Destroying fake Gods

[lewisnotmiller]

You didn't give your concise definition of idol.
You stated that, the idol was not literally the deity.

You didn't state whether the deity was presiding in the idol, or not.

Never ask this question of a panentheist...



(it's a joke, y'all...don't be taking this seriously)

 

[eldios]

The statues people create aren't their gods - they're representations of their gods. That's like accusing Christians of worshipping cruciforms or the Sistine Chapel because it depicts Yahweh.

Of course wilful ignorance of other belief systems has been the defining trait of those who follow monotheist religions pretty much from the beginning.

Willful ignorance of what the "beast" is will keep you from knowing how you were created. You can ignore this writing about the beast; What is the Beast and the Antichrist?

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Cool story, I've never heard that one before. It's just a pity you're preaching.

 

[RoaringSilence]

Hi all,

I am not a believer or non believer in religion however I respect others beliefs. My son for the last year has become a Christian. A few months ago he destroyed all of my Buddha statues as he believed they were evil. My husband and I were very upset particularly with one that was given to us by my 90 year old mother.

Today I have just found our beautiful water feature destroyed. It was a type of Buddha and the only one left that was not destroyed previously.
I am so upset. I respect my sons beliefs however am upset that he does not respect my belongings or feelings about something that I own.

I feel so disappointed that his beliefs can bring on behaviour that will destroy someone elses property.

I would love your thoughts.

Barney

well , you could tell him that if he does this to others , you would convert to hard core islam and then go to his church and destroy his cross. and will not allow any un circumcised male in house. if he doesn't care about the cross he would certainly care about circumcision ..he is 19 so that should jolt him . just so he understands that there are more dangerous options out there , and how imposing those belief would effect his sentiments like he did to yours.

 

[sayak83]

In my opinion your son should be billed for every item he destroyed. If he refuses to pay then throw him out of your house. No matter what course you decide, it sounds like he could do with counselling which your son should possibly be made to pay for (at least in part) as an added incentive to not destroy other peoples' property.

Respecting beliefs is not wise if those beliefs encourage no respect for you or yours - respect the right to believe differently, yes. But not necessarily the belief itself. Iconoclasm is a belief that deserves no respect, ever. It's inherently destructive and encourages an intolerant mindset. Frankly, I find iconoclasm to be a belief of savages and barbarians.

How is making a person homeless going to help?
I would advice to be firm and stern and force counseling so that ways of healing his tendency to violence can be found. If every 19 year old is thrown out of the house because he is being violent and friends and family refuse to come forward and help them through these times, I do not see a good outcome for the world.

 

[RoaringSilence]

How is making a person homeless going to help?
I would advice to be firm and stern and force counseling so that ways of healing his tendency to violence can be found. If every 19 year old is thrown out of the house because he is being violent and friends and family refuse to come forward and help them through these times, I do not see a good outcome for the world.

i agree , no need for extreme action just make him realize it.

 

[sayak83]

Not at all. Even Jesus was beaten and crucified, Paul was stoned then beheaded.

"The unrighteous will always hate the righteous." The righteous being Jesus, not me, and the unrighteous hate his followers as well.

No, usually it's the criminal and violent people who are being punished and ostracized or incarcerated.. . though when they or their followes write their memoirs they make themselves out to be heroes who were martyred.

 

[sayak83]

Wrong. That's your opinion based off your presuppositions about me. I am simply repeating God's word. Idols lead men astray from God and that is wrong. Period.

Bible leads men astray from the true God.. Siva.. and should be burnt. Period.

 

[RoaringSilence]

Bible leads men astray from the true God.. Siva.. and should be burnt. Period.

i din't expect a polarized hindu , why is being astray wrong when we have re-births and god= timeless , so why do you want to rush the realization to an extreme urgency? there is a reason for maya to exist , and the process is sanctified to work at a natural pace ..what kind of hinduism are you high on? the whole reason for reincarnation is that not everyone will follow the same path at a given point and that its a cyclic process to go astray , get purified go astray get more purified ...x infinity . that's how god is evolving and thus alive.

 

[sayak83]

i din't expect a polarized hindu , why is being astray wrong when we have re-births and god= timeless , so why do you want to rush the realization to an extreme urgency? there is a reason for maya to exist , and the process is sanctified to work at a natural pace ..what kind of hinduism are you high on? the whole reason for reincarnation is that not everyone will follow the same path at a given point and that its a cyclic process to go astray , get purified go astray get more purified ...x infinity . that's how god is evolving and thus alive.

I was talking tongue in cheek to show the guy how it would look if the tables were turned.

 

[RoaringSilence]

I was talking tongue in cheek to show the guy how it would look if the tables were turned.

aha . carry on, scare the **** outta him lol

 

[DavidFirth]

Bible leads men astray from the true God.. Siva.. and should be burnt. Period.

The Bible is forever. It will still be around after this age, the Earth and the universe pass away.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

The Bible is forever. It will still be around after this age, the Earth and the universe pass away.

I significantly doubt that, when it can't even stand up to the elements.

 

[sayak83]

The Bible is forever. It will still be around after this age, the Earth and the universe pass away.

No. Bible will be forgotten. It's the Vedas that are eternal. Without a beginning or an end.

 

[Jainarayan]

The Bible is forever. It will still be around after this age, the Earth and the universe pass away.

No wonder there is so much hatred and bloodshed on this planet. And those who commit those atrocities in its name are proud of it.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

To be fair, aren't the Vedas a book too?

 

[sayak83]

To be fair, aren't the Vedas a book too?

If somebody makes arbitrary statements of superiority of their faith, I consider it "open season" to make similar arbitrary claims for my own faith.

 

[Jainarayan]

If somebody makes arbitrary statements of superiority of their faith, I consider it "open season" to make similar arbitrary claims for my own faith.

Actually the Vedas are "more eternal" than the bible.

Biblical Hebrew appeared about 1000 BCE. It split off from Canaanite.
Afro-Asiatic > Semitic > Central Semitic > Northwest Semitic > Canaanite > Biblical Hebrew. Moses is alleged to have lived ca. 1391–1271 BCE

Vedic Sanskrit appeared about 2000 BCE. The Rig Veda was pretty much completed by 1100-1200 BCE, beginning about 1700 BCE.
Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Indo-Aryan > Vedic Sanskrit > Classical Sanskrit.

 

[DavidFirth]

If somebody makes arbitrary statements of superiority of their faith, I consider it "open season" to make similar arbitrary claims for my own faith.

One who can't make such a statement lacks faith.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Hi all,

I am not a believer or non believer in religion however I respect others beliefs. My son for the last year has become a Christian. A few months ago he destroyed all of my Buddha statues as he believed they were evil. My husband and I were very upset particularly with one that was given to us by my 90 year old mother.

Today I have just found our beautiful water feature destroyed. It was a type of Buddha and the only one left that was not destroyed previously.
I am so upset. I respect my sons beliefs however am upset that he does not respect my belongings or feelings about something that I own.

I feel so disappointed that his beliefs can bring on behaviour that will destroy someone elses property.

I would love your thoughts.

Barney

Well, I'd take this opportunity to illustrate impermanence, by which the Buddha statue's were summarily destroyed, by which through his own actions, supports and confirms Buddhism in the manner as it's taught and practiced. I'd secretly procure on a consistent basis, a large supply of cheap replacements for each broken statue and encourage him to continue on breaking them as it is a wonderful hands on example to which the Heart Sutra, and Buddhism is being demonstrated, and letting him know how his participation have beautifully enhanced the practices of Buddhism as well as thanking him for practicing a form of engaged Buddhism with you.