Do you see other human beings as enemy?

Timothy Spurlin said:

So you don't know if your god is real?
Why do you believe in something you can't prove is real?

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I don't believe the word "real" is real. Just like the word God, "real" doesn't exist in reality but you think it's real. God doesn't exist in reality and many people think God is real. What difference does it make what word you use to represent reality. If you use the word "real" you think it is mundane. If you use the word "God" then you believe reality is divine. Both are subjective judgments. And as far as I can tell, there is no objective way to tell which of the two subjective judgments about reality is better than the other.

Notanumber said:

I respect animals more than I respect some religions.

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I respect people who respect religion more than the people who act like animals because they don't respect religion.

Regardless, it's all a matter of perspective on what is worthy of respect.

dfnj said:

I respect people who respect religion more than the people who act like animals because they don't respect religion.

Regardless, it's all a matter of perspective on what is worthy of respect.

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Some animals are predators and most of those only kill to survive. That is only natural.

Killing in support of an ideology is not natural.

Some religions do not respect animals or they would allow animals to be slaughtered humanely.

Timothy Spurlin said:

If you make a claim, you have to prove it.

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Not necessarily. Not everything can necessarily be proved objectively (for now at least). For the things that can't be proved, it is arguably fine to have a belief/conviction, particularly if that belief/conviction works for you.

And even if one has a belief/conviction that appears to contradict commonly accepted facts, it remains possible that the minority belief/conviction is the one closer to the way things really are, something that the majority might only come to see in time, once the majority's knowledge/understanding about reality has improved.

Amanaki said:

i was bullied for 12 years and no i have no hate toward them, and i have no need to get revenge

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Your replies seem odd. We are all capable of violent acts and have an array of emotions at our disposal. You remind me of someone who has put a wall up in front of their emotions in order to protect whatever it is they need protecting. The most amazing and caring people I've ever met have been people that have faced adversity, the depths of sorrow and the fire of anger, but they have accepted these aspects, not avoided them. From the books I've read of Buddha and his disciples, they suffered immeasurably and confronted it head on. People I've noticed who claim some sort of superiority or enlightenment tend to be hiding or convincing themselves this is what they are. For instance, someone who is hungry will usually ask if the other person is hungry, or someone who is scared might boast bravery.
So when you ask, "Why do people see some people as their enemy? I just dont get it." it's either because you don't understand, because you haven't lived it or because you have shielded your emotions are trying to show/convince-yourself of some kind of enlightenment.

Amanaki said:

Why do people see some people as their enemy?
I just dont get it.

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Maybe this tale of your belief will help.

Story of Devadatta

Devatta became quite arrogant and desired worldly fame, when he could not attain that ,his anger and jealousy grew .

One day he asked Lord Buddha to retire from the order and to make him the leader .
But Lord Buddha declined immediately and said that he was not worthy.

That trigered his anger, ill-will and jealousy towards Lord Buddha and he became Buddha’s enemy.

Devadatta was the brother of Yasodhara (wife of Buddha ).

Amanaki said:

Why do people see some people as their enemy?
I just dont get it.

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When they line themselves up with the nonhuman --reptile-- entities that hate and want to destroy humanity; then they become enemies of mine as well. But, I still love them because I know they don't have a clue. Besides, if they repent; then I will forgive them and embrace them as brothers or sisters.

When they prey on the weak and the innocent then they are my enemies. Because I stand with the children and the poor and the needy. I don't care; I am grown man. But, I'm a child. So if you mess with kids you mess with me. I for one am 100% sick of it.

It's just hard for some people to accept the fact that real, total evil exists and wants them dead and everything "good" dead also. They like to corrupt whatever is innocent and they rejoice in lies, lies, lies. Then we have idiots doing all they can to open up doors that should never be opened to purest vilest evil. Yes, they are enemies whether we like it or not. Because what will be unleashed will destroy the world. Even if we don't care about ourselves; we should care about our fellow children!

Who else wants to start referring to themselves as children in solidarity with them??? (Matthew 18:3, Matthew 18:6)

charlie sc said:

Your replies seem odd. We are all capable of violent acts and have an array of emotions at our disposal. You remind me of someone who has put a wall up in front of their emotions in order to protect whatever it is they need protecting. The most amazing and caring people I've ever met have been people that have faced adversity, the depths of sorrow and the fire of anger, but they have accepted these aspects, not avoided them. From the books I've read of Buddha and his disciples, they suffered immeasurably and confronted it head on. People I've noticed who claim some sort of superiority or enlightenment tend to be hiding or convincing themselves this is what they are. For instance, someone who is hungry will usually ask if the other person is hungry, or someone who is scared might boast bravery.
So when you ask, "Why do people see some people as their enemy? I just dont get it." it's either because you don't understand, because you haven't lived it or because you have shielded your emotions are trying to show/convince-yourself of some kind of enlightenment.

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When a person let go of all attachments to hate and feelings of revenge there is no feeling arising toward hate or revenge,it just dont happen anymore, What arise instead is compassion toward what people would call the worsed enemy. I undure different hardships every day, But it is ok what happens today is history tomorrow and what happen tomorrow is not yet here.
It is called accepting things as they are.
I am not enlighten that i know.

Amanaki said:

Why do people see some people as their enemy?
I just dont get it.

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Let us examine this with a metaphor of ocean and its waves. It is nature of waves to collide and get destroyed. But nothing happens to the water. One can say that it is a play of water to exist as an ocean with its waves coming and going.

We exist as waves and in this existence the basic stance "I am this body-mind and all else in this universe are opposed to me", is the natural stance.

Only, when the non dual realisation takes root, the ignorant stance can change.

Amanaki said:

When a person let go of all attachments to hate and feelings of revenge there is no feeling arising toward hate or revenge,it just dont happen anymore, What arise instead is compassion toward what people would call the worsed enemy. I undure different hardships every day, But it is ok what happens today is history tomorrow and what happen tomorrow is not yet here.
It is called accepting things as they are.
I am not enlighten that i know.

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Yes, when they let go of all attachmentments, but that doesn’t mean they forget. Have you ever been angry at someone or yourself?

Amanaki said:

When a person let go of all attachments to hate and feelings of revenge there is no feeling arising toward hate or revenge,it just dont happen anymore, What arise instead is compassion toward what people would call the worsed enemy. I undure different hardships every day, But it is ok what happens today is history tomorrow and what happen tomorrow is not yet here.
It is called accepting things as they are.
I am not enlighten that i know.

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as a martial artist.....black belt.....combative style....

I don't think of hatred or anger
that gets in the way of good technique
which happens to be really firm....and possibly harmful

and just so all readers here may understand.....

a reflex move on my part could put you in the hospital
and a SUBTLE change of direction ....on my part OR yours
could lead to a situation wherein you will need a surgeon to put it back

for real

but nothing personal

just reflex

charlie sc said:

Yes, when they let go of all attachmentments, but that doesn’t mean they forget. Have you ever been angry at someone or yourself?

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Last time i was angry is more then 3 years ago now, I do not see a reason to be angry anymore. I do not see a reason to be enemy or have enemies.
I know the cause of anger and have let go of the attachments leading to it, this is why i can keep a calm mind even when someone get mad at me.
Meditation has helped me realise the cause of anger was within me, not because what others did or said to me

Amanaki said:

Last time i was angry is more then 3 years ago now, I do not see a reason to be angry anymore. I do not see a reason to be enemy or have enemies.
I know the cause of anger and have let go of the attachments leading to it, this is why i can keep a calm mind even when someone get mad at me.
Meditation has helped me realise the cause of anger was within me, not because what others did or said to me

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Ok, so you're not angry anymore and you've found inner peace. However, you can answer your own question from the OP. A potential enemy is someone you are angry at and you have experienced being angry.

You may not be angry now, even though I'm highly dubious about it, but I'm sure you can remember what that was like even in the vaguest sense.

charlie sc said:

Ok, so you're not angry anymore and you've found inner peace. However, you can answer your own question from the OP. A potential enemy is someone you are angry at and you have experienced being angry.

You may not be angry now, even though I'm highly dubious about it, but I'm sure you can remember what that was like even in the vaguest sense.

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Yes i can still be angry if i wanted to, i have not forgotten how, but i choose not to be angry, because i see it will not help anyone

The_Fisher_King said:

Not necessarily. Not everything can necessarily be proved objectively (for now at least). For the things that can't be proved, it is arguably fine to have a belief/conviction, particularly if that belief/conviction works for you.

And even if one has a belief/conviction that appears to contradict commonly accepted facts, it remains possible that the minority belief/conviction is the one closer to the way things really are, something that the majority might only come to see in time, once the majority's knowledge/understanding about reality has improved.

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So your belief is subjective?
So your minority belief is the one true belief?

dfnj said:

I don't believe the word "real" is real. Just like the word God, "real" doesn't exist in reality but you think it's real. God doesn't exist in reality and many people think God is real. What difference does it make what word you use to represent reality. If you use the word "real" you think it is mundane. If you use the word "God" then you believe reality is divine. Both are subjective judgments. And as far as I can tell, there is no objective way to tell which of the two subjective judgments about reality is better than the other.

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You do understand what objective evidence is?

Timothy Spurlin said:

You do understand what objective evidence is?

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Of course. But there is a subjective judgment made in presupposing the only evidence that matters is objective evidence. God is a word that represents something about the Universe. I've heard many theists argue all of existence is evidence for the existence of God. But I imagine you would take the point of view this is not valid evidence. So what is valid and not valid, and what is good and not good, occurs in the realm of subjectivity.

Can you objectively tell me why your way of thinking is the "best" way of thinking?

All objectivity is determined by subjectivity.

Notanumber said:

Some animals are predators and most of those only kill to survive. That is only natural.

Killing in support of an ideology is not natural.

Some religions do not respect animals or they would allow animals to be slaughtered humanely.

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If religion did not exist at all in the World there would be just as many wars, killings, and senseless acts of violence. Haven't you ever seen two graduate students compete for funding? Of the wrath of the a jealous woman? Or people fighting for power and prestige? Blaming religion for the imperfections in men's characters is not accurate in my opinion.

dfnj said:

Of course. But there is a subjective judgment made in presupposing the only evidence that matters is objective evidence. God is a word that represents something about the Universe. I've heard many theists argue all of existence is evidence for the existence of God. But I imagine you would take the point of view this is not valid evidence. So what is valid and not valid, and what is good and not good, occurs in the realm of subjectivity.

Can you objectively tell me why your way of thinking is the "best" way of thinking?

All objectivity is determined by subjectivity.

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Objective evidence exist outside of mind. It can be tested, proving it is true or false.

Can you prove your god is real?

dfnj said:

If religion did not exist at all in the World there would be just as many wars, killings, and senseless acts of violence. Haven't you ever seen two graduate students compete for funding? Of the wrath of the a jealous woman? Or people fighting for power and prestige? Blaming religion for the imperfections in men's characters is not accurate in my opinion.

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Religion does cause people to commit acts of violence.