I am not a Christian, and considerable drivel about my reasoning on this

Me

[West Texas Chuck]

OK, a lot of y'all will freak on this, but I am not a Christian. Not that I have any problem at all with His teachings, but I decided a long time ago I didn't want Jesus to die on that cross to expunge my sins. I'll take the hit to my own Karma. Laugh if you want, but this is what I believe: Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism.

I was raised Southern Baptist. My grandfather was a deacon in the church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. I remember unlocking the church with him before the sun came up, and going to Sunday School. Ortho Orville Oliver would probably spin in his grave to hear this but at his funeral I decided his religion was not what made sense to me. I think I was 12 at the time. I was a hippie for years, and then I was pretty much Godless for a long time, like those are different things. Then I met a girl who is what they call a "fortune baby" meaning she was born into this philosophy. Her old 75+ year old Japanese momma made her what she is, and she made me what I am, in a quasi-religious sense. It's a Japanese thing. I've been fascinated with Japanese culture since my first karate class, and before. Ni Gojuryu karate really started me down this path, several decades ago.

I don't worship Buddha, Soka Gakkai International is not about that in any way, we just believe in personal responsibility for the Karma we create for ourselves. There is no such thing as good Karma, all Karma is pretty much bad (sin?). It is a debt you create and carry. I believe in reincarnation and a lot of things that will probably make your skin crawl if you are Christian.

I have no problem with Christians. I'll stand and fight and die with you because you believe in a righteous God. Please don't hate me because I am a Buddhist.

Hate me because I am good looking ;)

[West Texas Chuck]

I'm not as evil as you might think. I hate evil, just like y'all do. And I believe in a loving Creator. I just tell the story of Him in a different way than a lot of you do. It just freaks most Christians out that I don't accept Him as my personal saviour. But I respect you for doing so. If I end up in Hell for not accepting Him, then I am screwed and I will burn down there. As a man I accept the responsibility for my decision.

We chant Daimoku, NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO. It basically means I take refuge in the beauty of the cosmic mystery of the power that is greater than a man. In my opinion there is destiny, and we all live it every day of our lives. The we die and go to our next destiny, until we reach the ultimate spiritual achievement. Because I believe in life after death I do not fear the death of my earthly body.

Flame away if you want. I only throw this out there to see who among you shares my beliefs. Plus, I'm bored and thought I would see if I could start an interesting conversation on faith.

[narses]

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[GeronL]

Tiger Woods and Steven Seagal approve of this message...

...and with sleeping around like man whores and treating women like dirt.

[TSgt]

This thread is worthless without pictures.

Love ya!

TSgt

[Dallas59]

If your willing to die defending the Constitution of the United States you can be from Mars.

[TSgt]

F-Me!

I thought your name was West Texas Chick as in female.

DISREGARD

[rabscuttle385]

I believe in reincarnation and a lot of things that will probably make your skin crawl if you are Christian.

I don't share the same beliefs, but I do respect your choice.

[TSgt]

Hey TSgt,

Don’t post to threads when you are tired or you might make yourself appear to be a homo.

Thanks TSgt for the advice!

Anytime FRiend!

[Saundra Duffy]

I don’t think you are evil and I don’t hate you.

[yetidog]

Let’s do lunch.

Richard Gere

[Liberty Valance]

Is that you Ray Wylie ...?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqMLWT_jUE
conversation with the devil

[windcliff]

This sounds like a statement out of rehab. Light up the bong.

[Secret Agent Man]

Just because I as a Christian might think your personal beliefs are wrong, doesn’t mean I hate you. If you understand Christians, we are supposed to do our best not to hate anyone.

But merely disagreeing with another, or saying “I think you are wrong”, that is not what hate is.

[autumnraine]

I don’t care that you aren’t Christian. That is and always will be between you and God. I just care if you are conservative on this site. Don’t need liberal trolls, you know?

I hope Freepers go easy on you though, LOL!

[Blogger]

First, you assume people will hate you because you are not a Christian. Christians do not have that luxury.

Second, your problem with Christianity is not that You didn’t want Christ to die for your sins. Christ died for the sins of those who will believe. You do not, so He will not force His atonement on You. If you die, you die in your own sins and you pay your own price. Your real problem with Christianity is that You want to be the god of your own destiny. Such was the lie Satan told to Adam and Eve. You reject the faith you were brought up in and embrace another because of reasons only known to yourself. But in its place you put a religion that makes you comfortable, that you chose for yourself, that has, as do all man-made religions, works as its foundation. Whether it be works through self-improvement/enlightenment or works through good deeds to attain heaven, all man-made religions make man into something he can never be. His own savior. Such is your choice though. But, since you’re bored and wanted a conversation on faith, thought I’d give you my put on the subject.

[KarinG1]

Your religious leanings are of no import to, if not everybody, most people. I am among those people. If you are looking for somebody to convince you otherwise, as I suspect, you might want to go to a church and argue with a preacher.

[MHGinTN]

You're good looking? ... Oh my, there is no reason to engage you further. Reality is what you make of it ... and there really is A Creator of this universe. It is too delicately balanced to have been an accidnet. But that is of no concern to one convinced he is 'good looking' and that is of greatest importance to him ... ;^)

[shibumi]

I have studied Buddhism, as well as other Eastern religions.

I do not hate you, nor do I hate your beliefs. I save that revulsion for the demonically inspired, such as Islam.

I have however decided on Christianity because, in contrast to Buddhism, it satisfies my need to discover ~somethingness~.

As far as accepting Christ as your personal savior, I am not freaked out by your lack of faith. I would, however suggest that you, yourself might be - someday.

[left that other site]

I don’t think you are evil.

Prince Siddartha was unhappy with his sheltered life and went out to seek the truth.

All his life he wandered, giving up his earthly possessions, seeing all as a passing illusion, and upon his death, admitted that he was still seeking truth.

Those who worship him as a god do not follow in his path, but distort his message.

Jesus said, “I AM the Truth”.

However, much has been done and said in His Name that Also distorts His message, and turns people away from him.

Don’t listen to “people”. (Not even to ME! LOL!)You have a sincere and seeking heart, and the truth will find YOU, if you are open to hearing it. I can tell from your words.

May you be Blessed.
I am serious.

[Reddy]

OK... I’ll bite..

Not Japanese, but believe that God has a plan and that plan included a Savior.

Not here to debate this, but if you truly want to discuss it I am only a freepmail away.