many people find it difficult to reconcile religion and atheism.



however, hinduism is not simply a religion, but a way of life.

the supposedly "liberal" west persecuted avowed atheists well into the 1950s... so much so that some had to resort to the distorted nutcase ideology of communism to come to terms with their atheist convictions.

today millions of muslims and christians have died in the name of their god or absolutist ideology.

the reason i embrace the philosphy of my forefathers, stretching far back into the aryan times, is that hinduism is never absolutist; it accomodates so many different views on life - thus mirroring our own lives where we always see so many shades of grey, in a way that none of the monotheist faiths so far have managed to do...

hinduism is the earliest form of liberalism... and it has stood the test of time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism_in_Hinduism

well, i'm glad i got that of my chest! flame away! http://www.totse.com/bbs/wink.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/wink.gif)

EDIT: those of you who have little or no knowledge of hinduism will, of course, resort to the familiar stereotyping of "caste and curry blah blah"... however, in india, casteism exists in all faiths, including indian christianity and islam. it is actually a very unfortunate social, not religious, problem - somewhat like racism in the west.



[This message has been edited by Korvkpt123 (edited 02-07-2007).]

There are many Jews and Christians who embrace their respective religious traditions in much the same way... don't feel so exclusive.

u miss the point ... which is that jews and christians would hold anybody not of their faith to be "kaffir/infidel/blasphemer" in a way that hinduism never could.

did u even read my post?

and i do not embrace the gods and shit, but the philosophy of hinduism - just as i embrace the philosophy of economic liberaklism and capitalism - simply because it is so obviously true...

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

u miss the point ... which is that jews and christians would hold anybody not of their faith to be "kaffir/infidel/blasphemer" in a way that hinduism never could.

did u even read my post?

Yeah I read it http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif) don't be so defensive. I just get a bit miffed when people try and assert the supposed superiority of one religion over another. Hinduism has much to be proud of but let us not forget the caste system and the many wrongs it has perpetuated. Every faith has it's good and bad side... that's all I'm sayin.

P.S. I am not religious....

[This message has been edited by Jove (edited 02-07-2007).]

u didnt read the edit genius...

and i didnt say hinduism was "superior"... hinduism is much less prone to the "superiority" politics that islam and christianity regularly engage in... as i said, its pretty damn tolerant...which appeals to me.

My response was before the edit smart ass...

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

and i didnt say hinduism was "superior"... hinduism is much less prone to the "superiority" politics that islam and christianity regularly engage in... as i said, its pretty damn tolerant...which appeals to me.

Tell that to the untouchables...

quote:Originally posted by Jove:

Yeah I read it http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif) don't be so defensive. I just get a bit miffed when people try and assert the supposed superiority of one religion over another. Hinduism has much to be proud of but let us not forget the caste system and the many wrongs it has perpetuated. Every faith has it's good and bad side... that's all I'm sayin.

P.S. I am not religious....



me neither ... hinduism preaches materialism, which, again, appeals to me...

i never engage in or believe in rituals, go to the temple only once a year (durga puja - it's a painful bengali-community obligation http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif) )

i've only read the bhagavad gita, ramayan and mahabharat when i was a 12/13 (i'm 17 now)

i just enjoy how hindusima still reconciles my non-religiosity...it's more a way of life than anything else.

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

me neither ... hinduism preaches materialism, which, again, appeals to me...

i never engage in or believe in rituals, go to the temple only once a year (durga puja - it's a painful bengali-community obligation http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif) )

i've only read the bhagavad gita, ramayan and mahabharat when i was a 12/13 (i'm 17 now)

i just enjoy how hindusima still reconciles my non-religiosity...it's more a way of life than anything else.

Good for you ( I meant no disrespect) I hope you find what you need in it... http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

quote:Originally posted by Jove:

Tell that to the untouchables...

read the edit goddammit... there are untouchable muslims and christians in india... it's a social phemomenon, not hinduism's fault.

btw i'm supposed to be a brahmin ... the highest caste etc. ... but that part is all bullshit anyway... in modern india, only fools would believe in that.

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

read the edit goddammit... there are untouchable muslims and christians in india... it's a social phemomenon, not hinduism's fault.

btw i'm supposed to be a brahmin ... the highest caste etc. ... but that part is all bullshit anyway... in modern india, only fools would believe in that.

We're getting our signals crossed here...

quote:Originally posted by Jove:

We're getting our signals crossed here...

umm ... as in?

atheist = don't believe in god btw... which applies to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalit

scroll down to see what i mean...

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

[B] umm ... as in?

[...]

1.)You think I'm ripping on you when I am not...

2.)I have very little use for wikipedia...

quote:Originally posted by Jove:

1.)You think I'm ripping on you when I am not...

2.)I have very little use for wikipedia...

1.i dont think ur ripping on me ... it's a common misconception.

2.ok...wtv...

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

and i do not embrace the gods and shit, but the philosophy of hinduism - just as i embrace the philosophy of economic liberaklism and capitalism - simply because it is so obviously true...

Do you think you could explain the hindu philosophy and what you find appealing about it?

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

1.i dont think ur ripping on me ... it's a common misconception.

2.ok...wtv...

wtv? That I need a definition for...

tip: read the bhagavad gita.

i'm sure u'll find a free text on the net somewhere.

and i just did explain my personal view above...

also, the concept of karma is not religious ... it's very real-worldly, in a sense. life's purpose is to fulfil ur duty ... do the best u can of a job.

does hinduism have faults? yes, no doubt. but which human institution doesn't?