Comment by onyango makagutu on October 23, 2012 at 4:44am

Why did it this long to realize?

Comment by a spears on October 23, 2012 at 5:32am

That's a good question. These religions have been around for as long as any of us can remember, right? I'm not sure, but the rising threat of nuclear war may have something to do with it at this stage. I am just so glad to see/hear a prominent figure like this speak out about it in such reasonable, human wellness-focused terms. But, I too wonder about the same thing as you, onyango. 

Comment by Lewal on October 24, 2012 at 2:16pm

Uh, it didn't "take him this long to realize this", realizing is kinda what he does...

Comment by kOrsan on October 24, 2012 at 2:21pm

^ Then he really sucks at it and he should be fired.

Comment by Lewal on October 24, 2012 at 2:33pm

He's done more for humanism than any other humanist alive. You have to understand, he's a Theravadan at heart but a substantial chunk of his following are devoted Mahayanans and praying, village-dwelling simple folk. He has to be mindful of them. Because compassion and mindfulness are kind of written into his job description.

Comment by a spears on October 24, 2012 at 8:36pm

I don't like this negative banter, and I won't have it in the discussion on my photos. Please comment on any and all of them, but be respectful and stop the negativity. This will help everyone feel more welcome to discuss, which is what I want. 

Here is a link to HHDL's website so anyone interested can learn more about what he does and his mission as the 14th Dalai Lama. http://www.dalailama.com/

Please take no offense as none is intended.

Comment by Unseen on October 24, 2012 at 10:14pm

Ja wohl, Herr Spears.

Comment by Unseen on October 24, 2012 at 10:15pm

Like a lot of atheists, I don't have much room in my brain for terms like "spirituality."

Comment by a spears on October 25, 2012 at 3:26am

I didn't mean to sound like a commander, but whatever needs to be done so that an open discussion can happen is what I will do where I feel I need to do it. So, at ease, I suppose is in order; lol.  That's great, I think, if one prefers not to talk in terms of spirituality if one does not think that way. That is the mark of integrity. When I hear terms like spirituality or soul, I think of them as consciousness. Largely, I try to avoid talking about that part unless I am in a 'safe place' to discuss my ideas concerning consciousness. I end up just writing about it or mulling it over in my mind. Anyway, I do think it's time to discuss the ethics portion of humanism and how realizing that ethics/laws/governing bodies at large must be completely secular for humans to be truly free on this planet. Also, is that even the goal of a governed humanity? If not, why not? And if so, then what are we waiting for?

 

Comment by Unseen on October 25, 2012 at 8:43am

Spirit is traditionally a metaphysical "substance" like "matter." A kind of stuff that can persist after death. During life, it controls the material body. This is why I reject the term "spirit." I had a philosophy prof who said, "There isn't a dime's worth of difference between spirits and souls and ghosts. So, if you believe in a soul or in spirit, you believe in ghosts."

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