay then, tell me this; what is it that you think constitues a religion if it isn't the content of the Religions Holy Book?
As for your edit, it was Human Narration, but there are plenty of similarly vengeful verses from God's own pretend mouth if you'd like. I can also scrounge up a quote from Jesus being a d**k about slavery if you'd like.
Quote:
re·li·gion
[ri-lij-uhn]
noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
Nowhere in this definition does it state that religion explicitly refers to the scripture. Which fits just fine for most religions, as many of them either have no scripture, or don't really pay attention to it. Ask the average Christian about a particular quote out of the Bible, they won't even know what part it's from.
Furthermore, ask the average Christian whether it's okay to kill kill adulterers. After all, that's in the Bible too. Leviticus, right? Same book as the whole "no gays" thing some are touting. And hell, even the bit about gays. There are even Christians who - gasp -
don't have a single problem with homosexuals, or even them getting married!
A religion is far more vague than you seem to think it is. It's a fuzzy little cluster of ideas, that sometimes coalesce into certain clear aspects - a deity, for instance, or various moral stances that everybody can agree on (most people of the Abrahamic faiths will generally agree to the Ten Commandments, unless I'm mistaken). But morality isn't really necessary, and even separate from religion in certain societies. And as I think I mentioned... cultures change. It's no longer okay to chop people's hands off for stealing. "An eye for an eye" is no a civilized way of dealing with crime.
And one would
hope that we can be a little more tolerant of one another's beliefs nowadays. Which is exactly why this incident is a tragic reflection of the human race. We're still keeping a tribal, xenophobic outlook on life. An "Us vs. Them" mentality.
Which is not what religion is about. As I said, borders can be vague - especially between religion and culture, as anyone trying to debate whether "Jewish" is a race or a religion can attest, and therefore it can be difficult to determine whether religious moral doctrine is of the culture or the faith. But it is absolutely necessary to understand that, at its core, religion is
not a template for morality, or a list of commands of what one must do or not do. It has always been, at its heart, a relationship between Man and the Unknown.
You can go on and on about the Bible, but the problem is that it's not just a religious scripture. It's a folk history of the Hebrews. Followed by an addendum by Christians.
Back to Buddhism and Islam please?
Audio X Beat
If it's been there that long, let it be. That being said, I have regularly noticed tensions between Muslims and Buddhists. I've seen Buddhists villages that were attacked by Muslims who openly wished to see them destroyed. But I've also read about Buddhist extremism towards Islam in other countries as well. And it's just obvious they don't always get along so well. I imagine the basis of this issue is religion, but if there's regular tention and acts of violence it could be deeper than that. Certainly not all Buddhists are peaceful. If they feel they are being tread upon, they can resort to violence just like anyone else. Now I can only account for violence against Buddhists in Afghanistan, as that is the only place I've seen it personally. But not being ingorant to the media, it's obvious these tensions and transgressions work both ways. I'm not sure if it's one side or both that needs to take a chill pill.
I'm pretty sure it's both.
sweatdrop
