Thich Nhat Hanh

[myron myron]

Isnt that what his teachings all about though? Learning throughout life not to hold onto pre-conceived ideas or form absolute truths. And that includes not adhering to one set of views over another, eg one religion or ideiology or dogma but being free and open, not shackled by others perception of reality.

It seems to me that for someone your age, you are very closed-minded about religion and religious people: your dogma is atheism.

I am a lot older than you and did not believe as much in religion as I do today. My present views on religion are the product of 45 years of life experience and at least 25 years of rumination on the subject with an open mind.

[myron myron]

And Thich Nhat Hanh's statement does appear aimed at Communism. It fits like a glove.

Myron - could it also be aimed at the US? Wonder whether he knew the monk who set himself alight?

Hypothetically, it could have been aimed at the U.S., but that wouldn't make much sense given that the U.S. was not attempting to impose a dogma on Vietnam whereas the Communists were intent on imposing an atheistic, totalitarian dogma that resulted in mass murders of thousands of Buddhist monks.

Whilst the US were perhaps not imposing a dogma - it could be said with conviction that they were maintaining the Status-Quo. Let's not suggest that the US did themselves not have an agenda for being there!

As for the massacre of Buddhist monks - I am not aware of this - when was it? At the moment all I can think of is in Cambodia.

Cambodia is right next to Vietnam, but no Communist dictatorship tolerated religion or religious people.

Religion is expressly antithetical to Communism, i.e. "the opiate of the people."

[GayandProud]

Im not closed minded - you only know what you read on here and I havent dissed you or your views. My parents are religious Christians. They're the nicest most lovely people I know. I respect them.

I personally choose not to believe in God based on my gut feeling and my conscience. Im looking at all the options. If I was closed minded I wouldnt be interested in Buddhism. Id be going my own way and not be open to anything.

[myron myron]

Im not closed minded - you only know what you read on here and I havent dissed you or your views. My parents are religious Christians. They're the nicest most lovely people I know. I respect them.

I personally choose not to believe in God based on my gut feeling and my conscience. Im looking at all the options. If I was closed minded I wouldnt be interested in Buddhism. Id be going my own way and not be open to anything.

See?

[GayandProud]

No

you cant make someone into something theyre not. You couldnt make me straight. You cant make me believe in God just to show you Im not closed minded .

[ILWL]

Cambodia is right next to Vietnam, but no Communist dictatorship tolerated religion or religious people.

Religion is expressly antithetical to Communism, i.e. "the opiate of the people."

What was the point in telling me that Cambodia is next to Vietnam - I know it is a seperate political entity. Not everyone respected it as such did they Myron!

You are right that it is the antithesis but there is a difference between the words and the deeds. In some Communist countries there was a degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon. Not sure if this was the situation in Asia but in Eastern Europe there was in periods an understanding.

[myron myron]

No

you cant make someone into something theyre not. You couldnt make me straight. You cant make me believe in God just to show you Im not closed minded .

You don't know me: I can turn a straight women into a lesbian and may have done so.

[GayandProud]

No

you cant make someone into something theyre not. You couldnt make me straight. You cant make me believe in God just to show you Im not closed minded .

You don't know me: I can turn a straight women into a lesbian and may have done so.

now that I can believe !

Look Ive GOT to get some food or I will DIE and since no fukker has replied to my sick of bagels thread I will be eating crisps for the next week.
*crisps and bagels ! mmm *

[myron myron]

Cambodia is right next to Vietnam, but no Communist dictatorship tolerated religion or religious people.

Religion is expressly antithetical to Communism, i.e. "the opiate of the people."

What was the point in telling me that Cambodia is next to Vietnam - I know it is a seperate political entity. Not everyone respected it as such did they Myron!

You are right that it is the antithesis but there is a difference between the words and the deeds. In some Communist countries there was a degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon. Not sure if this was the situation in Asia but in Eastern Europe there was in periods an understanding.

I was in the Soviet Union and East Germany during the Cold War: there was no "degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon"; quite the contrary.

And I was in Republique Populaire du Congo, a hardline Communist military dictatorship, in 1985: there was no "degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon"; quite the contrary.

[ILWL]

Cambodia is right next to Vietnam, but no Communist dictatorship tolerated religion or religious people.

Religion is expressly antithetical to Communism, i.e. "the opiate of the people."

What was the point in telling me that Cambodia is next to Vietnam - I know it is a seperate political entity. Not everyone respected it as such did they Myron!

You are right that it is the antithesis but there is a difference between the words and the deeds. In some Communist countries there was a degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon. Not sure if this was the situation in Asia but in Eastern Europe there was in periods an understanding.

I was in the Soviet Union and East Germany during the Cold War: there was no "degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon"; quite the contrary.

And I was in Republique Populaire du Congo, a hardline Communist military dictatorship, in 1985: there was no "degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon"; quite the contrary.

What of Poland though?

As for the differences between word and deed - did you ever see the Constitution of the Soviet Union?

[myron myron]

Cambodia is right next to Vietnam, but no Communist dictatorship tolerated religion or religious people.

Religion is expressly antithetical to Communism, i.e. "the opiate of the people."

What was the point in telling me that Cambodia is next to Vietnam - I know it is a seperate political entity. Not everyone respected it as such did they Myron!

You are right that it is the antithesis but there is a difference between the words and the deeds. In some Communist countries there was a degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon. Not sure if this was the situation in Asia but in Eastern Europe there was in periods an understanding.

I was in the Soviet Union and East Germany during the Cold War: there was no "degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon"; quite the contrary.

And I was in Republique Populaire du Congo, a hardline Communist military dictatorship, in 1985: there was no "degree of pragmatism in the dealing with religon"; quite the contrary.

What of Poland though?

As for the differences between word and deed - did you ever see the Constitution of the Soviet Union?

It took the Pope to free Poland from the atheistic grip of Communism.

And I have seen the Constitution of the Soviet Union, but I don't recall its provisions. What I do recall is Soviet Customs in Moscow, where any religious book or religious writing was confiscated and its owner interrogated whilst the real contraband I brought into and out of the country was never found.

[The Pope]

Did someone mention me?

[myron myron]

[The Pope]

Bless you my Child. You may kiss my Ring.

[myron myron]

oooooookkkkkkkkkk