quote:
Originally posted by WOLFGIR:
what I get stuck upon is the religion (not your version) but Religion as it is integrated with politics and the way of life.
And how can we get people to see your view upon religion? No more then we can make my point of view I guess.
What we both can agree on seems to be the discussions. You say that your religion is also free from the rules of Jewish, Christain and Muslim beliefs. But how would they see it?
And also in you way to ponder questions is to be religious, but to others they ae exestantial without being religious.
Wolfie how about a little break down
World Religions; [*]CONFUCIANISM;
K'ung Fu Tzu was born in China in 551 BCE in the state of Lu. He lived during the Chou dynasty, an era known for its moral decline. Later in life, he wandered through many states of China, giving advice to their rulers. He gathered a small band of students during this time. The last years of his life were spent back in Lu, where he devoted himself to teaching. Central to his teaching is the concept of 'II', propriety, and order. Emphasis is on formal education and instnctive understanding of opposites.[*]TAOISM
Original ideas were probably formulated by Lao Tse in the 5th century BCE. Name means "Old Master". He is said to have lived 160 years. The Tao is the reality underlying all existence, there is nothing supernatural, no memory, no future, no past. Tao is indeferent to creation, it cannot be pleased or approached. Tao is the driving force of nature. The 'Way' teaches how to blend into the flow of nature and not to struggle against the inevitable. Understanding the harmony of the fundamental energies of the Universe can lead to gaining access to personal and social wisdom and even immortality.
Branches; Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism[*]HINDUISM;
Oldest living religion in the world. Traceable to the Indus valley c. 4000-2200 BCE. Indo-Europeans invaded N. India bringing with them Vedism which blended with local religions. Hinduism consists of a vast array of beliefs, traditions, and deities. The great majority of Hindus believe in reincarnation, that the 'divine' is present in all things and that everything is impermanent. The entire Universe is a single divine entity which is created and destroyed in cycles lasting 4,320,000 years each. Hundreds of Gods and Goddesses are worshiped as Brahman, the 'Ultimate Reality' and 'Universal Soul'
Branches; Buddhism, Janism, Sikhism, Hari Krishna, and Theosophy[*]BUDDHISM
Founded in North India by Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha in 500 BCE. The teaching spread to Shri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, China, and Japan. Buddist beleif is based on the Four Noble Truths;
1. All forms of life is suffering.
2. All suffering is caused by desire.
3. The cure to desire is the overcoming of desire.
4. Desire can cured by following the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path involves; Perfect Speech; Perfect Attitude; Perfect Livelihood; Perfect Effort; Perfect awarenes and Perfect absorbtion. Meditation is the key to mind cleansing and thought clarity.
Branches; Hinayana, and Mahayana[*]SHINTO
Shinto has ne real founder, no written scriptures, no body of religious law, and only a loosely-organized preisthood. It emerged in the 6th century CE from agricultural cults, nature and ancester worship and magic. Buddhism first arrived in Japan from China during the 8th century and some elements were absorbed. Shinto became the official religion in Japan from China during the 19th century. Amaterasu 'Great Sky Shiner', sun goddess, is central to Shinto beliefs. Divinity passes from her to the Emperor, to 'ritual officials' and to individual people. Yamato rulers became the official leaders. Divine origins were ascribed to the imperial family.
Branches; State, and Sect Shintos[*]ISLAM
Mohammed is the founder of Islam (570?-632). Little is known of his life. Orphaned at the age of 6, worked as a sheperd and camel driver. Married and at the age of 40 was visited in Mecca by the Angel Gabriel. He believed himself to be a prophet and began converting people to his new religion. At first he faced stiff opposition to his idea and had to move to Medina. However, eventually, through military activity and political negotiation, he became a powerful leader, establishing Islam firmly. Being a Muslim demands total surrender to Allah: " There is no God but God, and Mohammed is His prophet".
Branches; Sunni, and Shi'te Muslims[*]JUDAISM
Jewish people beleive that God made a contract with Abraham in approxemetly 1800 BCE. Abraham, Issac, and Jacob are the founders of Judaism. Jews settled in the 'Promised Land' (Palesteine), were sent into exile and dispersed but managed to retain their culture and Religious identity where ever they went. The Jews were held responsible for the death of Christ. This lead to persecution, and eventually the Holocaust in which 5 million Jews were killed. The '10 Commandments' outline behaviour of the Jews who beleive that all their rules come directly from a sense of obeying Gods will. The '6 Rights': right to life, possessions, clothing, shelter, work, and liberty.
Branches; Conservative, Humanistic, Orthodox, Reform, Mystical, and Zionism also.[*]ZOROASTRIANISM
Zoroaster, Persian prohet of the 6th century BCE. founded The religious system. Teaching the context of a universal struggle between the forces of light and darkness. Also called Mazdaism.[*]JAINISM
Founded in the 6th cntury BCE by Vardhamana Mohavia, a contemporary of Buddha. He renounced the world at the age of 30. After 12 years of fasting he gained liberation ans a sense of omniscience. He gathered disciples and became a wandering teacher gaining enlightenment at the age of 72. He is regarded as the last of the 24 "Fordmakers' or 'Great Teachers' of this priod. Jains worship by chanting and meditation before religious images. The Universe is symbolically shaped like a huge person. Humans dwell around the waist, many hells are below, many heavens above.[*]SIKHISM
Founded in the Punjab region of Northern India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak, the first of the Sikh gurus. Blended from Hindu roots and Muslim Sufi mystics. Sikhs hold to the 5 Ks: Kesh: uncut hair, symbolizes Gods will. Kanga: the comb. symbol of control over spiritual matters. Kirpan: steel dagger, symbol of determination to defend the truth. Kachi: undergarment, symbol of moral strength. Sikhs beleive that God likes good work, that Gods is without predudice of any kind, that men and women are equal before God, that one must always speak the truth, that is important to be kind to people and all other living things.
Branches; Singh Sabha and Akali. Militant Sikhs seek their own independent state with India.[*]CHRISTIANITY
Identifying as many as we can will help in OUR quest for a close definition of "Religion".
[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: *\Conan/* ]