Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxi.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!ihuxi!walsh From: walsh@ihuxi.UUCP (B. Walsh) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Arguments re: existence vs. non-existence, etc. Message-ID: <831@ihuxi.UUCP> Date: Wed, 21-Mar-84 15:55:45 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxi.831 Posted: Wed Mar 21 15:55:45 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 22-Mar-84 01:56:29 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 28 All this hoopla about "Prove God's existence" and "Prove God's non-existence" brought to my mind some passages from ""The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha": Why was Buddha so confident that concern with metaphysical theories is unprofitable and does not tend toward spiritual edification? ... In the first place, no particular theory on such matters can be clearly established, as against alternative views. All alike are spun from sense data whose perception, in the case of each metaphysician, inevitably reflects his variable passions and egoistic demands. Thus, in the second place, the assertion of any such theory naturally provokes the assertion of counter- theories by others; this process generates heated and conten- tious argument, with its accompanying unresolved hostilities and mutual recriminations. It does not promote the humble self-searching and unity of understanding that are essential if the true spiritual goal is to be reached. Any supposed truth that cannot be spoken in love and inward peace is not truth. Buddha had sense enough not to get involved in such questions as "What is the meaning of life?" because they detracted the asker from the path to "Enlightenment." B. Walsh