Yes, I am a heathen.

But do you really know what that means?

Published on December 28, 2004 By dharmagrl In Religion

According to the dictionary, I'm a heathen. I don't believe in the monotheistic God of Christianity or Judaism or Islam.

However, my 'heathenhood' does not mean that I am devoid of morality or compassion. I don't worship Satan, I don't sacrifice lambs on altars, and your children will not be magically corrupted just by being in my presence.

I'm a practicing Buddhist. I try to adhere to the four noble truths Link and the eightfold path Link .

Those precepts are pretty clear about morality and how to live your life, wouldn't you say?

So why do people feel the need to either avoid me or try and convert me?

This is an ongoing thing. People will tell me that they're going to pray for me (and my soul), pray that their god will reveal himself to me and that I will leave behind my life of ungodliness and come join the flock. They tell me that god is sad that I'm not following the path he's chosen for me, that my children deserve better than what I'm giving them.

If they don't pray for me, they avoid me. Suddenly they're not free when I call to ask them to join me for coffee. I'm not invited to outings or get togethers anymore. One lady even curtailed the amount of time her children could spend at my house playing with my kids.

Not one of them has taken the time to ask me what I believe...they hear me say "I don't have a god" and they stop listening. Most don't hear that I used to practice Christianity and that I made a choice to convert to Buddhism - and the ones that do are horrified because I've apparently commited an unforgivable sin.

Yes, I'm a heathen, and I'm a happy heathen. I'm not afraid of dying, and I'm certainly not afraid of living. I just want to be treated like a normal person, regardless of my chosen life philosophy. As I've said before, I am different, and I'm okay with that.

It makes me sad that other people are not.

Comments

new-age nomad

on Dec 28, 2004

I, as you know, am a Christian, and I don't think that there's anything better you could give your children than a grounded faith...in something. Granted, that something should include a morals, it should be for the common good, and joy should be attainable through this faith.

If you give your children that, you're already doing better than most. But, I believe it should be made clear, whether you be a Christian or otherwise, that your faith should in no way determine your childs. Freedom of choice is a religion in itself, and the only way to develop individuality is to form your own opinions about your rock...that solid form that is the catalyst for all your decisions.

Heathen's not such a bad word, either. I think it's fun. The Bible says we're all heathen's, so don't feel too insulted. Wait, maybe is should be an insult to be just like everyone else. We all know it is in the book of Trinitie. Lol

You crazy buddhist's are sure fun to read, so blog on.

Trinitie

Danny Bassette

on Dec 29, 2004

Well as one who would call themselves christian, I'll say I don't hold your heathenness against you. Much the opposite in fact, you come across as a good person, and i'm off the opinion that is important. I know enough "good christians" who are really very mean and nasty people. So your a heathen? So what, your a good person. Although magically corrupting small children could be fun too

on Dec 29, 2004

That's great to hear. Glad to see that you're happy with your choices. Those who don't accept you the way you are is not true friends.

Champas Socialist

on Dec 29, 2004

It's sad that some people think the only way to be a good person is if God reveals to them how to be a moral person. Morals are existant regardless of God, though this is one way to come to them. However, I can understand them praying for you if they think you are going to go to Hell and they care about you. Perhaps you should say you're a Buddhist rather than say you have no God. It shouldn't make a difference, but there you have it.

kingbee

on Dec 29, 2004

i am very proudly what the the inestimable lawanda page in her character of aunt esther on sanford & son would so righteously condemn as a 'fishbelly heathen'.

from one to another, i salute you dg!

as an aside i saw ms page deliver a eulogy at big mama thornton's funeral. (big mama was the first artist to record 'hound dog' and 'ball and chain'.) she had the congregation laffing and tearing up; one incredible woman speaking on behalf of another.

dharmagrl

on Dec 29, 2004

That quote scored you an insightful, Trin.

My household is religiously diverse. My son is a Christian, my daughter's a Buddhist, my youngest isn't quite sure what's what yet, and my husband is agnostic. We celebrate Chrsitmas, and we talk about themmeaning of the holiday... we celebrate the Buddha's birthday too, and Easter for us is less about Christ's death and rebirth and more about the coming of spring and the newness of life. I truly believe in freedom for them to choose what they find makes the most sense to them...and if they decide Christianity is the way to go, then I'll be ecstatically happy for them...because they will have found something that they can wholeheartedly believe in, and that's a wonderful thing.

So your a heathen? So what, your a good person.

Thanks, Danny!

Those who don't accept you the way you are is not true friends

I'd like to think that....some people really are concerned and pray for me out of that concern, but some (like those that keep their kids away from me) are just....and I don't like to say this...slightly closed minded. If they were to ask me about what I believe and how I live, they'd see that we're not as different as they think.

Morals are existant regardless of God, though this is one way to come to them.

There are many, many paths to god. No one path is any better than the other, they're just different. For instance, it's easier for me to understand the Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) than it is to understand the christian god who is three in one. I think that what it reall comes down to is what makes sense to each individual. Christianity makes no sense to me....Buddhism does.

from one to another, i salute you dg!

Thanks, KB!

I had a though as I was writing this...I believe in reincarnation and in karmic retribution. I honestly think that I'm an old soul, that I've been here (on this earth) before, and I think that may be why I'm so attracted and into Buddhism. I think that this might be my subconcious attempt to break the cycle of reincarnation and make this my last g0-around...

...then again, I might just be full of poo.

Moderateman

on Dec 29, 2004

I wish to neither condem you nor convert you... as long as you are a good person, kind, truthfull, thats enuff fer me

dharmagrl

on Dec 29, 2004

I wish to neither condem you nor convert you... as long as you are a good person, kind, truthfull, thats enuff fer me

Thank you, MM. That's all I ask of others......be kind, be truthful, and have some morals. That's all....

Dr Guy

on Dec 29, 2004

I wish to neither condem you nor convert you... as long as you are a good person, kind, truthfull, thats enuff fer me

I wanted to say the same thing, but since MM beat me to it, I can only second what he said!

Thanks for taking the words right out of my mouth!

Moderateman

on Dec 29, 2004

Reply By: Dr. GuyPosted: Wednesday, December 29, 2004I wish to neither condem you nor convert you... as long as you are a good person, kind, truthfull, thats enuff fer meI wanted to say the same thing, but since MM beat me to it, I can only second what he said!Thanks for taking the words right out of my mouth!

inserts a cookie in dr guys mouth to make up for stealing his words lmao

Dr Guy

on Dec 29, 2004

inserts a cookie in dr guys mouth to make up for stealing his words lmao

Nah, but here is an insightful! Can we give 2? Well, I just did!

stevendedalus

on Dec 30, 2004

...then again, I might just be full of poo.

No Way! Jesus brought forth the wisdom of Buddha to the western world.

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