[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Dont you? The Rape of Nanking and other atrocities committed by Japanese (Buddhist) soldiers during WW2.

The Sinhalese-Tamil (Buddhist - Hindu) civil war in Sri Lanka saw atrocities committed by both sides. The genocide of the Urghurs, the massacres of Muslims in Thailand. Laos, Burma and South Vietnam(prior to and during the Vietnam War) all saw terrorist atrocities committed by Buddhists.

Tibetan Monks rioted and looted banks within the last 5 years, chinese soldiers were killed during the riots

All Buddhist countries have seen atrocities committed by Buddhists in the last 80 years. Christians and Muslims dont have a monopoly in terrorist murders attrocities and genocide in the name of religion.

It is not religion, but politics, injustice, colonialism, greed for land and resources and occupation that create violence

Firstly the buddhism thing was a joke and secondly anyone who commits violence in the name of Buddhism isn't a buddhist since it's core concepts are all about bettering yourself, promoting peace and doing good in the world. It's more of a case of Buddhism being used as a tool by others to commit violence rather then condoning the violence itself. Which you could say for Islam and Christianity except both of their pasts are completely blood soaked due to their own doing (Christianity in particular).

Also in the examples you gave there's only really one which could be seen as extremist behavior (the religious war) the rest seem to me just to be terrible crimes commited by Buddhists rather then religious extremist actions.

Organised Religion is bad because of what most of it promotes and how it can by used to turn people against each other but in fairness Buddhism doesn't preach hate or violence so on the Totem pole of the most violent religion it has to be pretty low in comparision to others.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Organised Religion is bad because of what most of it promotes and how it can by used to turn people against each other but in fairness Buddhism doesn't preach hate or violence so on the Totem pole of the most violent religion it has to be pretty low in comparision to others.

Neither does Christianity nor most other organised religions. The basic tenets of most religions are peace and love. Surely the assessment of how violent the adherents of any particular religion should be how many acts of violence have been committed in its name as opposed to what they preach.

Its the people doing the organising that promote the violence and hate. Using religion for their own agenda.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Neither does Christianity nor most other organised religions. The basic tenets of most religions are peace and love. Surely the assessment of how violent the adherents of any particular religion should be how many acts of violence have been committed in its name as opposed to what they preach.

Its the people doing the organising that promote the violence and hate. Using religion for their own agenda.

I kinda disagree with the second sentence because there's a big distinction between Buddhism and other religions, With Christianity and Islam there's violence at it's core (stoning none believers, Adulterers, Gay people ETC) and a history of violence commited in it's name. Buddhism doesn't speak a word about hate, it even says to respect other religions and their holidays and values as long as they promote good will.

I agree with the last sentence though, it's the main reason I hate organised religion. Islam and Christianity are violent religions yes but most of it's followers are inteligent enough not to share their more violent beliefs. It's just the few that use the easily led for their own goals. Buddhism isn't innocent either but I think at it's core it's not as bad as others.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I kinda disagree with the second sentence because there's a big distinction between Buddhism and other religions, With Christianity and Islam there's violence at it's core (stoning none believers, Adulterers, Gay people ETC) and a history of violence commited in it's name. Buddhism doesn't speak a word about hate, it even says to respect other religions and their holidays and values as long as they promote good will.

I agree with the last sentence though, it's the main reason I hate organised religion. Islam and Christianity are violent religions yes but most of it's followers are inteligent enough not to share their more violent beliefs. It's just the few that use the easily led for their own goals. Buddhism isn't innocent either but I think at it's core it's not as bad as others.

Then that shows what little you know of the basis of Christianity.

What violence is actually at the core of Christianity? The death of Jesus? Stoning non believers, adulterers etc is a Jewish/Muslim punishment.

Nowhere in his ministry or teachings does Jesus advocate stoning of anyone, nor any sort of violence, in fact he stops a stoning doesnt he? I think he advocated something along the lines of peace on Earth and goodwill to others. Forgiveness, turning the other cheek, brotherly love etc.

It isnt so much the religion as the motivations of the people using the religion to achieve their aims.

You could I suppose argue about the Crusades, subjugation of indigenous populations etc done in the name of Christianity, but that wasnt done at the request of Jesus was it? It was done by ambitious people using the religion to gain wealth, the mistaken belief it would gain them admission to heaven, fame, etc.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Then that shows what little you know of the basis of Christianity.

What violence is actually at the core of Christianity? The death of Jesus? Stoning non believers, adulterers etc is a Jewish/Muslim punishment.

Nowhere in his ministry or teachings does Jesus advocate stoning of anyone, nor any sort of violence, in fact he stops a stoning doesnt he? I think he advocated something along the lines of peace on Earth and goodwill to others. Forgiveness, turning the other cheek, brotherly love etc.

It isnt so much the religion as the motivations of the people using the religion to achieve their aims.

You could I suppose argue about the Crusades, subjugation of indigenous populations etc done in the name of Christianity, but that wasnt done at the request of Jesus was it? It was done by ambitious people using the religion to gain wealth, the mistaken belief it would gain them admission to heaven, fame, etc.

Fair points, although I might have been thinking of the old Testament. I'm pretty sure there was some death sentences and such in there.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Fair points, although I might have been thinking of the old Testament. I'm pretty sure there was some death sentences and such in there.

Yeah there are lots of deaths murders rapes, adultery etc in the OT, there are also all forms of support to back up any particular belief.

But Christians look upon the OT as proof that God would send a Messenger, his son, that he would be born of the House of David etc.

It also provides Christians with the basic laws from God that jesus would have lived by, the ten commandments etc. A bedrock if you like for him to build his ministry on. The history of the people from who he was descended etc.

The New Testament also sort of accepts that the reader would have an understanding of the Old Testament particularly about gods promises to man (sending a saviour etc).

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Yeah there are lots of deaths murders rapes, adultery etc in the OT, there are also all forms of support to back up any particular belief.

But Christians look upon the OT as proof that God would send a Messenger, his son, that he would be born of the House of David etc.

It also provides Christians with the basic laws from God that jesus would have lived by, the ten commandments etc. A bedrock if you like for him to build his ministry on. The history of the people from who he was descended etc.

The New Testament also sort of accepts that the reader would have an understanding of the Old Testament particularly about gods promises to man (sending a saviour etc).

Ah I see, fair enough.

[BB_Eye]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I kinda disagree with the second sentence because there's a big distinction between Buddhism and other religions, With Christianity and Islam there's violence at it's core (stoning none believers, Adulterers, Gay people ETC) and a history of violence commited in it's name. Buddhism doesn't speak a word about hate, it even says to respect other religions and their holidays and values as long as they promote good will.

I agree with the last sentence though, it's the main reason I hate organised religion. Islam and Christianity are violent religions yes but most of it's followers are inteligent enough not to share their more violent beliefs. It's just the few that use the easily led for their own goals. Buddhism isn't innocent either but I think at it's core it's not as bad as others.

Feudal Asia isn't exactly the first thing that springs to mind when I think of peace and harmony.

If there is a fundamental difference between Christianity and Buddhism, it is in its philosophy towards life. Christianity offers the answers to "why"... all the big questions. Why are we here? Why do good people get punished in life evil people rewarded? What happens after we die? And it promises something far better in the afterlife and reassures the believer that this life is simply a temporary stage.

Buddhism proposes that we stop asking these questions and offers a way of dealing with life's ugly realities and, in turn, accepting them.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by BB_Eye

Feudal Asia isn't exactly the first thing that springs to mind when I think of peace and harmony.

If there is a fundamental difference between Christianity and Buddhism, it is in its philosophy towards life. Christianity offers the answers to "why"... all the big questions. Why are we here? Why do good people get punished in life evil people rewarded? What happens after we die? And it promises something far better in the afterlife and reassures the believer that this life is simply a temporary stage.

Buddhism proposes that we stop asking these questions and offers a way of dealing with life's ugly realities and, in turn, accepting them.

Then again was the feudal period down to Buddhism? I always throught it was just a power struggle between different Warlords and factions instead of anything religion based.

A very good distinction as well, I should have thought about that instead of staying at a more basic level.