This Message Board's Slant

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

What is everybody's definition of the word 'religion'? The definition varies greatly from person to person.

Mine is censored

[Netti-Netti]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

Many Buddhists say that Buddhism is not a religion. You will also find people in other Eastern traditions that share the same sentiment. That is why they are called 'Thought" not "religions.'

This is puzzling reasoning because Buddhism is not just philosophy. It is also a set of practices.

Buddhism evolved out of the Hindu religion and retains many Hindu elements. That aside, the forum heading should reflect probably recognition of Hinduism as a religion.

[The Dude]

Let's not forget about the forum labeled "Alternative". It's not "Alternative Religion" or "Alternative Spirituality" just "Alternative" as if it were not even a religion but an alternative to it.

How can anyone honestly justify that?

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Let's not forget about the forum labeled "Alternative". It's not "Alternative Religion" or "Alternative Spirituality" just "Alternative" as if it were not even a religion but an alternative to it.

How can anyone honestly justify that?

Erm...the site is not a music discussion or gender choice site. I think it pretty clear and in the years I have been coming here it has worked. If it aint broke dont fix it.

tao

[wil]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Let's not forget about the forum labeled "Alternative". It's not "Alternative Religion" or "Alternative Spirituality" just "Alternative" as if it were not even a religion but an alternative to it.

How can anyone honestly justify that?

I used to leave a note in the newsletters I wrote. It said "There are those out there who enjoy searching for and pointing out for typographical and gramatical errors. We have left them in this missive in an attempt to please everyone."

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by wil

Those of a Buddhist or Taoist or Hindu inclination that participate here don't take it as personally as you appear to.

Perhaps people look at the site but don't participate because of the set up on the front page? Perhaps people are offended but participate anyway?

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

If you put the word RELIGION in every forum heading on this board the front page would look like some junior achiever's extra credit project. I agree that "Eastern Thought" sounds western-o-centric, but I'll bet whoever laid out the titles on the front page was just trying to break things up for aesthetic reasons.

Chris

Well there's obviously more than one way to set the page up. The religions could, for instance, but listed alphabetically. No need for endless repetitions there.

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Netti-Netti

Buddhism evolved out of the Hindu religion and retains many Hindu elements. That aside, the forum heading should reflect probably recognition of Hinduism as a religion.

...and I'm still wondering how Hare Krishna is a religion, but Hinduism isn't

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Erm...the site is not a music discussion or gender choice site. I think it pretty clear and in the years I have been coming here it has worked. If it aint broke dont fix it.

tao

Perhaps it depends on what you mean by "broke." IMO it is certainly inconsistent and disrespectful. So I think it could definitely benefit from some "fixing"

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by The Dude

How can anyone honestly justify that?

I think there is regular discussion about the "placement" of Baha'i as well...

s.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

Perhaps people look at the site but don't participate because of the set up on the front page? Perhaps people are offended but participate anyway?

s.

If someone would be offended by something as insignificant as that, they probably wouldn't last long around here, anyway. Being offended by words is not really conducive to dialogue, is it?

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

If someone would be offended by something as insignificant as that, they probably wouldn't last long around here, anyway. Being offended by words is not really conducive to dialogue, is it?

Hey, I'm dialogueing () aren't I?

I just think things could be significantly improved that's all.

It was never going to say "Middle Eastern Thought" was it?

What's wrong with a little more consistency?

s.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

It was never going to say "Middle Eastern Thought" was it?

s.

No, such a contradiction would be hard to justify.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

Hey, I'm dialogueing () aren't I?

I just think things could be significantly improved that's all.

It was never going to say "Middle Eastern Thought" was it?

What's wrong with a little more consistency?

s.

Well, it really doesn't matter that much to me. (It's difficult for me to stay within the realm of one religion on a board dedicated to that religion.) However, that serves to highlight the natural consistencies acrossed religions that might otherwise be lost if the 'separate but equal' rule was consistently enforced. Enforcing too much 'consistency' leads to a loss of natural spontaneity, and therefore natural appreciation of the different faiths, imo.

[wil]

Do any of us really think Brian has a slant in this regard?

Do any of us feel this message board has an intended slant?

It appears as we've checked in the past this place is frequented mostly by US and UK and mostly by Christians...when one does the averages of those with online abilities in these countries I'd say our demographics are fairly well matched.

kudos to Brian for all he's done, and the changes he's made to improve the site.

I for one appreciate it, whilst I also appreciate my Hindu friends, and their thought.