Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?
Comments
-
I saw that, and loved it!
0 -
I heard a list of minority religions among the house members. All were democrats. I wondered if the lone Hindu was our representative. Her name is Pramilla Jayapal, so quite possibly. I don't think it ever came up when she was running. There were several Moslems and 2 Buddhists.
0 -
It's possible the Buddhists are atheists since Buddhism has no creator god. There is also one House member who took the oath as unaffiliated, Kyrsten Sinema. Possible atheist? She is also openly bi-sexual. I bet Mike Pence had to change his shorts after giving the oath of office.
0 -
Ananda: to Funny
0 -
ananda- it's good to see people feeling empowered. Can you imagine even five years ago for a woman in Congress to say "no religious affiliation"? When I initially registered at the Cancer Center, one of the many questions required is your religious affiliation. When I told her none, she stopped typing and angrily looked at me . I calmly stared right back at her. It took her almost a minute to control herself before she asked me " was I sure"? I said " yes". We completed my registration. As I was leaving I could feel her boring holes in the back of my head. She was intelligent enough not to push the issue. She wanted to make me feel uncomfortable and she was not successful.
0 -
That is appalling!
I would have been tempted to say "Wicca... and I know where you work."
0 -
If you were at a public hospital, there were probably rules that required her to keep her mouth shut. Let's hear it for her Christian love of others.
"19. Much though he recites the sacred texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who only counts the cows of others — he does not partake of the blessings of the holy life." ...Dhammapada
0 -
Pence had a few uncomfortable moments there!
0 -
Wow, I had my surgeries and all my treatments at a Catholic hospital and didn't get so much as a single raised eyebrow. But the early-morning prayer over the loudspeaker system made me want to hurl.
0 -
It is a private hospital. I believe she had realized very quickly a line had been crossed.
0 -
I always say Buddhist. Then they let me alone. I haven't been in 30 years, but if I went anywhere it would be a Buddhist temple. My 2nd GS, raised Buddhist, attended church at Christmas with DS & family. He kept muttering about being struck by lightening. We had to go because DS told the newspaper it was his family tradition. It was news to the family!
0 -
I studied the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. I am too far away from any Buddhist temples but belonged to a couple of forums and was a moderator of one. I still review some of the discourses every once in a while but don't meditate nearly as much as I used to. I do find it interesting that articles about the brain and it's functions report 'discoveries' that the Buddha made 2500 years ago about how the mind works. Fun stuff.
0 -
Jo, the reaction from that employee at the cancer center is one I can never understand. The Bible seems pretty clear about not judging others. What she was doing was judging you. And some attempt at intimidating you. There was also a bit of “well, as a woman, does she really know what she's saying?" when she asked if you were “sure". Would she have asked a man that question?
Great job of standing firm in your belief, or in this case, non-belief.
That kind of behavior from the employee screams “cult" to me. Very subtle, yes, but don't they understand religious freedom which is part of what our country was built on? How does her reaction fit in with Christian teaching? It's all so wrong.
The way different people interpret the same teachings also lends itself to confusion about religion. I moved into my neighborhood decades ago, and a married couple who live on the street and attend Catholic church have, over the years, displayed more unneighborly and unChristian behaviors than any other neighbors, none of whom are Catholic. It floored me as I'd initially assumed with their religious beliefs they'd be much more humble, caring, accepting. Nah.
0 -
wren- how come you were the last to know about your family tradition. LOL
0 -
This is from the Pew Research Center. It is the religious makeup of the new Congress and compares it to the last. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/03/5-facts-about-crime-in-the-u-s/?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=095220312f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_01_03_07_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3e953b9b70-095220312f-399905297
0 -
I just say none
0 -
I say Buddhist. Why as an atheist would I say that? Simply because if I should happen to be dying in that place, I want a person present with me who could hopefully help me stay connected to the moment. I'm only going to die once and would like to be present to the fullest extent I can manage. Hospitals, whether religious affiliated or not have chaplains focused on the next life and I do not want that energy in with me. Also, my family if oh so Christian and so into denial.
0 -
Great idea!
0 -
About 30 years ago I was admitted to a Catholic hospital with a very bad lupus flare. (My rheumatologist happened to be affiliated with this hospital, which is why I ended up there.) While I was waiting in admitting, this elderly priest wandered by and asked me if he could pray for me. I really didn't care at that point, having a raging fever and just wanting to be in bed, so I didn't object. I think this was just keep-busy work for him and I didn't take offense, although like I said I was too sick to care!
0 -
This sutta reads like a prayer although it's not to any god. I think it's beautiful.
*******
Karaniya
Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-kindness translated from the Pali by The Amaravati SanghaThis is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness, and who knows the path of peace:
Let them
be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech, humble and
not conceited, contented and easily satisfied, unburdened
with duties and frugal in their ways.Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, not proud
or demanding in nature, let them not do the slightest thing that the
wise would later reprove.Wishing: In gladness and in safety, may all
beings be at ease.Whatever living beings there may be; whether
they are weak or strong, omitting none, the great or the mighty, medium, short or small, the seen
and the unseen, those living near and far away, those born
and to-be-born — May all beings be at ease!Let none deceive another, or despise
any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm
upon another.Even as a mother protects with her life her child,
her only child, so with a boundless heart should one
cherish all living beings.Radiating kindness over the entire world: spreading
upwards to the skies, and downwards to the depths;Outwards
and unbounded, freed from hatred and ill-will, whether
standing or walking, seated or lying down,Free from drowsiness, one should
sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding.0 -
ananda- thank you for sharing that beautiful poem.
0 -
I spent 3 hours talking with Robert Frost. Trouble is that I didn't know it was him. I found out 10 minutes after he left.
0 -
SocalLisa that is so cool.
Today my daughter in laws brother and his GF had a baby. The baby was born with a cyst in his lung and had to go for emergency surgery. My d-i-l's mother texted me to tell me about it, she was very upset and asked me to pray for the baby. I did not know what to say so i said "for sure". I honestly don't know what else i could say. Any suggestions for situations like that? We did meet this family 10 years ago when attending church/cult. They no longer go either but i don't know if, like me, are now atheists.
0 -
nan- I would say of course I will keep her in my thoughts.
0 -
nanfromontario, in situations where I’m asked to pray for someone, I just say “I’m not a believer but I’m sending out my best good vibes”.
0 -
Yeah, I'd also say I'm keeping her in my thoughts. Or even in my heart, and sending positive thoughts.
No offense to the Buddhists or Taoists who hang out here, but for someone like me who doesn't believe in or follow any religion (god-centric or not), it feels a bit like proselytizing when I see the quotes. Maybe I need to find an "Atheists with BC who are not seeking a spiritual path" group. 😏
0 -
0 -
I like that. Especially 'deliver us from denial of logic'. That seems to be needed badly right now.
0 -
AliceBastable, I am sorry I offended you by posting that poem. It was not my intention to proselytize but rather to share a philosophy that is not well known in the West or if it is known it is distorted. To make up for it, here is a quote from another philosopher, Epicurus.
0 -
ananda- I enjoyed both poems. I like content which makes me think.
0
