Not your typical religious leader.

The time has come for us to consider seriously how to change our way of life not through prayer or religious teaching, but through education

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 18, 2016

Even when the President is just emptying his pockets it freaks the Right Wing out.

Courtesy of Addicting Info:

President Obama carried out his annual YouTube interview on Friday and revealed what he carried around with him each and every day inside his pockets. While normally what’s in a person’s pockets might be self-explanatory (i.e.,. phone, wallet, etc.) the president is no ordinary person. And the items he carries around aren’t ordinary, either. There’s also an in-depth explanation for each one of them. 

Here’s Obama in his own words: 

“I stick these in my pocket to remind me of all the people I’ve met along the way and the stories they’ve told me. So, this is what I had in my pocket today: this is rosary beads Pope Francis gave me that obviously means alot to me cause I so admire him and it makes me think about peace and promoting understanding and ethical behavior. This is a little Buddha that a Buddhist monk gave me. This is a lucky poker chip that’s metal that this biker gave me. This is a Hindu statuette of the monkey God Hanuman that a woman gave me. And, I’ve got a coptic cross; this is from Ethipia. So, I’ve got a whole bunch of this stuff but the reason I showed you these is because I carry them around all the time.”

Now take note that the very first thing that the President showed the interviewer was a rosary given to him by Pope Francis, and the last thing was a Coptic cross.

However nobody cares about that, or the poker chip, what gets the attention of the Right Wing is the little monkey statue. Because to them that is that proves what they have suspected all along.

Conservatives on Twitter, freaking out about Barack Obama since 2007.

How the five major religions spread across the world.

It's like watching five different strains of cancer fighting to see which can kill the host body first.

Just being exposed to Buddhism makes you a better person.

The return of Bathroom Buddha

Courtesy of PsyPost:  

Researchers from Belgium and Taiwan have found that being exposed to Buddhist concepts can lead to increased prosocial behavioral intentions and undermine prejudice towards others. 

Buddhism contains a variety of teachings and practices – such as meditation – intended to help individuals develop a more open-minded and compassionate personality. Unlike the three dominant monotheistic religions, it does not draw a sharp line between believers and unbelievers. 

In three separate experiments of 355 individuals, the researchers found that being exposed to words related to Buddhism could “automatically activate prosociality and tolerance, in particular among people with socio-cognitive open-mindedness.” 

The study adds to a growing body of research about priming, a phenomenon in which merely being exposed to certain words or concepts changes the way people think or behave. It was published in the April issue of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

The article goes on to suggest that Westerners simply exposed to words associated with Buddhism like "Dharma" or "Nirvana" resulted in a less negative attitude towards others.

Then there's this:

Westerners with a Christian background also scored higher on measures of prosociality after being exposed to Buddhist concepts. Surprisingly, participants did not score higher on measures of prosociality after being exposed to Christian concepts.

I can't say I find this particularly surprising. 

I was exposed to Buddhist concepts as a young boy, and they had a dramatic impact on how I saw the world. Ultimately I think it had a hand in making me a better person.

It kind of makes one wonder how different the world might be if Buddhism and Taoism were the two most prominent religions.

This needs to stop.

Of course the most famous example of this misdirection is the argument that took place on Real Time between Bill Maher and Sam Harris on one side and an almost hysterical Ben Affleck on the other.

As an Atheist I see ALL religions as equally ridiculous and unnecessary, but when the definition of a religion is co-opted as the definition of a race of people that makes challenging their beliefs an attack on their ethnicity. Which of course it is not.

The most complicated example of this, in my mind, is the Jewish people.

They self identify as Jewish, and of course they usually embrace Judaism. So where the religious identity ends and the racial identity takes over is almost imperceptible.

Even non-practicing Jews often cannot separate their identity and heritage from the religion of their parents and grandparents.

But the problem with this is that in reality no child is born a Christian, or Muslim, or Jew, or Buddhist, and if they were taken out of the hospital to live in a non-religious household they would have no concept of the yoke of religion that their ancestors labored under for centuries.  They would in effect be free.

Personally I think the blurred line between ethnicity and religion is purposeful and designed to keep people from criticizing religion, and Islam in particular.

And that is really fucked up, because currently there are probably few religions that desperately need to be challenged as forcefully as Islam right now. I mean the Saudi Arabian religious leader just recently refused to condemn the idea of adult men marrying girls younger than fifteen years of age for fuck's sake.

So yes that needs to be challenged not just in the United States, where we have the right to mock any religion or set of beliefs that we choose, but also in other countries many of who are still able to murder such critics in the name of apostasy.

Louisiana District Court judge delivers smackdown against teacher who pushed Creationism in classroom while ridiculing other religions, and the school district who defended him.

Judge Elizabeth Foote

Courtesy of Raw Story:  

The parents of a Buddhist student in Louisiana ridiculed by a creationist teacher won their lawsuit against the school district, the American Civil Liberties Union revealed Friday. 

The student, known as C.C., was asked by sixth-grade teacher Rita Roark to answer the following question on a test: “ISN’T IT AMAZING WHAT THE _____________ HAS MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 

When C.C. failed to respond “Lord,” Roark responded “you’re stupid if you don’t believe in God.” She also frequently denigrated his Buddhist faith, as well as the Hindu faith, referring to both as “stupid.” When his parents complained to Sabine Parish Superintendent Sara Ebarb, they were told that “this is the Bible belt,” so they should expect to find the Christian God in the classroom. Ebarb advised them that if they wanted an ungodly classroom, they should transfer C.C. to a school where “there are more Asians.” 

Judge Elizabeth Foote of the U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana sided with C.C. and his parents, citing that Roark’s behavior — and the school’s decision to defend it — clearly violated “the Free Exercise and Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.” 

With regard to the specific behavior of Roark, Judge Foot wrote that “[t]he District and School Board are permanently enjoined from permitting School Officials at any school within the School District to promote their personal religious beliefs to students in class or during or in conjunction with a School Event.” Furthermore, “School Officials shall not denigrate any particular faith, or lack thereof, or single out any student for disfavor or criticism because of his or her particular faith or religious belief, or lack thereof.” 

The judge also ordered all the members of the school board to undergo training to make them more sensitive to their responsibilities with respect to the First Amendment.

And remember THIS happened in Louisiana, home of Bobby Jindal who has been pushing Creationism into the public school system for some time now. 

This is a huge reality check for them, and hopefully for others in the religious right that they can no longer force their belief system onto others with impunity.

What he said.

In some Louisiana schools it's go Christian, or go home.

Unveiling a portrait of Jesus at Negreet High.

The article below is written by a man who enrolled his stepson, who was raised as a Buddhist, in Negreet High School in Louisiana.

Before this experience he claimed to be somewhat indifferent to the impact of fundamentalism on the public school system in the Bible Belt. That point of view was forever changed.

Here is a little of his article:  

My stepson started at Negreet in the same class as one of my children. By the end of the first week of school, he was having serious stomach issues and anxiety. We couldn't figure out why. In the mornings, my wife would pull over on the side of the road as they approached school so he could throw up. At first, we thought he was sick and we let him stay home. Soon it became apparent that this was not a cold, but something much worse. Our children informed us that their teacher had been chastising and bullying my stepson for his Buddhist beliefs. 

On a science test, their teacher had included a fill-in-the-blank question: "ISN'T IT AMAZING WHAT THE _____________ HAS MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" When my stepson didn't know the answer ("Lord"), she belittled him in front of the entire class. When he wrote in "Lord Buddha" on another exam, she marked it wrong. As she was returning that exam to students, one student proclaimed aloud that "people are stupid if they think God is not real." In response, my stepson's teacher agreed, telling the class, "Yes! That is right! I had a student miss that on his test." The entire class broke out in laughter at my stepson. 

The same teacher also told our children that the Bible is "100 percent true," that the Earth was created by God 6,000 years ago, and that evolution is "impossible" and a "stupid theory made up by stupid people who don't want to believe in God." She's also told the class that Buddhism is "stupid." 

We were shocked, but we quickly learned from our children that these types of activities were not unusual. School officials were repeatedly imposing their religious beliefs on students in myriad ways. For example: 

• When we went to the school to meet with the principal, we saw a large picture of Jesus over the school's main doors, a Bible verse on the school's electronic marquee, and numerous religious posters and pictures on the walls. Religious images and messages are displayed throughout the school, in fact. 
• We learned from our children that official prayers, typically led by the principal or teachers, are routinely incorporated into class and school events like assemblies, and sporting events. The school even requires students to attend "See You at the Pole" each year, where they must take part in prayer and worship. 
• We discovered that school officials were distributing religious literature to students. For example, one of our other son's teachers passed out copies of a book from the "Truth For Youth" program, a revivalist ministry. The book included the entire New Testament of the Bible as well as cartoons that denounce evolution and trumpet the evils of birth control, premarital sex, rock music, alcohol, pornography, homosexuality, sorcery, and witchcraft. 

We assumed that the Superintendent was not aware of all the unlawful activities at Negreet and would want to know about them so she could rectify the situation, but we could not have been more wrong. She was dismissive and told us that we live in the "Bible Belt" and that this is just how things are. She added that, because she was not offended by the fact that "the lady who cuts [her] toenails has a statue of Buddha," we should not be upset by the blatant proselytizing at Negreet or the bullying and harassment of our son and the degradation of his Buddhist faith.

You will be happy to know that the author of this article, Scott Lane, has filed a formal complaint and contacted the ACLU and that this story is now getting national attention. 

This kind of thing makes me ill. And certainly does much to demonstrate why education in this country is suffering.

Well using Christian logic I guess this is proof positive that Chi exists.

For those unfamiliar with Chi, or Qi, check here.

Actually stumbled into the world of martial arts, and the concept of Chi, when I was still struggling to understand the question of God's existence.  

It was both an enlightening experience, and a puzzling one.

In my opinion there is FAR more proof for the existence of Chi then there is for the existence of any god.

I have a problem with all religions to varying degrees, but there are certainly times when I have to take my hat off to certain religious leaders.

This is without a doubt a completely reasonable, and accurate, observation, but those who keep trying to "fix" our education do not recognize, nor accept, this reality.

The idea that MOST religious people seem to embrace is that secularism is the reason that our country is so materialistic, but that assumption crashes on the rocks of reality once you have the opportunity sit in one of this country's numerous garish looking mega-church's and listened to one of the thousands of money making seminars that they offer.

(Source)

A 5000 year time lapse chronicling the expansion of Earth's most powerful religions.

I have watched this thing quite a few times now and I am struck how the discovery of the new world put Christianity into hyper drive.

It almost appears that Islam would have held dominance if not for missionary work in the Americas.

I would really like to see is a map chronicling the expansion of religions BEFORE the Abrahamic religions were introduced. Of course accurate data for that would be hard to come by.

(Source)

In my opinion ALL children should be raised like this.

Hey, look how well it worked out for him.

Is it wrong that I believe the President's "faith" might simply be for political expediency and NOT  something which dwells in his heart? I could be wrong, but that has long been my impression.

Any thoughts?

Remember parents, only YOU can prevent thinking.

I still remember my high school philosophy teacher with much fondness.

Mr. Lowery was a rabble-rouser who LOVED to shake people's faith and challenge their perceptions of why they believed what they believed.

My favorite days were the ones that sent some poor Bible student running for the door before they accidentally heard something which might shake the foundation of their belief system.

I took his class twice.

Today when I reflect on my experiences in that class I am always reminded of the words of the Buddha as written in the Kalama Sutta:

• Do not believe anything on mere hearsay. 
• Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places. 
• Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it. 
• Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage. 
• Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being. 
•  Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true. 
• Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests. But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it. 
• Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire. 

Pat Robertson is a vocal advocate for the freedom to practice one's religion. Well freedom to practice HIS religion that is.

I have long believed that the ONLY reason that a number of Christian ministers are constantly on their soapboxes about freedom of religion is to make sure nobody screws with THEIR church.

If the day ever came where this country really DID establish Christianity as the country's religion, I would bet you any amount of money that the talk about religious freedom and religious diversity would come to a screeching halt overnight!

Pat Robertson is just getting too old and senile to effectively hide his disdain for those OTHER ridiculous religions anymore.

Yet another reason to admire those of the Buddhist faith..

And this is from the Dalai Lama himself.

Can you imagine the Pope or an Ayatollah saying such a thing?

Not to mention the more fundamentalist among America's Christians like Jame Dobson, or Franklin Graham, or the late Jerry Falwell.  They would no more admit to any fallacy in the Bible as admit that what makes them vilify homosexuals, blacks, and women has nothing to do with their religion, and everything to do with their own prejudices.

And no I am not a Buddhist, but if every I decide to take the plunge I can tell you which religious faith would be on my short list.

The dangers of taking the Bible, or any religious book, too literally.

Boy this guy is really the poster child for Christian tolerance, love, and acceptance, isn't he?

We keep hearing from the Far Right that the Qaran is this horrible, hateful book, just chock full of calls for murder and the mistreatment of women.

However the facts are that compared side by side the Bible is actually the more violent of the two books:

"By the standards of the time, which is the 7th century A.D., the laws of war that are laid down by the Quran are actually reasonably humane," he says. "Then we turn to the Bible, and we actually find something that is for many people a real surprise. There is a specific kind of warfare laid down in the Bible which we can only call genocide." 

It is called herem, and it means total annihilation. Consider the Book of 1 Samuel, when God instructs King Saul to attack the Amalekites: "And utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them," God says through the prophet Samuel. "But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."

In fact just in the first four books of the Bible, the cruelty and violence is sickening. And don't think the violence ends before the  pages of the New Testament begin.

I am not trying to pit one Abrahamic religion against another, and I certainly do not think the Qaran is much better. I am just reminding people that these books were written a very long time ago, by people who were not nearly as evolved or as highly educated as the people living today.

We are less violent, less misogynist, and less intolerant, not BECAUSE of the teachings of Islam and Christianity, but DESPITE the teachings of Islam and Christianity.

Just in case you think I am only picking on these two religions, let me just point out that my beloved Buddhism has also done little to reduce the number of wars fought by its adherents. And in Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" we see Taoism interwoven into the very fabric of the military instruction within.

Remember, man will always be man, regardless of how they worship, or to which God they send their prayers.

The words of the Budddha concerning faith.

In the interest of religious tolerance I thought I would post a rather amazing teaching from the Buddha as it pertains to faith, and whom to trust for spiritual guidance.

The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they discovered in what they heard. 

The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply 

• Do not believe anything on mere hearsay. 
• Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places. 
• Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it. 
• Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage. 
• Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being. 
• Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true. 
• Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests. But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it. 
• Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire. 

 The same text, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings. 

You can read a more expansive version by clicking here.

As a rule I usually identify myself as an Atheist in the search for ultimate truth. However when pressed by people who simply insist I must choose a religion, I tend to label myself a Taoist, though I always stress that I am a philosophical Taoist, not a religious one.

However I also have a deep and abiding warmth in my heart for Buddhism. And after reading what is written above, I am sure that you can see why.

Jon Stewart has a message for the Islamic group threatening the creators of South Park, and other overly sensitive religious communities.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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www.thedailyshow.com
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You know I do believe I have heard this message before.

Bill Maher's New Rules for 2-26-10

Watch til the end for a nice surprise.