How do you have a low opinion of a Path because of those who have no idea of what it is?
Makes no sense.

Because for someone who is not on the Path, and is not a student of Paths in general, the only interaction you will have with it is the people who claim to be on it.

Partly for the same reason I have a lowered opinion of christianity because of the mindless right-wing sheep who use it as a justification for prejudice and discrimination. They've polluted it, and they reflect badly on those who actually are what they say they are.

Humor
 

I got this from the book, The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay. I like Granpa's outlook on religion.

You are stating that you know they have polluted it... make up your mind.

I have yet to meet any that arent the type I described, so though I know there are some out there that aren't like that, as far as my personal experience goes, I dont know a single thing about them, so my judgement is limited to those I do know.

Its just that the extreme fundies always make the news stories, and the fundie whacko - who is sure that everybody is going straight to hell except for him - is all too eager to force his views down your throat.

My uncle spent his retirement years working for Habitat for Humanity, my Grandmother who normally sold her fresh butter, milk, and eggs to make a little extra money, would often just drop off "care packages" to families who were in need - no charge. My cousin, a lawyer, does pro bono work for the disadvantaged. None of them ever talked religion much, although my Grandmother did sing hymns around the house. I wish I would have recorded them. They were beautiful old songs that had been sung from the time the first settlers came to live in the Cumberland Gap. None of these peope made or make front page headlines, and none of them try to button-hole people to bring them to some "true faith". The guy who is a true Christian may be the quiet kid sitting next to you in class, or the nice lady across the street who always waves "hello" to you. I think the Fundies are starting to drive REAL Christians under ground. Its embarassing to admit to being Christian, today. Of course, the ones who couldn't follow the true precepts of Christianity even if Christ actually DID appear right before them (for reals - not all this Fundie blather), are the most vocal and in your face. Funny thing, that.

Very good point. There was a religious band playing and I was there for the free food but I started talking to some of the guys. We talked about music and then the conversation turned to religion. He invited me to a church group and I quickly said I wasn't religious, which I do regret saying now, and he just nodded his head and said that I was always welcome.

That is a true Christian, not the bullshit pastors that damn you to hell if you don't read the bible three times a day.

Raised Unitarian if anything -- we moved after fifth grade and there wasn't anything in particular in the way of a Unitarian church in Rapid City back then, so we took to sleeping in on Sundays too -- now baptized and confirmed Episcopalian.

I like to think this helps me have a broad denominational perspective. To do Unitarianism well requires a strong intellectual effort; you must discover your faith. Anglican-Community Episcopalianism strongly encourages use of your intellect. The Episcopals say you don't have to disbelieve in dinosaurs to believe in God.

One fallout of such intellectual effort is the great heap of Episcopalian jokes. The "Ten Top Reasons to Be an Episcopalian" kind of thing is a great favorite. "Catholicism Light -- Now With One-Third Less Guilt" is another.

You can be a follower of Christ and not a Christian... the church is not needed.

That's funny. You've met me. You aren't enjoying it yet, and at the moment you're in quite a snit, but there's time.

Yeah. Religion makes a counterpoise to the centrifugal forces that tend to pull a society apart -- political divisions, generation gaps, et cetera. Religions make social glue.

Robert A. Heinlein never really saw that part of it and tended to bitch at organized religion as a means of making money through others' superstition, and he never acknowledged religion as a manifestation of the human instinct to be part of something greater than oneself. He coulda been an Episcopalian and still disbelieved in organized religion!

(The only thing wrong with the via media is all those other drivers yelling, "Hey stupid, quit taking your half out of the middle of the via!!")

You can be a follower of Christ and a Buddhist -- just one more of the Many Roads. I've heard you shouldn't try it on the professional-theologian level though, as the strain between belief systems can drive you rather buggy. But on a non-professional level, now, as a lay person...

Religion is business.

&, as always, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car."

:rolleyes:

;)