DaoJones
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ThanksIf you're not an atheist then what?
Back to the topic: There were parts of Everything is Illuminated, by Jonathan Safran Foer, that I found pretty difficult to read.
A theist/zen buddhist
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A theist/zen buddhist
Christheblogger
New Member
Interesting. I wish I knew enough to have a conversation about it. Instead I think I'll just ask: What does being a theist/zen buddhist entail?
DaoJones
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I don't think there's any harm in getting off track a little bit in a thread but you seem to want to continue a religious debate. This is not the place. If you want to argue go to Inspiration, Spirituality, Faith, Religion.- Beliefnet.com, they have a whole section where this debate can go on forever. Let's please get back to discussing books.
This was intended for the offended christian.
Edited to include the last remark.
This was intended for the offended christian.
Edited to include the last remark.
The Butcher
New Member
The first was alright.Black Ice is a little bit better,but not by much.
I heard The Concrete Blond was the best.
You won't believe how hard it was to find the first two books.My library had all the books except the first two,which really made me go on a searching frenzy.So far,it's turned out it was worth it.
DaoJones
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Nothing complicated really, a zen buddhist who thinks there is an intelligent spiritual energy of which we are a part of. I don't believe in a God per se, not like religious people, because that implies an entity that rules over the universe. It seems to me this intelligence basically lets us do whatever we want. Sentient energy rather than God.
On a more personal note I prefer to be friends with atheists because they generally behave better. They have ethics and principles. Religious types are just self-righteous.
DaoJones
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I didn't know that, I was lucky enough to buy them when they first hit paperback so it was no problem. I agree about Cocrete Blond, that one also stands out. One of the top 3 for sure. Though I like all the Bosch books, have read some of the others Connolly's written but they don't have the same zing to them. Maybe it's just I like the Bosch character that much.
Christheblogger
New Member
Thanks for the info. There are vast gaps in my knowledge when it comes to Eastern philosophy and religion. I should probably remedy this through reading. I guess I'm on the right forum.
As for the thing about befriending atheists, I sort of do that too, but only by default. I'm at a university that is somewhere outside of the USA (Australia) so just about everyone I meet is an atheist.
I think it's time to start discussing books again. </religion>
The Butcher
New Member
I tried reading The Lincoln Lawyer(Mickey Haller series),it was good but complicated so I stopped reading it,for now anyway. I tried The Poet(Jack McEvoy Series) also,I hated it,but the story was horrible.
Connelly,makes very great characters,none are a pain IMO.Oh,and do you want to hear something about Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch?Though,I'm sure you already know.
chiangmaifalcon
New Member
Despite being Christian, I have lived in Thailand several years and was ordained as a Buddhist monk in a ceremony called bua phra. My wife is Buddhist from Cambodia. It is not neccessary to believe in Buddhism to be ordained. It is only required to live at monastery and practice the precepts of Buddhism known as the eight-fold path, and basically live by the monastic rules, which I did for 3 months. This form of Buddhism is known as theravada Buddhism. Being Buddhist is more than just saying "I am a Buddhist." Buddhism actually is very tolerant of other religions, and it is strictly looked down upon to criticize or ridicule other beliefs. Buddhism and Christianity are actually very compatible, and numerous books have been written about this. As far as atheists behaving better, this is just plain false. Atheists claim religious people are self-righteous, whereas religious people claim atheists have no morals. Basically these are just stereotypes. There are immoral people who preach religion, and atheists who behave in a moral fashion. These generalities are very simplistic. I am surprised that someone who is enlightened would make these statements.
DaoJones
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They're secret lovers? :lol:
Ell
Well-Known Member
I agree with the earlier discussion in this thread that sad and depressing are not the same.
For me:
Sad = Flowers for Algernon
Depressing = Johnny Got His Gun
I didn't think A Fine Balance, overall, was a sad or depressing book, though it had moments that were both sad and depressing. It's been awhile since I read it, but in my mind I remember it as a well-written story about the reality in these people's lives and ultimately showed their resilience despite their circumstances.
For me:
Sad = Flowers for Algernon
Depressing = Johnny Got His Gun
I didn't think A Fine Balance, overall, was a sad or depressing book, though it had moments that were both sad and depressing. It's been awhile since I read it, but in my mind I remember it as a well-written story about the reality in these people's lives and ultimately showed their resilience despite their circumstances.
Tai_Mai_Shu
New Member
Cormac McCarthy's The Road was very depressing for me.
Oscar_Jade
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I'd recommend The Summer of Katya, by Trevanian...a mystery with a nice tragedy at its core.
dude
Member
Who wrote these?
A Fine Balance is a great tearjerker, but it doesn't leave you depressed, at least not for me.
Mine is Kite Runner... with all the people he could have connected with, but didn't. He was basically a very lonely protagonist even with all the people around him. Now that is sad.