Julian Baggini Quotes
The reason Buddhism can be so naturalised is because, stripped of its supernatural elements, its core teachings can be giving a sound, secular philosophical interpretation. In other words, it becomes a religion acceptable to the contemporary, naturalistic mind only when it ceases to be a religion.
Baggini, Julian. Atheism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2003.
The major religions differ when it comes to conversion. Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and some Christian Religions do not aggressively seek converts but will accept converts who come themselves. Other Christian religions and Islam aggressively try and convert others and see it as their religious duty to do so.
Ferrer was the last public figure to be executed in Europe for heresy.
The Emperor celebrated the Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays. His ecumenical views were also very pragmatic in his vast pluralistic empire and sphere of influence which was half of the world.
This represents the period of introduction of Buddhism into Japan. It is as historically and religiously important as when Roman Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity. The Emperor was introduced to the new religion by way of Korean Buddhists. He wanted to make Buddhism the state religion, but many of his more traditional advisors were opposed. As a compromise Buddhism was allowed but not required. This was on a trial basis. There was however an outbreak of disease in the land and many claimed it was because people had abandoned the old Shinto ways. Since then many Japanese have become Buddhists and even in modern times there are some conservative traditionalists who want Shinto principles and the worship of the Emperor to be the only religion.
He works were banned and he was banished by both the North Vietnamese and the South Vietnamese during the Vietnam War where he tried to be a mediator and was present at the Paris Peace Talks. As late as 2007 he was still not allowed into Vietnam.
The original was in German. Spinoza was a Dutch Philosopher who originated this abstract notion of a universal God. This was one of the reasons fro his excommunication. Spinoza’s ideas were considered so radical and dangerous that he was the only man in history who was excommunicated by the Catholics, the Jews and the Muslims.
Julian Baggini (born 1968) is a British philosopher, journalist and the author of over 20 books about philosophy written for a general audience. He is co-founder of The Philosophers' Magazine and has written for numerous international newspapers and magazines. In addition to writing on the subject of philosophy he has also written books on atheism, secularism and the nature of national identity. He is a patron of Humanists UK.
