Is Buddhism A Religion?Written by Helen Wyre
Buddhism is a teaching which has spread worldwide absorbing culture of each country it arrived in, which has resulted in many expressions of Buddhism. Each strand, no matter how varied in nature and practice, holds a common emphasis on impermanence of human life. The worldwide spread of Buddhism means that it is now practiced by over three hundred million people worldwide, and thus, is generally considered to be a world religion. However, its authenticity as a religion has often come under scrutiny by intellectuals in Western world. To explore whether Buddhism can in fact be counted as a religion we must acknowledge that main problems arise when looking for a definition of what a religion is. Either, definitions have proved too narrow excluding many belief systems which people believe are religious, or they become too broad which means that any structure can be counted. When applying varying definitions of religion to Buddhism we come up with some very contradictory answers; some which say that Buddhism is simply a philosophy or teaching, whilst others will prove that it is in fact, a religion in practice. To determine whether Buddhism is a religion or not, we must also note that we, as Westerners will have different views and concepts of religion to those practicing in East. We must ask question, is it even possible for Westerners to understand religious life of Asia? What we view as Asian religion and religious activity is for most of people practicing it a natural part of daily life; our ideas and concepts vary so greatly that perhaps someone observing Buddhism from a Western perspective may never truly grasp religiosity of group. For one attempting to provide a definition of religion these practices would need to be described in a manner which did not exclude one religion from definition. There needs to be one thing that is attributed to all religions, a common factor. For many, common factor is God. However, if we conclude that God is focus of all religion then much of material found in Asia must be excluded because there is no God here, and occasionally not even Gods. From perspective that religion entails belief in a God, Buddhism is excluded from having title of religion. Many outsiders to Buddhist tradition may claim that Buddha held some divinity and is elevated to a Godly position, but Buddha himself refused to be regarded as divine. For Buddha, humanity is here to improve ourselves and achieve liberation rather than worrying about ultimate questions. Buddhists would argue that knowledge of a God or afterlife does not matter as neither help in quest for nirvana. If Buddhism is not counted as a religion then what is it? Buddhism can be thought of as a way of life, a philosophy, a psychology, a way of thinking through which we can take responsibility for our present life and lives.
| | EU to conquer Anglo-Saxons and JewsWritten by David Ben-Ariel
The heartfelt words still plead today, and ring true as ever: "Why will you die, O House of Israel?" The Prophet Ezekiel informed his audience that it wasn't God's Will for them to suffer and die, but rather that they would turn from their self-destructive ways and live (Ezekiel 18:30-32). For years I have written letters to The Jerusalem Post and elsewhere, decrying Israeli government's submission to foreign authorities, sacrificing their national security due to unbearable pressure from international community, and have encouraged Jewish homeland to love and obey God and trust in Him, not fickle men or nations that have proven they can't be relied upon (Joel 3:1-2). Now I've come to sad conclusion, grievous understanding, that Israeli leaders have often sold out their land and people to foreign interests, bloating their personal bank accounts at Israel's expense, and that pressure was often an excuse for them to do what they had already agreed upon: continue lying peace process of phased destruction, dismantle Jewish homeland, dismember their Mother piece by piece and pervert Promised Land of Israel into an accursed "Palestine" (Ps. 83:4). Israeli officials, bought and paid for like political prostitutes they are, serve their German-Jesuit EU Masters (with plants in Washington, D.C. and other world capitols) and are gambling with land and lives of every Israeli. They foolishly imagine that they can contain breach in Israeli security that they are collaborating in (Daniel 11:32, Joel 3:1-2), a deadly serious breach that will break open and flood Holy Land with foreign troops and sweep them away for filthy liars they've become with their false visions of "peace" (Isaiah 28:14-18), based upon BIG LIE OF EUROPEAN "GUARANTEES" OF PEACE AND SECURITY. The kapos of compromise are destined to get stomped by EU jackboot that will trample Jerusalem and pollute Israel!(Zechariah 14:1-2). They will not escape coming Holocaust that will pale former and will scorch American and British peoples as well. Together we are leading tribes of ancient Israel, Joseph (Joes/Anglo-Saxons) and Judah (Jews), and will be overthrown in a nuclear coup ignited by modern Assyrians: GERMANY. Germany is driving force behind EU empire in making, under influence of Vatican who has never given up their Crusader-Kingdom dream of possessing Jerusalem! How pitiful are those plaintive letters of concerned Israeli citizens and Jewish and Christian-Zionist supporters worldwide! They're still foolishly believing, like I once did, that Israel is only doing what they're forced to do, against their better judgment.
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