RE: virus: Hegel's Virus (was Altruism, Empathy, Etc.)

Wright, James 7929 (Jwright@phelpsd.com)
Thu, 24 Apr 97 08:17:00 EDT

Dan wrote:
>Declaring Buddhism to be a belief system indicates clearly how poorly
you
>understand it. There is no need for belief, only understanding.
>james
>
>Exactly what a member of Heaven's Gate would say about their belief
system
>(oops...understanding system). Sorry to use a cheap debater's trick,
but
>come on!<
>
Have I any evidence that Buddhism is not in fact a cult in disguise? From
David McF., in an earlier thread called "Cults and Religions":
*********
This checklist was on the front page of my newspaper this morning
in an article about Heaven's Gate.

Differences between a cult and a religion
(attributed to the Cult Information Service Inc.)

Cult
- Deceit in recruitment
- Totalitarian society
- Destroys family unit
- Isolates membership
- Keeps non-believers out
- Intimidates critics

Religion
- No deceit in recruitment
- Allows freedom of thought
- Promotes the family unit
- Does not isolate members
- Encourages participation
- Welcomes criticism
*******
I think Buddhism passes the religion tests, although Zen is about as far
from a religion as you can get; Buddhism definitely fails the cult tests.
>
>(Note to DHR: I appreciate your humor. And I'm convinced that you're
no
>more close-minded than anyone else on this list.)<

I appreciate humor also, David R.'s and anyone else's. I do not recall a
charge of closed-mindedness, else David would not need to spend time
here.
james