“Gods don't like people not doing much work. People who aren't busy all the time might start to think.” ― Terry Pratchett, Small Gods Small Gods is one of the best theology books I ever read.
I am usually up when it started and watched it. My son plays and had me get him up at 8am to see the ending. With soccer and tennis, I had no desire to watch till my kids started playing.
I actually love tennis more than basketball but haven't followed it as much as I used to. My wife and I played for decades together...still love to play but now my knees say...ping pong is the way to go. I love the purity of tennis...just two people across a net with a ball and two rackets...a great match can last hours....that's an athlete. No substitutions in that game.
Religion in itself isn't good or bad. It's how its used. To those who practice religion to reach a higher plain, to gain better perspective, to be better, good for them. To those who abuse it to wield power and control, it won't end well.
I admit I know little about Tibetan monks. But Buddhist Myanmar persecuted horribly a Muslim religious minority. My cousin and his husband converted to Buddhism, which is their right, were married by Buddhist priestess during Equality Summer. But I have lost any taste for Buddhism. Admittedly, I have been an atheist since 13.
Those warlords in Myanmar are BINO...buddhists in name only. By and by all the buddhist countries I've traveled and lived in do not persecute other religious sects at all. Nothing in buddhism supports genocide or war...that's completely against the teachings of Buddha...Thailand is the only country in Asia that is pretty much completely Buddhist culturally. Myanmar is fascist to the core. Chinese atheists have a horrible record of genocide against religious minorities.
I believe in being thoughtful, being empathetic to all living beings, respecting other humans and nature, purposefully harboring positivity, creativity and other good traits. Religion is a way to control others, and allows one to engage in negative behaviors whilst giving oneself the cover of excuse. Religion is a fool's defense mechanism (offensive as well, for that matter).
The Quakers have a cool approach to religion...no church...no outreach or lobbying for expansion and most importantly...no participation in war period...they meet in each other's homes in small groups in silence to meditate about God.....actually cool example of non dogmatic religious practice.
I empathize with all. I respect other's choices, but that respect is not unimpeachable. When one's choices and actions put them in a mindset to dictate what others can and can't do, I lose that given respect. I still feel empathy and wish the lost could regain their humanity, but I cannot hold their hand. This is the same argument when people criticize the "tolerant" left for not tolerating hatred, bigotry, racism, sexism, fascism, and et seq. These behaviors are beyond tolerating, beyond respect, and beyond my personal lifelong code of morality and critical thinking. If one becomes dead to me in name, then they have really fucked up.
In my opinion, yes. But, only if rolled out compassionately. Things with potential recreational value but also with inherent danger should be legalized, regulated for safety, and people should be educated about what they can do. And a safety net of drug treatment, counseling, and etc can bolster the aforementioned education, and safety measures. Of course, none of this can be accomplished over night, and especially with the neo-con War on _______ that is so pervasive with Republicans and establishment Democrats alike. We have a system that worked ok for the times when society was far more simple, but severely falls short in every way to handle our current more advanced culture and society. Our system is broken. Either we fix it through creative force, or it gets fixed without our input by destructive forces. This is where the right wing is taking us: fear, anger, mistrust, corruption, vile speech against those with differing thought, restrictions on personal health and body choices, less power in voting, and on and on. There are 2 forces at work here: creativity and destruction. I know which side I choose. Even if that side fails, it is still the correct choice, every single time.
