Does Realistic = Depressing? (Buddhism, hell, verse, religions, Buddhism)

[Halcyon]

Would you say that it is true that the more a religion is based in reality, the more people see it as being depressing or bland?

Like if a religion lacks an afterlife and as such teaches annihilation of the self at death, is that depressing?

Does Buddhism's teachings on life being suffering and peace/happiness being found in non-attachment to worldly things seem depressing or boring?

[Willamena]

Which religions are not based in reality?

I rather thought that religions were engaged because people believe in them.

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Does Buddhism's teachings on life being suffering and peace/happiness being found in non-attachment to worldly things seem depressing or boring?

Not to me. I find discovering the meaning of these things to be fascinating.

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Which religions are not based in reality?

I rather thought that religions were engaged because people believe in them.

Well, like you could have a religion that teaches we all go on to live in a happy blissful afterlife, for which there is no evidence - or you could have a religion that says we cease to exist at death, which agrees with what we can observe.
The latter I would say is based more on reality than the former, which is more a hope. Is the latter more depressing?

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Would you say that it is true that the more a religion is based in reality, the more people see it as being depressing or bland?

Like if a religion lacks an afterlife and as such teaches annihilation of the self at death, is that depressing?

Does Buddhism's teachings on life being suffering and peace/happiness being found in non-attachment to worldly things seem depressing or boring?

Buddhism's teachings only seem depressing if you don't understand them.

Otoh, I disagree that Buddhism lacks an afterlife. It's ultimate goal is extinction of the self, but that doesn't mean there's no concept of an afterlife, complete with hells.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Well, like you could have a religion that teaches we all go on to live in a happy blissful afterlife, for which there is no evidence - or you could have a religion that says we cease to exist at death, which agrees with what we can observe.
The latter I would say is based more on reality than the former, which is more a hope. Is the latter more depressing?

Ah, so "reality" is reality as you know it, not reality as they know it.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Does Buddhism's teachings on life being suffering and peace/happiness being found in non-attachment to worldly things seem depressing or boring?

Not at all. In fact thinking about life, the universe and everything, at work has lead me to conclusions which are very Buddhist. I don't think being happy is boring

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Buddhism's teachings only seem depressing if you don't understand them.

Otoh, I disagree that Buddhism lacks an afterlife. It's ultimate goal is extinction of the self, but that doesn't mean there's no concept of an afterlife, complete with hells.

Sure, but imagine a religion that didn't have an afterlife, would you find that more depressing that one with?

Originally Posted by Willamena

Ah, so "reality" is reality as you know it, not reality as they know it.

I'd rather not go down that road for this one Willa, for the sake of this thread reality will be what can be observed and agreed upon by an objective majority.