The Off Topic Topic

[MadImmortalMan]

Some kind of riots going on in Saudi right now. Funeral of a dead protester I think.


Edit: In Qatif.

[Josquius]

Thanks Marty.  We've already been over this.  Buddhism isn't native to Japan.  Stop making a fool of yourself.

Not originally. By now however it is thoroughly Japanised. I like buddhism, its  syncretic, tends not to wipe out native beliefs in quite the same way christianity does.

And of course a key factor in Japanese beliefs being so much superior to christianity is: hardly anyone takes them seriously.

[Habbaku]

subverting their lovely native beliefs

Tyr earlier exposed his complete ignorance about Japanese Christianity, so what makes you think he knows the first thing about their majority's belief system?

[Neil]

Let's face it, every brand of Christianity is bad.

[Josquius]

subverting their lovely native beliefs

Tyr earlier exposed his complete ignorance about Japanese Christianity, so what makes you think he knows the first thing about their majority's belief system?

I did?

[mongers]

http://www.bicycle.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/better-half-by-jens-funk.jpg

[Razgovory]

Thanks Marty.  We've already been over this.  Buddhism isn't native to Japan.  Stop making a fool of yourself.

Not originally. By now however it is thoroughly Japanised. I like buddhism, its  syncretic, tends not to wipe out native beliefs in quite the same way christianity does.

And of course a key factor in Japanese beliefs being so much superior to christianity is: hardly anyone takes them seriously.

So it's a matter of time?  If missionaries successfully converted Japan in the 16th century it would be more acceptable?  What is so "lovely" about native beliefs?  The innate racism?  The Caste systems?  The culpability in war crimes from WWII?  What makes you think this is "superior" to Christianity?

Is this just a matter of familiarity breeds contempt or ignorance?

[Neil]

What is so "lovely" about native beliefs?  The innate racism?  The Caste systems?  The culpability in war crimes from WWII?  What makes you think this is "superior" to Christianity?

It's a matter of aesthetics.  After all, every religion has minor foibles, mostly the same ones you mention there.

[Josquius]

So it's a matter of time?  If missionaries successfully converted Japan in the 16th century it would be more acceptable? 

Not really. Christianity doesn't play nice with others.

What is so "lovely" about native beliefs?  The innate racism?  The Caste systems?  The culpability in war crimes from WWII?  What makes you think this is "superior" to Christianity?

Its native and unique. It isn't proselytising. Hardly anyone takes it seriously. It is more relatable. It is more interesting (though that one is probally largely based on not being as familiar with it, Japanese think the same of christianity...).

Is this just a matter of familiarity breeds contempt or ignorance?

Nope.

[Eddie Teach]

Hardly anyone takes it seriously.

How is this a good reason for following it? If the god or gods are being ignored by humans, they're either weak/nonexistent or that's the way they want it.

[Grey Fox]

Buddhism has no god iirc.

[Tamas]

I hate Buddhism.

[Razgovory]

So it's a matter of time?  If missionaries successfully converted Japan in the 16th century it would be more acceptable? 

Not really. Christianity doesn't play nice with others.

What is so "lovely" about native beliefs?  The innate racism?  The Caste systems?  The culpability in war crimes from WWII?  What makes you think this is "superior" to Christianity?

Its native and unique. It isn't proselytising. Hardly anyone takes it seriously. It is more relatable. It is more interesting (though that one is probally largely based on not being as familiar with it, Japanese think the same of christianity...).

Is this just a matter of familiarity breeds contempt or ignorance?

Nope.

It isn't proselytizing because they don't want you.  It's fairly exclusive.  Especially before the US said the Emperor can't be a God anymore.  Simply because something is native doesn't make good.

[Razgovory]

Buddhism has no god iirc.

No, they call their gods something else.  Bodhisattvas.  It's Hollywood Buddhism that has no god.

[Malthus]

Buddhism has no god iirc.

This depends on the type of Buddhism. Some types of Buddhism look functionally somewhat similar to Catholicism, complete with god(s), saints to pray to for intercession (bodhisattvas), heaven to get into (such as the "Pure Land") and hell to avoid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Land_Buddhism