The Vent and Rant Thread

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

The "Add/Read a good joke to lighten your day", maybe. But it was true.

Nope. "The Vent and Rant Thread". Was I the only one that these people used to irritate?

Actually, they are still around in my neighborhood -- saw them yesterday. But these days it's a couple of carloads of quite elderly people, dressed in their best, wandering around from door to door in groups of two or three. They are braver than I am, knocking on strange doors in my somewhat iffy neighborhood. I don't tend to answer the door, but if I run into them when I'm out walking I don't have a problem exchanging pleasantries with them. This particular group seems to be a pleasant, and non-pushy, one.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

The "Add/Read a good joke to lighten your day", maybe. But it was true.

Nope. "The Vent and Rant Thread". Was I the only one that these people used to irritate?

Absolutely not....and not in the past either (thanks Betty, just now saw your post above this one)....in fact there is a contentious thread at play at the moment in the Religion and Politics area:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...84#post1224284

[SameOldStory]

Not a problem.

I once had some annoying people repeatedly trying to sell me something.

I turned the table on them by stating that I was not a person that would find their product interesting.

Satisfied?

[nohmi2]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

Not a problem.

I once had some annoying people repeatedly trying to sell me something.

I turned the table on them by stating that I was not a person that would find their product interesting.

Satisfied?

Surely one of the sweetest sounds in the world.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Actually, they are still around in my neighborhood -- saw them yesterday. But these days it's a couple of carloads of quite elderly people, dressed in their best, wandering around from door to door in groups of two or three. They are braver than I am, knocking on strange doors in my somewhat iffy neighborhood. I don't tend to answer the door, but if I run into them when I'm out walking I don't have a problem exchanging pleasantries with them. This particular group seems to be a pleasant, and non-pushy, one.

We get them here at least once a month or so. But I usually am the one to answer the doorbell, and put on my 'Oh, sorry but I don't speak Japanese' face. They smile, excuse themselves, and move on to the next door. Not at all pushy. Of much more force are the 'Sokka Gakai' folks, a new sect of Buddhism that is gaining force around the world. They don't take no for an answer!

Stitchawl

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

.... Of much more force are the 'Sokka Gakai' folks, a new sect of Buddhism that is gaining force around the world. They don't take no for an answer!

Stitchawl

Hmmm, pushy Buddhists? That doesn't computer....will have to check it out...

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Hmmm, pushy Buddhists? That doesn't computer....will have to check it out...

Isn't that the nature of religions? Espouse one idea but live another? The only group I know of that doesn't do that are the Baha'i. Absolutely non-proselytizing.


Stitchawl

[kennyc]

It's my belief that Buddhists are pretty non-pushy when it comes to their beliefs. I took a quick look at the wikipedia page on those guys you mentioned....they do seem to be an offshoot (there are hundreds if not millions!) but I didn't see any mention of "spreading the word."

[desertblues]

Buddism is a way of live.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kennyc

It's my belief that Buddhists are pretty non-pushy when it comes to their beliefs.

That is generally true.

I took a quick look at the wikipedia page on those guys you mentioned....they do seem to be an offshoot (there are hundreds if not millions!) but I didn't see any mention of "spreading the word."

Not sure here if you mean that there are millions of Buddhist offshoots - there certainly are a lot!, or if you mean there are millions of members of Sokka Gakkai, which there certainly are also! The hard-line Nichiren Buddhists, from which Sokka sprang, have been involved in huge law suites with SG, and both sides working hard to implicate the opposing leaders in all sorts of scandals. NOT what one would think of when one thinks 'Buddhist.' Of course, Shaolin Kung-fu arose from the Buddhist temples in China, and used to have 'gang fights' with other sect's temples to see which Buddhism was better...

The SG folk believe that if you say 'Namu Amida Butsu' three times, you have converted to their faith and they will publish that fact internationally. They come to the door and offer to 'pray' for you by saying this, encouraging you to say it along with them. As all it really means is 'Homage to Infinite Light' one might be tempted to say it just to get them to leave. However, once you do say it, you are in, and there is no getting out.

There is a very large schism in Japan about this group, and a lot of hard feelings on both sides. And as with any religion, there is plus and minus to be said for all.

Stitchawl

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

That is generally true.



Not sure here if you mean that there are millions of Buddhist offshoots - there certainly are a lot!, or if you mean there are millions of members of Sokka Gakkai, which there certainly are also! The hard-line Nichiren Buddhists, from which Sokka sprang, have been involved in huge law suites with SG, and both sides working hard to implicate the opposing leaders in all sorts of scandals. NOT what one would think of when one thinks 'Buddhist.' Of course, Shaolin Kung-fu arose from the Buddhist temples in China, and used to have 'gang fights' with other sect's temples to see which Buddhism was better...

The SG folk believe that if you say 'Namu Amida Butsu' three times, you have converted to their faith and will publish that fact internationally. They come to the door and offer to 'pray' for you by saying this, encouraging you to say it along with them. As all it really means is 'Homage to Infinite Light' one might be tempted to say it just to get them to leave. However, once you do say it, you are in, and there is no getting out.


Stitchawl

Thanks for that! I did mean offshoots from the original Buddha beliefs (not members of this particular group). And what if you say it backwards three times?

Hey did you pass the motorcycle test?

[SameOldStory]

Are you guys going to start a religious thread?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

Are you guys going to start a religious thread?

Hmmm... I don't know.
Is 'Foot Worship' considered religious?


Stitchawl

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Thanks for that! I did mean offshoots from the original Buddha beliefs (not members of this particular group). And what if you say it backwards three times?

Hey did you pass the motorcycle test?

Yes! 97%! They gigged me three points for having only two fingers on a break lever on one turn.
I beat the national average by four attempts!!

[SneakySnake]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Hmmm... I don't know.
Is 'Foot Worship' considered religious?


Stitchawl