What is Buddhism about? Do they believe in God? I don't need any deeper detail about this religion for now. Just want to know the basic beliefs.
Shortly after Hurricane Sandy hit the NY metro area, my brother and cousin (both hit hard) each got a letter in the mail stating that the local Buddhist temple was giving away $600 debit cards to victims of Sandy. Well, my brother, cousin, & a neighbor got in line at the temple. Two hours of waiting on line, but it was FUN. Dancing, singing, the Buddhists are fun people. And at the end of the line, yes, each person on line was given a $600 debit card! Now, my brother's neighbor had to leave before she got her card because she has a special needs child and had to go pick him up from school. That night she wrote a nice letter to the temple explaining her situation and why she couldn't get her card. Three days later, there's a knock at the door. Standing there is the leader of the Buddhist temple, a handful of followers, and after a pleasant conversation they handed her a $600 debit card! Buddhists are a very generous people and a lot has been written on the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity.
I think you may refer to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism You can gain some knowledge from it
Buddhism is the ONLY sensible religion imho. It carries a belief that God is inside all living things and goes from there. Respect is the #1 tenet.
As a Christian, I believe the same thing, but then again I'm not religious so my Christian beliefs are non-standard. I can best be described (but not exactly) as a Gnostic Christian.
It depends on whether you're referring to the beliefs of the Buddha or the religion that uses his name today. They're totally different things. Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha, or enlightened one) had absolutely nothing to do with any religion or any religious belief. The religion is one of the least dangerous of religions today. (All religion is dangerous, some religions more than others.)
Quite right. Buddhism, like Christianity, is a belief system and a philosophy. You can be a Buddhist or a Christian and not be associated with a religion.
Well ... except fir the Christianity part. Being a Christian means accepting Jesus as your savior, and that's about as close to 1,000% religion as it gets. You can't be a Christian and not accept Jesus (or salvation).
Rukbat, you are wrong. I don't think you understand the definition of "religion". I can be a Christian without being a Protestant, or Catholic, or Mormon. I can accept Jesus without being associated with a particular organized religion.
Religion is the belief in a supernatural creator of the universe. If you want to use a different definition you're speaking your own language. I never said that you couldn't. You're conflating a religion with a sect. The "organized religion" you'd be associated with would be Christianity. If you were a Protestant, or Catholic, or Mormon, the religion you were associated with would still be Christianity. Redefining words is an invalid method of logic.
No. Very wrong. What you are describing is called theism (believing in God). It's a very common error. A religion is an ORGANIZED system of beliefs. An example of a religion is Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism. Like me, one can be a Christian without being religious.
Your usage of the word. I'm just going by the definition. I'll be here when you go back to speaking English. Protestantism and Catholicism are sects, not religions, of the religion called Christianity. And, like you, one can misuse language in a vain attempt to win an argument. (Which is a very theistic trait, BTW.)
Rukbat, you really need to do research on the issue. it might be useful look at a Pew research poll that said 20% of Christians are not religious. Now, the legal definition of religion varies from country to country, and even within the country. In the USA, for the purposes of the First Amendment "religion" is interpreted very broadly and includes philosophy and spirituality. However, for tax and real estate purposes, "religion" must be an organization with a consistent set of beliefs such as Catholic, Protestant, etc. Sects are subdivisions of a religion. It is the offshoot of a larger religious group The most popular understanding in the news is the Muslim sects of the Shiites and the Sunnis, which are often seen trying to kill each other. I am a Christian that is not religious, and I have worked in the field, so I understand the distinctions. Rukbat, you are making assumptions based on a lack of experience. Again - Christianity is a philosophy, a path of spirituality. Religion is an organization with a set of defined beliefs. Stop making things up, and look it up. Better yet, if you re sincere, ask a priest, rabbit, or minister because sometimes the answer you are looking for isn't on the internet, especially when it comes to spirituality.
Polls say a lot of stupid things, because a lot of the people who respond to polls, like a lot of the people in general, are stupid. I've seen poll results that atheism is a belief system, that the big bang was an explosion and evolution means monkeys giving birth to humans. I'm talking about the definitions of words, not the misuse of words by the general population. If you accept that there's a supernatural creator you're religious. If you don't you're not Christian.
I like about Buddhists that they are largely quite peaceful people, at least that that their teachings are.
Now you're making excuses. Your argument is "anything that disagrees with me is stupid", is that it? I'm guessing that you are maybe 18 years old? No, you not not talking about definitions because you haven't even bothered to cite a definition, right? You are talking about your personal opinion. If you really want to talk about the definition of words, look at the Wikipedia pages for Spirituality ("Traditionally, many religions have regarded spirituality as an integral aspect of religious experience. Among other factors, declining membership of organized religions and the growth of secularism in the western world have given rise to a broader view of spirituality. The term spiritual is now frequently used in contexts in which the term religious was formerly employed. ") Religion ("Religion is an organized collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories...") Sect ("A sect is a subgroup of a religious, political or philosophical belief system, usually an offshoot of a larger religious group") Christianity ("Christianity is a monotheistic and Abrahamic spirituality based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings") The truth is, your definition USED to be correct, but in the modern era the definition of religion has already changed. That is what the Pew poll tells you - after all, since Religion and Spirituality relate to personal beliefs, then the personal beliefs about these words are a factor, right? Look, you're wrong and you know it. You've boxed yourself into a corner. You need to adjust your position based on facts, not your personal opinion. If you really want to continue this discussion I'll bring in the legal definition of religion for different countries. You need to keep up with the times - and add a bit of maturity to your position, will you?
No, my argument is that reality isn't a popularity contest. The result of a poll is indicative of opinion, not fact. No, but I have a few grandkids who are older than that.
Christianity is an Abrahamic Religion like Islam. One God One Book has to be Followed Strictly. No Questions otherwise Death since it constitutes Blasphemy. What you are doing is called Munfiq in Islam. The Christian relative would be 'Hypocrite'.
In this case, it was people's opinions on whether they are spiritual vs. religious. As you already know, I posted definitions that back me up and support the poll results. Your position is indicative of opinion, not fact. Look, as I wrote, I myself am a Christian and not religious. In light of that fact, if you still disagree with me, it is hard to take ANYTHING you say seriously.