How and why I left christianity (evangelicalism to be exact...)

[The Guro]

...Dudeism is the outward expression of how we interact with the world and the dudes we encounter. The inner way we ruminate and allow things to affect our lives and attidude... abiding...

I think the thing that really separates Dudeism from other religions, especially the so-called Western religions, is motivation.  In my experience Christians (in all of their manifest forms) do what they do (when they're behaving themselves, that is) because they're either trying to win that Golden Ticket into Heaven, or because they're afraid of spending eternity burning in the fiery pits of Hell.  They're not as concerned with this life as they are with what will happen to them after this life.  Conversely, most Dudeists either don't know if there will be an afterlife, or believe there won't be one, so we're motivated to make this life the best it can be simply because it's what we know.

Well here is what this manifested form believes... I have my ticket, do not need to win anything, and have no fear of the afterlife. With all that baggage out of the way (and hopefully no one is offended by that declaration)... it gives me total freedom to take it easy and truly abide:)

I am supposed to make this life the best it can be because it's what I know to be the right thing to do. Wait for it... Dudely Biblical quotes coming

Ephesians 2:9b Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Matthew 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

So I would say that they are not abiding in their point of reference... Trust me... if those kinda "Christians" come in here... they won't be crying the Atheist/Agnostics/Anti-Christians are being mean... Because I will be on that paraquat behavior just as quick... and from their own point of reference. And who knows... Maybe they might have a change of heart and figure out that they too can take it easy.

[Brother D]

I dig your style, man, I know the mere sight of the word Christianity sends dudes into an "aw shit, here we go again" mode. The beef is with organised religion, the bigotry, hypocrisy and the outdated practices within those beliefs.

People are drawn to it like a moth to a flame, they want to feel safe in the knowledge that there's something waiting for them if they're good.

Dudeism provides a vehicle to live a good life, without the promise of judgement post death or some amazing afterlife. Everything comes from and returns to Tao, or the source/force.

The thing with that is, it means we judge our own actions eg not being a dick, doing no harm etc, so have no reason to excuse our deeds as the work of Satan, or gods will.

Salvation is found within, IMO, there's no point waiting for it, if you want to be righteous, be a dude to your fellow humans, regardless of color, creed or whatever.

[RandoRock]

That's one of my favorite things about Dudeism and a big part of the reason that I was drawn to it in the first place, There is no cosmic reward system, no carrot, no stick, it's all just Dudes being cool to one another for the simple fact that it's the Dude thing to do. It feels more honest because there is nothing to earn or fear.

[Liam_123]

That's one of my favorite things about Dudeism and a big part of the reason that I was drawn to it in the first place, There is no cosmic reward system, no carrot, no stick, it's all just Dudes being cool to one another for the simple fact that it's the Dude thing to do. It feels more honest because there is nothing to earn or fear.

That is so true.

I can't wait for my next beer

[Hominid]

I dig your style, man, I know the mere sight of the word Christianity sends dudes into an "aw shit, here we go again" mode. The beef is with organised religion, the bigotry, hypocrisy and the outdated practices within those beliefs.

People are drawn to it like a moth to a flame, they want to feel safe in the knowledge that there's something waiting for them if they're good.

Dudeism provides a vehicle to live a good life, without the promise of judgement post death or some amazing afterlife. Everything comes from and returns to Tao, or the source/force.

The thing with that is, it means we judge our own actions eg not being a dick, doing no harm etc, so have no reason to excuse our deeds as the work of Satan, or gods will.

Salvation is found within, IMO, there's no point waiting for it, if you want to be righteous, be a dude to your fellow humans, regardless of color, creed or whatever.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I like the whole Zen/Tao thing for its emphasis on personal responsibility.  Old school Abrahamic religions are for lazy thinkers.  ChristianDude is not that, though I'm still waiting to see if christianity is his first choice over Dudeism. ;-)

[The Guro]

...I come from a varied background to include the martial arts... in fact... the most Dudetastic martial arts ever IMHO... Jeet Kune Do (JKD). It also came from a variety of influences (26 originally) and is plagued by dissenters over what is original... and this person spends too much time in this aspect... that person added number 27 a screwed it all up... All the while people missing the point that JKD is a personal expression of an individuals path that is merely guided by principles that vary in application for each individual... Pretty Dudeistic right!

I have made comparisons between Dudeism and Jeet Kune Do myself...in my mind, anyway.  Bruce Lee realized there was a lot of "waste" present in the various martial arts disciplines--actions that did not flow naturally, served no real purpose, and expended the disciple's energies needlessly during combat--so he kept what worked and discarded what didn't; "Casting off what is useless," as he put it.  And that's what I perceive Dudeism to be--using whatever works to make your life happier, easier, simpler, more satisfying, less stressful, and diminishing or eliminating any bullshit that prevents that from happening.

Cool! Are you a practitioner? I got my start in JKD Concepts and Inosanto Blend FMA and became a level 3 Apprentice Instructor in 1991. I have since kept up but delved more deeply into all of the other Filipino Martial Arts. I'll check around the forum for a good place of that...

[Reverend Al]

Cool! Are you a practitioner? I got my start in JKD Concepts and Inosanto Blend FMA and became a level 3 Apprentice Instructor in 1991. I have since kept up but delved more deeply into all of the other Filipino Martial Arts. I'll check around the forum for a good place of that...

No, I'm not.  I looked into it several years ago, but didn't have the spare time or the finances to pursue it then.  Then I got older and developed problems with my lower back a little over 10 years ago that limit my physical activity and cause chronic pain, so except for taking our dog for his evening walk with my wife I can't even exercise.  But I've long appreciated Mr. Lee's philosophies and wisdom.