Replies

Your problem is you're hanging out with Buddhists and some where born as Jews. Buddhists are OK in my book because they don't make Jihads and wars. They have a way of countering evil in this world that is passive and spiritual. And infective in many situations. They have some nice ideals but ideals that will get you killed on the West Bank.

They seem youngish and naive. 25-35 years old?

Yes, but let me make it very clear that the comments i made are in *no* way intended to disparage Buddhism --real Buddhists, that is. These folks are not 'youngish' (all are older than I am, as a matter of fact). But, you know, it is quite true that 'some people just never grow up'. Sincerely, I think their romanticizing of another religion (no matter what other one they would have chosen) has occurred because on some level they fear their identification with the religion into which they were born (much like many Christians do now) will make them 'unpopular'--or even that their own religion makes their own behaviors untenable; and, well, Buddism is so 'chic' these days in our country, ya' know ;-) But, you raise another point in my own mind... an individual who is not firm enough to stand up for who he IS, is fundamentally lacking in character. (The same can be said for many Christians, by the way.) That is (as you said) why it 'will get you killed in the West Bank' ... they've already 'killed' themselves on a spiritual level, so all that's left to go is the body. Well, that's my perception anyway. What do I know ;-)