sinners ,rejoice

[claymore]

Why is it more fun to be a sinner than to stay on the straight and narrow?

[RATTER15]

Naomi, I think that to be a Buddhist you need to believe in "a God"?

Like you say, they actually had to sort this problem by law, their were serious health hazards to consider, they could have been closed down.

I wonder if they prayed for them to go. Do Buddhists pray?
Their chanting should have driven them away lol.

[MarkRae]

> Naomi, I think that to be a Buddhist you need to believe in "a God"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Buddhism

[RATTER15]

Incidentally, we actually have no fewer than 5 Buddha figures adorning our home in various rooms. some rather big, some rather small :-) Not because of our beliefs in Buddha but we do feel that their presence bring a calm to our home.

[RATTER15]

So if Buddha was seen as a teacher of the gods, they must believe in some gods?

I'm pretty sure I could never be a Buddhist lol, way to much studying and being good :-)

[naomi24]

No Ratter. Buddhism is an entirely different philosophy.

Statues of the Buddha bring calm to your home? That's an odd thing for an atheist to say.

[sandyRoe]

God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

[naomi24]

Ratter, Buddha was originally a wealthy prince and became a great philosopher. Google him - you'll find lots about him on the internet.

Ha ha! Nudging God in the ribs again, Sandy? ;o)

[sandyRoe]

I sense that you might be amenable to proselytisation, if only I could tweak the right button ;-)

[naomi24]

Ha ha! Always was prone to a bit of proselytisation. ;o)

[society]

Naomi, your words make my faith stray sometimes. :-)

[RATTER15]

Please Sandy, keep your fingers off my buttons!! I'm a promised man?

Colours bring calm and tranquility into a room or make it a vibrant busy room, our Buddhas do the same for us, its OK, I'm not going soft in the head.

We also have places we love to visit, we use the word "spiritual" for these places, usually because of the peace and relaxation these places afford us and allows the mind to relax to an almost meditative state. I also know there are no spirits involved at these places.

[RATTER15]

Naomi, I do know a little about Buddha not that I have studied him to any degree and he is often referred to as a god himself, people often don't realise that he was a living real person.

[woofgang]

and not the only Buddha, just the most recent!

[naomi24]

Society, they do? Well, in that case congratulations to you because it’s a free intellect that is willing to question the validity of personal belief.

Ratter, I know exactly what you mean about ‘spiritual’ places. Funnily enough I find many of the world’s major religious sites and buildings devoid of any air of spirituality whatsoever. Anyone else find that?

Woofgang, I think you’ve ventured into Hinduism there - something rather different.

[RATTER15]

The most spiritual place for me is a place very close to my home, "the Valley of Rocks" such a beautiful place to be, just a few miles from civilisation and peaceful, just the sound of waves crashing against the rocks sometimes.

[woofgang]

naomi I DO know the diff!
http://www.beyondthenet.net/buddha/b_main.asp

[naomi24]

OK Woofgang, I see what you're saying now. No offence intended.

Ratter, I like the sea too.

[woofgang]

none taken this time

[naomi24]

This time? That sounds ominous. End of conversation methinks.

[woofgang]

Just a statement of fact, pilgrim.