27 replies to this topic

[Deepskies]

Good day to all. I feel it necessary to introduce myself first.

I'm 38 & an amateur astronomer which explains the screenname. I've come here looking for honest and open ideas on evolution, creation and things inbetween. I am not interested in debates over who is right or wrong, nor am I looking to change my world view or that of another. We should be able to discuss these things as rational beings without getting all tied up in our own personal views.

Yes, I am a Buddhist and I am agnostic as we are imperfect beings and as such we can ever truly know the mind of god or even if he exists. Also, while I believe Jesus was a great teacher I do believe he was only a man even if he was very enlightened. I'm sorry if that offends anybody here, it's not my intent to offend.

Thank you and peace to you all.

[ikester7579]

Welcome to the forums. I believe Buddha was just a man also. Sorry if that offends you.

[Ron]

Welcome to the forum.... Could you please explain how Jesus was just a great teacher? I hope that quediton doesn't offend you.

[Deepskies]

Welcome to the forums. I believe Buddha was just a man also. Sorry if that offends you.

Not at all. Buddha was just a man and he never claimed to be anything else.

[Without_Excuse]

Welcome to the forums, I look forward to our discussions.

[Deepskies]

Welcome to the forum.... Could you please explain how Jesus was just a great teacher? I hope that quediton doesn't offend you.

Again, no offense although I'm wondering if I mistakenly offended yourself and Ikester. I hope I didn't come off as rude there, I don't mean to denegrate anybody's beliefs as we all hold beliefs that are dear to us.

As for Jesus, I don't believe he was the literal son of god or as some say god himself as in the holy trinity. No, I understand him as being the son of god in the sense that we are all the children of god and god is nothing more than the universe whether it be conscious or not. We can't tell, it's something that each one of us must come to and decide for ourselves. Never close your mind, always be open to new ideas and new thoughts which is why I'm here. I've spoken to the scientifically minded, the atheists and the skeptics and now I want to speak to the believers in Jesus and his divinity.

I believe Jesus was a good teacher. He was a good man and he taught the world some valuable lessons which were needed at that time. He preached peace, and non-violence. He prayed for the poor, rebuked the rich, healed the sick and tended to the outcasts of society. But in the end, I believe he was just a man as are we all. While we might not have all the answers, sometimes it's just the journey and the seeking of the truth that makes the difference.

[Deepskies]

Welcome to the forums, I look forward to our discussions.

Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to it as well.

[Without_Excuse]

Deepskies,

I have a question for you, in your last post you explained "what" you believe, so I am curious to know "why" you believe what you believe.

[Deepskies]

Deepskies,

I have a question for you, in your last post you explained "what" you believe, so I am curious to know "why" you believe what you believe.

I can answer this question, but first I need to know if this really has any relevance to the matter of my introduction?

As I said, I don't want to convert anybody nor do I wish to be converted. I'm looking for the other side of the evolution / creation issue. However if you feel my views have some relevance to this I'd appreciate knowing what they are first.

[Without_Excuse]

I can answer this question, but first I need to know if this really has any relevance to the matter of my introduction?

As I said, I don't want to convert anybody nor do I wish to be converted. I'm looking for the other side of the evolution / creation issue. However if you feel my views have some relevance to this I'd appreciate knowing what they are first.

If you are here only for the creation evolution issue, then we will stick with that. I do not want to start a discussion you have no interest in participating in.

[ikester7579]

I can answer this question, but first I need to know if this really has any relevance to the matter of my introduction?

As I said, I don't want to convert anybody nor do I wish to be converted. I'm looking for the other side of the evolution / creation issue. However if you feel my views have some relevance to this I'd appreciate knowing what they are first.

Understand that we mean you no offence but we just had a rash of trolls here and your introduction post makes you sound like one of those people coming back under a different name to say and claim more of the same from a different angle. Your timing was right when we banned them so it looks very suspecious. Understand?

[jason]

welcome.

namaste is a dead giveaway for a buddhist.

i assume that you dont do the caste type of buddhism found in thailand.

its hard to believe that a passive faith came up with a violent sport.(thai boxing)

[supamk3speed]

Welcome to the forums, I hope you find what you need here friend. Isn't buddhism a panthiest belief?

[UppsalaDragby]

Hi Deepskies, and welcome!

I don't think you will offend anyone simply by declaring your beliefs. Asserting things, such as "we are imperfect beings and as such we can ever truly know the mind of god" might get you into trouble though since I think most of us have a completly different view about that, but my guess is that this too is what you believe. Anyway, I hope you enjoy yourself here!

[Deepskies]

Understand that we mean you no offence but we just had a rash of trolls here and your introduction post makes you sound like one of those people coming back under a different name to say and claim more of the same from a different angle. Your timing was right when we banned them so it looks very suspecious. Understand?

Not a problem. I hope that I can allay your suspicions because I'm not here to cause any kind of trouble. I'm just drifting through and trying to find the other side of the story. Call me a seeker if you wish but my only motive is to learn.

[Deepskies]

welcome.

namaste is a dead giveaway for a buddhist.

i assume that you dont do the caste type of buddhism found in thailand.

its hard to believe that a passive faith came up with a violent sport.(thai boxing)

Yes, I figured namaste was the best way to declare that.

No, I don't go in for the caste systems or anything of that nature. I think it's just people creating a reason to be nasty to each other.

I think the sport came first and the faith came later. Don't really know so don't quote me on that.

[Deepskies]

Welcome to the forums, I hope you find what you need here friend. Isn't buddhism a panthiest belief?

Thank you. So many welcomes, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

It's not really pantheistic as at it's heart there is no god. There are Devas who are powerful spiritual beings, more powerful than humans and while they're sometimes translated as "gods" they're not. I would say they're closer to angels but even that's not quite the same thing.

[Deepskies]

Hi Deepskies, and welcome!

I don't think you will offend anyone simply by declaring your beliefs. Asserting things, such as "we are imperfect beings and as such we can ever truly know the mind of god" might get you into trouble though since I think most of us have a completly different view about that, but my guess is that this too is what you believe. Anyway, I hope you enjoy yourself here!

Thank you very much. And I do realise that the majority of people here have a much different view of the spiritual side of things that I do which is why I wanted to preface it by saying that I wasn't saying that just to get a rise out of people. Its sometimes difficult to make ourselves understood in this way as we lose so much when not talking face to face.

[jason]

Yes, I figured namaste was the best way to declare that.

No, I don't go in for the caste systems or anything of that nature. I think it's just people creating a reason to be nasty to each other.

I think the sport came first and the faith came later. Don't really know so don't quote me on that.

no thaiboxing was part of the whole martial art and army that kept the chinese out of that land.

lol., why did bodisafa come to mind?

[MamaElephant]

I don't think you will offend anyone simply by declaring your beliefs. Asserting things, such as "we are imperfect beings and as such we can ever truly know the mind of god"

Well, the Bible says this more than once. Besides, I believed in the wrong god for most of my life and tried to convert others. It wasn't those who were offended that God used to draw me.

I look forward to seeing you around, Deepskies.