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comment by OftenBen
OftenBen  ·  3214 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Bill That Makes Performing An Abortion A Felony

    but of just being human in general.

No this is a Christian problem. It's not a uniquely Christian problem, Hare Krishna's are pretty annoying about recruiting too.

There are such things as non-missionary religions. Regardless of what a Buddhist believes, they don't actively recruit new members. Recruiting new members to the religion isn't a virtue in Buddhism. Evangelism is a Christian Virtue.





user-inactivated  ·  3214 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Proselytizing, while not a central Buddhist tenant, was something that Buddhists participated in, especially rulers of Buddhist empires such as Ashoka. It's not even a uniquely Christian concept as Muslim and Baha'is (both also having Abrahamic roots) also endeavour to spread their faith and win converts.

It's part of human nature to want others to adopt our ideas and world views, for personal reasons, for political reasons, for economic reasons. After all, Cultural Imperialism is a not modern phenomenon.

OftenBen  ·  3214 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    Proselytizing, while not a central Buddhist tenant

This is my main point. It IS a central tenet of Christianity. (And Islam, and probably Baha'i if i'ts got abrahamic roots)

user-inactivated  ·  3214 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Indeed, and I already somewhat addressed this concept in my earlier statement, even though I didn't name proselytization directly.

    The problem with a lot religions that revolve around prophets when it comes to this issue, is that more often than not there are texts that people are able to point to in order to reinforce both their arguments and their beliefs.

The thing is though, and I'm sure you'll agree, a lot of the things we believe can have a direct impact on our behavior towards each other. Even religions that don't revolve around prophets often see people behaving improperly. Even the non-religious can find themselves behaving similarly as many colorful threads in r/atheism have illustrated over the years. It's not a problem with religion, just like it's not a problem with patriotism and nationalism, or race, or sexual identity, or anything of the source. It's a problem with a lack of education, a lack of empathy and respect, and a lack of social encouragement to be better than we already are.

It's hard. It sucks. I know. That's okay though, because it's possible to change things. I'm sure steve does what he can to address these issues. I'm positive you do. I know I do. In fact, I'm confident the majority of Hubski's members in some way shape or form do what they can to make the world a better place. Progress is possible, maybe even inevitable. We just have to try and fight for it.