Don't confuse me with the facts...

[tinuvial]

I made the mistake of discussing religion/philosophy with a co-worker today.

Her: But I thought you were a Christian?

Me: I was, but after I read Dr. Wayne Dyer's, "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" I came to understand that Christianity is a derivative religion.

Her: What do you mean by that?

Me: It means that most of the principles expressed in the Bible can be attributed to the Tao Te Ching, which was written in 600 B.C.

Her: But that means that they copied the Bible!!!

Me: No, 600 B.C. pre-dates the bible by 600-700 years, as the exact date of the Tao Te Ching is still somewhat contested, but nonetheless, occurs before the Bible.

Her: No it doesn't, they copied the Bible.

At this point, the conversation devolved into such levels of stupidity that I feel less intelligent just thinking about it. I do not wish to inflict my friends to it, the above excerpt is clear enough.

I have no problems with Christians. I spent a long time being a Christian, and even being a lay speaker in my church. However, my intellectual pursuits have led me down a path that makes me question the validity of the Christian religion from a spiritual perspective. I feel now that it was more of a political tool to calm/rile up the masses in order to carry out the ruling class' agenda.

Observe. Choose. Create. Allow.

I have chosen Taoism. But I also allow and celebrate everyone else's right to choose their own path.

Ciao for now.

Comments

[jovan-scorn.livejournal.com]

If you're will to stretch it a little pieces of the Old Testament that can be traced back to the Tanakh (450 BCE), or the Torah (up to 540 BCE).

Considering the differences in language and culture, not to mention distance, I'm more apt to beleive guys like Solon of Greece (up to 650 BCE) had more effect on Biblical writings than Taoists did.

Look at the laws of Solon and the Ten Commandments.
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/features/2000/carrier2.html
(Sorry, only one I can find right now)

[jennlyle.livejournal.com]

I recently almost de-friended an oooold friend of mine from my LJ because of something that she said which was completely natural for an evangelical type Christian, but was probably the cruelest, most tactless thing to tell me given the situation. I could see the care and good intentions of what she said, but the statement was pretty flippant and ignorant too. And OMG I was so furious at her. But I just let it lie... because there wasn't mal-intent... when it comes to expressing beliefs, she's just trying to express something meaningfully deep using someone else's jargon because its scary for her to speak from herself. And then the delivery becomes... just... crap.

Anyhow I shared because, I think a lot of people in varying degrees and in all paths come across something akin to this.

[dmedicus.livejournal.com]

Arguing with a "Christian" is like arguing with your 2 year old. I have learned that they only believe what they think the Bible says or what their pastor has told them.

It is fun, sometimes, but in the end, useless...

[delathi.livejournal.com]

I'd agree that Christianity is a derivative religion, but tracing it to the Tao De Ching is quite a stretch archaeologically (too far away, not much contact between the two). As mentioned earlier, it has stronger ties to Greek/Persian/Babylonian religions.

Also, philosophically, Christianity is much more of a slave religion than Taoism.

[sharpchick.livejournal.com]

I rarely encounter people - friends or acquaintances - who assume I am a Christian. Strangers do on occasion, but I don't have deeply philosophical conversations with them about any topic, let alone spirituality.

On the rare occasions when someone who does know me isn't content to take me literally at I believe we have different spiritual viewpoints, and let it go at that, I tell them to come back to have the deeper conversation with me after they have completed a course on comparative religions that is thorough enough to encompass religions and spiritual traditions pre-dating Christanity.

FWIW...

[nevermind-that.livejournal.com]

I have chosen [insert preference here]. But I also allow and celebrate everyone else's right to choose their own path.

If only everyone thought that way. Conversations probably wouldn't end so abruptly and intelligent discussions could be had! ;-)