Pardon my ignorance, but how are the east religions considered 'atheist'? (Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc).
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>>1161861
they are atheist in the sense that they do not subscribe the any theological doctrine whatsoever.
However, depending on what kind of Buddhism we are talking about, they do believe in gods, but these gods trapped in samsara.
Again depending on the sect of Taoism, they do believe in gods.
Confucianism is more of a cultural/political ideology, but even this doctrine believes in what is called the mandate of heaven.
Atheism is defined as a belief there is no god. Those religions do not believe in a god. Therefore they are atheistic in nature
>>1161861
>Buddhism
It's a heterodox, nastika current of Hinduism that rejects the Ishvara.
>Taoism
At least originally, the Daodejing puts the Dao at the center of the cosmos without anthopomorphizing it.
Daoism is polytheistic as fuck now.
>Confucianism
Confucius goes out of his way not to speak of Heaven to his disciples.
>If you can't serve man, how can you serve Heaven?
all 3 can be considered philosophies, they're just not focused on theology and such.
>>1161861
In the sense that they're not religions per se? (well, in Confucianism and Taoism's case. But Buddhism and Shintoism definitely are).
But Confucianism does say that Gods must be honored with the proper rights.
To complicate things further in China's case: the notion of God =/= Western/Middle Eastern notions of godhood. For one thing, the Chinese word for a god in their Native Folk Beliefs is 神 (Shen:) which translates as "Expression/Extension" of a supreme, all encompassing, omnipotent spirit that unites all creation. The """"""""gods"""""" so to speak are Shen spirits in 天 (Tian, Heaven), while Shen also prevades in humanity.
So its less old man on a throne in the sky and more Star Wars Force. Though it did start with Gods n shiet during the Shang and Prehistory.
Also why Ancestor Worship is a thing in China. As Shen that have left the Human world, your dead relatives are literal "gods" over your family.
>>1161887
I don't think you really "know" Buddhism then. Because if you knew anything about the different sects of Mahāyāna or Vajrayana, you would know they do indeed believe in gods.
>>1161904
buddha's teachings never mention anything about gods since it teaches about existensialism and virtues.
>>1161915
He does in fact make mention of gods in The Dhammapada and how they are indeed subject to samsara like everything else.
I'm telling you, Buddhist believed in gods.
Certain sects don't. Some still do. Emphasis on the gods has changed over time.
It's not a cookie cut black and white thing. It's far more complex when you study Buddhism.
And the first thing you need to realize about Buddhism is it is just as fragmented with all its various sects as theology is.
>>1161861
Confucianism and Taoism aren't inherently theistic. They're not religions, they're closer akin to philosophies or social concepts. They work with religion but it isn't necessary.
Buddhism on the other hand is a religion. If you want to go by Buddha's teachings themselves, he doesn't speak about gods as far as im aware but the several sects of Buddhism do in fact worship and honor gods (many shared with Hinduism).
>>1161928
Pigeonholing religions into neat cookie cutter philosophical categories is stupid, ESPECIALLY when it comes to Eastern ones, but a better way of categorizing Buddhism would be "non-theistic". Whether or not there are gods is irrelevant, as you don't need them for enlightenment.
>>1161887
>>1161933
to certain Buddhist sects, the gods are indeed very relevant.
Always
They're not atheists you dumb fucks. Show me one Buddhist sutra that denies the existence of gods. Protip: don't botter because you can't.
>>1161861
>Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism,
# of combined God in them: zero
>>1164469
http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebdha068.htm
There's plenty of sutras sourced there as well as direct stanzas. Buddhism can really be said to be atheists or even anti-theists to a degree, depending on Buddhist patron. They could however also be said to be non-theists (the neutral/pc term today). The important figures of Buddhism all agreed that the importance of gods or their worship or their existence is not relevant or harmful to edification of a person.
>>1164738
>asked to show a SUTRA
>doesn't show one
>nevertheless links to a site with passages where the existence of gods is clearly stated
>one of them actually translates Brahma as God
Into the trash.
