General Poker Discussion Poker Forums

In light of derailing of other threads due to this topic, lets have ONE topic dedicated to this subject. Discuss the pros and cons of having a belief system which is based upon a religious text or other religious idea.

Lets start with the one I like, Buddhism. I live near a large Buddhist Temple and its really beautiful. they are always throwing big parties at the temple and all the local people go to sing, dance, drink and talk, generally have a good time. I dont know much about what the songs are about because I cant understand everything in the language, but its mainly about having a good heart and trying to be a good person. There doesn't seem to be any judgemental dogmas in Buddhism, and they are tolerant of non-Buddhist.

If you are a monk in Buddhism, you wake up early to do chants then you walk the streets giving blessings to locals, who then in tern give the monks food, water and other general goods for their well being. Seems pretty cool to me. I have been going home late after a night out at 7-8ish in the morning and stopped to get blessings, although I must have been clearly inebriated the monks gave me a blessing and band for good luck.

Compared to other religions I like it because it seems to be more at one with the world. accepting other people for what they are, and encouraging individuals to have tolerance and be as good as they can with other people.

However, that being said, I am more in line with discordianism than anything else. (check out the church of the subgenius and robert anton wilsons books and work for more)

I reckon the Poker gods model themselves on the Greek gods. We are just sport.

I was brought up Catholic, but would say I'm a humanist now and fairly anti-religious these days. Buddhism sounds like a hoot though.

I was brought up Catholic, but would say I'm a humanist now and fairly anti-religious these days. Buddhism sounds like a hoot though.

there a few theories that J.C. was a buddhist. They make a lot of sense.

I just realized I know surprisingly little about Buddhism. I guess it's because I perceive it as not being as threatening as the Abrahamic religions, and Islam in particular.

there a few theories that J.C. was a buddhist. They make a lot of sense.

I heard a rumor he wasn't Christian at all!

there a few theories that J.C. was a buddhist. They make a lot of sense.

The teachings on worldly things are almost identical. I have heard stories of Eastern cultures confusing Christian missionaries with Buddhist missionaries. As a Christian I use Buddhist teachings in my own life. Meditation and world views have been very useful.

There is already a Thread on this btw and it didn't go well.

There is already a Thread on this btw and it didn't go well.

When do they ever?

There is already a Thread on this btw and it didn't go well.

I guess we should try hard to make this one work better.

I just didn't like the comment that because 1/3 of the US believes in the Bible that poker looks grim on the other thread. I just want to go on record that I'm a Christian, believe in the Bible, don't judge other people for their beliefs/opinions and still play poker. To automatically assume that because I'm Christian and believe in the Bible that I am against playing poker is extremely closed minded, judgemental and quite honestly, ignorant. People need to understand that there are many different Christian religions out there and so we all shouldn't be categorized together. There's a difference between me and the guy that stands on the street corner preaching to everyone walking by telling them they're going to hell. Yes, we believe in the same God and the same book, but our interpretations are completely different, so please, refrain from saying "You're Christian/believer, so you must be against poker."

This thread will insult a lot of people.

I don't see the poker to religion connection either.

I'm a Christian, have a degree in philosophy, and have studied various religions and philosophy of religion in general. I'd be happy to talk to people in PM's or on Skype, as I'm all for thoughtful, interesting discussion.

Religion threads, though, always turn out angry/frustrated/petty, so I probably won't post my thoughts. So I guess, in before thread lock?

The people doing the most damage to this thread so far, are all the people who only want to predict its demise.