strawdog65

Hello Everyone! What do we as Taoists do when we are faced with .... "The double standard of religious acceptance". Have you ever noticed how it is not only acceptable, but taken for granted that it is alright to talk about religion in the work place if the religion is Jesus/ god oriented? And that all other belief is treated as taboo? I am not actually offended by this, but it has affected me in the way that I feel like I'm part of some "fringe" group that is not only outside of normal society, and not really tolerated as well. An example of a situation at work, to illustrate what I mean: Bob comes into the breakroom and starts talking about how people should remember to keep the "christ" in christmas. Around the table all heads nod except for mine. When asked why, I respond that I don't believe in christ and that christmas in a stolen pagen holiday anyway, as is the christmas tree. When asked what I believe, I say Taoism. To which the response is "there's a religion surrounding chairman Mao"? The point being, it is not only acceptable to believe in christ, but it is to a large extent a given that you do. Which is why people talk about Jesus never thinking that maybe you don't believe what they do. And of course the moment you say otherwise you are an outcast, "crazy", "looney", person who is going to hell because of your non-belief. So to me, I am openly who I am, but am scoffed at for what I believe, even though to me it is incredibly apparent and obvious in everything in this world. It's almost a kind of discrimination, because you don't believe in jesus. And the response to what I would have to say about the world in the context of what my beliefs are, is not acceptable. There must be an ultimate creator / god, and you must see the need for there to be a heaven and a hell, otherwise how would the sinners be punished for their dastardly deeds commited against the holy father in the sky? There must be these things, the world view of the believers demands it, so it must be true! How dare I believe something that removes sin, and punishment in the fires of purgatory! How dare I believe that we all have the inherent capability of doing good, that there is no actual evil other than the judgment that exists in the mind of man, how dare I! I must be an insane lunatic not to believe in god!!!! In our society you must believe in God, otherwise you are an immoral person with no redeeming qualities. And believing in "General Mao's religion" I must be a communist as well! I know that 99 percent of this stems from outright ignorance, and intolerance. But it is a real issue. I do not have a problem tolerating people of other beliefs, their actions are much more important than their beliefs. As long as they act in a way that is somehow beneficial and of service to the world, it's all good. So how do we as Taoists interact within a social environment that is inherently not accepting of any belief system that is other than the monotheistic religions that compromise the majority of the people we meet? Are we as believers of Tao, are we immoral? Do we not have a sense of right and wrong? How do we as Taoists explain what we believe? And not sound like a nut? Merry Pagan Holiday!! Peace!

Is Tao and the Force from star wars the same thing? http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Taoism/The-Tao-Of-Star-Wars.aspx http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2002/05/The-Force-Is-With-Everyone.aspx http://www.scifidimensions.com/Jun01/forcetaobutterfly.htm http://en.allexperts.com/q/Star-Wars-Phantom-1243/force.htm http://chippit.tripod.com/tao_of_star_wars.html

Looking at the screen, Days pass, days of sun and moon, Shamanic father.

Hi Komako! Thank you for such a direct logical response. I agree, thats a great way to handle the situation! Thank you. Peace!

Building legacies, Green sprouts of tomorrow's youth. Lilies of the field.

Hi 3bob! Could you please break it down for me to understand better. I'm not good at understanding things that are written in such a cryptic fashion. What I got from what you wrote, is, that if you put your whole being into a belief, then that belief is beyond question to any outside observer. Is this what you mean? I am interested in understanding what the viewpoint you are talking about, is. peace!

Another version..... From: Tao Te Ching: on the art of harmony Translation by: Chad hansen 13. Favour is as disgraceful as a warning. Value your calamities as part of your being. Why say "favour is as disgraceful as a warning"? Bestowing favour is treating you as lower. Receiving favour is like a warning. Losing it is like a warning. This is why I say "favour is as disgraceful as a warning". Why say "value your calamities as part of your being"? What makes it possible for me to have calamities Is treating myself as having a being; Further, if I had no being, What trouble could I have? Hence in valuing: treat your being as the social world. The social world may be delivered to one like that. In caring: treat your being as the social world. The social world can be entrusted to one like that.

Hi MH! I agree that this type of mindset is the key to living a happier fuller, more content life. Without the imposition of thinking on the past or future, we are left to enjoy the sublime NOWness of what is happening as it happens. When being fully in the now, there is nothing in your mind but what is before you. It's insanely simple. What's hard is keeping our desires from taking control and telling us what should be, or that something is not enough. If we are able to be in the now, without judging, nor desiring , then we are finally fully present. At that point it's all good because, there is nothing else. Time sort of comes to a standstill, because there is only this Now. Time is a measurement for the accounting of things as they pass. Time is the progression of infinite Now's. Time is a concept created by man to control what is beyond control. It is a concept that is only used by man. Nature knows only Now. And needs nothing else. Peace!

Dispense with the sand? Unusual condiment For usual Mind.

How do you like yours? Chocolate sprinkles on top, And a waffle cone.

I had to fall down, To really meet my true self. One with everything.

What a way to go! Grab a plate, gobble, gobble Sweet potato pie.

Hi surfingbudda! It is debatable whether there even was an actual jesus. And the same could be said for many other historical figures. But even so, I do believe that if they were all in a room together, they would find much in common, and welcome each others ideas. The problem of even the best intentioned belief system is the corruption that is used as a means of controlling people, power, and wealth. Anytime there is something to be gained in the physical world, the possibility of corruption exists. It's what happens when material wealth becomes the focus of religion. I don't see too many "shabby" churches being built. look inside of those churches and feast your eyes on the myriad of things begat only from wealth. Hows that golden chalice in your house? Do you own a house that sits unoccupied 75% of the time? A large house that could be used daily to help feed and shelter the homeless people in that community. Of course it's better to not use what you have without a paying audience I guess. Churches can help in ways they DO NOT. The words spoken in masses are just printed words on a page. The are not put to use by the church itself. Are you able to not pay taxes and accumulate wealth while asking for a percentage of peoples pay every week in tithings? I don't see to many TV evangelists dressed in shabby clothing. When those who represent a belief system are fixated on material wealth themselves, what else will people get from their message? Better to have no religion, than one that is blind to it's own hypocrisy. Peace!

The most contentious. Thin-shelled, prickly pear cactus, Only those most Vain.

Hey 3bob, Not sure what to make of those quotes. Are they from the bible? What is it you are trying to say? Peace!

Brains can't save eggheads. Thin- shelled, Prickly pear cactus, Yolky green goodness.

Aaron, thanks for such a welcome addition to this train of thought. I understand what you are saying, your words are sublime in the fact that they do not "push" and yet the message is very clear. What's naturally innate and happens when we do not place ourselves first is extraordinary. I like and agree that when we just do what needs to be done without filtering the actions by our own desire for a certain thing to occur, thats when the real magical experience begins. It's because of things like you have said, that I am firmly rooted in using this belief we maintain to have, called Taoism, in the real everyday world. We have real ability to change our lives by our actions when we meld our mind with the awareness of everything and person is an extension of ourselves. I am having to be mindful of how I treat people. I know when I am acting in a way that is not of any service to myself or others, it is the change that takes place within me when I use this awareness, that will become the innate actions of my future self. Thanks again Aaron, I value what you have to share. Peace!

Glints swallowed by suns, Interstellar stardust, one Universal mind.

Sweeney, very nice again. I hope you are compiling these. They are great! Peace!

Lets smoke that virtual joint right now. I enjoy your thought process as well. Peace!

Lets agree then that it is the controlling religion of that particular age that usually becomes corrupted to the point of committing the historical precedent of atrocities. Matters not if it's christian, muslim, Nazi, or any other belief system. Ultimate power, even in the hands of the self proclaimed righteous, still ultimately corrupts. Peace!

Bats whisper night songs, Treetops swaying in the breeze, Elemental Me.

now you're a rock star. liven' life in the bright lights of a brand new day.

by letting them be, Smoke 2 joints in the morning, We are all sublime.