David Dyer-Bennet wrote: > "Gametech" <voltronalpha at hotmail.com> writes: > >> David Dyer-Bennet wrote: >> <snip> >> >>> Maybe. I object strenuously to the whole concept of religion, >>> spirituality, etc. It's superstitious nonsense, and hurts people, >>> and destroys great civilizations. >> >> I was recently commissioned to create a website for the Gyuto Wheel >> of Dharma Monastery here in Minnesota for a group of Tibetan >> Buddhists (refugees) They have a Monastery here in MN. I know little >> to nothing about their religion but when I asked what's the goal >> here what do you guys basically do the answer I got was: >> >> We try to teach Compassion and Love as well as promote Peace. The >> only way of effective teaching is to demonstrate, near as I can tell >> they do. >> >> Now some look at it as propaganda other see it for something else. >> I'm not going to 'argue' your opinion. I am curious though how you >> perceive people like this to be practicing their religion to be >> hurting people and destroying great civilizations. > > Very mildly. But they're still encouraging people to believe things > on faith rather than evidence, for example, and that's bad. People do > far to little thinking. I don't think faith is a bad thing, beliving that when you purchase something from someone on ebay that they will send you the item requires faith, faith in that person for being honest. Sure you can make the most calculating decisions you can and research your seller but they always, always have the ability to screw you. When you take your car to the mechanic you have to have faith that he's not overcharging you and only fixing broken things, you might encouter actions that break your faith trying to find an honest mechanic. I think the same should hold true to religion If you feel decieved you just stop following it.