Buddhism. Is it less bollocks?

[mistermack]

I'm often surprised that some atheists have a bit of regard for Buddhism.
I don't get it.
If you define bollocks as made-up stuff that has no evidence to support it, it seems that most of Buddhism qualifies.
I can't read it all, but does anyone know anything about it that wouldn't qualify as bollocks?

[NineBerry]

Seems quite reasonable to me:

[cronus]

The Zen sort is more popular....on account of its aesthetic minimalism. Not healthy taken too far but as a means to avoid the tag strident atheist I guess it is helpful in certain circles? I say whatever bollocks comes into my head for a easy life. Who wants to be the chopped up blogger?

[JimC]

Any religion that doesn't say that I'm going to burn in hell is an improvement...

[mistermack]

Any religion that doesn't say that I'm going to burn in hell is an improvement...

Yeh, but if that's all you want, you might as well make up your own religion.
One where you will own a gin factory in the next life.

[Brian Peacock]

I'm often surprised that some atheists have a bit of regard for Buddhism.
I don't get it.
If you define bollocks as made-up stuff that has no evidence to support it, it seems that most of Buddhism qualifies.
I can't read it all, but does anyone know anything about it that wouldn't qualify as bollocks?

There's two distinct elements to vanilla Buddhism, the mystical and the practical. The mystical is the usual nonsense about the universe knowing and caring about how you lead your life, but the practical element, basically advice on how to be more honest with oneself, more thoughtful and considered, less emotional, kinder, etc etc, is pretty benign stuff imo. Buddhism has a reputation for tolerance and peacefulness, which is good spin, but doesn't reflect that there are all the usual kinds of schism and antagonisms you get within any organised religion.

[mistermack]

I suppose that applies to all religions.
Who could argue with ''thou shalt not kill'' or ''thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's ass''.

Wise words, if a little in the obvious bracket.

I was wondering if there was anything in it that was a bit more interesting than someone's opinions on how to live. I'm happy enough with my own conclusions on that score, but if anyone wants to follow me, , ,


they can fuck off.

[Brian Peacock]

"Coveting your neighbor's goods is what keeps the economy going: Your neighbor gets a vibrator that plays "O Come All Ye Faithful," you want to get one, too. Coveting creates jobs. Leave it alone."
-- George Carlin

[JimC]

There is also a substantial difference between coveting one's neighbour's ass (donkey version) and ass (delightfully rounded version)