A Buddhist
And An Atheist
Robert Webster
From: "Robert Webster (Volt Computer)"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Positive_Atheism_Letters_Section
Date: Friday, March 10, 2000 8:49 AM
I read your FAQ on religion, and was thinking about the definition of Pantheism. I've come to the conclusion that Buddhism was included in this category by people who couldn't handle a religion without some kind of god. While there are some forms of Buddhism where the Buddha is considered almost like a god, most forms that I'm familiar with (including my own) fit your definition of Atheism. Although they can get esoteric and mystical, there is no god belief and, for the most popular forms, no essential separation between the Buddha and ordinary mortals, as anyone can become a Buddha.
Sometimes gods are mentioned, but only as supporters and followers of the enlightened human being, so I don't think that counts as polytheism. It is the human that is the "deity", if you will, and prayer in Buddhism has nothing to with asking a god to bend the rules the universe operates under in order to do you a favor. It's about improving your life and gaining your own understanding about how the world works. Personally, I consider myself a Buddhist and an Atheist, and gain as much wisdom and understanding from observation and science as prayer and religious study.
Thanks,
Robert Webster (Volt Computer)
"Anything worth taking seriously is worth making fun of"
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