You say that like you were there or have some privy knowledge which Archeology doesn't. That's why Atheists hold only a 7% approval. FYI, nobody knows whether Jesus existed as a philosopher or even just a talkative carpenter. We are all children of the Universe so, in essence (that's a pun) we are all Divine. Jesus said nothing against YOU and that's why I think Dem's should draft him back into use. Demand the so-called Christians start following Jesus and not God. God was a Jewish myth.

Zen or Taoism is not religion. They are spiritual and that’s discussed up thread.

@rainmanjr spiritualism = religion = bullshit

@Mofo1953 Well, no. Spiritualism is merely a feeling associated to connection with nature. Religion is a practice involving dogma, rote, and ritual. There's a huge diff between the two and not seeing, or acknowledging, that is precisely why the vast majority tune out Atheists. Not believing in a Deity should have nothing to do with loving the fermement within us all.

@rainmanjr Don't really give a flying fuck about bullshit, spiritualism and religion are bullshit, like it or not, they are despite your trying to justify the obvious bullshit you're trying to sell but nobody is buying your bullshit or your moronic firmament that you believe must be within you without any evidence to back up your bullshit.

Mommy's been dead for 12 years so not anymore.

@rainmanjr hmm…sour milk?

@Canndue And dry.

The East and West were as divided as cultures can get. They didn’t use language the same way. You can’t compare word for word. You have to back up and look at context, and account for divergent cultural assumptions.

Of course there’s not. Tao is feminine as it gives birth to all that is. Tao te Jing states that a good ruler goes unnoticed but I am no scholar. Just a Monk who offers a plan.

Absolutely. Thank you

sounds like that diaper needs changing

@skado Baby Jeebus never existed so no change required there but Lao Tzu has a pretty good historical base to prove that he actually existed, probably shit his pants at some point in his life.

@Triphid Checked my underwear for skid marks and they were clean out of shit stains. Guess I am fresh out of bull shit for a while. lol

I've got James Bond fever, right now, and Electrons Are Forever.

@rainmanjr Don't know about the " James Bond fever" bit, but you are either coming down with something or already have it and it does seem to very beneficial to your health imo.

@Triphid I like that opinion. Thanks

None of these verses can be apprehended without interpretation. We all choose which interpretation we prefer. No one can legitimately say “my interpretation is the only one that can possibly be true.”

Possible, sensible interpretations exist which render these verses with parallel meanings. And the more familiar you become with the various traditions, the more plausible those similarities become.

@skado This.

@skado Er, wrong, the interpretations of both comments/statements are as clear as crystal, i.e. Either you elect/choose to take a belief in yourself OR you take it that you MUST believe in a God to save you from yourself.
Now @skado, is that not clear enough for you or should try to find single syllable comparable with your mental acuity words to express it in in stead?

Actually, it’s your god that doesn’t exist.

My God is myself. You are my illusion. Deal with that pronouncement.

@rainmanjr. Oh, ouch,

@skado and what God is that pray tell?

@skado, @rainmanjr and you are my illusion.

@MrDragon
The one that you’re envisioning when you tell someone it doesn’t exist.

@skado oh, I see, I usually picture the Bible God when I see a white Jesus. And to say that tao is compatible is ludicrous.

@MrDragon
And how long have you been seeing white Jesuses, Mr. Dragon?

@skado and how is that relevant.