Taoists and Politics (moral, reject, beliefs, homosexuals, pagan)

[GeneCosta]

Hey, friends.

I was wondering what you thought of this. At another forum, where the user-base is largely conservative (extreme), there are a few individuals who believe in executing homosexuals.

In one thread I voiced my distaste. One (Pagan) user responded:

And you call yourself a Taoist? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you need both yin AND yang? You stick to your yin, and oppose the other people's yang. Balance, friend. Balance.

In which I replied:

You're confusing what I mean by opposing peoples' political beliefs. Read this article and compare the struggle between Taoist and Confucianists, as well as some other friendly information: http://www.toxicpop.co.uk/library/taoism.htm

I don't oppose anyones' person lifestyle. Hate homosexuals until there's not a drop of pink left in your body. There's a lot of times when people here will cause me to be flabbergasted by their opinion, but I'd never hope to change who people truly are.

I do oppose those individuals who are trying to limit my rights (and other peoples' rights) with their own system of morality. In this case, calling for the death of innocent people.

What is your opinion about the matter? Are politics a distraction from what's important?

[PureX]

One can be a taoist and still speak his/her mind. One can be a taoist and still defend the innocent and the oppressed. One can be a taoist and still deny a thief. These actions are just part of the "Tao of man".

A good traveler has no fixed plans
and is not intent upon arriving.
A good artist lets his intuition
lead him wherever it wants.
A good scientist has freed himself of concepts
and keeps his mind open to what is.

Thus the Master is available to all people
and doesn't reject anyone.
He is ready to use all situations
and doesn't waste anything.
This is called embodying the light.

What is a good man but a bad man's teacher?
What is a bad man but a good man's job?
If you don't understand this, you will get lost,
however intelligent you are.
It is the great secret.

- from the Tao Te Ching

[d.]

And you call yourself a Taoist? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you need both yin AND yang? You stick to your yin, and oppose the other people's yang. Balance, friend. Balance.

taoism might be the most misunderstood religion ever.

i agree with pureX (as usual i might add)

[Sunstone]

Looked at in at least one way, politics are always a distraction from what's important. But so is going to the bathroom. Chores are a part of life.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by divine

taoism might be the most misunderstood religion ever.

i agree with pureX (as usual i might add)

Personally, I think that honor definitely belongs to Christianity.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

What is your opinion about the matter? Are politics a distraction from what's important?

Most politicians can make more money as lobbyists or speakers than they ever make from serving in Congress or the Administration. So what motivates them to seek public office? The lure of power. The authority to direct other people's lives. But the sage lays down power in all forms.

[zenzero]

Friend Gene Costa,

And you call yourself a Taoist? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you need both yin AND yang? You stick to your yin, and oppose the other people's yang. Balance, friend. Balance.

Liked the answere very much specially the use of Ying & Yang here.
What is surprising is your response. Your angst.
Please understand that each individual is here as a result of his/her karma and none can change it not even Lao Tzu or a Buddha. The change has to be from within the individual himself.
Individual on this forum should be interested in enlightenment and that is by being ordinary by being an observer a witness only and not a doer. Doing happens when the mind is involved like becoming angry or sad or happy. When when the mind is completely at rest one is enlightened.
Enlightened people are not against anyone or for anyone at most they are compassionate towards them who are still in MIND matters.
Rgds politics, the answere remains the same.
Love & rgds