Buddhist monk prays so much, he left footprints in wood

@GabuEx:

It's relevant because it opposes the point raised by Theokoth in the following post:

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"] And as long as it's a "potential" lie, I don't think it really matters, as all lifestyIes are "potential" wastes of time, regardless of religion.Theokhoth

No, no, no. Why can't you see the difference? A secular lifestyle is not lived out based on an unconfirmed belief which defies all logic and science and is subsequently highly improbable. As I said, it's not about it being a waste,it's about it being based on a lie. It's about living your life entirely for a belief which may be false.

holy crap, that is a lot of prayer. But wouldn't it be more right to say mediation, because buddhists don't prayThe_Last_Ride

Some Buddhists pray. As I said though, it's more a tool for focusing mental energies. There's also the fact that Buddhism is a fairly syncretic religion. As it spread across Asia people tended to meld their native customs and rituals into it.

@GabuEx:

It's relevant because it opposes the point raised by Theokoth in the following post:

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

No, no, no. Why can't you see the difference? A secular lifestyle is not lived out based on an unconfirmed belief which defies all logic and science and is subsequently highly improbable. As I said, it's not about it being a waste,it's about it being based on a lie. It's about living your life entirely for a belief which may be false.

BluRayHiDef

Stating without evidence that a person's life was wasted and was in vain if that person follows a belief that turns out to be wrong opposes the point that someone does not care if his belief turns out to be false?

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

Yes, babies don't rely in a deity. Hence, they are atheist (i.e. without belief in god).

BluRayHiDef

Whether or not they are "atheist" depends on the definition one uses...

Bullocks. That explanation applies to any word, which makes it void. Atheist by it's intrinsic definition means without belief in god (a: without, theos: gods). Period. As babies are without belief in god (whether consciously or subconsciously), they're atheists. All BABIES ARE ATHEISTS!

Yes that argument applies to language in general. Secondly, babies are atheists if that is the definition that is applied to the word.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

@GabuEx:

It's relevant because it opposes the point raised by Theokoth in the following post:

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"] And atheism may be false as well. What's your point? I don't mind if my belief turns out to be false, because, for one thing, I don't believe it will, but for another, because if it does, then I will have led a good life regardless.

GabuEx

Stating without evidence that a person's life was wasted and was in vain if that person follows a belief that turns out to be wrong opposes the point that someone does not care if his belief turns out to be false?

The pose of your question was unnecessarily convoluted, but not entirely unintelligible. Anyhow, no one ever made the point which asserts that a person's own discretion as to whether their belief is true or not determines if their life was pointless. Even if anyone had made that point, it would be invalid because religious adherence rests entirely on the conviction that the religion being followed is true. No one follows a religion if they don't care about the possibility that it may be untrue. On the contrary, they follow it because they believe that it is true.

The pose of your question was unnecessarily convoluted, but not entirely unintelligible. Anyhow, no one ever made the point which asserts that a person's own discretion as to whether their belief is true or not determines if their life was pointless. Even if anyone had made that point, it would be invalid because religious adherence rests entirely on the conviction that the religion being followed is true. No one follows a religion if they don't care about the possibility that it may be untrue. On the contrary, they follow it because they believe that it is true.

BluRayHiDef

And?

You still haven't presented anything indicating either that someone's life is wasted or was in vain if they follow an incorrect belief, or that someone ought to be concerned with whether that is the case.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

The pose of your question was unnecessarily convoluted, but not entirely unintelligible. Anyhow, no one ever made the point which asserts that a person's own discretion as to whether their belief is true or not determines if their life was pointless. Even if anyone had made that point, it would be invalid because religious adherence rests entirely on the conviction that the religion being followed is true. No one follows a religion if they don't care about the possibility that it may be untrue. On the contrary, they follow it because they believe that it is true.

GabuEx

And?

You still haven't presented anything indicating either that someone's life is wasted or was in vain if they follow an incorrect belief, or that someone ought to be concerned with whether that is the case.

How can living your life based on a lie not be a waste? If you can't understand this, then there's no point in continuing this argument. The truth trumps everything.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

The pose of your question was unnecessarily convoluted, but not entirely unintelligible. Anyhow, no one ever made the point which asserts that a person's own discretion as to whether their belief is true or not determines if their life was pointless. Even if anyone had made that point, it would be invalid because religious adherence rests entirely on the conviction that the religion being followed is true. No one follows a religion if they don't care about the possibility that it may be untrue. On the contrary, they follow it because they believe that it is true.

BluRayHiDef

And?

You still haven't presented anything indicating either that someone's life is wasted or was in vain if they follow an incorrect belief, or that someone ought to be concerned with whether that is the case.

Are you out of your mind? How can living your life based on a lie not be a waste? If you can't understand this, then there's no point in continuing this argument. The truth trumps everything.

Your argument is correct if he hated his life and only did what he did for religious reasons that turned out to be false. However, if he did indeed enjoy his life on earth, then his life was not wasted, ultimate truth aside. What is the goal of a secular life (generally)? To enjoy yourself on earth and make the best of it while it lasts. If he did enjoy his life, then his life was not wasted, from a secular point of view.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

The pose of your question was unnecessarily convoluted, but not entirely unintelligible. Anyhow, no one ever made the point which asserts that a person's own discretion as to whether their belief is true or not determines if their life was pointless. Even if anyone had made that point, it would be invalid because religious adherence rests entirely on the conviction that the religion being followed is true. No one follows a religion if they don't care about the possibility that it may be untrue. On the contrary, they follow it because they believe that it is true.

BluRayHiDef

And?

You still haven't presented anything indicating either that someone's life is wasted or was in vain if they follow an incorrect belief, or that someone ought to be concerned with whether that is the case.

How can living your life based on a lie not be a waste? If you can't understand this, then there's no point in continuing this argument. The truth trumps everything.

How is it a waste? How does "the truth trump everything"? If these are so obvious truths, explaining how they are true ought to be easy.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

And?

You still haven't presented anything indicating either that someone's life is wasted or was in vain if they follow an incorrect belief, or that someone ought to be concerned with whether that is the case.

GabuEx

How can living your life based on a lie not be a waste? If you can't understand this, then there's no point in continuing this argument. The truth trumps everything.

How is it a waste? How does "the truth trump everything"? If these are so obvious truths, explaining how they are true ought to be easy.

Ultimately, I can't force you to accept the truth. That's your responsibility. However, a life based on a lie is a life wasted. I really don't see how you can't understand that there's something wrong with living a life based entirely on a lie.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

How can living your life based on a lie not be a waste? If you can't understand this, then there's no point in continuing this argument. The truth trumps everything.

BluRayHiDef

How is it a waste? How does "the truth trump everything"? If these are so obvious truths, explaining how they are true ought to be easy.

Ultimately, I can't force you to accept the truth. That's your responsibility. However, a life based on a lie is a life wasted. I really don't see how you can't understand that there's something wrong with living a life based entirely on a lie.

You don't see how I can't understand it, yet you can't seem to be able to even explain your assertions beyond simply repeating them over again.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

How is it a waste? How does "the truth trump everything"? If these are so obvious truths, explaining how they are true ought to be easy.

GabuEx

Ultimately, I can't force you to accept the truth. That's your responsibility. However, a life based on a lie is a life wasted. I really don't see how you can't understand that there's something wrong with living a life based entirely on a lie.

You don't see how I can't understand it, yet you can't seem to be able to even explain your assertions beyond simply repeating them over again.

[QUOTE="6_volts"]Hmm if it makes him happy then good for him. And :lol: @ the people saying what he's doing is a waste of time, who are you to decide what's well-spent time and what's not? BluRayHiDef

Time spent in devotion to a lie is indeed time wasted.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

[QUOTE="6_volts"]Hmm if it makes him happy then good for him. And :lol: @ the people saying what he's doing is a waste of time, who are you to decide what's well-spent time and what's not? Rez89x

Time spent in devotion to a lie is indeed time wasted.

Unless I'm doing it. Then it's perfectly fine.

What do people say to God 3,000 times a day?cd_rom

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

Replace soul with mind, the point still stands.. Furthermore if you really want to become fatalistic, then really everything is a waste of time.. Because we are a grain a sand in a vast desert.. When our spieces dies out, the universe will go on and it will not notice our passing what so ever. So in all honesty what exactly is a worth while life?

Theokhoth

Excuse my use of the term waste. It's not really about it being a waste of time (that's purely subjective). It's about living a lie. Irrespective of how beneficial a religious life may be for its followers, the fact that it's based on a potential lie makes it potentially vain.

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

[QUOTE="6_volts"]Hmm if it makes him happy then good for him. And :lol: @ the people saying what he's doing is a waste of time, who are you to decide what's well-spent time and what's not? Rez89x

Time spent in devotion to a lie is indeed time wasted.

Please, do not talk to me that way. Who are you to tell me to shut up? The statement of mine you quoted has next to nothing to do with atheism. I began talking about atheism once another user mentioned it. However, this particular statement (in and of itself) has nothing to do with atheism.

how did he manage to put his feet in the exact same spot everytime? You would think he would be a quarter inch or so off everytime resulting in more of a lump like impression rather than defined footprints.

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"]holy crap, that is a lot of prayer. But wouldn't it be more right to say mediation, because buddhists don't prayworlock77

Some Buddhists pray. As I said though, it's more a tool for focusing mental energies. There's also the fact that Buddhism is a fairly syncretic religion. As it spread across Asia people tended to meld their native customs and rituals into it.

some of you guys say its a waste of time and life but, what do you usually do in your spare time, watch tv and play videogames i'm guessing, so you can't be really one to talk. I think its inspiring

[QUOTE="worlock77"]

[QUOTE="The_Last_Ride"]holy crap, that is a lot of prayer. But wouldn't it be more right to say mediation, because buddhists don't prayTheokhoth

Some Buddhists pray. As I said though, it's more a tool for focusing mental energies. There's also the fact that Buddhism is a fairly syncretic religion. As it spread across Asia people tended to meld their native customs and rituals into it.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"][QUOTE="worlock77"]

Some Buddhists pray. As I said though, it's more a tool for focusing mental energies. There's also the fact that Buddhism is a fairly syncretic religion. As it spread across Asia people tended to meld their native customs and rituals into it.

jimmyjammer69

That's odd... considering he is part of the monastics, he should be seeking nirvana, not greater merit for a better rebirth. :?

Ah, whatever, most Buddhists don't really follow the actual philosophy of their religion anyways. Its just another pray-to-God faith for most people... except its not God, but the Buddha, and the Buddha isn't a God. Or so they try to tell us.

What do people say to God 3,000 times a day?cd_rom

What would it feel like to be a tree? Maybe he found out, maybe it is the best life of all.

[QUOTE="jimmyjammer69"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"] Indeed; Buddhism is extremely adaptable to other religions and traditions.Theokhoth

While I think the current Dalai Lama is a good and wise man, honestly I'm not really sure that the office itself has much use for the Tibetan people anymore. But that's for them to decide. It's going to be a quaqmire though, because you know the Chinese are going to attempt to force a candidate of their own. In fact I believe they're already attempted to assert their "right" to approve the next Dalai Lama.

some of you guys say its a waste of time and life but, what do you usually do in your spare time, watch tv and play videogames i'm guessing, so you can't be really one to talk. I think its inspiring

Chris_Williams