What Dudeism means to me.

[RandoRock]

Hello fellow Dudeists! I've been a Dudeist Priest for a little over a year now and I figured it was time to start getting to know my fellow Dudes. What better way to do that than blathering on about what Dudeism means to me personally!

The spiritual journey for many is often a complex and trying venture. The quest to find purpose and understanding can quite literally lead many people to the end of the Earth. This was the situation I had found myself in. Though I was raised a Christian I never really found myself a believer, I understood the teachings and I liked parts of the message but there were things that never really clicked for me. The more I sought answer the questions that were ultimately raised and towards the end of my somewhat traumatic and often trying childhood I decided to step away from my Christian roots and try to find my peace elsewhere. The events in my life had led me to question whether or not God really existed and if there was a God to what capacity did he or she influence our lives. I began looking into the other major religions of the world and I found one universal truth, the larger a religion becomes the more harm it starts to do. I realize many will disagree with that statement and argue that religion has helped many people, while that is correct it doesn?t change that fact that pretty much every major religion is also responsible for some horrible tragedy in history as well. It was then that I realized that what any theistic figure really does is just create another reason for people to be divided.  War, genocide, corruption, slavery, crazy laws, brutal traditions, and all other sorts of nonsense has all been carried out in the name of one God or another. Actually three of the main religions that fight each other worship the same God so there?s that too. After realizing this I decided that either God doesn?t exist or God doesn?t have any say over what happens in the world. I renounced all faith and decided that I will just take comfort in the tangible and leave the spiritual for the rest of the world. Over the next few years my life encountered a series of setbacks, most of which were self-inflicted but all of which were very trying. Inside I took a dark turn and became cynical and angry. The more cynical I became the more I began to look at the world with a sense of disgust instead of joy. The more disgusting the world became to me the emptier I started to feel until eventually I found myself at a point where all I could think was nothing matters and all life is a waste of time. It was during this time at my lowest when I had a great moment of realization. I was watching the Coen Brother?s movie The Big Lebowski and it occurred to me, The Dude is a man that has it figured out. Little did I know that I wasn?t alone in this realization and a chance encounter with an internet link lead me to Dudeism.com.

At first I was skeptical, I mean why would anyone worship a fictional movie character? Although I suppose it?s no crazier than a talking bush or a magic baby but that?s beside the point. The more I read into it the more it began to make sense to me. It?s a nontheistic religion; what does that mean? Well if you don?t know you should probably open a book every now and again but I?ll explain. A nontheistic religion is a religion that doesn?t worship a God. There is no divine entity in Dudeism. It is more a philosophy or lifestyle much the same way Buddhism and Taoism are. We do not pray to The Dude but instead we follow the examples laid out by him. Now I know this probably still sounds a bit out there but that?s okay. With Dudeism you don?t have to fully understand, you are free to follow The Dude however you see fit. There are no ceremonies or mandatory rituals, you don?t have to dress a certain way or follow a bunch of arbitrary rules. All that is very undude. Sure there are some traditions that many Dudeist?s follow; the enjoyment of a good White Russian, the occasional Oat Soda, a good burger, the company of a special lady friend, the ceremonial rug that ties the room together, and of course bowling. We also have one religious day of the year, The Day of the Dude on March 6th.  Of course the beautiful thing about Dudeism is all this is optional because at its core Dudeism is really about one thing. Abide. Once again if you?re unsure what that means then I?m happy to explain. The dictionary defines abide as being able to accept or tolerate. What does that mean in the context of Dudeism? It means life goes on and all we can do is abide. Take it easy and go with the flow. To put it simply, shit happens and sometimes it?s good, sometimes it?s bad, but all we can do is just accept that. Roll with the punches and always make the best of it. Fuck it, man life goes on. To me that?s the most comforting thing I?ve ever found in any religion. Even when the man in the black pajamas comes for me life will still go on. Billions have come before me and billions will follow all I can do is be grateful for small piece of the universe I was gifted with. I realize this sounds like a bunch of hippie talk and you?re right it really is but I?ve come to realize that?s not such a bad thing. Dudeism has given me away to look past all the petty things and try to enjoy life. All that really matters is what makes you happy. Since starting down this path I?ve begun to start enjoying many of the smaller things in life as well as really appreciating all the important things I have. While I still have many of the same beliefs I had before in regards to politics, social issues, foreign affairs, and what have you Dudeism has helped me to overcome the hatred and anger I would feel about those things. It?s pretty much helped me squash any hatred and anger I have at all. Don?t get me wrong though I would still shoot a terrorist in the face because you can?t follow the teaching of The Dude without also taking in some of the words of the wise Walter Sobchack.

[Reverend Al]

Welcome to the rug, RandoRock!

Happy to hear Dudeism has had such a positive influence in your life; after all, that's what it's all about.  We might debate the finer points of Dudeism here on occasion, but that's only because we're still trying to sort it all out and define what it means to each of us.  It sounds like you have a pretty solid handle on it, and I look forward to reading your thoughts and opinions!

[StAugustineDude]

Now I know this probably still sounds a bit out there but that?s okay. /quote]

Not at all Dude... I think you would find that most of us have found ourselves here in similar fashion.  At least, I know my path was pretty much the same.    Welcome to the group... Take er' easy and just abide.

[RandoRock]

Thank you for the welcome! Dudeism has had a postive influence on me and it's comforting to find a few like minded individuals out there taken'er easy. That whole thing was actually something I posted to my Facebook in an attempted to explain to everyone what I meant when I said I was Dudeist.

[PriorRestraint]

Thank you for the welcome! Dudeism has had a postive influence on me and it's comforting to find a few like minded individuals out there taken'er easy. That whole thing was actually something I posted to my Facebook in an attempted to explain to everyone what I meant when I said I was Dudeist.

Welcome dude. I'm glad you found a path that's working for you. Out of curiosity, how was your post received on Facebook?

[RandoRock]

The way one would expect it to be; Questions, disbelief, and several attempts to have me "get right with God". You know, the ususal.

[BikerDude]

The way one would expect it to be; Questions, disbelief, and several attempts to have me "get right with God". You know, the ususal.

Is that some kind of eastern thing?

[Reverend Al]

The way one would expect it to be; Questions, disbelief, and several attempts to have me "get right with God". You know, the ususal.

Is that some kind of eastern thing?

Far from it. 

[RandoRock]

Telling others that their beliefs are wrong while pushing your own is about as western as it gets.

[Reverend Al]

Telling others that their beliefs are wrong while pushing your own is about as western as it gets.

That's one of the reasons I'm turned off by the so-called "western" religions--their thinking is so uptight.  Lotta' ins, lotta' outs, lotta' what-have-yous in the universe, and most of the religious types are so closed-minded that they reject anything that doesn't align with their dogmatic rhetoric; not a lot of free-thinkers there.

[RandoRock]

They are only "free thinkers" when it suits them. A lot of Bible thumpers are quick to throw out God condemns Homosexuality but if you try to tell them that God also condemns losing viginity before marriage(the Bible actually says the woman should be stoned to death), it states that women are to remain silent and a woman is to hold not to teach nor hold authority over a man, it states that you can beat your slave, and so on and what have you, they are always quick to say well we don't do that anymore or you're just taking it out of context. Fucking Amateurs.

[Reverend Al]

Spot on.  They say the Bible is to be taken literally, then cherry-pick the passages that they agree with and discard the rest.  But, hey, at least they aren't out stoning non-virgins to death; got to give 'em credit for that.

Also, most of the Christians I know (or used to know) practice what one Pastor called "Churchianity", i.e. they behave themselves for an hour or so while they're at church, but the rest of the time they're out drinking and swearing and cheating on their spouses and basically doing whatever the hell they want.  Years ago I called a few of my Christian friends on it, and their response was always the same:  "Yeah, but I'm a Christian so God will forgive me." 

[RandoRock]

It comes across to me as weaponized religion, using it to force people to behave in a way that suits them. It makes no sense that a good, honest, hardworking, kind, and all around good Dude will automatically be condemned to hell if give constant praise to his invisible friend. Where on the other hand a person who lies, steals, rapes, murders, and is a pederast can still get a first class ticket to the pearly gates if he simply apologizes. There's no rhyme or reason to it, it's all just one big game of control. People use religion as something to hide behind and as we all know neither religion or pacifism are something to hide behind. Sorry if I come off a bit ranty but ever since ousting myself as Dudeist/Taoist I've been hit with a nonstop barrage of Christ to the face.

[Reverend Al]

Many of the "western" religions (or at least some of the factions) are definitely about control and manipulation--keeping the "faithful" in line by using fear of "eternal damnation" as a weapon.  "Love me, praise me, and worship me and no other, or I'll punish and torture you forever."  It makes God sound like a 14-year-old schoolgirl with a crush. 

[RandoRock]

That's just it, if God is all knowing, all powerful, master of the universe then why does he need constant praise and attention? They set out trying to convince us to follow this perfect being and yet they gave him an ego to rival Donald Trump. Its the equivalent of me making my kids constantly tell me I'm a good Dad otherwise I'll punish them and that right there is some shitty parenting.