is there a post that you don't upset people?
 

damn I would hate to have to classify myself as a conservative or a liberal when the reality is conservative candidates have good ideas sometimes but, exist in a party that won't let them do them correctly so I end up voting for the "liberal" side just because they will do less damage. reality bites but, it's where I have to live
 

Very good read. It kicked me back on my ass a bit to sit and think . . .
 

Hi Brad,

I wholeheartedly agree. I wrote a similar blog in May of 2007 about this very topic. It was called, "THE POLITICIZATION OF BUDDHISM AND THE IRRATIONAL FEAR OF CHRISTIANITY."

In addition, I'm working on a book right now that touches on this topic.

Buddhism does not equal liberalism.

But try telling that to 75% of the Buddhists in America. The Zen temples I've attended have been incredibly liberal. There'd be nothing wrong with that (everyone is allowed his/her opinion) if they didn't also equate their philosophical/religious worldview with liberalism, as if one is the other, as if one can't be a Buddhist without also being a liberal.

Ridiculous.

Well written blog entry. I'm glad someone of your stature in the Buddhist community finally said it!

Bow,

Charama
 

Brad,

I think it's pretty clear they ALL missed your point - which was unless I missed it too, about Attachment and things involving the demons of our own making. I liked it and see exactly why it pissed people off. My question is this: does pissing people off teach them and reveal the hidden struggle they have so far ignored?

I sure like pissing off my own share of folks and for much the same reason. I push and push. because I see that once off center a person must attempt to find balance or notice that they are falling.

Kudos.
 

I read and re-read it, then read and re-read the comments--and I don't get it.

People are getting bent about words and ideas that they themselves are tucking in between the lines, then reading back to themselves and each other, then getting outraged over what was implied, then spinning the fun wheel for another shot at being outraged...

Oh wait, this is all a Zen thing, right? You sneaky bastard, you. :D
 

yikes.

suicidegirls is a pretty political site though, so i guess those responses are too be expected. guys like fearthereaper seem to stay pissed off.


i pretty much agree with your article though. before i talk politics with anyone, i always make sure to remind myself to not get offended by anything they say. always works, and even makes the exchange enjoyable.
 

"Sccreeeeeeeeeesssccch....." Opening the kneejerk opinions box and laying out the greatest douchebait that there ever was were, it would be to the core of discussing politics on the web, I'm afraid.

Fyuck 'em all, I say, there are still the steampunks
 

good read. it's nice to see other people out there feeling like i do about this election. not since the 80's have i felt so alienated from the people around me, like the whole world is buying into something i just can't sign on to. i'm finding it truly disturbing.
 

Dang, I really want to comment on the Suicide Girls article but I don't want to spend $4 a month to join the website (it's not that I'm cheap, I just already spend too much time on the internet).
But yeah, I agree with you. It reminds me of that story about the man in the village whose son broke his leg and everyone said "how horrible!" and he only said "we'll see". And then war broke out and his son didn't have to go and everyone said "how wonderful for you", and he only said "we'll see". And it went on and on about cause and effect, one good thing causing a bad thing and vice versa. It was a good story, though I can't remember the entire thing. No doubt you've heard it though:-)