--- In [email protected], Vaj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > On Mar 29, 2008, at 9:24 PM, Michael wrote: > > > --- In [email protected], Vaj <vajradhatu@> wrote: > > > >> I actually suspect, based on things you've shared in the past, that > >> we > >> actually have quite a bit in common. Bhakti type approaches were just > >> never my cup of tea, that's all. > > > > On a second thought: My reaction is simply the insight, that I donot > > actually want to change you or anyone here. If its not your cup of tea > > its not your cup of tea. If it was, we wouldn't need to discuss it, it > > would just be obvious. I OTOH have not need in proving anything about > > myself either - if you think I am stupidly attached to a dual view, > > while the nondual is highest, (btw Willy is right - Buddhism is most > > certainly not nondualistic )I am okay, its okay to be stupid ;-) I > > have my own insights, and I follow them, no need really to share. > > > > Thats why it is futile. > > > What would be interesting would be to hear your own insight as to what > the worship of god, gods and goddesses has done for humanity--and > other life on this planet--throughout history. Has it decreased > suffering or has it increased it?
Can't answer that one, no way to compare really. You could ask the same question about science. While I agree it has decreased suffering, it also has let the planet to the verge of extinction. > Has it helped decrease negative > emotions for the majority of it's adherents? I would say in general yes, even though there are clearly cases where the opposite is true. > What has worship of god, > gods or goddesses done for world peace? Hard to answer, because even humanism is derived from religion. > And what of science and god, > gods and goddesses? Are god, gods or goddesses considered higher or > more special than humans or other forms of sentient life? Well God is usually considered to be the highest ideal of life. But I think, the way you phrase your questions clearly shows a big gap of undestanding. Would you rephrase your questions and substitute it instead of 'god, gods goddesses' with 'essence of consciousness' or with anoher phrase like 'all that there is' or with simply 'the Absolute'. How would this sound then? Childish? > Should laws be put in place globally to prevent god or goddess-based > human right abuses? Yes I would agree. > If my parents god believes that the foreskin of my > penis should be removed surgically while still a child, should they be > allowed to do that or is that child abuse? Can't say, as I don't really know enough of the subject. In any way I don't consider those practises as the essence of their religion. I am certainly not going out of my way to justify all practices done in the name of Religion. > Should temples throughout > India, Nepal and other places be allowed to sacrifice animals and/or > humans to gain the boon or favor from some god or goddess? I am strictly against animal sacrifices. I have friends in India who were actively fighting against it yes. > Are there > some forms of god that are naturally disruptive of human and other > life? If yes, what does that mean? My opinion is, that it very much depends on the attitude of the worshiper. Sure there are different spirit beings, read the gita. > Should Indian sacrificial wars still be allowed to 'blow of steam' and > re-establish balance with nature? Sacrificial wars? Never heard about it. No. of course not. > Should texts which once promulgated human and or animal sacrifices > still be considered valid or even useable? If yes, what are the > implications for karma? No, I am against it. I know that these were en vogue in the past in almost all religions, but since then we have come a long way. I think that animal sacrifice should be forbidden, as I am a strict vegetarian. Btw. those sacrifices are hardly any more executed in India, there is the famous exception of Kaligat in Calcutta, and I am certainly not drawn to this place. Slaughter of animals is much more common in the atheistic west. No karma, no sin, we do just what pleases us humans.
