I think the better question to ask is: How do we reduce violence?Hey hey my dear.
So what is the solution?
Can violence be justified?
Cheers hey
Upvote
0
I think the better question to ask is: How do we reduce violence?Hey hey my dear.
So what is the solution?
Can violence be justified?
Cheers hey
I think the better question to ask is: How do we reduce violence?
Hey hey my dear.
So what is the solution?
Can violence be justified?
Cheers hey
I think violence can be justified in self-defense and some military actions, but the justifications are much more sparse than we currently allow for.
Israel's penchant for violence feels very arbitrary to any outsider.
Now of course, the Bible had human authors with distinctly human biases, its not surprising that we'd hear a lot about what Israel thought was right.
But to my original claim that Christianity and the Bible can be used to stir up violence; I think this is quite reasonable.
As I cited in my original post on the matter we have several examples within recent memory to call upon. I could pick on other religions (Islam is especially violent), but their adherents are not in play here currently.
No, I have not. That is the challenge for Christians to fulfill, since eternal life is one major end-goal. Increasing their life span as a result of practicing the Christian path would be major evidence that the Christian path could be effective & true.
A major end-goal of Buddhism is the cessation of suffering. I've observed in myself and others that the practice of the Buddhist path does result in great reductions in suffering.
Physical, mental, emotional, imagination, consciousness, subconsciousness, jhanic states, etc.
I can suggest many alternatives.
My end-goal is not to achieve a relationship with deity nor to become nothing, but the cessation of suffering.
No, I stated that we don't normally interact with bacteria; in Buddhism, devas don't normally interact with the human realm, as it is compared with a human being jumping into a cesspool of filth.
The question about "who created the earth" is irrelevant to my end-goal of cessation of suffering. Anything I crave & cling to which is impermanent and not-self is suffering; its cessation is the cessation of that craving & clinging.
Because you need a personal, direct encounter with your deity, as you yourself claim you possess. No amount of evangelism, faith, or scripture will substitute for that direct encounter.
It results from an admixture of skillful and unskillful causes.
I don't recall ever claiming this, so I don't understand your questions.
It's not bad. It's simply the result of unskillfulness. Unskillful kamma (actions & behavior) produces unskillful results, like a roach, which has lesser abilities to escape suffering, ignorance, and delusion.
From a Buddhist perspective, the allusion refers to nibbana - the unbinding that cools the heat of suffering. The flame arises as a result of multiple causes (fuel, air, etc.), just as the being arises as a result of multiple causes (food, air, water, thought, etc.). Blowing out the flame causes the flame to cool as it ceases its clinging to its causes, just as the cessation of clinging and craving in a being causes the being to cool from its causes and sufferings.
Because eternal life is the major end-goal of Christianity, and showing that one's own lifespan has increased is evidence that the end-goal is likely achievable.Hey hey sorry to leave you hanging my dear Do you mean increasing our life span on earth? Why would increasing ones lifespan be major evidence?
Peace. Much greater peace than before I undertook the Path.What benefit is it to you to not suffer? What reduction in suffering have you observed?
It is plainly evident that cConscious intention drives our every action.How is conscious intention the power over these examples?
The power of your own conscious intention is one alternative.Well dont be shy my friend. When i call out to Christ, who else would answer?
My end-goal is not to become nothing, but the cessation of suffering. Why do you pursue the end of suffering?What benefit is it for you to become nothing? Why is suffering something you are affraid of or need to be rid of?
Their own realm.What realm are they in?
I am agnostic on the subject. I cannot know the answer, and pursuit of guesses only adds to suffering.Do you believe the earth was not created? Why?
Yes, if not expressed through wise example.Would the desire to help the poor be craving and a form.of suffering?
You gave that example yourself: "I think i already mentioned this. When God speaks to me it is in the form of the Holy Spirit. This experience is not audible in my heart by rather like a spiritual intuition , in my heart."How do you know this?
That is for a Christian to answer.Why are Christians told to spread the Gospel?
Attachments to the human state, human organs of perception, delusion, aversions, moderate degrees of virtue, etc.Such as?
Because attachments to guesses about who created the earth is suffering.Well lets try this one. Why do you reject brahma is the creator of earth?
I just know that the Law of Kamma is in effect. I don't know "who" might have created it.So a cockroach is unskillful and has lesser abilities. Who judges this poor cockroach? Who is behind the decicion making process for karma?
The flame unbinds from its fuel, and its constituent elements dissipates.Does the flame extinguish? Cheers you
Hey hey my dear
What do you mean by the justifications are much more sparse?
I disagree with the usuage of penchant my friend, this is a form of framing and setup. This statement is a kin to a true scotsman ie all true humane cultures are more civil than the Israelites.
I disagree with this statement my treasure. The Bible may have been linked to about 40 authors however, you are making an accusation that it is not inspired by God. The underlying theme here is the Bible is flawed!
Why do you want me to believe the Bible is flawed?
You seem to be a person who expresses an unfavourable opinion of the Bible in particular 2 kings 2:23-24.
Give me an appeal to your authority, why or how can you judge this verse? What morality governs your outcome?
How is it reasonable my friend?
This statement seems like you are trying to lump islamic violence with the OT.
This statement mentions events in the Bible and then tries to link it to violence caused by followers of Islam. Considering recent terrorism fresh in the memories, you seem to be trying to misrepresent and liken both.
Islam is not Christianity?
In relation to Christianity, why should i listen to you?
Rape is against the law.So where's the cry against such violence against the Earth from the Christian community?
Then why does your icon come with thorns?You don't need to do anything. I'm only agreeing with you that the Bible does not condone violence. But what I see is that Christians do. And to me there's a huge disconnect there.
Have you read the book of Revelation? or the Old Testament?I believe that Jesus was a pacifist.
In the spiritual path I follow the rose is an image often used. The image goes something like this: Human Beings start out as a tiny rose bud with thorns. The flower of the rose is pictured as our soul. And our soul in the spiritual path I follow is experienced as an activity of God. The thorns are pictured as our ego self. As the rose unfolds our soul (God) begins to shine and we become more beautiful. Yes the thorns are still there, but the flower (our soul) as it unfolds becomes what we see and the thorns become almost invisible in the beauty of what we see and smell because of the light shining from the flowering rose.Then why does your icon come with thorns?
I tried reading Revelation. It was way too full of goobily gook for me. The Old Testament is about a God of War, which was how the ancients viewed their gods.Have you read the book of Revelation? or the Old Testament?
I know what a rose is.In the spiritual path I follow the rose is an image often used.
Can't take that Pacifist, as you called Him, splitting that mountain in two and single-handedly winning the war of Armageddon?I tried reading Revelation.
Couldn't take that Pacifist, as you called Him, going around killing all the firstborn of Egypt who didn't have blood sprinkled on their doorposts?dlamberth said:It was way too full of goobily gook for me. The Old Testament is about a God of War, which was how the ancients viewed their gods.
You asked about the book of Revelation. Yes, "goobily gook"!So Jesus is a pacifist, and any actions He did, such as sending hornets against people, or causing walls to come down, or opening up the ground to swallow people murmuring against Moses is all "goobily gook" [sic] to you?
I gave my answer. Did you get the imaging part of the ego? It has to do with spiritual growth.I know what a rose is.
I'm asking you why your icon has thorns?
So I simply ask about thorns on a rose, and I get a lecture on ego and spiritual growth?I gave my answer. Did you get the imaging part of the ego? It has to do with spiritual growth.
If you don't get it, I can't help you. I'm really Sorry. But it is about ego and spiritual growth. I tried to explain but if all you see is lecture, we can't go any further.So I simply ask about thorns on a rose, and I get a lecture on ego and spiritual growth?
Wow.