Why is God considered "uncool" but Buddhism is considered "cool"?

In my high school, if you tell someone you go to church twice a week every week, pray to God every night, read the Bible every morning, and follow all laws of Christianity, people will think "wow they're a religious freak, stay away from them"

BUT if you're a Buddhist who meditates, believes in reincarnation, chooses not to eat meat, practice yoga, and read Buddhist texts, most people will think "Oh that's cool"

Why is God uncool but filthy heretical Buddhism is suddenly cool now?

Same with Islam, firm Muslims are more socially acceptable than firm Christians. I think it's because of left wing leotards like Obama.

Your thoughts?

> "firm Muslims are more socially acceptable than firm Christians" <

What? Where the hell do you live, because it sure isn't that way in the US?

Maybe because Christians say things like ''filthy heretical Buddhism''

Buddhism is a religion of purity and peace. All of the monotheistic Abrahamic religions tell their followers that they will go to hell and they should kill all non-believers (which is seriously uncool). But Buddhism teaches self-control and inner peace. It says to make peace with yourself, your environment and your people (which is way cooler than going to hell or killing everyone who disagrees with you)

well guys, what we have here is a racist redneck American that says my way or nothing. its cause Christians are jerks and also cause Buddha is cute,

I don't think any religion is cool and I don't believe in any gods because they're all make-believe fairy tales!!

So, Christianity is a religion. Buddhism is a way of living. Christianity is about rules - if you don't follow them, you go to hell. Buddhism is about accepting everyone and making your life and others' better.

Because its high school, why the hell do you need people to think you are cool. You're not cool. Lil

let's put it this way. Ever heard of Buddhist extremists or a Buddhist Crusade, or Buddhists burning hundreds of thousands at the stake.

Out of all the surviving religions Christianity has the most bloody and repressive which is why people tend to be edgier around devout Christians than any other religion.

Didn't know Jesus cared about being 'cool'. Someone's just trying to blame their social failures on their religion methinks.

God must really love you.

Well, Buddists are real. Your GAWD isn't.

Maybe you should get your head out of your a$$ and realize that.

Because Christianity is so common, and Buddhism is relatively uncommon in the west. Everyones got a good grasp of Christianity, but many people don't have a good idea of what Buddhism is about, the different ways of practicing and what they entail. Someone who says they are Buddhist appears to be going against 'the norm' and is seen as cool. It just seems mysterious to a lot of people.
Also, Christianity has more rules and guidelines, whereas depending on the type of Buddhism it can be much more laid back. Vegetarianism for example is often not compulsory.

Jump on the Internet: Do a search on the horrors perpetuated by Christians and Muslims on this planet. Now try to do the same for Buddhists. See the difference?

And when it comes to my personal viewpoint, I've never had a Buddhist approach me and try to convert me. This has been Christians only.

"Why is God uncool but filthy heretical Buddhism is suddenly cool now?"

The adjectives you use here--filthy and heretical--underscore my point.

Next time you post this, you should refrain from the part where you said...

"Same with Islam, firm Muslims are more socially acceptable than firm Christians. I think it's because of left wing leotards like Obama."

Suggesting that Islam is more accepted than Christianity in the USA makes it too obvious that your trolling.

But to respond to your Buddhism point since that's actually a correct observation, I think it's because Buddhism is viewed more as a lifestyle than a religion by a lot of people. It's not a list of "Do this, Don't do that or you'll be punished." It's philosophies that a person can choose to follow or not follow without being judged, because the view is that everyone journey is unique to them. There is no single path that everyone must walk within a single lifetime.

Also, I think it's viewed as a bit rebellious, because it goes against so much of what the West says is important. Wealth, sex, appearance, etc.

the same reason you call Buddha a filthy heretic. Buddha's very core beliefs is to not have desire for that which is not forever. They seek to end the cycle of there rebirth. So at worst your expecting a Buddha that still goes after there desire, at best you have the usual monks. Christians on other hand promotes separation, that to question your beliefs is blasphemy, condemning others is acceptable since you know the only one truth. To judge others way of life and belief and to think it is wrong because god is not it. Second you also revealed your an idiot who doesn't read your bible, do not Judge another person for that is left in the hands of god, for he who is without sin throw the first stone. That's why religion should stay the hell away from politics because I want rational and fair people to run this country not run by pure emotion without reason.

By whom?

Buddhism is not a religion and it's adherents are generally peaceful and non confrontational. I have never met a Buddhist who knowingly practiced being a pain in the a$$. The same cannot be said of some Christians I know and FYI - comments like "filthy heretical Buddhist" are a strong indication of UN-coolness no matter what religious affiliation is claimed.

Open your mind dear child... Open your mind

If your perception of Buddhism is defined by your comments here, you show both ignorance and fear. Siddhartha lived ~500 years before the Jesus figure came around. He recognized the lack of need for a 'divine being' to justify and warrant the Right Path.

By the simple fact that Buddhism was established BEFORE sanity- it is impossible for it to be heresy. (you could call Mormonism and Scientology heresy, but, sorry- you're just wrong on Buddhism being filthy or heresy- you need to take a course in philosophy, debate and logic, IMHO)

The Jews created their biblical lore not for inner peace and valuation of humans and human interaction but in self-serving control:

- unification of the Jewish tribe
- self assertion of the Jews as 'the chosen people'
- absorption & denouncing other cults
- control
- fear
- redress of challenges, confusion (apocryphal books)
- rationalization for pain & suffering vs good (the demonetization of Lucifer- the 'benevolence of their god)

The Jews denounced Jesus as the messiah as they wanted a true king- a David-type, who would smash all and anoint the jews as rulers- a kingdom on earth. What they got was a passivist- AND a Socialist! jesus' message was first and foremost? Social justice. Its the truth- his entire life was spreading the word of 'respect for others', 'caring for others', etc. The jews then didn't want to hear that, just as fundiegelicals don't want to hear it now- ESPECIALLY with a black Democrat in the WH.

Face it, hon- the judeo-xian bible and all its derivatives all have led to, and argued justification for- brutality, subjegation, enslavement, atrocities, violations of human rights, genocide...

a list you probably ask?

- great flood
- death of jesus
- the Reformation (100 years of bloodshed, and people complain about the Muslim Reformation going right now?)
- the Inquisition
- Salem Witch trials
- forced conversion of Australian aborigines
- forced conversion of ~western hemisphere's peoples

The xian god admits he is one god of many; he also admits his flaws- (2nd commandment) jealousy, vanity, pride. In fact, these are the same 'values' that the xian god identified for his banishment of Lucifer! Add to that the punishment he threatens- just a little insecure? Is that the kind of god you want to worship? or fear? or respect?

Quoting Nobody, who stated the simplicity of Buddhism quiet elegantly:

"Buddhism is a religion of purity and peace.. But Buddhism teaches self-control and inner peace. It says to make peace with yourself, your environment and your people.."

One does not need the fear of a xian god to 'do the right thing'. It is within us to know and show respect for others. So many so-called xians speak of obedience and worship- of these actions to secure 'salvation'- is it just and true to show devotion as a self-serving endeavor? Would they be so contrite if some promise of eternal life, or the 'threat' of eternal Hell was not there? It seems that xians function based on quid pro quo. There is nothing holy, nor devout, in their practice based on expectation of reward for 'obedience'.

Buddhism teaches the individual to find inner peace, and hopefully, eventually, enlightenment- within. It is indeed a humble philosophy- focused specifically on our actions here on earth, with our reward? A good life.

And truly- what is more rewarding than that? To breathe our last breath, knowing we cared for others, gave all we could, respected all- both big & small, saw the beauty in the simplest of things.

Perhaps, just perhaps, you are realizing what you already know- there are better ways to deal with yourself as a human.

You lash out at the end with your last sentence- a sad testament to your xian values, it appears. That you seek assistance here shows your concern- for yourself, the void you know exists with the shallowness of your xian ubringing; your effort to embrace neoCON rhetoric is akin to the Germans who saw that Hitler was evil, but babbled 'heil...' as a weak self-validation of ideals known to be wrong and immoral.

jesus taught of Social Justice and respect for others- regardless of their origin, color & sex. Would you call him a left wing... as well?

Find the true path, hon. your god is, indeed uncool.

It is most likely because Christians are so annoying, and Buddhists are less annoying at your school. It is usually the pain in the neck annoyance factor that makes Christians unwelcome, and not the nature of their imaginary fairy friend.

Buddhists don't believe in rebirth, not reincarnation.

And not all Buddhists believe in rebirth.

I think it is because few people realize that the same God that gave us Christianity also gave us Buddhism. They both have become much more myth than truth, it is just one set of myths has become more acceptable than the other in some circles.