New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

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Butrfly_Nirvana
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Butrfly_Nirvana »

Thank for your concern! Around here the most "damage" that might be done is the looks we'll get out in public, or when saying "hi" they'll snub me. But that is their choice, not mine. I think most of it will be within the walls of the church--the groups praying for me, etc.

A couple of times my replies have been simply "we just haven't found a church that suits us yet." That seems to pacify some people!
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Kokoro
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Kokoro »

Luke wrote:most of the people where I live have a really weird stereotype of Buddhists.
Indeed. Almost everyone who learns I am Buddhist 1) assumes I am worshipping the Buddha and that he is equal to Buddhists what God is to Jews, Christians and Muslims and 2) that the Buddha is the chubby Chinese monk Budai (Hotei in Japan) often seen in statue form as a decoration in many Chinese restaurants.
The funniest question I ever got was: "So you worship the fat Chinese guy who killed an evil giant elephant god to become immortal?" :rofl:

:anjali:
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Adrien
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Adrien »

Or you could state things in a more watered-down way to some people, such as stating that you are interesing in Eastern philosophy and meditation. That's what I often do, because most of the people where I live have a really weird stereotype of Buddhists.
Totally agree. However, I have to recognize that (at least in France), a certain quantity of "buddhist" just fit in those stereotypes. Please don't think I mean mahayana (which I totally respect) when I write "buddhist". I'm just talking about people who don't really know dhamma, even if they think they do. They are sincere but the can convey some false image of the buddha-dhamma. I've even read someone who wrote : "I only read "buddhisme for dummies", but I don't need more"...
The point is that we can't totally blame people who have "a really weird stereotype of Buddhists"...

It's totally crazy this bible belt thing ! I already knew that some of american christianity was a little excessive, but I didn't thought it would be that much.

There is some evangelic christians where my parents live, and I had the occasion to frequent them : they always have been really kind with me !
Please don't hesitate to correct my english if you feel to
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Butrfly_Nirvana
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Butrfly_Nirvana »

A lot of the people are kind...as long as you stay away from certain topics.

I also got those responses about "the fat laughing guy", "praying/worshiping Buddha", and once "so like with the dot on the forehead?"...I just had to laugh because they were way off from what I really am! lol I do make sure to explain it to them though so that they aren't left with the wrong impressions or ideals about it. The thing about books like "...for Dummies", etc is that while they are decent books, sometimes they combine the variations of a subject so it ends up being a very broad scan of things, which can end up confusing people more. I mean you can't really say that Buddhism is about worshiping Buddha, and then not expect people to think that included Theravada as well.

Anyways, while I like living in this town, and most of the people are the nicest you'll ever meet, you do have to tread lightly when religion comes up.
Luke
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Luke »

That's good that you and your family are not in danger. I once read a horrifying news story about two men in Texas who beat a young boy to death because he refused to believe in Jesus. Religious fanatics can get creepy when they get into that "purging Satan from a person by violence" mindset.

I used to hate Christians, but now I see some parallels between their teachings on loving-kindess and altruism and those in Buddhism. One can still love Christians without agreeing with them.

There is also something else you should be aware of, Butterfly. When you are a Buddhist, you can't kill anything--and this includes insects! Of course, if you kill one by accident, there are ways to atone for it, but preserving all forms of life is very serious in Buddhism. This often sounds crazy at first to many westerners, but abstaining from all forms of killing is a natural conclusion when one believes in both karma and rebirth.
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Butrfly_Nirvana
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Butrfly_Nirvana »

Luckily there aren't many bugs around my house! lol But when they are usually my husband or my son will take it back outside. We've always taught the kids not kill anything, and to have respect for it, even if it is a spider!

I've found that just since becoming a Buddhist my "short fuse" seems to have gotten much longer...almost could say I don't even have one! lol I used to be stressed out during the day, but now I just sort of see things as they are and think to myself "well, there it is, and in a moment, there it will go." I think I'm confusing my husband at times because he expects me to react like I used to towards stressful things...but I don't. Why waste my time, right? In a moment something else will be in its place anyways.

I'm so glad to have found this site!
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Adrien
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Adrien »

We've always taught the kids not kill anything, and to have respect for it, even if it is a spider!
Great ! I think that this simple teaching can have great consequences on a child growing personality.
Please don't hesitate to correct my english if you feel to
shjohnk
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by shjohnk »

Hi Buttrfly,

Great that you found this site! Welcome. I've neevr lived in such an overwhelmingly Christian environment but i have had quite a bit to do with evangelicals and I think the positive thing is they do seem to genuinely care about people, so their prayers for you can't hurt :smile: My main worry about them is their efforts to undermine Buddhism in countries like Lao and Sri Lanka where people are too easygoing to tell them to get lost. Anyway, you have found a great forum! metta to you and your family (and the fundies :smile: )
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Dhammarakkhito
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Dhammarakkhito »

notself wrote:I have a similar back story and also live in the Bible Belt, Arkansas.
what part of arkansas? just curious
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Ziujoeng
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Ziujoeng »

Is this helpful?
I used this site to find some things near me, and Googling them I found that they do exist, but I haven't tried any of them.

http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/province. ... ince_id=57
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Manopubbangama
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by Manopubbangama »

Butrfly_Nirvana wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2010 4:30 pm Thank you! I've been studying and learning more every day, and I feel like a different person already!

Basically, around this town if you aren't Christian they will do 1 of 2 things towards you: 1. Constantly try to convince you of their beliefs being the only way to go, or 2. Completely shun you and your family to the point that they don't even acknowledge you when you are out and about. :shrug: Seems sort of hypocritical to me... But to each their own... ?

Anyways, my personal life is just so much more fulfilling and positive, regardless of how others want to treat me!

Thank you all for the warm welcome!
Not hypocritical - consistent with Biblical view: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?s ... ersion=KJV
docwood1997
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Re: New to Buddhism...stuck in the Bible Belt

Post by docwood1997 »

Hi, and welcome!

Another Bible Belter here--raised in North Carolina, almost 40 years in Georgia.

There are lots of Buddhists here in the Atlanta Metro area, but few Theravadins, or if there are I can't find them. There are Zen practitioners, Tibetans, and non-sectarians galore. The few Theravada communities are (a) one-and-a-half-hour round-trip drives from me and (b) not English-speakers. Sigh.

I am thinking of, if I can't hook up with an existing group soon, starting one of my own. Maybe you could, too. In the meantime, this on-line community and a reading group on line serve as my sangha.

I have not had much trouble with other faiths pushing their religion on me: They are more practiced in dealing with Judaism, Islam, agnosticism, and atheism. The Buddhism kinda stops 'em cold.

May you be well, and happy.

:anjali:

Ginny
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